A review by little_sparrow3
Mirage by Somaiya Daud

4.0

This was a lot of fun to read. The basic plot is very familiar: a young woman living in a dystopian style society joins a rebellion and will eventually become the key to their success. What makes this concept feel fresh is the world the book is set in and its rich religious history. Inspired by Moroccan culture, Mirage provides readers with a detailed religious system and a set of customs that don't often feature in YA novels. We also get a great, complex female friendship (?) at the heart of the story alongside a cute romance. I wish that the romance had been developed a little slower, but I'm not too upset with how it worked out. This was definitely a strong debut with a powerful message about the horrors of colonialism and the eradication of indigenous cultures. I look forward to the sequel next year!