I received an arc of this book through Netgalley and Flatiron books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<b> “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.”</b>

When my friend recommended me this book because she loved it, I went in with high expectations. I was not disappointed. By the last chapter I was sobbing. Who doesn't love a book that takes their heart and just utterly destroys it? A book that leaves you craving the second installment, a book where you love the villain and want for her redemption so bad that you wish you could enter the book yourself.

This book delivers all of that and more. The three main characters are Amani, Maram, and Idris. Maram is the heir apparent (or is trying her damnedest to get that nomination from her father) to the Vath empire. Idris is Maram's betrothed, taken as a part of the treaty the Vath signed because they violated galactic law by conquering the Kushailan peoples and other planets surrounding their own moon of Andala. Amani is Maram's physical twin in just about every way, even though they are not biologically related.

All three of them are so three dimensional, just when you think you've seen all that you can about a characters depth, you find more.

The plot follows Amani as she's kidnapped by Maram to be her body double, to attend all events that may put Maram in harms way - people hate Maram. You follow Amani as she learns how to be Maram, how to navigate the Vath world, to remain true to herself and find a future free from Vath rule, and protect those she has come to hold so dearly to her heart.

The only downside I had with this book is that its marketed as sci-fi and yet the sci-fi elements almost felt like an afterthought. The book would have been virtually the same without space travel, and the droids. But that issue is so minor it didn't affect my rating.

Such an amazing debut novel. I look forward to many more by this author.

This isn't what I expected it to be, and I'm totally okay with that. This is a book that relies heavily on character development and runs at a slower pace - allowing its readers to really absorb its characters purpose as well as more complicated themes relating to colonialism and the eradication of native cultures. The author does a fantastic job with both of these elements, creating opportunities for discussion.

I think the only element that really had me confused was the sci-fi/fantasy hybrid. The inclusion of droids and the other more clearly sci-fi components felt superfluous and didn't seem to add much to what would have been a perfectly fine fantasy novel. I'm curious if they'll play a larger role in the subsequent books in the series, but for now the focus on the characters and their relationships is what carried this novel and made it the page turner that it was.

Overall - a great read for teens and one that has earned its place on YA shelves and would be an excellent choice for book clubs.

n this Moroccan inspired sci-fi/fantasy read, our protagonist, Amani, is taken away from her family and planet by an oppressive regime right in the middle of her coming of age ceremony. She soon discovers that she’s been taken because she looks exactly like the princess and heir to the throne, Maram. As assassination threats aimed at Maram get more serious, Amani realizes that she’s been taken to be trained as a body double. While at first swept away by the trappings of the court, Amani comes to understand that she faces mortal danger on two fronts: if she doesn’t portray the princess well enough, if she’s discovered, she’ll be killed. If she plays the princess too well, she’s likely to be assassinated.

When I read this premise, I knew I needed to get this book in my hands. I love court intrigue and the chance to learn about a new-to-me culture. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. For almost every element that I consider when considering a book’s merit, there was something that I liked and something that I hated. For example, take the world building. The Moroccan lense through which the world was built led to some rich cultural and fantastical elements as well as some pointed commentary about the negative effects of culture erasure and colonialism. However, the science fiction elements were completely out of place, unnecessary, and jarring. They’d take a spaceship to another planet and I would have totally forgotten they were in space, that’s how extraneous the science fiction elements were. There was a paradoxical wealth and dearth of technology that drove me a little crazy.

Maram was really well developed and was a very interesting character as she's got a bit of moral ambiguity going on. Amani was a little flat and seemed to have almost no agency. She falls into instalove with Maram’s fiancé who was even more flat than Amani, so perhaps they deserve each other? The plot meandered, and I often wondered where the story was going – it did get interesting after Amani realizes she’s in a great place to further resistance efforts but that realization was a long walk to a short drink of water, to use an aphorism from my childhood.

While I liked elements of the book, on the whole, it didn’t work for me. Many other reviewers have loved it, though, so if the premise sounds intriguing, you may consider giving it a try. For readers of Renee Ahdieh and Tomi Adeyemi. I liked half of it, so I’ll give it half of the stars: 2.5.

Thanks to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Mirage is available now – put your copy on hold today!

Wow! What a book Mirage was. I never expected this to be so diverse and character-driven. This book has a thin line between fantasy and science-fiction. Though I won’t call it necessarily a fantasy book, there were sci-fi elements like droids and data packets and planets and moons. The overall setting of the book is Moroccan-inspired which definitely adds a charm to the story.

