Amani lives in a world conquered, stripped of its heritage and thrown into famine and tyranny. She tries to survive along with her family, but when her village is attacked in her majority night and she is taken to the capital, she will learn that her life is more at stake than she thinks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's rich, blending in Moroccan culture and sci-fi with a cast of characters who are all scarred, fear for their lives and have lots at stake to lose. I liked that Amani tried to come to terms with her circumstances in order to survive and escape, how despite her fear she slowly becomes braver and realizes that not all around her are evil.

I also loved Idris. That boy deserves lots of hugs! And the ending? It gutted me, made me cry and anticipating to read the next book eagerly!

"Happiness is rebellion."

Rating: 4.5/5

Stolen on her majority night, Amani loses all that she holds dear to become the expendable body double of the much despised Princess Maram. She is trained to fool everyone in order to secure Maram's inheritance, including her fiancé Idris. When the rebel group discovers who she truly is and uses her to their advantage, Amani becomes torn between fighting for justice from the Vath and nurturing the love and trust she develops with Princess Maram. Can she be the catalyst to change Maram to be the good leader she knows is inside or will her desperate plan for peace end in treachery?

- Characters -
There was soooooo much growth in each and every character! They each had lots of depth that delved into who their were at the start of the novel but then expanded so much more to show us their potential of how important their roles are! Ms. Daud had me surprised with each development that had me soon expecting the unexpected for each character - this is hard to do because you think you finally figured out who they are but then BAM! You become shell shocked to discover they are something else! Job well done :)

- Setting/World -
It took some getting used to especially with the unfamiliar vocabulary, but about the middle of the novel, I could comprehend this unique world. The atmosphere is definitely different and something I hadn't experienced before but that's what made this story so special. It's a tyrannical world with no exceptions for justice and peace. What had me confused until the very end was that at times it seemed set in the past (i.e. the village life, class structure) but had the advancements in technology you see in the future. It didn't mesh well for me enough to understand it from the start.

- Writing -
Very detailed and emotional - had me turning the page before I even finished the current one. I could feel the loneliness of Maram and the strength of Amani, the heartbreak of the villagers and Idris' exhaustion from politics. I understand why this book was the choice for many book box subscriptions not only for the beautiful cover but because of its beautiful poetic story.

For the first novel, it wasn't as adventurous as some YA fantasy books are but definitely leads up to and foreshadows a big battle to come in the next novel.

"We are not responsible for what cruel masters enact in our name."

Content Warning: Torture, Physical Violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Colonization, Genocide, Cultural Cleansing, Biracial Hatred, Internalized Self-hatred,

Mirage is such an intense ride. Character driven loaded with character progression and twisting relationships. Day to day survival and self care teetering against the resistance and greater good. Even the down times have forbidden love and attraction.

It doesn't sugar coat colonization so fellow white people, be prepared to take several seats. The council meeting was particularly chilling.

I love the world building, the descriptions, and the details. Everything just *popped* off the page and was so vivid.

I get the romance, but as a demi I need more time and involvement before I personally feel it. The prince is smart and cute and funny. He's damaged so you just want to hug him and make him feel better. It doesn't steal focus from the bigger picture of the occupation and rebellion. But it is still important. Loving each other against the rules, sharing their culture to keep it alive is an act of rebellion in itself.

There's so much I didn't see coming. The only thing I really called was the romance with the prince. Everything else was a surprise.

I'm convinced there's more going with the Princess. I have a ~theory~ I hope is correct. Maram and Amani's relationship is EVERYTHING. So unique and fascinating with so many different aspects and full of empathy. I normally don't get anti villains but I think people are going to appreciate Maram like they do Killmonger.

Sidenote: The lack of any queerness is disappointing but that's a general complaint of mine. This did not affect my rating at all.

Science fiction is always a hit or a miss for me. Mirage fell somewhere between the middle.
My main issues were the info dumping and the setting. The world building was great, but at times it was quite an info dump. Honestly, I’m still confused about the setting. They are in space but it’s like medieval times? They lost me with that.

Also, I see a lot of reviews saying that they thought that the love was very instant. Well, that didn’t bother me because I’m a big fan of insta love. I thought the romance was good and was a good break in between everything that was going on.

If you can’t tell by now, I’m torn at how to rate this. Mirage was a bit slow and I don’t see myself continuing with the next in the series.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book; all opinions and thoughts are my own.*

What to say about this book...

