**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.

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!

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 follows siblings Hannah and Zain following the death of their mother. They fly from the States to Cairo for the traditional Egyptian funeral that their mother would have wanted. This story follows the brother and sister in a dual perspective in the days, weeks, and months that follow, showing how they each live life with their grief and how it affects the decisions that they make.

This book is a masterclass in showing the range of ways that humans deal with grief, along with exploring what it means to be Egyptian-American, culturally, socially, and religiously. The dual perspective was really well written, helping us to understand the family dynamic in depth. The characters felt real. The author did a great job showing the characters imperfections, and having conversations that show what it is to be 'perfect' in the eyes of others, and the importance of getting to know the real person behind first impressions to find this out.

I would recommend Dust Settles North to those who enough character focused books, set between different countries, exploration of grief and family dynamics.

Thank you so much to NetGalleyUK and Bindery Books for an eARC of Dust Settles North in return for an honest review.

this was a good book! It had some good themes like family, grief, relationships, growth and moving on. Overall I think that book was well written and it did keep me entertained while reading. I think it was good

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

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.

DUST SETTLES NORTH is the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page. I picked it up hoping to learn more about the (mis)treatment of women in Egypt—but I didn’t expect it to teach me so much about grief, family, autonomy, and the power of collective action. The complexity of ElGenaidi’s characters and the tender, powerful way she explores what it means to live in a woman’s body is nothing short of breathtaking.

Thank you Bindery & Netgalley for an advance copy of this title.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was such an intimate glimpse into grief, identity, and desire through a pair of siblings that were just going through it in every possible way. The novel brought up culture, faith, the 3rd culture kid experience, revolution, and politics in a way that felt so natural. Both characters were able to convey that guilt that is difficult to put into words but seeps into every aspect of you when a family expectation or societal expectation isn't met. Zain was busy grappling with his inner world in America while Hannah was trying to ground herself to her outer world in Egypt. They kept making bad decisions and stumbled through their fraught relationships, but it was endearing to meet and know their story.
The perpetual outsider narrative has been done many times in stories similar to this, and each one, in my opinion, stitches a tapestry together of a cultural experience that can never fully be completed. These stories are typically written by children of immigrants rather than the immigrant parent or grandparent themselves and so, there will always be gaps and incomplete spaces. Some are due to generational gaps, the violent nature of colonization, suppression of dissent, and language barriers. So many immigrant stories are lost or misinterpreted and I appreciated that in this one, there are efforts to bridge that gap. This isn't just a story about siblings experiencing grief, it's also a haunting of a life that never was. Their mother was perpetually present and when we do briefly have her perspective, it's when she's young and in Egypt and about to change her entire life. There is a wisp of her life on the page and I loved the parallels between her and her daughter. Hannah being a part of demonstrations like she was when she was young was a really full circle moment. The ending did feel a bit too 'and then they all got along the end' but overall, I wasn't mad at where it left off. I could talk about this novel for a long time, so I am going to leave it there for you to pick up and see for yourself.

Definitely recommend picking this one up when it releases.

This book was heavy, and that was to be expected for sure. Topics of grief are a lot, but this author did an amazing job and I felt like I was in every room the characters were in which I really appreciated!

"Dust Settles North" transpires the all-encompassing notion of re-inventing your roots. It's a poignant story of making amends with your identity, embracing both its beauty and its contradictions. The novel uses nostalgia, grief and regret to craft this deeply intimate journey of personal identity. It navigates both geographically and morally inherited narratives, examining how history, culture, and personal choices shape our identities in a world where they are often ostracized. Through the struggles and choices of the characters, the novel also attempts to present a dewesternized understanding of Egypt. But rather than offering a polished or idealized portrayal, the author opens up conversations that challenge dominant narratives, allowing for a more nuanced and multifaceted exploration of Egypt, its people and Muslim lives in general. "Dust Settles North" intricately portrays the intersectionality of familial relationships, communal ties and religious obligations. The novel does not shy away from the complexities of familial relationships, nor does it offer easy resolutions. Instead, it embraces the contradictions of love and disappointment, duty and desire, acceptance and resistance. There’s a quiet but profound sense of reckoning—making amends with the self, with the flawed, less idealized versions of your parents and your way of practicing your spirituality.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bindery Books, for the ARC.

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

an enthralling tale of familial love and rebellion set against the backdrop of the Arab spring in Egypt. i particularly enjoyed the worldbuilding and character development, the cast of characters was loveable and diverse

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

"Dust Settles North" is a not a story that nudges, that prods at it's readers with gentle murmurings of ideas about grief; no, "Dust Settles North" is a story that shoves, that upends, pushing aside preconceived assumptions of diaspora stories and comingling ideas of grief and revolution.