This story is about Amani who is living with her parents and two brothers on the moon called Cadiz. On the day of her coming of age celebration, when she got her daan and officially entered to adulthood, she was kidnapped by Vathek droids and was taken to the royal palace, the Ziyaana, on the planet of Andala. There she finds that she looks identical to the cruel princess Maram and she was brought there to took Maram’s place in public gatherings because her life was in danger.

WHAT I LIKED
=> I loved Amani’s character. She made an interesting lead. I love how she was inclined towards poetry and in difficult times it was the poetry passed to her that gave her courage and pushed forward. I really admired how well connected she was to her culture and wanted to preserve the remaining bits and traditions, which was destroyed by Vathek rule.
=> The cruel princess, Maram, was my favorite character in the story. She was an enchanting villain with an interesting and complex development. I love villains who are more than simply bad. I hated her in the beginning but soon she became my favorite of all.
=> I really loved how the relationship between Amani and Maram changed over the time. From enemies, they were turning to kind of friends and Amani felt as if she was a big sister to Maram. I really loved that transformation, though it was short-lived.
=> Idris was the fiance of Maram but soon he fell for Amani. I simply adored him. His arrangement with Maram was merely politically based and when he opens up with Amani about his childhood and earlier life, it was wonderful to read about his story. I can’t wait to read more about Idris and his part in the new world arrangement.
=> All the other side characters were intricate and well-developed. I really hated Nadine, adored Tala. I really liked that how every character took its own space in the story and yet they never overwhelmed me.
=> The world building was wonderful. Somaiya Daud has crafted an amazing and horrifying world which you would definitely hate to live in. The planet and moon system and all have been created beautifully. But at the same time, the brutality of the Vathek empire has been depicted very well.
=> The book talks about the themes of colonialism and the erasure of native cultures. Andala had been invaded and occupied by cruel Vathek empire. This book also talks about the themes of love and loss, kindness, and friendship.
=> The writing was absolutely wonderful. Somaiya Daud’s writing was flowy and stunning and it kept me hooked to the story till the end. I was never bored by her words or the way she explained the events.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
=> As I said earlier, the story is heavily character-oriented so it doesn’t have a lot of things going on in terms of plot if you compare it with other YA fantasies. But the world building is fantastic and if you are okay with character-driven stories this will definitely keep you entertained.
=> The writing was really beautiful, but in some places, the scenes were dragged. The dialogues were quite less and it was more of descriptions and exploring relationships. So it appears a little slow at times.
=> I think the addition of sci-fi elements felt unnecessary? It could simply have been a straight-up fantasy. But the droids and live feed and other things add nothing interesting to the story.

Overall, Mirage is a powerful own-voices Moroccan inspired SFF with a strong heroine and an enchanting villain. The world-building is brilliant with rich cultural descriptions and well-developed characters. The themes of love, loss, friendship, colonial oppression, and rebellion have been depicted wonderfully. If you love to read character driven stories and don’t mind if the story is a little slow, then you would definitely enjoy this.

I go back and forth a little bit on classification for this book; it's smart and capable young adult fiction that happens to be set in space and is therefore science fiction on some level, but it's really quite difficult to decide whether it's dystopic or not. There is a kind of dynasty, with warring factions vying for power, and there is a resistance rising among the common people--and there are some of the other trappings familiar to readers of dystopic young adult science fiction and fantasy, such as a love triangle (or loyalty quadrangle, really) and a commoner who is required to put on fancy dresses for the first time. But there's a lot that's new and fresh, too, including an empire with aesthetics and a history and resonances that strike that perfect balance between introducing Western readers to the Bedouin people and other non-Western cultures and steering clear of cultural appropriation. There are still, despite the power and progress of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks hashtag, very few books which strike this balance out there, and I'm grateful for all of them. In addition to its importance, "Mirage" is a highly readable book with some beautiful descriptions woven in. I'll be first in line to beg Daud to make room for the LGBTQIA+ community in future installments, but the great thing about starting a new series is that such a hope springs eternal!

I absolutely loved this book! I don't typically read fantasy/sci-fi novels but Mirage sounded fascinating with its Moroccan-inspired setting and strong female protagonists. Amani's quiet courage, confidence, and loyalty to her people and her culture shine in the midst of the turmoil surrounding her. Maram represents everything Amani is not, but yet a reader can't help but want her to change, transform, and blossom into someone worth cheering for.

