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sunnyvale 's review for:
The Daughters of Izdihar
by Hadeer Elsbai
This is a situation in which I could give half stars because I would honestly give this book 3.5 stars but I will give it 4 stars on goodreads because I did really enjoy it. However, as much as I enjoyed it, or perhaps because I enjoyed it so much, it left me wanting more.
*minor, non plot-heavy spoilers ahead*
I liked the characters, they both definitely felt very human and relatable despite being so different in many ways. I also liked the setting and magic system. And of course, I liked the messages and commentary it contained about society today. It was not merely a story about fighting for women’s rights, but showed the nuances of such a fight. It showed how fighting for what is right for society can sometimes be selfish even if it is for the greater good due to society’s views and the consequences. It showed how such a fight is about more than fighting and sometimes about helping people directly through things such as charity drives. Through individual characters, I liked how it showed some individual ideas regarding such a fight. Through Nehal, you see the idea of “picking your battles.” Through Giorgina, you see the idea of doing what’s right vs reputation. My favorite and what I think was one of the most important ideas was Nico’s privilege. Although he agrees with Nehal and Giorgina’s views on society, he doesn’t do much to help the cause despite having a lot of power. Eventually, Nehal and Giorgina confront him about this and he finally contributes to their cause, making a difference thanks to his inherited power. I think the fact that weavers also face oppression of sorts also showcases intersectionality with Nehal, Giorgina, and other members of Daughters of Izdihar be weavers as well as women, and queer themes are also present.
As much as I enjoyed following the characters and seeing the fight of the Daughters of Izdihar, the book felt primarily like an exposition. I’m aware this is meant to be a duology, and I am excitedly awaiting the second book, but still, it should still have a more followable plot with a more obvious path. Between the fight of the Daughters of Izdihar fighting for women’s rights, the looming threat of war, and the characters being weavers, I couldn’t tell what the main plot was meant to be. Perhaps when read with the second book, it will feel more complete, but as a book of it’s own I would’ve liked a more central plot, if even a sub-plot, to follow throughout. In addition, I wouldn’t have minded being able to see more of the development of relationships: between Nehal and Nico, Nehal and Malek, and even Nehal and Giorgina.
I also wish we got more from the magic system and world building. Again, perhaps there will be more in the duology, but I found the concept so interesting that I wanted more. I would’ve loved a chapter perhaps dedicated to the Tetrad as they were constantly mentioned but hardly elaborated on. I would’ve also liked to hear more about the Talyani disaster. As for the magic system, I felt unsatisfied with the “nobody really knows how it works.” Even if that is the case, we know there are theories that Nehal learned about in a class but as the reader we didn’t get to learn about them as much. I just really enjoyed the ideas laid out and found them interesting and wished they were delved into more. Sure, maybe the second book may touch more on these, but I still wish there was more within the first book, especially as it felt it was working to set up the second book then it could’ve set more of the background of their world and on weaving.
All that being said, I did thoroughly enjoy the book and excitedly look forward to the second book. I really hope it follows a more clear central plot and grows more on the magic and the world, but we will see.
*minor, non plot-heavy spoilers ahead*
I liked the characters, they both definitely felt very human and relatable despite being so different in many ways. I also liked the setting and magic system. And of course, I liked the messages and commentary it contained about society today. It was not merely a story about fighting for women’s rights, but showed the nuances of such a fight. It showed how fighting for what is right for society can sometimes be selfish even if it is for the greater good due to society’s views and the consequences. It showed how such a fight is about more than fighting and sometimes about helping people directly through things such as charity drives. Through individual characters, I liked how it showed some individual ideas regarding such a fight. Through Nehal, you see the idea of “picking your battles.” Through Giorgina, you see the idea of doing what’s right vs reputation. My favorite and what I think was one of the most important ideas was Nico’s privilege. Although he agrees with Nehal and Giorgina’s views on society, he doesn’t do much to help the cause despite having a lot of power. Eventually, Nehal and Giorgina confront him about this and he finally contributes to their cause, making a difference thanks to his inherited power. I think the fact that weavers also face oppression of sorts also showcases intersectionality with Nehal, Giorgina, and other members of Daughters of Izdihar be weavers as well as women, and queer themes are also present.
As much as I enjoyed following the characters and seeing the fight of the Daughters of Izdihar, the book felt primarily like an exposition. I’m aware this is meant to be a duology, and I am excitedly awaiting the second book, but still, it should still have a more followable plot with a more obvious path. Between the fight of the Daughters of Izdihar fighting for women’s rights, the looming threat of war, and the characters being weavers, I couldn’t tell what the main plot was meant to be. Perhaps when read with the second book, it will feel more complete, but as a book of it’s own I would’ve liked a more central plot, if even a sub-plot, to follow throughout. In addition, I wouldn’t have minded being able to see more of the development of relationships: between Nehal and Nico, Nehal and Malek, and even Nehal and Giorgina.
I also wish we got more from the magic system and world building. Again, perhaps there will be more in the duology, but I found the concept so interesting that I wanted more. I would’ve loved a chapter perhaps dedicated to the Tetrad as they were constantly mentioned but hardly elaborated on. I would’ve also liked to hear more about the Talyani disaster. As for the magic system, I felt unsatisfied with the “nobody really knows how it works.” Even if that is the case, we know there are theories that Nehal learned about in a class but as the reader we didn’t get to learn about them as much. I just really enjoyed the ideas laid out and found them interesting and wished they were delved into more. Sure, maybe the second book may touch more on these, but I still wish there was more within the first book, especially as it felt it was working to set up the second book then it could’ve set more of the background of their world and on weaving.
All that being said, I did thoroughly enjoy the book and excitedly look forward to the second book. I really hope it follows a more clear central plot and grows more on the magic and the world, but we will see.