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Queen of the Tiles
by
They Wish They Were Us meets The Queen’s Gambit in the world of competitive Scrabble when a teen girl is forced to investigate the mysterious death of her best friend a year after the fact when her Instagram comes back to life with cryptic posts and messages.
CATALYST
13 points
noun: a person or thing that precipitates an event or change
When Najwa Bakri walks into her firs ...more
CATALYST
13 points
noun: a person or thing that precipitates an event or change
When Najwa Bakri walks into her firs ...more
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Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published
April 19th 2022
by Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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Sydney | sydneys.books
I mean, this book is also a YA thriller, so I would say the two could be comped
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Queen of the Tiles

This is the first book I've read by Hanna Alkaf which I've always wanted to try. Too bad, her previous genres were not really up to my alley. But as soon as I found out we'd be getting a mystery-themed on a Scrabble game, I knew I couldn't pass it up.
And as a first-timer, I am blown away by her writing. I think it was what kept me going into binge-read this in five hours. I am so amazed by her choice of words, her metaphors inkling with the Malay culture were so inventive yet it was so easy to ...more
And as a first-timer, I am blown away by her writing. I think it was what kept me going into binge-read this in five hours. I am so amazed by her choice of words, her metaphors inkling with the Malay culture were so inventive yet it was so easy to ...more

I mean...I wrote it, so.
ALSO, if you're looking for content warnings: On-page death, descriptions of anxiety/PTSD/panic attacks, discussions of grief and loss. ...more
ALSO, if you're looking for content warnings: On-page death, descriptions of anxiety/PTSD/panic attacks, discussions of grief and loss. ...more

it took me awhile to get into the book but after the halfway mark i got really invested! i loved the wordplay and never imagined enjoying a mystery revolving around scrabble
the diversity !! was amazing !! and it was set in malaysia which is such a nice change of scenery compared to typical setting in the US.
also the anxiety rep and how grief was handled in here >>>
i definitely will be reading more books by this author
RTC
(3.5⭐)
Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange f ...more
the diversity !! was amazing !! and it was set in malaysia which is such a nice change of scenery compared to typical setting in the US.
also the anxiety rep and how grief was handled in here >>>
i definitely will be reading more books by this author
RTC
(3.5⭐)
Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange f ...more

ICONIC UNPARALLELED PEERLESS SUPERLATIVE INIMITABLE MASTERPIECE SENSATION
Hanna Alkaf digs deep into the complexities of flawed friendships, jealousy, anger, trauma, and grief using Scrabble of all things, and she does it masterfully. I started reading this literally three hours ago and read it in one sitting. I simply couldn't put it down.
Some favorite things:
⤁ It's a murder mystery featuring a Muslim hijabi protagonist! What's not to love?
⤁ The absolute nerdiness of this book's entire concept ...more
Hanna Alkaf digs deep into the complexities of flawed friendships, jealousy, anger, trauma, and grief using Scrabble of all things, and she does it masterfully. I started reading this literally three hours ago and read it in one sitting. I simply couldn't put it down.
Some favorite things:
⤁ It's a murder mystery featuring a Muslim hijabi protagonist! What's not to love?
⤁ The absolute nerdiness of this book's entire concept ...more

Jun 29, 2021
⛅ Saniya (sunnysidereviews) ⛅
is currently reading it
-Murder mystery
-Muslim MC
-Malaysian rep
-SCRABBLE Competition!!
As someone who has been obsessed with scrabble since the start of time, I am beyond excited for this!
-Muslim MC
-Malaysian rep
-SCRABBLE Competition!!
As someone who has been obsessed with scrabble since the start of time, I am beyond excited for this!

❀ blog ❀ thestorygraph ❀ letterboxd ❀ tumblr ❀ ko-fi ❀
3 ¼ stars
Queen of the Tiles is an entertaining mystery romp that belongs to that subgenre of YA books that combines a whodunnit type of storyline with the kind of teen dynamics at play in Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. Similarly to a lot of these books, Queen of the Tiles takes place in a ‘confined’ setting, but rather than ...more
3 ¼ stars
“But life, like Scrabble, is like that—you get the rack you get, and you just have to figure out how to make do.”
Queen of the Tiles is an entertaining mystery romp that belongs to that subgenre of YA books that combines a whodunnit type of storyline with the kind of teen dynamics at play in Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. Similarly to a lot of these books, Queen of the Tiles takes place in a ‘confined’ setting, but rather than ...more
![laurel [the suspected bibliophile]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1645808644p2/7494844.jpg)
Okay, so it gets a little ridiculous, but it's still engaging as hell, and filled with twisty, turny plot-twists that rival a 90s teen slasher film (minus the slashing). Plus, it has Scrabble, and an interesting take on a locked room murder mystery where the murder happened a year ago and the detective was a witness but also has trauma-based amnesia from watching her best friend die suddenly in front of her.
It's a solid read, with a lot of crossover appeal between MG and YA readers.
Full RTC.
I re ...more
It's a solid read, with a lot of crossover appeal between MG and YA readers.
Full RTC.
I re ...more

