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The Balloon Thief #1
The Balloon Thief
A commercial, thrilling and beautifully uplifting fantasy adventure, The Balloon Thief follows Khadija and Jacob’s battle for friendship in a society plagued by racism and misogyny. For fans of Noughts & Crosses and We Hunt the Flame.
For Khadija, the only escape from her father’s arranged betrothal is the sky. When she spots a rogue hot air balloon fighting against its ropes, she leaps at the chance for adventure.
Khadija soon finds an unlikely ally in a poor glassmaker’s apprentice, Jacob. But Jacob is a hāri, and Khadija a Ghadaean.
The hāri are oppressed and restless―their infamous terrorist group, the Hāreef, have a new fearsome leader. And the ruling Ghadaeans are brutal in their repression. Soon, a deadly revolution threatens their friendship and their world. The Hāreef use forbidden magic, summoning jinn―wicked spirits made of fire―to enact their revenge, forcing Jacob and Khadija to choose what kind of a world they want to save…
For Khadija, the only escape from her father’s arranged betrothal is the sky. When she spots a rogue hot air balloon fighting against its ropes, she leaps at the chance for adventure.
Khadija soon finds an unlikely ally in a poor glassmaker’s apprentice, Jacob. But Jacob is a hāri, and Khadija a Ghadaean.
The hāri are oppressed and restless―their infamous terrorist group, the Hāreef, have a new fearsome leader. And the ruling Ghadaeans are brutal in their repression. Soon, a deadly revolution threatens their friendship and their world. The Hāreef use forbidden magic, summoning jinn―wicked spirits made of fire―to enact their revenge, forcing Jacob and Khadija to choose what kind of a world they want to save…
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
25 people are currently reading
3853 people want to read
About the author
Aneesa Marufu
3 books47 followersAneesa Marufu lives in Manchester and was the winner of the Kimberley Chambers Kickstart Prize for underrepresented writers in 2019. Her debut novel, The Balloon Thief, is inspired by her South Asian heritage and her obsession with hot air balloons, though she is yet to fly in one!
When she isn’t dreaming up stories set in the clouds, she has both feet on the ground, running after her two children or hunting for her next fantasy book to escape into.
When she isn’t dreaming up stories set in the clouds, she has both feet on the ground, running after her two children or hunting for her next fantasy book to escape into.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 23, 2022
I was so excited to read The Balloon Thief but this book was such a disappointment.
A world inspired by south asian culture and islamic stories with a hijabi on the cover had me hooked so when I started reading this my joy quickly turned to horror and then rage.
Every brown man in this book is a one dimensional stereotype. They believe women are here to serve them, stay invisible and silent and just there to be the mother of their children. At age 17 the MC is considered too old to find a “good” husband.
Then we have the other side, a twist where the white people are oppressed in this story but the rebels are essentially terrorists who just want to see every single brown person burn.
We also add jinns into the mix and keeping in mind this is supposed to be inspired by islamic stories, with the story of Prophet Suleiman (pbuh) yet we are told the shaytan managed to trick Suleiman and steal his ring which he used to control Jinns and impersonate him.
I…which story is this 😭
There is zero world building, no context as to why the world is the way it is.
The cherry on top was starting the audiobook and finding the narrator is white and cannot even pronounce the Arabic words correctly.
A world inspired by south asian culture and islamic stories with a hijabi on the cover had me hooked so when I started reading this my joy quickly turned to horror and then rage.
Every brown man in this book is a one dimensional stereotype. They believe women are here to serve them, stay invisible and silent and just there to be the mother of their children. At age 17 the MC is considered too old to find a “good” husband.
Then we have the other side, a twist where the white people are oppressed in this story but the rebels are essentially terrorists who just want to see every single brown person burn.
We also add jinns into the mix and keeping in mind this is supposed to be inspired by islamic stories, with the story of Prophet Suleiman (pbuh) yet we are told the shaytan managed to trick Suleiman and steal his ring which he used to control Jinns and impersonate him.
I…which story is this 😭
There is zero world building, no context as to why the world is the way it is.
The cherry on top was starting the audiobook and finding the narrator is white and cannot even pronounce the Arabic words correctly.
January 8, 2023
you know, reading a book by a Muslim British Pakistani author that features a world with reverse racism in which white people are oppressed by brown people and are sympathized for experiencing racism caused by brown people (which literally cannot happen irl and is extremely dangerous rhetoric) wasn't on my 2023 bingo card, but here we are 🥴
March 14, 2022
4.5 stars
This spellbinding world of friendship, forbidden magic; of stolen hot air balloons and one girls’ choice to seek her own destiny was a magnificently thrilling and unputdownable read that swept me into a world of magic I never wanted to leave.
To escape her father’s plans of an arranged marriage, Khadija (a Ghadaean girl) steals a hot air balloon and upon landing meets Jacob, a Hari glassblower’s apprentice who seeks a life away from danger and the violence brewing between the Hāreef (a Hari terrorist group seeking revolution) and the Ghadaean rulers who oppress them.
But their whirlwind journey to through the skies leads them both deeper into the civil unrest, threatening their newfound friendship. With forbidden magic and wicked spirits (Jinn) causing untold devastation and ruling Ghadaean’s brutal methods of repression, Jacob and Khadija are forced to decide what kind of a world they want to save...
An absolutely stunning debut that I literally devoured—I was utterly immersed in the dazzlingly worldbuilding with lush and colourful descriptions (I loved the descriptions of Qasrah and Intalyabad.) But, Aneesa Marufu also doesn’t shy away from heavier themes such as racism, misogyny and extremism which, though emotionally evocative (especially in regards to many of the characters’ personal experiences), still manages to keep the tone rather uplifting.
The characters were all expertly written, and full of complexity and depth that I found fascinating. Khadija was a phenomenal protagonist and her journey into finding her place in the world,realising the privilege she held and using it to help make the world better for everyone was absolutely inspiring. As were the backstories for Anam and Darian who were also really well crafted and evocative.
Using grief to connect so many of the characters we encounter was really thought provoking; seeing the various methods each character devised to cope—and how it changed, motivated or influenced their actions (and in some cases moral reasoning.)
I also enjoyed how the initial perceptions Khadija and Jacob have about one another are slowly disproven, as they get to know one another and realise their similarities far outweigh their differences. It’s an inspiring message about not judging people based on generalisations or stereotypes that is certain to encourage many young (and old) readers to challenge their own personal biases—and choose to spread love and kindness instead of hatred and division.
Overall, The Balloon Thief is a beautifully written YA fantasy that seamlessly weaves social commentary, islamic folklore and gorgeous imagery into a thought provoking and spellbindingly riveting tale, that fans of Majorie Blackman and Hafsah Faisal are bound to enjoy.
Also, thank you to Nina Douglas and Chicken House Books for the digital arc.
This spellbinding world of friendship, forbidden magic; of stolen hot air balloons and one girls’ choice to seek her own destiny was a magnificently thrilling and unputdownable read that swept me into a world of magic I never wanted to leave.
