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Desperada
In Sofia Mostaghimi's sensational debut novel, a young Iranian-Canadian woman quits her job after her younger sister dies, and then flees her family, seeking escape and possibly transformation in travel, sex and drugs.
desperada (feminine desperado) in dire need of something; being filled with, or in a state of despair; hopeless; without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious
Kora can't make it through the funeral for her little sister, Kimia, the bright star of her Iranian-Canadian family. She also can't go on with her life as if nothing has happened. Shocking her family and friends, she quits her job and books a one-way flight away from home, seeking experiences that will obliterate her sadness. Or maybe help her become more like Kimia, who was always able to act on her own desires and keep other people's expectations at bay.
Kora lands first in Iceland, chasing an old flame, trying to lose herself in "love." When that doesn't work out, she takes off again, for Paris, then Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and finally the party beaches of Thailand, drowning her grief and fear in alcohol, drugs, and sex. Her sexual encounters are always reckless, and sometimes dangerous. But almost despite herself, Kora begins to build an understanding of how to go on living after someone you love has died. By blowing up all the conventions that kept her ignorant of herself and her desires, she finds a path to healing.
Desperada is a provocative high-wire act of self-obliteration and self-discovery, thrilling, urgent and compulsively readable.
desperada (feminine desperado) in dire need of something; being filled with, or in a state of despair; hopeless; without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious
Kora can't make it through the funeral for her little sister, Kimia, the bright star of her Iranian-Canadian family. She also can't go on with her life as if nothing has happened. Shocking her family and friends, she quits her job and books a one-way flight away from home, seeking experiences that will obliterate her sadness. Or maybe help her become more like Kimia, who was always able to act on her own desires and keep other people's expectations at bay.
Kora lands first in Iceland, chasing an old flame, trying to lose herself in "love." When that doesn't work out, she takes off again, for Paris, then Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and finally the party beaches of Thailand, drowning her grief and fear in alcohol, drugs, and sex. Her sexual encounters are always reckless, and sometimes dangerous. But almost despite herself, Kora begins to build an understanding of how to go on living after someone you love has died. By blowing up all the conventions that kept her ignorant of herself and her desires, she finds a path to healing.
Desperada is a provocative high-wire act of self-obliteration and self-discovery, thrilling, urgent and compulsively readable.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
909 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 3, 2023
sad girloser litfic i love u so much
January 10, 2023
This book was incredible and blew me away. It took me a while to get into it and I had no idea what to expect, but Mostaghimi’s writing is beautiful and haunting. She created an entire world of characters that felt believable and real. It follows Kora who is struggling after the loss of her younger sister who drowned when they were on a family vacation. She quits her job and goes to Iceland on a whim, then begins traveling. Desperado feels extremely internal and tightly follows Kora’s point of view. I found her delightful as a main character, which feels odd to say in a book that deals with such heavy topics. She might come across as unlikeable to some, but I appreciated being inside of her head. She was complicated and messy and lost, but she was interesting, genuine, and forgiving. I was fond of multiple side characters - Zo, Kat, and Carly especially. I thought the structure of the book, split through each place Kora visits, worked really well. The pacing was steady and Kora’s journey of avoiding her grief, dealing with it, and accepting it was beautiful. I was surprised by how much I liked the ending and would definitely recommend it.
April 18, 2023
‘Desperada’ follows 27 year old Kora, a Canadian Iranian living in Toronto consumed by the loss of her younger sister. For Kora, grief feels like a dire need to be filled, a desperate, reckless, and furious search for ‘la petite mort’.
She quits her job and travels to Flateyri, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, and Koh Pha Ngan only to find grief’s black vulture follows her everywhere she goes. Her journey of sexual self-destruction is marred by the grim realities of each place she visits, taking on an anti-travel-to-heal narrative that I found incredibly refreshing.
While reading, I kept thinking of this lyrics from LDR’s ‘Fuck it I love you”:
“So I moved to California but it’s just a state of mind, it turns out everywhere you go you take yourself that’s not a lie”.
This is precisely what Kora comes to realize in this raw and propulsive debut from an exciting new voice. ‘Desperada’ is the messy woman in their 20s narrative that I’ve been looking for.
*Thank you to @randomhousecanada and @libro.fm for the review copies*
CW: grief, death by drowning, death of a sibling, sexual assault, suicidal ideations, racism, fetishization, Islamophobia, depression/dissociation, drug use, terrorist attacks
She quits her job and travels to Flateyri, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, and Koh Pha Ngan only to find grief’s black vulture follows her everywhere she goes. Her journey of sexual self-destruction is marred by the grim realities of each place she visits, taking on an anti-travel-to-heal narrative that I found incredibly refreshing.
While reading, I kept thinking of this lyrics from LDR’s ‘Fuck it I love you”:
“So I moved to California but it’s just a state of mind, it turns out everywhere you go you take yourself that’s not a lie”.
This is precisely what Kora comes to realize in this raw and propulsive debut from an exciting new voice. ‘Desperada’ is the messy woman in their 20s narrative that I’ve been looking for.
*Thank you to @randomhousecanada and @libro.fm for the review copies*
CW: grief, death by drowning, death of a sibling, sexual assault, suicidal ideations, racism, fetishization, Islamophobia, depression/dissociation, drug use, terrorist attacks
June 25, 2023
how do i ever feel joy after this
October 17, 2022
“Desperada” by Sofia Mostaghimi is a lament for anyone who has tragically lost someone they’ve loved and for who they used to be when the people they loved were still alive. This tragic, heartrending tale talks about a kind of pain that can only be numbed by shedding the skin of the person they used to be and living life with reckless abandon. There is no doubt Mostaghimi’s debut novel is going to leave its mark on readers, giving them a new way to think about and understand the ways people deal with grief.
