This is my first book by this author and I have absolutely zero regrets choosing to spend my day reading this raw and riveting novel. Despite the trigger warnings of drug and alcohol addiction, drug dealing, physical abuse, death, Islamophobia, overdosing, and racism, I believe this is a novel that should be in every library, taught at every school, and put in every reader's hands (adults included).
This book is told mainly through dual points of view of Salahundin and Noor with powerful glimpses into the past through Misbah's point of view. The bond between Salahundin and Noor is stronger than friendship, despite secrets that both either refuse to see or don't want to see. Each character deals with so much and at times, they are each other's only safe space. But even in their shared space, they remain strangers and my heart ached for them.
The family and found families are imperfect and at times broken; these characters also endeared themselves to me. The writing is some of the best I've ever encountered and I always felt as if I were living this novel as I read.
In my opinion, this book will receive so many honors that the cover may need redesigning to fit all the shiny stickers. This powerful novel will be one I think about for a very long time, one I recommend to everyone, and one that will easily be my favorite of the year. This is one of those books that gripped me, broke my heart, and yet, still gave me hope.
This book is told mainly through dual points of view of Salahundin and Noor with powerful glimpses into the past through Misbah's point of view. The bond between Salahundin and Noor is stronger than friendship, despite secrets that both either refuse to see or don't want to see. Each character deals with so much and at times, they are each other's only safe space. But even in their shared space, they remain strangers and my heart ached for them.
The family and found families are imperfect and at times broken; these characters also endeared themselves to me. The writing is some of the best I've ever encountered and I always felt as if I were living this novel as I read.
In my opinion, this book will receive so many honors that the cover may need redesigning to fit all the shiny stickers. This powerful novel will be one I think about for a very long time, one I recommend to everyone, and one that will easily be my favorite of the year. This is one of those books that gripped me, broke my heart, and yet, still gave me hope.