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A review by linesiunderline
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
I went into this book with high expectations because I was delighted by the author’s debut, Ayesha at Last.
While it took me a little longer to fall for Hana Khan Carries On, in the end I can say this book is entirely a worthy sophomore outing for Uzma Jalaluddin. Read it. Read her first book. They are wonderful.
Best bits
• The family dynamic - as in Ayesha at Last, you can feel the realism of the relationships in this book.
• TORONTO! It’s always fun when the city you call home comes to life on the page. We’ve got the CN Tower, a Jay’s game, Tim’s, Kawartha Dairy ice cream, vibrant local neighborhoods.
• Mouthwatering food mentions - so many!
• The structure that interspersed clips from Hana’s podcast was clever, and brought us deeper into the heart of her character.
• Adept, unflinching exploration of hard realities around micro aggressions and anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Howevers
• I saw the central twist coming very early on, but I think we were supposed to? And it didn’t really interfere with my enjoyment.
• I think more could have been made of the romance, given this is classified as romance. I do love that Hana is fully developed in her own right, and that takes work and time on the page to accomplish. I wouldn’t want that to be sacrificed. She isn’t waiting for a guy, or even looking for one. I remember Ayesha at Last was very PG too, but I felt like there was more simmering in the central relationship there. I wanted more of that simmering feeling in this book too. There were moments, but more would have added to the romantic tension.
Hana Khan has settled it for me: Uzma Jalaluddin is an autobuy author for me. You’re in for a treat if you haven’t read her books yet!
(Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the copy of this in exchange for an honest review).
While it took me a little longer to fall for Hana Khan Carries On, in the end I can say this book is entirely a worthy sophomore outing for Uzma Jalaluddin. Read it. Read her first book. They are wonderful.
Best bits
• The family dynamic - as in Ayesha at Last, you can feel the realism of the relationships in this book.
• TORONTO! It’s always fun when the city you call home comes to life on the page. We’ve got the CN Tower, a Jay’s game, Tim’s, Kawartha Dairy ice cream, vibrant local neighborhoods.
• Mouthwatering food mentions - so many!
• The structure that interspersed clips from Hana’s podcast was clever, and brought us deeper into the heart of her character.
• Adept, unflinching exploration of hard realities around micro aggressions and anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Howevers
• I saw the central twist coming very early on, but I think we were supposed to? And it didn’t really interfere with my enjoyment.
• I think more could have been made of the romance, given this is classified as romance. I do love that Hana is fully developed in her own right, and that takes work and time on the page to accomplish. I wouldn’t want that to be sacrificed. She isn’t waiting for a guy, or even looking for one. I remember Ayesha at Last was very PG too, but I felt like there was more simmering in the central relationship there. I wanted more of that simmering feeling in this book too. There were moments, but more would have added to the romantic tension.
Hana Khan has settled it for me: Uzma Jalaluddin is an autobuy author for me. You’re in for a treat if you haven’t read her books yet!
(Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the copy of this in exchange for an honest review).
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Hate crime, Suicide, and Toxic relationship