There is the Kora from before who lived in her little sister’s shadow, hearing all about Kimia’s wild, reckless life full of new adventures Kora could never dream of embarking on herself. Then there’s the Kora who exists after when Kimia is gone and the world will never be the way it was when she was still in it. Empty and aimless, Kora embarks on a one-way journey to faraway places where she becomes intimate with a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, temporary fixes, grief, abuse and suffering.
In this reckless abandon comes self-understanding, awareness, healing, and most of all: hope.
There’s no doubt Mostaghimi knows what grief is all about and the lengths it can drive people to go to numb the pain they’re in and to find meaning in their life. Kora’s story is as much of a warning as much as it is a guide to self-exploration and healing. While there are many things Kora does that aren’t admirable, it’s clear there was never any other path for her to take to come out on the other side of her grief healed.
Kora’s story shows that sometimes one has to lose sight of who they are to find themselves again.
“Desperada” is a story that would have benefited me when I was in high school. Maybe then I would’ve understood my friends better, who lost family members way too young, and whose ways of dealing with grief felt too foreign and alien for me to have grasped. Reading this book gave me insight into what they might’ve been going through and why having support isn’t always enough.
For a debut novel, this book surely packs a punch. Please be aware of this story’s content warnings before giving it a read. Saying it’s emotional is putting it mildly.
The expected publication date for “Desperada” by Sofia Mostaghimi is April 18th, 2023. This is a book highly worth the read and will no doubt stay with readers long after they’ve finished it. If this story is of interest, save it to your TBRs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Random House Canada) for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and for the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.
There is the Kora from before who lived in her little sister’s shadow, hearing all about Kimia’s wild, reckless life full of new adventures Kora could never dream of embarking on herself. Then there’s the Kora who exists after when Kimia is gone and the world will never be the way it was when she was still in it. Empty and aimless, Kora embarks on a one-way journey to faraway places where she becomes intimate with a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, temporary fixes, grief, abuse and suffering.
In this reckless abandon comes self-understanding, awareness, healing, and most of all: hope.
There’s no doubt Mostaghimi knows what grief is all about and the lengths it can drive people to go to numb the pain they’re in and to find meaning in their life. Kora’s story is as much of a warning as much as it is a guide to self-exploration and healing. While there are many things Kora does that aren’t admirable, it’s clear there was never any other path for her to take to come out on the other side of her grief healed.
Kora’s story shows that sometimes one has to lose sight of who they are to find themselves again.
“Desperada” is a story that would have benefited me when I was in high school. Maybe then I would’ve understood my friends better, who lost family members way too young, and whose ways of dealing with grief felt too foreign and alien for me to have grasped. Reading this book gave me insight into what they might’ve been going through and why having support isn’t always enough.
For a debut novel, this book surely packs a punch. Please be aware of this story’s content warnings before giving it a read. Saying it’s emotional is putting it mildly.
The expected publication date for “Desperada” by Sofia Mostaghimi is April 18th, 2023. This is a book highly worth the read and will no doubt stay with readers long after they’ve finished it. If this story is of interest, save it to your TBRs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Random House Canada) for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and for the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.
June 26, 2025
4.5/5
"Maybe we are softened by beautiful things. Maybe that is their purpose."
I really enjoyed this, flew through it, in fact. I had never heard of the author before, but the synopsis intrigued me. Turns out, this book has two of my favourite things to read about:
1) a main character going on a trip to various countries and
2) chronicling the sexcapade she proceeds to go on in said countries
I was fascinated by the main character, Kora, if only because I found her deeply raw and realistic, which in turn, made me empathize with her. It's not that she was "likeable" per se, I'm sure some would argue that she isn't, but she's honest, sarcastic, and, above all, true to herself, which made her an engaging character to follow.
I love reading about characters using sex (with men) as a form of self-harm/ a way to die momentarily, as Kora describes it; something about it is very interesting to me and I thought the author did a good job exploring this topic -- though I did not always agree with Kora's assessment of the situations she put herself in.
It's also just so fun to read about a character who's from Toronto. Kora at one point is wearing a UofT hoodie and mentions various places around the city and it's fun to be able to recognize these things; it helps foster a sense of intimacy between the reader and the main character, I feel.
Anyways, I'm excited to see what Mostaghimi writes next.
"Maybe we are softened by beautiful things. Maybe that is their purpose."
I really enjoyed this, flew through it, in fact. I had never heard of the author before, but the synopsis intrigued me. Turns out, this book has two of my favourite things to read about:
1) a main character going on a trip to various countries and
2) chronicling the sexcapade she proceeds to go on in said countries
I was fascinated by the main character, Kora, if only because I found her deeply raw and realistic, which in turn, made me empathize with her. It's not that she was "likeable" per se, I'm sure some would argue that she isn't, but she's honest, sarcastic, and, above all, true to herself, which made her an engaging character to follow.
I love reading about characters using sex (with men) as a form of self-harm/ a way to die momentarily, as Kora describes it; something about it is very interesting to me and I thought the author did a good job exploring this topic -- though I did not always agree with Kora's assessment of the situations she put herself in.
It's also just so fun to read about a character who's from Toronto. Kora at one point is wearing a UofT hoodie and mentions various places around the city and it's fun to be able to recognize these things; it helps foster a sense of intimacy between the reader and the main character, I feel.
