Mirage is a lush YA sci-fi/fantasy hybrid inspired by Middle Eastern mythology and culture that is full of political intrigue, friendship, and a swoon-worthy forbidden romance. It is also a thoughtful commentary on issues of faith, identity, and colonization. The story follows 18-year-old Amani who is ripped from her village and family by the conquering Vathek to become the body double of half-Vathek Princess Maram with whom she shares a face.

I don't want to say too much because of spoilers, but this was a beautifully written book that seamlessly integrates Middle Eastern language and mythology, with nods to the imperial period of colonization in the region. Daud's writing is full of vivid imagery and sometimes poetic language. The story kept me turning the pages and I am excited to see where the rest of the series goes. I loved the way that the romance progressed and appreciated the complexity of characters who could have been one-dimensional.

The world-building seems pretty solid, especially for a debut author. We see bits and pieces of a rich mythology that I hope to see more of in future books. I'm excited to see how that intersects with Amani's character arc! There are also small touches woven in to the story that I really appreciated, like how Amani's approach to playing a board game becomes emblematic of her later choices. I have so many thoughts on this book, but I worry about saying too much so I'll end it there. Suffice to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to being immersed in this world again in future books! I agreed to review an early copy of this book received via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This. Book. Completely. Utterly. Totally. Destroyed me and I loved every single second of it. Mirage is a MUST read and my favourite book so far this year! I first became interested in reading it after it appeared everywhere on Twitter. So many bloggers were raving about it. I loved the cover and synopsis, but to be completely honest was a bit skeptical. I've been burnt multiple times by books that have been overly hyped on Twitter. However, this wasn't the case with Mirage. This book is the real deal and I can't stop recommending it to people. YOU REALLY NEED TO READ IT!

The story focuses on a teenaged girl named Amani. She begins the story living on a small forgotten about moon with her family. On her eigthteeth birthday she is kidnapped by imperial droids and taken to the residence of the Vathek royal family. Why? Because Amani looks very similar to the heartless and cruel Princess Maram. The royal family are constantly under threat from rebel groups who want to stop the Vathek's galactic expansion and the obliteration of cultures, religions and unique ways of life that accompanies a take over. So, since Princess Maram fears for her life, she forces Amani to become her body double or face execution.

The main themes of the novel were cultural identity, family and suppression. From the moment Amani was taken by the Vathek she was constantly challenged. They wanted to strip her of her cultural identity, which is what shaped her into the person that was she. They forced her to leave behind everything she knew and become someone else. She had to learn their mannerisms, etiquette and traditions in order to pretend to be Princess Maram. Failure to do so would result in physical and verbal abuse.

The world building in Mirage was very well done. The blending of science fiction (droids, space travel and advanced technology) with Moroccan culture and traditions made it very unique. I appreciated how the author didn't dump information on the reader. Aspects of the world, its complex cultures, traditions, peoples, etc. was revealed as time went on. It actually made me feel like Amani...I was trying to learn and navigate a world I knew nothing about. The slow reveal of information made me want to read on and on. For some people this may be a turn-off, but I love it when books do this. Also, the way the author writes was so magical. I could perfectly imagine what was described, how a character was feeling, etc.

The romance was a a tiny bit rushed at the beginning. Amani and Princess Maram's fiancé, Idris, kind of fell for each other to quickly and easily. However, I can completely forgive it because their relationship was so fascinating and dangerous. Let me just say that I totally adored Idris. Besides being a character that you can't help but fall in love with, my heart hurt for him and his backstory. It was like he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders and the pain of thousands of people. Him and Amani had so much in common and I couldn't help but route for them as I read through the story. They are now one of my favourite book couples!

This is seriously one of the best releases of 2018! I'm so happy that I received an early copy, but also so sad because now I'll have to wait even longer for the sequel. I WANT MORE! Anyway, I can't recommend this wonderful book enough. GO GET YOUR COPY RIGHT NOW!! I can guarantee you'll be just as addicted as I was.

