Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Mirage, when boiled to its most quinessential point, is a story of culture. Somaiya Daud's gorgeous writing was full of life and warmth, weaving Moroccan culture into the book in the most vivid way possible.
While many books also explore colonialism and the erasure of native cultures, I thought that this offered new perspectives through Maran and Idris. Maram is a child of a woman whose home was invaded, while also being the heir to the Vathek Empire. Her isolation from her mother's people, and those of the coloniser for being too much of either, was heartbreaking. Moreover, Idris, whose family once ruled and has since been displaced, grew up disconnected from his culture, unable to speak his native tongue, and forced to integrate into a narrative he will never belong to.
Personally, I felt that the narration was not emotional enough. What the characters, especially Amani, endure is devastating but they seem to be brushed through so quickly that the depth of pain is not fully empathised with. Amani quickly rises in her internal strength but the catalyst to shift her from point A to B is unclear, because too much telling is occurring instead of showing. The same could be said for the complex relationship between Amani and Maram, which was one of the most intriguing elements of the story, however, their relationship progressed so quickly from hatred to comfort and loyalty that it contributed to the two-dimensionality of the story.
I also think that the sci-fi aspect did not add much to the story and it would have been the same if it had been removed as it wasn't fleshed out as clearly. On the flip-side, this could be a benefit as it was easy to read and came off like a fantasy.
While many books also explore colonialism and the erasure of native cultures, I thought that this offered new perspectives through Maran and Idris. Maram is a child of a woman whose home was invaded, while also being the heir to the Vathek Empire. Her isolation from her mother's people, and those of the coloniser for being too much of either, was heartbreaking. Moreover, Idris, whose family once ruled and has since been displaced, grew up disconnected from his culture, unable to speak his native tongue, and forced to integrate into a narrative he will never belong to.
Personally, I felt that the narration was not emotional enough. What the characters, especially Amani, endure is devastating but they seem to be brushed through so quickly that the depth of pain is not fully empathised with. Amani quickly rises in her internal strength but the catalyst to shift her from point A to B is unclear, because too much telling is occurring instead of showing. The same could be said for the complex relationship between Amani and Maram, which was one of the most intriguing elements of the story, however, their relationship progressed so quickly from hatred to comfort and loyalty that it contributed to the two-dimensionality of the story.
I also think that the sci-fi aspect did not add much to the story and it would have been the same if it had been removed as it wasn't fleshed out as clearly. On the flip-side, this could be a benefit as it was easy to read and came off like a fantasy.
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I don’t know what it was but I just didn’t enjoy this book. The synopsis seemed right up my alley but I think the story just wasn’t for me.
The writing style is very poetic and flowery which definitely isn’t for everyone. I think at the time I was looking for a fast paced read, so this book just didn’t cut it for me.
Maybe I’ll give it another try eventually...?
The writing style is very poetic and flowery which definitely isn’t for everyone. I think at the time I was looking for a fast paced read, so this book just didn’t cut it for me.
Maybe I’ll give it another try eventually...?
Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the next book to be released! I love the culture that this book included in as well. It was very different and enjoyable!
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
I have a few problems with this one but mainly that Amani tells way too many people she isn’t Maram. Like way too many. And is way too trusting about it too. There’s no way that she would have told people 40% through this story and no one would have figured it out.
Plus, I wasn’t a fan of the way it was written and thought there were some weird time and location jumps that just didn’t quite work for me. I feel like this needed one final beta read round to get some of the flow a little better but that’s just my opinion.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
I have a few problems with this one but mainly that Amani tells way too many people she isn’t Maram. Like way too many. And is way too trusting about it too. There’s no way that she would have told people 40% through this story and no one would have figured it out.
Plus, I wasn’t a fan of the way it was written and thought there were some weird time and location jumps that just didn’t quite work for me. I feel like this needed one final beta read round to get some of the flow a little better but that’s just my opinion.
I so wanted to love this one! I found the story to be dry - it's very political with layered intrigue. While I enjoyed that aspect of the novel, the rest of the story fell flat in comparison. The world is rich, though, and full thought out.
Great for those seeking politically focused fantasies.
Great for those seeking politically focused fantasies.
Amani dreams of being a poet. But when she is kidnapped and taken to court, she discovers she is a body double for the heir to the throne. Now one misstep could lead to her death.
I get so excited when I see an #ownvoices book and this one particularly caught my eye as something unique. Its roots in Moroccan culture gave it a flair not found in other fantasy novels I’ve read. The bits of science-fiction tossed into the mix (different planets & moons, robots) provided additional intrigue.
