Hollow Fires

This book definitely got heavy, especially toward the end, but I really enjoyed it! The twist was a bit obvious, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the latter half of the book at all. I think the portrayal of the emotions surrounding the reveal was especially well-written. Safiya and Jawad's POV's also felt very distinct, which is surprisingly rare in a lot of young adult fiction I've read.

Overall, a great book with important and well-researched theming!

The tone and structure of this reminded me a lot of The Hate U Give. I'd recommend this highly if you were invested in that story. the book is inspired by a real, horrific event that has been repurposed to talk about the Islamophobia that is upsettingly still so prevalent in the US.

A really chilling and well constructed story. I really appreciated Safiya's dedication to her community and speaking up about social justice. I thought the format was unique and engaging, and very emotionally charged. The plot twists (mystery elements) didn't surprise me, but I don't think it took away that much from my reading experience. Would definitely hand to socially conscious teens who don't mind being a little scared.

This is an amazing book. It's also a hard one to get through if you are white. Yes, it's about race. It's also about privilege. I put it alongside books like Thirteen Reasons Why.

Hollow Fires, and Samira Ahmed, will make you think about your actions and how you treat others. It will open your eyes and ask/ponder the challenging questions about living in the United States and what being a good citizen means. And for me, living in this day and age is worth it.

Do yourself a favor and read it. Recommend it to everyone you know. And let's all strive to make lives better in the States.