Anyways, I'm excited to see what Mostaghimi writes next.
December 22, 2023
Desperada by Sofia Mostaghimi!
Synopsis: Kora loses her younger sister Kimia and finds that her life in Toronto doesn’t fit her any longer. Dealing with her grief, she sheds her regular routine in an attempt to connect to her sister.
Review: Ummm yeah I cried. This is absolutely devastating and depressing, yet beautiful and hopeful. It left my chest heavy with rocks, my lungs filled with saltwater, and my hands limp.
Kora’s grief feels so tangible. Through her vulnerability readers grow close to her, and her heavy loss becomes a shared burden. Her grief, a viscous vulture, flies off of the pages and follows her no matter how far she distances herself from her past. I felt such a bitter loss and despair as I travelled along Kora’s side, yet with her I laughed and felt a warmth tug at the flesh of my heart. These pages unfold the ugly truths of humanity tangled up with the magic of existence.
Mostaghimi writes with brevity, wit ,and beauty. Creating a blunt and sharp narrative, while nourishing freedom and pleasure. There is a sense of escapism and entrapment rolled together that makes this novel so relatable and powerful. I don’t know I’ve ever read anything quite like this book. A story of death, humanity, survival, and everything inbetween.
Above all, I am truly impressed. This book made a huge impact on me, I can still feel the indentation of talons carving my skin and the sting of salt in my nose. Overall, a stunning book that I will not forget… 4.5/5!
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada for generously gifting this book to me!
Synopsis: Kora loses her younger sister Kimia and finds that her life in Toronto doesn’t fit her any longer. Dealing with her grief, she sheds her regular routine in an attempt to connect to her sister.
Review: Ummm yeah I cried. This is absolutely devastating and depressing, yet beautiful and hopeful. It left my chest heavy with rocks, my lungs filled with saltwater, and my hands limp.
Kora’s grief feels so tangible. Through her vulnerability readers grow close to her, and her heavy loss becomes a shared burden. Her grief, a viscous vulture, flies off of the pages and follows her no matter how far she distances herself from her past. I felt such a bitter loss and despair as I travelled along Kora’s side, yet with her I laughed and felt a warmth tug at the flesh of my heart. These pages unfold the ugly truths of humanity tangled up with the magic of existence.
Mostaghimi writes with brevity, wit ,and beauty. Creating a blunt and sharp narrative, while nourishing freedom and pleasure. There is a sense of escapism and entrapment rolled together that makes this novel so relatable and powerful. I don’t know I’ve ever read anything quite like this book. A story of death, humanity, survival, and everything inbetween.
Above all, I am truly impressed. This book made a huge impact on me, I can still feel the indentation of talons carving my skin and the sting of salt in my nose. Overall, a stunning book that I will not forget… 4.5/5!
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House Canada for generously gifting this book to me!
September 4, 2023
3.5 stars
An odyssey where we watch the protagonist keep asking strangers if someone they loved has died again and again and again, while letting go of her body in as many ways as she can because she can’t fathom how to exist anymore the way she has done all her life.
An odyssey where we watch the protagonist keep asking strangers if someone they loved has died again and again and again, while letting go of her body in as many ways as she can because she can’t fathom how to exist anymore the way she has done all her life.
June 20, 2023
This book was a lot of things, but happy was not one of them.
Kora's sister Kimia died. She drowned, but they never found her body. Kora doesn't know how to handle the grief, so she runs away. Sex, drugs, and alcohol in foreign countries seem to be all she's interested in. Her family is worried, but that's the thing about grief... it's selfish.
I wanted to feel for Kora but she made a lot of bad choices for a really long time. Maybe that's what intense grief does, and that I don't know and can't speak to. However I do think that the writing was done well - it was just really really sad for 95% of the book.
CW: death, drowning, grief, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, sexual assault, sexual content, drug and alcohol use
Kora's sister Kimia died. She drowned, but they never found her body. Kora doesn't know how to handle the grief, so she runs away. Sex, drugs, and alcohol in foreign countries seem to be all she's interested in. Her family is worried, but that's the thing about grief... it's selfish.
I wanted to feel for Kora but she made a lot of bad choices for a really long time. Maybe that's what intense grief does, and that I don't know and can't speak to. However I do think that the writing was done well - it was just really really sad for 95% of the book.
CW: death, drowning, grief, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, sexual assault, sexual content, drug and alcohol use
August 18, 2023
While the feelings of repetitiveness and emptiness I felt when reading this came from the themes of grief and loss, I struggled to connect with Kora and her decisions. The pain of trying to deal with death of a loved one is not something I’m a stranger to and I respect the intention the author had in telling this story but I also felt that in shrouding it all in poor decision making kind of lost the connection between it for me. I did however really like the ending, very cinematic and satisfying
August 4, 2023
I went into this without knowing much so I wasn't prepared for it to be that heavy, but wow, I just couldn't put it down!! Such a real and raw portrayal of a woman dealing with grief after her sister's sudden death
It reminded me of My Dark Vanessa in that it had a strong emotional impact on me but I don't think I could ever read it again
It reminded me of My Dark Vanessa in that it had a strong emotional impact on me but I don't think I could ever read it again
July 4, 2023
DNF @ 50%.
May 22, 2023
this was such a beautiful book about grief and escapism
June 4, 2023
A big thanks to @penguinrandomca for gifting me this book!