Well, I guess my major feeling, what I think of first when I think of this book is: I don't think much happened. It is unfortunate that I think this book feels like a prequel or set up for the rest of the story. Now, this isn't to say nothing happens-- there are a few keep plot points... which I'm sure the next book will bring up. It just seems like there isn't much conflict and for someone being a body double of a princess who is being targeted, there should have more of a worried feeling to it.
I suppose I'm a bit tired of the first book in series not being able to stand on its own.

Yet, I was entertained while reading this. I didn't continue to look at the clock-- I was waiting for more. This is an interesting concept, with vast characters to pull upon to give the book more oomph. I'm hoping that the next book will have more of the characters I'm interested in: Maram, the rebel leader, Amani's brothers, and a few more.

I wasn't a huge fan on Amani... I would have liked something more... I don't know it felt like something was missing to me. She has a lot of potential, like Idris, but sometimes they felt smoothed over -- not much conflict so they didn't have chances to shine. Also, their romance felt like it happened so, so quick. especially how deep they fell for each other.

But, the setting and world-building, I think, were done well. There is Moroccan rep here which is something I've never seen or read about before. I didn't always remember the sci-fi elements when there wasn't space travel-- this is an interesting mix of a futuristic setting while having a ton of historic feel.

So, will I read the next one? Most likely. I'm interested enough in the story and want to see some things really start to move. I'd recommend this if you like slight sci-fi and don't mind a slow start to a series to really get you involved in the world.

Mirage was not what I expected it to be, but it was a fun and unique read nonetheless. I quickly devoured the story, eager to see the dynamics between Amani, Maram, and Idris play out. With a unique and enthralling world, I can easily see how this book will be a new favorite for many (I’ve already seen so many raving reviews).

"On a small moon orbiting a large planet, in a small farmhouse in a small village, there was a box, and in this box was a feather."

One of my favorite parts of this book was the setting! The world is founded on a Moroccan inspired culture; something I’ve never witnessed before in the book! Additionally, this book falls into the space set, science fiction genre, which normally I don’t gravitate towards, but this aspect totally worked for me in this book! Mirage was subtly sci-fi, with droids, spaceships, advanced medical technology woven into the setting. There was no technological concepts that I struggled to understand. I think this light science fiction background will appeal to many fantasy readers, given how it emulated kingdom/empire vibes typical of YA fantasies (does that make sense?), to the point where half the time I forgot it was science fiction. My only complaint about the world, which is probably merely due to me having an e-ARC, is that I wish there had been a glossary for all the terminology used. There were so many times I clicked on a term in the kindle app, trying to figure out what it was, only to have it tell me there were no definition available.

"And endurance was strength, to be sure, but even a rock wore away to nothing if asked to endure enough rain."

To coincide with this, I think another great characteristic of this book was the people, especially when it comes to the conquered Andalaan people. I think Daud did an amazing job of exploring people’s different reactions, feelings, and coping methods to living under an oppressive, tyrant government. This was such a powerful and compelling dimension of the novel.

"So I took each memory, folded it over and over again, and put it away."

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the ever-shifting relationship between Amani and the princess, Maram. My favorite scenes were when Amani imitated Maram’s cold, hard personality and when Amani & Maram interacted. I loved their dynamic and how they brought out different sides of each other.

"I liked to think I was brave and filled with conviction, but I was untested."

Now, as I mentioned before, this book was a lot different then what I expected it to be. First off, it was a lot more character driven than plot driven, which is not a bad thing in itself, just not what I anticipated. Additionally, I was super sad to discover that this book utilized my least favorite trope, insta-love, when it came to the romance between Amani & Idris (not a spoiler; this is very much implied by the synopsis). As soon as this aspect took stage, it seemed that the whole plot swung around to focus on it, which I found rather disappointing.

"Any and every end I imagined for the two of us as one mired in tragedy."

Overall, I think this book was a decent contribution to the YA sci-fi world and will be compelling to many. As long as you don’t mind (intense) insta-love and a few other clichés, I would recommend this book to all YA fantasy & sci-fi lovers!

**I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own**
So I really don't know what to say about this book. It wasn't bad, but it really didn't have a lasting impression on me. It was pretty slow and somewhat boring throughout the majority of the book. I think the development of the main character was done well. There was also some development in the princess as well, so this book wasn't lacking in character development. It was plot development that was missing.
I would read the next book, just to see what happens, but unfortunately, this one didn't stick with me.

