Look at me reading a whole book in one day. Granted, it's middle grade and a quick read, but it was also so much fun! I wish I had fairytale retellings like this one growing up. I loved Cinderella as a kid, and the Cinderayla story might be my favourite. A happily ever after does not need to include falling in love with a prince and getting married. Sometimes it's just escaping an abusive situation, making your own found family, and living a life you've always dreamt of.

Each fairytale has its own unique spin and I really appreciated that.

I also really loved how Rumaysa was a part of each story and how Suleiman kept popping in too. And they kept saying "I'll pray for you" which just made me 🥺 I'm curious to read the next book and see what other adventures Rumaysa goes on and if she ends up finding her parents. 

You know when you finish a book and you immediately want to flip back to chapter one and start it all over again...this is the book.

The reason it took me forever to read was not because I wasn't 100% obsessed with every single word–it was because I didn't want this to be over. I still don't. I finished reading the last pages a little after midnight today and I almost cried so many times.

***beware of major spoilers***

A Darkness at the Door starts off with Rae imprisoned in the hold of a ship with other Snatched children. The story took off immediately and kept me on the edge of my seat. So much happens just in the first 1/4 of the book. I was literally not expecting the Lady to make an appearance, but of course she does and uses Rae for her own motives.

I think my new favourite character has to be Mage Ehelar. The way he saw through Rae's trauma, but was gentle and patient with her. His only intention to help and not harm. It was a nice contrast and a bit of relief after everything Rae had gone through on the ship.

And then Bren shows up with Artemian and Lirika dsjfkdsfjs and the romance begins. Every interaction between Bren and Rae was SO GOOD. I was smiling the entire time and seeing little things like Bren adjusting his walk so Rae can keep up, teaching her certain fighting techniques that would accommodate her foot and her hand, and just being all round amazing and smirky and his usual charming self.

Lirika was such a fun addition to the cast. I loved seeing another female thief in Bren's court. I also loved the scene where she admits that she thought Rae would be some spoiled noblewoman, but instead Rae puts herself at risk and fights just as hard as they do for what she wants. I really felt for her at the end there as she blames herself for what happened to Artemian. But Rae's offer to let her stay at her parent's farm was a nice ending, and then seeing them get together at the end to find the children wrapped everything up perfectly.

ARTEMIAN THOUGH...there is something about an older man adopting a child that is not his that will always get me. I still cannot get over Bren's backstory and how Artemian took care of him and how Bren would go to him when he needed help. It's just so sdjfskfjsdk. ALSO EVERY INTERACTION WITH ARTEMIAN AND THE CHILDREN. He's just a big softie. And I stand by my previous reading update from Thorn (?) where I said he reminds me of Raoul. Just a big softie, who can kill a man and cuddle a child with the same arms dsjfkdsfjsdf. 

My one issue with this book was honestly summed up really well by Sidrah's review. It was Rae's obsession with the "King's Justice" and how everyone should follow "one law" instead of making up their own, even if the "one law" sucks. As Sidrah mentions, this whole logic fit better with Alyrra, and honestly it kind of reminded me of the commentary we get in Babel. The idea that revolution or change needs to be done through the law, through gentle conversations and discussions, versus violence. I could understand Alyrra wanting to follow the law, especially as a white person in a position of power. But Rae...Rae who has seen how the law has failed, what the Circle has been allowed to do unimpeded...Every time she has asked for help from Alyrra or Kestrin they've told her their hands are tied because they can't oppose the Circle. If anything, it would have made sense for Rae to realize the law can't help and sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Which in a way she does do for a lot of this book, but at the end she defaults to the law again. The only way I can understand it is that some form of violence and resistance needs to occur in order for the law to be changed for the better. I just think it's a bit difficult to accomplish something like this when the entire country knows the King and his law have failed them, and are unaware of the extent of the Circle's crimes and what has been done to rectify the issue. It's difficult because you can't exactly tell all the nobles that Rae took down the Circle so they could be replaced, BUT when you think about it, Rae was wrong and the law couldn't do what needed to be done, so she had to take care of the Circle outside of the law. I just think there were a lot of contradictions with Rae's logic about the law and justice. She didn't seem to follow the morals she preached, and did judge people who took matters into their own hands, mainly Bren, who was doing his best to create a law that protected his people, even if it was more bloody than she would have preferred it.