This was a heartbreaking story of Kora, an Iranian-Canadian who is struggling to cope after the death of her younger sister.
This was so well-written, raw, and full of emotion so that you feel the grief Kora is experiencing as though it’s happening to you.
Kora goes through all the stages of grief in her own way and does what she needs to do to make it through.
The ending wrapped this story up beautifully.
It’s one of those books that I’ll be thinking about for a while!
There are some triggers to be aware of, so if you have concerns, make sure to check them out before picking this up.
This was a heartbreaking story of Kora, an Iranian-Canadian who is struggling to cope after the death of her younger sister.
This was so well-written, raw, and full of emotion so that you feel the grief Kora is experiencing as though it’s happening to you.
Kora goes through all the stages of grief in her own way and does what she needs to do to make it through.
The ending wrapped this story up beautifully.
It’s one of those books that I’ll be thinking about for a while!
There are some triggers to be aware of, so if you have concerns, make sure to check them out before picking this up.
October 31, 2023
Many feelings ran through me as I read this book over the last few days. It was heart-wrenching, but there was also levity and humor in darkness. The book was cathartic to read, especially for women of color, or anyone who had lived under strict family and social codes.
It was so courageous for the author to have written this book, in such a fearless voice. I look forward to the author's next book!
It was so courageous for the author to have written this book, in such a fearless voice. I look forward to the author's next book!
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July 27, 2023If you're looking for a feel-good read, this is definitely not for you.
Twenty-seven-year-old Kora looses her younger sister, Kimia. She drowned in the ocean in Cabo San Lucas, in front of Kora. Her parents, particularly her mother, are mad at her cause they wanted her to protect her younger sister. She feels so guilty that she didn't save her.
Unable to be at home under these circumstances, she quits her job, books a one-way ticket to Iceland and goes to stay at a past fling’s house. Only telling her family that she's going to Iceland for a couple of weeks. She tries to down her sorrows in all sorts of excess, all around the world: Iceland, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Koh Pha Ngan, and Istanbul.
In full grievance, she tries to fill the emptiness with sex. Repeatedly chasing “the little death” (“la petite mort”, a French expression that refers to orgasm). On a self-destructing path, she engages in reckless behaviors with drugs, alcohol, sex. Some of us can (sometimes painfully) say “Been there, done that! And for those of us who do, this read will be emotionally challenging. It is heart-wrenching for anyone, let alone if you can relate to Kora's quest to stop hurting by self-destructing behavior.
Sofia Mostaghimi paints a vivid, sometimes graphic, picture of a young lady grieving and coming undone. Kora has been afraid all of her life. Her younger sister was the one who took risks, urging her that life was meant to be lived fully. Her new behavior is bringing her closer to her deceased sister, but takes her away from the rest of her family.
I like the tone of the book, in all the grief, pierces some sarcastic and sometimes dark humor. She is genuine and I liked that about her. Did I want to reach out to her, and tell her “Girl, stop hurting yourself like that!”? Safe! But it didn't exasperate me that much.
Through all her travels, there is something that stuck out to me. In a lot of countries, Kora hears people talking about immigrants and tourists, blaming them for all that is wrong in their country (I'm almost not exaggerating). Mostaghimi (as her character) is Canadian with Iranian origins. This probably makes her more sensitive to the perception of immigrants and their descendants all over the world.
If you're tired of well-mannered grievance handling, crying a little at home, but looking in control all the time, Desperada might be for you. Finally we have a main character who is out of control. For fear of disturbing the reader, publishers are cautious about this type of profile. Generally, we are presented with someone who slips a bit, but pulls themselves together quickly or is overwhelmed in one aspect of their life, but they demonstrate more mastery in other areas of their life. Because we like despair when it's short and cute. But life is not that. We are not all formatted the same way and it can happen that we are completely destroyed. And it's good to read that once in a while. Sometimes you need to totally loose it, to find yourself.
Desperata is a heart-wrenching read that not only makes you feel, but also makes you think, and maybe want to embrace who you are. It's kind of a raw Eat, Pray, Love, with self-destruction, a whole lot of sex, alcohol, drugs. But in the end, will Kora find who she really is? I'll let you find out!
Twenty-seven-year-old Kora looses her younger sister, Kimia. She drowned in the ocean in Cabo San Lucas, in front of Kora. Her parents, particularly her mother, are mad at her cause they wanted her to protect her younger sister. She feels so guilty that she didn't save her.
Unable to be at home under these circumstances, she quits her job, books a one-way ticket to Iceland and goes to stay at a past fling’s house. Only telling her family that she's going to Iceland for a couple of weeks. She tries to down her sorrows in all sorts of excess, all around the world: Iceland, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Koh Pha Ngan, and Istanbul.
In full grievance, she tries to fill the emptiness with sex. Repeatedly chasing “the little death” (“la petite mort”, a French expression that refers to orgasm). On a self-destructing path, she engages in reckless behaviors with drugs, alcohol, sex. Some of us can (sometimes painfully) say “Been there, done that! And for those of us who do, this read will be emotionally challenging. It is heart-wrenching for anyone, let alone if you can relate to Kora's quest to stop hurting by self-destructing behavior.
Sofia Mostaghimi paints a vivid, sometimes graphic, picture of a young lady grieving and coming undone. Kora has been afraid all of her life. Her younger sister was the one who took risks, urging her that life was meant to be lived fully. Her new behavior is bringing her closer to her deceased sister, but takes her away from the rest of her family.