One of my biggest pet peeves with BIPOC diasporic stories is when the story makes an overly concerted attempt to have readers feel empathy for it's main characters, but that was very much not the case with "Dust Settles North." Neither Hannah nor Zain are morally good or morally bad people and in fact there are moments when they make grating choices that readers will certainly not agree with; but throughout the strife, they are simply humans trying their best, making mistakes along the way, a thread that runs clearly through the heart of the story. The duality in how these siblings handle grief reflects an astute character study in both hierarchy within their Egyptian American family structure, as well as reflecting the diametrically opposing environment they exist within. Concurrently, neither of their characterizations fall into the realm of flat stereotypes, forming multi-faceted characters who are not solely defined by their identity.

Zain is the eldest son in an Egyptian American and Muslim family and although those characteristics frame a majority of his psyche, his character arc is ALSO a study on lack of directionality due to career burn-out, the natural evolution of self-pity into self-sabotage, and the dedicated effort required to break the toxic "Sad Boi" mold. And the same can be said of Hannah: being the only daughter in a Muslim Egyptian American family is an intrinsic part of who she is, but her story also focuses on the diasporic feeling of being between two cultures, an unrelenting yearning to understand the culture of her ancestors, and the messiness of sex as a coping mechanism. The wealth of modalities both these characters hold never overwhelms their storylines, seamlessly blending in and out of their arcs with ease.

And on top of that, the author sets the messy chaos of these characters in the backdrop of an Egypt that is on the brink of political upheaval; the story never has to say it outright, but every aspect these characters, big or small, is inherently political. Hannah mildly uncomfortable at the bar with her newfound acquaintances casually saying Israel instead of Palestine, Zain getting constantly passed over for important stories by his white boss, Hannah second guessing the intentions of every man she meets, Zain's enduring Islamic guilt at his self-destructive behaviors, and the list goes on and on. Ergo, while both are on vastly different paths, both Hannah's and Zain's destinations seamlessly point toward revolution.

My only critique would be in the structure of the dialogue, which oftentimes sped through and condensed conversation points in moments when it felt like expansion of back and forth dialogue was necessary. But otherwise, I enjoyed this book immensely and will most definitely be keeping my eye on what this author writes next.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

Firstly, wow that's a gorgeous cover!!

Besides that, the novel itself was really powerful. Deena did a really fantastic job expressing grief and how it is such a universal but unique experience at the same time. The storytelling between the siblings' points of views was also done really well, showcasing how they were dealing with their mom's death and dad's secrets in different ways. I loved how we deep dove into the characters' ideas of what a family should look like vs what their family is actually like (and the family dynamics were very realistic and comparable to mine).

The novel also is about the first-gen American experience, and how the characters never felt American nor Egyptian enough in either country, never feeling like they belong anywhere. It was inspiring seeing them try to find their own ways to connect to their background as well as find their own purposes. The ending felt slightly rushed and I honestly wished I could have kept reading their story!

A quiet, heartfelt read focusing on human connection.

Dust Settles North is a beautifully written, slow-paced and emotional story about grief, relationships, identity, and everything that ties those themes together. It’s one of those books that doesn’t rely on plot twists—instead, it leans into the characters and lets their development speak for itself. I’d definitely call it more character-driven than plot-heavy, which is what makes the book so intriguing for me.

The book is written in dual POV of a brother and a sister navigating their grief after their mother’s sudden passing. I always enjoy a good dual POV, and I found myself constantly looking forward to getting more of the other character’s perspective. Both voices were distinct and layered, and even though I had a stronger preference for Hannah over Zain, I have to admit it worked really well.

The characters themselves are lovely—diverse, flawed, and easy to care about. I especially appreciated how real their emotions felt. The way the author explores grief is wonderful; it’s raw, quiet, and not easily resolved, reflecting on real life process of loss really well. There’s a softness in how these people are written, which makes their journeys all the more touching.
The writing style is gentle, reflective, and at times a bit poetic, which suits the story perfectly. Even though the pacing is slow, I never got bored—there was something so comforting about just being in these characters’ heads and watching them try to move through pain and find their place in life. In a way the book feels like a coming of age story for people in their twenties.

If you’re in the mood for something soft, emotional, and focused on connection rather than action, I’d recommend giving this one a try.

Thank you to Bindery Books | Boundless Press and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

This being my first introduction to post revolution Egypt, the novel did a fairly good job of keeping me intrigued with snippets of the happenings, the political scene and the repercussions. But the cynosure of the story is the emotional journey of siblings, Hannah and Zain, who are discovering entirely new facets to themselves after losing their mother. The emotional turmoil of both characters are well expressed through their actions and their internal dialogues. They are both processing grief, anger, loss and other big emotions. It was heartening to see that the author held space for their feelings throughout the book and it was never dismissed. The pacing is slow, but justified given the nature of the narrative. The story is not as much about the external revolution and development as the inherent conflicts of two siblings and their growth as individuals. Looking forward to more work by the author.