While I love Bren and Rae together (they're literally my fav couple ever), I do think him giving up the mantle of Red Hawk was a little sad, though I guess Rae does confirm he would have done it anyway and was not doing it for her (I still feel he probably did it for her lol). I would not have mind if Red Hawk became a spy or someone who works behind the scenes to help the Crown do the work that needs to be done but can't be done openly. I think that would have fit better. While we still get Bren working to catch the Snatchers and find the children, he does it with more authority and support from the King. And this makes Rae happy and agree to marry him because they now have shared values: aka the King's law should be the only law. I don't know how to feel about all of this, even though I really loved the book and the ending. It was a perfect fairytale like ending, especially after all the stress of this book.

I also wanted to talk a little about disability rep. I think my favourite scene ever was Rae admitting to Bren that she sometimes uses a cane at home on the farm, and then he gives her TWO pretty canes to choose from dsfjsdkfj. And at the end, on her sweetening, she decides to bring her cane because she knows at the end of the night she might be more exhausted and will need the support the cane can provide. It was so nice to see Bean just grab the cane, no questions asked. 

(While not exactly the same thing, I remember going to a wedding once and the bride chose to wear glasses. People commented on why she didn't wear contacts, but I loved how she decided to ignore what people would say and wear something that was comfortable for her, especially for a long day of celebrating.)

Rae learns to love and respect her body. She realizes she is more capable than she was raised to believe. And I appreciated the conversation she has with her mother at the end, where her mother apologizes for limiting Rae and what she can do with her life, how they only wanted to protect her, but by doing that, they prevented Rae from becoming who she is.

This is a perfect segue into family. I literally almost cried so many times because of anything related to family. Bren's backstory. Artemian's backstory was just dsjfslkfjs. Any time he was playing with the children made me want to sob. And then we have Rae and her family. I'm so used to seeing family who don't support the main character or are mostly absent for the entire book, but Rae's family is always there. When Niya showed up to protect her older sister knowing the risk she was taking sdfjsdklfjslk Rae's anguish and screams when Niya is taken away almost broke me. When Rae sees her mother and Melly again. Anytime Rae and her mother talk. It was so nice to see Rae's mom try to understand what Rae has gone through and how much she's changed since Sheltershorn. It was sad seeing Niya leave, but I'm glad that she gets to start her own life somewhere where she'll be safe and be able to nurture and grow her Talent. It was a perfect ending, though I will admit, I also loved the idea of Niya and Rae always being there for each other.

The ending was intense and fast and anxiety-inducing lol. Things were tied up pretty well, which made for a happier ending in a way.

The last few chapters did feel like additions to what could have been the end of the book. They were nice and sweet moments, that I appreciated seeing, but did add to the length of the story. 

My absolute favourite scene was Rae proposing to Bren and then having the conversation about babies dsjfkdsjfksd. I love a world where magical vasectomies exist. Every world with magic should have reversible vasectomies so those of us who have uteruses don't have to go through the horrible side effects of birth control.

I really appreciated a main character who doesn't want children. THIS IS SO RARE TO SEE IN BOOKS. It's like everyone gets into a relationship and immediately thinks BABIES. But Rae wants to be just Auntie Rae, and not have kids of her own. And Bren's reasoning being that he never really grew up with parents and wouldn't know how to parent was a very realistic reason. I don't think many people think that far ahead when planning a family.

THE LAST CHAPTER THOUGH AND FINDING SERI DSJFLSDFJS I ACTUALLY SHED TEARS BECAUSE THIS WAS SUCH A NICE WAY TO CIRCLE BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE THEFT OF SUNLIGHT. We end off with hope that maybe Kirrana will be found one day too, and other families will be reunited with their children one day. Such a great way to end off a book.

Overall, this book gets a 4.5/5 stars. Still one of my favourite reads of 2022. I cannot wait to get my special edition and be able to read it again.

This book was made for people who love to read. It was fun and quick and full of really great quotes. I loved the cat of course, but I also liked seeing how much Rintaro grows as a character. My only complaint was that there were some parts of the dialogue where I was a little confused who was speaking. I'm really enjoying reading more translated works though, and understand it's hard to get an exact translation of a book across in English.