I like the tone of the book, in all the grief, pierces some sarcastic and sometimes dark humor. She is genuine and I liked that about her. Did I want to reach out to her, and tell her “Girl, stop hurting yourself like that!”? Safe! But it didn't exasperate me that much.
Through all her travels, there is something that stuck out to me. In a lot of countries, Kora hears people talking about immigrants and tourists, blaming them for all that is wrong in their country (I'm almost not exaggerating). Mostaghimi (as her character) is Canadian with Iranian origins. This probably makes her more sensitive to the perception of immigrants and their descendants all over the world.
If you're tired of well-mannered grievance handling, crying a little at home, but looking in control all the time, Desperada might be for you. Finally we have a main character who is out of control. For fear of disturbing the reader, publishers are cautious about this type of profile. Generally, we are presented with someone who slips a bit, but pulls themselves together quickly or is overwhelmed in one aspect of their life, but they demonstrate more mastery in other areas of their life. Because we like despair when it's short and cute. But life is not that. We are not all formatted the same way and it can happen that we are completely destroyed. And it's good to read that once in a while. Sometimes you need to totally loose it, to find yourself.
Desperata is a heart-wrenching read that not only makes you feel, but also makes you think, and maybe want to embrace who you are. It's kind of a raw Eat, Pray, Love, with self-destruction, a whole lot of sex, alcohol, drugs. But in the end, will Kora find who she really is? I'll let you find out!
April 19, 2023
After the sudden loss of her free-spirited sister, Kora is desperate to feel anything except the crushing sadness that settles around her. Kora sets off on a transformative, unexpected journey, not exactly sure what she's looking for, but willing to do anything it takes to feel better. Along the way, she explores herself and the world around her, taking in places she has never been before, meeting new people, reuniting with old friends, experimenting with new ideas and different vices.
Desperada is a bingeworthy novel with an emotional impact that I didn't expect. I wasn't entirely sure I would be able to connect with a 20 something young woman who had experienced this deep loss. However, Kora hasn't only lost a close sibling, she feels herself unravelling too, and that resonated with me on a different level.
"...there's something blurry about you. Like you don't see yourself clearly. Like you are the moon or something, always reflecting the light of others. Never shining on your own."
Each destination had its own part, and while I wasn't a fan of the long length of each, it didn't drag either. There was a great flow and I think it was because of the way the author chose to break it up.
Rough and gritty at times, tender and soft at others. Kora's story felt unique, her fear and self loathing, palpable. This is one of those books in which readers will feel themselves fall apart alongside Kora and travel with her, as she finds new places for those broken pieces to fit.
"...when you let a thing swallow you, doesn't matter what it is, you disappear."
Sofia Mostaghimi has written a powerful debut, right down to the very last page. Highly recommend!!
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy to read and review.
Desperada is a bingeworthy novel with an emotional impact that I didn't expect. I wasn't entirely sure I would be able to connect with a 20 something young woman who had experienced this deep loss. However, Kora hasn't only lost a close sibling, she feels herself unravelling too, and that resonated with me on a different level.
"...there's something blurry about you. Like you don't see yourself clearly. Like you are the moon or something, always reflecting the light of others. Never shining on your own."
Each destination had its own part, and while I wasn't a fan of the long length of each, it didn't drag either. There was a great flow and I think it was because of the way the author chose to break it up.
Rough and gritty at times, tender and soft at others. Kora's story felt unique, her fear and self loathing, palpable. This is one of those books in which readers will feel themselves fall apart alongside Kora and travel with her, as she finds new places for those broken pieces to fit.
"...when you let a thing swallow you, doesn't matter what it is, you disappear."
Sofia Mostaghimi has written a powerful debut, right down to the very last page. Highly recommend!!
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy to read and review.
June 4, 2023
I'm giving this book a 1-star rating only because zero-stars are not an option.
The story opens in Toronto, which I was very excited about as I, as a Canadian, always love to read novels based in Canada, and by Canadian authors. The first few pages grabbed my attention. They were gripping; the 'hook' was set. 'Well done,' I thought. 'I'm going to enjoy this one." Kora, the main character, is complex and grieving her little sister's recent death.
From Toronto we quickly move on to Iceland, where the tone for the rest of the book (all 280 pages) is set. Kora cannot come to terms with Kimia's death. She spends her time in Iceland drinking herself into oblivion, puking, suffering through hangovers and having graphic sex. Okay, then.
On to Paris. More excessive drinking, puking, hangovers and graphic sex with complete strangers.
On to Barcelona. Repeat as above.
On to Berlin. Repeat as above.
On to Istanbul. Repeat as above.
On to Thailand. Repeat as above.
Somewhere in Paris I quit reading word for word, and began skimming through the monotonous repetition, hoping I'd soon discover something worth my time. Unfortunately the entire book revolves around Kora not coming to terms with her grief and drinking herself into oblivion and having sex with strangers. The End.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. It's going straight into my recycle bin. Sure glad I didn't waste money on it.
The story opens in Toronto, which I was very excited about as I, as a Canadian, always love to read novels based in Canada, and by Canadian authors. The first few pages grabbed my attention. They were gripping; the 'hook' was set. 'Well done,' I thought. 'I'm going to enjoy this one." Kora, the main character, is complex and grieving her little sister's recent death.
From Toronto we quickly move on to Iceland, where the tone for the rest of the book (all 280 pages) is set. Kora cannot come to terms with Kimia's death. She spends her time in Iceland drinking herself into oblivion, puking, suffering through hangovers and having graphic sex. Okay, then.
