Structure/Length: Approximately 384 pages; approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes on audiobook
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel alternates between the perspectives of Salahudin and Noor, two friends grappling with their personal and family struggles in a small California town. The central conflict revolves around Salahudin’s family motel, which is on the brink of financial ruin, and Noor’s dreams of escaping her oppressive uncle to attend college. Along with their complicated feelings for each other, the story is interwoven with themes of grief, love, and redemption.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of racism; immigration; substance use disorder; domestic abuse; sexual abuse; grief and loss; strong emotional content
Sabaa Tahir, Author
Bio: Born in 1985; British-born Pakistani-American author; best known for her fantasy series An Ember in the Ashes; often explores themes of cultural identity, oppression, and resilience in her work; celebrated for her rich storytelling and complex characters
Other Works:An Ember in the Ashes (2015); A Torch Against the Night (2016); A Reaper at the Gates (2018); A Sky Beyond the Storm (2020)
Awards: National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (2022); Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry (2022); Michael L.
Unlock this Study Guide!
Join SuperSummary to gain instant access to all 94 pages of this Study Guide and thousands of other learning resources.