Jihad is an aspiring artist living with the grief of her murdered mother and its impact on her family. Her father is in denial, and her older sister has moved away, married and become pregnant. For her final year, she attends Braxton Academy to improve her chances of getting into art school. Her only friend, Alexis, attends too, but from the first day she arrives wearing her hijab and trousers she is the ‘different one’, and the prejudice becomes persistent and violent. Over the year, her friendship with Alexis frays while her relationship with Jamie blossoms. Overarching this is Jihad’s art which is magical.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The ocean becomes a powerful symbol of escape and emotional depth. Katouh uses vivid imagery to immerse the reader. The pacing is gentle but deliberate, allowing readers to sit with Jihad’s emotions.

Jihad’s path to healing is not simple, but an ongoing process. Other characters add nuance, offering views on love, loss and resilience.

At times, the introspective style may feel slow for readers who prefer fast-paced plots, but it suits the novel’s reflective tone. The emotional depth more than compensates for quieter moments.

This is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant novel that lingers after the final page. While listed as YA, it also resonates with adults. If you enjoy this, I would recommend Katouh’s first novel As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow.

Reviewed by Anthony Llewelyn Evans
Age Guide 12+

Read our review of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zoulfa Katouh is a Canadian writer with Syrian roots. A trilingual pharmacist, currently pursuing a master’s in drug sciences, Zoulfa is the first Syrian author to be published in both the US and the UK in the young adult category. When she’s not talking to herself in the woodland forest, she’s drinking iced coffee, baking aesthetic cookies and cakes, and telling everyone who will listen about how BTS paved the way. A dream of hers is to get Kim Nam-joon to read one of her books. As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow was her debut novel.

Visit Zoulfa Katouh’s website here.

Follow Zoulfa Katouh on Instagram here.

Read more about The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue on the publisher’s website here.