I'm so glad I finally picked up this book! It was a lot darker than I was expecting, but also very gripping, especially considering the story spans over 7 hours. Thanks to the Great Rogers Incident of 2022, I managed to get through half the book in just a few hours and it had me on the edge of my seat. This story is fast-paced, its disturbing, but also has its lighter/fun moments. I think it was a good balance that made the book enjoyable to read. 

I've never read the original Peter Pan, though I have seen the movie as a kid, and a couple readaptations. The latest being OUAT's Peter Pan who gave me the actual creeps. Well...this Peter Pan is even worse lol. Like it's actually very messed up. One thing I love about a good villain is when their motivations kind of make sense, even if they're very, very wrong. And this was one of those cases.

I loved Wendy as a character. But I especially died when her parents refused to let her meet her online friend. Honestly such a mood.

The side characters though...were my absolute favourite. There's something about a found family that develops because everyone is stressed out and traumatized that just gets to me. I loved Tinkerbelle especially, and Fyodor was a favourite because he's just so soft and squishy.

Honestly, I think a movie adaptation with Thomas Brodie-Sangster playing Peter Pan needs to happen. He's the only adult actor who also looks like a child at the same time.

Juniper and Thorn is a book you won't be able to put down. It's darkness draws you in and grips you, not letting go until the last page. I haven't read a book this fast in ages.

I haven't read Ava's other book, but I fell in love with the writing style. I think it was the main reason I could not put the book down.

This book is dark and disturbing and will definitely make you uncomfortable. But I also think it speaks a truth that may be difficult to put to words for a lot of people. Just like Marlinchen aches for answers, I think her story also brings to light the truth for so many survivors of abuse.

You ever love/hate a book because you feel attacked, but also relate, and hate that you relate, but also it puts words to your experiences and makes you feel Seen. This book did that. It left me with so much to think about, especially with how girls are sexualized from a young age and how this affects them throughout their childhood and into their adulthood. But what I appreciated the most was the commentary on emotional abuse and manipulation...of taking someone's innocence and naiveté and using it for your own purposes, and them blaming them for being silent and passive as a result. Of creating a picture of a world/life that is dangerous to keep someone scared and submissive. This book did that and I'm still a little shocked and at a loss for words.

While aspects of this book are disturbing and difficult to read, I am glad I went into this openminded and aware of different experiences and reactions to those experiences. In a way, it helps you understand your own ugly and dark thoughts better, and maybe makes you feel less alone.

5/5 stars. I am excited to pick up Ava's other book now.

OH HI THERE. THIS IS THE BOOK I DREAMED OF WHEN I WAS A WEE LITTLE THING DISCOVERING THE WORLD OF KNIGHTS THROUGH TAMORA PIERCE’S WORKS. NOW I GET TO SEE MYSELF IN A STORY AND MY HEART HURTS WITH HOW HAPPY I AM

This book really makes you think, and the entire time it kept reminding me of Palestine. I loved the illustrations the most and Aiza’s facial expressions were the best 😂 I wish it was longer though! Or hopefully we get a second book to see what happens. I think the one thing about graphic novels is that they feel so short and I always want more 

I requested this ARC and then immediately got scared and tried to put off reading it because I was worried I would have no idea what was going on and it would be "too intellectual" for me (all based off a few tweets by the author). But boy was I wrong. If any of you are hesitant about picking this book up, don't be! The prose flows so well and is very quick and easy to read. I thought I would be very confused with all the translation aspects of this book, but it was actually very interesting and highlighted how much research went into writing this story. The book draws you in immediately, and the stakes keep getting higher and higher...If I didn't have to study, I probably would have finished this in a week, but it definitely kept me hooked and wanting to come back for more.

The one thing I will say is, the reading experience as an ebook is a little annoying with the footnotes. So, if I were to read this book again, I would definitely buy a physical copy because it just makes it easier and you don't have to go back and forth between the footnote and where you left off. 

This book is a literary masterpiece. It's unique and groundbreaking in the way it critiques imperialism and colonialism. I loved every aspect of it. And my main regret is not highlighting quotes because there are just some very good, iconic quotes that I still can't stop thinking about.

