Review: Jameela Green Ruins Everything by Zarqa Nawaz

Have you ever wanted to read a book about a woman who saves her friend from a terrorist organization?

Jameela Green is a rebellious, eccentric, and at times ignorant woman who wants to rebuild her relationship with God — but not for the reasons you might expect! Jameela’s ambition is to have her book at the top of the New York Times Bestseller’s list and apparently she will go to any means to get it.  

She visits her local mosque in search of spiritual guidance, where she meets a man named Ibrahim — kicking off a bizarre chain of events.

Jameela Green Ruins Everything is a defiant novel which explores topics like friendship, loyalty, faith and patience in one crazy adventure, as well as exploring American foreign policy in the Middle East and how it impacts society. 

This is a thrilling tale that has you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what happens next. The author weaves in prayers from the major characters in this book, which I believe was a brilliant addition, giving the reader a sense of inclusion and connection. 

Something I liked about the novel was the reality that not every character was perfect — Jameela struggled with faith, sustaining relationships, while Ibrahim seemed to be too trusting. This provided us with insight into the characters’ daily lives and their struggles. 

I also felt the novel had a strong, undercurrent message of loyalty and friendship. Jameela struggles to preserve her connections with her husband, daughter, friends, and family, and embarks on a mission to discover what I believe she had all along — a loving and supportive community. 

I must say that the book’s ending was a little disappointing, as I became disoriented with many events happening at once. However, the book was an enjoyable read overall and I would recommend it to anyone.

Lasairíona Scarff, 16