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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I'm not really sure how to start this review. I was provided and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, so here goes. MIRAGE was one of my most anticipate books of the year. I am a huge fan of YA sci-fi and fantasy books and the synopsis to this one immediately grabbed my attention. For some reason this one did not live up to the hype for me.
The books is kind of a mash up of [b:Rebel of the Sands|24934065|Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1)|Alwyn Hamilton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446829335s/24934065.jpg|44589645], [b:The Diabolic|26836910|The Diabolic (The Diabolic, #1)|S.J. Kincaid|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459485169s/26836910.jpg|46870277] and something else that I just can't quite put my finger on. The story is full of lush descriptions, of both the scenery and characters. The writing was great and it was easy to get absorbed in the world. It was an entertaining read that I think a lot of people are going to thoroughly enjoy.
I'm not quite sure what it was about it or why it didn't work for me. I enjoyed it enough that I am looking forward to continuing the story when the next book releases. It's possible that I just wasn't in the right mood for this kind of read. It wasn't even that I found myself bored with the story, just that I expected more from it and was somehow left feeling underwhelmed.
I'm not really sure how to start this review. I was provided and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, so here goes. MIRAGE was one of my most anticipate books of the year. I am a huge fan of YA sci-fi and fantasy books and the synopsis to this one immediately grabbed my attention. For some reason this one did not live up to the hype for me.
The books is kind of a mash up of [b:Rebel of the Sands|24934065|Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1)|Alwyn Hamilton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446829335s/24934065.jpg|44589645], [b:The Diabolic|26836910|The Diabolic (The Diabolic, #1)|S.J. Kincaid|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459485169s/26836910.jpg|46870277] and something else that I just can't quite put my finger on. The story is full of lush descriptions, of both the scenery and characters. The writing was great and it was easy to get absorbed in the world. It was an entertaining read that I think a lot of people are going to thoroughly enjoy.
I'm not quite sure what it was about it or why it didn't work for me. I enjoyed it enough that I am looking forward to continuing the story when the next book releases. It's possible that I just wasn't in the right mood for this kind of read. It wasn't even that I found myself bored with the story, just that I expected more from it and was somehow left feeling underwhelmed.
Fast pace yet boring, cliche & predictable
Review to be updated soonish!
Watch out for more rants to come
UPDATE!
First of all I would like to admit that I truly fell in love with the book cover design of this book.
Also I would like to remind y’all that “Don’t Judge the Book by Its Cover”
So where do I begin? This book was totally promising; it has a beautiful writing filled with detailed descriptions of its world building.It has some interesting and gripping political aspects and the characters of the book has the potential, they’re flawed yet striving for character development throughout the story.
What did I noticed first when I was reading this book was that this book is kinda mix of Red Queen & The Diabolic. So this was supposed to be a Sci-Fi book but it’s more like 10% Scifi & 90% Romance. If you’ve been following me for a long time now you’ve probably knew that I was an avid YA Sci-Fi book reader. I’m not a pro tho but in my opinion this book lacks of sci-fi elements on it, even tho droids and space craft were mentioned it’s still not enough. It feels like I’m reading Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth again, it was labeled a sci-fi book yet it didn’t feel like a sci-fi book at all. It also lacks action on it, I was hoping it would be more action like but what I got was a ‘supposed to be swoon-worthy romance’
About the characters, I really did like Amani at first; I thought she was this strong minded and the-never-giving-up kind of girl. But then when the love interest started to invade her mind she was this easy-to-get and swooning all over the dude. Her character suddenly went bland and boring for me. Then we have the love interest Idris, also at first I did like him I was hoping that he is going to be cunning and smart ass dude yet his character fell off. He’s so persuasive and a bit controlling towards Amani, I didn’t like it *SPOILER ALERT!* So there’s this scene where he wants Amani to do this and that and he did it three times to her, which is so annoying and Amani being head over heels with Idris did what the dude wants. All I can say is that Idris is your typical handsome and romantic prince kind of fictional love interest. I really didn’t connect to the main characters, it felt bland and cliché for me. Then we have Maram, for me she’s one of the interesting characters in the book she’s cruel and full of hatred towards her people (from her mother’s side). I really did like her but she became predictable throughout the story.
