decie's review
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Medical content, Grief, Gun violence, Sexism, Torture, Death of parent, Genocide, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Pedophilia and Rape
blakeandbooks'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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Genocide, Death, Police brutality, Mental illness, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Torture and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
sara_b_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Physical abuse, Rape, Vomit, Police brutality, Violence, Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Murder, Medical content, and Death
qquuiill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is very inspiring. From the hardships that Salama faces, you learn through her and other characters like Kenan that life is worth fighting for. You learn to be strong. To have hope. To keep your head up. To love. To smile. To, despite the world against you, persevere and find joy.
Albeit, the book is on a heavy topic so if you don't like reads with themes of war, politics(?), and PTSD, maybe don't read it. It's a great read nonetheless.
The book isn't spicy but the moments between Salama and Kenan are enough to make your heart flutter, kick your legs, and giggle. It's very sweet. Their relationship is honest and pure.
I finished this book in one sitting - I could NOT put it down.
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gun violence, War, Medical content, Body horror, Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
arshiya_amreen90786's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, Grief, Gun violence, Rape, Torture, Vomit, Genocide, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Murder, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
serendipity421's review
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Child death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Murder, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and War
Minor: Vomit
writingcaia's review against another edition
5.0
Amid the devastation in Síria after the Arab Spring and the riots to remove the dictator Bashar Allasad from power two young adults will have to decide what’s most important, to survive, be together, and be the vehicle of their country’s history, or fight and die for it.
It’s a really powerful story with the whole emotional journey of the how and why someone abandons their home and risks their life to flee.
One of the best historical fiction’s I’ve read, and one that tells of a recent history we all should know about.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Blood, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Torture and Rape
jordynkw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Child death, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, and Medical content
aericsson's review
- 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
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, War, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Child death, Grief, Murder, Gore, Death, Medical content, Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
kareseburrows's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
One of the main themes of this story is hope. It's a beautiful thing, but it can also be so painful and difficult to hold on to, especially when everything around you is falling to ruins. Katouh's depiction of the war in Syria, and the physical, mental and emotional toll it takes on the characters in the book is heart wrenching. Through her writing she opens you up to a story that makes you feel deeply. You feel for the characters. You feel for the country.
So many people wonder about the very real experience of refugees and question how someone can pickup and leave their home like that, especially when there's no guarantee of life wherever they're going. This makes me think of the poem "Home" written by Warsan Shire. Salama and Kenan are two characters cut from the same cloth, in that their pride and deep love of their country makes them feel bound to stay, but then they realize they are the embodiments of their country, and Syria will always live within them, no matter where they go. They leave not because they don't love their country anymore, but because of their right for survival.
Hope is woven throughout this book, and the very real truth that is an important aspect of being human, despite how fleeting it may seem in the midst of war, abuse, trauma, loss and death. I think a great trait of any book is one that tells a story through a lens that makes you want to keep reading. I've never known the tragedy of war, or the terrible experience of having to leave your home country because your life is in danger, but it was a wonderful experience reading this book, despite the dark themes. Katouh did not shy away from the very real and very straightforward descriptions of what the traumas of war and loss. It created such vivid and tangible characters. Such powerfully storytelling; it's now a favorite. I'm excited to see what other stories she writes.
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Torture, Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Blood, Death, Mental illness, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Vomit