This is a hard book to review. Especially after the events from Sunday when a white terrorist murdered a family, leaving a nine-year old in hospital. The last few chapters of this book were difficult to read because everything is so fresh. I think of Cora and I immediately think of Fayez and how he no longer has his sister, just like Cora doesn't have Mabel. I can't imagine what he's going through right now and what the rest of his life is going to be like.

I think this book is important, and I'm glad it's middle grade because these things need to be discussed at all ages. School shootings are commonplace, which is just horrifying to say, but it's something that happens so often, and having books that talk about what led to something like this happening and the aftermaths is necessary.

I really liked the part where Cora says that people expect her to say things like "she's Muslim, but not that kind of Muslim" or that she isn't the "religious" kind because there's this assumption that if you believe and practice Islam that it's somehow associated with terrorism. We can blame the media and the US for that. But it was a nice thing to add because it's something so many of us struggle with everyday. I know I tone down my religiosity in front of my friends. I do it on purpose because religion makes people uncomfortable. But I shouldn't have to. And the past couple months have made me angry, and sad, and frustrated, and I've become louder as a result and I'm glad for it.

We also see how Parker became the kind of person he did. And it was all because of wilful ignorance. His parents saw and did nothing. And Quinn blames herself for what she did see and how she stayed silent. She's a child through all of this, and at the end of the day it was her parents' responsibility. Quinn's parents did annoy me a lot. The way they don't talk about what happened, how they dismiss her feelings and don't let her speak, how they don't want her to hang out with Cora because they can't afford her getting in trouble?? Like, I take that to mean that Parker doing what he did was somehow Cora's fault because she's not white and Muslim. It's messed up. Quinn's parents never send her to therapy and even at the end her father pretty much says no, and while her mom agrees to it, we didn't really get a proper conclusion.

This was a good book, and if it hadn't been for school sucking the life out of me, I would have finished it in a few days. But I guess I was meant to read it slow.

This book was incredible. I am at a loss for words. Nothing I say will do this justice.

It’s unique. It’s dark. It’s sad. It’s about choices. And family. And love—platonic and romantic.

It kept me on the edge of my seat, especially the last bit. I’m just a lot of emotions.

Urban fantasy, but Black magic. Toronto setting but set in the future. We have a huge messy family. A rich history and magic system. A grumpy love interest with probably the best romance I’ve read in a while. (Totally reminded me of Harry and Caelum from The Rigel Black Chronicles fanfic.)

It’s just so good. Honestly if it weren’t for life right now, I would have read this book in a week. 4.5/5 stars

Be prepared to witness me gushing about this book for the next few paragraphs...

But first. I need to start off by thanking Mackenzie over at colourmeread.com for writing and posting a review of this book a couple weeks back. I literally ran to netgalley.com immediately after to see if I could request it and got approved the next day! Without Mackenzie, I would have missed out on such a great book and my life would be boring and colourless and just plain depressing.

For those of you currently in social isolation, this book will lift your spirits and give you the hope that you need to get through the next few months. The story is beautiful, the characters charming. It's funny and lighthearted, yet deals with some serious topics that are super relatable. There's more than a touch of magic, but what really sticks with me is the message of hope that the book ends off with.

In other words, it's just so good I'm djslkfjlsdk. I have nothing at all to say on how it could be better. It can't. Because it's absolute perfection. I NEED EVERYONE TO READ IT. I also need a movie adaptation right now. Preferably tomorrow. I spent most of the book imagining James Corden as Linus Baker because he's the only cute egg-shaped actor I know of who could pull off the somewhat terrified-anxious-but-also-super-loving caseworker. Someone needs to buy the movie rights today. WE NEED HAPPINESS AND RAINBOWS AND A CUTE ANTICHRIST.

If you're looking for a non-spoiler description of this book, the best way I can say it is...A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Howl's Moving Castle meets Umbrella Academy (but actually good).

