For the first printing only! This paperback features sprayed stenciled edges while the special edition supply lasts.
“An ode to the courage it takes to live with authenticity.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A “sparkling…ambitious, thoughtful, and funny” (Teen Vogue) debut novel about a gay Muslim teen who has to choose between being true to himself or his faith—and his realization that maybe they aren’t as separate as he thought.
Ramin Abbas has spent his whole life obeying his parents, his Imam, and, of course, Allah—no questions asked. But when he starts crushing on the ridiculously handsome captain of the soccer team, so many things he’d always been so sure about are becoming questions:
1. Music is haram. But what if the Wicked soundtrack is the only thing keeping you sane because you’re being forced to play on the soccer team? With Captain Handsome?!
2. A boy crush is double haram, and Ramin’s parents will never accept it. But can he really be the only Muslim on Earth who feels this way?
3. Allah is merciful and makes no mistakes. Then isn’t Ramin just the way Allah intended him to be?
And so why should living your truth but losing everything—or living a lie and losing yourself—have to be a choice?!
The Muslim version of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens
"This was Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but Desi, Muslim, and Canadian. Ramin is a Wicked, Harry Potter, and Sara Bareilles -loving teenage boy who is struggling to reconcile with being both Muslim and queer. Is it possible to be both a devout Muslim and gay? Is it possible to still have a relationship with Allah if he likes boys and music? Is he the only one who feels this way? Are there other closeted Muslim kids like him out there? As the title suggests, Ramin has some MAJOR questions, but he doesn’t know where to go for answers. As if struggling with his religion and sexual identity isn’t enough, he now needs to fulfill certain hours of physical activity in order to graduate, which means joining the school’s soccer team and working closely with his crush Fahad (aka “Captain Handsome”). But to make matters worse, he’s being blackmailed by Assim, who wants Ramin to help make the soccer team lose in the finals. I loved Ramin and the fact that we have similar taste in books and musicals. I also loved his narrative voice, which was fun, engaging, and very conversational. Although I’m probably not the target demographic (I’m not Muslim, Desi, gay, or a teenaged boy), I still found Ramin to be likeable and relatable, and someone I would’ve happily wanted as a friend. I also liked many of the side characters including Fahad (who seems like a genuinely nice guy), Omar and the Saleh Family (what a green flag of a person and family!) and Zayne (Ramin’s entrepreneurial brother) and really enjoyed the Muslim school setting in Toronto. **I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration, but all opinions are my own. ** ___________________________ If you like the following, then you might like Ramin Abbas has MAJOR Questions or vice-versa: - Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar - Heartstopper by Alice Oseman"