This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be full of magic but instead I found myself in a sci-if adventure on a distant planet. This isn’t a bad thing, my expectations were just way off and I found myself caught off guard. Mirage follows a girl who is taken from her home and forced to act as a body double for the princess who is a target for rebel groups. I did enjoy this story but it didn’t really stand out to me, it wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t anything amazing either. It got better towards the end but for the most part, it just didn’t feel like anything was really happening. I’m sure there will be more if this ends up being a longer series but for this first book, I wanted more from the story and the plot.

What an amazing book! I love the plot and the characters, it was such a fast, engaging read that I enjoyed reading every single word.

[Review will be posted on Reader Voracious Blog on 8/21/2018 as part of the Blog Tour.]

Mirage is such a beautifully written debut novel from Somaiya Daud and I cannot wait for the rest of you to experience it! Poetically written and instantly captivating, this book draws you into a new world so vivid you feel as if you could walk the streets. This is a powerful own-voices Moroccan inspired SFF tale of culture, family, oppression, and rebellion with a diverse cast of complex characters that you cannot help but adore.

Through the perspective of eighteen year old Amani, we are brought into the world of a star system that has been conquered by an alien race known as the Vath after they destroyed their own home, Vaxor. All Amani has known in her life is the oppression of the Vath and their slow erasure of the indigenous cultures, especially the Kushaila poetry that has been used as a rallying cry for rebellion. But for her older siblings and the older generations they remember what it used to be like, which in my opinion is way worse.

"The occupation is cruel. Its heirs crueler still."

"[T]he Vath seemed determined to beat our language out of all of us, and the Kushaila in particular, no matter the cost."

The novel begins with Amani's coming of age celebration with her family and friends in the village, where she was given her long-awaited daan - the traditional face markings depicting her lineage as well as her parents hopes for her in life - and transitioning to adulthood. She has been waiting for this day, but unfortunately Vathek droids descend upon the ceremony. Amari is kidnapped and brought to the Ziyaana where she learns why she was taken from her family and village on Cadiz: she is nearly identical to Princess Maram. Due to Maram's unpopularity and rebel activity, it has become necessary to have a stand-in at public activities... and Amani must learn to perfectly mirror Maram to survive (and perhaps see her family again).

"The crown of Dihya had been stripped from me, my face changed, my body broken. But I was not a slave and I was not a spare. I was my mother's daughter, and I would survive and endure. I would find my way back home."

Mirage is at its core a character-driven story and I found the various friendships - especially female friendships - to be powerful and captivating. Each of the characters are complex with rich backstories that shape who they are as we get to know them, and I loved the way that Daud exposes them bit by bit as they get to know one another.

➡️ Amani is our main character, and I absolutely love her to pieces. She is strong and compassionate with an intense love for Massinia and the ancient poetry of her culture. her trusting and poetry loving. "You do not kneel or bend, I told myself. To anyone. You continue."
➡️ Maram is our main antagonist, but she is much more complex than a simple villain and quite possibly is my favorite character in the book. I love villains that are more than just evil and are given a backstory. Maram is the heir apparent for the Vath empire as outlined in the peace treaty, but her position is all but secure. As the daughter of the cruel emperor Mathis and the former Andalaan queen she is between regimes and cultures, and hated by both side for her heritage. To the Andalaans she is a symbol of the oppressors and to the Vath she is impure. She doesn't remember the before, and her life has lead her to be hard and mistrusting. "Fear and hatred are good deterrents against murderers."
➡️ Idris is Maram's fiance, as was decreed as part of the peace treaty that gave Mathis control of the planet. He is from the former aristocracy, and was 10 during the war, old enough to remember what it was like before but young enough to have lost the bits of his culture in the after. While we learn a lot about the backstory of Idris' family, there is a lot about him that is still cloaked in mystery. "His heritage [is] bound up in blood and misery."

Everyone seems to be a pawn for something in this world or an instrument of someone else's will and a running theme is whether or not the characters are responsible for the actions of their parents. Are they able to forge their own destinies? Or are they doomed on the path set for them without their input?

"My life had been a series of events happening to me, and I wanted so desperately to be able to exert the control Massinia managed on my own life."

The story is crafted so well and depicts the measures that occupying groups employ to exert and maintain control over their conquered land. What I found bizarre though was the treaty itself. I just don't see Mathis accepting a peace treaty, let alone agreeing to its terms after those who signed it were dead. I was the only person that found this odd in my buddy read though, so I won't hold this odd character reversal against him (although Maram does seem to agree with me)!