Mirage has everything - two opposing cultures vying for power, strong main characters, valuable and interesting supporting characters, and a luxurious setting painted to perfection. I can't wait for the next book in the series to see what happens next!

Mirage is a YA fantasy novel based on a recent historical period from the author’s ancestral land of Morocco. Known as the Years of Lead, it was a bloody episode during which dissidents were arrested or executed. In spite of the heavy subject matter, the author tells a charming story of love, friendship and being true to yourself.

In the Mizaal Galaxy there are stars and planets and moons – and rebels. A recent war has left the Imperialistic Vath in control of the region and the native tribes of the planet Andala and her terraformed moons are now their subjects. Given the Vath’s predilection for extreme violence, any resistance to their control receives a harsh and swift answer. In spite of that, small groups of Andalaan insurgents are plotting to regain control of their homelands. Known simply as the rebellion, these fighters wreak havoc on their conquerors, determined to throw off the dictatorship of Vath King Mathis and his daughter, the deeply unpopular Crown Princess Maram.

On Cadiz, a moon of Andala, it is the night of Amani’s majority and she is beyond excited. As a young girl of the Kushaila tribe, tonight’s ceremony means she will finally receive her daan, the special facial tattoos which mark out familial lineage and your parent’s hopes for your future. It has been a tough week, with rebels hiding in the fields and the Vath destroying those fields in retaliation. People wonder what the village will do for food and how many will be lost but in spite of that, tonight there will be a party. Amani’s evening has had a fortuitous start; she has been given special gifts by her mother and brother which seem to promise a bright future. Amani practically floats to the ceremony. When all the girls who are celebrating that night have received their marks, there is feasting and laughter and music. Until the Vath show up.

All the girls having their majority are lined up as the droid soldiers of their imperial conquerors scan each face, looking, Amani assumes, for rebels. But when they scan her face, they come to a stop. Her surprised resistance leads to violence, so Amani suppresses her fears and goes quietly with her captors.

Arriving at the imperial palace, she expects to be tortured for information about the rebels who had recently hidden in her town. It’s information she doesn’t have. Instead she learns she is to be the body double for Princess Maram. Maram has the heart of her cruel father and the face of her mother, the last Kushaila queen of Andala. The perfect blend of conqueror and conquered, Maram has no love for her mother’s people or their ways. She plans to continue her father’s violent rule – if she can survive long enough to gain power.

During their initial meeting, Amani learns firsthand that the rumors of Maram’s cruel nature are true. When Amani answers a question Maram asks with a less than desired deference, Maram has her hunting hawk grab Amani by the shoulder and drag her across the room. As Amani lays bleeding at Maram’s feet, she assures Amani that worse – far worse – awaits her and her family if she is anything but a pliable, biddable doll for the Imperial palace to mold as they see fit. With such incentive, Amani quickly learns how to dress, talk and speak like the princess until she is an exact replica of Maram.

Then she meets Idris ibn Salih, Maram’s fiancé who, like Amani and Maram, has Andalaan heritage. But unlike Maram, Idris embraces his culture and is a kind and gentle person. Soon, time spent with him is Amani’s only joy. Which is a very dangerous thing, for he belongs to Maram and Maram tolerates no rivals.

This is a slow burn story which focuses on relationships over action. Maram, Amani and Idris all live in highly volatile and dangerous positions within a warring political system. While galactic law demands that Maram inherit the planets once under her mother’s rule, thereby turning the Vath less into conquerors and more into legitimate heirs, there is plenty of opposition to that plan. Maram is dealing with both Vathek prejudice for her mixed blood, and a possible coup as relatives on her father’s side of the family consider how best to usurp her throne. She has been raised with only survival in mind, leaving her with a cruel and vindictive nature. Kindness to her mother’s people could be seen as either weakness or treason and both would lead to her being deposed. Yet as Amani discovers, Maram longs for true friendships. As the two girls get to know each other, a gradual softening occurs, allowing them to see value in each other.