To escape her father’s plans of an arranged marriage, Khadija (a Ghadaean girl) steals a hot air balloon and upon landing meets Jacob, a Hari glassblower’s apprentice who seeks a life away from danger and the violence brewing between the Hāreef (a Hari terrorist group seeking revolution) and the Ghadaean rulers who oppress them.
But their whirlwind journey to through the skies leads them both deeper into the civil unrest, threatening their newfound friendship. With forbidden magic and wicked spirits (Jinn) causing untold devastation and ruling Ghadaean’s brutal methods of repression, Jacob and Khadija are forced to decide what kind of a world they want to save...
An absolutely stunning debut that I literally devoured—I was utterly immersed in the dazzlingly worldbuilding with lush and colourful descriptions (I loved the descriptions of Qasrah and Intalyabad.) But, Aneesa Marufu also doesn’t shy away from heavier themes such as racism, misogyny and extremism which, though emotionally evocative (especially in regards to many of the characters’ personal experiences), still manages to keep the tone rather uplifting.
The characters were all expertly written, and full of complexity and depth that I found fascinating. Khadija was a phenomenal protagonist and her journey into finding her place in the world,realising the privilege she held and using it to help make the world better for everyone was absolutely inspiring. As were the backstories for Anam and Darian who were also really well crafted and evocative.
Using grief to connect so many of the characters we encounter was really thought provoking; seeing the various methods each character devised to cope—and how it changed, motivated or influenced their actions (and in some cases moral reasoning.)
I also enjoyed how the initial perceptions Khadija and Jacob have about one another are slowly disproven, as they get to know one another and realise their similarities far outweigh their differences. It’s an inspiring message about not judging people based on generalisations or stereotypes that is certain to encourage many young (and old) readers to challenge their own personal biases—and choose to spread love and kindness instead of hatred and division.
Overall, The Balloon Thief is a beautifully written YA fantasy that seamlessly weaves social commentary, islamic folklore and gorgeous imagery into a thought provoking and spellbindingly riveting tale, that fans of Majorie Blackman and Hafsah Faisal are bound to enjoy.
Also, thank you to Nina Douglas and Chicken House Books for the digital arc.
May 16, 2022
This was a different spin on the fantasy genre and it was very emersive and interesting to read. Intrigued to read more from Aneesa Marufu in the future
March 16, 2022
An interesting mix of racism , misogyny, friendship, families, economic structures - all twisted into fairy tale, myth, legend, folklore & fantasy.
What a fast paced, energetic adventure!
Khadija watches the hot air balloons from her home, yearning to experience the freedom that they represent in her male dominated world. Knowing that she only has one path in front of her - to be married to someone of her father’s choosing & for that husband to control her travel, money and every other aspect of her life as her father had. As her father and the future husband’s father make arrangements for the couple, Khadjia makes a bid for freedom and steals a balloon. Here her life becomes tied up with Jacob, a glassmaker’s apprentice. A person she most certainly wouldn’t mix with in her normal life. As the Ghadaean and the hãri rise above the earth can they find common ground & can their burgeoning friendship become something not only to fight for but something strong enough to enable each other to fight racism and forces of evil that are on the rise in the name of reclaiming power.
What a fast paced, energetic adventure!
Khadija watches the hot air balloons from her home, yearning to experience the freedom that they represent in her male dominated world. Knowing that she only has one path in front of her - to be married to someone of her father’s choosing & for that husband to control her travel, money and every other aspect of her life as her father had. As her father and the future husband’s father make arrangements for the couple, Khadjia makes a bid for freedom and steals a balloon. Here her life becomes tied up with Jacob, a glassmaker’s apprentice. A person she most certainly wouldn’t mix with in her normal life. As the Ghadaean and the hãri rise above the earth can they find common ground & can their burgeoning friendship become something not only to fight for but something strong enough to enable each other to fight racism and forces of evil that are on the rise in the name of reclaiming power.
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January 22, 2022[Gifted]
Highly relevant yet utterly original, I was utterly entranced by this world of jinn, peris and hot air balloons that ache for the skies.
Highly relevant yet utterly original, I was utterly entranced by this world of jinn, peris and hot air balloons that ache for the skies.
March 17, 2022
*Thank you to Chicken House for sending me a copy of this book to review!*
I’ve never quite read a fantasy book like this before, it was a standalone done right. I usually finish standalone fantasy books thinking they were rushed or underdeveloped which results in dissatisfaction at the ending, but this was different.
It tackled quite a lot of difficult topics, but handled them with care and appropriately for the target audience. With politics, identity, racism and extremism just to name a few, I think this book did them really well. The characters in here were all so different and despite it being a standalone, you really got to see their development throughout the story.
It was well written and the plot moved forward seamlessly. I ended up being able to finish this book in a single day because of the perfect pacing. The plot was full of twists and tension, I really enjoyed how the story played out. I loved the ending, it really made me smile.
The main thing I disliked about this book was the romance. I almost wish it didn’t exist in this book, I don’t think it needed it. My main peeve about it though was that it felt really underdeveloped and rushed, I didn’t really believe in the connection between the characters at all and it just fell a bit flat.
As magical on the inside as on the outside, definitely one I’ll recommend in the future.
I’ve never quite read a fantasy book like this before, it was a standalone done right. I usually finish standalone fantasy books thinking they were rushed or underdeveloped which results in dissatisfaction at the ending, but this was different.
It tackled quite a lot of difficult topics, but handled them with care and appropriately for the target audience. With politics, identity, racism and extremism just to name a few, I think this book did them really well. The characters in here were all so different and despite it being a standalone, you really got to see their development throughout the story.
It was well written and the plot moved forward seamlessly. I ended up being able to finish this book in a single day because of the perfect pacing. The plot was full of twists and tension, I really enjoyed how the story played out. I loved the ending, it really made me smile.
The main thing I disliked about this book was the romance. I almost wish it didn’t exist in this book, I don’t think it needed it. My main peeve about it though was that it felt really underdeveloped and rushed, I didn’t really believe in the connection between the characters at all and it just fell a bit flat.
As magical on the inside as on the outside, definitely one I’ll recommend in the future.
March 21, 2022
Thank you to Chicken House for the most beautiful copy of this book in return for an honest review.
An epic story about political, cultural and religious divides of two peoples couldn’t feel more timely, and whilst there is a fantasy element to it, an element of mystery and wonder, there is a human battle, a human heart at the root of it.
There is definitely a hint of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses about it, where white-skinned individuals are seen as the ‘lesser’ race. If only racism - of any race to another - was confined only to storybooks and fairy tales. As someone who is lucky enough to have never experienced discrimination according to my skin colour, there is an uncomfortableness around how some characters are treated, but it hits the right mark. She doesn’t ram the race card down your throat, it’s more of an every ugliness, which sadly is the truth for far too many people.
The world building and character building is sublime throughout, but does not interfere with the pacing of the plot. We get right to the heart of the action very quickly, and it doesn’t let down at all.