As for the romance, once again dear friends it’s an INSTA-LOVE and super cliché for me. I have nothing to say more but it would be more interesting for me even tho it’s an insta-love if the characters were more unique and likeable.
All in all, this book has the potential but it was too cliché. It was like a mixed of some Hyped Scifi/Fantasy Books or should I say recycled? I really love the world building tho even if it didn’t felt like they’re on a planet or something. All I can say is that my 2015 self would have like this book. I’m so over with the same cliché premise of stories and characters. Also the ending wasn’t that interesting and promising that you would want to read the sequel. I guess I’m not going to continue this series anymore.
Review to be updated soonish!
Watch out for more rants to come
UPDATE!
First of all I would like to admit that I truly fell in love with the book cover design of this book.
Also I would like to remind y’all that “Don’t Judge the Book by Its Cover”
So where do I begin? This book was totally promising; it has a beautiful writing filled with detailed descriptions of its world building.It has some interesting and gripping political aspects and the characters of the book has the potential, they’re flawed yet striving for character development throughout the story.
What did I noticed first when I was reading this book was that this book is kinda mix of Red Queen & The Diabolic. So this was supposed to be a Sci-Fi book but it’s more like 10% Scifi & 90% Romance. If you’ve been following me for a long time now you’ve probably knew that I was an avid YA Sci-Fi book reader. I’m not a pro tho but in my opinion this book lacks of sci-fi elements on it, even tho droids and space craft were mentioned it’s still not enough. It feels like I’m reading Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth again, it was labeled a sci-fi book yet it didn’t feel like a sci-fi book at all. It also lacks action on it, I was hoping it would be more action like but what I got was a ‘supposed to be swoon-worthy romance’
About the characters, I really did like Amani at first; I thought she was this strong minded and the-never-giving-up kind of girl. But then when the love interest started to invade her mind she was this easy-to-get and swooning all over the dude. Her character suddenly went bland and boring for me. Then we have the love interest Idris, also at first I did like him I was hoping that he is going to be cunning and smart ass dude yet his character fell off. He’s so persuasive and a bit controlling towards Amani, I didn’t like it *SPOILER ALERT!* So there’s this scene where he wants Amani to do this and that and he did it three times to her, which is so annoying and Amani being head over heels with Idris did what the dude wants. All I can say is that Idris is your typical handsome and romantic prince kind of fictional love interest. I really didn’t connect to the main characters, it felt bland and cliché for me. Then we have Maram, for me she’s one of the interesting characters in the book she’s cruel and full of hatred towards her people (from her mother’s side). I really did like her but she became predictable throughout the story.
As for the romance, once again dear friends it’s an INSTA-LOVE and super cliché for me. I have nothing to say more but it would be more interesting for me even tho it’s an insta-love if the characters were more unique and likeable.
All in all, this book has the potential but it was too cliché. It was like a mixed of some Hyped Scifi/Fantasy Books or should I say recycled? I really love the world building tho even if it didn’t felt like they’re on a planet or something. All I can say is that my 2015 self would have like this book. I’m so over with the same cliché premise of stories and characters. Also the ending wasn’t that interesting and promising that you would want to read the sequel. I guess I’m not going to continue this series anymore.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
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:
No
this is a reread and I can’t remember how I felt about this book the first time around but this time I absolutely LOVED it. Heartbreaking and with the added level of what’s going on in the world right now, it was even more heartbreaking. I can’t wait to start the second one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, War
3.75⭐️
The princess switch but make it
- arab
- political
-full of racist characters
I was pleasantly surprised but there are some character development issues also this did not need to be sci-fi bc it had no impact on the story
Also I am obsessed with the fact that the narrator is arab and can actually pronounce the words (bare minimum I know but I’ll take what I can get)
The princess switch but make it
- arab
- political
-full of racist characters
I was pleasantly surprised but there are some character development issues also this did not need to be sci-fi bc it had no impact on the story
Also I am obsessed with the fact that the narrator is arab and can actually pronounce the words (bare minimum I know but I’ll take what I can get)
fast-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked Mirage! Originally, I wasn't sure about it, because I had a hard time getting past the first couple of chapters. I ended up giving the audio book a try, and I'm glad I did, because I don't think I would have made it very far otherwise.