Idris is a prince with no power. His family, once rulers within the Andala system, have almost all been killed, and those that haven’t are hostage to his good behavior. He is another nod to galactic law, serving as a royal stud who will increase the Andalaan strain of blood on Maram’s side of the vak Mathis line. Having learned to navigate his position through charm and intellect, he’s gained Maram’s affection as well as the love of all the people in Andala and its satellites. His precarious position is made even more vulnerable by his growing affection for Amani. She, not Maram, seems to understand his dreams, wishes and hopes for the future, but Amani’s life doesn’t belong to her and any relationship could see them, and their families killed and the people of Andala punished for the betrayal.

The prose here is smooth and the well-drawn characters are reminiscent of Western teens (and perhaps teens everywhere) in that they are searching for themselves and for where they fit into the world. That they lean more towards introspection than action makes sense given the nature of the story. Embedded into the prose are some images that are perhaps not easily accessible to Westerners such as the warrior queen Dihya, (also called Kahina) a Berber who fought against the Muslim invasion of Maghreb and the use of the term Vathek for the invaders, which refers to an eighteenth century French Orientalist novel which featured an Arabian caliph who denounces Islam and after a series of misadventures, winds up in hell. The themes they represent, though, – of female leadership, of the evils of colonial rule – are easily understood from the text.

Mirage is very much a first book which sets up the world and characters of which our adventure will be made. Perfectly designed to appeal to fans of Sabaa Tahir and Renee Ahdieh, this tale will make an excellent addition to any YA library.

Okay, so I had a rocky start to this book, because it reminded me of a few other books I recently read. And because of this I could not get into it. That being said, I think that I will come back and finish the book at a later time. There are some powerful and important themes, including hope in a disheartening reality. This is such an important theme in today’s world. Plus, Daud introduces a diverse perspective that is much needed in the YA genre. I would definitely recommend this book to readers that love a main character that perseveres and dreams despite the odds! Not to mention some very reputable reading sources have absolutely enjoyed this book, so I'm excited to dive in again soon!

I love this book! The concept is so genius - a young woman is kidnapped by a violent regime to act as a body double for a cruel and hated princess - and had me hooked from the very beginning. The characters are so strong and complex, and the relationships between them are riveting. I love a book that makes me feel conflicted about the villain. The world building is fantastic as well, and I hope we learn more about the star system in future books. The ending is such a cliff hanger! This is my first time reading a space opera, and what a fantastic place to start!

Mirage is definitely that kind of story that I wasn’t expecting. It is an interesting and unique story, that moves quickly. It was easy to read this in almost one sitting. I loved the lush descriptions of the culture and places.

The world building was interesting. I enjoyed the descriptions of the different settings from the architecture, to the foods and just the general differences between the cultures. I think the traditions that vary between the Vath and the Andalaans are so well defined and so much of the culture feels beautiful. I loved the focus on the folklore and stories. The way things are put into poetry and song. I felt like I could really feel and taste what I was reading. As far as the placement of things. I think I could have really used a map to keep it straight in my brain, but at the same time I love that there is a title page letting you know the location they are at.

Even though the story takes place on different planets and moons and at times the Vath are called Aliens. I guess since there are droids too but I wouldn’t consider this really Sci-Fi, to me it definitely flows more in the vein of Fantasy.

The thing I really liked about this book besides the fact that I do think it is a great plot, is the pacing. I love fantasy but lately I feel like the books have gotten really heavy and very involved and lot more like adult fantasy. Which again I do love but I really liked how this story is laid out. There is definitely politics at play but it did not feel overwhelming. Everything is constantly in motion and I did not feel overwhelmed with too many characters. This gave an opportunity for the main characters to be more developed and I really felt bonded with them. It was easy to see why each character is motivated into the actions that they follow.

The writing is great and of course the inclusion of the poetry. It definitely gave it that feel throughout. Plus just a great and unique plot, that is strong in the fact that it’s simple. It’s not too much and extremely easy to follow.

I loved the romance. I needed a romance like this one, sweet and natural. Two people finding solace in having an ally and partner.

I really liked Amani, Maram and Idris. I liked that my opinions of them fluxated as a I read because to me that always shows development. I might not like someone at first but as I learn more about them. I can see things from a new perspective. I also felt like how Amani is strong because she holds on to who she is. She might be striped of many things but she holds fast to her culture and who she is. It’s a deep part of her, where we see Maram often mold herself to what she needs to be.

I’m very excited for the next book. I can’t wait to see where this story takes us next.

