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A review by lavendermarch
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
5.0
This is quite possibly the best contemporary YA book I've read this year. Part coming of age, part romance, it immediately swept me up into the story of Danyal, the handsome, culinarily talented, earnest protagonist, and didn't let me go. This book will stay with me for a long time, for both the fabulous protagonist and the powerful story.
Danyal's narrative voice felt very clear, poignant, and intensely lovable. In a lot of ways, he's just a young adult trying to find his way in the world, navigating societal, parental, and cultural expectations along with his own hopes and dreams. I was immediately charmed by him, but grew to truly love him by the end of the book. He felt very real, as if he could walk off the page, smile at me, and start cooking up something delicious. (I was very hungry the entire time I read this. Bring snacks, and get ready to order biryani if your culinary skills are - like mine - woefully lacking no matter the cuisine.)
I also adored Bisma, and also enjoyed reading about Danyal's two best friends and their personal journeys. Watching all three of their struggles with sadness, despair, anger, and other emotions made it all the sweeter when they began to move in more positive, healthy directions by the end. I was particularly happy for Bisma.
I think that the title captures the spirit of the book quite well, although I have to say: I expected the book to be a light rom-com with coming of age elements. Instead, it was a coming of age story with romantic elements which often touched on darker topics and emotions (although this was excellently balanced thanks to Danyal's amusing, charming narration and the overall smooth, easy to read writing.)
Overall, I'm incredibly glad that I picked this book from my stack of library reads for the summer. It was powerful, charming, and felt like both a punch to the gut and a warm hug. I adored Danyal, the protagonist, and felt proud and honored to watch him grow and change the world around him. I will absolutely be on the lookout for other books by Masood. 5 stars.
Danyal's narrative voice felt very clear, poignant, and intensely lovable. In a lot of ways, he's just a young adult trying to find his way in the world, navigating societal, parental, and cultural expectations along with his own hopes and dreams. I was immediately charmed by him, but grew to truly love him by the end of the book. He felt very real, as if he could walk off the page, smile at me, and start cooking up something delicious. (I was very hungry the entire time I read this. Bring snacks, and get ready to order biryani if your culinary skills are - like mine - woefully lacking no matter the cuisine.)
I also adored Bisma, and also enjoyed reading about Danyal's two best friends and their personal journeys. Watching all three of their struggles with sadness, despair, anger, and other emotions made it all the sweeter when they began to move in more positive, healthy directions by the end. I was particularly happy for Bisma.
I think that the title captures the spirit of the book quite well, although I have to say: I expected the book to be a light rom-com with coming of age elements. Instead, it was a coming of age story with romantic elements which often touched on darker topics and emotions (although this was excellently balanced thanks to Danyal's amusing, charming narration and the overall smooth, easy to read writing.)
Overall, I'm incredibly glad that I picked this book from my stack of library reads for the summer. It was powerful, charming, and felt like both a punch to the gut and a warm hug. I adored Danyal, the protagonist, and felt proud and honored to watch him grow and change the world around him. I will absolutely be on the lookout for other books by Masood. 5 stars.