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sarakip's review against another edition
3.0
The cultural aspect of this book was interesting, especially since it is something I knew little about. I enjoy learning new things as I read, so that part was good. This is a preliminary nominee for the Missouri Gateway Award though, and I'm not sure if it will make it to the final list. I just don't know if I can imagine many of my students following the story all the way through. I didn't really feel like there was ever a climax...and my students really look for that kind of thing, especially if it is a book report choice. I would recommend it to them, but with a bit of hesitation and some explaining.
24hourlibrary's review against another edition
2.0
The Tyrant’s Daughter isn’t what it could be. It’s misleading in its portrayal of Muslims and Middle Eastern refugees which may be forgivable to the extent that fiction is interesting because it’s about interesting people -- the outliers -- but it ultimately does damage to people who have and continue to suffer from a lack of education in those who are outside their groups. Carleson’s narrative structure and writing style are, simply, mediocre and it’s difficult to side with Laila or even find her interesting when the bulk of what does make her interesting has nothing to do with her character or personality. This is one novel that is perhaps best left to itself.
austriana's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to write a good review about this book, but I put it off for so long that I'm unable to do so. It's just not fresh enough in my mind anymore.
But I will say I loved this book. I loved that it showed how the main character attempted to balance her love of family with the knowledge that her family wasn't necessarily composed of "good people." The balance of tradition with the attempt to fit in at her new school in a completely different culture. (I will say that I don't know that I buy how easily she's willing to dress and dance the way she thinks American girls do, though. I think it'd take more time for her to feel comfortable doing so.)
I love how the "bad guys" weren't all bad and the "good guys" (including the CIA) weren't all good. It'd be too easy to demonize the dictator and make the Americans out to be the protectors of Laila and her family, and it would have been the wrong way to write this book. Fortunately, Carleson goes about it the right way. Even horrible dictators can be decent fathers, and government operatives can put their missions above the good of individuals.
The book is simply, elegantly told, and I wanted to keep reading.
But I will say I loved this book. I loved that it showed how the main character attempted to balance her love of family with the knowledge that her family wasn't necessarily composed of "good people." The balance of tradition with the attempt to fit in at her new school in a completely different culture. (I will say that I don't know that I buy how easily she's willing to dress and dance the way she thinks American girls do, though. I think it'd take more time for her to feel comfortable doing so.)
I love how the "bad guys" weren't all bad and the "good guys" (including the CIA) weren't all good. It'd be too easy to demonize the dictator and make the Americans out to be the protectors of Laila and her family, and it would have been the wrong way to write this book. Fortunately, Carleson goes about it the right way. Even horrible dictators can be decent fathers, and government operatives can put their missions above the good of individuals.
The book is simply, elegantly told, and I wanted to keep reading.
booknut7159's review against another edition
4.0
A great coming of age story that is completely fiction but steeped in present political truths. A must read.
bookscents's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted on my blog: www.book-scents.com
I'm not very into politics. I have a tendency to stay out of strongly political conversations. But when Netgalley emailed me about this one, I was intrigued by the point of view of a girl smack dab in the middle of all of this. I decided to check it out and I'm glad I did!
In The Tyrant's Daughter, Laila along with her six year old brother and mother have fled their home after the murder of her father. In the aftermath, she deals with grief about her father and tries to acclimate to American life. First of all, it's really interesting seeing what she thought of everything in America because it is a major culture shock. The girl assigned to take her around at school and who gradually becomes her friend, Emmy, earns the immediate reactionary label of "whore" from Laila. All that skin showing is a drastic change for Laila, along with a thousand other things she comes across in school. Laila tries to adjust and fit in, but it's difficult and despite how war torn her home country is, she still misses her home.
It's interesting to see her ideals and thoughts about her old life and old customs shift. Things she learns changes the things she thought she knew. It was especially thought provoking as she starts to read news and articles about her father. He was her father to her, stern but loving and a king in her eyes. She defends him agains the title of "dictator" when she first hears Emmy call him that and doesn't want to believe any of the ugly things he may have done. She's forced to open her eyes to the truth about her past and it's really interesting seeing how she struggles to juggle the two opposing images she has of him. He clearly loved his family but he was also responsible for so many deaths and fighting and how can those two things come from one man? It's a unique point of view that we get from Laila as she tries to see the truth in her past. It makes you really think, like how would I be able to grapple with this dichotomy??
It was also interesting how hard of a time she had with friendships because it's something foreign to her. She never had that before and she doesn't quite know what to do with it or how to be a friend. There's also a sweet romance with a fellow classmate. It wasn't the focus by any means -- that's not what this story is about -- but to me, I think it really shows how hard it was for her to try to fit in.
I think this book did an amazing job portraying this story - based on real events, with a personal touch that really makes you think about the people involved. I'm glad I read this!
