This was an interesting story- I thought dialogue was stilted and a little unrealistic how 2 college freshmen fell in love and overcame so many obstacles. However, I did enjoy it and recommend it. Parts of it took place in DC, Bethesda, College Park area so you might recognize some of the places mentioned. Religion and terrorism were both involved in the story which gave it more to think about than just the powerful love story. Rayna is a sheltered Orthodox Syrian Jew raised in America, who yearns for more in her life than a husband, children and home to take care of. She wants an education and a career. Rami is a Syrian Shi'ite Muslim born and raised in Syria. The terrorist group Al Shahide sends him to college in America and demand he be a part of their plans to bring down all the evil American and Jewish infidels. Rayna and Rami meet at college and fall madly in love. But the terrorist group that sent Rami to college creates danger in their lives and their families reject the two young lovers just when they need their families the most. When I first learned about this book I thought it sounded like it would be wonderful. It ddi not live up to its potential even a little bit. While I do believe that a Fundamentalist Muslim boy and an Orthodox Jewish girl could fall in love (its possible) these two characters were completely unbelievable. The dialogue was stiff and unbelievable. The terror plot and how they saved themselves was completely ridiculous. Had this book not been chosen as pick for my book club, I would have stopped reading it half way through. As a matter of fact, I am not sure why I didn't, in spite of the book club. I have done that before. I guess there was a little something that made me want to know what would happen. Or maybe I was trying to find some credulity in it. Needless to say, I was very disappointed!
Do You like book The Other Half Of My Soul (2007)?
I LOVED this book-highly recommend.
—carmen23
Really good story. Great read.
—Krista
Boring and full of plot holes.
—alwaysisalwayswilbe