"It is not the Vathek way to let those conquered rule themselves, and with my Andalaan fiance - people say...things"

The descriptive language that I adored during the first 20% of the book I unfortunately came to find overwhelming and borderline excessive in parts, to the point of detracting from the plot progression. There were chunks of the book that I felt all I was reading was beautifully written descriptions and nothing else. There is so little dialogue in parts and I think that is why I struggled at times: it is lyrically written but the narrative drags for me when all it does is describe. I was craving more interaction and is the reason that I rated this 4 instead of 5 stars, but I know that not everyone will feel the same way.

Overall I found Mirage to be an absolute treasure. In my opinion this is the best feminist SFF book that I have read so far in 2018, and I cherish the characters and world. This was a great start to what I am sure will be an amazing series, and I cannot wait to see what is next for Amani, Idris, and Maram! I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see it out in the world!

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me an electronic advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how Moroccan culture and sci-fi were mixed beautifully. I enjoyed all the political intrigues and the sweet romance brewing between Amani and Idris. I feel sorry Maram and I sort of understand why she is so mean. I will be reading the next book in the series when it's released.

I have greatly been anticipating this book, especially after actually meeting Somaiya Daud while she was in conversation with Veronica Roth on The Fates Divide tour. Daud is an amazingly fun, friendly, exuberant person who also loves Star Wars. Mirage is her debut novel, and boy what a fantastic novel it is! I was already planning on buying it, having it pre-ordered since April 2018, but listening to Daud talk about the novel (not giving too much away, of course), I just couldn't wait!

And I am still sold on this novel and am extremely excited to add it to my collection. I would like to thank NetGalley, Somaiya Daud, and Flatiron books for the opportunity to read this book in advance for an honest review. Did I mention I am definitely buying this book?

I love space novels and romance. Some of my favorites include These Broken Stars, Illuminae, and Zenith (among others), and this fits right in! When I first heard about this book, I was like "Huh, sounds somewhat like one of the subplots of Turn A Gundam," which is likewise sci-fi. For those who don't know, one of the plots in the anime involves a moon princess trading places with a girl on Earth who looks just like her. They do it for fun at first, then it becomes an act of political safety and scandal to keep the princess safe.

Mirage is similar in that eighteen-year-old Amani is taken from her home moon to its mother planet where the royal family lives. The planet was taken over by the Vath and aims to hold its power over the planet and its moons. Amani doesn't know why she was taken from her home until she sees her own face reflected in that of Maram, the princess. Maram uses Amani as a political double, training her to be and act like Maram in every way so that Amani can be her body double for various events, in case of assassination attempts and the like.

In the process, Maram's fiance, Idris, sees right through Amani's guise. A romance buds between the two, but how far can they go without getting caught? And what happens to their relationship when it comes time for Maram and Idris to marry?

This novel is beautifully written and full of both romance and political intrigue. It's a page-turner from start to finish. And...it appears there will be a second book (and a third?)! I am disappointed that I have to wait, but I am so excited that there is going to be more to Amani's story and the world of Mirage by such a fantastic new writer in the world of young adult literature!

The book has an interesting premise as a culturally rich fantasy set in outer space. The story provides a needed diversity that is enriching the expanding young adult genre. However, I was not personally invested in the main protagonist or what might happen in future installments.

Wow, I am truly blown away by this book. Mirage is one of the best YA novels I've read in some time. Though it did fall into the genre's trademark "insta-love" trap, Daud's writing is so entrancing, beautiful, and utterly devastating that I couldn't find myself too mad about it. This is a book that needs to be on the top of everyone's TBR list. It's evocative, heartbreaking, chilling, and the worldbuilding is so rich and culturally astounding that it feels as if you're living and breathing the story along with the characters.

A young woman named Amani is ripped from her home because she bears striking resemblance to a cruel princess and for that she is forced to become a body double, to take Princess Maram's place in any situation where her life could be threatened. The character's are all full of depth, even the seemingly shallow and antagonistic Maram. Relationships are developed with care, not one iota of this book is underdeveloped or rushed. The precision and expertise of Daud's craft makes for an impeccable story and I cannot wait to see the follow-up to this story because the ending left me breathless.

