This spun my head around it was such a fast read. Had to read it a second time to do all my underlining (and there are some great quotes worth underlining). I gave this five stars, and I rarely do that. I read Persianality (first in the series), but this is a great stand-alone. Worth reading, whether you've read Persianality or not. ( )

A young Jewish orphan, raised in a Muslim household, was enough to make me buy this novel. Although, building bridges over a chasm of Middle-Eastern bias, this is not the narrative thread of Unassimilated. This is a story of self-growth, rich with heartwarming relationships between Zoe Mousa (the protagonist) and her adopted Muslim family. In fact, the most enjoyable part of my read was watching fresh ideas develop, organically, as each character problem-solved. Unassimilated never goes to the well of commonplace solutions. Each conversation is a surprise. A rare mix of tears, discovery, and humor. Every chapter contains at least one quotable line. My favorite read in the last five years. This is one of those books that stays with you. ( )

i have only just finished this novel. i dont want to speak to anyone. i dont want to go anywhere. i am going through literary withdrawal. i cried with laughter. i cried with sadness. i couldnt put it down so i stayed up all night reading it. this is what a book should be. absorbing, entertaining, and educational. the author earned my money. ( )

As an actor, my eyes light up when the written word rolls off my tongue. I found myself reading and re-reading certain paragraphs, just to taste the beautiful prose. Not all writing is meant to be spoken . . . but this is. It's art. It's a movie waiting to happen. I call dibs on the role of Saul Newman. ( )

A Middle-Eastern hybrid of Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain and Nicholas Sparks’ Message in a Bottle. Zoe is a character that will stay with me for years. Unassimilated has so many quotable paragraphs it deserves a spot on every bookshelf. ( )