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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There’s no way for me with my limited ability to describe my feelings on paper to accurately describe how this book changed me. I’m not the best at writing reviews but I will do my damndest because this is one of the most stunning pieces of work I’ve read in a long time. I’m going to try to break it down as best I can.
The world:
The history of this section of space felt so rich. The native cultures of the Kushaila felt so real and nuanced I could tell there was A LOT of thought put into it. The strong relationship Amani has to her religion and to her people gives you such a feeling of grief and loss to know what’s become of it. You hear about their mythology and their past of colonization and the conquest of their villages and it makes you sick to your stomach. This is not just a story of a broken people though, it shows how they have fought through the years to hold on to what they love to the point of dying for it. It’s also really cool knowing that Daud translated Arabic poetry that had been lost to the world because white German historians thought that Arabic poetry was just nonsense words and phrases when really it was stunning epic poems. I thought it was incredible that she used the resources around her like her family and her college databases/colleagues to give the readers a piece of herself and her culture. She stayed true to herself and her own personal experience and I can’t applaud her enough for that.
The relationships:
My favorite relationship by the end of the book was Amani and Maram by far. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the romance with Idris and it showed a man with power who was also taken from his family and his home to play politics and be engaged to a princess of the people who slaughter his people daily. He was complex and soft and kind even after all of the tragedy has befallen him. But I loved the dynamic between Amani and Maram the most. At the start it was a cruel princess who believed this village girl was scum only meant to be used as a meat shield. It was a story of an oppressor and the oppressed. As the story progressed, the different shades of the truth come out, and you can see how torn Maram is by her mixed heritage and what she wants to do with it when she ascends the throne. By the end she shows so much vulnerability and strength and how much she has come to rely on Amani. She is as close to a sister as she will ever get and her longing for trust in SOMEONE makes my heart hurt for her. That certain event at the end only made it more heart wrenching. I cried for Amani and Maram and I hope their future holds some kind of middle ground.
The court intrigue:
The use of wardrobe and subtle court politics was beautiful and incredibly fascinating. Daud uses fashion to make statements in whatever scene she is writing and sets the tone and the impression she is trying to make in every scene. The use of a certain necklace to infuriate a challenger for the right to be named heir was very clever. Not only were the choices poignant, they were incredibly stunning to read. I could see the gowns and the military armor and the veils and even the simplest garments felt like they were made for a purpose. I could definitely see how it was inspired by the Star Wars prequels trilogy because those were also incredibly stunning. The subtle tilt of a head or sitting a certain way also left a message to the people around you which I thought was fascinating. Usually I’m not a fan of court politics and find them boring but I was so drawn in by every interaction. Everything was so under the radar it’s so interesting to see how a lot of little things can make such a huge impact.
Overall, I have no complaints about this book. Everything has its purpose and this book wracked me to my core. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
The world:
The history of this section of space felt so rich. The native cultures of the Kushaila felt so real and nuanced I could tell there was A LOT of thought put into it. The strong relationship Amani has to her religion and to her people gives you such a feeling of grief and loss to know what’s become of it. You hear about their mythology and their past of colonization and the conquest of their villages and it makes you sick to your stomach. This is not just a story of a broken people though, it shows how they have fought through the years to hold on to what they love to the point of dying for it. It’s also really cool knowing that Daud translated Arabic poetry that had been lost to the world because white German historians thought that Arabic poetry was just nonsense words and phrases when really it was stunning epic poems. I thought it was incredible that she used the resources around her like her family and her college databases/colleagues to give the readers a piece of herself and her culture. She stayed true to herself and her own personal experience and I can’t applaud her enough for that.
