I kept wanting to give this 4 stars when reviewing it because of the perfectionist in me, but... I simply couldn't bring myself to.
This is not my usual sort of book. I read adult fantasy almost exclusively. I happened upon When the Apricots Bloom on BookishFirst and wound up winning the raffle despite only having a mild interest. I intended to read the book for the sole purpose of reviewing it honestly (and I am now.) That was not the sole reason I was instantly drawn in. That was not the reason I finished the book in less than 48 hours despite two 10-hour work days.
The reason is a mix somewhere between plot and characters. I feared for Huda. I rooted for her. I wanted her to keep her morals and wind up on top. I liked Ally well enough. I didn't want harm to come to her and her relationship with Huda really kept me pleading that she doesn't get betrayed. I didn't find myself near as drawn to Rania, yet I still rooted for her all the same.
I wanted so badly to see the beauty of Baghdad through Ally's eyes. The whole thing was a tense ride that was just so eye-opening. I was drawn instantly into the setting and felt the pressures put upon the characters.
Yes, I would recommend this. I would recommend it even to those like me that haven't read a lick of literary fiction in years. Yes, even, I think I will read it again some time.
This an unbiased and voluntary review for the ARC provided to me by BookishFirst and Kensington Publishing.
This is not my usual sort of book. I read adult fantasy almost exclusively. I happened upon When the Apricots Bloom on BookishFirst and wound up winning the raffle despite only having a mild interest. I intended to read the book for the sole purpose of reviewing it honestly (and I am now.) That was not the sole reason I was instantly drawn in. That was not the reason I finished the book in less than 48 hours despite two 10-hour work days.
The reason is a mix somewhere between plot and characters. I feared for Huda. I rooted for her. I wanted her to keep her morals and wind up on top. I liked Ally well enough. I didn't want harm to come to her and her relationship with Huda really kept me pleading that she doesn't get betrayed. I didn't find myself near as drawn to Rania, yet I still rooted for her all the same.
I wanted so badly to see the beauty of Baghdad through Ally's eyes. The whole thing was a tense ride that was just so eye-opening. I was drawn instantly into the setting and felt the pressures put upon the characters.
Yes, I would recommend this. I would recommend it even to those like me that haven't read a lick of literary fiction in years. Yes, even, I think I will read it again some time.
This an unbiased and voluntary review for the ARC provided to me by BookishFirst and Kensington Publishing.