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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
A young girl from a colonized culture joins the army of the empire that colonized her people so she can win fame, glory, and freedom, only to find that war and the empire are not as glorious as promised. While the general story of “young recruit discovers that war is not what is cracked up to be” isn’t a new one, Squire adds extra layers to the story. Ideas about identity, loyalty, right v. wrong are interwoven with the basic “war is hell” motif and goes a step further. What do you do once you find out that your dreams will put you at odds with everyone you love and will destroy your life? Where do you go when you’ve broken ties with your past but can’t continue forward with your view for your future? The story is compelling, the art is stunning, and the ideas really make you think.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gorgeous, well written, captivating. I want more!!
Beautiful art but the story felt too rushed. I wish it was longer!
When Aiza joins the ranks of those training to become a squire, she has no idea what she is getting herself into. Will she choose her country or what is right? #Squire #NetGalley
”Do not miss this opportunity. Find meaning, honor, and glory in the service of your benevolent empire.”
This is a wonderfully drawn story about a young girl who joins a military regime for honor and finds out it was all propaganda. Aiza is an interesting protagonist. There’s a lot of jokes told about her people and derogatory comments made by the other trainees. She puts up with them thinking the end result is going to be worth it.
I thought more would be made of the idea that she could somehow overcome those negative stereotypes. Usually stories like this have that element, but instead Aiza just sort of gets bummed out by the comments and that’s that.
The cats of other trainees are present enough to explain why they make the choices they do in the end. I wish the senator’s son had been presented differently in the end, personally.
“Committing violence and teaching others violence. That’s all we’re good for in the end. Violence.”
Overall, I think it’s a good story about young people unpacking military propaganda and trying to escape being a cog in the system.
Such a cute tender story with a tale that is all too familiar about colonialism, abuse, duty and propaganda. It was interesting, that even though I know how the story goes and who are clearly the manipulators in the story, I sometimes still found myself swayed by some of their words. Overall riveting adventure with a lovable main character
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, War