As someone who is brown, an immigrant, and a minority, this book spoke to me in ways that someone who is white won't exactly understand. And what I find ironic about this is that, this exact sentiment is something that is very clearly portrayed in the book with Letty and the other white professors and students. White people don't get it. They can never completely understand the horrors of colonialism, the exploitation or resources and labour, the imperialism and racism. It was refreshing to see this book state the truth without hiding behind words. That the only reason white people will care about an issue is if it is twisted in a way for them to care. An issue that affects them too, will be an issue that is worth fighting for. It honestly describes so many issues going on in our world right now, and I think that's why this book really hit me hard. 

You're going to be frustrated and annoyed reading this book. Especially as you watch Robin, Ramy, and Victoire try to explain to everyone why they're fighting and what they're fighting for. And yet very few people seem to get it. It feels like speaking to a wall, which is such a mood. 

This book also focuses a lot on violence and how revolution and resistance is inherently violent as it is the only way to break the system and cause change. I was a bit uncomfortable at first, especially because Griffin scares me lol, but it's true and a fact that a lot of people still don't seem to understand. We can't just change things using sweet words and pleasantries. This again is something discussed in this book, and while it is hard to read at times because it really sucks having to sacrifice everything just for the smallest of hopes that maybe someone will listen and care and stand up for the cause and change things, it was also very validating. 

I don't know what else to say without getting into spoilers, but I am so glad I picked this up, especially now. It was worth the time it took to read, and I honestly would read it again to take more careful note of the commentary and highlight quotes. 

5/5 stars

One of my most anticipated reads of 2021! When I heard this book had POTS rep, I was immediately hooked. While I don't have POTS myself, I do deal with chronic pain, so books that mention any kind of chronic illness/disability really appeal to me, especially since its rare to see in fantasy/historical fiction. Lillie mentions in the Author's Note at the end of the book that: "Tania having POTS, as a girl in a fictionalized version of seventeenth-century France, is the least fantastical element of One for All." Chronic illnesses have always existed...they were just not talked about and hidden from others, as we see Tania's mom try to do in this book.

I created a short thread on Twitter with some of my favourite quotes form this book that really stood out to me. All of them I think can be relatable to anyone with a disability because a lot of our experiences are similar, especially in terms of feeling like a burden and having to deal with the uncertainty and unpredictability of our illnesses.

<a href="https://twitter.com/aforestofbooks/status/1518876159022452737?s=20&t=BjqOfCEPEiyltsjhP2Udaw">Twitter Thread</a>

I think the hardest part for me to read was the beginning, especially seeing the way Tania's mom treated her and how her only focus was to marry her off without anyone figuring out her illness. It was also hard seeing Tania on edge around the other girls at first because she wasn't sure how she would be treated by them. I did love seeing their relationship grow and develop, and Tania coming to realize that this was her new family and she could depend on them just like they depended on her. I really wish we could have seen Tania's mom see this. Though I also understand that Tania has nothing to prove to her mother, I just wanted to see the look on her mother's face when she realizes that Tania's friends, Madame de Treville, and Henri know about Tania's condition and aren't embarrassed or ashamed of it.

I loved all the spying and the parties/balls and the pretty dresses and hidden swords. It just has a wonderful aesthetic and feel to the book and I seriously felt transported during those scenes. (I also sort of want to rewatch Barbie and the Three Musketeers now lol) I will say though, the plot was kind of straight forward and predictable at times. And it was obvious who the "villain" really was all along. We do get a classic "villain talks about their plans in detail" in the final act, and I was a little surprised that Tania hadn't figured it out, though I guess emotions can get in the way of that.

One thing I do like about this book is that Tania cries a lot? I don't know why, but I feel like a lot of heroines in books tend to hide their emotions in front of others, but Tania cries openly in front of her friends and Madame de Treville, and I think it was refreshing and relatable cause honestly if someone yelled at me and was disappointed in something I did, I too would cry lol

My favourite of the three other girls was Théa. She is so young and energetic and bubbly, and I love how great of a seamstress she is. Portia and Aria were also great and I loved seeing how each girl brought something different to the group. Their friendship was probably my favourite part of the book.

Overall, 4/5 stars.

