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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
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
I love the story and how it dealt with racism. The artwork was sometimes difficult to follow. Nevertheless, this is an excellent story full of heart.
Lovely art, good characterization, compelling plot and world. I might've preferred less "the institutions are all terrible and we, the youth, know better than our elders," but I suppose that is in fact true in some situations, and it works for this story. I also hope there is a sequel someday.
Note that although it may appear to be aimed at older kids (and the violence etc. is all PG) there is occasional strong language.
Note that although it may appear to be aimed at older kids (and the violence etc. is all PG) there is occasional strong language.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
This book was cute! I liked the fantastical whimsy balanced with complex topics like colonialism and the issues of empire. The art itself was gorgeous. Overall a great read
good story and art, just didn’t really resonate with me tbh
High fantasy graphic novel featuring Arab culture. Great characters and conflict.
Aiza and her family are Ornu, and like other conquered peoples in the Bayt-Sajji Empire, are seen as lesser by full citizens. Aiza dreams of becoming a Squire in the army, for it is the only path to full citizenship for her. She hides her Ornu statues while she goes through recruitment training, and makes friends with others who want to be heroes. But she learns some truths about the army, and the Empire, and its war; and she then must decide what it really means to be a hero.
This was an interesting YA graphic novel that explores ideas of “other” and Empire. The art is very pretty. But it definitely feels YA (or even mid-grade at times). I had trouble believing this was an actual training program or that they would be surprised that they would have to kill other people in the army. So it was only OK for me.
This was an interesting YA graphic novel that explores ideas of “other” and Empire. The art is very pretty. But it definitely feels YA (or even mid-grade at times). I had trouble believing this was an actual training program or that they would be surprised that they would have to kill other people in the army. So it was only OK for me.
Edward Said in *my* YA comic book? Hell yeah. A revision of the "girl joins the army" tale in conversation with Ariel Slamat Ries' Witchy, Sarah Raughley's The Bones of Ruin, and N.K. Jemisin's The Shadowed Sun.
I have been dying to read this book for ages and finally found it on Hoopla! I had been following Sara Alfageeh and her process on this book so it’s great to have read it.
This book is delightful, hopeful, gut-wrenching and all-too-real. From the first few pages, you know this is going to be a hard-hitting story because the protagonist, Aiza, is part of a marginalized community in the story world. There are times one forgets about the divisions in this world because the protagonist and us readers are swept away by the adventure.
But life isn’t just about adventure. And when Aiza is faced with the hard truths of her world, she has to make tough decisions about who’s side she wants to be on. Reading this book made me think about politicians, and how all of them (seriously, every single one) make the simple, selfish decision to protect themselves. Perhaps they should read this book to learn the importance of deciding for the good of the many.
I’m getting philosophical here but this book made me think. There are so many layers to what drives this story. The follies of political and patriotic allegiances. Treatment of refugees. History, and who writes and wields it. All this and more wrapped up in a book about a teenage girl wanting to be a hero.
Of course, the world-building is extraordinary and completely captivated me. Set in an Arabesque world, the art draws inspiration from the beauty of places like Petra. Your wanderlust is going to kick into gear. I’m glad the author avoided her initial high fantasy idea and chose a more realistic setting. It’s more powerful and relatable.
This book is a reminder of why we need diverse stories. It was such a relief to read a fantastical story set in a world I was familiar with. And it’s so beautiful to look at!
I would love for there to be a sequel. This world is fascinating and there’s so much more story to tell. Some day, I hope.
This book is delightful, hopeful, gut-wrenching and all-too-real. From the first few pages, you know this is going to be a hard-hitting story because the protagonist, Aiza, is part of a marginalized community in the story world. There are times one forgets about the divisions in this world because the protagonist and us readers are swept away by the adventure.
But life isn’t just about adventure. And when Aiza is faced with the hard truths of her world, she has to make tough decisions about who’s side she wants to be on. Reading this book made me think about politicians, and how all of them (seriously, every single one) make the simple, selfish decision to protect themselves. Perhaps they should read this book to learn the importance of deciding for the good of the many.
I’m getting philosophical here but this book made me think. There are so many layers to what drives this story. The follies of political and patriotic allegiances. Treatment of refugees. History, and who writes and wields it. All this and more wrapped up in a book about a teenage girl wanting to be a hero.
Of course, the world-building is extraordinary and completely captivated me. Set in an Arabesque world, the art draws inspiration from the beauty of places like Petra. Your wanderlust is going to kick into gear. I’m glad the author avoided her initial high fantasy idea and chose a more realistic setting. It’s more powerful and relatable.
This book is a reminder of why we need diverse stories. It was such a relief to read a fantastical story set in a world I was familiar with. And it’s so beautiful to look at!
I would love for there to be a sequel. This world is fascinating and there’s so much more story to tell. Some day, I hope.