**3.5 stars**
I read this book for a blog tour to promote this book. Check out my full blog review linked in here. I loved that this was inspired by Morocco and I truly felt transported with the fashion, culture, dialogue, religion and politics in this book. I'm so happy that this book is giving us a novel inspired by another culture which made it feel so enchanting. There's also some very empowering statements throughout the book that I highlighted that are powerful. I also loved Maram with seeing how she really is and I do kinda wish we'd gotten her POV instead. Amani was a fine protagonist, but she felt frustrating at times, romance was too rushed to feel real and balanced and the reason for her being a body double never felt important. But this is a solid debut that you can't miss out on. This is hands down my favorite Flatiron book yet and I can't wait to read more of their catalog.

Somaiya Daud's Mirage is her debut noel. The story is set in a galaxy known as Mizaal, which has been invaded and colonized by a race called the Valthek Empire. The story features Amani, an 18-year old from Cadiz, one of the moons of the planet Andala. On Amani's 18th birthday, when she is receiving her marks (daan) to indicate her transition to adulthood, Imperial droids appear and spirit her away.

Amani is taken to the royal palace, the Ziyaana, on the planet of Andala where she will be lucky if she ever sees her family again. The next thing Amani knows, she is meeting half-Vathek princess Maram. Amani discovers that she is staring into what is practically her own face. Because of Maram's unpopularity and rebel activity, it has become necessary to have a stand-in at public activities. This is when Amani knows what her crime was, and why she was forcibly taken from her family.

Amani, after a few alterations, will act as the Princesses double, making public appearances and risking her life as the rebellion strengthens. Amani must learn to perfectly mirror Maram to survive (and perhaps see her family again). This is what her future will be for the near future and there's not a whole lot she can do about it. Or can she? As Amani and Maram learn to understand the other, you wonder if this will be a turning point in both characters lives.

I found myself quickly hating Maram. There's really not a whole lot to like. She's as brutal as those she deals with on a daily basis. She doesn't have a care in the world for those that she deems below her. Then you have to understand her family, and her expectations, and the fact that there are people all around her who want her not to rise to become the heir of the empire. To the Andalaans, she's a symbol of the oppressors and to the Vath she is impure and not worth to become the heir.

To make things even more interesting, she is outed to Maram's fiancé Idris who discovers that she is more than just a body double. Amani is a girl who dreamed of a world in which everyone is free and able to live and experience their own cultures through art and poetry. All Amani's life, she has been forced to face a life of oppression by the Vath and their slow erasure of the indigenous cultures, especially the Kushaila poetry that has been used as a rallying cry for rebellion.

Mirage is a painful true story when it comes to life under colonization. The author does a fairly impressive job in showing the aftermath of Vathek’s colonization and its continued effects on the Andalaan people. From living as second-class citizens in a world that used to be yours to being victims of cultural erasure, there were definitely a lot of parallels to our real world events and history. The author excels at showing the reader people living under harsh rule, living through myth and legend – the background is gorgeously described and multi-layered.

I dare say that the story is more of a science fiction novel with romance included, than a fantasy one. Or, one could say that the story is a science fiction / fantasy mix-up with mythology and romance. After all, when a story is set in space, and you have space travel, it's science fiction. When you have an alien race who colonizes your planet, it becomes science fiction. At the start, Amani seemed a bit naive, but overall she developed into a character who fights for her people and their legacy and their survival. The difference in her maturity from the beginning to the end of the book is vast and I'm hoping for even more character development after the author leaves us hanging by a tightrope waiting to see what happens next

Summary

Mirage follows a girl named Amani and her journey navigating the royal world of the Vathek empire. She is kidnapped one day and brought to be a double for the princess Maram, who is in great danger because of the public's opinion of her. Over the course of the book, she learns how to be Maram rather than herself and makes connections with others in the royal scene as she convinces everyone that she is not herself.

Likes

I love the cover as I said in my opening statement: I think it's beautiful and fits the book well. I feel like Flatiron almost always has beautiful covers for their published books and this is no exception. First, this story reminded me a lot of Star Wars and Padme. I absolutely love Star Wars and I love those early movies so that was a welcome reminder to something I already like. I thought that Amani was a very likable main character but because of the situation, she felt silenced to me. She did make moves but I felt like I was left wanting more from her character. I am sure that will change as the series goes on and she has the potential to be somewhat of a Laia from AEITA for me, which is super exciting because I love that series. I liked Idris, too, and their relationship development over the course of the book felt real and I enjoyed that.

Dislikes

The premise of Mirage was good, but I didn't feel too much of a connection to the story. I feel like I read it quicker than usual and I wasn't as enveloped as I usually am. I began to hear much more about this book lately and I had higher expectations because of that as well. I felt like it had a mix of character types and storylines from other books I've read and I appreciated that because then it added its own twist that did make it unique. Even though it was strongly reminding me of Star Wars, it wasn't that completely, and I feel that the world was built pretty well and I always love the space setting. I suppose I was just left wanting more and that is what deterred me from giving it a higher rating. I think I will pick up the next book in the series because it pulled me in a lot more in the end with the plot.