Anyway...this is a character-driven book, so it makes sense for me to talk about all the characters. I loved them all, which comes as no surprise, but here's a little bit of my thoughts for each one.

Arthur Parnassus gave me major Dumbledore vibes. The classic twinkle in his eye, his overall demeanour and patience when it came to the children, his colourful socks, and the other aspect of him that is spoilery but just fits so well. T. J. Klune took what we knew of Dumbledore, got rid of the whole I'm-using-you-to-kill-Voldemort character flaw, and created something beautiful. I love Arthur Parnassus. He is such a good dad and you guys know how big a fan I am of dads in books. We need more father-figures who love and care for their children, whether their own or adopted. It makes me emotional. 

Linus Baker, our main character, is the softest, most anxious, round egg I have ever met. He is adorable, and gets scared super easily. He hates going outside and doesn't like to exercise. He's all proper and loves rules. And he has a sassy cat named Calliope who I adore. I loved loved loved seeing the journey Linus went on throughout the book. From a shy, timid kind of character, to someone strong and firm in his beliefs. He overcomes his own prejudices and preconceived notions and learns that you can't judge someone based on how they look and that just because something is done a certain way doesn't mean it's right. He also loves ignoring his feelings which makes for some great slow-burn romance. I actually died at so many scenes, everything was too cute, and the way things concluded almost made me cry.

As for the children...Talia, the gnome, is such a cutie. I love how badly she wants to bury Linus in a grave with her shovel. And her relationship with Helen was so soft and perfect. Theodore, the wyvern, and his obsession over buttons melted my heart. I loved seeing how Linus goes from not understanding both gnomish and Theodore, to fully communicating with them by the end. I really hope Chauncey gets to follow his dreams. He's so young and innocent and such a refreshing character. Sal and Linus' interactions later on in this book made my heart cry out. Like I mentioned earlier, this book does deal with tougher issues like physical and emotional abuse, and seeing Linus go from trying to be objective and impersonal, to really connecting with each child, was wonderful to see. Phee and the flower she grew still makes me emotional. I also love how much the kids and Zoe ship Linus and Arthur together. Everyone is rooting for them, but Linus is a clueless idiot for most of the book. And lastly...we got Lucy. My favourite little devil. He was the comic relief I needed, and his attempts at scaring the daylights out of Linus made me laugh out loud.

The world itself is very interesting and unique. I loved how at the end we're left with the hope that things will improve, though the changes are slow. A part of me wants more. I just love the characters and the setting. The island sounds like such a magical place to live. And overall, the book just feels good. It makes you feel a lot of emotions, but it's the kind of sadness that's mixed with hope and love and happiness. It's the perfect combination.

5/5 stars!! Highly, highly recommend!

This took me practically the whole month to read and I have also forgotten how to write reviews.

This book was such a throwback to older fantasy books I've read and enjoyed. The writing style, the story, the slowburn romance...I really loved Shiori and Kiki, and seeing Shiori grow into such a strong, independent women. The romance was perfection. Takkan is everything you would want in a love interest. He has a softer, more thoughtful and creative side, and also a brave, sword-wielding, I-shall-protect-my-loved-ones side. Best of both worlds. The romance didn't overpower the story, but was subtle and grew slowly. It's so rare to see that in books nowadays and was what reminded me of older fantasy.

The plot itself was fast-paced and exciting. I really loved seeing so much of the world and Megari was probably one of my favourite side characters. I also loved all of Shiori's brothers and how different they are from each other, but their relationship with Shiori was my favourite part.

While the end hints at more to come, I kind of wish the book could have ended in one. I don't know why, but the story just feels finished (or it could have been finished in one). And my only worry is that book two will drag on, potentially lead to a love triangle, and we won't be able to see more of Takkan and Megari and Shiori's brothers.

But other than that, this was really beautifully written and I loved the story. 4.25/5 stars.