Even with switching to the audio book, I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters. Once I got past it, I was fine, but initially, I didn't care about what was going on, and it didn't really get my attention. It took a while to get into Mirage, but once I did, I ended up liking it.
It's your typical brutal empire takes over a planet meets being a body double for the hated princess story. It's a story I'm pretty familiar with, especially since the brutal empire and the rebellious people they're ruling over seems to be pretty popular right now in both sci-fi and fantasy. I think, if I hadn't read other books like it, I would liked it a lot more. I still liked it, of course, but I just wanted to like it more.
I liked Amani, though it took me most of the book to remember her name. I completely forgot that she was her own person for a good portion of the book and she didn't really stand out as her own person. I wish I could say a lot more about her, but I'm having a hard time with that. Amani and Maram felt like the same person, which was the point, but I wish there had been more to distinguish Amani as a person with her identity.
The narration pretty much saved this book for me. Zamaimri did a great job at narrating Amani, and what she was going through. She was great to listen to, and while I thought Amani didn't particularly stand out as someone with her own personality, Zamamiri did add to her character. There's something about her Amani's voice that worked a lot more for me, and I think it's because I did feel like Amani was telling me her story.
My Rating: 3 stars. I didn't love Mirage, but I still liked it! I'll probably pick up the sequel, just to see what happens but I'm not in any rush to read it.
Even with switching to the audio book, I had a hard time getting through the first few chapters. Once I got past it, I was fine, but initially, I didn't care about what was going on, and it didn't really get my attention. It took a while to get into Mirage, but once I did, I ended up liking it.
It's your typical brutal empire takes over a planet meets being a body double for the hated princess story. It's a story I'm pretty familiar with, especially since the brutal empire and the rebellious people they're ruling over seems to be pretty popular right now in both sci-fi and fantasy. I think, if I hadn't read other books like it, I would liked it a lot more. I still liked it, of course, but I just wanted to like it more.
I liked Amani, though it took me most of the book to remember her name. I completely forgot that she was her own person for a good portion of the book and she didn't really stand out as her own person. I wish I could say a lot more about her, but I'm having a hard time with that. Amani and Maram felt like the same person, which was the point, but I wish there had been more to distinguish Amani as a person with her identity.
The narration pretty much saved this book for me. Zamaimri did a great job at narrating Amani, and what she was going through. She was great to listen to, and while I thought Amani didn't particularly stand out as someone with her own personality, Zamamiri did add to her character. There's something about her Amani's voice that worked a lot more for me, and I think it's because I did feel like Amani was telling me her story.
My Rating: 3 stars. I didn't love Mirage, but I still liked it! I'll probably pick up the sequel, just to see what happens but I'm not in any rush to read it.
This audiobook was such a unique read and leaves me craving the rest of the series. Daud creatively added her own twist to the Star Wars sci-fi genre making it feel like you were truly on a whole other planet. I didn't read the summary too closely so every plot point took me by surprise and I loved it. This series has potential to be a new favorite for me depending on how it continues. I highly recommend it.
An interesting premise, but the actual story isn’t particularly memorable. I really wish the Moroccan setting was more than just decoration and that the threat to the princess’ life felt real, more than a plot device.
I would’ve loved to read more about the various tribes, how the planet was terraformed, and how her religion functioned. Instead, we got lovely descriptions of palace buildings and clothing, interspersed with some interesting myths. Not quite the immersive experience I was hoping for. However, I must point out that this is Somaiya Daud’s first book and I’m still completely in love with the Daevabad trilogy.
