this story was literally the worst thing i’ve ever read and the best. mainly because it wasn’t a story; this perfectly encapsulates the lives of Syrian people and the horror they have recently experienced that literally NO-ONE talks about. ⠀
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i applaud zoulfa for writing this, i can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been putting these words down on paper. @reviewsbyleyla has been telling me to read this ever since i got accepted for a netgalley arc, i kept putting it off until i was in a good headspace to read but oh my did it still feel like i’d been winded every page of reading. ⠀
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as long as the lemon trees grow takes real, traumatic, historical events and intertwines them with the most beautiful of characters who defy stereotypes - zoulfa had the most beautiful, raw and powerful way of writing you can see the imagery in your mind whilst reading of the horrors the characters experience. ⠀
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i can’t recommend this enough - not only will it help you gain knowledge of Syrian history and current events we are blind-sighted to, but you’ll also meet the most heart-warming, resilient characters.

Oh my, this was an emotional read and a real eye opener. I feel blessed not to have known the horrors faced by Salama and Layla. This book will stay with me for sure.

Reviewed an Amazon and Goodreads

An emotional story and very moving of loss but beautifully written. A fantastic debut novel. I look forward to reading more by this author.

This is already a beloved book and I can see why. It’s hard-hitting and emotional, and I found it to be a difficult but gratifying read. I would recommend this book but would warn readers to bear in mind that this book deals with some very harrowing themes and content and that although it is done with the utmost care and sensitivity by the author, it is still very difficult content and this should be kept in mind when reading.

So powerful.
This is beautifully executed, written with beautiful prose that makes your heart ache. Add that to the harrowing but gripping plot, and this makes quite the novel.
I loved it, but the subject matter means it is very hard to call it enjoyable. It is still a must read, and should be known far and wide for the impact it can have on its readers.

"It reminds me that as long as the lemon trees grow, hope will never die".

I have seen this book reviewed many times over on Bookstagram and I love a story that educates and entertains me, and As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, certainly did this.

I listened to it as an audiobook, read by Rasha Zamamiri and it was haunting. Whilst the majority of us are living free lives, enjoying vacations and being able to travel anywhere we want to, there is still a war continuing in Syria that has been going on for 13 years! I cannot even begin to imagine what that must be like to live through.

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow is an absolutely incredible story with beautiful imagery, but it’s so sad. I’m sure the war in Syria is something that many people will be aware of, yet many won’t know to what extent it has affected and is affecting the people of that country. No one actually wants to leave all that they know and get on a boat to sail to who knows where. They do it because they have no choice if they want to stay alive.

Salama is our protagonist and an amazingly strong female character who is working hard to try to find a way for her and her pregnant sister-in-law to escape her beloved, yet war-torn country. Does she make it? You need to read it for yourself to find out.

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow is classed as a YA book but is definitely a book which should be read by everyone, regardless of age.

I couldn’t put this book down because I was desperate to know what was going to happen and how it was going to end. I absolutely loved this book. It was heartbreaking to read and very emotional, and I became very attached to the characters. It feels strange to say that I loved this book, because although it isn’t based on a true story, it is based on true events - and that made it a really tough book to read. However, the way I loved this book is very different to the way I normally love books, and it’s hard to explain but I’m sure that people who have read this book will know exactly what I mean. I can’t say too much about this book because I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say that I highly recommend it, and this is one that’s going to stick with me for a long time.

This YA novel is a beautiful, heart-wrenching read about war which tore me apart but put me back in the most hopeful way.
A must-read.

An extraordinarily moving novel, which focuses on one fictional person - 18 year old pharmacy student, Salama - but somehow captures the true scale and extent of the atrocities faced every day in Syria under the oppressive regime, and the horror of having to flee in overflowing and unsuitable boats, without friends, family or possessions.

Absolutely heart wrenching, incredible, beautiful, fascinating. I could go on. By far one of my favourite reads this year, and I’m glad it’s getting the recognition it deserves.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Beautifully written story and im not surprised it was nominated for goodreads choice award for Best Young Adult Fiction 2022.

This story, following teenage pharmacy student Salama Kassab who was living a relatively normal life with her parents and older brother until war broke out in Syria. This led her to volunteer at the local hospital helping the many wounded that are admitted however she is torn between helping her country and finding a way to leave before her sister in law gives birth. In her desperation she has created Khawf, her imaginary companion who is a manifestation of her fear.

This is such a thought provoking insight to the horrors of the syrian civil war that has been ongoing for the past 12 years, and the effects it has had on the millions of syrians that have been affected. Such a powerfully sad book and superbly written.

A page turning read that keeps the reader engaged through until the final chapter, thoroughly recommend this book to add to your library, it will become a modern classic

This was close to a 4 star read.
But sadly the pacing was too slow for me. The first half at times felt almost repetitive that I would lose interest a little. But would soon be dragged back in.
I felt for the characters. The daily trauma they had to go through.
The last 15% really got me. I nearly cried. I just wanted them to get to safety.
Overall I think if this cut just a little bit out this would have been a 4 star read.
It was heartbreaking and raw.

This was such an interesting and incredible read, there was such depth and intrigue. I found myself completely entranced by the story.

A must read in every sense. This book left me full of feelings, heartbreak and hope and also in awe of the representation.

A well written book with great Muslim representation that talks about a tough time in a way that brought me to tear many times

5/5

Thanks for the ARC

As Long as the Lemon Treea Grow is an incredible story of hope among a revolution. Zoulfa Katouh did an incredible job of weaving the story of Salama, Layla and Kenan. This story is a reminder of how there're real lives and stories behind the things we see in news, and it needs to be appreciated by everyone.

This book put its hand around my heart and squeezed it hard. What a brilliant and stunning read. Could not put it down. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for a review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A beautifully written and well told story which is heartbreaking but also really enjoyable. A very good read that I would recommend.

I couldn’t get into this book as much as I hoped i would, I think maybe I’m the wrong audience for it. Lovely writing.