The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Rating: 4/5 stars

This book opened up with Nishat thinking about how her parents would react when she comes out to them and tells them that she likes girls. Especially in her culture were most marriages are arranged. Her parents, like most parents, think it’s a phase. Which makes Nishat feel that she lost her family. I have to say that when lgbt+ people get the silent treatment from family members, it hit me in my heart.

I like the sweet moment between sisters when they are applying henna for a wedding that they are going to, which is another tradition from the main character’s culture. In fact, it’s at that wedding where she meets Flávia a girl she uses to go to school with. When she sees Flávia again, Nishat realizes that she had a crush on this girl way before she came to the realization, she was gay.

Guess who moves schools at the start of the year Flávia. There is some racism that every school battle’s with, which bothers me. Nishat’s sister cares for her, which is sweet. In business class, the teacher tells them that this year’s project is to start a business, which is where the henna comes in place.

Alex