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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I really struggled with this book. I feel like nothing happened. I had 30 pages left and I was still waiting for the plot drama to begin. The book was just the main character going away with a guy and building a relationship. There was no consequence for her being a double and when her deceit was sort of exposed, it didn't feel like it was really held with a lot of accountability. I sound a bit morbid, but no one died. The rulers were supposed to be brutal and cruel, they massacred whole families to gain the power position, but none of that flowed through with the characters that were in this story.
I was very reserved in picking up this book as ive heard alot of mixed feelings for this book but im so glad that having a buddy to read this book with it helped me to push and read it and i throughly enjoyed it. This story is an ownvoices Moroccan inspired story about a young girl named Amani, who has known nothing but oppression on the moon that she and her family live on when she gets kidnapped and has to train to be a princess body double. I really like Amani as a character, she worked hard for what she was being pushed to do to avoid hurting other characters around them. I liked the setting of the different Galaxys and drones in the book though while reading i kind of forgot the scifi part of this story as to me it seemed like it would work as a fantasy in like a desert or a place like India. The romance in this book was so lovely and i was there for it even though it wasnt the main aspect in the story but i did think it was well done and well needed. The friendships that formed during the book were all different some stronger than other and i cant wait to see how they grow or change in the sequel when it comes out.
I gave this book 5 stars! I really enjoyed i and i cant wait for the sequel.
I gave this book 5 stars! I really enjoyed i and i cant wait for the sequel.
This book was a classic case of Just Not For Me. I wanted to love it bc my pal pal did but it just didn’t gel with me for some reason. I’m choosing not to give a rating because it doesn’t deserve a bad rating, but I couldn’t give it an honest good rating.
This has truly beautiful Moroccan rep and I encourage folks to read Chai’s review for some historical context and emotional, personal connections.
I hope this book works well for others, even if it didn’t for me.
This has truly beautiful Moroccan rep and I encourage folks to read Chai’s review for some historical context and emotional, personal connections.
I hope this book works well for others, even if it didn’t for me.
4.5
This was one of my favorite reads of the year. I listened to the audio version. Simply loved the tone of Rasha Zamairi's voice and how she pronounced the characters' names. The story is Moroccan inspired and you could feel it woven through. The writing is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I can’t wait for the sequel. I have to know what happens next.
This was one of my favorite reads of the year. I listened to the audio version. Simply loved the tone of Rasha Zamairi's voice and how she pronounced the characters' names. The story is Moroccan inspired and you could feel it woven through. The writing is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I can’t wait for the sequel. I have to know what happens next.
I didn't fully connect to the world. Maybe it was because this is the third or fourth book in a row I have read that is part of a series. Or maybe because I don't find court intrigue interesting, when it happened in this book. It was vague when it appeared and it remained through to the next scenes. I am interested in what all the clothing, food and accessories described as part of the culture. That is where one of the stars comes from.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was okay. It was too insta-love for me.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mirage started out good. I loved the connections with the Golden Age of Islam versus the customary European framework for fantasy/sci-fi. In the first 100 pages I might have described it as a more lush, YA version of Dune. Unfortunately, the tension built between the princess and her double, abates quickly as they become, more or less, friends. What takes its place is a hopelessly naive and improbable romance between the betrothed prince and the double. What finally ruined it for me was the poor attempt at adding a martial element to the book. For example, bombing in a futuristic sci-fi novel. No missiles? No advanced weaponry? Just a bombing run on a coastal city that is rebelling? That is like 1930s Ethiopia, not intergalactic space. I still enjoyed this book but the author should have stuck to her world building and palace intrigue as she did these much better than romantic relationships and military tactics. The book started out very good and ended as a cheap dystopia-teenage rebellion knockoff. Maybe still worth picking up off the shelf if you like this genre, but definitely disappointing.
well i wasn’t planning to but i did end up finishing this and yeah it was... not the best. there were some aspects i liked (doppelgängers, pretty descriptions) but a lot of it felt rushed or off. idek exactly. also that insta-love was so unnecessary.
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might come back to it later but for now i’m just so bored with zero investment, plus i have other higher priority books i want to get to :)
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might come back to it later but for now i’m just so bored with zero investment, plus i have other higher priority books i want to get to :)
“The blood never dies. The blood never forgets”. This book was great! The world building was a little overwhelming at times (with all the family names, back stories, and different battles).. but the overall story was beautiful! Armani is such a strong character. Everything she endured throughout her time in the ziyaana was something that not many people could successfully pull off.
Not to mention the depth of the character, Maram, was a great touch! I truly found myself pitying the (sort of) villain of the story. I am really excited to read the second book to find out what Armani’s plan of rebellion is.
Not to mention the depth of the character, Maram, was a great touch! I truly found myself pitying the (sort of) villain of the story. I am really excited to read the second book to find out what Armani’s plan of rebellion is.