Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster
Page Count: 336
First of all, I want give a huge shout out to Analee @Book Snacks because she hosted a giveaway which let me pick this fabulous book as my prize. Thank you so, so much! I rarely ever get lucky with giveaways, so this had me jumping up and down with glee when I found out. On to the actual book now! (TW: sexual assault!)
It’s no secret that I have been in a bit of a reading slump these past months, with things other than books occupying my mind. But even before that, I can’t remember the last time I stayed up until the early hours to keep reading like I did with Saints and Misfits. It’s not that this was such an action-packed story, quite the opposite, but it had me stressed out about 80% of the time. Janna’s story is one of a regular Muslim teen and super relatable at that even if you aren’t 100% familiar with her culture and religion. I truly loved that about the book. Aside from a dark twist early on, it’s very much grounded in her High School experience, struggle with finding her place in her community and family as well as figuring out how her belief fits into her daily and romantic life. Simultaneously, there’s this dark cloud following her every step in the shape of “the monster”. I don’t want to give away what exactly happens, but whereas the book gave me so many characters to love (Pick a favorite!?!? Janna, Nuah, Sarah, Tats – I CANNOT EVEN CHOSE!), it also gave me that one person to channel all my anger towards. I didn’t always agree with other people’s take on the events that happened, especially the ones calling Janna “weak”. I believe that most of us think that we would fight back immediately when something bad happens to us, but that is far from reality when the situation actually occurs. Her initial helplessness was contagious and I think that’s why I felt so connected to Janna all through the story. Add the side tale with Mr. Ram, with her emotions and thoughts very much mirroring my own after something that happened in my life and this book was sure to have me hooked forevermore.
I was sobbing during the last chapters. I was sad and touched and glad and angry. Any book that evokes so many emotions in me is one that I can only recommend to others as well. As much as I enjoyed the book, I couldn’t give it a full 5 stars, because of the pacing and the flow. Especially in the beginning, I thought that some of the story felt a little hacked up and not cohesive enough in terms of how it flowed. And then the end came very abruptly. I am a person who enjoys finding out about consequences as well and that wasn’t really given in the final pages. Still, I feel like this book will stay with me for a while and I am sure I will revisit these characters again and again in the future.
Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! I will cherish this one in my heart for a long time!
Have you read Saints and Misfits? Do you want to?
Life and Other Disasters 
I haven’t read this book yet, but I think it sounds really good. I really enjoyed your review!
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Thank you! I am very glad you liked it.
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Sounds like a great roller coaster read. Thanks for sharing.
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I was definitely very emotionally involved, so, yes! hahaha Thanks for stopping by.
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I also enjoyed this book. I thought the side characters were so wonderful and loved the sibling relationship so much. Great review!
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Couldn’t agree more! I loved how everyone was fully shaped and had their own life and character even if you didn’t have them on every single page. Thanks for stopping by 😀
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Thank you for introducing me to the latest addition to my never-ending to be read pile. I love reading a book that provokes a strong emotional reaction out of its readers and this book sounds like one hell of a ride. It seems like all the characters have a consistent presence in the novel and that S. K. Ali does a good job at giving each character their own individuality. Basically, I need this book in my life. 😀
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I looked through some of the other reviews for this book and it seems like it’s either hit or miss with most people. I guess it very much depends on whether you connect with Janna and the situation. Either way, I have yet to find someone who didn’t at least enjoy the book. I think it might have just helped me out of my slump hahaha I obviously love it!
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So glad to hear you enjoyed this! Not just because it’s on my tbr, but also because you were in a reading slump 🙂
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This book felt like my own personal salvation from reading slump hell. Which is vastly exaggerated but I kind of fell in love with it a little bit. Hope I didn’t hype it too much for you.
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Haha you didn’t, don’t worry! It will probably take some time before I can get to it anyway, so by then I’ll probably have already forgotten your review haha. I’ll only remember ‘Kat liked this’ 😛
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Okay, that’s very good hahaha I can live with that!
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That’s awesome that you won this! This sounds like such a good book, even if the pacing was off at points. Great review!
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Thanks 😀 I really, really enjoyed it!
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You’re welcome! 😀
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