The relationships:
My favorite relationship by the end of the book was Amani and Maram by far. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the romance with Idris and it showed a man with power who was also taken from his family and his home to play politics and be engaged to a princess of the people who slaughter his people daily. He was complex and soft and kind even after all of the tragedy has befallen him. But I loved the dynamic between Amani and Maram the most. At the start it was a cruel princess who believed this village girl was scum only meant to be used as a meat shield. It was a story of an oppressor and the oppressed. As the story progressed, the different shades of the truth come out, and you can see how torn Maram is by her mixed heritage and what she wants to do with it when she ascends the throne. By the end she shows so much vulnerability and strength and how much she has come to rely on Amani. She is as close to a sister as she will ever get and her longing for trust in SOMEONE makes my heart hurt for her. That certain event at the end only made it more heart wrenching. I cried for Amani and Maram and I hope their future holds some kind of middle ground.
The court intrigue:
The use of wardrobe and subtle court politics was beautiful and incredibly fascinating. Daud uses fashion to make statements in whatever scene she is writing and sets the tone and the impression she is trying to make in every scene. The use of a certain necklace to infuriate a challenger for the right to be named heir was very clever. Not only were the choices poignant, they were incredibly stunning to read. I could see the gowns and the military armor and the veils and even the simplest garments felt like they were made for a purpose. I could definitely see how it was inspired by the Star Wars prequels trilogy because those were also incredibly stunning. The subtle tilt of a head or sitting a certain way also left a message to the people around you which I thought was fascinating. Usually I’m not a fan of court politics and find them boring but I was so drawn in by every interaction. Everything was so under the radar it’s so interesting to see how a lot of little things can make such a huge impact.
Overall, I have no complaints about this book. Everything has its purpose and this book wracked me to my core. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Actual rating:3.5 stars
A stunning debut!
I felt that the Morrocan-inspired world was akin to the Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse (except that it's set in science fiction world). I enjoyed reading about the history and politics of the "Vathek empire". The author made the world accessible. I didn't feel like I had to learn any new jargon and while Moroccan culture is new to me, it wasn't overly complicated.
Mirage was beautifully written. Every word, every sentence, weaved together seamlessly.
The characters, plot, and world-building are all strong. None of the characters felt one-dimensional. Maram doesn't feel like she fulfills the "chosen one" archetype. The world-building is vivid. The writing and build-up of the story felt almost effortless.
My ONLY criticism is that Mirage feels more like a fantasy and I only remember that it's technically sci-fi when there's mention of droids and space shuttles. But since the setting occurs on a colonized moon, it's more likely they'd have some sort of technology. But... as a "rule", technology is supposed play a large role in the genre. There is one instance that technology made sense for communicating but aside from that, Mirage feels like a fantasy. Since I saw a review beforehand that mentioned it, I was able to adjust my expectations accordingly.
I don't think this was intentional, but I felt like there were some "The Prince and the Pauper" vibes. Though I'm reluctant to say that because only the villager takes the place of the royal member. (It would be so cool if a certain royal character switched places with Maram's old life though!)
I will say that Mirage is a slow burn, but I personally felt that it was worth it because I enjoyed Maram's character. She wasn't passive or dull. Maram genuinely interested me. She adapts really fast. At first I thought it was weird how fast she adapted to the bad things happening to her, but than I realized that her whole life has been essentially been about survival.
I honestly don't have too many complaints. Sure, there are a few things that reminded of other YA SFF but I felt like because the author put forth the effort and made the story unique that it didn't take away from my overall positive experience.
A stunning debut!
I felt that the Morrocan-inspired world was akin to the Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse (except that it's set in science fiction world). I enjoyed reading about the history and politics of the "Vathek empire". The author made the world accessible. I didn't feel like I had to learn any new jargon and while Moroccan culture is new to me, it wasn't overly complicated.
Mirage was beautifully written. Every word, every sentence, weaved together seamlessly.
The characters, plot, and world-building are all strong. None of the characters felt one-dimensional. Maram doesn't feel like she fulfills the "chosen one" archetype. The world-building is vivid. The writing and build-up of the story felt almost effortless.
