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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This was really beautiful and I adored reading every moment of it. Daud’s writing style is one I think I will come to enjoy for a long time.
But now I knew that standing in front of me was Maram vak Mathis, Her Royal Highness, High Princess of the Vath.
And she looked exactly like me.
This story is a whirlwind of danger, forbidden romance, and the struggles of family, duty, and power. Amani, forced into her role as the princess’s body double. Idris, forced into an arranged marriage to the princess. And Maram, princess to a people who do not like her and from a family that feels she is lost to them. Where initially you see an enemy, Daud twists the metaphorical game board to show you who truly holds the ability to be the most cruel. I felt sympathy where I did not expect it, and I’m eager to see where this story goes!
Amani and Idris’s romance is… adorably painful? Like you root for them, and then in the same breath feel intense worry because it shouldn’t be happening. The complexities of how the three main characters are tied together make a very engaging read. Does Maram even love him? Would she be so mad that Idris finds his emotional relationship with her double? It’s intriguing!
I really enjoyed the emphasis on culture and religion that Daud infused into this narrative. The themes of oppression and the forced eradication of history are handled really well! Yet we see the way everything is so intricate that each side views themselves as correct. Sure, this is being delivered through a fantasy world with fictional politics, but is equally applicable to our own existence and I appreciate that.
I’m definitely invested in this journey Amani is on, and I eagerly look forward to when I can get my hands on the next book and continue it! Especially after that ending.
But now I knew that standing in front of me was Maram vak Mathis, Her Royal Highness, High Princess of the Vath.
And she looked exactly like me.
This story is a whirlwind of danger, forbidden romance, and the struggles of family, duty, and power. Amani, forced into her role as the princess’s body double. Idris, forced into an arranged marriage to the princess. And Maram, princess to a people who do not like her and from a family that feels she is lost to them. Where initially you see an enemy, Daud twists the metaphorical game board to show you who truly holds the ability to be the most cruel. I felt sympathy where I did not expect it, and I’m eager to see where this story goes!
Amani and Idris’s romance is… adorably painful? Like you root for them, and then in the same breath feel intense worry because it shouldn’t be happening. The complexities of how the three main characters are tied together make a very engaging read. Does Maram even love him? Would she be so mad that Idris finds his emotional relationship with her double? It’s intriguing!
I really enjoyed the emphasis on culture and religion that Daud infused into this narrative. The themes of oppression and the forced eradication of history are handled really well! Yet we see the way everything is so intricate that each side views themselves as correct. Sure, this is being delivered through a fantasy world with fictional politics, but is equally applicable to our own existence and I appreciate that.
I’m definitely invested in this journey Amani is on, and I eagerly look forward to when I can get my hands on the next book and continue it! Especially after that ending.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Viel Story-Fokus, Charaktere und ihre persönliche Entwicklung stehen eher im Hintergrund - super durchdachte, gut geschriebene Fantasywelt mit leider teilweise lacking worldbuilding. Overall nett, aber hat seine flaws :)
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book. I think it was more character-driven than like plot driven. I was more interesting in the relationship between Amani and Maram than Amani and Idris. The romance between Amani and Idris was predictable, but it was cute and I liked seeing Amani getting to be herself. The worldbulding is amazing. Andala sounds like interesting place. This book contains themes of colonialism and the erosion of native cultures. I will say this plot was slow and I found that hard to maintain an interest in.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
No
I like the overall concept of Mirage, but I was ambivalent about the protagonist. The princess and the pauper esque storyline wasn’t really my jam either.
This was a nice enough, but completely forgettable read.
First off: When I picked this up, I thought it was fantasy. It actually is science-fiction.
While it is set in space, it easily could have been set in an arabic setting on Earth, the setting itself was pretty much the only science-fiction aspect.
The characters and the storyline were not bad, but there was nothing unique or inspired about them. I have read every trope and conversation in it several times in other books already.
What I really liked was that every time the location changed there was a page with a drawing of it.
First off: When I picked this up, I thought it was fantasy. It actually is science-fiction.
While it is set in space, it easily could have been set in an arabic setting on Earth, the setting itself was pretty much the only science-fiction aspect.
The characters and the storyline were not bad, but there was nothing unique or inspired about them. I have read every trope and conversation in it several times in other books already.
What I really liked was that every time the location changed there was a page with a drawing of it.