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ClareR (6106 KP) rated Against the Loveless World in Books

Aug 15, 2021  
Against the Loveless World
Against the Loveless World
Susan Abulhawa | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Against the Loveless World is an emotional and stark view into the world of Nahr, a Palestinian refugee. She is narrating her own story from The Cube, an inhumane prison cell designed by the Israelis, where she is a political prisoner. Nahr tells her story from her beginnings in Kuwait, and how her family were once again forced to become refugees. She tries to help her family however she can, even prostituting herself with violent men at one point. But her family never go without.

When she returns to Palestine to her husband’s family in order to divorce him, she meets his brother and falls in love. However, this is the start of more problems for her, as she becomes radicalised.

It did seem hard to believe that she had quite so many problems and terrible things happen to her, but I’ve since read that Nahr’s character is an amalgamation of several real-life stories. So, in a way, it reassured me that one person couldn’t experience ALL of these things, whilst at the same time I felt so sad that anyone could experience ANY of these things.

I couldn’t put this book down, though. It’s a fascinating, yet horrifying novel, and not something that I’ve read about in fiction before - and I’m so glad that I have.
  
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Kyera (8 KP) rated Something in Between in Books

Feb 1, 2018  
SI
Something in Between
Melissa de la Cruz | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Something in Between is a timely novel that is so relevant to the political environment in our country today and a must read. Jasmine's life is turned upside down when she realizes that she and her family are in America, illegally. Her whole life she thought that they had green cards. She worked hard, was top in her class and ran herself ragged to be the best and to do everything from class president to cheer captain. It all seemed to pay off when she received a scholarship that would allow her to attend any college in the US, until her parents informed her that she wouldn't be able to accept. Couldn't accept, because she was an illegal immigrant.

Life turned upside down, Jasmine must figure out what to do and how to come to terms with her changed identity. Then Jas falls for the son of a politician who is spearheading the fights against undocumented workers. How will she reconcile her new self-identity in the world she lives in? Will she and her family be able to stay in America – will they be forced to move back to the Philippines, a country her brothers have never known. And, will all of her hard work be for naught because she cannot find a way to attend college? Find out in this young adult/teen contemporary fiction novel about family, friends and growing up.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Murder at Chateau sur Mer in Books

Mar 7, 2026 (Updated Mar 7, 2026)  
Murder at Chateau sur Mer
Murder at Chateau sur Mer
Alyssa Maxwell | 2017 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Was This Murder Political?
It’s July of 1897, and Emma is covering a polo match when she witnesses a strange scene – a young woman with a less than stellar reputation is insisting that she must talk to Senator Wetmore’s wife. The next morning, Emma is summoned to the Wetmore’s residence - Chateau sur Mer. The young woman from the day before is lying dead in their entry way. Emma has developed a reputation based on her past exploits, and Mrs. Wetmore wants Emma to investigate so that the whiff of scandal won’t haunt her family forever. But what is the victim’s connection to the wealthy family?

The book does a good job of putting us back in Emma’s world while also setting up the mystery. While there are great twists, I did feel a few things were rushed at the climax. Still, everything did make sense. I appreciated the updates we got on Emma and the other regulars, both real people and fictional characters. Speaking of which, I love how the two types rub elbows seamlessly. In fact, I was surprised to learn a couple I thought pure invention were real. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to find out the facts that support this fiction. As always, the summer setting gave me some relaxed vibes, and I felt like I was transported back in time. If you are looking for a fun historical series, this is one to check out.