Recommendation

I would recommend this book to fans of Star Wars as well as An Ember in the Ashes. I felt like it was a mix of these :)

This book actually took me far longer to read than I anticipated. Generally, this is not a good sign for a 300 page young adult novel but with Mirage it was a little different. It became pretty clear from the beginning that I was a little out of my league with this one. I’m just so un-used to science fiction that my reading fluency was embarrassingly poor. There were just too many strange names, people and descriptions that I had to pause too many times to figure it out. In my opinion, reading fluency has just as much to do with the reader as it does with the author, so I can’t hold Daud too much at fault here. Still, if SF/F is not something you read a lot, it may take you a bit to get into the flow. For me, I finally got there around 40% of the way through.

But even with this personal difficulty, Mirage was such a pleasure to read.

First of all, for a debut novel, I was impressed with Daud’s voice. Amani was a wonderful, strong and believable hero & she is surrounded by a cast of fantastic side characters – each one just as full and tragic as the last. I absolutely adored Princess Maram. She has a fantastic vein of cruelty in her but at the same time just the right amount of vulnerability that you really have no idea what side she is really on.

At the same time, Idris is sweet and playful. He is a breath of fresh air among the brutal backdrop of Vathek rule. But of course, he is not that simple. He has his own demons, just like everyone else. I love how the events of the past, all happening so long ago that our main cast really had no hand in them, still effects each character in their own unique way. There are so many tragic consequences to their war.

And then of course, there is a delicious streak of feminism weaved into the backbone of the novel. Without forcing it down your throat or even making it too obvious – it just is. Women are the heroes of this world, and that alone is something to be excited about.

“…you are not defined by the men in your life, no matter how powerful. You lived before them and you shall live after them. You can’t let them determine your path.”

There were a few things that I didn’t love overall about Mirage. I would have liked to see a little more of an ending, as opposed to the set up to Book #2 that we got. Especially with debut authors, I’m less forgiving about not giving me an excellent ending. In the same vein, I’m not sure why Daud thought she needed to include the Prologue. To me in was unnecessary and it made the climatic moments at the end of the novel less impactful. It felt like we were building to something big. Unfortunately, the drama just sort of petered out and resolved far too quickly.

But, while the ending was only so-so, Daud definitely delivered on the final scene. She got me excited for the next installment. And I guess if that’s what you’re ultimately left with, it could be worse… 🙂

So, I thought this was a fantasy when I started it. And it almost could be; the writing is so lush and beautiful, and it reads like a fantasy. But it’s actually science fiction, which I’m not the biggest fan of, and yet it worked for me. It’s a bit on the slower side, as in there’s not a whole lot of action. The MC, Amani, is taken from her home to be the target for a princess she hates. But through everything, there is a fight in Amani that you can’t help admiring. She might have been beaten down and turned into someone she can’t even recognize, but she’s still fighting against the bonds that hold her to the colonizers that took what wasn’t theirs. There is so much political intrigue here, but it packs emotional punches too. Amani loves her family dearly, and Idris longs for his homeland and people, that both the characters have a lot of feelings to sort through, and dive headfirst into a romance that is as bitter as it is sweet. I’m so invested in them that I’m eager for the next book; I hope the sequel delivers the same voicey, luscious tone that accompanied Mirage.

The latest diverse offering in the YA Fantasy realm, Mirage by Somaiya Daud is a fresh, unique, Moroccan-inspired space fantasy. It had a few details that didn't work for me personally, but it was still an engaging read. I gave it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Amani lives on the moon Cadiz, and her planetary system is under the repressive occupation of the Vathek people. On the evening of her coming of age celebration, she is kidnapped by the Vath and taken to the capitol planet Andala. She learns that she is an almost identical match to the Crown Princess Maram, and will be trained to be her body double in public. Maram is half Vathek, half Andalaan, and hated by both. Cruel and despotic like her Vathek father, Maram's life is threatened by the rebels that still attempt to throw of Vathek rule. Amani must learn to impersonate Maram perfectly or her family will face the consequences of her failure.

As Amani is pulled deeper in Maram's dangerous world, she grows to understand the princess better, and develops a doomed attraction to Maram's fiance Idris. Pulled into a rebel plot, Amani must decide how best to serve her people; using her influence to soften Maram's heart...or getting rid of her altogether.

