An Emotion of Great Delight

Ahhhhh I'm so conflicted with this ending

thank you to my local bookstore for providing me an ARC!!!

tws: racism, islamophobia, death (not on page), self-harm, suicide attempt

much darker and heavier than AVLEOS, tahereh mafi brings you into the world of shadi as she deals with the aftermath of losing her brother, her father being sent to the hospital, and losing her best friend. we catch a glimpse of the catastrophic effects of these events on shadi and the people she loves, and how grief appears differently in people.

we also get a glimpse at how terrifying it was to be a muslim american in the early 2000's in vignettes of abuse, surveillance, and fear mongering.

i can't put into words how emotional this book made me as we follow shadi through her struggles. tahereh mafi crafts such wonderful, rich characters with complicated relationships and personalities who pull at your heartstrings and make you wish you could do something – anything – to help.

now brb i have to go finish crying