I think this has elements of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner about it. Yes it has more fantasy elements and Hosseini’s is more about the realism, but this book has the same power and importance, and I believe it could be a very powerful book in the future, for young and old.
If there was one word to describe this book, it would be ‘gorgeous’. I surely hope there will be a sequel as I’m not ready to leave this world quite yet.
An epic story about political, cultural and religious divides of two peoples couldn’t feel more timely, and whilst there is a fantasy element to it, an element of mystery and wonder, there is a human battle, a human heart at the root of it.
There is definitely a hint of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses about it, where white-skinned individuals are seen as the ‘lesser’ race. If only racism - of any race to another - was confined only to storybooks and fairy tales. As someone who is lucky enough to have never experienced discrimination according to my skin colour, there is an uncomfortableness around how some characters are treated, but it hits the right mark. She doesn’t ram the race card down your throat, it’s more of an every ugliness, which sadly is the truth for far too many people.
The world building and character building is sublime throughout, but does not interfere with the pacing of the plot. We get right to the heart of the action very quickly, and it doesn’t let down at all.
I think this has elements of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner about it. Yes it has more fantasy elements and Hosseini’s is more about the realism, but this book has the same power and importance, and I believe it could be a very powerful book in the future, for young and old.
If there was one word to describe this book, it would be ‘gorgeous’. I surely hope there will be a sequel as I’m not ready to leave this world quite yet.
January 1, 2023
In a world where men of status travel in gilded, ornate, fantastical hot air balloons, racial tensions are still very much alive. Khadija, a higher status Ghadaean girl and Jacob, a lower status Hari boy, find themselves trapped in a brutal war between Ghadeans, Hari and Jinn, racing and running from towns to cities in hot air balloons.
Fleeing a arranged marriage and a suffocating life trapped indoors, Khadija sees a chance for escape in the very thing she's admired for so long - a hot air balloon. Not fully understanding how to work it, she finds herself enlisting the help of Jacob, an orphan glass blower trying to find his place in the world.
This story did have some pacing issues, I felt it slowed down towards the middle but was also too rushed at the end. The characters (which even includes a trans woman!), mythology and sheer beauty of the world kept my attention right to the very end.
Fleeing a arranged marriage and a suffocating life trapped indoors, Khadija sees a chance for escape in the very thing she's admired for so long - a hot air balloon. Not fully understanding how to work it, she finds herself enlisting the help of Jacob, an orphan glass blower trying to find his place in the world.
This story did have some pacing issues, I felt it slowed down towards the middle but was also too rushed at the end. The characters (which even includes a trans woman!), mythology and sheer beauty of the world kept my attention right to the very end.
March 4, 2022
I really enjoyed the plot in this one. The world building and characters. The culture was so rich and you could clearly see the political and cultural differences set in this world.
Khadija was such a strong relatable character. The ‘brown girl guilt’ was so strong in this book. I think a lot of brown girls like myself who would read this can really relate. She’s definitely not perfect and has her flaws but I couldn’t help but root for her the entire way through.
Jacob is the epitome of dumb teenager at times. But I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He was trust into all this not knowing much and definitely not knowing who to trust. He went with his instincts which may have landed him in some trouble. The good thing about this is…that’s it’s realistic. In times of turmoil and distress lie he was clearly in, you aren’t always going to make good decisions especially considering he is only 15.
In a twist we’ve got the white-skinned people as the ‘oppressed’ or ‘lesser-than’ people in the book. They are known as the Hari and then you’ve got the Ghadeaens. Racism plays a bit part in the book. It’s clearly evident in the way the Hari and treated. For instance the way Jacob is treated compared to Khadija. Even though she also isn’t treated well due to being a woman. The plot was so good, it just kept getting better and more enthralling. The Jinn’s absolutely freak me out and I can’t even talk about them.
Would definitely give this a 4.5 stars, with beautiful writing that does not make this seems like a debut. Highly recommend for YA readers and older readers. Plus you’ve got so much rep in this book: south Asian characters, hijabi warriors and LGBTQ+ rep too.
Khadija was such a strong relatable character. The ‘brown girl guilt’ was so strong in this book. I think a lot of brown girls like myself who would read this can really relate. She’s definitely not perfect and has her flaws but I couldn’t help but root for her the entire way through.
Jacob is the epitome of dumb teenager at times. But I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He was trust into all this not knowing much and definitely not knowing who to trust. He went with his instincts which may have landed him in some trouble. The good thing about this is…that’s it’s realistic. In times of turmoil and distress lie he was clearly in, you aren’t always going to make good decisions especially considering he is only 15.
In a twist we’ve got the white-skinned people as the ‘oppressed’ or ‘lesser-than’ people in the book. They are known as the Hari and then you’ve got the Ghadeaens. Racism plays a bit part in the book. It’s clearly evident in the way the Hari and treated. For instance the way Jacob is treated compared to Khadija. Even though she also isn’t treated well due to being a woman. The plot was so good, it just kept getting better and more enthralling. The Jinn’s absolutely freak me out and I can’t even talk about them.
Would definitely give this a 4.5 stars, with beautiful writing that does not make this seems like a debut. Highly recommend for YA readers and older readers. Plus you’ve got so much rep in this book: south Asian characters, hijabi warriors and LGBTQ+ rep too.
July 1, 2022
A brilliant fantasy with a richly-woven world, great characters, and tons of action and fantastical creatures. Loved it.
March 29, 2022
The Balloon Thief is filled with stunning world building. I especially loved the balloon flights and the descriptions of the balloons, which were so vivid and beautiful.
It's a story about escape, freedom and the power to control your own life, and explores gender and racial inequalities through the eyes of its two protagonists, Khadija, a Ghadaean girl who has spent her life trapped in her bedroom, desperately trying to avoid her father's attempts to marry her off, and Jacob, a hari boy who works as an apprentice for a Ghadaean glass maker. When Khadija steals a balloon from the market and takes off into the sky, she is thrown into a world of rebellion, magic and difficult choices.
Both main characters are really well developed. Khadija is immediately easy to root for. She's not perfect, and as a result is able to grow over the course of the novel in a realistic and relatable way. Jacob makes a lot of mistakes, but his motivation is always clear (even when, as a reader, you want to shout at him to stop!) Anam was another favourite character.
There's lots of action and fantasy too. The Balloon Thief has plenty of epic, cinematic fight scenes and drama that kept me turning the page, as well as a sweet romantic sub-plot and dangerous, dark magic.
Marufu also explores the bond between parents and their children through Khadija and her Abba, and Vera and Caleb. Vera made a great antagonist, as I was never quite sure what she was going to do next, but her motivation was always clear.
Thank you Nina Douglas and Chicken House for sending me an advanced copy for review.
It's a story about escape, freedom and the power to control your own life, and explores gender and racial inequalities through the eyes of its two protagonists, Khadija, a Ghadaean girl who has spent her life trapped in her bedroom, desperately trying to avoid her father's attempts to marry her off, and Jacob, a hari boy who works as an apprentice for a Ghadaean glass maker. When Khadija steals a balloon from the market and takes off into the sky, she is thrown into a world of rebellion, magic and difficult choices.