My thoughts: This book was super easy to read, but there were a few things that kept it from getting a full 4 or 5 star rating. First, the book was relatively short, so I felt things progressed too quickly. We kept hearing how cruel and harsh Maram was, but didn't see it in action more than once or twice. And Amani kept remarking on how perfectly she acted like Maram, but the few times she was in public she said very little, or people noticed that Maram was acting off. It would have been nice to see Amani have to REALLY become the cruel princess and deal with the emotional fallout. There's a small instant where she has to make a hard choice, but she seemed to get over the guilt pretty quickly.

Second, the romance was sweet, but again because of the length of the book, happened really quickly, and honestly was kind of uninspiring.

Third, and this was totally my own opinion, the author's writing style was a bit too flowery and emotive for my personal taste. I ended up skimming a lot of the descriptive or introspective passages. But other reviewers love that aspect, so to each their own.

Now the good! Loved the setting. Loved the Moroccan feel, and putting in space took it to a whole new level. Amani was very likable, feminist heroine. The are several really intriguing secondary characters who I definitely want to see more of in the sequels. And the underlying narrative of colonization and native/cultural suppression...YES. These are stories that need to be told, and from this perspective. All in all, I'm really looking forward the rest of this series.

*I received an advanced copy of this title for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

There were moments when I glimpsed the world as it was before the occupation of the Vath. When my mother or father spoke without thinking, or a village aunt said when I was young, or a man sang an old song I’d never heard before. The bones of our old ways of life were there, barely traceable, and I wanted them back. I wanted all of us to remember what we’d been, how strong we were. And endurance was strength, to be sure, but even a rock wore away to nothing if asked to endure enough rain. I could want until I was dead and nothing would come to pass. Wanting never solved anything.

First impressions: Isn’t the cover gorgeous? I was really excited to read this because of the summary – intrigue, invaders, sci-fi inspired by middle eastern stories – all sounds amazing!

The story starts with Amani as she prepares to go through a ritual through which girls in her tradition become adults and receive a tattoo on their faces expressing their family’s hopes and dreams for their future. Part way through the celebration, Vathek soldiers arrive and Amani is kidnapped. When she wakes up, she meets the half-Vathek princess Maram, hated by both sides and discovers that she is to be her body double.

I connected with Amani straight away – she is a sympathetic, yet realistic character, a girl with her head stuck in the clouds even as she understands what she has to do with her feet on the ground. She handles herself with control and dignity, even when she is treated with disdain, attempting to follow the example of a heroine of legend, Massinia, and take control of her destiny.

One character I did not expect to like, but grew to love, was Maram herself. At first she seems like the typical spoiled princess, but her character grows and changes the most over the course of the book, as Amani challenges her preconceptions and allows her the opportunity to be a girl rather than a symbol or a politician.

It is hard for me to express everything I loved about this book without spoiling the story, but, needless to say I was completely hooked and will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!

It was Maram’s voice that came out of me, but my sentiment had shaped the speech. I’d avoided mention of the Vath and hoped that in hearing Maram, in seeing her— me— wearing the old Andalaan seal, those who witnessed the consecration of the ground would leave with hope. Would think of our endurance and our survival. More than that, I hoped that Maram would think back on the words she’d helped me craft, and envision a world without the cruelties of her father’s reign. It was a small hope, I thought, looking out over the crowd . But an important one— if Maram could be the ruler that her father had failed to be, that her mother had wanted to be, then there was hope for us— for all of us. Wasn’t there? I had to believe it.

My family would always be in danger now. Because I had dared to dream of a world without the Vath. Because I’d dared to put that dream into action. And the danger would never fade.

What I liked: Amani’s character, Maram’s character growth, the way the romance developed naturally and slowly, it was refreshing to read about a culture that wasn’t based around Europe, the importance of storytelling and poetry to the characters, the familial relationships.

Even better if: In amny ways the world-building was very rich, with the legends and poetry. Yet, at times I found the world-building about the invading empire a bit confusing – I would have benefitted from a bit more of an explanation for the motives behind the Vathek invasion. I am guessing we will see more of the ‘science’ in the science-fiction in the next book.

How you could use it in your classroom: Any lovers of fantasy or sci-fi will also enjoy this! This could also be used to spark discussion about rites of passage to adulthood (I was fascinated by the facial tattoos), as well as digging into the politics of being an invader / invaded country and how to rule fairly.