*Muslim me who loves playing Scrabble*
AHH GIVE IT TO ME! 😍
AHH GIVE IT TO ME! 😍

Apr 14, 2022
A Book Shrew
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
hall-of-fame,
arc-reads
ENTHRALLED
14 Points
Definition - how I felt inhaling this book
Full review and more at A Book Shrew
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC!
I wasn't really sure what to expect of a book described as The Queen's Gambit but with Scrabble and murder, but I do know I am incredibly thrilled that this fell into my lap. This is a murder mystery that takes place over the course of a Scrabble weekend tournament in a Malaysian hotel, exactly one year after the so-called Queen of Tiles Trina ...more
14 Points
Definition - how I felt inhaling this book
Full review and more at A Book Shrew
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC!
I wasn't really sure what to expect of a book described as The Queen's Gambit but with Scrabble and murder, but I do know I am incredibly thrilled that this fell into my lap. This is a murder mystery that takes place over the course of a Scrabble weekend tournament in a Malaysian hotel, exactly one year after the so-called Queen of Tiles Trina ...more

Hello, I was NOT expecting a murder mystery. This was so fast-paced, I was sucked in immediately and couldn't put it down. Was also not expecting to be so invested in a Scrabble competition, but there I was, on the edge of my seat along with the other characters.
I've always been a huge fan of the way Hanna Alkaf writes, and after The Weight of Our Sky, I had high hopes for this one and it absolutely delivered. Seeing a hijabi MC in a very nerdy setting was so soothing for my soul (I also went t ...more
I've always been a huge fan of the way Hanna Alkaf writes, and after The Weight of Our Sky, I had high hopes for this one and it absolutely delivered. Seeing a hijabi MC in a very nerdy setting was so soothing for my soul (I also went t ...more

“But life, like Scrabble, is like that—you get the rack you get, and you just have to figure out how to make do.”
TW: death, grief, mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, toxic friendship.
I feel like I'm one of the only people that didn't super enjoy this (that's a good thing!) so I'm going to keep this review pretty short.
The positive first: the set-up for this story was awesome. A murder mystery set against the backdrop of competitive scrabble? How cool and nerdy is that? The scrabble aspect ...more
TW: death, grief, mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, toxic friendship.
I feel like I'm one of the only people that didn't super enjoy this (that's a good thing!) so I'm going to keep this review pretty short.
The positive first: the set-up for this story was awesome. A murder mystery set against the backdrop of competitive scrabble? How cool and nerdy is that? The scrabble aspect ...more

Mar 16, 2022
Spens (Sphynx Reads)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
for-rereading,
standalones,
favorites,
2022-reads,
contemporary,
young-adult,
mystery-thriller
👑QUEEN OF THE TILES by Hanna Alkaf
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔠 I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
👑 This was an absolute delight to read! Being only my first Hanna Alkaf read, I was completely blown away by her writing style, instantly making her an auto-read author for me. Very accessible yet consistently engaging and intelligent, Alkaf's writing is a force to be reckoned with. I am still in shock at how well-written this book was.
🔠 I thoroughly enjoyed this page-turner ...more
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔠 I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
👑 This was an absolute delight to read! Being only my first Hanna Alkaf read, I was completely blown away by her writing style, instantly making her an auto-read author for me. Very accessible yet consistently engaging and intelligent, Alkaf's writing is a force to be reckoned with. I am still in shock at how well-written this book was.
🔠 I thoroughly enjoyed this page-turner ...more

“I think about life within Scrabble at its center and shiver. Without this world, what am I?”
Actual rating: 4.5/5 nerdy stars 🌟
*slow claps*
Hanna Alkaf has once again successfully captured all of my heart and attention in this YA murder mystery with all of its thrill and drama. I was always at the edge of my seat being every chapter ending with a cliffhanger and beginning with a word (creatively along with Scrabble points and meaning) that is somehow related to each chapter’s story. I was so ...more
Actual rating: 4.5/5 nerdy stars 🌟
*slow claps*
Hanna Alkaf has once again successfully captured all of my heart and attention in this YA murder mystery with all of its thrill and drama. I was always at the edge of my seat being every chapter ending with a cliffhanger and beginning with a word (creatively along with Scrabble points and meaning) that is somehow related to each chapter’s story. I was so ...more