Amani has really only ever known her home as occupied by the harsh invaders the Vathek empire. She does wish she could live in the time it was different, not that long ago — when her Andalaan culture could be one she cherished and took part in fully, when she and her family could live peacefully in their quiet village and go about their business. When she could take time to read and ponder on the poetry dedicated to Massinia, the prophetess of their religion, and maybe even write some of her own.

Her life is hard, but she has her beloved family. Then one night, during the cultural ceremony marking her entry into adulthood, she is taken by the Vath to the royal palace, where the half-Andalaan, half-Vathek Princess Maram lives. It turns out Amani looks uncannily like Maram, and she is now being trained to be her body double for certain events — to keep the real princess safe in case of any attacks. Maram is cruel and hated by the people the Vatheks have conquered; her appearance is very Andalaan, but her personality is very much a product of her Vathek upbringing and the personality and expectations of her ruthless father the king.

Amani finds a way to do what she’s told, and as time goes along, she finds a place in the world she’s been thrust into. She particularly enjoys the company of Maram’s fiancé, Idris, a fellow native of her world who was born into privilege but is being forced to play a role as well, though not a secret one, to stay alive in their harsh reality.

As time goes on, Amani finds it may be possible for her to make a difference, to effect some change. But most possibilities are very dangerous options. Can she risk her life, the lives of her family, her connection to Idris and even to the princess?

This is a story that’s not unusual in its setup — young woman has to find ways to be courageous, to survive, to look deep inside herself, etc., in a tough world of some kind — but it’s enjoyable. It’s set on a moon that’s been colonized by people from the planet it orbits. There are people who live on various star systems and other planets, and there’s technology that enables travel, communications, etc., but the book has no more elements of science fiction and doesn’t feel of that genre at all. Those are just facts underlying the story. And the setting is very much Moroccan: the colors, the foods, the culture and language. It’s very rich and descriptive. Amani is a young woman who doesn’t consider herself strong or courageous, but she has opportunities to find those qualities in herself and to create a place for herself in a life she didn’t expect. “Strong women” threads run throughout the book in different ways but aren’t in-your-face. I enjoyed that.

This book was written so beautifully, and the characters are dynamic and lovable. I enjoyed reading this so much!! I recommend to readers even if they never read fantasy. It's just that good! One of the most anticipated late summer releases, and for good reason.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud is a wonderful sci-fi, fantasy story with a bit of romance on the side. While this is Ms. Daud's debut novel, it certainly does not read like one. It has an engaging plot, believable characters and the story has twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.

It is a wonderful book that kept me glued to reading from start to finish. I've been told this book series will be a trilogy and I can't wait to read Book 2 and 3!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Daud, Flat Iron Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow, what a brilliant debut! I absolutely loved this story! I didn’t know quite what type of book I was in for when I read the description, but the premise intrigued me. Would it be like a cross between something like Arabian Nights and Star Wars? That might seem like a strange or impossible combination, but it works beautifully! The brutal coldness and sophistication of the Vathek Empire who kidnaps Amani is in stark contrast to Amani’s culture filled with so much warmth, love and beauty.

I was so on edge fearing for Amani yet amazed at her bravery and strength in the face of adversity. She grew so much as a character. She’s a wonderful example of a strong, intelligent heroine. And Maram may look like her twin, but she is a terrifying and complex character vastly different from Amani. And then there’s Idris who is simply swoon worthy and wonderful (but I must stop there since I don’t want to spoil the plot for you.:) Suffice it to say I couldn’t put this book down once I started. The visual imagery the author uses is lush and gorgeous-a veritable feast for the senses! I felt like I was transported to another world while reading as I was so immersed in this book.!

There’s plenty of intrigue, romance, and drama that kept me riveted until the last page. I can’t wait for the sequel to continue with Amani’s story. If you enjoy fantasy books, you will love this one. I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read the ARC of this amazing novel. I will definitely be buying a finished copy and waiting anxiously for the sequel.:)

When you begin reading this you’ll see signs of Sci-fi such as the talk of other inhabited planets within the system, the presence of droids, and transport vehicles. It isn’t until the story really gets going that you start to feel like you’re in a fantasy world.

