Honestly, if you haven't read Adiba Jaigirdar’s debut, you’re missing out on one of the rawest portrayals of being a teenager in the 2020s. We're talking about Nishat the Henna Wars age 16, a character who basically carries the weight of two worlds on her shoulders while trying to figure out if her crush is actually her soulmate or just a cultural vulture.
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s Dublin-set and unapologetically Bengali.
Most YA novels try to polish the "coming out" experience into something sparkly and eventually triumphant. But for Nishat, it starts with a silence so heavy it practically vibrates off the page. At 16, she’s at that volatile age where you're old enough to know who you are but young enough to still desperately need your parents to like that person.
The Reality of Nishat the Henna Wars Age 16
When we meet Nishat, she’s 16 and navigating her Transition Year at a Catholic school in Ireland. If you aren't familiar with the Irish school system, Transition Year is basically a bridge between the junior and senior cycles—a time for "personal development." For Nishat, that development involves coming out to her Muslim parents and watching their hearts break in real-time.
They don't kick her out. They don't scream. They just... stop seeing her.
They tell her she can be anything she wants—as long as she isn't a lesbian. That specific brand of "polite" rejection is something a lot of queer kids of color recognize instantly. It's the "we'll just pretend you didn't say that" defense.
Then comes the school business competition.
Nishat decides to launch a henna business. It’s her connection to her grandmother, her culture, and her identity. But then Flávia—her childhood friend and current massive crush—decides to start a rival henna stall.
Why the Age 16 Matters So Much
Sixteen is a weird age. You’re legally a "child," but you’re making adult-level decisions about your identity and your future. In Nishat the Henna Wars age 16, that age acts as a pressure cooker.
Nishat is stubborn. She’s often petty. She makes mistakes that make you want to reach into the book and shake her. But that's exactly why the book works. If she were 18 or 19, her choices might feel more calculated. At 16, they feel like survival.
The Cultural Appropriation Debate
The "war" in the title isn't just about who can draw a better flower on someone's palm. It’s about who has the right to profit from a culture. When Flávia (who is biracial Black-Brazilian and Irish) starts her henna business, Nishat is rightfully livid.
- Nishat's view: This is my heritage. My grandmother taught me this. You're using it as a trendy accessory for a school project.
- Flávia's view: It’s art. It’s beautiful. Why can’t I share in that beauty?
Jaigirdar doesn't give you the easy way out here. She forces you to sit with Nishat’s anger. You see how it feels when someone takes a piece of your home, slaps a price tag on it, and gets praised for being "exotic" while you're still being bullied for the way your lunch smells.
High Stakes and Heartbreak
The bullying in this book isn't just "mean girl" energy. It’s systemic.
Chyna, Flávia’s cousin, is the primary antagonist, and she is genuinely terrifying because her racism is so casual. She's the one who spread rumors about Nishat's family's food. She’s the one who creates an environment where Nishat feels like a perpetual outsider.
And then there's the outing.
Halfway through the story, Nishat is publicly outed to the entire school via an anonymous text. At 16, your school is your entire world. Having your most private truth broadcast to a bunch of judgmental teenagers is a nightmare scenario.
But wait. There's a silver lining.
Priti, Nishat's younger sister, is arguably the best character in the book. Their bond is the actual heartbeat of the story. While their parents are struggling to accept Nishat, Priti is the bridge. She’s the one setting up Instagram accounts, stealing henna tubes (bad idea, but points for loyalty), and making sure Nishat doesn't drown in the isolation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Nishat
A lot of readers go into this expecting a "cute" rom-com because the cover is bright and floral.
Don't be fooled.
This isn't Heartstopper. It’s a lot grittier than that. It deals with the intersection of homophobia and racism in a way that feels incredibly specific to the immigrant experience. You’re not just rooting for the girl to get the girl; you’re rooting for the girl to keep her family without losing herself.
The Competition
The business competition serves as a backdrop for all this internal drama. The winner gets 1,000 Euros. For a 16-year-old, that’s life-changing money. But for Nishat, the money is secondary to the validation. She needs to prove that her culture—and by extension, herself—is worth something in a space that constantly tells her she doesn't belong.
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Key Takeaways for Readers
If you're picking up The Henna Wars for the first time, keep these things in mind:
- Nishat is an unreliable narrator of her own emotions. She’s 16. She’s hormonal. She’s hurt. She’s going to be mean to people who don't deserve it sometimes.
- The romance is secondary to the family. The "happy ending" isn't just a kiss in a restaurant; it's the slow, painful process of a mother and daughter trying to find a new way to speak to each other.
- It’s a lesson in boundaries. It teaches you that you don't owe everyone an explanation of your culture, but you do owe yourself the right to protect it.
How to Apply These Themes Today
You don't have to be a 16-year-old in Dublin to learn from Nishat’s story. Whether you’re an artist, a student, or just someone trying to navigate a workplace, the lessons about standing your ground are universal.
Basically, the "wars" aren't won by being the loudest or the most successful. They’re won by the people who refuse to be erased.
If you want to dive deeper into these themes, start by looking at your own "henna." What are the things about your identity that you’re afraid to show? How can you protect those things while still being open to connection?
Check out more from Adiba Jaigirdar, especially Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating, if you want more of that specific, brilliant Bangladeshi-Irish perspective. You’ll see that Nishat the Henna Wars age 16 was just the beginning of a much larger conversation about what it means to be young, queer, and South Asian today.
To get the most out of this story, read it with a focus on the dialogue between Nishat and her sister Priti. It's the most authentic part of the book. Pay attention to how they code-switch between their home life and their school life. It’s a masterclass in character development that doesn't need a single explosion or high-speed chase to keep you hooked.