On to Paris. More excessive drinking, puking, hangovers and graphic sex with complete strangers.
On to Barcelona. Repeat as above.
On to Berlin. Repeat as above.
On to Istanbul. Repeat as above.
On to Thailand. Repeat as above.
Somewhere in Paris I quit reading word for word, and began skimming through the monotonous repetition, hoping I'd soon discover something worth my time. Unfortunately the entire book revolves around Kora not coming to terms with her grief and drinking herself into oblivion and having sex with strangers. The End.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. It's going straight into my recycle bin. Sure glad I didn't waste money on it.
July 18, 2023
Dark, magnetic, powerful and beautifully haunting, “Desperada” by Sofia Mostaghimi is a stunning debut novel that is unique and filled with the rawest of emotions!
BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
Kora feels absolutely gutted after the death of her sister Kimia. She feels lost in life and decides to go on a journey to find her true self. She quits her job and jumps on a plane to start her travels of the world. She resorts to reckless behaviour and uses temporary fixes to try to heal her pain: sex, drugs, and alcohol 🥃
Kora has always lived her life in her little sister’s shadow, and now must get ready to branch out on her own. She must find out how to move on after suffering loss and come to terms with not avoiding her grief, but facing it.
This reckless journey towards healing and self discovery is a dark and dispairing twist on Eat Pray Love or books similar to it. Kora travels from Toronto to Iceland, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and Thailand meeting good and bad people along the way that play intricate roles in her stages of grief. This novel gave me all the feels as there were times that were hard to read, other times that I laughed and also times that I wanted to shake the crap out of Kora because of her poor decision making 😖
Thank you kindly to @sofiasheeva @penguinrandomca for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! This raw Canadian debut novel is out now!!
BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
Kora feels absolutely gutted after the death of her sister Kimia. She feels lost in life and decides to go on a journey to find her true self. She quits her job and jumps on a plane to start her travels of the world. She resorts to reckless behaviour and uses temporary fixes to try to heal her pain: sex, drugs, and alcohol 🥃
Kora has always lived her life in her little sister’s shadow, and now must get ready to branch out on her own. She must find out how to move on after suffering loss and come to terms with not avoiding her grief, but facing it.
This reckless journey towards healing and self discovery is a dark and dispairing twist on Eat Pray Love or books similar to it. Kora travels from Toronto to Iceland, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and Thailand meeting good and bad people along the way that play intricate roles in her stages of grief. This novel gave me all the feels as there were times that were hard to read, other times that I laughed and also times that I wanted to shake the crap out of Kora because of her poor decision making 😖
Thank you kindly to @sofiasheeva @penguinrandomca for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! This raw Canadian debut novel is out now!!
June 21, 2023
Synopsis:
Kora is devastated by the loss of her little sister, Kimia, the bright star of her Iranian-Canadian family. She quits her job and books a one-way flight seeking experiences to obliterate her sadness. She first lands in Iceland, chasing an old flame, trying to lose herself in "love." When that doesn't work out, she flies to Paris, then Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and finally the beaches of Thailand, drowning her grief in alcohol, drugs and sex. Despite herself, she begins to understand how to go on living after someone you love has died.
Review:
This book follow's Kora's devastating grief journey, she goes through the different stages and we, as readers, go along with her. She gets herself into scary situations but often feels like she has nothing left to lose. I felt raw emotions reading what she was going through. I feel like all of us want to escape our circumstances at some point in life, and the reader is able to experience that through this book. The author's writing was haunting, yet beautiful and to be honest, I felt myself sometimes wondering if it was a memoir, it reads in such a believable way. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for my finished copy!
Kora is devastated by the loss of her little sister, Kimia, the bright star of her Iranian-Canadian family. She quits her job and books a one-way flight seeking experiences to obliterate her sadness. She first lands in Iceland, chasing an old flame, trying to lose herself in "love." When that doesn't work out, she flies to Paris, then Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul and finally the beaches of Thailand, drowning her grief in alcohol, drugs and sex. Despite herself, she begins to understand how to go on living after someone you love has died.
Review:
This book follow's Kora's devastating grief journey, she goes through the different stages and we, as readers, go along with her. She gets herself into scary situations but often feels like she has nothing left to lose. I felt raw emotions reading what she was going through. I feel like all of us want to escape our circumstances at some point in life, and the reader is able to experience that through this book. The author's writing was haunting, yet beautiful and to be honest, I felt myself sometimes wondering if it was a memoir, it reads in such a believable way. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for my finished copy!
April 15, 2023
This book was honestly like nothing I’ve ever read before. The writing was raw and gripping, capturing my attention from the very first page. It sort of reminded me of Eat, Pray, Love…except super morbid and unsettling.
Kora is the MC, and the story begins by revealing that her younger sister has died. Kora eventually decides that she can’t stay in her apartment or in Toronto for one more minute, and she ends up travelling to multiple places on her own with no plans or commitments.
Her journey is not exactly inspiring. It is filled with gritty details and an ominous vibe as she tries to escape in the arms of multiple men and the pull of multiple substances. The ending is not exactly uplifting, but it hints at the idea that hope is just around the corner.
This is not a book I would’ve normally picked up on my own, but I am so glad that I got a chance to read it! I enjoyed it so much and honestly didn’t want to put it down. I highly recommend this one (but there are lots of trigger warnings so be cautious).
Thank you to Penguin Random Canada for my gifted copy. This one comes out on the 18th!