My ONLY criticism is that Mirage feels more like a fantasy and I only remember that it's technically sci-fi when there's mention of droids and space shuttles. But since the setting occurs on a colonized moon, it's more likely they'd have some sort of technology. But... as a "rule", technology is supposed play a large role in the genre. There is one instance that technology made sense for communicating but aside from that, Mirage feels like a fantasy. Since I saw a review beforehand that mentioned it, I was able to adjust my expectations accordingly.
I don't think this was intentional, but I felt like there were some "The Prince and the Pauper" vibes. Though I'm reluctant to say that because only the villager takes the place of the royal member. (It would be so cool if a certain royal character switched places with Maram's old life though!)
I will say that Mirage is a slow burn, but I personally felt that it was worth it because I enjoyed Maram's character. She wasn't passive or dull. Maram genuinely interested me. She adapts really fast. At first I thought it was weird how fast she adapted to the bad things happening to her, but than I realized that her whole life has been essentially been about survival.
I honestly don't have too many complaints. Sure, there are a few things that reminded of other YA SFF but I felt like because the author put forth the effort and made the story unique that it didn't take away from my overall positive experience.
DNF 50% this sounded super cool and interesting but i just couldn’t get into it
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
I truly was not expecting to love this book as much as I did, but it was incredible! The story started off a tiny bit slow; the world building took a while, and it felt like most of the action was relegated to the final 2-3 chapters. However, it paid off beautifully, and painted such a wonderful picture and world that was inspired by Morocco and its history.
I loved the character development of both Amani and Maram, as well as their blossoming friendship. The romance was a little fast for me, but I still enjoyed the depiction. Overall, this was a really great book and story! I loved it. I also found the author's interview very interesting. I loved her discussion of feminism in colonization, among other things, and found it really cool how she tied these things in with her novel.
I loved the character development of both Amani and Maram, as well as their blossoming friendship. The romance was a little fast for me, but I still enjoyed the depiction. Overall, this was a really great book and story! I loved it. I also found the author's interview very interesting. I loved her discussion of feminism in colonization, among other things, and found it really cool how she tied these things in with her novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Torture
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent
adventurous
medium-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:
Complicated
3.5* the first 120 pages were slow for me. Just too much descriptions... For a first in a series it was pretty solid and I will definitely continue.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Mirage is totally unlike anything that I've read in YA before - that's a good thing. The simplest way to put it is that it's like a science fiction/fantasy novel set in an alternate universe that seems vaguely inspired by Morocco, involves dopplegangers, a royal family and an uprising that threatens the cruel rule of a colonialist empire. At its heart, of course, it's about eighteen year old Amani. Amani lives in a quiet part of the Vathek Empire and she's a dreamer, who dreams of the day where her prayers may be answered and she may be sent a sign from Dihya that she will have a purpose bigger than herself and that she may have an adventure. However, her dreams do not go according to plan.
Instead, on her birthday celebrations and on the day where she is recognised to have become an adult, Amani is stolen from her family and from everyone that she knows. Amani has been brought to the seat of the Vathek Empire, to serve as Princess Maram's body double. Amani destests the Vathek Empire and how they have conquered her people, erasing their history, looking down upon their cultural practices and always reminding them that they are no better than slaves. Yet, Maram is half-Vathek and half-Kushaila, which explains Amani's striking resemblance to Maram. One would've thought that this would mean that she would be kinder to those that they have colonialised. However, her heritage does not make Maram look any more kindly upon her mother's people. Instead, the rumors are that she is every bit as cruel and ruthless as her conquerer father. When Amani is stolen from her family to learn to become Maram, she learns that the rumors may not have captured Maram's personality entirely accurately. There's cruelty in the young princess but there's also a loss of loss and uncertainty about her place in the world, as being half-Vathek and half-Kushaila means that she never really seems like she is entire one totally.
There are actually two things that sold the book to me: (1) growing understanding between Maram and Amani and (2) Amani's self-growth. At the start of the novel, Amani is devout and a dreamer who hopes for a bigger mission in life. Yet, she's worried that she is untested and weak. And when she is first kidnapped, her faith in herself is shaken but she endures and becomes someone inspirational, who doesn't waver from her own internal moral compass even though it puts her in the royal family's crossfire. And she also learns to look beyond her initial impressions of Maram, to find the girl who stands behind the facade and that Maram, too, in some ways has been a victim of her father's rule. And of course, I've never read a YA book that's been inspired by Morocco before so the setting was pretty unique and unforgettable.
