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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
oOoOHHHH this is like a 4.0-4.5
I really enjoyed this!! And I'm really surprised with that! I didn't have too many expectations going into this, but it's cool. To start with the genre it falls under - the fantasy/sci-fi, it should be just fantasy because aside from some talk about moons, droids, etc., there wasn't much there.
The book itself is V E R Y character driven, and I'm not someone who usually likes that. HOWEVER, this was something I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to because it was character driven. Amani's character development through the ENTIRE novel is so well done. I love the connection she grows with Maran and Idris. I didn't love how tropey it was with the beginning, BUT THE ENDING WAS SOOOOO POWERFUL. I love the full circle it did with the poem and how it had its little sprinklings here and there.
I didn't adore how often it would jump locations - it would just throw me off.
THE ENDING HURT ME A BIT. I was actually kind of invested in the characters and I was surprised to see how their pain and hurt effected me. Like I was genuinely like big ouchie for my heart, but then THAT ENDING HAD SO MUCH POOOOWEEERRRRR.
I will def be reading the sequel, however I will be unhauling the physical book. I prefer the audiobook for this, and will probably listen to the sequel via audio as well.
I really enjoyed this!! And I'm really surprised with that! I didn't have too many expectations going into this, but it's cool. To start with the genre it falls under - the fantasy/sci-fi, it should be just fantasy because aside from some talk about moons, droids, etc., there wasn't much there.
The book itself is V E R Y character driven, and I'm not someone who usually likes that. HOWEVER, this was something I enjoyed a lot more than I expected to because it was character driven. Amani's character development through the ENTIRE novel is so well done. I love the connection she grows with Maran and Idris. I didn't love how tropey it was with the beginning, BUT THE ENDING WAS SOOOOO POWERFUL. I love the full circle it did with the poem and how it had its little sprinklings here and there.
I didn't adore how often it would jump locations - it would just throw me off.
THE ENDING HURT ME A BIT. I was actually kind of invested in the characters and I was surprised to see how their pain and hurt effected me. Like I was genuinely like big ouchie for my heart, but then THAT ENDING HAD SO MUCH POOOOWEEERRRRR.
I will def be reading the sequel, however I will be unhauling the physical book. I prefer the audiobook for this, and will probably listen to the sequel via audio as well.
Mirage is a diverse science fiction novel that discusses the importance of heritage and respecting others even if their background doesn't match your own.
While I was interested in the overall plot, the sci-fi elements confused me so much that I was constantly brought out of the story. Between that and the secondary language sprinkled throughout the book, I was never able to fully immerse myself into what was going on. The timeline of events moved far too fast after the half-way point and I wasn't particularly satisfied with the ending either. What I did find great was the friendship that formed between our MC and the princess.
Even though I didn't have the best reading experience with this debut, I still think it was written beautifully and others will really enjoy it. This was truly an introduction to the world and a chance to get to know each of the characters. I will not be continuing on with this series in the future but am happy to have given it a chance.
While I was interested in the overall plot, the sci-fi elements confused me so much that I was constantly brought out of the story. Between that and the secondary language sprinkled throughout the book, I was never able to fully immerse myself into what was going on. The timeline of events moved far too fast after the half-way point and I wasn't particularly satisfied with the ending either. What I did find great was the friendship that formed between our MC and the princess.
Even though I didn't have the best reading experience with this debut, I still think it was written beautifully and others will really enjoy it. This was truly an introduction to the world and a chance to get to know each of the characters. I will not be continuing on with this series in the future but am happy to have given it a chance.
This book was beautifully written and I loved all the descriptions of the world and places. It’s a fantasy book, but it also has similarities to the author’s religion and culture. I really enjoyed escaping in to it.
The one thing that made it a 4 in my eyes instead of a 5 is that the love between Idris and Amani was so predictable. I enjoy a love story, but it seems YA novels have become so predictable when it comes to the relationships.
I also really loved the focus on strong women in this book. I never tire of reading about women being strong, becoming stronger, and leading the world. 🙂
The one thing that made it a 4 in my eyes instead of a 5 is that the love between Idris and Amani was so predictable. I enjoy a love story, but it seems YA novels have become so predictable when it comes to the relationships.
I also really loved the focus on strong women in this book. I never tire of reading about women being strong, becoming stronger, and leading the world. 🙂
The start was a bit annoying, when everything is explained THREE times. Amani, I know you look exactly like Maram, you don't have to remind me every five pages! Also, I get Andala is the home planet of your people, I really do! And, believe me or not, it was obvious from the map alone!
But that got better towards the end. The characters are likeable, at least those you are supposed to like. The romance was a bit too predictable.
All in all it was okay and I may read book two sometime. Not immidiately after release, but when it crosses my path.
But that got better towards the end. The characters are likeable, at least those you are supposed to like. The romance was a bit too predictable.
All in all it was okay and I may read book two sometime. Not immidiately after release, but when it crosses my path.
Enjoyable. I liked the development of the relationship between Maram and Amani. The ending seemed too rushed and I felt that it did not leave enough intrigue to make me wish for the next book asap.
I also could not stop envisioning Star Wars with the body doubles.
I also could not stop envisioning Star Wars with the body doubles.
An interesting blend of sci-fi and fantasy, with lots of interesting discussions about colonialism, and erasure of culture and language.
Lookalike swap situations always require some suspension of belief, but I think that the sci-fi elements of this helped to make it more believable, though our protagonist did seem to nail the princess' mannerisms very quickly. I felt that in this we then didn't really get to know much about Amani apart from her love of poetry and her family, which was something I felt was a bit missing from this book.
I did enjoy though how this book approached colonialism and complicity, and how Amani saw the potential in the princess for change. It added a bit more depth and I think there's the possibility for a nice relationship to come out of it in book 2! I also felt the romance got a little too all-consuming too quickly, which also isn't my fave, but I do understand why they would be drawn to each other.
I also think the sci-fi elements could have been a bit more developed as I kept forgetting that we were doing space stuff - it felt pretty much like a normal YA fantasy setting until someone would mention a phaser or a moon which was a little jarring at times. I did really like the setting though!
Interested to see where book 2 goes!
Lookalike swap situations always require some suspension of belief, but I think that the sci-fi elements of this helped to make it more believable, though our protagonist did seem to nail the princess' mannerisms very quickly. I felt that in this we then didn't really get to know much about Amani apart from her love of poetry and her family, which was something I felt was a bit missing from this book.
I did enjoy though how this book approached colonialism and complicity, and how Amani saw the potential in the princess for change. It added a bit more depth and I think there's the possibility for a nice relationship to come out of it in book 2! I also felt the romance got a little too all-consuming too quickly, which also isn't my fave, but I do understand why they would be drawn to each other.
I also think the sci-fi elements could have been a bit more developed as I kept forgetting that we were doing space stuff - it felt pretty much like a normal YA fantasy setting until someone would mention a phaser or a moon which was a little jarring at times. I did really like the setting though!
Interested to see where book 2 goes!