How It All Blew Up | ARC Review

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Synopsis

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda goes to Italy in Arvin Ahmadi’s newest incisive look at identity and what it means to find yourself by running away.

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy–he just didn’t think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right?

Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature… until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth to a US Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won freedom.

At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi’s most powerful novel yet, a celebration of how life’s most painful moments can live alongside the riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.

Review

This book did not do it for me. The beginning started out alright so I was hopeful, but…no. Just no.

The depiction of the characters, including the main character is not very enjoyable. Everyone seems miserable or unhappy which, in turn, made me feel like I was reading a miserable book. This book is supposed to be about acceptance or love, but the characters didn’t feel very accepting. They just kinda felt like they used each other for personal gain and that was it.

As well, I kept waiting for the climax of the book, especially since the book kinda starts at the end, but it never really came. It just kept moving along at a monotone rate and feel completely flat in the end.

I don’t have much to say other than this book wasn’t enjoyable.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating

To check out my other reviews, click here. Or to check out more books by Arvin Ahmadi, go to his GoodReads profile.