Fiction/Non Fiction: Fiction
Themes (& trigger warnings): YA, family, relationships, drug and alcohol addiction, physical abuse, Islamophobia, repressed sexual assault, teen exchange with law enforcement.
Pages: 374
One sentence summary: The struggles and love between family and found family
Overview: Noor and Salahudin have been friends since childhood and often they are the only ones that understand each other. Their friendship has been tested and is on the rocks after a huge fight but will they still continue to support one another as they begin applications to colleges?
Each faces their own problems with their family, with Noor trying to escape her Uncle’s grasp and Sala trying to save his family’s motel. Neither would have guessed the other’s fate.
Personal Thoughts: This book was an absolute roller coaster of emotion! It’s a story of unjust beginnings in life, of grief and of loss. But the found family aspects are beyond beautiful and will warm any cold soul.
This felt so much more than a young adult novel; there were so many adult themes (handled delicately) that had such an impact on the story. While the overwhelming theme is rage, as the title suggests, the story holds so much more than anger. Easily one of the most powerful books I’ve read all year.
I’d love to share some of my favourite quotes:
“..maybe we could live forever if we didn’t love so completely.”
“People see what they want to. I’m sick of hoping they’ll see me.”
“They were small, careful birds, chirping in a language only they knew. A language of pain and mercy.”
Would I read it again? Absolutely, but only once my heart has healed.
Read this? Plan to read it? I'd love to know! Let me know in the comments below.
Available for purchase as part this months box here.