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I'v read a lot of dystopian YA...like, A LOT of it. But I haven't read a lot that veered into sort of the "fantasy" genre. Honestly, in some cases, I've just avoided it. I'm glad I didn't avoid "Mirage." Though it does take place worlds away, it was incredibly relatable and I think that's due mostly to author Somaiya Daud creating such a wonderful protagonist. Amani is strong but vulnerable. She struggles with what's right and what's wrong, and can see the shades of grey everywhere.
I also was surprised by how much I grew to enjoy scenes that included Princess Maram. I liked Idris, too, but I think the book could have stood on its own without a romantic element (though who knows what's to come).
I'm excited for the next book, which is too far away.
I also was surprised by how much I grew to enjoy scenes that included Princess Maram. I liked Idris, too, but I think the book could have stood on its own without a romantic element (though who knows what's to come).
I'm excited for the next book, which is too far away.
This was such a good book and my hands are itching for the sequel! This was such a rich book driven largely by its characters and the lush Moroccan setting. Amani and Maram were my absolute favorites, I loved their interactions so much. Maram is such a complex character who often does terrible things because she was raised that to be a good ruler was to be feared. The more we learned about Maram the more I loved her. I would read the exact same book from Maram's point of view in a heartbeat. For the most part, Amani felt like a very typical YA heroine, she's thrust into a situation because of something she really has no control over and excels at whatever task she's given rather quickly. I liked her though because of her relationships with Maram and Idris, they showed the real person she was beneath the fear. As she got to know them Amani also got to discover herself and her own strength. I also liked that it seems possible further into the book that at least she is not the one true savior so that trope may not be present. I found the complete erasure of the Kushaila culture from the minds of the young like Idris so heartbreaking. The separation from the older generation who still remember to the young was really striking. This book is filled with excellent conversations about colonialism and feminism and agency.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"...you are not defined by the men in your life, no matter how powerful. You lived before them and you shall live after them. You can’t let them determine your path.”
representation: Indigenous MC (own voices Moroccan inspired).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★.5
At first I wasn't really into it because I felt like it was taking ages for the story to get moving, but as soon as we were introduced to Idris, I WAS HOOKED. It was soooooo good. Can't wait to read the second book now!
trigger warnings: loss of loved ones (in the past), mention of fire, fantasy violence, death, murder, war and colonisation themes, kidnapping, cultural erasure, physical abuse.
representation: Indigenous MC (own voices Moroccan inspired).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★.5
At first I wasn't really into it because I felt like it was taking ages for the story to get moving, but as soon as we were introduced to Idris, I WAS HOOKED. It was soooooo good. Can't wait to read the second book now!
trigger warnings: loss of loved ones (in the past), mention of fire, fantasy violence, death, murder, war and colonisation themes, kidnapping, cultural erasure, physical abuse.
Took me forever to get into this one but I did enjoy it, specifically from about 3/4 to the end.
Y’ALL MIND IF I SCREAM
I have been anticipating this book for what feels like forever, and it did not at all disappoint. Just SO beautifully written, with wonderful characters and worldbuilding. I love all my children equally and I can’t wait to see what happens as the series progresses.
I have been anticipating this book for what feels like forever, and it did not at all disappoint. Just SO beautifully written, with wonderful characters and worldbuilding. I love all my children equally and I can’t wait to see what happens as the series progresses.
Only reason I’m not giving this book five stars is because of the love story. It was a bit too rushed and a bit too intense, making it a bit harder to get into. If it had been more of a slow burn love under the eyes of the Vath it had been more nerve wrecking but sweet to read. Regardless, I do think this love is what the author wanted to write. Since it has a hint of magical realism in its poems and the way it’s written, I do feel like any other love wouldn’t have been right for the author. But for me personally, it wasn’t enough for me to give it 5 stars.
Apart from that gosh this is an amazing book. All the characters in it makes me wanna cry, because the author has written their suffering so well. I know how real it is because it’s so connected to the suffering the middle east and northern Africa has gone through. It’s a mix between fiction and non fiction in the most magical way, it has reality weaved in the story in a way where it’s almost undetectable for anyone who isn’t from those areas. As a Kurdish woman, it was so nice to read something so close to your own culture and continent.
Apart from that gosh this is an amazing book. All the characters in it makes me wanna cry, because the author has written their suffering so well. I know how real it is because it’s so connected to the suffering the middle east and northern Africa has gone through. It’s a mix between fiction and non fiction in the most magical way, it has reality weaved in the story in a way where it’s almost undetectable for anyone who isn’t from those areas. As a Kurdish woman, it was so nice to read something so close to your own culture and continent.
-1 star because we love a book with a map, we do however hate when half the places referenced in the book are not on the map and really the majority of the map isnt mentioned at all at that point my ques is what is the point of the map