I'm not very into politics. I have a tendency to stay out of strongly political conversations. But when Netgalley emailed me about this one, I was intrigued by the point of view of a girl smack dab in the middle of all of this. I decided to check it out and I'm glad I did!
In The Tyrant's Daughter, Laila along with her six year old brother and mother have fled their home after the murder of her father. In the aftermath, she deals with grief about her father and tries to acclimate to American life. First of all, it's really interesting seeing what she thought of everything in America because it is a major culture shock. The girl assigned to take her around at school and who gradually becomes her friend, Emmy, earns the immediate reactionary label of "whore" from Laila. All that skin showing is a drastic change for Laila, along with a thousand other things she comes across in school. Laila tries to adjust and fit in, but it's difficult and despite how war torn her home country is, she still misses her home.
It's interesting to see her ideals and thoughts about her old life and old customs shift. Things she learns changes the things she thought she knew. It was especially thought provoking as she starts to read news and articles about her father. He was her father to her, stern but loving and a king in her eyes. She defends him agains the title of "dictator" when she first hears Emmy call him that and doesn't want to believe any of the ugly things he may have done. She's forced to open her eyes to the truth about her past and it's really interesting seeing how she struggles to juggle the two opposing images she has of him. He clearly loved his family but he was also responsible for so many deaths and fighting and how can those two things come from one man? It's a unique point of view that we get from Laila as she tries to see the truth in her past. It makes you really think, like how would I be able to grapple with this dichotomy??
It was also interesting how hard of a time she had with friendships because it's something foreign to her. She never had that before and she doesn't quite know what to do with it or how to be a friend. There's also a sweet romance with a fellow classmate. It wasn't the focus by any means -- that's not what this story is about -- but to me, I think it really shows how hard it was for her to try to fit in.
I think this book did an amazing job portraying this story - based on real events, with a personal touch that really makes you think about the people involved. I'm glad I read this!
imlidoe's review against another edition
5.0
Intrigue of the international and teenage variety. A lyrically personal insight into the family after the uprising, the innocent bystanders on the inside of the palace walls. My interest was in part due to knowing the author, but was quickly eclipsed by interest in the characters themselves. Laila is a masterpiece.
liendres's review against another edition
1.0
It was ok but I felt like Leila was too fake. She was raised in the middle east in a somehow conservative way and yet she was grinding like a pro on her first night out in America. Without drinking any alcohol... I just don't feel you can lose your shyness so fast and easily.
The only parts that I loved were the last two appendixes from the author and commentator..
The only parts that I loved were the last two appendixes from the author and commentator..
carmackin's review
4.0
I first saw The Tyrant’s Daughter on a list on Goodreads. After reading the synopsis I knew this was a book I had to read. As soon as I started reading, I knew I was right, The Tyrant’s Daughter is definitely a must read. I have a feeling that it’s going to be one of those books that stay with me long after the last page was read.
If you are looking for a light, fun read then The Tyrant’s Daughter isn’t the book that you want to pick up. This book brings a lot to the table. I wouldn’t say that I know what’s going on everywhere in the world. I do try to watch the news but most of what I see are just headlines and not much else. We watch them, we think about them for a few minutes, and then we move on and live our lives. The Tyrant’s Daughter brings those headlines to the front, where we can’t ignore them. J.C. Carleson takes it a step further and these headlines become the life of a fifteen year old girl.
Laila, her mother, and brother, Bastien, have recently fled their country to America after the assassination of Laila’s father. Laila has to figure out American culture while dealing with the death of her father, learning about the man he really was, and trying to figure out what her mother is plotting.
Growing up, most children look at their parents with rose colored glasses. Our father’s are superheroes, and for Laila it’s no different. Her father loved her, and that’s what she knew about him. I think that Laila had to know that her father wasn’t everything she thought he was, and deep down she might of even known that he did awful thing. But after his death she’s almost forced to acknowledge the man he truly was. My heart hurts for Laila, because I don’t know what I would do if I found out that my superhero was actually the villain.
The Tyrant’s Daughter was full of twists and turns. We are Laila, and we too are trying to figure out exactly what is going on. J.C. Carleson was able to write a book that kept my attention the entire time. We kept getting little hints of what secrets Laila’s mother had, but never the whole thing. I just wanted to keep reading every word, line, page, and chapter to find out what happened next.
If you are looking for a light, fun read then The Tyrant’s Daughter isn’t the book that you want to pick up. This book brings a lot to the table. I wouldn’t say that I know what’s going on everywhere in the world. I do try to watch the news but most of what I see are just headlines and not much else. We watch them, we think about them for a few minutes, and then we move on and live our lives. The Tyrant’s Daughter brings those headlines to the front, where we can’t ignore them. J.C. Carleson takes it a step further and these headlines become the life of a fifteen year old girl.
Laila, her mother, and brother, Bastien, have recently fled their country to America after the assassination of Laila’s father. Laila has to figure out American culture while dealing with the death of her father, learning about the man he really was, and trying to figure out what her mother is plotting.