3.5 stars

Poetry-loving, gentle Amani is celebrating her majority when she's kidnapped by the Vath overseers. It turns out that she has an uncanny resemblance to the Vath princess, the half-Andalan, half-Vath, and 100% cruel Maram. And Maram needs a body double. Slowly, Amani is molded to double as her hated enemy's second self...and begins to realize that there are many ways to resist.

This could easily have been a five star read. From the Middle Eastern sci-fi setting to the background and world-building with a woman prophet and the love of all things poetry and the consequences of a world ruled by ruthless conquerors, it had everything going for it.

I loved the in-depth look of Maram and how she straddled both of her cultural inheritances, had been trained to hate one, and yet felt completely apart from both. Her character had so much complexities that I wish had been explored further and that more time had been spent on Amani and her relationship instead of that incredibly forced instalovefest with Idris-the-YA-Snoozefest.

Seriously. This book lost 1.5 lovely, amazing stars because the plot just seemed to draaaaaaag every time Idris and Amani got together. Right from the instant, she felt something between them, but they never really had an intellectual conversation, discussed their feelings, or did anything deep at all. Idris had such potential to be a rich character (his entire family was dead, he was stripped of his cultural birthrate, he was basically a hostage to the Vath—all of this is mentioned and shown but it never really went deeper). It was 100% puppy love. I'm not sure if that was the point or not, however, but I felt like Idris could have been cut out almost completely and everything I disliked would be twenty billion times better.

I also wished that the sci-fi portion was a little stronger. I wanted to know a little more about how technology interacted between the Vath and the Andala, how it was used to keep the Andalans in check, how the rebels managed to bypass it, etc., etc. And how the varying planets and moons differed from each other and how the galactic coalition saw the Vath's attack. I wanted more world-building, in other words. So much had been done, but I was so intrigued and fascinated by the world that I just want more.

Definitely going to be tuning in for book 2—I want to see how this series continues.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Amani, our 16 year old heroine receives facial tattoo’s that tell a story about her family’s history as well as attributes of her personality. When some robot type soldiers scan her face and take her hostage, I was intrigued. OK, this is a Moorish/Sci-fi book. Interesting! When Amani finds out why she has been taken, because she has features close enough to be their princesses body double I thought hmmm again. I’m not sure how this is all going to fit together. Even though at times I stopped to hmmm at the plot, I did think Samaiya Daud crafted a really interesting world.

As I read further the interesting bits seemed to fade away until I felt like I was reading another Alwyn Hamilton novel though not as exciting. A young woman finds herself in unfortunate circumstances and rises above her situation to take a stand against the evil empire and fall in love. Don’t get me wrong, it was an enjoyable story! It just felt kind of familiar. What wasn’t familiar was the science fiction aspect of it and I really wish that the feeling was more sci-fi than Moroccan? It was that that made this novel original, although I suppose a mash-up of the two hasn’t been done before.

Characters:

Amani was a nice solid heroine. Once she got past her circumstance she was determined to make a difference. I always like a heroine who doesn’t turn to mush when things get difficult. The Vathek is a conquering race who has subjugated the natives, slowly killing them off (sounds familiar to us Americans, doesn’t it?) and Amani wants to do her part to help stop them.

The evil Princess Maram, who’d had Amani kidnapped to be her stand in was the most interesting character. She was evil, anxious, and confused and her flaws made her interesting. As the story went on and we learned how sad her life was, she went from black and white 2D to full 3D technicolor. I wished that this book had been written from her POV instead of Amani’s.

Yes, there was also a love interest. Idris? Ilbis? I’ll be truthful, I couldn’t get Idris Elba out of my head and have smashed his name together in my head. Anyway, he was from one of the subjugated tribes, fated to be the sole survivor and marry the evil princess. Instead he hangs with her body double. You can guess what happens to that love triangle.

Did I love this book? No. Did I hate it? Definitely not! I just couldn’t get past some similarities to other novels I’d read and that kind of ruined it for me. If the pace had been a bit quicker, I might’ve enjoyed it a bit more. However, other readers have absolutely LOVED this novel. I say, read it and you be the judge!

❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest.

This was stunning. I thought how could there be such a thing as a Sci-Fi /Fantasy your either Science Fiction or your Fantasy you can't really be both. And I will admit I was wrong. This totally works. And I think the reason it works is that this leaned towards more fantasy than Sci-Fi. they both weren't jockeying to be center stage.