Both main characters are really well developed. Khadija is immediately easy to root for. She's not perfect, and as a result is able to grow over the course of the novel in a realistic and relatable way. Jacob makes a lot of mistakes, but his motivation is always clear (even when, as a reader, you want to shout at him to stop!) Anam was another favourite character.
There's lots of action and fantasy too. The Balloon Thief has plenty of epic, cinematic fight scenes and drama that kept me turning the page, as well as a sweet romantic sub-plot and dangerous, dark magic.
Marufu also explores the bond between parents and their children through Khadija and her Abba, and Vera and Caleb. Vera made a great antagonist, as I was never quite sure what she was going to do next, but her motivation was always clear.
Thank you Nina Douglas and Chicken House for sending me an advanced copy for review.
April 19, 2022
A world inspired by South Asian Culture and Islamic stories this spell binding fantasy adventure is such a beautiful story.
The only way Khadija can escape her father's arranged betrothal is the sky. Full of forbidden magic, friendship and one girl's desire to choose her own fate, I adored this story from the first page to the very last. The writing style is so lyrical and poetic whilst also maintaining an action packed plot.
There are a lot of hard hitting themes such as misogyny, racism, extremism but all were handled sensitively and appropriate for the audience targeted.
I loved the characters. It's so refreshing to have a Muslim girl as the lead character and to have her be her own hero. I will always champion representation in middle grade and The Balloon Thief is one I would definitely recommend.
I was utterly mesmerised by the world building. The descriptions are so vivid and imaginative.
A solid five stars from me. It honestly deserves nothing less. An absolute must read!
The only way Khadija can escape her father's arranged betrothal is the sky. Full of forbidden magic, friendship and one girl's desire to choose her own fate, I adored this story from the first page to the very last. The writing style is so lyrical and poetic whilst also maintaining an action packed plot.
There are a lot of hard hitting themes such as misogyny, racism, extremism but all were handled sensitively and appropriate for the audience targeted.
I loved the characters. It's so refreshing to have a Muslim girl as the lead character and to have her be her own hero. I will always champion representation in middle grade and The Balloon Thief is one I would definitely recommend.
I was utterly mesmerised by the world building. The descriptions are so vivid and imaginative.
A solid five stars from me. It honestly deserves nothing less. An absolute must read!
December 16, 2022
2.5
I struggled with this 384 page young adult fantasy. It skirts and plays with Islamic doctrine as the characters and plot points dance with fantasy and fiction; and because I never felt that the author was completely in control of the story and where it was going, I could never relax and be swept away. The author identifies as Muslim and in the backmatter addresses how experiences with Islamophobia influenced her writing, yet I don't know why jinn and hijab were in the book when fictionalized creatures and cultural dress would have sufficed. Clearly the character on the cover is in hijab, the names of half the characters are Muslamic, the culture is very desi, the broad concepts of jinn, the ghaib, sihr, Prophet Sulaiman, call to prayer, are all Islamically rooted, but characters go to worship at temples, jinn and jinniya eat corpses and are described so often as looking like smoke. There is no clear identifier that these characters are in fact Muslim, it is simply hinted at, which makes the fictional parts seem like extensions of religious doctrine and ultimately made me uncomfortable with much of the story. It also makes me think readers will not know where the lines are, if my brain was muddled, I can't imagine a young teen reading it and keeping it clear. There is a few rushed romantic scenes of kissing, there is a trans character who's gender identity and born gender is a significant plot line in the story, and there is a lot of oppression, racism, death, abuse, misogyny and fear. It is a dark read that metaphorically takes real societal concepts and sets them in shades of gray with the added use of fantasy. There are a lot of layers in the story, and while it wasn't poorly written, there were definitely places it needed to be better. I really didn't like any of the characters, I didn't understand their motives, their relationships, their drives, the commentary on occupiers and rebels was weak as was the push back on misogyny after the first few chapters. I didn't feel a love of hot air balloons or feel that the battle scenes accounted for many of the characters that would suddenly be missing from the scenes. I think the dual perspectives kept the intensity of the climaxes at bay and halted the rising action. Too many misses for me to recommend this standalone book, but if you've read it and can talk me through it, I'm willing to listen.
SYNOPSIS:
In a land where girls are running out of time to be arranged in marriage at 17 and transportation is done in hot air balloons, there are two groups of citizens: the darker Ghadaean's are the rulers and the lighter skinned hāri are oppressed. The book establishes this power dynamic early on in a quick synopsis: the hāri came from the Himala mountain range to trade to Ghadaea, but their greed and lust for power drove them to try and seize the land. They failed, and now 90 years later the hāri are punished for the mistakes of their grandfathers (4%). Both groups fear sihr and jinn. Everyone is vegetarian because jinn are attracted to rotting corpses, animal and human, and thus anything dead is quickly burned. When a radical hāri group, the Hāreef, is formed with a new leader, sihr and jinn are no longer enemies but tools to rebel against the racist oppression, and assist in the war to change the balance of power.
Khadija is 16 and with her mother and younger brother deceased at the hands of some hāri, her older sister married and off in a balloon, her father is desperate to get her married. Most females are not allowed to read, nor are they even allowed out of the house alone. The fear of the jinn is weaponized to keep them in, and misogyny prevents from proving themselves. While out meeting with a suitor, Khadija in a burst of desperation leaves her father and jumps in to an escaping balloon. Khadija does not know how to fly a balloon, having never even ridden in one, but when it lands in different town she meets Jacob.
Jacob is hāri and the second of the dual perspectives telling the story, he is orphaned and is unique in that he is an apprentice of a glass blowing Ghadaean. He meets Khadija and offers her food, and in the span of a few hours she saves him and he saves her and both seem to have a dead glass blower on their hands. Add this to his growing rift with his best friend William, who has joined the Hāreef, and is now dead, and you have Khadija and Jacob escaping in a balloon, not trusting each other nor knowing who and what they support.
From here on the two's friendship and motives wax and wane as they are drawn in to battle together, and against each other. Neither are "good" or "bad" nor are their decisions always clear, but they will be forced none-the-less to figure out what they want and what they stand for as peri's are tortured, nawab's are killed, jinnya queens are called upon, wishes are granted and a group of hāri and Ghadeans known as the Wazeem offer a unified collective. Unfortunately, change and power never come easy and when a dead son is brought back as an ifrit and an ancient princess in the jinn world is ready to battle, all the shades of gray that exist in politics, revolution, rebellions, families, hate, racism, gender identities, and control all come spilling out from balloon baskets and the ghaib.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I honestly kept reading to see how the author was going to bring it to a conclusion and wrap up all the loose threads. And while the book lagged at times, she definitely got it concluded. Aside from the religious signaling, but never owning identity problems, I struggled with the writing too. The hāri Jacob doesn't read like a little brother, he and Khadija read the same age, and so his importance in the Hāreef seems an ill fit. Plus he is very duplicitous and I get that that is part of the story, but I never liked him so it just got annoying how many second, third, fourth chances he got, and I mean, why would anyone care?