It's been a while since I have written a proper review and I feel very rusty (and exhausted because fasting + lack of sleep), so I'm just going to start by including the caption from my instagram post: 

Pretty much everything I said here^ is how I felt even after I finished reading this memoir. It's a really nice feeling being represented in a book, and I hope one day we'll be able to see more contemporary books with Shia main characters where our differences and beliefs and ways of worshipping aren't hidden/not spoken about, but embraced and accepted.

With this being a memoir, the one thing that shocked me were some of the things described and discussed. I kept remembering that these are experiences the author has gone through, and having grown up in an environment where a lot of these topics are taboo, it was a bit uncomfortable to see it so clearly written and described. But at the same time, I think it was important because these are things many of us may have thought/worried about, and seeing someone else's experiences, especially when they are also Muslim, can be really helpful. It proves that not talking about things like sex can actually be detrimental to a relationship, especially in our cases where we're not just more aware, but also see romance/sex/relationships everywhere we go. I will add this one spoiler though that I was not expecting and did make me feel a bit yikes and unsure how to really feel

I was not expecting Huda and Hadi to get physical before their engagement/mutah. And no, it wasn't just a little kiss, but a full on make-out session in her dorm room bed. And while I understand, me being me, this is something I could never imagine doing, for other people in this position, it might be an actual temptation that they've felt or succumbed to.

 

The one thing I will say is that our main character (aka the author) is very much a romantic at heart. And for anyone reading this review who knows me, knows I'm the complete opposite. I think the hardest part for me was seeing her get annoyed at Hadi for not doing romantic things the "American-way" and how she wanted a quintessential "American" engagement/wedding/marriage with the proposals and extravagant dinner dates and the gifts, but with it also being Islamic and halal. Btw I do not think these are unrealistic dreams, but honestly quite relatable for a lot of people. However, my experiences differ probably because of the way I was raised–I knew these dreams would never be reality, whereas Huda allowed herself to dream and hope, which is a beautiful thing, but also led to a lot more difficulties down the road with her relationship with Hadi. As someone who is clearly very unromantic, I found myself rolling my eyes sometimes at the expectations Huda had for Hadi. But, I also understood that she was young and immature and still growing and learning, and honestly, this book solidified that getting married young isn't always a good thing. We need the space to grow and experience life and understand ourselves and what we want better. And I think we also need to experience a little of reality so that it's easier to accept others who don't live up to our dreams and high expectations. 

I am not Arab or Iraqi, but I grew up going to a mosque with a lot of Iraqis and Lebanese. So the customs described for Ashura and engagements/weddings are things I was familiar with. Despite the differences in culture (me being Pakistani and Huda being Iraqi), I will say this: DO ALL OF OUR PARENTS GO TO SOME SECRET PARENTING SCHOOL WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT CAUSE HOW DO THEY ALL SAY THE EXACT SAME PHRASES BUT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. 

Every. Single. Thing. From all the pressure Huda feels to be this good girl who never speaks to boys, never thinks about sex, never dates, to the comments she hears about other girls in her community who are choosing to pursue further education rather than get married...and the classic: "School will always be there, but the time for marriage won't." It felt like I was reading about my own life. I love how Huda thinks because her thoughts and ways she's conceptualizing and figuring out her future mimic me in early university. The whole: I need to study something that is smart and looks good, that way when I quit working and become a stay-at-home mom like I'm supposed to, people won't think I'm staying at home just because I'm not smart/driven enough, but that I'm making this huge sacrifice for my kids' sakes. THIS WAS ME. How she also didn't choose careers like doctor or dentist because the amount of schooling didn't make sense if she was going to have to settle down and have kids eventually. It was just really nice to see someone else going through the same, very confusing thought-process, where you're trying to balance what you want with what is expected from your family and community. Because as we all know, the community loves to talk and gossip.

My only complaint would be that the ending felt a little abrupt. I didn't feel like the Huda and Hadi's relationship was as resolved as it should have been, but then again, this is a memoir about a real life, so I honestly shouldn't have expected a perfect happily ever after. However, the ending did leave me wanting more of their life together and what was going to happen next. 

4/5 stars. A really great read and I'm happy I finally got to it during Ramadan.