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Queen of the Tiles takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our main character is a hijabi Muslim teenager named Najwa. It's been a year since Najwa's best friend Trina—Queen of the Tiles—died suddenly during a Scrabble tournament. Najwa is now determined to win the Scrabble competition to honour her late best friend. But things get complicated when Trina's inactive Instagram account starts posting cryptic messages, implying that Tr ...more
Queen of the Tiles takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our main character is a hijabi Muslim teenager named Najwa. It's been a year since Najwa's best friend Trina—Queen of the Tiles—died suddenly during a Scrabble tournament. Najwa is now determined to win the Scrabble competition to honour her late best friend. But things get complicated when Trina's inactive Instagram account starts posting cryptic messages, implying that Tr ...more

Honestly? This book gave me hope of finding a murderer even when I have no idea (to this day) how to spell schedule.

Feb 14, 2021
rachel ☾
marked it as to-read
When cryptic messages begin appearing on a dead girls' social media account during an international scrabble championship in Malaysia, a girl must investigate the mysterious circumstances of her best friend's death and uncover the truth before a would-be killer strikes again.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • Twitter • Instagram ...more

Woah! This sounds great. Can't wait until this releases.
...more

THE COVER!!!
...more


May 01, 2022
Amanda at Bookish Brews
added it

Read my full review and others here: https://teatimelit.com/
When I first heard about Queen of the Tiles, I could not have been more excited! The game of Scrabble is very important to my family — we play Scrabble on practically every major holiday and birthday. I’ve been playing since I was about seven, and there have been many heated debates between my family members on which words can and cannot be played. We take Scrabble very seriously in my household, so the second I found out there was a YA ...more
When I first heard about Queen of the Tiles, I could not have been more excited! The game of Scrabble is very important to my family — we play Scrabble on practically every major holiday and birthday. I’ve been playing since I was about seven, and there have been many heated debates between my family members on which words can and cannot be played. We take Scrabble very seriously in my household, so the second I found out there was a YA ...more

Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf is a smashing read about Scrabble, game strategy and solving the mystery behind the death of a Scrabble champion. Set a year after the tragedy, these Scrabble enthusiasts join together for a brand new competition until sparks start to roam around the dead girl's social media. They say the murderer is roaming around, looking for a new prey but who is behind it all?
This is truly a book like none other I've read before and fans of words like me would really enjoy t ...more
This is truly a book like none other I've read before and fans of words like me would really enjoy t ...more

4/5 stars.
I loved this so much, the suspense and the exploration of grief and the whole mystery of it all was just so good.
I loved this so much, the suspense and the exploration of grief and the whole mystery of it all was just so good.

Scrabble competitions, set in Malaysia, and a murder mystery? Add that cover, and I was over-the-moon when I got my hands on an ARC copy of this one.
Najwa is suffering panic attacks due to the trauma of watching her best friend and Scrabble champion, Trina, suddenly die at the end of a scrabble match right in front of her. Although the death happened a year before, the cause never came to light. A year later, Najwa tries to regain a hold on her life and re-enters the Scrabble scene after a long ...more
Najwa is suffering panic attacks due to the trauma of watching her best friend and Scrabble champion, Trina, suddenly die at the end of a scrabble match right in front of her. Although the death happened a year before, the cause never came to light. A year later, Najwa tries to regain a hold on her life and re-enters the Scrabble scene after a long ...more

Everyone dreams of uninterrupted reading time, but let me tell you that 3 hours in the emergency waiting for my kid to be seen is not it. (InshaAllah she'll be okay, still waiting to see a doc. Du'as pls!)
But hey, I got to finish to finish "Queen of the Tiles," by Hana Alkaf! This brilliant YA whodunit, featuring Scrabble and murder, was thoroughly enjoyable - although, despite the hijabi on the cover, not particularly Muslamic. The story is set in Malaysia, the main character is a Malay hijabi, ...more
But hey, I got to finish to finish "Queen of the Tiles," by Hana Alkaf! This brilliant YA whodunit, featuring Scrabble and murder, was thoroughly enjoyable - although, despite the hijabi on the cover, not particularly Muslamic. The story is set in Malaysia, the main character is a Malay hijabi, ...more

A fantastic and engaging mystery set at a Scrabble tournament. Dig into twisty, sometimes toxic, friendships, a clever and imperfect main character, and tremendous word nerdery. I love Alkaf's writing and settings in Malaysia as well as Alkaf's thoughtful depictions of grief, anxiety, and other emotional/mental health experiences.
...more
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