My second Etaf Rum novel in 2024 and I loved this one more than Evil Eye. Having the perspectives of three women/girls helped it feel more well-rounded, and made the effects of intergenerational trauma more stark and tough to bear. As always when reading a book by an author from a background traditionally marginalised in western publishing (Palestinian-American in this case), I always hope people will read with nuance, and not come away painting the experiences of all Palestinian-American women with one brush. This story tackles domestic abuse and violence against women under patriarchy, and it goes to some dark places. Through Fareeda, Isra and Deya we see three women who have had their choices taken away from them, and their struggle to reclaim that agency and take charge of their future choices. Some are more successful than others, some end in tragedy.

The audiobook was very well done, though I preferred the narrators for Deya and Isra - thankfully they did make up the lion’s share of the chapters.

I also just reread my review of Evil Eye where I said I’d definitely go for a print version of this book lol. I’m a sucker for a technically free audiobook (thanks Spotify)