This is a fascinating book and I enjoyed the writing style. Currently I think this book is going to be a bit too triggering for me. The cover is so neat and this is such a cool book that I am looking forward to purchasing it when I have the funds in the future, as I want this book on my shelves. I heavily enjoyed the portion I sampled. It is multiple POV and written in a way that pulled me in and made me want more.

When I am able to and ready, I am beyond excited to purchase this book to add to my shelf!

Thank you for approving me for this free eARC and allowing me to sample this story. I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily. Thank you!!!

Hannah and Zain are grappling with the loss of their mother and trying to piece together what life looks like after that.

Let me just say—I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

Going into the book, I was not familiar with events that happened in 2012 post-revolution Egypt, so I gravitated towards it for this reason as well as the exploration of dealing with grief.

On grief, I’ve personally learned secrets tend to come out and navigating life after loss is “weird.” I find both apply for this story. Hannah and Zain find out a secret from their dad’s life that contributes to this downward spiral we tend go down after losing someone special. The dual perspective storytelling added depth and allowed you to observe how each sibling is processing their grief and the changes that are a result of that.

Beyond grief, the book also weaves in themes of cultural expectations, political unrest, and religion. These elements were handled in a beautiful way that enriched the narrative.

Overall, I enjoyed the read and think it was beautifully written that felt layered and authentic. I also enjoyed getting to see the character growth along the way. I would gladly recommend this book. I will be on the lookout for any of Deena ElGenaidi’s future projects.

Many thanks to Bindery Books, Boundless Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC of Dust Settles North by Deena ElGenaidi, as the premise/concept of the novel sounded so unique and interesting. This book features the story of two siblings who must navigate a monumental loss in their lives (losing their mother) and the grief that follows as a result. The siblings, Hannah and Zain, must travel from New York to Cairo where their mother is being laid to rest. The year is 2012 and Egypt is undergoing important changes as a result of the political revolution that occurred. Hannah and Zain must navigate their relationship with each other as siblings who have been distant from each other for a while, and after a betrayal by their father, they must also process this as well. Hannah ends up staying in Egypt while Zain moves back to New York. In regards to the story, I really like how the author did not shy away from exploring the dynamics of difficult family relationships. She did a really good job of this in the book. I also enjoyed the characterization of Hannah and Zain as I found them both to be very relatable and real characters. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who enjoys novels that explore complex emotions like grief and difficult family relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in September. This book was stunning. It's about grief, revolution, faith and finding yourself set partially in the midst of the Arab spring in Egypt. I'm having a lot of feelings about it. I absolutely adored Hannah.

I absolutely love this book. The sisterly relationship and they navigated Egyptian-American environments and identities were inspirational and moving. There was a lot of subtle political commentary that emphasized the personal experiences and ramifications of large, global situations.

Really liked the alternating povs between the siblings and occasional time jumps to give a glimpse into their family history. Loved reading about the diaspora experience and visiting your home country, while realising you don’t fit into any countries. The glimpses into Egypts political situation in 2012 and Hannahs feelings towards her home country were very immersive. Also one of the aspects was grief and we see this throughout the book as well as seeing how each member of the family deals differently with their grief.

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5 Stars – Quietly Powerful, Unforgettably Human

Dust Settles North is one of those rare books that speaks in a whisper but leaves an echo. With sparse, elegant prose and aching emotional honesty, it tells a story of resilience, place, and the quiet reckonings that shape a life.

Set against a rugged, windswept backdrop, the novel captures the stark beauty of isolation and the fragile strength of connection. Every character feels real—weathered by grief, memory, and silence—but never hollow. There's a stillness to the narrative that invites reflection, yet it never feels slow. It’s simply… true.

This is literary fiction at its best: intimate, atmospheric, and quietly devastating in all the right ways.

Bottom line: Dust Settles North is a breathtaking meditation on loss and survival. Poetic, grounded, and deeply moving—a must-read for fans of contemplative storytelling.

I'll start by saying thank you so much to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💚

I was really glad when I got the ARC since the premise sounded fascinating.
I especially enjoyed the story and following the lives of Zain and Hannah.
I do think this book would deserve a bit of work since you find a lot of repetition and there's a mix of way more showing than telling that made me question why so much time was spent on some scenes and barely a paragraph on others.
I will definitely follow this authors journey as this debut shows a lot of promise for a great voice in storytelling 💚💚