biblioemily's review
3.0
The plot seemed to move too quickly without being fully fleshed out. It's a shorter book (280 pages), which will appeal to some readers. The insta-love is a bit much for my tastes (and this generally doesn't bother me too much, b/c it is part of being a teenager). I would recommend it for high school, and 8th graders, too. Maybe some 7th graders, though there is a very casual treatment of sex that could send the wrong message to younger teens.
sc104906's review
4.0
I received this as an eARC through Edelweiss.
Daria and her friends are proud of being open and honest, to the point that they call their group the Authentics. After Daria is assigned a family tree project in school, she has her DNA mapped through a service. The results of this test call into question everything that Daria has ever accepted about herself. On this new quest of self-discovery and search for the truth, Daria comes to terms with her identity.
Daria and her friends obsession with authenticity could drive a reader mad. However, because not every character takes this title or drive seriously, the book evens out, becomes more realistic and palatable. I thought the exploration of a variety of cultures and the crossings of these cultures was intriguing and unique within the YA world. Nazemian so completely inhabits Daria's mind that her voice feels authentically teenage girl...even though she written by an adult man. I had a great time with these characters and felt that they were realistically balanced with positive qualities and challenges.
Daria and her friends are proud of being open and honest, to the point that they call their group the Authentics. After Daria is assigned a family tree project in school, she has her DNA mapped through a service. The results of this test call into question everything that Daria has ever accepted about herself. On this new quest of self-discovery and search for the truth, Daria comes to terms with her identity.
Daria and her friends obsession with authenticity could drive a reader mad. However, because not every character takes this title or drive seriously, the book evens out, becomes more realistic and palatable. I thought the exploration of a variety of cultures and the crossings of these cultures was intriguing and unique within the YA world. Nazemian so completely inhabits Daria's mind that her voice feels authentically teenage girl...even though she written by an adult man. I had a great time with these characters and felt that they were realistically balanced with positive qualities and challenges.
valancy48's review
0.25
this was one of the most wack job books ive ever read fr. like first off, idk maybe im misremembering my teen years, but i dont recall speaking in such a 2010 disney channel cringe fest manner smh. like these kids are so cringe. secondly, smtimes this book got me to wondering if the author is actually iranian?! cuz this was such a stereotypical and caricatural look at both teen girls and persians/iranians, just so annoying. so i mostly read this for the plot, and i do have to say the plot is very twisty turn-ey full of surprises, and its so fast smtimes it just skips scenes, like pacing anyone!?, but yeah this book is a trip !
storytimed's review
2.0
Believably portrayed the protagonist's Persian community, didn't do anything else. I'm glad that Persian teens have a generic YA romance, too?
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did, but it actually made me tear up a tiny bit close to the end.
loved the diverse supporting cast, which includes other POC and queer ppl and QPOC(!).
There were several instances of ableist language though so cw/tw for ableism toward mental illness.
loved the diverse supporting cast, which includes other POC and queer ppl and QPOC(!).
There were several instances of ableist language though so cw/tw for ableism toward mental illness.
kristendv's review
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
This is a book about family, biological and found. It’s also about the psychology of adopted children. This is about discovering who you are and what you are all about. It’s about embracing your culture and heritage, but feeling free to do your own thing. I loved the authenticity (hahaha) of the characters and how that moved the story along. It a wonderful combination of so many things.
dwimordene's review
1.0
Maybe there’s a middle aged man in the world who can write convincingly from the POV of a teenaged girl, but it’s not this author. I kept wanting to cradle his face between my hands and whisper, “real people don’t talk like that, and have you ever interacted with a woman before?”
zayyssa's review
2.0
The book cover's too pretty. The title was very enticing. But then as I was reading, and getting to the middle, I was actually waiting for something. For something that would make the book very "authentic". Aaaaand, it didn't come.
The book was okay, I guess.
The book was okay, I guess.