Iman has been married three times (she’s only in her 20s) and suffers from childhood trauma. Moni is choosing to raise her severely disabled son by herself even though she’s married and Selma is in her 40s and caught up in a very risky emotional affair.

Each woman is tested spiritually and physically in the most extreme and grotesque ways. As the story unfolds, each woman struggles to find her place in this world and battles the decision to change or stay the same.

The prose is exquisit, eliciting empathy where judgement could easily be passed. Reading about Muslim women from a relatable perspective feels important, we need more of this. The hoopoe bird’s proverbs touched me spiritually.

The magical realism narrative towards the end? Not a fan. It was so extreme and felt like it was from another book. I’m also super disappointed that I didn’t emotionally connect with any of the women.

If you liked ‘In Every Mirror She’s Black’ or ‘The Secret Lives of the Four Wives’, this one’s for you.

Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Resistance Painter by Kath Jonathan

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

In the legacy of freedom fighters like Harriet Tubman, The Resistance Painter is an exceptionally moving story about the little known history of the Polish resistance during WWII and how a granddaughter’s inherited talent as an artist unintentionally threatens to rip open a lifetime of her grandmother’s buried memories.

There were a lot of really dark and frightening moments in this novel and I felt like every chapter invited me into an intimate bts of a movement.

This book is for those interested in women led activism under fascism and the role of art in preserving culture.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the ARC

Demelza by Winston Graham

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onomé

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What a great read!! I really enjoyed and felt all the emotions for Ada as she navigated such a pivotal point in life when one starts to consider their future. Especially as a cross cultural child, her emotions were so real, so raw. This story really took me right back to being 17 when you’re trying to please your parents, figure it out at school, having all the emotions for two boys… oh gawd. I love that she ran, I love that she had meltdowns, I love that she found friendship in the most unlikely of spaces, I love she was bold and timid and fearless and terrified. It was all so relatable, which was especially great because much of the Nigerian references were lost on me, but I never once lost my way with the story. A beautiful reminder again as a parent to chill out and let our babies find their way, they always do.

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a_leos_bookgraph's reviews 131 reviews

a_leos_bookgraph's reviews
131 reviews