The Henna Wars

Adiba Jaigirdar

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The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar follows the story of Nishat, a 16-year-old Bengali teen living in Ireland who comes out as a lesbian to her Muslim family. As she navigates her identity, she also deals with a crush on a Black Brazilian classmate, Flávia, while facing bullying and cultural appropriation. The book explores themes of coming out, racism, prejudice, cultural identity, and teenage relationships within the backdrop of a school business competition centered around henna art.

Nishat struggles with the decision to either stay closeted to appease her family or take a chance on a relationship with Flávia amidst the competitive atmosphere of the school project. The story delves into Nishat's journey of self-acceptance, familial acceptance, and the complexities of young love in the face of cultural differences and societal expectations.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, representing various cultural backgrounds and exploring themes of family loyalty, identity, and love.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and accessible, effectively conveying the emotional depth of teenage experiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a coming-of-age journey where the protagonist navigates her sexuality, cultural identity, and competitive tension in a school environment.

Setting:

The setting provides a multicultural context, enriching the narrative with various cultural influences.

Pacing:

The narrative pacing is reflective of teenage life, balancing drama with personal revelations.

I decide to come out because of the way Ammu and Abbu look at Sunny Apu, with a mixture of pride and love and longing. It isn’t directed at Sunny Apu at all, really; it’s directed at the future. At ou...

Notes:

The Henna Wars features a strong cultural identity with characters embracing their backgrounds, which is refreshing compared to many YA books.

Nishat, the protagonist, is a Bengali Muslim girl living in Ireland who comes out as a lesbian to her family.

The story uniquely balances themes of cultural appropriation, homophobia, and identity struggles.

Nishat has a close relationship with her sister, which adds depth to her character and family dynamics.

The book challenges the typical coming-out narrative by presenting Nishat as confident in her identity, despite familial pressures.

There is a competition between two girls to build henna businesses, highlighting the theme of rivalry in a creative context.

The setting includes a diverse cast of characters from multiple cultures, including Brazilian and Irish, making it relatable for a broad audience.

Nishat has a romantic interest in Flavia, who becomes involved in the competition, adding layers to their relationship.

The narrative addresses racism and cultural appropriation in a nuanced way without being overly preachy.

It is celebrated for its representation of LGBTQ+ youth from immigrant families, making it relevant for modern readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include racism, homophobia, bullying, and a character being outed.

Has Romance?

Yes, the book features a significant romance plot between Nishat and Flavia.

From The Publisher:

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this romantic comedy about two teen girls with rival henna businesses.

Nishat doesn't want to lose her family, but she also doesn't want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled-but Nishat can't quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.

As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.

Ratings (14)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (44):

Read It (16)
Want To Read (20)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (6)

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