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Half My Luck
From the winner of the inaugural Matilda Prize comes a heartwarming coming-of-age story about growing up in Australia when you're caught between two culturesLayla Karimi has been cursed by the evil eye.Well, that's what Layla's superstitious grandmother tells her. And Layla reckons it makes sense as she's sort of Australian and sort of a 'halfie' who doesn't really fit into either world.And when all hell breaks loose at the first beach party of the summer, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves 'the Cedar Army' (of which her cousin Sufia is the Queen Bee). One group has been wrongfully accused and Layla knows the truth that would clear their name.But will she speak up?PRAISE'a warm-hearted and authentic coming-of-age story about the impact of race and place on our sense of self and belonging ... perfect for fans of other recent Own Voices releases like Sunburnt Veils by Sara Haghdoosti and Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim' - Mischa Parkee, Books + Publishing
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 9, 2021
Ahhh so I finished this book in one sitting, definitely a quick read if you’re looking for something shorter! Spoilers incoming so watch out!
To be completely honest, I’m having some mixed feelings with this book. I’m l guessing it’s more to do with the fact that I couldn’t relate to the main character than the book itself. All the drama just seemed to unnecessary, I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters because everything was all so surface emotion-y. There was so much dialogue my brain kind of *poofed* I also struggled to remember who was who, who’s dating who and who’s related to who, there are just SO many names!
I definitely could relate to Layla feeling like she doesn’t belong in either group, but maybe I had an easier run because the friends I had in high school were much less toxic. Really just didn’t get this whole loyalty to people thing, like, the only character with some common sense was Jordan, and even then he’s basically unrelated to the plot.
Okay but I do like that the Layla didn’t end up with Jordan at the end. They were great as friends and I’m glad they stayed that way. And I did enjoy the message of “fight for the truth”.
I can see how people would like this book, I enjoyed it for some fun reading, the review is harsher than I meant it to be because it didn’t really touch me in any way. Thank you Read the Book Tours and HarperCollins for sending me this review copy.
To be completely honest, I’m having some mixed feelings with this book. I’m l guessing it’s more to do with the fact that I couldn’t relate to the main character than the book itself. All the drama just seemed to unnecessary, I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters because everything was all so surface emotion-y. There was so much dialogue my brain kind of *poofed* I also struggled to remember who was who, who’s dating who and who’s related to who, there are just SO many names!
I definitely could relate to Layla feeling like she doesn’t belong in either group, but maybe I had an easier run because the friends I had in high school were much less toxic. Really just didn’t get this whole loyalty to people thing, like, the only character with some common sense was Jordan, and even then he’s basically unrelated to the plot.
Okay but I do like that the Layla didn’t end up with Jordan at the end. They were great as friends and I’m glad they stayed that way. And I did enjoy the message of “fight for the truth”.
I can see how people would like this book, I enjoyed it for some fun reading, the review is harsher than I meant it to be because it didn’t really touch me in any way. Thank you Read the Book Tours and HarperCollins for sending me this review copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 25, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Hospitalisation mentioned
Car fire, off-page
Racism
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Hospitalisation mentioned
Car fire, off-page
July 31, 2021
This was a pacy YA read that gave me Home & Away/Looking for Alibrandi vibes with some Veronica Mars sleuthing thrown in. I knew a lot of these characters in high school and I wish a book like this had been around then. I think a lot my friends would have related to the story and the unspoken cultural divide that happens in school.
August 8, 2021
Half My Luck is the debut novel from Samera Kamaleddine, blessed with a gorgeous cover and a equally delightful storyline it follows Layla as she navigates life. She ends up in the middle of her family and friends after an event at a beach party divides them.
Half My Luck is well written and has a great flow throughout. It reads like a classic teen drama and some of the events are over dramatised but I really enjoy that about teen dramas and was completely immersed throughout.
Half My Luck is well written and has a great flow throughout. It reads like a classic teen drama and some of the events are over dramatised but I really enjoy that about teen dramas and was completely immersed throughout.
May 31, 2021
Thanks to HarperCollinsAU for my advanced copy.