Mirage is an #OwnVoices Moroccan inspired story. It is truly a wonderful and lyrical tale, about preserving one's culture, family and love. Our main character is Amani, a village farm girl, who gets kidnapped on the night she becomes of age while celebrating with her friends and family.

Like the blurb says Amani is a dreamer, who despite her life circumstances, the oppression her community faces since the Vathek invaded and conquered the planet. The Vathek being a race who are invading and conquering various Moons? Planets? in their galaxy. Embedding their beliefs and culture on the lands they conquered as they wipe out or try to banish the norms, tradition, cultures and religions known on the planet before their invasion. Amani never loses hope or forgets her roots. 

Bring in Maram, the half princess and heir to the Vathek throne on their planet. Maram is cruel, and it is so clear that she is an afraid human, who has suffered so much emotional trauma, that she can't help but trust anyone but herself, because to her everyone else has an ulterior motive when it comes to her.

She fears she's going to get murdered, and when she realizes she has a body double in Amani, she, of course, kidnaps her so Amani can take her place in risky situations, where she may be assassinated, by the people she is to rule over. Maram is that character you want to hate but can't help but sympathize for, even if I do find her very annoying.

Amani in Maram shoes gets to understand Maram a lot better and sees that she just needs a push in the right direction, even if she has to be very cautious because Maram's temper is one to be wary about.

I love Idris. My newest book boyfriend. He is completely a sweetheart, I was suspicious of him, but he's a good one, and the romantic parts in this book, made my romance junkie heart happy and my cheeks swell up with glee. Idris has his own tribulations in the story and I can't wait to read more about it in future.

Of course, when people are oppressed there is always going to be rebellion. When Amani situation is found out, the rebels seek her out, because is in such a high position, to give information back to the rebels. She agrees to be an insider and she pays the ultimate price in their time of war.

I love how the books portray the various characters. Because there are so many to meet, all with important roles within the tale. I love how Kindness is a thing in this book, how it highlights the importance and need for kindness, especially in trying times, it goes a long way. It also has a wonderful take on building friendships, with all kinds of people.

That is to say, I can't wait to read Mirage again. I can't wait to get my hands on the final/finished copy of this book. It's a book worth reading twice or even more, because I know once I read this the second time, I'll better understand the world in which this book is set, as for right now I have a pretty good idea of how the world works, and what is what, but there are a lot of details I need to go back and read, to comprehend better.

Somaiya Daud is a captivating author. She is a beautiful writer, with a way with words, she sucked me in and I didn't want to stop reading until I got to the very last page. I believe Somaiya's book is one we should all support, especially as she is a debut #OwnVoices author, who still has so much to give us.

I received a free ebook copy of Mirage from NetGalley in exchange for feedback and an honest review.

3.5 stars.

Mirage is well written, with gorgeous, imaginative settings in the faraway Vathek empire. Amani is kidnapped on her majority night, an event in which she receives facial tattoos significant to her Kushailla culture, because she is identical to the king's daughter Maram. Maram, who is hated for being of mixed blood and having a very harsh personality, requires a body double -- Amani. As time passes, Amani learns to act as Maram.

This is a book I really wanted to like, but it missed the mark in a few spots for me. I could not understand Amani's soft spot for Maram, or the romance between her and Maram's fiance, and these elements left me rolling my eyes at a number of points. On the other hand, I loved the lush descriptions of a Moroccan inspired setting and Amani's intrinsic appreciation for poetry. Mirage is absolutely worth a read, if not precisely my cup of tea.

