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A review by thebonsaibook
Sand Roses by Hamza Koudri
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
SPOILER FREE
In a sentence: a historical criminal fictional masterpiece deserving of all prizes.
We embark on a journey back in time in the 30's to discover a past many people try to hide. a piece of history that weaves french colonial era in Algeria, Ouled Nail Dancers past and a touch of thrill, murder and revenge in the city of joy, Boussada.
With a delicate writing style, we meet the Ammarriyas, two sisters who dream of becoming Nailiya dancers and quickly meet with the harsh truth of what this entails. Our protagonists trail a new destiny when they kill a french soldier for self defense and this encounter will change their lives forever.
We explore many themes: french colonialism in Boussada and the atrocities the locals endured due to the colonial army. the hidden history of Nailiya dancers and their work that often required way more than just dancing. We also learn the intense link of sisterhood, motherhood and the closely knit relation between it all.
Written in 3rd person POV, we're offered a glance from different characters with smooth transitions and a pace that keeps rising as we inch closer to the end and many questions that rise with it as well all to be answered as the novel ends.
It's a historical fiction but it holds much more than just a piece of history woven in a tale, it's a past we often omit to look at, we often shy away from. It's a story from the people who decided not to endure their destiny and work to always rise from the ashes.
Definitely a book I recommend and will keep recommending for anyone into history, murder, crimes, thriller and anyone who wants to read an amazing book.
In a sentence: a historical criminal fictional masterpiece deserving of all prizes.
We embark on a journey back in time in the 30's to discover a past many people try to hide. a piece of history that weaves french colonial era in Algeria, Ouled Nail Dancers past and a touch of thrill, murder and revenge in the city of joy, Boussada.
With a delicate writing style, we meet the Ammarriyas, two sisters who dream of becoming Nailiya dancers and quickly meet with the harsh truth of what this entails. Our protagonists trail a new destiny when they kill a french soldier for self defense and this encounter will change their lives forever.
We explore many themes: french colonialism in Boussada and the atrocities the locals endured due to the colonial army. the hidden history of Nailiya dancers and their work that often required way more than just dancing. We also learn the intense link of sisterhood, motherhood and the closely knit relation between it all.
Written in 3rd person POV, we're offered a glance from different characters with smooth transitions and a pace that keeps rising as we inch closer to the end and many questions that rise with it as well all to be answered as the novel ends.
It's a historical fiction but it holds much more than just a piece of history woven in a tale, it's a past we often omit to look at, we often shy away from. It's a story from the people who decided not to endure their destiny and work to always rise from the ashes.
Definitely a book I recommend and will keep recommending for anyone into history, murder, crimes, thriller and anyone who wants to read an amazing book.