Reviews

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

wrenlee's review against another edition

4.0

Spoiler

This book hit home because I went to high school with someone who would later become a big player in a white nationalist movement. I remember questioning everything I ever said to this person, wondering what he was thinking about me. But regardless of my personal experiences, this book hits home in different ways.

This book is fantastic for so many reasons.
One. The mystery is intriguing. You want to know who did these acts of hate and racism. You want Safiya to find out the truth.
Two. The racism feels real. These are things that have happened in the past, and Samira Ahmed captures the hatred and fear so perfectly. I wanted answers and justice because, unlike the real world, we can find justice and hope in books like this one.

My only complaint is the Jawad parts. They felt a bit out of place being the only mystical elements, but at the same time, I understand why they’re there. I wish we focused on just Safiya’s point of view, though.

alliloop88's review against another edition

5.0

This book had me so emotional with all the racist things people said and did to these characters...even the students and teachers at both private and public schools and the police! It's really sad how this world treats its fellow humans! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ all the way. It's so beautifully written.

bookymac95's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Murder

mdettmann's review against another edition

3.0

The premise was interesting and Jawad’s chapters interspersed gave this thriller a perspective that made me even more invested in finding who would take a boy’s life because of such racist hate. The different formats presented such as transcripts, articles, and overall short chapters helped the pacing of what was a book that was a solid 150 pages too long. I also dug that it was a modern twist on the Leopold and Loeb murder, which I had only learned about this past year from a book (I got that vibe but the historical note confirmed it). However, I felt there was one too many long and didactic parts that took me out of it. I felt the urgency and anger against white supremacy was already very much there and didn’t need those constantly on top of it because I wanted more character development, more sweet Jawad, and more justice that ultimately was still not enough in a world where this hate grows so strongly.

liter_ely's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

reubennieandthejets's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

gemmapz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a great and terrible story. Deserves all the accolades!

rgibbons's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

4 instead of 4.5 because I predicted the killer

lillie444's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

morganbrabender's review against another edition

4.0

Such an important voice to be heard. Based on a true story of real, violent, disgusting Islamophobia and White supremacy, this story tells of an experience that needs to be listened to. This was good YA mystery (though a bit predictable) with a message. Felt kind of like The Hate U Give, just with a different social issue to address.