On her majority night, a coming of age ceremony, Amani is forcibly taken by Imperial droids and carted off her moon to the mother planet Andala, home of Vathek royalty. Amani grew up in an impoverished village, Cadiz, under Vathek occupation and knows their cruelty. She is shocked to discover that she is a doppelganger to the ruthless and hated half-Vathek Princess Maram. In response to increased rebel attacks, Amani is groomed as a body double and must navigate the complexities of court, including the charms of Maram’s fiance, Idris.
Mirage has a slow burning plot. I felt the first half of the book was slow going for me as we are introduced to the Vathek court and key players. I was, however, fascinated by the Moroccan influence that has shaped Daud’s world. The book covertly addresses important issues such as colonialism, appropriation, suppression, and erasure. The cast of characters are diverse and people of color. I was also excited to learn about the Indigenous Amazigh of Northwest Africa, including the warrior queen Dihya, who serves as a symbol of feminism and anti-colonialism. I had never heard of her before nor this group of indigenous people of North Africa.
I did not get invested into the story until the second half of the book as Amani becomes involved in the court politics, brewing rebellion, and becomes involved with Idris. I enjoyed their star-crossed romance, but was happy to see that it was not the focus of the story. I also really appreciated that Maram was not your token villain, but also had layers to her character. She reminded me a lot of Queen Levana from the Lunar Chronicles who evoked sympathy and hate in equal measures. Despite the uneven pacing issues, I still want to know more about this world and am looking forward to the next book.

#BookReview - Arc of Mirage by @somaiyaa
“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.”
🙌🏼
Rating: 5/5🌟
🌘
You guys. This is space + fantasy + sci-fi goodness all wrapped into one.
The concept of this book hasn’t been done before so far as I’ve seen.
✨
Amani is from a far off moon but is taken away and is forced to become a body for the half-Vathek Princess Marem. She is almost indentical to her and is forced to put herself in danger to ensure the princess’ safety.
Amani starts spending time with Marem’s fiancé Idris(which wowee).
This book makes you want to dive in and never surface. It’s so well written and as the book progresses so do all the relationships involved in very interesting ways.
The ending makes me want the next book in this series and Somaiya hasn’t even released this book 😅😩😭.
🌖
I cannot wait for everyone to read this! Thank you @flatironbooks and @netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review!💕

Opening with an elegant style of prose, Mirage immediately draws in readers with its lush and mysterious introduction to Amani's world. A true cross between fantasy and science fiction, the Vathek empire and the cultures it has subjugated bring together the vibrant Moroccan-inspired setting and the endless possibility of a galactic society.

From the onset, Andala and its moon, Cadiz, feel fully-formed. Though some early details are handled through exposition most of the history and culture behind them unfold naturally throughout the novel. From technology to cuisine, religion to fashion, Vathek and Andalaan cultures are study in opposites. Each of the three main characters are forced to straddle the line dividing conquerors from conquered, pointedly drawing the reader's eye to a cascade of injustices that has brought Andalaans to the brink of revolution. A few small details don't quite fit—soldiers wield both "automatic rifles" and "blasters" with no further explanation for how the two disparate technologies co-exist—although it's far from enough to derail the rich world-building that goes on throughout Mirage.

Daud also expends a lot of energy developing Amani, Idris, and Maram, as well as the shifting alliances between them. Maram is by far the most interesting of the three, caught between two cultures that see her as "other" and lesser-than, regardless of her royal status. Beneath her cruelty lies a complexity of spirit, perhaps even a twinge of vulnerability, that signals her as more than a straw man villain.

Amani, by contrast, feels assured in both her heritage and her belonging in the Andalaan culture. Her empathy towards her look-alike counterbalances a justifiable rage at the Vathek regime and the cruelties it has inflicted. This juxtaposition drives some compelling growth for her character, yet it is at times offset by poor decisions made in service to the plot, rather than her own development. Idris, the princess' fiancé, trundles along well enough, but the real focus and depth lies with the two young women.

With so much focus on characters and setting, the plot does falter at times. Rather than being dispatched into dangerous public appearances, Amani's duties most often require her to attend parties and official functions that would otherwise bore the princess. While this behavior suits Maram's spoiled, entitled demeanor quite well, it also ratchets down the tension considerably. Several larger schemes are set in motion—namely a forbidden romance and growing rebellion—establishing Mirage as an introduction to the long game that will play out in its sequels. It may diminish some initial excitement, but it bodes very well for the coming installments.

This book is definitely going in the books as one of my favorites of 2018.