Amani is taken from her home on a night of celebration only to find herself in the palace, in front of princess Maram, the one person she was afraid she’d have to face at some point in her life. It is like looking in a mirror. Maram has one request of Amani, to become her so that she can take her place at events where her life will be in the most danger. Why? Because Amani is Maram’s doppelganger. Amani now has to learn the cold and distant demeanor of Maram in order to keep her existence a secret while she attends events as Maram. The inner struggle Amani has is developed very well in this story because you can feel her constant awareness to making sure her own mannerisms are not leaked into those of Maram’s. She has to make sure that her true identity is not discovered but when Idris, Maram’s betrothed, discovers there is something different in his fiance’s behavior things really get interesting!

I loved Amani and Maram’s character development throughout this book and at one point they start to form a close bond with one another. I think this happens because Amani is an outsider and that allows Maram to let her guard down a little bit. Amani also doesn’t hold her tongue as much as she should. The relationship between the two is the most important and by the end you’ll be left broken and wanting more.

Idris. He’s kind of a babe who is observant enough to know there is something different about Maram and when he finds out he needs to know more. His and Amani’s relationship blossoms at an even pace which I liked. They spend time together when they can but it is not as often as either of them would like. The poetry between them is beautifully done and I’m hoping for more of them in the next book!

Revolution! There is some plotting and betraying going on in this book so be prepared for some of that!

The only criticism I have is that this book didn’t feel enough Sci-Fi for me. I felt that those elements were only portrayed in some of the wording but the feel of the book was much more fantasy. Other than that I really enjoyed this book.

I will begin by saying this...if you love young adult fantasy, this needs to be on your TBR list. It is probably one of the most highly anticipated and important new releases of 2018. The writing in this novel is astounding. For a debut novel, I was amazed at how well it was written. You are drawn into this newly crafted world, as if you were a supporting character, walking the streets yourself. What was most impressive was the own-voice characters. Own voices is a term that was coined by writer Corinne Duyvis. It essentially means to define marginalized characters written by marginalized writers. It is important to look for own voices novels when trying to read more diverse books.

"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 a prime example of a character driven story. I think my favorite part of this novel was the characters and the relationships between them. They are each developed so well and bring their own traits to the story. Amani (the protagonist) has a special place in my heart. She was stripped of everything she held close to her, but never once gave up fighting. Through everything, she never forgot who she was or where she came from. Amani always remembered and fought for her heritage, beliefs, and people. She seemed to bring out the best in people. Maram (the antagonist) is not your typical, simple villain. She has much more to show readers, sides of her they might not expect. Idris...ugh what can I say? He is amazingly handsome and so compassionate. I think he is my new bookish crush. Although, I do wish that the ending between Idris and Amani was different.

The plot for Mirage is well thought out and holds the reader's attention. It is almost scary at how realistic it becomes. The story within Mirage depicts the real events that take place during colonization. Readers are shown the horrific aftermath of Vatheks' colonization. The Andalaan people continue to suffer, being stripped of many of their traditions. Though, they are allowed to continue practicing few religious ones. The author did a great job drawing on the reader's empathy. I felt so deeply for the Andalaan people, I want them to have a win. There were many instances where I was on the edge of my seat hoping some huge turn of events would give them much needed hope.

It is hard to put my feelings into words, this book was simply amazing. It is not often one comes across such a masterpiece. I was shocked that this was a debut novel! Somaiya Daud has incredible talent and it shows here. Not only is this a debut novel, but an own voices one. If you have not read this and you enjoy young adult fantasy or diverse novels, this needs to be on your TBR list...like yesterday.

I am giving this book a 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed it. For a debut novel, this was beautifully written. I was captivated by the story the moment I finished the first page. I cannot wait to see where else this series take us. I absolutely loved the strength of Amani and Maram. They both have such different personalities but that is what made the story so much better. I thought the world building was incredible and the political system was extremely fascinating. I cannot recommend this novel enough.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

I'm not really sure how to start this review. I was provided and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, so here goes. MIRAGE was one of my most anticipate books of the year. I am a huge fan of YA sci-fi and fantasy books and the synopsis to this one immediately grabbed my attention. For some reason this one did not live up to the hype for me.

The books is kind of a mash up of Rebel of the Sands, The Diabolic and something else that I just can't quite put my finger on. The story is full of lush descriptions, of both the scenery and characters. The writing was great and it was easy to get absorbed in the world. It was an entertaining read that I think a lot of people are going to thoroughly enjoy.

I'm not quite sure what it was about it or why it didn't work for me. I enjoyed it enough that I am looking forward to continuing the story when the next book releases. It's possible that I just wasn't in the right mood for this kind of read, perhaps I will feel differently if I reread it at another time.