Growing up, most children look at their parents with rose colored glasses. Our father’s are superheroes, and for Laila it’s no different. Her father loved her, and that’s what she knew about him. I think that Laila had to know that her father wasn’t everything she thought he was, and deep down she might of even known that he did awful thing. But after his death she’s almost forced to acknowledge the man he truly was. My heart hurts for Laila, because I don’t know what I would do if I found out that my superhero was actually the villain.
The Tyrant’s Daughter was full of twists and turns. We are Laila, and we too are trying to figure out exactly what is going on. J.C. Carleson was able to write a book that kept my attention the entire time. We kept getting little hints of what secrets Laila’s mother had, but never the whole thing. I just wanted to keep reading every word, line, page, and chapter to find out what happened next.
killianshea's review against another edition
4.0
I love it when a book forces the reader to not only see, but to understand a perspective different from their own. The world Laila grew up in is about as far from the life of a modern American teenager as one can imagine, but she finds herself faced with having to find her way in an American high school when she, along with her mother and brother are forced to leave their home country the very day of her father's death.
Coming to America, Laila learns that her life as she saw it was very different than the way her new classmates saw it and finds herself questioning how much she really knew about her family - especially her father.
This book is NOT what you expect.
Laila doesn't fall into a spot in high school royalty or become the school's biggest outcast - and even if she did, that's not the focus of her story. Laila's story is one of self discovery - realizing she has been sheltered from harsh realities but finding her way through them to take control of her life. She realizes how much of a pawn she has been and refuses to let that continue.
This is not the book you want to read if you're looking light, fluffy teen romance (though I'd hope you already figured that out), but it will change the way you look at others - and remind you that the villains of our American news stories aren't villains to everyone, and that person's family doesn't necessarily define them.
Coming to America, Laila learns that her life as she saw it was very different than the way her new classmates saw it and finds herself questioning how much she really knew about her family - especially her father.
This book is NOT what you expect.
Spoiler
Laila doesn't fall into a spot in high school royalty or become the school's biggest outcast - and even if she did, that's not the focus of her story. Laila's story is one of self discovery - realizing she has been sheltered from harsh realities but finding her way through them to take control of her life. She realizes how much of a pawn she has been and refuses to let that continue.
This is not the book you want to read if you're looking light, fluffy teen romance (though I'd hope you already figured that out), but it will change the way you look at others - and remind you that the villains of our American news stories aren't villains to everyone, and that person's family doesn't necessarily define them.
maliazaidi's review against another edition
4.0
There were parts of this book I felt were so relevant and true, it should be read in schools. Others were a little more typical YA fiction, but that's okay, too. In any case, it was enjoyable, and thought-provoking, and thereby I can only recommend it.
The premise of the story deals with a teenage girl being uprooted from an unnamed Middle Eastern country to Washington DC. Her father was a dictator/tyrant, as the title suggests, and after his ousting, her family is forced into exile.
The story sounded intriguing, as one rarely hears much about the consequences of political coups for the ruler's family. Maybe this is because the powers that be want to protect them, by keeping their identities relatively low-key and giving them new ones, as in this book. I don't know, it does make you wonder, though.
I sympathized with Laila and her family, and their struggle in having to adapt to new surroundings and a totally new standard of living. Carleson portrays Laila's worries with simple subtlety, which I found far more effective than dramatics. Laila has to try to fit in with her American surroundings, unsure whether she wants this, or whether it is even possible.
I didn't love Laila, her character was a distant and cool for that kind of connection, but her story instantly drew me in, and maybe Carleson's portrayal of her subdued personality would be accurate. I suppose the thing that could have bumped up my rating here, is just that though. If Laila had come across as a warmer person, I think this would have been a really fantastic book. As it is, it's still very good and well worth reading.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
The premise of the story deals with a teenage girl being uprooted from an unnamed Middle Eastern country to Washington DC. Her father was a dictator/tyrant, as the title suggests, and after his ousting, her family is forced into exile.
The story sounded intriguing, as one rarely hears much about the consequences of political coups for the ruler's family. Maybe this is because the powers that be want to protect them, by keeping their identities relatively low-key and giving them new ones, as in this book. I don't know, it does make you wonder, though.
I sympathized with Laila and her family, and their struggle in having to adapt to new surroundings and a totally new standard of living. Carleson portrays Laila's worries with simple subtlety, which I found far more effective than dramatics. Laila has to try to fit in with her American surroundings, unsure whether she wants this, or whether it is even possible.
I didn't love Laila, her character was a distant and cool for that kind of connection, but her story instantly drew me in, and maybe Carleson's portrayal of her subdued personality would be accurate. I suppose the thing that could have bumped up my rating here, is just that though. If Laila had come across as a warmer person, I think this would have been a really fantastic book. As it is, it's still very good and well worth reading.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com