This book is really well written and full of beautifully and painfully flawed characters. The only reason this isn't a completely five star one for me is that the early Anvar parts got to be a bit dull for my tastes, particularly when juxtaposed with Safwa's much more engaging story. Maybe that's because I frequently find straight teenage boys slightly dull or maybe it really is just not an overly engage part of the story. Overall though I think this is an incredible story about thinking of others complexly, about how violence begets violence and silence/distance begets resentment and misunderstandings. I thought this a compelling read though I wouldn't describe it as fun one. It is, however, at times, extremely funny. Do heed the TWs though because there are a lot of things I suspect readers will find disturbing.