Mirage tells the story of a young girl, Amani, who was snatched from her home planet the same evening she goes through the ceremony to become a woman, and forced to play body double to a cruel princess, Maram, on a planet still struggling in the aftermath of invasion, occupation, and the subsequent rebellions.

It has deep and complex, multi-faceted characters, some political intrigue, and is told with all the romanticism of The Wrath and the Dawn with a little bit of Romeo and Juliet thrown in, yet in a futuristic setting. This book checked SO many boxes for me. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and it still surpassed my expectations.

Amani, was very strong in her belief system, and was struggling with her own thoughts on what it means to be full grown, yet actually ends up doing the most growing and learns even more compassion as a Vathek 'hostage', playing body double for their princess and maneuvering around in their upper echelon.

I don't want to say too much about our princess, to avoid spoilers, but I enjoyed seeing her character development just as much as Amani's, and Idris? Completely swoon worthy! I 'aww'ed so many times. Seriously. Out loud.

I also absolutely love how even though the book features people or beings from different planets, it doesn't feel "Blue alien" spacey. It gives the feel of dealing with different cultures, not cheesy alien races. A perfect balance in a beautifully written book. I stayed up binge-reading it in one sitting and it's now almost 2am, but I had to get these thoughts out.

Definitely pre-ordering a hard copy of this book, because I loved it!

THIS book is one of my favourites this year. The writing was simply gorgeous ...in that I COULD NOT TAKE MY EYES AWAY. I haven't been able to stop gushing about the gorgeous Moroccan-inspired setting and the absolutely stunning descriptions. From start to finish, I was there with Amani, I was rooting for her, hurting with her and I just was so anxious for her. Mirage read fantasy with a little bit of sci-fi and it worked well. The plot was extremely character-driven — while some people don't necessarily enjoy character-driven plots, I feed on them like chocolate. Mirage was a marvelous debut and I cannot wait to see it take over the world.

I liked this soooooo much more than I thought I was going to. I couldn't put it down! The writing is beautiful and the world building is excellent.

This book is a gem. You're faced with a very original plot, but towards the middle it becomes a fairly typical theme for YA. However, the setting and characters got me right away. You're swept away, initially, to a place that might seem familiar but you quickly realize that this isn't what you're expecting at all. It's beautifully descriptive and draws you in completely! I would definitely recommend this to my customers, as well as my friends and family.

There is SO MUCH to love about this book. Gorgeous writing, complex characters, timely exploration of social issues, an interplanetary sci-fi that's rooted in a non-white culture and not focused on high-tech gadgetry, a protagonist who's true to her religious faith -- I cannot wait to press this book into the hands of readers. Thank you so, so much to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for giving me the chance to read this one early! I'm already dying for the sequel!

Mirage by Somaiya Daud is the first book of the new young adult romantic science fiction fantasy series by the same name. Eighteen year old Amani is from a poor family living in a village on a remote moon when droids show up scanning everyone they come across.

When the droids scan Amani they find something within her that causes her capture and to be whisked away from her home. The next Amani knows she is meeting Princess Maram and finds she is staring into what is practically her own face. That is when Amani knows what her crime was, being a mirror image of the Princess.

Princess Maram is not a kind soul, following in the footsteps of her father she is known to be wicked and cruel and her first meeting with Amani proves to be no different than the rumors have led Amani to believe. Tortured and forced to learn the Princess’ every move Amani is forced to become her body double and stand in during events in which the Princess’ life will be in danger from assassins.

I finished reading Mirage a couple of days ago and had to give this one some thought as to how I wanted to rate this opener. It’s not a bad read by any means but I did have a few issues with this first book. The first being one that happens quite often and that is just being reminded of other books, movies or television, it took awhile to stop thinking of other things and get into this one on it’s own.

But the second is not necessarily bad but more my own preference when it comes to fantasy and that is this one is a heavily character driven read. The biggest portion of this opener is Amani and Idris and their goo goo eyes for one another then the next is Amani and Maram and their relationship forming and it seemed anything and everything else was buried within those interactions. Personally I like more action and more use of the scifi world and politics that the story is set in. The end of the book really picked up though which might give an indication of book 2 going a bit faster now that the character building is set. So in the end I decided to go 3.5 stars on this opener and hope for more in the upcoming installment.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.