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This book was LOVELY. It is full of strong, COMPLEX, engaging, thoughtful characters that really make you stop and think and put yourself in their shoes.
This story revolves around a young woman, Amani, who lives on a planet that was taken over by an oppressive government. The Princess of this NEW government, Maram, is in need of a body double, and Amani fits the bill. Unfortunately for her though, this means enslavement to a young woman whose cruelness is unpredictable, far reaching, and unchecked.
It touches on a number of big issues like colonialism, genocide, and appropriation as the oppressive government is trying to erase the local culture while also integrating those left of the nobility into their own ruling class to better ensure stability through fear.
I expected this book to be a much more sci-fi, plot driven story considering there is kidnapping, enslavement, and rebellions, but was not disappointed at all when it turned out to be a lot more character driven fantasy. This book lets you deep dive into Amani AND Maram. You really get to know, understand, and sympathize with so many facets of their characters, their actions, and their lives. By far, the best thing about this book was that Daud managed to make me care just as much about Maram, the villain, as I did about Amani, the victim.
I cannot wait to delve further into their world as their story.
Many thanks to the publisher Flatiron Books for the arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story revolves around a young woman, Amani, who lives on a planet that was taken over by an oppressive government. The Princess of this NEW government, Maram, is in need of a body double, and Amani fits the bill. Unfortunately for her though, this means enslavement to a young woman whose cruelness is unpredictable, far reaching, and unchecked.
It touches on a number of big issues like colonialism, genocide, and appropriation as the oppressive government is trying to erase the local culture while also integrating those left of the nobility into their own ruling class to better ensure stability through fear.
I expected this book to be a much more sci-fi, plot driven story considering there is kidnapping, enslavement, and rebellions, but was not disappointed at all when it turned out to be a lot more character driven fantasy. This book lets you deep dive into Amani AND Maram. You really get to know, understand, and sympathize with so many facets of their characters, their actions, and their lives. By far, the best thing about this book was that Daud managed to make me care just as much about Maram, the villain, as I did about Amani, the victim.
I cannot wait to delve further into their world as their story.
Many thanks to the publisher Flatiron Books for the arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.