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jasminrain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Its the kind of book that ticks all the trigger warnings but you still need to read it. I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator did an absolutely phenomenal job capturing the characters, their emotions and the world around them. I loved that the story was not linear but jumping back and forth between the present and the past. I can't say that its a book that blowed my mind with twists as it was quite easy to figure out what was coming.
It's the kind of book that you have to read because of the topic. While its definitely on the heavy side with content and themes, lots of the darker events are actually not discussed in detail which was a bit of a relief. The only thing that I found really appalling was the ableist language that the main character used about her disabled wife. All the other triggers in the book were rooted to the story and the trauma that the characters experienced, but it was the choice of the author to use this language. When I started reading the book I also thought that the author had Syrian background and I was suprised to learn later that she didn't. It kinda made me wonder if that was her story to tell in the first place.
Regardless of all this I really enjoyed the book. I wanted to keep listening and learning about their journey and all those past events that were discussed in the present. The book was quite fast paced at times and the story of their journey jumping a lot. I think I would have liked to learn more about certain moments. But apart from all that it was such a good book!
It's the kind of book that you have to read because of the topic. While its definitely on the heavy side with content and themes, lots of the darker events are actually not discussed in detail which was a bit of a relief. The only thing that I found really appalling was the ableist language that the main character used about her disabled wife. All the other triggers in the book were rooted to the story and the trauma that the characters experienced, but it was the choice of the author to use this language. When I started reading the book I also thought that the author had Syrian background and I was suprised to learn later that she didn't. It kinda made me wonder if that was her story to tell in the first place.
Regardless of all this I really enjoyed the book. I wanted to keep listening and learning about their journey and all those past events that were discussed in the present. The book was quite fast paced at times and the story of their journey jumping a lot. I think I would have liked to learn more about certain moments. But apart from all that it was such a good book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism and Emotional abuse
hummyk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Violence, and Islamophobia