Kora is the MC, and the story begins by revealing that her younger sister has died. Kora eventually decides that she can’t stay in her apartment or in Toronto for one more minute, and she ends up travelling to multiple places on her own with no plans or commitments.
Her journey is not exactly inspiring. It is filled with gritty details and an ominous vibe as she tries to escape in the arms of multiple men and the pull of multiple substances. The ending is not exactly uplifting, but it hints at the idea that hope is just around the corner.
This is not a book I would’ve normally picked up on my own, but I am so glad that I got a chance to read it! I enjoyed it so much and honestly didn’t want to put it down. I highly recommend this one (but there are lots of trigger warnings so be cautious).
Thank you to Penguin Random Canada for my gifted copy. This one comes out on the 18th!
September 7, 2023
In a word - spectacular! Sofia Mostaghimi's Desperada truly is, without sounding too cliche, an emotional tour de force. Following the travels of Kora, who recklessly throws herself into the world after the tragic death of her sister, Mostaghimi has created a raw, unfiltered and real reflection of our world in which Kora works through her grief and navigates what is to live life after tragedy.
Encountering a diverse cast of characters along the way, who could all anchor their own novel IMO, it made me reflect on humanity, globalization and the profoundness of human connection which can (sometimes) save us, as well as the exploitation of these relationships, people and places which can also undo us. Both dark and laugh out loud funny, messy and beautiful, the incredible tightrope walk this novel walks between being hilarious adventure story and an emotional gut-punch is outstanding, with so many passages that made me pause to take a breathe or wipe away the tears.
I can't stop thinking about it weeks after reading and can't recommend it enough...now to book a holiday and call my family and friends to tell them I love them....5 stars!
Encountering a diverse cast of characters along the way, who could all anchor their own novel IMO, it made me reflect on humanity, globalization and the profoundness of human connection which can (sometimes) save us, as well as the exploitation of these relationships, people and places which can also undo us. Both dark and laugh out loud funny, messy and beautiful, the incredible tightrope walk this novel walks between being hilarious adventure story and an emotional gut-punch is outstanding, with so many passages that made me pause to take a breathe or wipe away the tears.
I can't stop thinking about it weeks after reading and can't recommend it enough...now to book a holiday and call my family and friends to tell them I love them....5 stars!
November 26, 2023
DESPARADA from Sofia Mostaghimi is a heartbreaking, provocative, and powerful story of a woman's incredible journey through grief.
When Kora's sister Kimia dies at an all-inclusive resort, the narrator runs away. At first we think she's running away from grief, but she might be running away from a truth more heartbreaking than grief. She blames herself for Kimia's death and cannot face the truths about their relationship. We follow Kora from Flateyri, Iceland to Istanbul, as she essentially fucks her way through grief (so if take issue with a strong woman grabbing sexual pleasure anywhere she can find it, this isn't the book for you), but it is not that simple. Not for Kora and not for the reader. At its core, DESPARADA demands that we look at grief and all that we do to escape it, to ignore it, to erase it instead of living with it.
The word propulsive is used to describe many books, but for this novel it is the most accurate word! Truly! And I was anxious the entire time, which is my favourite kind of read!
When Kora's sister Kimia dies at an all-inclusive resort, the narrator runs away. At first we think she's running away from grief, but she might be running away from a truth more heartbreaking than grief. She blames herself for Kimia's death and cannot face the truths about their relationship. We follow Kora from Flateyri, Iceland to Istanbul, as she essentially fucks her way through grief (so if take issue with a strong woman grabbing sexual pleasure anywhere she can find it, this isn't the book for you), but it is not that simple. Not for Kora and not for the reader. At its core, DESPARADA demands that we look at grief and all that we do to escape it, to ignore it, to erase it instead of living with it.
The word propulsive is used to describe many books, but for this novel it is the most accurate word! Truly! And I was anxious the entire time, which is my favourite kind of read!
June 13, 2023
I liked this, until I didn’t. I don’t think of myself as a prude, but the amount of meaningless, random sex that is described in far too much detail for my liking was seriously off-putting.
I get that Kora’s promiscuity is part of her way of dealing with her grief, but… There is a point where enough is enough, and we get it already. Move on - which Kora does, compulsively, but everytime she moves on it’s just to more random sex, described in way too much detail. It’s tiresome.
There is lots here to like though - and it has real potential as an interesting story about grief… but - besides the obsession with sex - it starts to go off the rails when Kora gets to Barcelona, and then it completely derails when she gets to Berlin.
I know that I am not the intended reader for this - I fully expect that younger readers will find this a quite satisfying read.
I will however definitely be on the lookout for the next title form this promising young author.
2.5 rounded up to 3
I get that Kora’s promiscuity is part of her way of dealing with her grief, but… There is a point where enough is enough, and we get it already. Move on - which Kora does, compulsively, but everytime she moves on it’s just to more random sex, described in way too much detail. It’s tiresome.
There is lots here to like though - and it has real potential as an interesting story about grief… but - besides the obsession with sex - it starts to go off the rails when Kora gets to Barcelona, and then it completely derails when she gets to Berlin.
I know that I am not the intended reader for this - I fully expect that younger readers will find this a quite satisfying read.
I will however definitely be on the lookout for the next title form this promising young author.
