A review by booknerderika
This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

hopeful inspiring reflective tense

4.0

This book is going to ruffle feathers in all the best ways! 

I am a proud reader of banned books and stand behind the message that reading should not be censored. 

I felt so many emotions while reading this story from anger and frustration to hope and sympathy. I loved how many banned books were referenced and quoted in this as well as references to real life events around the nation. The characters were believable and while I hoped there would be more change in some of them, this story stayed true to reality in the way that not everyone can change. 

The way that Noor treated her mother made me mad, but the more I thought about it, I probably would've been on Noor's side had I read this as a teenager. I loved the development of their relationship as the story progressed. You could see the pain they felt and how they were slowly learning to heal. 

As for the romance side of this story, I thought it was weird
how Faiz smelled like Noor's dad and triggered her but then she ended up choosing to be with him. It would've been better if he didn't remind her of her dad at all. I understand that it was to show how she was healing but I wish they wouldn't have compared her love interest to her father. 
I'm also glad that she held her ground when it came to Andrew because that is a lesson I think a lot of teenagers (and some adults as well) need to learn. 

Overall, I felt a roller coaster of emotions while reading this book and for that, it gets a high rating from me. 
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