Dopplegängers are weird. I mean, the idea that there’s someone out there who looks almost exactly like you, even though you’re not related in any way whatsoever is just a little bit creepy. The whole concept is so weird, of course we have to use the German word for it. Just smush together the verb doppeln = to duplicate and gänger which isn’t it’s own word by itself, but a Vorgänger is a predecessor, and a Fußgängerzone is a pedestrian area, so assume it refers to a person. I suppose you could translate it as “goer” so your Doppelgänger is your double goer…yeah the original word sounds way better. And if you want to make it female, make the article Die and add -in. Voila! Female Doppelgänger.

Anyway, Doppelgängers are like catnip for fiction - remember how I was just talking about Tana French’s The Likeness? Or Edgar Allan Poe’s short story William Wilson? Or Fyordor Dostoevsky’s The Double? I mean, what would you do if you discovered there was someone out there who, despite not being related to you by blood, looked exactly like you?

Mirage goes the “my living doppelgänger is a person in power” route. Amani lives in a Star Wars-esque system of planets controlled by the cruel Vathek empire. Amani and her family are just trying to keep their heads down and not get killed or tormented by their Vathek overlords. During the “majority day” celebrations (the day you, and all the other girls your age officially turn 18 and become adults) Vathek droids crash the party and start scanning girls’ faces. They get to Amani and, lo and behold, they’ve found what they’re looking for, and they drag her away, leaving her family with zero idea why she’s been taken, where she’s going, or anything. We learn pretty quickly though that Amani is being taken to the royal court because she’s a dead ringer for the half-Vathek princess Maram, whom everybody hates. Maram doesn’t really go out of her way to seem like a very nice person - I mean, the first thing she does to her doppelgänger Amani is sic an attack bird on her. Anyway, being so disliked by other Vathek and the people of their conquered star system alike, Maram is in danger of being assassinated, so Amani gets the superfun you-have-no-choice task of being Maram’s body double.

Noncompliance is not an option, by the way.

So Amani gets the fun of being forced to mimic Maram exactly, and, after the literary equivalent of a training montage, Amani is ready to appear in public as Maram. With Maram’s appropriately named fiance, Idris. Not exactly Idris Elba, but, hey, go ahead and picture book Idris as Idris Elba. It’s pretty great.

Anyway, Amani gets all tangled up in Vathek politics, a burgeoning rebellion against the Empire, and her growing feelings for Idris, the fiance of the person she’s pretending to be. All while maintaining her own identity, though she has to essentially become Maram. And potentially be killed in her place.

Mirage is really, really, really quite good. If you’re into an exploration of identity with doppelgängers in a Star Wars-esque Moroccan and North African-inspired sci-fi world, then seriously, read it. Not just to picture 18 year old Idris Elba in your head every time the fiance is mentioned. Though that is a huge bonus. The only downside is that Mirage is another one of those YA books that is meant to be the first in a series. So it ends kind of abruptly, with lots of loose ends to be tied off in future books.

How come I seem to never be able to find standalone books? Will I be doomed to be waiting for sequels forever?

Eh, worth it.

I have to confess that when I first requested an ARC of Somaiya Daud’s Mirage, I did so because the hints of rebellion and the need for a body double revealed in the synopsis gave me Star Wars/Padme Amidala vibes. Being a huge Star Wars fan, I was immediately intrigued. What I got instead of just a story with a bit of a Star Wars vibe, however, was an absolutely gorgeous science fiction/fantasy story set in a Moroccan-inspired land and filled with complex, well drawn characters that captivated me from the moment I met each of them.

Mirage follows eighteen year old Amani, who lives on a moon that has been occupied by the brutal Vathek empire. Because of her resemblance to the Vathek’s princess Maram, Amani is kidnapped from her home and taken to the royal palace. There, she is told that if she wants to live, she will learn everything there is to know about Maram – mannerisms, her history, her relationships, etc. – so as to prepare herself to serve as Maram’s body double. Why does Maram need a body double? Because the people who have been conquered by the Vathek hate her and would love nothing more than to be able to assassinate her. Amani’s job is to serve as a decoy, ready to die in Maram’s place if need be.