Khadija seems like she is going to battle misogyny early on, I hate that marriage and arranged marriage is equated to oppression, but the not being allowed out and not being educated seems to fizzle in the middle and then come out a bit in the final scene. I hoped it would have been commented on in every new city they arrived at. The set up was there, but because it wasn't, it made it seem more of a shortsightedness of her own father, and not a larger problem when strong women existed elsewhere. This also reinforced a "brown Muslim" man stereotype that is never pushed back on.
The racism, power struggle oppression is more consistent, but with the foundation that the hāri came and tried to take over nearly 90 years ago makes it hard to feel too bad for them. They tried to occupy and now are enslaved. Neither is ideal, but why didn't they just go back? We aren't talking more than one generation, it is the "crimes of their grandfathers," they had a home, they were kicked out, they should leave. Yes, I know they are human and racism is wrong, my point is a literary one, that the foundation should have been stronger, more detailed.
The love interest I also felt was lacking, Darian comes out of nowhere, they are in love, he gives her his heart so he is saved, I didn't feel the tension, I didn't get it, not at all. It was forced and cheesy and I just know he kept getting hurt, they would kiss, and then he was back to getting hurt or possessed or something, had no personality what so ever.
The seal of Prophet Sulaiman and the hundreds of pieces of it didn't sit right with me, nor the jinns being smoky and eating corpses. I truly don't understand why very real Islamic concepts were brought in and twisted. Why not just create your own characters and say they were loosely inspired. I felt like the religious rep and OWN voice kept one foot in the religious inspired world and one in the fantasy is fiction so I can do what I want, and it didn't work for me. I think it crossed in to being disrespectful, and had the author not identified herself as Muslim, I would have been furious as the book reads like an outsider who doesn't get that jinn are real, Prophet Sulaiman was real, sihr is real, the ghaib is real. It really needed some some clarification on where the story existed and where the religion or religious inspiration started and stopped.
The trans character is worth highlighting because it does touch into Islamic rulings regarding hijab, even though we don't know if Anam or any of the characters are Muslim. Anam is born a male, but leaves her family of exorcists and is a leader of the Wazeem as a female. She presents as a female, but when she enters a room where numerous Wazeem women are changing many hide, draw their hijabs, make horrified gestures etc., it has to be explained to Khadija why this is. It does not bother Khadija. Story wise it is a critical point because the Jinniya Queen Mardzma is the queen of female warriors and it is unknown if Anam would be seen as female or male. When Anam went from being an exorcist to the greatest human warrior present is beyond me, but there was a lot of assumptions you had to accept while reading.
FLAGS:
Death, erroneous religious rep, kissing, murder, killing, lying, torturing, threat of sexual assault, murder, coming back from the dead, oppression, racism, trans, misogyny, abuse, hetero relationships, stealing.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I would not shelve this book in an Islamic school library or classroom, nor would I use it as a book club selection. Although if my local public library or some adult Muslims read it and were planning to discuss, I would join to hear their thoughts about it. I would not be able to lead, but I would enjoy picking it apart with others.
I struggled with this 384 page young adult fantasy. It skirts and plays with Islamic doctrine as the characters and plot points dance with fantasy and fiction; and because I never felt that the author was completely in control of the story and where it was going, I could never relax and be swept away. The author identifies as Muslim and in the backmatter addresses how experiences with Islamophobia influenced her writing, yet I don't know why jinn and hijab were in the book when fictionalized creatures and cultural dress would have sufficed. Clearly the character on the cover is in hijab, the names of half the characters are Muslamic, the culture is very desi, the broad concepts of jinn, the ghaib, sihr, Prophet Sulaiman, call to prayer, are all Islamically rooted, but characters go to worship at temples, jinn and jinniya eat corpses and are described so often as looking like smoke. There is no clear identifier that these characters are in fact Muslim, it is simply hinted at, which makes the fictional parts seem like extensions of religious doctrine and ultimately made me uncomfortable with much of the story. It also makes me think readers will not know where the lines are, if my brain was muddled, I can't imagine a young teen reading it and keeping it clear. There is a few rushed romantic scenes of kissing, there is a trans character who's gender identity and born gender is a significant plot line in the story, and there is a lot of oppression, racism, death, abuse, misogyny and fear. It is a dark read that metaphorically takes real societal concepts and sets them in shades of gray with the added use of fantasy. There are a lot of layers in the story, and while it wasn't poorly written, there were definitely places it needed to be better. I really didn't like any of the characters, I didn't understand their motives, their relationships, their drives, the commentary on occupiers and rebels was weak as was the push back on misogyny after the first few chapters. I didn't feel a love of hot air balloons or feel that the battle scenes accounted for many of the characters that would suddenly be missing from the scenes. I think the dual perspectives kept the intensity of the climaxes at bay and halted the rising action. Too many misses for me to recommend this standalone book, but if you've read it and can talk me through it, I'm willing to listen.
SYNOPSIS:
In a land where girls are running out of time to be arranged in marriage at 17 and transportation is done in hot air balloons, there are two groups of citizens: the darker Ghadaean's are the rulers and the lighter skinned hāri are oppressed. The book establishes this power dynamic early on in a quick synopsis: the hāri came from the Himala mountain range to trade to Ghadaea, but their greed and lust for power drove them to try and seize the land. They failed, and now 90 years later the hāri are punished for the mistakes of their grandfathers (4%). Both groups fear sihr and jinn. Everyone is vegetarian because jinn are attracted to rotting corpses, animal and human, and thus anything dead is quickly burned. When a radical hāri group, the Hāreef, is formed with a new leader, sihr and jinn are no longer enemies but tools to rebel against the racist oppression, and assist in the war to change the balance of power.
Khadija is 16 and with her mother and younger brother deceased at the hands of some hāri, her older sister married and off in a balloon, her father is desperate to get her married. Most females are not allowed to read, nor are they even allowed out of the house alone. The fear of the jinn is weaponized to keep them in, and misogyny prevents from proving themselves. While out meeting with a suitor, Khadija in a burst of desperation leaves her father and jumps in to an escaping balloon. Khadija does not know how to fly a balloon, having never even ridden in one, but when it lands in different town she meets Jacob.
Jacob is hāri and the second of the dual perspectives telling the story, he is orphaned and is unique in that he is an apprentice of a glass blowing Ghadaean. He meets Khadija and offers her food, and in the span of a few hours she saves him and he saves her and both seem to have a dead glass blower on their hands. Add this to his growing rift with his best friend William, who has joined the Hāreef, and is now dead, and you have Khadija and Jacob escaping in a balloon, not trusting each other nor knowing who and what they support.
