House of Glass Hearts by Leila Siddiqui weaves a compelling tale of Maera, a Pakistani-American teen who must unravel the dark secrets of her family's past to discover what happened to her missing brother. As she confronts the haunting mysteries of her grandfather's enigmatic greenhouse, the story delves into the impact of historical and personal trauma across generations.

The novel's seamless blend of historical and mythical elements creates a richly immersive experience, while its exploration of family secrets and cultural heritage offers both emotional depth and intrigue. Siddiqui's debut is a powerful and evocative journey through the past and present, highlighting the enduring effects of history on identity and family.

Fue un libro tedioso de leer. Los saltos temporales no facilitaban la lectura y eran muy bruscos.
Aun asi, la autora tiene una buena pluma, por eso le doy 2 estrellas

I found the reading of HOUSE OF GLASS HEARTS to be a little uneven, particularly with the pacing. That said, I'd generally recommend to YA readers interested in the premise.

I’ve tried reading this book quite a few times and each time, I just cannot get into it. So for that I’m not going to be leaving a proper review..

House of Glass Hearts delves into the intricate tale of Maera, a Pakistani-American teenager unraveling the enigmatic layers of her family's past. The narrative unfolds through dual timelines, alternating between Maera's contemporary quest to locate her missing brother and her grandfather's story set in pre-Independence India. The novel adeptly explores the often-overlooked tragedies of South Asia's recent history, delving into intergenerational trauma and the painful awareness of a family history marked by unspoken sorrows, particularly the lingering impact of Partition. The strength of the book lies in its portrayal of Maera's grandfather, offering poignant insights into interreligious tensions, the complexities of the Indian freedom struggle, and the enduring anguish of Partition, interwoven with elements of Indian folklore and magical realism. While the historical aspects shine, the present-day narrative featuring Maera and her friends feels comparatively weaker, lacking depth and cohesion. The frenetic pace, a sprawling cast of characters, and rushed writing at times impede the novel's potential. Despite these challenges, House of Glass Hearts stands out for its creativity and uniqueness, showcasing the promising debut of author Leila Siddiqui, leaving readers eager for her future releases.

Leila Siddiqui's debut novel, "House of Glass Hearts," weaves a complex narrative that seamlessly blends history with myth, offering readers a poignant exploration of family secrets and the enduring impact of the past on the present. While the novel presents a compelling premise, it falls short of fully delivering on its ambitious storytelling.

The story revolves around Maera, a Pakistani-American teenager, whose family has buried the pain of the past deep within their hearts. The disappearance of her older brother, Asad, a decade ago remains an unspoken wound. When her grandfather passes away, a derelict greenhouse from her naana's house in Karachi mysteriously appears in Maera's backyard, unraveling the family's hidden traumas.

Siddiqui skillfully navigates between colonial India and present-day America, exploring the interconnected lives of characters as they grapple with the ghosts of history. The narrative is rich with cultural details, providing a vivid portrayal of South Asian heritage and the challenges faced by the diaspora.

However, the pacing of the story tends to be uneven, with moments of intensity giving way to slower, less engaging sections. The switches between timelines may leave readers occasionally disoriented, disrupting the flow of the narrative. Additionally, character development could have been more nuanced, as some individuals feel more like vessels for the overarching plot than fully realized personalities.

The novel's exploration of family secrets and the monsters within the grandfather's house of glass is intriguing, yet the resolution of these mysteries lacks the depth and emotional resonance that such a complex narrative demands. The potentially devastating secrets hinted at throughout the story are revealed in a somewhat hurried fashion, leaving some threads feeling unresolved.

In conclusion, "House of Glass Hearts" is a commendable debut that tackles significant themes of family, loss, and cultural identity. While the ambitious narrative and cultural exploration are notable, the uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters prevent the story from reaching its full potential. Despite its shortcomings, Siddiqui's novel offers a unique perspective on the lasting impact of history on the lives of South Asians across generations.

The plot in this book is absolutely brilliant. But the writing fell a little flat and also the characters were just so underdeveloped
There are huge inconsistencies too.

I really enjoyed this read. There were twists and turns and I was thoroughly entertained. I highly recommend… if you like that sort of thing. ;)

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Leila Siddiqui's House of Glass Hearts presents a tale of family, loss, and an eerie greenhouse that mysteriously appears in Maera's backyard. As she grapples with the disappearance of her brother, Asad, and the death of her grandfather, the narrative takes the reader on a journey through two intertwined stories, one set in Maera's time and the other in her grandfather's childhood. While the story has its moments, it faces several challenges that impact its overall quality.

The narrative starts at a slow pace, which may test the reader's patience. It eventually picks up speed towards the conclusion, but the initial pace can be a deterrent. The storytelling itself appears somewhat flat but is not without its merits. It seems geared toward a younger YA audience while exploring some dark themes. The combination of history, magic, action, and the emphasis on family creates a decent foundation for the story. While not exceptional, it weaves an intricate narrative.

One issue that hinders the reader's experience is the inconsistent quality of the two alternating timelines. The more compelling historical timeline overshadows the present-day narrative. The historical passages dive into colonial India's struggles, the horrors of the Partition, and interreligious tensions. They evoke emotions and provide a deeper understanding of the characters' shared trauma. The present-day narrative, on the other hand, lacks character development and depth, which becomes evident as Maera's trauma appears downplayed.

The writing style tends to struggle, especially in the present-day narrative. It lacks smooth transitions, making the storytelling feel disjointed and rushed. The characters, who should be the anchors of the narrative, come across as underdeveloped, particularly in the present-day portion of the story. Maera's emotional journey, while central to the plot, doesn't receive the depth it deserves.

Despite these challenges, the story manages to offer a blend of historical and fantastical elements that can be intriguing. The tale incorporates Indian and Pakistani folklore, specifically the inclusion of a churail, which adds an enticing supernatural component. The historical insights provided are eye-opening and informative.

House of Glass Hearts is a book with potential, but it is ultimately hindered by uneven writing and character development. While it may engage a younger YA audience, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more nuanced narrative.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I liked it, although the implicit Indian/Pakistani history made it a little sombre at points. What I liked best about this novel was its mystical components and how it perfectly blends myth and reality. The finale and Maera's persona fell flat for me, but it was still a fantastic book.

House of Glass Hearts is an enchanting tale that effortlessly weaves mystery and romance. With its easy-to-read prose and captivating characters, it keeps you hooked from the very first page. A genuine gem that takes you on a magical journey you won't want to end.

I hate to leave a 3 star rating on this but i didn't love it. don't get me wrong, the blurb was so well written and the book had good foundation but it had so much more potential for growth. The flashbacks confused me but that isn't unusual for me as a reader. The incorporation of Pakistani culture made me so happy as a reader.

House of Glass Hearts is a heartwarming story it’s about family, immigration, and history. I think it's so wonderful and long overdue to read own voices books like this and to diversify more the books being published every year, although I still think it’s just a dripping tap, when it needs to be a flood to represent the whole world. I highly recommend that you read this book, it’s intelligent, entertaining and just a great read


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I hate to leave such negative feedback but the only thing good was the cover. Sorry. This definitely wasn't for me. Or anyone.

The cover was gorgeous, the blurb was really drew me in to start with. Unfortunately, it all went a little downhill for me from there. The writing and editing was a little flat and uninspired, though the premise of the book had a good foundation. It was ok, but definitely had room for growth.

I really hoped to enjoy this one more than I did but it just fell flat. The plot was great but the writing didn't really draw me in.

Not at all happy with the book. The cover was really pretty, the blurb was fantastic. If the editor / writer had put more effort, the book would have turned out better. But it didn’t. So so disappointing.