Hollow Fires

Hollow Fires has me so conflicted!!! I've written this review over and over again, trying to find just the right words to do this book, this story, justice. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings, which I'm including here, so you don't have to risk seeing any potential spoilers further down in the review.Trigger Warnings:IslamophobiaInstitutionalized racism PatriarchyMisogynyMurderDomestic terrorismWhite supremacyRacist slursPolice prejudice/disdain/incompetence**POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**On the one hand, I love this book because Samira Ahmed isn't pulling her punches at all in this SCATHING, much-deserved commentary of the incredibly racist systems and people in the US, and emboldened by recent history. It's so well written, giving the reader an intimate look at what it feels like to be a Muslim living in 2022 USA, balancing the joy of experiences that almost everyone can relate to - having your crush crush on you, sharing moments of love with family members and friends - with the unique feelings of fear, anger, sadness, frustration, etc. that only comes from being within the specific demographic in which the two main characters - Safiya and Jawad - live(d) their lives. Ms Ahmed also brilliantly balances all of this against the chilling background of a murderous mystery and ghost story.But on the other hand, the story within the story ripped through my heart and had me crying in places. As a parent, I was hit especially hard, trying to fathom how the parents in this amazingly written, haunting, achingly sad story would manage to survive, much less thrive, after events like those in the book. Plus, the reactions from a lot of the white people depicted were utterly disgusting - like literally made my lip curl and anger flush my chest at times. Because while this is technically a work of fiction, it's based on real events from the 1920s, and a lot of us know that scenarios like these play out in real life all the time, even now, especially when you're BIPOC...Much like The Taking of Jake Livingston, Hollow Fires is a dark and complex ghost story about a young Iraqi boy who gets profiled, bullied - even by his own teachers - and eventually murdered for misconceptions based on the color of his skin and his heritage.Safiya, an aspiring investigative journalist, is also dealing with racists at her school, as well as her horribly prejudiced principal. They're all out to take her down a notch because she's a Brown scholarship kid who points out the blatant aspects of white supremacy hiding in the open at her fancy prep school. She's also being haunted by Jawad's ghost, as they share a connection that even Safiya barely remembers. But she's not going to let threats from the racists or from her principal stop her because she's hot on their trail, and on the trail of something much, much darker that could very well be her own undoing...

Hollow Fires is a poignant reminder that the lives of BIPOC men, women and children are not valued in this country and can be taken oftentimes with impunity. It highlights the need to expose injustice and condemn the tacit duplicity of those in privileged positions who spout alternative facts to distract from the truth.Samira Ahmed’s use of a dual POV through Safiya and Jawad’s chapters made for a more enthralling story than if we had only gotten Safiya’s POV. The inclusion of blog posts, text messages, journal entries, transcripts, etc. throughout helped further give the reader a complete picture of what happened to Jawad.There were many points where a reading break was needed because it was so enraging that Jawad was being dehumanized or Safiya was being gaslit. There were moments of sadness as well because of the ill treatment of BIPOC characters by authority figures or racists.The prose is phenomenal! Hollow Fires is fiction, but it sadly is an accurate reflection of the country we live in. There have been similar scenarios in the media time and time again.Hollow Fires doesn’t hold the magic solution to how we solve the ills of the world (i.e. racism, sexism, classism, Islamophobia, etc.) However, it does offer a way to start a dialogue about these important issues. Through Safiya’s character it also teaches how to stand up for what you know is right even when you fear that no one will believe you simply because of how you look or where you “come from”.

Best YA book I’ve read in 2022. As an secondary English teacher, this book will be strongly suggested as an important read.

This is a brutally honest and emotional read that is put together in pieces like a puzzle with POVs from our heroine and the dead boy along with articles and transcripts from the press/web/interviews.It is similarly styled to a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, which I also loved so of course I really appreciated this book as well.Having all these different pieces sprinkles throughout the book is awesome because it gives you a complete picture from so many different outlooks. Sometimes the timeline got confusing and I had to keep reminding myself when the body was actually discovered.I will say I was not surprised by who the murderers ended up being. It was obvious. But that didn’t really bother me because oftentimes in these things the murderer is obvious and the tough part is getting the evidence to support it.What’s nice is that still story is a murder mystery but it’s also a story about friendship and loyalty. These themes are powerful, when our main character’s friend comes to her rescue (and throughout has always been supportive and assisted her in the investigation despite the dangers) it is so nice to see such a strong and pure friendship.Spoilers follow.Richard and Nate kill the boy because they’re racist and they thought no one would find out. But our main character didn’t give up, this was a case that hit close to home. She doesn’t see that it’s Richard right away but catches on to Nate fairly early in the investigation. She does make some rash decisions like confronting Richard alone and going to the park to find the boy’s body alone.Everything that happens with the trial after is so close to real life. They’re rich white boys who were spoiled and think they should get away with murder. People aren’t really holding them accountable and seem to forget they confessed to murder. It’s refreshing that they were found guilty. Justice in a way was served.

This book had me so emotional with all the racist things people said and did to these characters...even the students and teachers at both private and public schools and the police! It's really sad how this world treats its fellow humans! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ all the way. It's so beautifully written.

Really enjoyed this read book it’s about,Safiya Mirza who dreams of becoming a journalist. And one thing she’s learned as editor of her school newspaper is that a journalist’s job is to find the facts and not let personal biases affect the story. But all that changes the day she finds the body of a murdered boy. As she follows Jawad Ali is 14 haunting voice guides her through her investigation.Absolutely loved this read so glad it was recommended to me Jawad is literally the sweetest soul, Safi is a bold and brave girl and I love her personality and character. Liked how it had chapters from both Safi and Jawad perspective. There are some twists and turns in this book. Did make me well up a view timesHighly recommend be prepared for some tears though !!!