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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book very much. Seeing the shift in the relationship between Maram and Amani was wonderful to see and even though the ending felt a little flat to me I’m excited to see what happens in book 2.
I wanted to like this but I am so bored. I think the pacing is off and I’m tired of waiting for some action.
I was kinda disappointed by this one. It started off amazing and intriguing, but went downhill from there. The prose and inclusion of religion were beautifully done, but all the plot beats were visible from a mile away.
I have never dnf'd a book this late but I'm going to put this one down at 75%.
There is NOTHING wrong with this book - it's not problematic, the writing is good, it's a fast read but .... I just cannot find myself caring what happens in the end. Wait, that's not true. I'm going to go read a summary and figure out how this ends but after the initial setup of this world and the body double training, I found the story quite boring. I'm not going to rate this because I'm not finishing it, but it'd probably be a 3 star read.
MAYBE ???? I'll go back and read this one day. I think I hyped this up because a lot of reviewers I trust were crazy about this. I will say - the world/setting was definitely something different for me and I did enjoy how this was equal parts fantasy and sci-fi.
Hmph.
There is NOTHING wrong with this book - it's not problematic, the writing is good, it's a fast read but .... I just cannot find myself caring what happens in the end. Wait, that's not true. I'm going to go read a summary and figure out how this ends but after the initial setup of this world and the body double training, I found the story quite boring. I'm not going to rate this because I'm not finishing it, but it'd probably be a 3 star read.
MAYBE ???? I'll go back and read this one day. I think I hyped this up because a lot of reviewers I trust were crazy about this. I will say - the world/setting was definitely something different for me and I did enjoy how this was equal parts fantasy and sci-fi.
Hmph.
adventurous
slow-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
It was okay. I thought the relationship between Amani and Idris seemed forced; she and Maram had much more chemistry in my opinion.
I don't even know where to start with this to be honest.
The cover, while simple, was amazing. I will be interested to know whether it will be embossed, foiled or flat in its physical release form.
I absolutely loved both the protagonists and the secondary characters. Everyone had a backstory whether indepth or not which really allowed the reader to engage with the entire cast.
The imagery was absolutely spectacular and I honestly wish Ouzdad was a real place just so I could go and sit in that garden.
While I don't traditionally enjoy love triangles, the one within Mirage is well thought out and not overbearing. Not even sure it could classed as a triangle? More a pizza wedge shape whereby Maram just connects the other two with a gradual curvature and her strong and steely exterior. I even found myself hoping they escaped together
I was however confused that the entirity was set in space. Nowhere on the cover, in the blurb, media release or synopsis, did it give any indication of this. Maybe some stars or a spaceship hidden... Somewhere would have clued me in. Not a bad thing, just interesting that there was no mention.
Overall I loved it and would give it a 4.5 if possible.
ARC provided by Hachette Australia and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions within are that of the author and have been in no way influenced by the publisher or its associates.
The cover, while simple, was amazing. I will be interested to know whether it will be embossed, foiled or flat in its physical release form.
I absolutely loved both the protagonists and the secondary characters. Everyone had a backstory whether indepth or not which really allowed the reader to engage with the entire cast.
The imagery was absolutely spectacular and I honestly wish Ouzdad was a real place just so I could go and sit in that garden.
While I don't traditionally enjoy love triangles, the one within Mirage is well thought out and not overbearing. Not even sure it could classed as a triangle? More a pizza wedge shape whereby Maram just connects the other two with a gradual curvature and her strong and steely exterior. I even found myself hoping they escaped together
I was however confused that the entirity was set in space. Nowhere on the cover, in the blurb, media release or synopsis, did it give any indication of this. Maybe some stars or a spaceship hidden... Somewhere would have clued me in. Not a bad thing, just interesting that there was no mention.
Overall I loved it and would give it a 4.5 if possible.
ARC provided by Hachette Australia and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Any opinions within are that of the author and have been in no way influenced by the publisher or its associates.
Prince & the Pauper, but in this amazing setting.
This is one of those books that has a map in the front. A few, in fact. Two that narrow down the star system, and one of the planet where most of the action happens. The setting of this book is rich, with vivid descriptions of each of the places our protagonist visits. The characters travel between a few different planets, and the cities have names like Sidi Walid, Al-Thaghr Al Sharq, and Qurtan. This is a wonderful example of a book that would be totally different if it was written by someone who was from the dominant demographic of white English-language amerikan authors.
In this case, our protagonist is forced to become a body double for a princess who is almost universally reviled. The princess is the result of a diplomatic marriage between the conquering Vathek ruler and a member of the conquered people who originally inhabited the planet. She is a living embodiment of cultural trauma. As such, she's developed a hard shell, isolating herself from everyone else. The princess is also engaged to be married to a member of the conquered people. Daud weaves in issues of oppression, racism, class, and some machinations which will appeal to fans of the work of [a: George R. R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1563055799p2/346732.jpg].
There is a hetero romance plotline, which many will enjoy, but for me these are generally the least interesting things about books.
I'm a setting person, tho, and this serves plenty of that. Yumm.
Took this out as part of my high school tour of 2019.
This is one of those books that has a map in the front. A few, in fact. Two that narrow down the star system, and one of the planet where most of the action happens. The setting of this book is rich, with vivid descriptions of each of the places our protagonist visits. The characters travel between a few different planets, and the cities have names like Sidi Walid, Al-Thaghr Al Sharq, and Qurtan. This is a wonderful example of a book that would be totally different if it was written by someone who was from the dominant demographic of white English-language amerikan authors.
In this case, our protagonist is forced to become a body double for a princess who is almost universally reviled. The princess is the result of a diplomatic marriage between the conquering Vathek ruler and a member of the conquered people who originally inhabited the planet. She is a living embodiment of cultural trauma. As such, she's developed a hard shell, isolating herself from everyone else. The princess is also engaged to be married to a member of the conquered people. Daud weaves in issues of oppression, racism, class, and some machinations which will appeal to fans of the work of [a: George R. R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1563055799p2/346732.jpg].
There is a hetero romance plotline, which many will enjoy, but for me these are generally the least interesting things about books.
I'm a setting person, tho, and this serves plenty of that. Yumm.
Took this out as part of my high school tour of 2019.