This was a really heartwarming read. Nisrin’s story is very different from my own, but there were many parts that were still relatable. I also liked how we learned a little more about the history of Bangladesh at the end. I honestly didn’t know anything about Bangladesh so this was very eye-opening for me and also makes me sad because this is the kind of stuff I wish we were taught in school.

This book

How do I write a review for a book that captured the pain, betrayal, and anger I feel on an everyday basis? How do I come up with words to express how much this book means to me? I love this book so much it hurts.

The writing style is breathtaking. I am in awe at Nafiza’s talent. I truly believe there is no one out there in the world who could have written this story as well as she did. The words, the imagery, the emotion…I could feel the anger and the pain through the page. It made me feel alive. It gave me hope. It put words to all the thoughts that have whirled around in my head for years. I love the mix of Paheli’s POV and the other Wild Ones. It didn’t bother me that we couldn’t tell who’s perspective the chapter was from. It fit with the story. These girls, their stories are so similar, yet so different. They are each their own individual, yet they’ve bonded because of the trauma and betrayal they’ve experienced. And I think having the book written like this was very unique, but also perfect for the story Nafiza was trying to tell.

Paheli’s POV was fun. That’s the best way I can describe it. And I think the reason I liked it so much was because her inner narrative fits so much with my own. It fits with her as a character too. We see how the trauma Paheli has gone through hasn’t disappeared completely. Trauma never completely does. You learn to move on, soften it a bit, squish it into a small ball and surround it with happier memories. But it never disappears completely. And we see that so well in her relationships with Taraana, Eulalie, and the other girls. Ngl I almost cried when

Spoiler

Paheli tells Eulalie that she does love her

, she just has trouble expressing her emotions because she’s constantly on alert for betrayal. When she is separated from the others, her first thought is “what if they realize they don’t need me/what if they don’t love me.” And even with Taraana…the relationship is kind of instalove, but also not. You guys know how picky I am when it comes to romance, but this was done so well. It didn’t feel rushed, and Paheli’s hesitancy and fears made complete sense with her past. I really appreciated how much time we got to spend with Paheli and Taraana as they get to know each other. I loved how they actually communicated (even if it took some pushing from Taraana lol), because that’s the one thing I find lacking in a lot of books with romance. The romance definitely didn’t overtake the plot and even when it was the centre of a scene, it didn’t make me cringe or feel awkward. I really liked the two of them together.

My favourite part of this book, besides for everything else I’ve mentioned, was seeing so many different cities and experiencing the culture and food. I read this book while on vacation in Italy, and I could actually imagine Paheli and her girls wandering the streets of Rome, wearing flowy dresses in the sweltering heat, and eating gelato. For a lot of us, I think this book can be a perfect escape from our current world and allow us to travel to other cities and countries in our minds, since it’s still not easy to travel right now.

Another thing I’ll mention…I love me a “weak, scared” male love interest. How rare is it to see this in books? The men are always brave and strong, nothing ever terrifies them or if it does they don’t show it. The women are always described as more emotional and scared and weak. But in this book we have a lovely switch in gender portrayal. The Wild Ones are strong, they are undefeatable. The very cry that is expected from a woman cowering in fear can be used in defence. And maybe it is the trauma and hard lives that have made them this way, but isn’t that the way of male characters too? Aren’t they also brave and rash and angry because of their past? So why can’t women be shaped by their past also? This book ajakskdkd is just so empowering. If you’re a woman or identify as a woman, this book will make you feel seen, it will give you hope and strength to get you through whatever you’re going through. It will make you angry, but in a good way.

The last lines of this book sum up everything so well.

”Embrace this anger. Let if fuel your everydays. Defy everyone who tells you that you can’t. Be wild.”

Also sharing this one because I love it so much:

”Some days we are so sad, we want to drown the world. Some days we are so angry, we want to set it on fire.”

Overall, 5/5 stars. I need to buy this book immediately.

This is so sad but addicting

Need the next one so bad

Literally almost cried reading this