The book could've easily been a four-star read except for the romance between Amani and Idris. While I can kinda understand why the two of them might've formed a connection, given Idris's own experiences of the cruelty of the Vathek Empire, but I thought that the speed at which they fell for each other and the sudden depth of their feelings for each other seemed kinda like insta-love. Not every YA sci-fi/fantasy novel needs a romance element and I thought that the book might've been stronger without this one.
"The king," Nadine began, unconcerned with the pair of us,"values his daughter's life. And too often, of late, she has come under threat. She can rarely leave the Ziyaana for fear of rebel attacks." I held my tongue, though it seemed little wonder to me that she'd inspired such ire. "The advent of her eighteenth birthday and the confirmation of her inheritance will necessitate more public appearances. Our king has commanded that you will risk your life where she cannot. You will train, and you will become Her Royal Highness. You will speak like her, walk like her. You will even breathe as she does."
"If I do not?" I asked, trying to keep hold of my disgust.
"You will," Nadine said.
"Your very life depends on it," Maram added with a chilling smile.
Mirage is totally unlike anything that I've read in YA before - that's a good thing. The simplest way to put it is that it's like a science fiction/fantasy novel set in an alternate universe that seems vaguely inspired by Morocco, involves dopplegangers, a royal family and an uprising that threatens the cruel rule of a colonialist empire. At its heart, of course, it's about eighteen year old Amani. Amani lives in a quiet part of the Vathek Empire and she's a dreamer, who dreams of the day where her prayers may be answered and she may be sent a sign from Dihya that she will have a purpose bigger than herself and that she may have an adventure. However, her dreams do not go according to plan.
Instead, on her birthday celebrations and on the day where she is recognised to have become an adult, Amani is stolen from her family and from everyone that she knows. Amani has been brought to the seat of the Vathek Empire, to serve as Princess Maram's body double. Amani destests the Vathek Empire and how they have conquered her people, erasing their history, looking down upon their cultural practices and always reminding them that they are no better than slaves. Yet, Maram is half-Vathek and half-Kushaila, which explains Amani's striking resemblance to Maram. One would've thought that this would mean that she would be kinder to those that they have colonialised. However, her heritage does not make Maram look any more kindly upon her mother's people. Instead, the rumors are that she is every bit as cruel and ruthless as her conquerer father. When Amani is stolen from her family to learn to become Maram, she learns that the rumors may not have captured Maram's personality entirely accurately. There's cruelty in the young princess but there's also a loss of loss and uncertainty about her place in the world, as being half-Vathek and half-Kushaila means that she never really seems like she is entire one totally.
There are actually two things that sold the book to me: (1) growing understanding between Maram and Amani and (2) Amani's self-growth. At the start of the novel, Amani is devout and a dreamer who hopes for a bigger mission in life. Yet, she's worried that she is untested and weak. And when she is first kidnapped, her faith in herself is shaken but she endures and becomes someone inspirational, who doesn't waver from her own internal moral compass even though it puts her in the royal family's crossfire. And she also learns to look beyond her initial impressions of Maram, to find the girl who stands behind the facade and that Maram, too, in some ways has been a victim of her father's rule. And of course, I've never read a YA book that's been inspired by Morocco before so the setting was pretty unique and unforgettable.
The book could've easily been a four-star read except for the romance between Amani and Idris. While I can kinda understand why the two of them might've formed a connection, given Idris's own experiences of the cruelty of the Vathek Empire, but I thought that the speed at which they fell for each other and the sudden depth of their feelings for each other seemed kinda like insta-love. Not every YA sci-fi/fantasy novel needs a romance element and I thought that the book might've been stronger without this one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated