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justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition
3.75
“Everyone is important. When you know that and believe it and act upon it, everything and everyone around you will feel at peace with you.”
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one, but at the same time, the depictions of Mecca and Medina were so stunning and it made me miss it so much. Didn't really like the miscommunication that was going on in this book though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
greenlivingaudioworm's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Vomit, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
luuley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism
zahrahm's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reading this in Ramadan was an interesting experience. SK Ali brings forward many very real internal struggles Muslims struggle with on a daily basis and makes you consider why those feelings are there and how you react to the character’s struggles feels indicative of your own state. This book greatly benefits from a reflective reading. The descriptions of the two holy cities is beautiful, and many passages about Islam and wholesome Muslim representation brought tears to my eyes.
This book is real in a way that takes you along a journey of self discovery.
This book is real in a way that takes you along a journey of self discovery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Chronic illness
sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
since during last ramadan i decided to read love from a to z, i thought it would be a good idea to read its second part this year!
but there's a few reasons why i did not like it as much as the first book and one of them is the pacing of the conflict. it just lasted for like 80% of the book and it could have easily been fixed if they just talked to each other... miscommunication is truly something, lmao. however, i guess i can kind of understand why they couldn't. and that's the point where i get to talk about the subplot, aka one of my favorite things in the book.
although it was sad that a and z didn't get to spend many cute moments together, i think that it is totally normal for couples and marriages to go through times where they are not at the same place, either mentally, physically and spiritually. obviously, both their struggles were equally valid and relatable.
zayneb has been under a lot of stress because of some allegations about her going on at college and bc she doesn't have a place where to live.
adam is struggling to find a job and starts wondering if he should not have dropped out of college. he feels guilty and he know zayneb's family won't accept him if he can't "stand on his two feet".
amidst these different stressful situations adam's dad intervenes and proposes they should both make umrah. adam thinks it's a great idea, a good oportunity to literally pray for a job. but zayneb is not feeling really in the mood for that journey so she basically goes to umrah for adam and not herself.
however this journey helps both of them to realize things about themselves and by the end of their umrah they feel like they have changed and maybe life is smiling at them.
not only it was interesting to read about them, their introspection and realizations but it was really nice to read about the setting. i feel like it's a great book to learn more about the umrah, even if you're muslim. for example, i am a muslim myself but i had no idea of some things such as the distance between safa and marwa or the order of the things you have to do.
going back to some things i did not really like,one of them was the ending with sarina. okay maybe she was jealous of zayneb or maybe she felt she was better for being nice or whatever. but pairing her up with yasin, the haram police, after she said she wanted a religious guy was not it. i think she definitely deserved better.
then there's the resolution of the miscommunication. i feel like the conflict lasted way too long to fix it in less than one page. i get the adam and zayneb love each other. a lot. but i feel like they should have talked about the situation better and be completely open with each other. im guessing it partly happened off camera but idk, the make up stage just felt super rushed :/
but yeah, despite that, this was cute and realistic and it hit so close to my faith. i truly enjoyed reading it and i recommend it, specially if you're muslim <3
ps: i need to get this out, im sorry, lmao. i excluded it from the main review bc it's not something involving the plot or writing, but the audiobook. i was listening to it while reading, in order to focus better. and the narrators were amazing, of course! now i can't imagine the MCs' voices sounding any other way. i noticed they hired a brown and an asian narrator which is cool. but... i just wish they knew how to speak arabic lmfao.
like im sorry but everytime there was an expression in arabic, specially the girl, struggled to pronounce the words and ngl it kinda hurt to listen, lmao. like, the "labbaik allahuma labbaik" dhikr always makes me tear up. but in this audiobook it was just awful to listen to, im sorry
but there's a few reasons why i did not like it as much as the first book and one of them is the pacing of the conflict. it just lasted for like 80% of the book and it could have easily been fixed if they just talked to each other... miscommunication is truly something, lmao. however, i guess i can kind of understand why they couldn't. and that's the point where i get to talk about the subplot, aka one of my favorite things in the book.