I found the main character rather naive, especially after living in the court of her conquerors. Even after seeing and hearing what the Vas have done to her planet, she’s constantly surprised when they do something horrible. While I didn’t expect her to be ruthlessly undermining the system, she seemed to wander towards the rebellion out of luck. I did like her survival instincts, though. Otherwise, she reminded me of so many other YA heroines: tough, family-orientated, kind, unsure of her future, and just a little bit artistic (by not too much, because she grew up poor). Even her belief that Maram could reconnect with her family with a little love and trust goes to show how little she understands the trauma incurred by colonialism.
The romance seemed a little fast for my taste, although it’s hard to tell how much time is passing. Given that the two of them are caught up in a deadly game of politics, they get a pass. But, while it’s somewhat believable under the circumstances, it’s also insanely foolish to let their love put everything at risk. I know, I’m old and jaded, but those two made me what to yell at them, rather than cheer them on.
The story really shines when it came to its side characters. The few interaction we got with Maram’s friends were really interesting, and delving into their experiences of colonialism was my favorite part. And, of course, there’s Maram herself. She’s torn between worlds, which has formed her into a proper antihero. Maram and Amani’s friendship is easily the most interesting part of the book, given how badly things begin.
I think this book would’ve been hugely improved by showing us why Maram needs a body double. We hear lots of talk about threats, but Amani never once feels threatened, except at the hands of the princess. It becomes very clear very quickly that the rebels are absolutely no threat to her, but that’s simply not true—orders get misplaced, and insurgency is often bloody and confusing. I’m all for rebels and spying (court intrigue w/spies is one of my favorite genres) but it’s hardly utilized.
I hope to see more sci-fi and fantasy set in African worlds, but this book didn’t seem fully realized. This book suffers from prominent YA tropes, showing not telling, and a lack of action in genre. I’m a little frustrated, since the concept is so good, but I won’t be reading the rest of the series.
I would’ve loved to read more about the various tribes, how the planet was terraformed, and how her religion functioned. Instead, we got lovely descriptions of palace buildings and clothing, interspersed with some interesting myths. Not quite the immersive experience I was hoping for. However, I must point out that this is Somaiya Daud’s first book and I’m still completely in love with the Daevabad trilogy.
I found the main character rather naive, especially after living in the court of her conquerors. Even after seeing and hearing what the Vas have done to her planet, she’s constantly surprised when they do something horrible. While I didn’t expect her to be ruthlessly undermining the system, she seemed to wander towards the rebellion out of luck. I did like her survival instincts, though. Otherwise, she reminded me of so many other YA heroines: tough, family-orientated, kind, unsure of her future, and just a little bit artistic (by not too much, because she grew up poor). Even her belief that Maram could reconnect with her family with a little love and trust goes to show how little she understands the trauma incurred by colonialism.
The romance seemed a little fast for my taste, although it’s hard to tell how much time is passing. Given that the two of them are caught up in a deadly game of politics, they get a pass. But, while it’s somewhat believable under the circumstances, it’s also insanely foolish to let their love put everything at risk. I know, I’m old and jaded, but those two made me what to yell at them, rather than cheer them on.
The story really shines when it came to its side characters. The few interaction we got with Maram’s friends were really interesting, and delving into their experiences of colonialism was my favorite part. And, of course, there’s Maram herself. She’s torn between worlds, which has formed her into a proper antihero. Maram and Amani’s friendship is easily the most interesting part of the book, given how badly things begin.
I think this book would’ve been hugely improved by showing us why Maram needs a body double. We hear lots of talk about threats, but Amani never once feels threatened, except at the hands of the princess. It becomes very clear very quickly that the rebels are absolutely no threat to her, but that’s simply not true—orders get misplaced, and insurgency is often bloody and confusing. I’m all for rebels and spying (court intrigue w/spies is one of my favorite genres) but it’s hardly utilized.
I hope to see more sci-fi and fantasy set in African worlds, but this book didn’t seem fully realized. This book suffers from prominent YA tropes, showing not telling, and a lack of action in genre. I’m a little frustrated, since the concept is so good, but I won’t be reading the rest of the series.