This character-driven, debut novel, sees Layla enduring an intensely hot summer. Each day is spent at the local river (“Lame Beach”) with friends, and frenemies; crushing on a new boy in town; and dealing with the fall out from a beach party that went wrong.
Layla knows what really happened that night. If she speaks up, she risks losing friends. By staying quiet, others remain wrongfully accused. On the flipside, her cousin “Queen Bee” Sufia is sassy, speaks her mind and is keen for the truth to be exposed. As the story progresses, we see her strong female influence slowly chip away at Layla.
Layla is a likeable and believable narrator, and authentically drawn. There is a large cast of characters in the book, all vividly described. Many have complex back stories that are hinted at, which make them more interesting, and left me wanting more(!) A short middle section from a different point of view adds extra insight that keeps the story moving along.
Though there are serious themes and thought-provoking discussions across the teens and adults, the overall tone of the book is hopeful and upbeat. The language is very conversational, and readers will enjoy the often funny, contemporary banter.
Being a teen can be difficult, but growing up caught between two cultures – and rivalling friendship groups – makes life doubly hard for Layla as she tries to work through her ‘cursed’ existence. Kamaleddine successfully illustrates the challenges faced and we, the readers, have fun along way.
This character-driven, debut novel, sees Layla enduring an intensely hot summer. Each day is spent at the local river (“Lame Beach”) with friends, and frenemies; crushing on a new boy in town; and dealing with the fall out from a beach party that went wrong.
Layla knows what really happened that night. If she speaks up, she risks losing friends. By staying quiet, others remain wrongfully accused. On the flipside, her cousin “Queen Bee” Sufia is sassy, speaks her mind and is keen for the truth to be exposed. As the story progresses, we see her strong female influence slowly chip away at Layla.
Layla is a likeable and believable narrator, and authentically drawn. There is a large cast of characters in the book, all vividly described. Many have complex back stories that are hinted at, which make them more interesting, and left me wanting more(!) A short middle section from a different point of view adds extra insight that keeps the story moving along.
Though there are serious themes and thought-provoking discussions across the teens and adults, the overall tone of the book is hopeful and upbeat. The language is very conversational, and readers will enjoy the often funny, contemporary banter.
Being a teen can be difficult, but growing up caught between two cultures – and rivalling friendship groups – makes life doubly hard for Layla as she tries to work through her ‘cursed’ existence. Kamaleddine successfully illustrates the challenges faced and we, the readers, have fun along way.
November 16, 2021
This was a great slice of life story told from the perspective of a Lebanese Australian teenager living in western NSW. It's a story that will resonate with readers who find themselves at the intersection of cultural identities.
It's been so long since Looking for Alibrandi shone a spotlight on life as an Italian Australian teenager and in the years between we had the wonderful stories of author Randa Abdel-Fattah who shared life as a Muslim teen living with the dramas of family and faith. Samera Kamaleddine follows in the footsteps of these amazing stories. There's a lot to learn about traditions, of family life and expectations. Of course this is not the definitive story of life growing up Lebanese in Australia but I would think there's lots of readers who could relate to Layla and her superstitious grandmother, her connections to both Lebanese and non Lebanese friends and her sense of not necessarily fitting into either group.
But this isn't just a story about Layla's identity. It's also a mystery that carefully explores the insidious nature of racism and prejudice that can fester when stark cultural differences create friction mostly from a lack of education or understanding within a small community. The Lebanese teenagers are scape goated as fire cracker pranks turn violent and injures members of the community. Local politicians feed on community fear to win votes, which is sadly still a problem in Australia in 2021.
But politics aside, this is a great summer story that's got a really charming and sweet romance, a justice crusading protagonist and lots of little nods to living in NSW that would make a fun beach read this summer.
It's been so long since Looking for Alibrandi shone a spotlight on life as an Italian Australian teenager and in the years between we had the wonderful stories of author Randa Abdel-Fattah who shared life as a Muslim teen living with the dramas of family and faith. Samera Kamaleddine follows in the footsteps of these amazing stories. There's a lot to learn about traditions, of family life and expectations. Of course this is not the definitive story of life growing up Lebanese in Australia but I would think there's lots of readers who could relate to Layla and her superstitious grandmother, her connections to both Lebanese and non Lebanese friends and her sense of not necessarily fitting into either group.