2.5 rounded up to 3
Read
May 17, 2023“The night Kimia disappeared into the ocean in Mexico, it was Kat who had been able, finally, to pull me off my knees on the beach, where I’d been shouting our little sister’s name in the rain for hours.” ✈️ •
I first read Sofia Mostaghimi’s writing in this past year’s Short Story Advent Calendar (@hingstonolsen). Now her first novel, Desperada, hits the shelves tomorrow (April 18, 2023)! Starting out in Toronto, the novel introduces Kora and the dynamics of her Iranian-Canadian family at the beginning of their grief. When Kora decides to hop on a plane and start living for herself, readers follow her journey from Toronto to Flateyri, to Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, and Koh Pha Ngan. Through grief and self-discovery, Kora learns that there are “a million and one ways to love this world and live in it” - even if we’re not sure which one belongs to us.
Thank you to @penguinrandomca for gifting me a copy of this new release!
I first read Sofia Mostaghimi’s writing in this past year’s Short Story Advent Calendar (@hingstonolsen). Now her first novel, Desperada, hits the shelves tomorrow (April 18, 2023)! Starting out in Toronto, the novel introduces Kora and the dynamics of her Iranian-Canadian family at the beginning of their grief. When Kora decides to hop on a plane and start living for herself, readers follow her journey from Toronto to Flateyri, to Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, and Koh Pha Ngan. Through grief and self-discovery, Kora learns that there are “a million and one ways to love this world and live in it” - even if we’re not sure which one belongs to us.
Thank you to @penguinrandomca for gifting me a copy of this new release!
January 1, 2024
Desperada depicts Kora embarking on a sexual journey throughout the world as she struggles to accept her sister's death (Kimia). The novel, divided into narrative sections based on Kora's current city, illustrates Kora's immense guilt over her sister's death and how she flees from Toronto, her family, and friendships and toward fleeting, but impactful, friendships and relationships.
The novel is repetitive, though processing grief is never linear, and often Kora takes one step forward and five steps back. Throughout it all, Kora idolizes Kimia, even when she is outlining her jealousy, resulting in a fictional quality to Kimia. As with any fictional character, Kora can never handle Kimia's death and she refuses to tell anyone.
While the context of this novel did not allow for lyrical and heavy introspection — Kora's main goal as running away from her feelings of guilt and sadness — I would have loved to see beyond the novel's ending.
The novel is repetitive, though processing grief is never linear, and often Kora takes one step forward and five steps back. Throughout it all, Kora idolizes Kimia, even when she is outlining her jealousy, resulting in a fictional quality to Kimia. As with any fictional character, Kora can never handle Kimia's death and she refuses to tell anyone.
While the context of this novel did not allow for lyrical and heavy introspection — Kora's main goal as running away from her feelings of guilt and sadness — I would have loved to see beyond the novel's ending.
June 14, 2023
"Desperada" by Sofia Mostaghimi is a captivating exploration of grief and the desperate search for solace. Kora's journey around the world to escape the overwhelming sorrow caused by her sister's death is a compelling narrative.
The author skillfully portrays Kora's struggle to cope with her grief through avoidance, risky behavior, and self-destructive choices, making her journey relatable and poignant. I found myself invested in Kora's quest for redemption and wondered if she can ultimately break free from the shadow that looms over her. "Desperada" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that examines the depths of human emotions and the pursuit of healing.
Looking forward to reading future work by Sofia!
The author skillfully portrays Kora's struggle to cope with her grief through avoidance, risky behavior, and self-destructive choices, making her journey relatable and poignant. I found myself invested in Kora's quest for redemption and wondered if she can ultimately break free from the shadow that looms over her. "Desperada" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that examines the depths of human emotions and the pursuit of healing.
Looking forward to reading future work by Sofia!
April 13, 2023
I don't usually write reviews, but I was very pleased to receive an arc this book through a goodreads giveaway, and I think people should read it, so here goes!
I ate this book right up. It flowed well and was compelling throughout. I initially wanted a bit more indepth look into Kora's thoughts, not just her actions. But I came to realize this was probably done on purpose, with her feeling numb and unsure of her feeling herself, just a need to escape and feel anything but grief. I appreciated her unapologetic sexuality and experimentation and the visits to places and people both familiar and unfamiliar.
I ate this book right up. It flowed well and was compelling throughout. I initially wanted a bit more indepth look into Kora's thoughts, not just her actions. But I came to realize this was probably done on purpose, with her feeling numb and unsure of her feeling herself, just a need to escape and feel anything but grief. I appreciated her unapologetic sexuality and experimentation and the visits to places and people both familiar and unfamiliar.
May 2, 2023
There’s some really good writing in this book, fine attention to detail, strong inner monologue, some effective plotting, especially in the first two sections. However, there are places where the narrative falls apart, where the purpose of the novel is lost. The real deal breaker for me, though, was one particularly shocking scene towards the end of the novel. It’s not so much with the choice to include this plot element, as the fact that the protagonist can so easily attain redemption afterwards— it really weakens the psychological credibility. Still, apart from that, an enjoyable read, and an interesting perspective.
May 10, 2023
Desperada is the culmination of the journey one goes through when dealing with the loss of someone close- only to gain an overwhelming, yet still fragmented, sense of self through reckless abandon.
This book had me hooked from the second I picked it up.
Unwillingly finding myself mirrored in a few of the characters, this book left me floored and justified in the seemingly unconventional ways one navigates life after losing.
Simultaneously feeling lost, yet seemingly in the right place at every turn.
10/10 would recommend.
This book had me hooked from the second I picked it up.
Unwillingly finding myself mirrored in a few of the characters, this book left me floored and justified in the seemingly unconventional ways one navigates life after losing.
Simultaneously feeling lost, yet seemingly in the right place at every turn.
10/10 would recommend.
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