#chelha

Author: Somaiya Daud

Series: Mirage

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Si-Fi

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Release Date: 28/08/2018

Rating: 4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

Synopsis:

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon. But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place. As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.

Review:

Mirage is a beautifully written story about Amani, a Kushaila girl, who’s kidnapped from her home for her striking resemblance to the Imperial Heir, Princess Maram. The novel explores North African Imazighen (Moroccan) and Moorish cultures as well as explores colonialism and its effects on the colonised.

As an (Algerian) Amazigh person, I loved this book with my whole heart. I loved seeing our shared Imazighen and Maghrebi culture depicted and highlighted in such a beautiful way. The world building was fantastic and the descriptions were so realistic that I felt as if I was walking through my grandparents village while reading some parts of the book. The story was very engaging and the pacing was well done. It didn’t linger or rush over events, rather it gave time for the characters gradual growth; and there wasn’t a dull moment ever! As for the characters, I loved being in Amani’s head and felt so deeply for her and her family; I also adored Idris and his family. At first, I had a few issues with Maram’s character as she is painted as a villain, however Somaiya managed to highlight the gradual shift in her character and won me over at the end of the story. I do hope there is a Maram POV in Court of Lions.

I don’t think my words can do this novel it’s due truly, however I highly recommend you give it a read if you’re looking for a book that explores Indigenous cultures, colonialism, and a fresh take on si-fi, and how it can look like through the eyes of BIPOC.

ⴰⵣⵔⵓ ⵜⴰⵡⵔⵉⵇⵜ ⵍⵎⵇⵚⵚ !!

(^btw what’s written there is berber and written with an alphabet that we call tifinagh!)

Rock paper scissors!!