This was stunning! Such a beautiful exploration of navigating grief and I love the muslim/Arab representation, especially as it pertains to being multicultural. Found myself loving the characters and couldn't put it down.

3.5 rounded up

Dust Settles North follows the story of siblings Hannah and Zain as they return to Egypt after the death of their mother. Set against the backdrop of the 2011 Egyptian protests, the story explores their struggles with grief, identity, and family secrets, as well as their attempts to reconcile their lives as second-generation immigrants with their cultural heritage.

I found the book to be engaging, with fairly complex and relatable characters. The author does a great job of exploring the characters' struggles with their roots and identities, and the siblings' journey of confronting not only their parents' flaws but also their own, as they grapple with (self-)forgiveness and (self-)acceptance.

The novel addresses a wide range of themes, touching on both personal and collective issues, which is exactly what I was hoping to find when I picked up this book. These include the challenges of second-generation immigrant identity, hypocrisy in religious parents, different ways of dealing with grief (whether through escapism, avoidance, or substance abuse) and societal struggles, such as the limited opportunities for women and the challenge of practicing religion in modern society. The setting of Egypt during the protests added a lot to the story and it was great to be able to learn more about it.

There were a few things I found a bit repetitive. The "good Muslim/bad Muslim" dichotomy and the "not fully Egyptian, not fully American" identity crisis were revisited quite a bit, and a while these issues are certainly important (especially to the characters) I think they could have been explored in a more nuanced way.

Another point I struggled with was how the relationship between the siblings and their mother was portrayed. While it was clear that they were grieving her loss, the book doesn’t really delve much into their relationship before her death. The flashbacks we do get are often negative, depicting her as nagging or difficult, which made it harder to see the deeper connection they shared. It reminded me a bit of Crying in H Mart, where the relationship with the mother is also complex and largely focused on the negative aspects, yet there’s an underlying love that is felt despite the portrayal.

One last and very minor thing that I found a bit annoying was the way Egypt was referred to so broadly - the characters always talk of “Egypt” and “Egyptian people”, with the exception of Tahrir which is the only exact geographical point we’re given - which felt too general for a country so big and diverse. I think the author perhaps took it for granted that readers would understand that the story is set in Cairo, but the constant referral to all settings as just “Egypt” seemed a bit superficial.

All in all, Dust Settles North was an enjoyable read for me. There are areas where the book could have delved deeper, especially in the portrayal of relationships and the setting, but other than that I found it an insightful novel that deals with complex themes of family, identity, and grief in a graceful way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dust Settles North is Deena ElGenaidi’s debut novel, following two siblings as they travel to Egypt to bury their mother and uncover their father’s betrayal. While Hannah chooses to stay and immerse herself in a new culture, back in America Zain struggles with self-destructive behaviour that forces him to confront his identity and choices.

I found this book truly inspiring. It delves into post-revolution Egypt, exploring politics, grief, family dynamics, religion, and relationships. The novel masterfully portrays how young siblings navigate their sense of self, and societal struggles. The feminist and political themes are particularly hard-hitting, making it impossible to put the book down.

Watching these characters evolve throughout the story makes this coming-of-age novel both relatable and thought provoking. The book is beautifully written, engaging and educational.

I’m eager to read more from Deena ElGenaidi in the future and would highly recommend Dust Settles North to everyone.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Bindery Books for a free gifted digital copy of this book!

**Dust Settles North** by Deena ElGenaidi is a novel primarily set during the Arab Spring in Egypt. Like the broader Middle East and North Africa, the characters in this story yearn for change but are stymied by the complexities of life, family, grief, relationships, and politics.

The narrative centers on sibling protagonists Hannah and Zain, who travel to Egypt in 2012 following their mother’s unexpected death in the United States. Hannah chooses to abandon her plans for law school to remain in Egypt, while Zain grapples with his own set of challeneges.

This novel delves into intricate themes of loss, religion, relationships, and politics. It serves as a coming-of-age story for a family, and perhaps for an entire region.

I recommened this family drama. Readers who appreciate works like Kaveh Akbar’s *Martyr*, Aria Aber’s *Good Girl*, Mariam Rahmani’s *Liquid*, or Noor Naga’s *If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English* will likely enjoy this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books | Boundless Press for the advanced reading copy.