The story follows Amani as she is forced into this new role and as she meets the princess and suffers her wrath for the first time. It is easy to see why someone would want to kill Princess Maram, and it makes the reader all the more sympathetic to the plight facing Amani. The few bright spots in Amani’s days are those moments when she can sit back and admire the beauty of the palace and those when she is in the company of Maram’s fiancé, Idris. One of Amani’s first tests was to see if she could fool Idris and Maram’s father, and while she succeeds with the King, Idris, on the other hand, suspects after a very short time that she is not Maram. As Amani gets to know Idris better, an unexpected bond forms between them that starts as friendship but could easily become more if either of them were to give in to the temptation.

But when the Vathek threaten Amani’s family if she doesn’t do her job to perfection, Amani knows that she needs to focus and not let affairs of the heart guide her choices, especially if she ever hopes to see her family again.

As I already mentioned, Mirage is filled with complex, well drawn characters. In fact, I’d have to say it’s more character driven than it is plot driven. Sometimes that doesn’t work all that well for me, but in this case, I loved it because I was so into Amani and Maram and the complexities of their relationship. I loved how real these characters felt and how nothing was simple or black and white with them.

Amani was my favorite character, no surprise there. I fell in love with her right away. She is of course strong, smart, sassy, passionate, quite simply everything I love in a feisty heroine, but she’s also so much more than that. I love her passion for all things related to her people and their beliefs. She knows that the Vathek would love nothing more than to erase all of her people’s traditions as if they never existed and that they have banned so many things that they believe could lay the seeds of rebellion. And yet, she doesn’t care. She still reads the forbidden poems whenever she can and she refuses to forget the ways of her people, including their language. I loved how strongly she clung to all of these things and turned to them for strength whenever she felt like giving up. She’s also not perfect by any means, which makes her feel all the more human. The fact that she’s so tempted by her attraction to Idris shows that she is prone to make all-too-human mistakes, as is the fact that she really wants to make a connection with Maram even though she knows Maram could turn on her like a viper at any moment.

What probably comes as more of a surprise is that Princess Maram was actually my second favorite. And OMG, talk about your complex characters. At first she seems like the most evil, vindictive person alive, but as Amani gets to know her a little better, she starts to sense that there may be a lot more to Maram than originally meets the eye. Amani actually starts to feel sympathy for Maram and wants to connect with her, but it’s impossible to tell whether Maram will let Amani in and possibly become friends or if she’ll cruelly reject Amani and lash out at her as everyone has come to expect from Maram. I loved how unpredictable she was and that I could never decide which Maram was the real Maram, the one who lashes out at everyone or the more open and vulnerable one who occasionally came out in Amani’s presence. I think my fascination with Maram is only going to continue to grow in the next book too.

In addition to these amazing characters, there is also a dash of forbidden love in Mirage that really appealed to me. That is of course between Amani and Idris. I mean, seriously, of all the people you could feel attracted to, you have to pick the guy who is engaged to the woman you are pretending to be? How completely awkward but yet, oh so entertaining!

The worldbuilding in Mirage is some of the best that I’ve read. Daud has woven together a rich and beautiful atmospheric setting that is inspired by Moroccan culture. It is also complemented by elements of science fiction and fantasy, with a subtle magical system also included. I was utterly captivated by this world and every detail in it.

Finally, since I mentioned the whole Star Wars vibe thing, yes there are definitely hints of rebellion and resistance to the Vathek in this novel. Like Amani, those who have been conquered by the Vathek are clearly tired of being treated like dirt on what was actually their own land before the Vathek descended and took over control. I don’t want to spoil anything so that’s all I’m going to say, but it screams to me that even though this first book was mostly character driven, the action is going to ratchet up in the next book!

I almost hate to write anything about issues I had because I really did adore the book overall, but since I pride myself on honest reviews, I will say that there were a couple of spots along the way where I felt the pacing was a little slow. Thankfully there were only a couple and those centered around some of Amani’s training/study sessions where she was studying up on how to be like Maram and the “tests” that she had to take to see if she could actually fool anyone. Most of those sessions and tests were pretty interesting, but after a while, I was definitely ready for the story to move along and get to something more exciting.

Somaiya Daud is truly a gifted storyteller whose writing style was just such a good fit for me. The words in Mirage flow so smoothly and beautifully that I was drawn in immediately and couldn’t put the book down. Mirage is a beautiful and moving tale with characters that command your attention and whose plight you can’t help but become fully invested in. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year so far and so I highly recommend it to any fans of fantasy and science fiction, but especially to those who love character driven stories.