by Hanna Alkaf
Publication Date: April 19th, 2022
Rating: 5/5
Thank you to Simonteen/Salaam Reads for the eARC. My review is unbiased and honest.
All I knew about this book going in was that it was Hanna Alkaf and it had a scrabble tournament. What I didn’t know because I didn’t need to know any more was that it featured a whole MURDER MYSTERY!
I read this in one sitting and it was so much fun. It was such a rollercoaster from discovering that it wasn’t just a scrabble competition (though I totally enjoyed the scrabble elements, especially how each chapter started out with a new word), to trying to figure out who was behind the death of Najwa’s best friend, Trina Low.
It was so interesting to read about all these different relationships that the competitors had with Trina. It really took the phrase “two sides to every story” and went with it! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to piece together the puzzles while also rooting for Najwa to win the Scrabble tournament!
This did have depictions of anxiety attacks, so be mindful of that as you read! I think Hanna always does a great job depicting grief and anxiety and the different ways it can portrayed.
If you loved How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao or the Inheritance Games (with the Knives out vibes), then I think you’d really enjoy this!
Star is All Booked Up 