shahdhazem's reviews
190 reviews

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

This was a really fun and light-hearted read for me. Finally a good Muslim love story that went in a very lovely way. I loved how each ayesha and khalid developed throughout the story also the author was soo clever in her writing of the multi povs showing us exactly how each saw the other and how these thoughts remarkably changed through out the story. Also loved the family dynamic in this each family had it's own flaws and it was shown in a really good view. Last thing this is literally the best pride and prejudice re-telling I'm not kidding starting from the prejudices to the way he confessed his love even ending at the historical letter. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a light fast read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

It's the first time I'm giving a contemporary book 5 stars and believe me I'm not exaggerating it's literally the first. Some people might say that it's not that good but for me it's perfect maybe because I needed it at the time but this book gave me everything I wanted and I'm in love. I loved the main character so much she felt so real to me and relatable. Also as a science lover I enjoyed the academic conversations so much. Let's talk about the romance which was one of the best fake dating tropes I've ever seen the way the author put so much emotion into it also making Adam the love interest this mysterious aloof figure but also this deeply warm hearted man I can't talk enough about the feelings this story gave me however simple it was. Definitely recommend to everyone.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Go to review page

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

3.0

The concept of this book was so good but the execution was horrible. I was attracted to the concept of this to the point that I got to more than halfway in the book I less than 2 days but then I stopped and I was like nothing has happened whatsoever till now!! And this is where I realised this isn't getting any better. The main character had no personality at all she was so bland and cocky for no reason. Also the plot was so weak and the author gave us this amazing mystery aura then threw it all on the floor by making no twists. The only thing that I'll give her credit for is managing to make the beautiful pronces of hell that I met. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book started out as the perfect contemporary but there was just some things in it that made it kinda blow off for me. The main character is a good one but she struck me as very stupid at the very end and I didn't like the ending that much. At first I was like I need a whole different ending but then it struck that no I just wanted a better execution than the one we got. Anyways it wasn't a bad book I enjoyed most of it that's why I was kinda disappointed by the end but I'd certainly recommend it if you like dancing and romance and emotional endings. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved this so much like the rest of the series it was a great conclusion. The plot was led out nearly perfect I loved how the author managed to explain everything flawlessly. There was a HUGE character development for both Laia and Helene which I absolutely loved. The series discuses themes of slavery and colonisation in a very complex way and it also lights a spot on mental health and how to find your self in the middle of absolute chaos also themes of losing loved ones. I'd strongly recommend this series but like I said before and will say again now check the trigger warnings before you read. I think that's it it was a really beautiful experience for me I got attached to the characters and got my heartbroken but still I can see myself re-reading the series in the futures cause it's exactly my type. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
عبث الأقدار by Naguib Mahfouz, نجيب محفوظ

Go to review page

adventurous reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

Honestly this was so bad. From the description it sounds like a really interesting story but when you get in it's just very ridiculous. There was no events whatsoever and I don't even know if there was a plot to this it's all such a boring monologue about khofo. The romance was soo bad it felt so pushed and not right. It's a historical fiction so I expected at least some major historical events to be inserted in the story line but I didn't find that either so I don't really know what the purpose of this book was. The only good thing about this was the writing style nothing else. I won't be giving up on the author this is his first book so this was kinda expected. 
Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer

Go to review page

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

I loved this book so much. Such a very good contemporary the romance was so cute and I loved the setting so much. The main character had a huge development which was very enjoyable to see. There wasn't so much focus on the side characters but they all were were a good add to the story. There was a small plot at the end that I found very good written. The book overall is an amazing summary read and I enjoyed it so much and I definitely see myself re-reading it in the Future as a very light read. 
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I've finished this 3 days ago and I have been in shock quite literally. The plot is going in a very complex way and I'm just going insane. There's lots of things that I don't understand and it's just very very intense.
can we please all come to the fact that I haven't even recovered from the shock that cook is the lioness and then she's f*king dead I didn't even get to cry for her just from the overall shock!!
. Laia had a very strong character development she's literally just a very good written heroine. And as always sabaa is literally torturing everyone in the book EVEN THE SIDE CHARACTERS NO ONE SURVIVES HER EVIL!! Lastly I won't even comment on the writing stlyle or plot the whole series is just a masterpiece I can't bring myself to say anything more.
 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Zodiac Trials (The Star Sign Trilogy Book One) by Michele Guarnieri, Michele Khalil

Go to review page

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

3.0

It wasn't bad actually I like the storyline so much but it lacked lots of things that would've made it much better. The plot was there but there was no remarkable twists just little ones. Also the pace was slow which made the book a little boring in the middle but I think it picked up quite well at the end. The last few scenes were remarkably written well so I'm looking forward to continuing the trilogy!
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I haven't read anything this good in a long time. I loved it so much it had everything you could want in a book. The pace was so fast and the events so intense I literally felt like there was a lump in my throat going through the last part. The plot twist are mind-blowing I still can't put my hand on everything and that ending it was just *chef's kiss*
when darin told Laia little sister ahh I felt so emotional. And I'm so confused by all the nightbringer plot and Elias being a soul catcher
can't wait to read reaper😭
Expand filter menu Content Warnings