The gist of the story is our MC is arrested for a crime that is so unbelievably ridiculous <spoiler>I'm sorry you can't help your face.. And must now impersonate a cruel princess and learn what it all takes to be a royal. I loved the Moroccan inspired themes that was weaved throughout. It was nice to see the planet and cultural identities that wasn't inspired by Medieval European history that we see so much in Fantasy. I really enjoyed Amani as a character it was so cute to see her geek out over poetry I think we can all relate to geeking out over something we love. There is definitely some feminism themes weaved throughout but it sometimes seems to get lost when our protagonist is interacting with the love interest and it kind falls in the insta love trope we sometimes see in the YA genre.. This is more of a character driven fantasy than say action driven fantasy like Furyborn which released earlier this year. I enjoyed both but I know some people prefer more action and adventure in there Fantasy reads. And pretty much all Sci-Fi is action driven. I am hoping we get to see more of the Sci-Fi side in the next installment and the interplanetary system. that would be so intriguing to learn about.

Overall this is a nice addition to the fantasy genre and a great addition to the own voices authors that I will recommend to everyone in search of a more diverse read.

📑 A head turner cover
First things first, I love Mirage’s lush and stunning cover that truly catches a reader’s eye and I personally think, captures the vibe of the story’s setting and world building, as well as the magnificent, rich culture and history of the Andalaan people. The cover perfectly fits the book's description and truly sets the tone of a sci-fi, fantasy novel. However, did it met my expectations?

📑 The true villain is not who it appears to be
At the beginning of the story, Maram's character was deeply cruel and selfish. Yet, I find her extremely important not just to Amani's character development but to the story's overall plot as well.

She was despised by her own people, hated by her own sister and most of all neglected by her own father. And the reason why she treated Amani the way she did was rooted on how King Mathis shaped her into a hateful person that Maram learned to turn her sadness and loneliness into atrocity.

That being said, I fully understood that Maram is not the villain in this story but rather, King Mathis who manipulated her and would do everything just to stay in power.

📑 The ultimate SHIP between Amani and Maram
I admit that I swooned over the tragic romance developed between Amani and Idris because I’m weak like that! But as I came to sit through the end to truly digest everything that happened and delicately dissect my feelings over the significant, memorable scenes in the story, I realized how I appreciate the friendship and sisterhood that grew between Amani and Maram more than anything else.

Amani’s strength to view everything in a better, positive perspective was the reason how she was able to break the walls Maram built for herself. The shift started slow yet it opened doors to a new and kinder Maram. She needed someone like Amani who will watch over her and protect her like what elder sister does.

Considering this, even the two hadn’t settle the real score (because there’s a score, alright?) between them at the end of the story, it’s clear how Maram cares for Amani and they both knew that without vocally saying it.

📑 The ending answers the beginning
I’m trying to make this as clear as possible without revealing any spoilers but if you will going to read the ending, you will realize how the connection has strongly resonated with the first chapter of the story. It was like a mirror that practically answers the question: ‘What was Amani’s purpose of being captured by the Vath? What was she called for?’
“You do not kneel or bend, I told myself. To anyone. You continue…I could not give up hope.”
And since the signs were all there for readers to know even before Amani's relationship with Idris or her friendship with Maram started, it was pretty obvious how her character would turn into a game changer.

📑 A slow page turner
The idea of rebels in the galaxy with droids got me totally hyped. Given how the slow pacing provided me the chance to recognize the change in Amani and Maram’s characters; the full action that I’m anticipating was actually not there, other than that scene at the end where Amani saved Maram’s life.

Nevertheless, even if it was not as page turner as how I assumed, the lack of it was filled by the details in the world building and the connection built between each characters.

📑 My first impression lasts
Though the story is not how I expected it to be, I’m still looking forward to read the sequel. And since this is only an introduction to what may happen next, hopefully readers would learn more about the other tribes that were mentioned in the story who could possibly work together on an impending war against the rule of the Vath.

Altogether, I love how the characters left me a lasting impression in a world parallel to what is currently happening on our own—conflicts, division, oppression, war, and deaths. And even there was no end to fear, the story displays a great sense of hope that we are stronger together as long as we are there for each other.

Mirage is timely, important and a celebration of freedom that reflects an immersive and vibrant culture, journeying with hope and empowerment against the brutal reality of politics.

***Special thanks to Aimee, Always for organizing this fantastic blog tour and thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Somaiya Daud for providing me an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

What an amazing read. Great world-building. Heartbreaking and fast-paced. I will definitely be recommending.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested a review copy of Somaiya Daud's debut novel Mirage, but I'm glad I submitted that request! This books is quite unique, and I loved it a lot!

Mirage is a very unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, and cultural fiction tied up in a beautiful and immersive young adult novel. I've not seen many books like this one before, and I haven't seen these genres combined as Daud has done.

