Publish date: 7th July 2026
A short, sad spiral into the grief of losing a family member. ‘The Weight of One Pomegranate’ is a book that sits with you during the dark moments.
The timing, for me, was serendipitous. Unintentionally, I read this on the anniversary of my father’s passing and as such, my experience may be different to the average reader. However, the descriptions of what Isadora and her family go through feel realistic and heavy.
Add to that an exploration into queerness and heavy clues that the family is neurodivergent, this book may speak deeply to some and not others. I think that’s part of what makes it special – we all have that favourite book that hits us differently to our peers.
The plot is simple enough. Isadora’s older sister dies and she starts to learn who the woman was beyond the child she knew and their relationship together. There really isn’t much more to add.
My only criticism is that this book limits itself as a YA read. Sure, it has a young, female protagonist who is coming into herself. However, the themes transcend the typical YA audience and resonate with older readers who are more likely to have experienced loss. Neurodivergent and queer readers who are just learning about their new identity will also appreciate this, regardless of age.
Overall, this was a great but sad book. It’s not for everyone – keep the tissues handy.
| Criteria | Scores | Our Score |
| Artistic Achievement | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Pacing | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Characters | 1 – 5 | 5 |
| Writing Style | 1 – 5 | 3 |
| Originality | 1 – 5 | 4 |
Written By: ivetafox
Favourite Game – Long Live the Queen || Favourite Film – Sweeney Todd || Favourite Book – Wuthering Heights
About: Ivy is a disabled, autistic writer from the UK, passionate about inclusive gaming. When not reviewing, she can be found writing short stories and micro fiction or reading the latest gothic novel.
Donate: https://ko-fi.com/storiesbyivy
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