However, the narrator for this audiobook was so over the top with her emotive reading that I just about tossed my phone a few times! I get that the narrator needs to suggest some emotion but there is a fine-line between suggesting and just shoving it down my throat.
Then, hello to insta love. As soon as I heard that Maram had a fiancé, I thought to myself “Well, gee, ya think Amani is going to fall for him? Of course she is!” and, alas, I was right. Okay so lack of surprise = tic in the negative column. Then, after just a couple meetings, ta-da, Amani is crushing hard and Idris is returning the lust. Oh, just vomit. I couldn’t even be glad for them I was so disgusted by the well-it-was-bound-to-happen-but-did-it-have-to-happen-so-fast ness of it.
Also, in the “insta” category, was the relationship between Amani and Maram. The heir to the throne is her captor. I expected many more scenes like their introduction: beatings, marrings, punishment, belittling. But, oh no, instead Amani succumbs and, gross, decides Maram is more like a?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh. Come. On.
The plot and setting were rich in Moroccan history and detail. These bits were deeply satisfying and refreshing. I do wish I had a map to refer to as I listened (yeah, hard to do with the audio version). But I grabbed a print copy from the library and the map is deeply satisfying for “map fans” and was helpful in gaining a grasp on the fictitious world.
A couple of other “oh common on” bits: the poetry and the bird. For a young woman who claimed to want to be a poet and who adored the written word, why was this not more a part of the plot. The parts that were there felt tossed in: the pages gifted to her by her brother, the mention of the library and that speech, the gift from Idris. These needed development and to be carried through the entire story, given the importance it was supposed to have. And, the damn bird! Was anyone really surprised with the tesleet? Yeah, me neither.
Overall, I just felt like this book needed to be longer. If more pages/minutes could have been given to development of characters then the “insta” love and friendship need not have been “insta.” With more pages/minutes, the story would not have felt choppy … and I may actually have got invested in reading this trilogy to the end.
I get so excited when I see an #ownvoices book and this one particularly caught my eye as something unique. Its roots in Moroccan culture gave it a flair not found in other fantasy novels I’ve read. The bits of science-fiction tossed into the mix (different planets & moons, robots) provided additional intrigue.
However, the narrator for this audiobook was so over the top with her emotive reading that I just about tossed my phone a few times! I get that the narrator needs to suggest some emotion but there is a fine-line between suggesting and just shoving it down my throat.
Then, hello to insta love. As soon as I heard that Maram had a fiancé, I thought to myself “Well, gee, ya think Amani is going to fall for him? Of course she is!” and, alas, I was right. Okay so lack of surprise = tic in the negative column. Then, after just a couple meetings, ta-da, Amani is crushing hard and Idris is returning the lust. Oh, just vomit. I couldn’t even be glad for them I was so disgusted by the well-it-was-bound-to-happen-but-did-it-have-to-happen-so-fast ness of it.
Also, in the “insta” category, was the relationship between Amani and Maram. The heir to the throne is her captor. I expected many more scenes like their introduction: beatings, marrings, punishment, belittling. But, oh no, instead Amani succumbs and, gross, decides Maram is more like a
Spoiler
SISTERThe plot and setting were rich in Moroccan history and detail. These bits were deeply satisfying and refreshing. I do wish I had a map to refer to as I listened (yeah, hard to do with the audio version). But I grabbed a print copy from the library and the map is deeply satisfying for “map fans” and was helpful in gaining a grasp on the fictitious world.
A couple of other “oh common on” bits: the poetry and the bird. For a young woman who claimed to want to be a poet and who adored the written word, why was this not more a part of the plot. The parts that were there felt tossed in: the pages gifted to her by her brother, the mention of the library and that speech, the gift from Idris. These needed development and to be carried through the entire story, given the importance it was supposed to have. And, the damn bird! Was anyone really surprised with the tesleet
Spoiler
appeared to Amani in the last chapterOverall, I just felt like this book needed to be longer. If more pages/minutes could have been given to development of characters then the “insta” love and friendship need not have been “insta.” With more pages/minutes, the story would not have felt choppy … and I may actually have got invested in reading this trilogy to the end.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall I guess I really liked it, but at the same time I'm not like super in love? I feel weird towards this one, as in can't really make up my mind on an opinion about it.
Need more time to think on it.
Need more time to think on it.