although it was sad that a and z didn't get to spend many cute moments together, i think that it is totally normal for couples and marriages to go through times where they are not at the same place, either mentally, physically and spiritually. obviously, both their struggles were equally valid and relatable.
zayneb has been under a lot of stress because of some allegations about her going on at college and bc she doesn't have a place where to live.
adam is struggling to find a job and starts wondering if he should not have dropped out of college. he feels guilty and he know zayneb's family won't accept him if he can't "stand on his two feet".
amidst these different stressful situations adam's dad intervenes and proposes they should both make umrah. adam thinks it's a great idea, a good oportunity to literally pray for a job. but zayneb is not feeling really in the mood for that journey so she basically goes to umrah for adam and not herself.
however this journey helps both of them to realize things about themselves and by the end of their umrah they feel like they have changed and maybe life is smiling at them.
not only it was interesting to read about them, their introspection and realizations but it was really nice to read about the setting. i feel like it's a great book to learn more about the umrah, even if you're muslim. for example, i am a muslim myself but i had no idea of some things such as the distance between safa and marwa or the order of the things you have to do.
going back to some things i did not really like,
then there's the resolution of the miscommunication. i feel like the conflict lasted way too long to fix it in less than one page. i get the adam and zayneb love each other. a lot. but i feel like they should have talked about the situation better and be completely open with each other. im guessing it partly happened off camera but idk, the make up stage just felt super rushed :/
but yeah, despite that, this was cute and realistic and it hit so close to my faith. i truly enjoyed reading it and i recommend it, specially if you're muslim <3
ps: i need to get this out, im sorry, lmao. i excluded it from the main review bc it's not something involving the plot or writing, but the audiobook. i was listening to it while reading, in order to focus better. and the narrators were amazing, of course! now i can't imagine the MCs' voices sounding any other way. i noticed they hired a brown and an asian narrator which is cool. but... i just wish they knew how to speak arabic lmfao.
like im sorry but everytime there was an expression in arabic, specially the girl, struggled to pronounce the words and ngl it kinda hurt to listen, lmao. like, the "labbaik allahuma labbaik" dhikr always makes me tear up. but in this audiobook it was just awful to listen to, im sorry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Medical content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism
tharumi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent
violet_primroses's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Note: this review is spoiler free, but the book is not. It has major spoilers for Misfit in Love, Love From A to Z, and The Eid Gift. Also please look into the trigger warnings.
Ok so at first it was kinda disappointing, I was expecting so much and it was giving…
Until it did. I loved seeing the characters grow and learn from their mistakes. I loved seeing them own up for their flaws. They acted like real, messy, people.
I also loved how this was more Islamic fiction than Love From A to Z. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. I honestly should have taken greater advantage of kindle notes and highlights.
Most of all, I love Bertha Fatima. The cat was my favorite character.
Ok so at first it was kinda disappointing, I was expecting so much and it was giving…
Until it did. I loved seeing the characters grow and learn from their mistakes. I loved seeing them own up for their flaws. They acted like real, messy, people.
I also loved how this was more Islamic fiction than Love From A to Z. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. I honestly should have taken greater advantage of kindle notes and highlights.
Most of all, I love Bertha Fatima. The cat was my favorite character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Vomit, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
Minor: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
antonique_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent
ladygetslit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Reasons I Loved This:
- I learned so much about Islam. As an outsider, I had to look up a bunch of different things because this was clearly written for Muslim readers, which is incredible.
- Even though the miscommunication storyline was somewhat forced, I am a sucker for these types of stories, and I just love Adam and Zayneb being messy and adorable.
- This story treads the line between YA and regular fiction and does it so well.
- The interlude written in 3rd person but from the POV of A & Z's cat melted my heart.
- Even as a non-Muslim, this book felt so spiritual and made me reflect on the spiritual journey we all take, regardless of what religion we do or don't practice.
- Honest discussion about that awkward time in your life when you're still trying to figure out who you're going to be in the wider world as a 20-something was spot on.
- Did I mention A & Z are just adorable? Because they are, and I love them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Xenophobia, Vomit, and Antisemitism
Minor: Bullying, Islamophobia, and Medical content
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Islamophobia