From here on the two's friendship and motives wax and wane as they are drawn in to battle together, and against each other. Neither are "good" or "bad" nor are their decisions always clear, but they will be forced none-the-less to figure out what they want and what they stand for as peri's are tortured, nawab's are killed, jinnya queens are called upon, wishes are granted and a group of hāri and Ghadeans known as the Wazeem offer a unified collective. Unfortunately, change and power never come easy and when a dead son is brought back as an ifrit and an ancient princess in the jinn world is ready to battle, all the shades of gray that exist in politics, revolution, rebellions, families, hate, racism, gender identities, and control all come spilling out from balloon baskets and the ghaib.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I honestly kept reading to see how the author was going to bring it to a conclusion and wrap up all the loose threads. And while the book lagged at times, she definitely got it concluded. Aside from the religious signaling, but never owning identity problems, I struggled with the writing too. The hāri Jacob doesn't read like a little brother, he and Khadija read the same age, and so his importance in the Hāreef seems an ill fit. Plus he is very duplicitous and I get that that is part of the story, but I never liked him so it just got annoying how many second, third, fourth chances he got, and I mean, why would anyone care?
Khadija seems like she is going to battle misogyny early on, I hate that marriage and arranged marriage is equated to oppression, but the not being allowed out and not being educated seems to fizzle in the middle and then come out a bit in the final scene. I hoped it would have been commented on in every new city they arrived at. The set up was there, but because it wasn't, it made it seem more of a shortsightedness of her own father, and not a larger problem when strong women existed elsewhere. This also reinforced a "brown Muslim" man stereotype that is never pushed back on.
The racism, power struggle oppression is more consistent, but with the foundation that the hāri came and tried to take over nearly 90 years ago makes it hard to feel too bad for them. They tried to occupy and now are enslaved. Neither is ideal, but why didn't they just go back? We aren't talking more than one generation, it is the "crimes of their grandfathers," they had a home, they were kicked out, they should leave. Yes, I know they are human and racism is wrong, my point is a literary one, that the foundation should have been stronger, more detailed.
The love interest I also felt was lacking, Darian comes out of nowhere, they are in love, he gives her his heart so he is saved, I didn't feel the tension, I didn't get it, not at all. It was forced and cheesy and I just know he kept getting hurt, they would kiss, and then he was back to getting hurt or possessed or something, had no personality what so ever.
The seal of Prophet Sulaiman and the hundreds of pieces of it didn't sit right with me, nor the jinns being smoky and eating corpses. I truly don't understand why very real Islamic concepts were brought in and twisted. Why not just create your own characters and say they were loosely inspired. I felt like the religious rep and OWN voice kept one foot in the religious inspired world and one in the fantasy is fiction so I can do what I want, and it didn't work for me. I think it crossed in to being disrespectful, and had the author not identified herself as Muslim, I would have been furious as the book reads like an outsider who doesn't get that jinn are real, Prophet Sulaiman was real, sihr is real, the ghaib is real. It really needed some some clarification on where the story existed and where the religion or religious inspiration started and stopped.
The trans character is worth highlighting because it does touch into Islamic rulings regarding hijab, even though we don't know if Anam or any of the characters are Muslim. Anam is born a male, but leaves her family of exorcists and is a leader of the Wazeem as a female. She presents as a female, but when she enters a room where numerous Wazeem women are changing many hide, draw their hijabs, make horrified gestures etc., it has to be explained to Khadija why this is. It does not bother Khadija. Story wise it is a critical point because the Jinniya Queen Mardzma is the queen of female warriors and it is unknown if Anam would be seen as female or male. When Anam went from being an exorcist to the greatest human warrior present is beyond me, but there was a lot of assumptions you had to accept while reading.
FLAGS:
Death, erroneous religious rep, kissing, murder, killing, lying, torturing, threat of sexual assault, murder, coming back from the dead, oppression, racism, trans, misogyny, abuse, hetero relationships, stealing.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I would not shelve this book in an Islamic school library or classroom, nor would I use it as a book club selection. Although if my local public library or some adult Muslims read it and were planning to discuss, I would join to hear their thoughts about it. I would not be able to lead, but I would enjoy picking it apart with others.
April 2, 2022
The Balloon Thief by Aneesa Marufu is a YA fantasy novel, set in a richly imagined Islamic world where the dark-skinned Ghadaeans have the structural power and the light-skinned Hāri (one-time failed colonisers) are brutally oppressed.
16-year-old Khajida, a Ghadaean, has always been fascinated by the balloons used by traders to move goods between cities. When she sees a rogue balloon about to break its moorings, she jumps in, taking the opportunity to escape from the unwanted marriage her father has arranged for her, floating away to a new, unknown destiny. Soon she meets young Hāri boy, Jacob, a glass blower's apprentice, and they form an unlikely friendship.
But their friendship is tested as Jacob is pulled towards the Hāreef, a group who seek to overthrow the oppression of the Hāri by violent means - using forbidden and dangerous magic to summon and control the Jinn - evil spirits that can be unleashed to inflict terrible violence on the Ghadaeans.
As Jacob struggles to choose between violent and non-violent means of resistance, Khajida joins the battle against the Jinn, as she begins to come to a deeper understanding of her own role as oppressor (as a Ghadaean) and oppressed (as a woman).
I was blown away by this novel. The world-building is so rich and detailed I could clearly picture the cities and landscapes Khajida floats above in the balloon, could feel the rippling heat in the basket. The battle against the Hāreef and the jinns is gripping and beautifully executed, as are the characters' internal battles with their own demons. Aneesa Marufu has cleverly combined a cracking story and engaging, complex characters with a deeply nuanced exploration of privilege, oppression, resistance and extremism. It deserves to be widely read.
Thank you to Chicken House for sending me a proof.
16-year-old Khajida, a Ghadaean, has always been fascinated by the balloons used by traders to move goods between cities. When she sees a rogue balloon about to break its moorings, she jumps in, taking the opportunity to escape from the unwanted marriage her father has arranged for her, floating away to a new, unknown destiny. Soon she meets young Hāri boy, Jacob, a glass blower's apprentice, and they form an unlikely friendship.
But their friendship is tested as Jacob is pulled towards the Hāreef, a group who seek to overthrow the oppression of the Hāri by violent means - using forbidden and dangerous magic to summon and control the Jinn - evil spirits that can be unleashed to inflict terrible violence on the Ghadaeans.
As Jacob struggles to choose between violent and non-violent means of resistance, Khajida joins the battle against the Jinn, as she begins to come to a deeper understanding of her own role as oppressor (as a Ghadaean) and oppressed (as a woman).
I was blown away by this novel. The world-building is so rich and detailed I could clearly picture the cities and landscapes Khajida floats above in the balloon, could feel the rippling heat in the basket. The battle against the Hāreef and the jinns is gripping and beautifully executed, as are the characters' internal battles with their own demons. Aneesa Marufu has cleverly combined a cracking story and engaging, complex characters with a deeply nuanced exploration of privilege, oppression, resistance and extremism. It deserves to be widely read.
Thank you to Chicken House for sending me a proof.