But this isn't just a story about Layla's identity. It's also a mystery that carefully explores the insidious nature of racism and prejudice that can fester when stark cultural differences create friction mostly from a lack of education or understanding within a small community. The Lebanese teenagers are scape goated as fire cracker pranks turn violent and injures members of the community. Local politicians feed on community fear to win votes, which is sadly still a problem in Australia in 2021.
But politics aside, this is a great summer story that's got a really charming and sweet romance, a justice crusading protagonist and lots of little nods to living in NSW that would make a fun beach read this summer.
did-not-finish
February 20, 2024💩DNF’d at 36 pages💩
Okay… normally I wouldn’t DNF so early in the book but this one… I’m struggling to try to pick it up and enjoy it. Won’t be adding this one to my ‘Read’ pile as I didn’t get past at least over 50 pages.
From my perspective on the character’s age, she’s supposed to be in Year 10? (Which is around 15-16 years old, in Australia). This feels like I’m reading from the perspective of a 13-14 year old girl… like what 16 year old is calling a kayak a limousine of the river world?
There’s not much of an element of relatability, when it comes to the area that she’s from. My only example being the fact she goes to a lake called ‘Lame Beach’ (let’s not talk about that) but yet she slightly mentions that her dad is from South West Sydney.
Not too sure if there’s more detail in the book but I think if Kamaleddine added the element of where Layla comes from (whether it’s either her mum’s area, her dad’s area, or both), I probably would’ve gotten me a bit further into the story. Some books I’ve read that have done a great job of this are Something Blue by Alex Sarkis and Hate is Such a Strong Word by Sarah Ayoub.
Overall, I’m not the target audience for this book.
This read would probably be better suited to younger high school aged girls as it’s a coming of age story surrounding culture and identity, and has a slight mystery aspect too.
Okay… normally I wouldn’t DNF so early in the book but this one… I’m struggling to try to pick it up and enjoy it. Won’t be adding this one to my ‘Read’ pile as I didn’t get past at least over 50 pages.
From my perspective on the character’s age, she’s supposed to be in Year 10? (Which is around 15-16 years old, in Australia). This feels like I’m reading from the perspective of a 13-14 year old girl… like what 16 year old is calling a kayak a limousine of the river world?
There’s not much of an element of relatability, when it comes to the area that she’s from. My only example being the fact she goes to a lake called ‘Lame Beach’ (let’s not talk about that) but yet she slightly mentions that her dad is from South West Sydney.
Not too sure if there’s more detail in the book but I think if Kamaleddine added the element of where Layla comes from (whether it’s either her mum’s area, her dad’s area, or both), I probably would’ve gotten me a bit further into the story. Some books I’ve read that have done a great job of this are Something Blue by Alex Sarkis and Hate is Such a Strong Word by Sarah Ayoub.
Overall, I’m not the target audience for this book.
This read would probably be better suited to younger high school aged girls as it’s a coming of age story surrounding culture and identity, and has a slight mystery aspect too.
July 13, 2021
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Thank you Harper Collins for this book in exchange for an honest review
Can we just adore this cover? It is simplistic and yet highly satisfying on the eyes.
I wanted to badly to love this book more than I did, the cover might have something to do with it but not going to confirm nor deny…
Basically, Layla is the small rock between two boulders. On one side you have her cousins crew, Lebanese friends that call themselves the Cedar Army and her cousin aka Queen Bee who is leading the charge and on the other side you have her Layla’s group of friends. While out at a ‘beach party’ someone took place that has them divided and an innocent party wrongfully accused.
Half My Luck was wonderfully written, though I have to admit I felt as though situations were dramatized for effect and I just didn’t feel it. There were a few points in the book that you could glimpse and spot where the book was going and how it was going to end. Overall, it was an alright read, just not my regular coffee and baked scone situation.
Bookstagram
Website
Thank you Harper Collins for this book in exchange for an honest review
Can we just adore this cover? It is simplistic and yet highly satisfying on the eyes.
