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A review by ktgaay
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Told from the perspectives of two women on opposite ends of the social hierarchy, Daughters of Izdihar is an exploration of privilege and the role of intersectionality in utilizing privilege. It illustrates how truly harmful it can be when those with good intentions do not use their privilege to give a voice to the disenfranchised.
Elsbai’s world building feels so rich and tangible without getting bogged down in pages of description. I became so immersed in the environment that it felt like it’s own character. I could feel, see, hear, and smell the streets of Alamaxa as though I was walking them myself. The culture and environment are both so vibrant and enchanting and the politics are just as well developed since this is ultimately about the fight for women’s rights.
The protagonists are practically opposites in personality, identity, and background, but both showcase so much strength and resilience in their own ways. Despite their differences, their stories mirror each other in that they are able to find empowerment in the face of their oppression. It’s so empowering to read as a woman and a member of the queer community. The side characters are all well developed and unique in a way that adds to the conversation on intersectionality. The villains are complex and way too realistic (in that they mimic our politicians, police, and public officials far too closely).
My only criticism is that in building such a rich world with such nuanced politics, it does feel more as though it is setting up for the second book rather than telling a complete story on its own. That being said, I could not put this book down once I started it. I can’t wait for the second book because I’m so obsessed with this world, the characters, the magic system, and the themes of this story.
Told from the perspectives of two women on opposite ends of the social hierarchy, Daughters of Izdihar is an exploration of privilege and the role of intersectionality in utilizing privilege. It illustrates how truly harmful it can be when those with good intentions do not use their privilege to give a voice to the disenfranchised.
Elsbai’s world building feels so rich and tangible without getting bogged down in pages of description. I became so immersed in the environment that it felt like it’s own character. I could feel, see, hear, and smell the streets of Alamaxa as though I was walking them myself. The culture and environment are both so vibrant and enchanting and the politics are just as well developed since this is ultimately about the fight for women’s rights.
The protagonists are practically opposites in personality, identity, and background, but both showcase so much strength and resilience in their own ways. Despite their differences, their stories mirror each other in that they are able to find empowerment in the face of their oppression. It’s so empowering to read as a woman and a member of the queer community. The side characters are all well developed and unique in a way that adds to the conversation on intersectionality. The villains are complex and way too realistic (in that they mimic our politicians, police, and public officials far too closely).
My only criticism is that in building such a rich world with such nuanced politics, it does feel more as though it is setting up for the second book rather than telling a complete story on its own. That being said, I could not put this book down once I started it. I can’t wait for the second book because I’m so obsessed with this world, the characters, the magic system, and the themes of this story.