June 2, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up
This was such a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a very run-of-the-mill YA Fantasy because I honestly just bought this because of the gorgeous sprayed edges, but The Balloon Thief is a mature novel that explores themes of terrorism and oppression through an interesting and original lens. Although at times the prose felt a bit infantile, overall the writing was exquisite and some passages made my English Lit heart all fluttery - but it was also super easy to read, which was a plus. The world building, whilst clearly influenced by South Asia, was really well developed, as were the characters - I loved seeing such a wide range of morally grey characters and although I would have liked to see a bit less authorial judgement cast over them, I still really appreciated the wide range of perspectives. The characters themselves were all really loveable (Anam supremacy) and the central romance was sunshine x grumpy so obviously I loved it. Would recommend to fans of the genre and YA in general.
This was such a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a very run-of-the-mill YA Fantasy because I honestly just bought this because of the gorgeous sprayed edges, but The Balloon Thief is a mature novel that explores themes of terrorism and oppression through an interesting and original lens. Although at times the prose felt a bit infantile, overall the writing was exquisite and some passages made my English Lit heart all fluttery - but it was also super easy to read, which was a plus. The world building, whilst clearly influenced by South Asia, was really well developed, as were the characters - I loved seeing such a wide range of morally grey characters and although I would have liked to see a bit less authorial judgement cast over them, I still really appreciated the wide range of perspectives. The characters themselves were all really loveable (Anam supremacy) and the central romance was sunshine x grumpy so obviously I loved it. Would recommend to fans of the genre and YA in general.
August 23, 2022
I had such high hopes for this book, but I was quite disappointed. For most of the book it looked like it was going to get a 3.5/4⭐️, but the ending completely ruined it. There was no resolution to any of the issues, no culmination of the romantic plotline, and the leaders still held their prejudices. This book should not have been a standalone, it would have worked so much better as a series, then the ending would not have been so rushed. I really hope the author writes a sequel, because this desperately needs one. I think the concept of this book is amazing and could have been really interesting and worthy of more stars if it had been executed correctly. Same for the worldbuilding and mythology, it has so much potential but everything felt very rushed and I think the story might have worked better without the fantasy elements and if it had just been a political commentary. The political and social aspects of this book were very interesting, but the ending left nothing resolved. As for the characters, I really liked Jacob’s character. His story was the most compelling and intriguing, very realistic, very complex and full of nuances, and I found myself enjoying his chapters the most. Whilst I liked Khadija as a character, I felt there was something missing with her, a lack of depth/motivation that made her less compelling. I feel that she had potential to be an amazing female protagonist, but something went wrong. The prose too at times seemed quite trivial and almost childish, which made some scenes quite painful to read, but this might just have been because it was Marufu’s first novel. Overall, I did like the book, but it definitely could have been explored better and, if my hopes of a sequel came true, I would read it to get the answers I need.
Want to read
March 3, 2022I SEE A HIJABI ON A BOOK COVER? IMMEDIATE ADD TO TBR
December 30, 2021
This was a simply gorgeous tale, written with so much knowledge and love. I’ve learnt so much about another culture and would recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone. I’ll be passing on my copy to my granddaughters (10 and 13), as o know they’ll be transported to this wonderful tale, such a fantastic female protagonist, Khadija, is the reason I’ve given this magical story five stars. Thank you to Chicken House for the proof copy.
September 5, 2022
1/5⭐️
J’espère sincèrement de tout mon être que la prochaine parution Stardust saura conquérir mon cœur. Pour l’instant, à part « La Reine des Ombres » qui était sympa sans plus, ce ne sont que des deceptions.
Et celle-ci est la pire de toutes.
Je saurais même pas par où commencer, et vu qu’il est quasi minuit, je vais pas me lancer dans la rédaction de la chronique maintenant, mais sachez qu’il y a de nombreux problèmes dans ce bouquin. Je dirais même qu’il n’y a rien qui va.
J’espère sincèrement de tout mon être que la prochaine parution Stardust saura conquérir mon cœur. Pour l’instant, à part « La Reine des Ombres » qui était sympa sans plus, ce ne sont que des deceptions.
Et celle-ci est la pire de toutes.
Je saurais même pas par où commencer, et vu qu’il est quasi minuit, je vais pas me lancer dans la rédaction de la chronique maintenant, mais sachez qu’il y a de nombreux problèmes dans ce bouquin. Je dirais même qu’il n’y a rien qui va.
May 7, 2023
A heartfelt tale full of friendship, freedom and self-discovery, 3.5/5⭐️
It is loosely set in an Arabian-style world where the Ghadaeans rule and oppress the hāri. The hāri are treated as second-class citizens and are treated horrifically and massacred with little excuse. I thought this was executed all right, not much explanation as to why but it did a great job of making me feel uncomfortable and disgusted. The magic system was the jinn are fascinating, they have complex politics and a whole alternate reality and I liked there are different tiers of them and how you can control them. The writing has some truly magic moments which are highlighted in the balloon scenes. I felt full of childhood wonder and the cities were vibrant and vivid. I could just imagine the noise, the colours and smells.
The plot follows Khadija who escapes an arranged marriage in a hot air balloon and teams up with an hāri boy Jacob and they go on an adventure. This book is pretty intense for a YA novel almost bordering on adult with its themes. The themes which are addressed clearly and weave naturally into the plot are sexism, racism, terrorism, violence and child radicalisation. I love how this book talks about how violence and just repeating the actions of your oppressor is not the answer but equality is "it was merely altering the reflection in the mirror". Some parts of the plot were slow such as Jacob in the Hāreef sewer hideout. Some aspects of Jinn were a bit jarring and conflicts were resolved too quickly, which is also added by some plot convenience.
Khadija wants to escape her predetermined life and write her own story despite being a female. She is a dreamer at heart, like me. Also, she can be unlikable at times due to her existing prejudices but she has great development as learns to overcome that even after she has been betrayed. Jacob suffered immensely after the discrimination his people faced and because of this he is used and manipulated but he does finally get exposed to the truth. I do like their friendship but I really wished it got expanded and developed more rather than adding another romance plot line with Khadija. It was unnecessary.
Anam, Darian and the Peri slayed though and the villain had some complex motivations.
It is loosely set in an Arabian-style world where the Ghadaeans rule and oppress the hāri. The hāri are treated as second-class citizens and are treated horrifically and massacred with little excuse. I thought this was executed all right, not much explanation as to why but it did a great job of making me feel uncomfortable and disgusted. The magic system was the jinn are fascinating, they have complex politics and a whole alternate reality and I liked there are different tiers of them and how you can control them. The writing has some truly magic moments which are highlighted in the balloon scenes. I felt full of childhood wonder and the cities were vibrant and vivid. I could just imagine the noise, the colours and smells.
The plot follows Khadija who escapes an arranged marriage in a hot air balloon and teams up with an hāri boy Jacob and they go on an adventure. This book is pretty intense for a YA novel almost bordering on adult with its themes. The themes which are addressed clearly and weave naturally into the plot are sexism, racism, terrorism, violence and child radicalisation. I love how this book talks about how violence and just repeating the actions of your oppressor is not the answer but equality is "it was merely altering the reflection in the mirror". Some parts of the plot were slow such as Jacob in the Hāreef sewer hideout. Some aspects of Jinn were a bit jarring and conflicts were resolved too quickly, which is also added by some plot convenience.