I wanted to badly to love this book more than I did, the cover might have something to do with it but not going to confirm nor deny…
Basically, Layla is the small rock between two boulders. On one side you have her cousins crew, Lebanese friends that call themselves the Cedar Army and her cousin aka Queen Bee who is leading the charge and on the other side you have her Layla’s group of friends. While out at a ‘beach party’ someone took place that has them divided and an innocent party wrongfully accused.
Half My Luck was wonderfully written, though I have to admit I felt as though situations were dramatized for effect and I just didn’t feel it. There were a few points in the book that you could glimpse and spot where the book was going and how it was going to end. Overall, it was an alright read, just not my regular coffee and baked scone situation.
October 9, 2021
Ah, I love reading Aussie YA and there is just something special about debuts.
Meet our protag Layla, who finds herself between two worlds. Bad enough any normal day to be caught between the Lebanese and the Aussies (with one parents of each) but after a beach party gone wrong, this summer will test her loyalties like never before.
I loved the friendship storylines in this book. They were all different as was Layla's dynamic with each person. She's navigating old friendships that were changing, trying to understand people you have known for a while but now find yourself allied with and a new friendship that's extremely sweet and supportive. Throw in some family dilemmas with cousin Sufia and grandmother Tatya (my favourite character) and watch the relationships spiral out in all directions. I particularly loved the storyline and resolution of Layla's "Dr Phil" friend, and thought the way it played out was spot on.
This is such a lovely friendship book, but also for finding your voice and your place. It was fun, it was affirming, it was sweet. This is a #loveozya novel I enjoyed as an adult but also would have loved ten years ago.
Meet our protag Layla, who finds herself between two worlds. Bad enough any normal day to be caught between the Lebanese and the Aussies (with one parents of each) but after a beach party gone wrong, this summer will test her loyalties like never before.
I loved the friendship storylines in this book. They were all different as was Layla's dynamic with each person. She's navigating old friendships that were changing, trying to understand people you have known for a while but now find yourself allied with and a new friendship that's extremely sweet and supportive. Throw in some family dilemmas with cousin Sufia and grandmother Tatya (my favourite character) and watch the relationships spiral out in all directions. I particularly loved the storyline and resolution of Layla's "Dr Phil" friend, and thought the way it played out was spot on.
This is such a lovely friendship book, but also for finding your voice and your place. It was fun, it was affirming, it was sweet. This is a #loveozya novel I enjoyed as an adult but also would have loved ten years ago.
May 15, 2022
Layla’s life is not as simple as she would like. She’s not sure if she’s Lebanese like her dad and all his extended family or Australian like her mother or something in the middle. She feels different from both groups and not always accepted by either.
Trouble over the Summer holidays results in Layla finding herself being asked to be a go-between for both her Lebanese family and friends and her other friends. Layla feels more isolated and excluded from both groups based on her dual loyalties. How does she sort both her place and the trouble over the Summer?
I enjoyed the insights into the characters’ lives.
Recommended for readers 10 years and above.
Trouble over the Summer holidays results in Layla finding herself being asked to be a go-between for both her Lebanese family and friends and her other friends. Layla feels more isolated and excluded from both groups based on her dual loyalties. How does she sort both her place and the trouble over the Summer?
I enjoyed the insights into the characters’ lives.
Recommended for readers 10 years and above.
September 3, 2022
Half My Luck is a heartfelt, enjoyable story about the power of truth and honesty. I love reading books that have an emphasis on familial and friend relationships and this had that ten-fold. Tayta’s character was such a spot-on representation of a Lebanese grandparent I felt like I was reading about my own. I also loved how so many cliches in similar books were subverted - the main character was kind of an outcast but still had an actual personality, she didn’t lose all ability to talk in front of the guy she liked, boys and girls can be friends. All in all a really solid read, and love to see some Aussie Leb representation!
April 9, 2022
TW: racism, racial slurs, uncalled out racist phrases, fire, burns, car explosion/burning
2.5
This one just didn't connect with me. I didn't enjoy the characters and found the author's casual use of racist phrases like 'hoodoo' and 'chinese whipsers' to be ironic given the underlying theme of race. I also didn't enjoy the main character continuously seeking out a boy she knew had a girlfriend.
