How It All Blew Up
Arvin Ahmadi
Hot Key Books, September 2020
Paperback, 256 pages, £7.99
ISBN 9781471409929
What happens when two aspects of your identity seem contradictory? Eighteen-year old American Amir Azadi is gay and Muslim. He knows what it feels like not to fit in. It’s a difficult time in his life as he wonders how life will change once his family knows his sexuality. On top of that, he is dealing with school bullies pressuring him to come out before he’s ready. Instead, Amir travels to Rome, a city engrossed in culture, on a journey towards self-acceptance.
In Rome, Amir is thrust into the glamorous world of parties and Italian dinners with new friends. There, Amir discovers a sense of belonging, and begins to idolise his new friends. Although he is living in a romanticised version of life, it teaches him a lot about himself, and where he places his self-worth. Ahmadi weaves a multitude of complex, important storylines skillfully into this thought-provoking text. Not only does he explore the family dynamics of loving Muslim parents, trying their best to understand their son’s sexuality, but also the social injustices that many Muslims face in today’s America.
The novel follows two narratives: a retrospective look on Amir’s time in Rome, and Amir telling his story in an airport interrogation room in the present. I believe Ahmadi has provided excellent own-voices representation through this storyline, giving a voice to the often voiceless. I really appreciated that in the interrogation room, the only voice we hear from is that of the Ahmadi family, as the officers are often over-represented in the media. This unique writing style was incredibly engaging, and my favourite aspect of the novel.
At its heart, this is a novel about family, friends, belonging and acceptance. It’s about being true to yourself, and serves as a great reminder that we must always value empathy.
Niamh O’Donnell
I enjoyed this book and I thought both of the main characters were well developed. I liked hearing the two different perspectives. I loved learning about a new historical period that I knew nothing about before reading this book. I think that young adults curious about history will love it.
Sutherland writes about loss, love, and longing in this coming-of-age novel. It is beautifully written and I would definitely suggest this book to all romance readers. You get to see Henry’s relationship with his two best friends, family, and Grace. I loved seeing Henry’s character development throughout the book. It is a sad but amazing story and definitely makes you think when you are finished reading it. I would recommend this book to all teen romance readers.
This is a fantastically sculpted story and a credit to the fantasy category. The weird and wonderful journey Black takes the reader on is unpredictable. The Queen of Nothing is drenched in powerful, beautiful descriptions making the novel so vivid in my memory. I will forever cherish this and I am so glad I have read one of Holly Black’s books.
As you read on, you can see how much Aeneas grows and how he is willing to take on what the gods have to offer. Julian Barr captures this ancient story and the Greek gods very well. This book is definitely a page turner.
Kim Johnson has chosen themes that every reader, no matter what age, will be hooked on when they open the book. Tracy is a loveable, but at times irritating, character. There is sadness, mystery, excitement, and first love. But more importantly, Johnson highlights people with underrepresented voices. Within the novel, Johnson is reminding the reader that white supremacy still exists in many communities in America. Anyone who has ever enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee will love this book because it is a step closer to highlighting the wrong that Black communities often face in their everyday life. This is an important book that discusses the criminal justice system in America and police brutality. It is hard to put down.