Khadija wants to escape her predetermined life and write her own story despite being a female. She is a dreamer at heart, like me. Also, she can be unlikable at times due to her existing prejudices but she has great development as learns to overcome that even after she has been betrayed. Jacob suffered immensely after the discrimination his people faced and because of this he is used and manipulated but he does finally get exposed to the truth. I do like their friendship but I really wished it got expanded and developed more rather than adding another romance plot line with Khadija. It was unnecessary.
Anam, Darian and the Peri slayed though and the villain had some complex motivations.
December 30, 2022
I really liked this book, but there were plot holes and other technical issues I couldn’t really move through to give it a higher rating.
I got this book as an ARC from YallFest 2022. I was excited to check it out, since it was a story on gender discrimination and racism in a south Asian like setting.
My main issue was that this book couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. I felt like it was a little of too many ideas, all jumbled together. I mean but I gave it a 3- so I did enjoy aspects. The first 1/3 of the book was slow going and didn’t really inspire me to keep reading. Then the action picked up and I was more excited.
I think the way this book discusses racism and radicalization is really the best part. I read the author’s note and found that to be a big inspiration. As an American it reminded me of the civil rights movement and how some folks were working on peaceful resolutions, and some groups wanted things to change faster, and therefore made more drastic choices. That being said I think that’s the beauty of the book, things aren’t black and white. The grays that exist are what makes life the beautiful complicated thing it is.
I did feel like the book was really meant to be a love letter to hot air balloons and the ending fell flat for me.
I got this book as an ARC from YallFest 2022. I was excited to check it out, since it was a story on gender discrimination and racism in a south Asian like setting.
My main issue was that this book couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. I felt like it was a little of too many ideas, all jumbled together. I mean but I gave it a 3- so I did enjoy aspects. The first 1/3 of the book was slow going and didn’t really inspire me to keep reading. Then the action picked up and I was more excited.
I think the way this book discusses racism and radicalization is really the best part. I read the author’s note and found that to be a big inspiration. As an American it reminded me of the civil rights movement and how some folks were working on peaceful resolutions, and some groups wanted things to change faster, and therefore made more drastic choices. That being said I think that’s the beauty of the book, things aren’t black and white. The grays that exist are what makes life the beautiful complicated thing it is.
I did feel like the book was really meant to be a love letter to hot air balloons and the ending fell flat for me.
April 17, 2022
Another Ramadan read for my Muslim folks!
-
The sky is Khadija's only way out of her father's arranged betrothal. She jumps at the chance for adventure when she sees a wild hot air balloon battling against its constraints.
I found Khadija to be a very relatable character. The sense of 'brown girl guilt' was palpable. Despite the fact that she was far from faultless, she was a true renegade.
Jacob was one of the characters for whom I felt sorry. With people, he had a lot of trust issues (like me at times). Using his instincts got him into problems on occasion, but he was still not a terrific decision maker.
-
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the world-building as much as I had hoped for from this asian fanatic! Politics, racism, radicalism, South Asian characters, hijabi warriors, and LGBTQ+ are all represented. Just be aware that there are certain Arabic terms that I was unable to decipher! I'm guessing I'll need Nads' @legenbooksdary assistance.
-
The sky is Khadija's only way out of her father's arranged betrothal. She jumps at the chance for adventure when she sees a wild hot air balloon battling against its constraints.
I found Khadija to be a very relatable character. The sense of 'brown girl guilt' was palpable. Despite the fact that she was far from faultless, she was a true renegade.
Jacob was one of the characters for whom I felt sorry. With people, he had a lot of trust issues (like me at times). Using his instincts got him into problems on occasion, but he was still not a terrific decision maker.
-
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the world-building as much as I had hoped for from this asian fanatic! Politics, racism, radicalism, South Asian characters, hijabi warriors, and LGBTQ+ are all represented. Just be aware that there are certain Arabic terms that I was unable to decipher! I'm guessing I'll need Nads' @legenbooksdary assistance.
did-not-finish
June 22, 2022DNF @ pg. 189
Sadly, I won't be continuing with this book. I was enjoying it for the most part in the beginning but there were a couple things that I struggled with in this one that made me make the hard decision to discontinue it. Firstly, I was never invested in the plot and the story itself felt like nothing new. You know when you're re-watching a movie with your friends that you remember enjoying a while back, but now you just can't bring yourself to care? That's how I felt about this book. And secondly, the whole mythological side of this story was starting to become really dark. I had that twinge of doubt when the demon jinn was introduced and then when the Queen appeared on the scene and totally went psycho on the nawab, I just decided I'd had enough. Thankfully I had borrowed this one from the library so it didn't cost me anything which I'm really happy about! Not sure whether or not I'd recommend this one as the reason I stopped reading it was solely based on a personal opinion, but that said, I would be hesitant to do so. Happy Reading :)
Sadly, I won't be continuing with this book. I was enjoying it for the most part in the beginning but there were a couple things that I struggled with in this one that made me make the hard decision to discontinue it. Firstly, I was never invested in the plot and the story itself felt like nothing new. You know when you're re-watching a movie with your friends that you remember enjoying a while back, but now you just can't bring yourself to care? That's how I felt about this book. And secondly, the whole mythological side of this story was starting to become really dark. I had that twinge of doubt when the demon jinn was introduced and then when the Queen appeared on the scene and totally went psycho on the nawab, I just decided I'd had enough. Thankfully I had borrowed this one from the library so it didn't cost me anything which I'm really happy about! Not sure whether or not I'd recommend this one as the reason I stopped reading it was solely based on a personal opinion, but that said, I would be hesitant to do so. Happy Reading :)
March 25, 2023
I was excited to read this fantasy story when I started and really wanted to like it. I think that the author had wonderful intentions and ideas for the story but they all fell flat for me in the storytelling. There isn’t much world building and everything felt very surface level so it was hard for me to become invested.
March 23, 2022
3.5 rating!
Review coming soon
Review coming soon
August 11, 2023
2.5⭐️
April 16, 2022
It's a good book
dnf
February 12, 2023DNF at about 50%
I bought this book because the Waterstones special edition looks absolutely stunning and the description sounded so interesting! It's Middle Eastern inspired, and I haven't read many of those books, so I really wanted to try it. Also, it's about hot air balloons and all in all just sounded so interesting. Unfortunately, the book was so boring. The FMC was whiny and I didn't like her at all. The MMC was a liar and an asshole. So yeah, it's a no for me.
I bought this book because the Waterstones special edition looks absolutely stunning and the description sounded so interesting! It's Middle Eastern inspired, and I haven't read many of those books, so I really wanted to try it. Also, it's about hot air balloons and all in all just sounded so interesting. Unfortunately, the book was so boring. The FMC was whiny and I didn't like her at all. The MMC was a liar and an asshole. So yeah, it's a no for me.
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