2.5
This one just didn't connect with me. I didn't enjoy the characters and found the author's casual use of racist phrases like 'hoodoo' and 'chinese whipsers' to be ironic given the underlying theme of race. I also didn't enjoy the main character continuously seeking out a boy she knew had a girlfriend.
March 26, 2023
Unfortunately, I never connected with this novel. While I understood how Layla struggles with trying to fit into two cultures (Australian and Lebanese), I would have liked to have learnt more about Lebanese daily life.
Layla is a likeable protagonist with an authentic voice but the story itself was ho hum.
Layla is a likeable protagonist with an authentic voice but the story itself was ho hum.
August 2, 2021
Half My Luck explores some very real themes. But ultimately it's upbeat and funny, and it took me right back to summer holidays in the 90s. (Killer Pythons and all.) Samera is a wonderful YA writer and this first novel was an easy, highly enjoyable page-turner.
December 20, 2022
this book was so unbelievably boring i can’t. i literally tried to finish this book but i legit couldn’t it was so bad and slow and boring like i was waiting for the good parts to kick in and it never happened??
August 28, 2021
I struggled a little with the protagonists need to be a part/fix the situations occurring throughout the story. Was good but I just could not connect.
October 25, 2021
A beguiling cover and heart warming story which was very difficult to put down. Thought provoking themes like racism and friendship make it stand out.
October 25, 2021
3.5 stars
dnf
March 24, 2022Unfortunately, I got about 50 pages in and realised that I just wasn't invested in the story or characters so I decided to DNF.
April 13, 2022
The protagonist’s inaction in this book frustrated me to the point that I almost DNF. It was a very slow start but had a redeeming ending.
June 10, 2022
Decent book. I enjoyed it. It was very similar to "Hate is such a strong word" but not in a bad way.
June 29, 2022
Didn't make much of an impression on me, to be honest.
December 2, 2023
Representation in coming of age novels is a big yes from me!!
September 4, 2021
This was such a lovely read! It is always refreshing to read an Aussie YA story because they're always so relatable. Not only that, but one that depicts an Aussie summer so well? Love it. This book deals with racism - and a lot of it. The Lebanese community are often referred to in derogatory ways and terms, and Layla, who is our main character, and 'half" Lebanese (she has a white mum) feels torn between bcing white, and wanting to be with her white friends, and the fact that a lot of the white people, not only in her year level, but the rest of the town, too, are pinning all of the 'bad" problems in town on the Lebanese residents. It was great watching Layla grow as a person and a friend, and figure out what her truth was. Book content warnings: racism, mentions of underage drinking, a bit of off-page violence (a character gets hurt and hospitalised), and a car is set on fire (off-page, but witnessing the aftermath), and lots more racism.
October 25, 2021
I saw a review that mentioned this was similar to Looking For Alibrandi. Looking for Alibrandi is one of my all-time favourite books, so I definitely had to give this a try.
I can see how this book is inspired by Looking for Alibrandi with a protagonist who feels like she's doesn't fit in with the Italians or the Australians, never good enough for either. Josie and Layla also have absent fathers and have a reluctant relationship with their grandmother.
Unfortunately, that's about it. It lacks the soul of Looking for Alibrandi. Perhaps the pace was too fast in Half my Luck. Looking for Alibrandi was spread over months of time with many different event happening in Josie's life. Half My Luck is spread over a few weeks of the summer holidays where nearly everything happens at the local river that all the teens hang out.
I didn't get hooked and I didn't really find Layla's quest for truth particularly interesting.
I can see how this book is inspired by Looking for Alibrandi with a protagonist who feels like she's doesn't fit in with the Italians or the Australians, never good enough for either. Josie and Layla also have absent fathers and have a reluctant relationship with their grandmother.
Unfortunately, that's about it. It lacks the soul of Looking for Alibrandi. Perhaps the pace was too fast in Half my Luck. Looking for Alibrandi was spread over months of time with many different event happening in Josie's life. Half My Luck is spread over a few weeks of the summer holidays where nearly everything happens at the local river that all the teens hang out.
I didn't get hooked and I didn't really find Layla's quest for truth particularly interesting.
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