2.82k reviews for:

Squire

Nadia Shammas

4.16 AVERAGE

rampaginglibrarian's review

3.75

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

teii's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

noorandbooks's review against another edition

5.0

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A story on war, oppression, dehumanization, and the struggle for truth above all. Colonization is a cycle...



That you are either complicit in, partaking in, or fighting against.



Anyone can become complicit. Anyone can partake in it. Anyone can be the oppressor.



It's easier to stay blind.


(that sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?)

But anyone can stand up against it. Anyone can stand for the truth.



Off topic for a moment, but the representation of this book felt so real to me. It was gruesome and painful and so, very real. I felt like I was seeing myself across the pages, slowly trying to unlearn all the lies I've been taught in my life. I also adored the use of Arabic - untranslated, and in one particular scene, hauntingly perfect.

I don't think I can praise the story enough, so I'll let the novel speak for itself. I want to leave Nadia Shammas's last words in her afterword, Squire and History:

No more orcs. No magical chosen ones. Just people learning how to unlearn the justifications of colonialism and finding their way. Each of us must find our own way there: It's my hope that you found something in this book to help you on your journey.

Read Squire!!!

jubilee4's review

4.25

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

orpheusapologist's review

5.0

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For whatever reason, I feel like I never have a whole lot to say about graphic novels, but I really enjoyed this.  I love a plucky teen heroine, and I love unpacking the lies of empires.  I'm not sure there will be a sequel, but I would definitely love it if there was, especially since this felt like the beginning of a story I want to consume, a part one more than a complete story.

rhoddys's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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An incredible read, I would love to see more of the story or more works by the authors

papayat's review

4.25

adventurous challenging reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mirrormir's review

5.0

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Beautiful and bold in both its art and storyline, Squire is such a passionate tale of honor, family, friendship, and what one does to protect those. 

Shamma is a Palestinian-American and this story really feels apt for todays social climate. I really recommend it not just because it’s a good graphic novel but because it’s an important metaphor for what’s happening in our real world today.

ilovenativeplants's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

emmandm's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated