I very much enjoyed this story. I got so angry at the islamophobia Muslims have to deal with, microagressions and full on hate. The only gripe I have with it is it's interlude? Intermission? the author read. I didn't really understand why the conflict came about. I listened to the audio book, so that might have been a factor. I'd totally re-read it physically, maybe I'll understand properly then.

DNF @38% Ich wollte das Buch für meine Weltmeisterchallenge für das Land Katar lesen, musste aber nach etwas mehr als einem Drittel aufgeben. Die Idee, dass sich zwei Jugendliche während ihres Aufenthalts in Katar verlieben und dabei der muslimische Glaube mit seinen Facetten Repräsentation findet, fand ich toll. Nur leider fand ich den Schreibstil absolut einschläfernd und der Plot wollte nicht in die Gänge kommen und hat sich zäh wie Kaugummi angefühlt. Das Erzähltempo ist irrsinnig langsam und irgendwann habe ich die Geduld verloren und das Buch abgebrochen. Die Umsetzung lässt also deutlich zu Wünschen übrig - selbst für ein Jugendbuch. Den zweiten Stern gibts für die Repräsentation. Die Story an sich würde nur einen Stern bekommen.

Wow, I fell for this book, hard. It's not often that a book intrigues and excites me from the very first page, but this did. I completely adore the main characters Adam and Zayneb, their characters are so deep and fascinating and their development is simply amazing. As journaling has a big part in my life, I naturally loved that aspect of the book as well. But what really got me were the emotions that came while listening to this. The deep rage about ignorant, stupid racists and islamophobes, the sadness about some family aspects that really made me tear up, the joy that came with the wonderful moments and the strength I found in Zayneb. Her strength somehow lifts me up, gives me strength as well. I'm that kind of person who lost her faith after trauma, and reading about it is always tough because deep inside me still is this little girl that's envious that other people have faith/their religion and she doesn't. But although it's tough, the religion portrayed here was so so beautiful and inspiring! Having read this makes me want to lose myself in research again, because it's so so important to educate yourself. That's the magic of these kind of books, they all make me want to learn more and more about cultures, religion, racism, everything in this world. I already know some people who will love this book and I can't wait to gift it to them.