Review: Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

Summary from Goodreads:

A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape--perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.

American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.

There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.

My Review:


What I Liked:

Characters. It was refreshing to read a novel from one POV. I liked the main character, Maya, she was interesting to read about. The side characters were good as well but not as prominent as Maya or the romance. 

Setting. I was surprised by the setting. I'm familiar with the city of Batavia and it was interesting to read facts about it. The author, who lived there, did a good job of showcasing the history and landmarks of the city. :)

Message. Ahmed did a great job of talking about the impact of racism. It was hard to read some of the more intense scenes but it is a topic that needs to be exposed to show how wrong it is. 

Culture. I loved reading about Indian culture. Plus, I got really hungry reading about all of the food. 

What I Disliked:

Romance. The main thing that I did not connect with was the romance. I think it could have been cut out and the focus placed on Maya and her family. 

I recommend checking out this great debut. It was a quick but impactful read.

My Rating:

4 Stars Out of 5 Stars