The -0.25 comes from the few clunky parts in this book where it feels like things just happened a tad too conveniently. As well as one of the characters, Zee, being slightly too one dimensional when I think it would have benefited the story much more to have spent some time exploring Zee's as well. And lasting because the very last chapter just didn't feel right to be and I wish had not been added. 

Aside from that ... holy shit! I never had plans to read this book, I had this completely different understanding of what it was even about. However, one tiktok later and I placed a hold at my library. From the very first page, I was hooked! The way Akbar writes, his poetic writing just flows through every line. I love how the meaning of Martyr seems to change within in the last chapter and creates this beautiful conclusion. Haven't cried while reading a book in a very long time, but wow I had to keep taking breaks while reading this because it would become too much all at once. Absolutely stunning piece of work.