The imagery and world-building in Mirage are the strongest elements in this story, and both are gorgeously constructed and described. Buildings and clothing reflect the aesthetic and values of Amani's culture, and the ruling culture (the Vathek) that steals her away. Architecture is very arabesque and styled in a traditionally Middle Eastern/Moroccan fashion, and attest to the strength of the Vathek. Daud spends a lot of time crafting atmospheric as integral to the three-dimensional feel of this world. An example of Daud's skill at description is as follows:

"This portion of the palace somehow surpassed the beauty of the old queen's wing. Gleaming stone walls were carved with arabesque arches and inlaid with bright blue and orange tiles. Many of the walkways opened up onto gardens and courtyards, and birdsong twined with the sound of babbling water. True sunlight streamed through glass ceilings. I was led through porticoes and lovers' alcoves, passed through clouds of perfume and air filled with the trill of music."

It's as if the world itself--the cultures--is just as much a character as Amani or the princess.

Daud's focus adds a layer of realism to the overall reading experience. Readers will recognize elements of the real world. and I loved seeing a bit of the Middle East in my mind as I read--mixed with this new and exciting universe. I don't think I would have been as nearly as immersed in this book as I was without that deep and rich world-building. It's not common in YA as usually romantic story arch or action take a front seat to crafting living worlds. As an aside, I couldn't help but picture Tatooine from Star Wars, since it was a desert-like planet with a rich culture--and Daud's world felt like visiting Tatooine in some respects. If this was an intentional nod or inspiration, it's quite creative.

As much as the world surrounding Amani drives the story, character development is actually the focus here. Amani is an interesting character, the native captured by the colonizer and forced into serving her oppressors--so we have clear themes of colonialism and native oppression driving this story. This comes with some interesting back and forth between her and Maram--the princess to whom she is to serve as a body double and navigate the culture of her oppressors. Both women begin as distinctly separate people. Amani is someone who values family, community, and poetry, evident by her reproach of the prince in his poor translations of her people's folklore. Maram is the princess who comes from both Vathek and Kushaila (Amani's culture), and her mother's Kushaila roots is something she tries to suppress. She goes through life with an iron will and heart of stone. Maram has no love or respect for Kushaila culture and works to bully this out of Amani.

Over time, however, Amani is subtly able to rebel by reconnecting to her Kushaila roots through Idris, and the two come together over these shared interests. As Amani notes,

"And this, poetry like this, was all we had to preserve our stories, our music, our history."

At the same time, the wealth, power, and sparkle of Maram's life seduces Amani in many ways. This draws on themes of assimilation and acculturation and Amani struggles to retain her sense of self and identity. Ultimately, readers will find her strong, and her position will only strengthen her resolve. On the other hand, we have Maram, who is not wholly villainous and is also a victim of her world. She is not good enough for either of her cultures, so her brutality is her last attempt at power. She is the "hyphenated" the "inbetween" and she becomes one who has no identity because of her position. While not an excuse for being brutal and cruel (as there is no excuse for the brutality of colonialism), we can sympathize with her position. The women are two representations of the sad consequences of imperialism and colonialism on the Other. Moreover, Daud crafts a quite feminist novel as well, as both women can be seen as victims of the violent, patriarchal societies that have created them and keep them as they are. Further, Daud expertly draws subtle context from Morocco's history with French colonialism and its brutalities. Through it all, there is push for hope, for freedom from cruelty and oppression--from those in power and from that we create ourselves. As Amani wonders:

"those who witnessed the consecration of the ground would leave with hope. Would think of our endurance and our survival. More than that, I hoped that Maram would think back on the words she'd helped me craft, and envision a world without the cruelties of her father's reign. It was a small hope, I thought...but an important one--if Maram could be the ruler that her father had failed to be, that her mother had wanted her to be, then there was hope for us--for all of us."

Again, these interweavings make Mirage a living, breathing, immersive world.

Daud's novel is definitely character-driven, and the story focuses on conversation and character narrative for its progression. We aren't stuck with incessant action scenes, battles, or quests. We are presented with characters who are deeply flawed, multi-faceted, and all too human. Likewise, we are given a look into a world riddled with cruelty, brutality, but one that is also full of love and beauty. This kind of sums up this entire novel--this books is gorgeous, and I can't wait to get my hands on the second in this stunning duology.

There is so much more in this novel that I could talk about, dissect, analyze, but then I'd leave you with nothing, no surprises to look forward to. Because, ultimately, reading this book is an experience, and is one you should take for yourself. It's utterly brilliant and is worthy of the praise and hype it's getting. It may be one of the most important releases of the year.