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Kyera (8 KP) rated Amina's Voice in Books

Feb 1, 2018

Amina's Voice

Hena Khan | 2017 | Children, Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Aminas Voice is a powerful middle-grade novel that I believe is so important for young readers to experience. Amina is a Pakistani-American, so we are given a wonderfully diverse, young voice to understand her world and it is so important in the current world climate. We, as a people, need to foster a sense of understanding and acceptance rather than fear and hate.

One of the events that happen in the books is heartbreaking and you wonder how people could behave in that manner. Unfortunately, these things happen in the real world and its dismaying to see people treat other fellow human beings in a less than honourable and respectful manner. It was so wonderful to see the community come together after the event, no matter their race or religion to help their neighbors. It is a ray of light in the darkness.

This short book follows Aminas life from her sixth-grade classes and middle school friends to her time at the Mosque with her Muslim friends and family. The tale is honest and heartwarming, allowing us into her mind and connecting with her family. Although it is a short tale, it is no less important to read. I would highly recommend it to middle-grade readers (and really anyone else who is open to middle-grade fiction) because it is such a powerful and important read.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Reclaimed in Books

Jul 5, 2019

Well written, great characters and story (0 more)

Contains spoilers, click to show

Hell is not a place, but an experience, one that Kisa just can't seem to escape.

Fate is fickle, after all...

You can't fight fate

With the prophecy barreling towards them, Kisa and Dolor must fight against heaven itself for their survival. But can she trust him enough to work by his side? The more she learns about Dolor, the less certain she becomes about her feelings and her future, but time isn't a luxury they can afford.

As they track down the lost Fates, pieces of the puzzle begin to line up. Love and deception. Secrets and truth. Lust and acceptance.

One thing is certain, though--Kisa and Dolor will do everything in their power to stop the destruction that seems inevitable.

New friends and old will come together, and tragedy and hope will collide in the epic conclusion of the Slivered Souls Trilogy.

Tried so hard not to devour this book in hours. I had a few wtf moments and lots of laugh out loud moments actually woke my hubby a few times! It was a hot and heavy in lots of places and written so well! After spending time in Kandis Facebook group I really felt her all through the book and one phrase stood out and made me laugh “Oh my Hagrid on a hippogriff.” Just brilliant!
Thank you Kandi so looking forward to reading your next project.

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Aaru in Books

Nov 8, 2019

Aaru

David Meredith | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy

7.5

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Rose is only 16 but her life is over. She has terminal cancer but a mysterious strangers offers her and her family the option of taking part in a trial. When she dies they assume the trail failed and mourn her passing, her sister being hit particularly hard. Then the message comes... Rose lives on.

This books takes one fascinating idea - what if people's personalities and memories could be copied at the point of death and then recreated inside a computer? - and looks at it from a lot of different angles. It is certainly thought provoking, and occasionally disturbing.

The first half of the book deals with Rose's death, the grief of her family and then the emotional trauma, denial and final acceptance that in some ways she is still alive. It also follows Rose's journey as she discovers her new virtual world and its other inhabitants.

The second half is darker and moves into thriller territory as Rose's new paradise shows that it may not be perfect and both her and her sister are exposed to danger. Some of the themes here - obsession, violence, sexual abuse, suicide - are made all the worse by their premeditated nature.

This book will make you think about a potential life after death but it doesn't flinch from showing the emotional, physical and moral implications that might arise both for those saved and those they leave behind.