All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir- Book Review
Some books leave a mark so deep, you carry them with you long after the last page. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir is one of those rare novels. The story and writing are raw, emotional, and heartbreakingly beautiful. This is a book that will live in my head for a long, long time.
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Author: Sabaa Tahir
- Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Romance
- Page Count: 376
- Publication Year: 2022
Short Summary (no spoilers)
Set between the deserts of Lahore, Pakistan, and the dusty streets of Juniper, California, All My Rage follows two Pakistani-American teens, Salahudin and Noor, as they navigate grief, family trauma, love, and betrayal. Salahudin struggles to save his family’s failing motel after his mother’s death, while Noor fights to pursue her dreams of college despite the controlling uncle who took her in. As their friendship fractures and rebuilds, the two must confront secrets that could either save them or destroy them.
What I Loved
Characters
Salahudin and Noor felt incredibly real. Their pain, mistakes, and small victories made them unforgettable. Tahir’s portrayal of flawed, resilient teens was heartbreakingly authentic.
Themes
This book doesn’t shy away from hard topics: grief, addiction, generational trauma, racism, and poverty are all explored with brutal honesty. And yet, All My Rage is ultimately a story about hope—how even the deepest wounds can begin to heal.
Writing Style
Sabaa Tahir’s prose is sharp and lyrical. Every word feels deliberate. The dual POV narrative allowed a rich, nuanced look into both characters’ inner worlds.
Favorite Quotes
- “Rage can fuel you. But grief gnaws at you slow, a termite nibbling at your soul until you’re a whisper of what you used to be.”
- “In this moment, I wish I were a poet. Not to speak beauty. But to speak pain.”
- “As he speaks, I think of everything my mother taught me: how to love someone unconditionally. That joy can be found in small victories. That forgiveness is a gift to the person who grants it and to the person who receives it.”
Who Should Read This?
If you love emotionally charged contemporary fiction, character-driven narratives, or books that make you cry and hope in the same breath, All My Rage needs to be at the top of your list. Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Adam Silvera.
Why I Rated This 5 Stars
For me, a five-star book is one that completely pulls me in — not just while I’m reading, but even when I set it down. If I’m thinking about the story when I’m not reading, and I know the characters and emotions will stay with me long after I turn the last page, that’s when I know it’s a true five-star read.
Few books have made me feel as much—or think as much—as All My Rage. It’s beautifully devastating and filled with so much heart and hope. A must-read.
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