Book Review: How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

Thank you Bookish First and Viking Books for Young Readers for my review copy.

My thoughts:

Amir is being blackmailed by a student so he runs away to Rome. He then meets an interesting cast of characters that become like a family to him during his time of need. This was my first time reading this author and it wasn’t a bad read, but I felt like it lacked direction. The story line just went on and on and on with no clear point. There was this whole build up to the incident that happens on the plane and when the showdown finally happens it was lackluster and I was let down. Amir at times was bland and lacked personality. I really wanted to see him flourish while in Rome, but I felt shortchanged. I was also hoping to learn more in depth about the Muslim culture and how Amir being gay could be an issue. The parents were Muslim, but the family wasn’t practicing so I’m not sure what the big deal was aside from close mindedness. The saving grace of the story for me was Soraya and Jahan.

Book Info:

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.