I received this book as an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley!

Growing up, I was a huge fan of Tamora Pierce's Lioness Quartet, and Squire brought me right back to those novels. However, unlike Alana the Lioness, Aiza is hiding her cultural heritage instead of her sex. As an Ornu living in the Bayt-Sajji empire, she is often harassed for background. When the opportunity arises to pull herself out of her circumstances by joining the military and becoming a Knight, Aiza enlists in the super-competitive Squires program. But to avoid discrimination from her fellow recruits, she hides her Ornu heritage, wrapping the wrist tattoos that mark her as such.

When she arrives at the training campus, it quickly becomes clear that there is no glory in the brutal trials, boring lessons, and strict rules. And Aiza and her new friends learn that those who fail to prove themselves worthy of being squires are not merely dismissed, but sent to the front lines - to certain death. Still, she is determined to become a hero, to cast off the laws that prevent her people from owning land or being considered full citizens, and Aiza throws herself into training. But all the grit and determination in the world can't stop the darker machinations of those at the top of the ladder...

This was an excellent coming-of-age story in a Middle Eastern-inspired setting, full of richly developed characters and a captivating plot. There is a level of familiarity in the concept of an unprivileged person aspiring to better things, signing up for a difficult instruction that will prove them to be stronger than others anticipated, and ultimately casting off the shroud of underestimation that has clouded their entire existence. Readers will be reminded of The Black Cauldron, Mulan, Hunger Games, and many of Tamora Pierce's series. Shamas takes this familiar plotline and freshens it up with a story centered on themes of colonialism, racism, and militarization. Shammas reinforces these themes with an author's note at the end, outlining her own experiences as an Arab-American.

The artwork by Sara Alfageeh is stunning. She did an excellent job of characterization, establishing each person as wholly unique, relatable, etc. Some of the back pages of the comic featured drafting each character and it was clear care had been made in each design. There were also some very funny moments that are almost anime-reminiscent, like overly comical faces when one character was frustrated or embarrassed. Alfageeh created a very compelling setting. A military base set in the desert is hardly a very colorful place, and the artist worked wonders with a very muted color palette.

My single beef (and it's a tiny beef) is that this is being marketed as fantasy. Maybe I'm too old school in this thought, but fantasy to me contains elements of magic, something Squire is absent of. This in no way detracts from the story but I'm a little confused as to why it is being branded as such.

I would happily hand this out to any of my graphic novel-inclined teens, and probably a lot of adults too! Give Squire a shot, you won't regret it!

Squire is a young adult fantasy graphic novel about Aiza, a young girl who joins the empire’s army for the adventure that her small-town life doesn’t provide. She meets new people, trains, and learns what she truly believes in.
I loved the art style of this! It fit the story perfectly! I especially how the more intricate clothing/armor looked! The action sequences, training or otherwise, were easy to follow in tis art style.
Aiza was such a good main character. She was tiny and furious but also unsure about what to do with her life. I loved her and the friends she made. There was one character I wanted to hear a little more from, bit otherwise they were all pretty fleshed out.
By far my favorite part was how this graphic novel explored propaganda and how armies take advantage of the disadvantaged. Those ideas are sprinkled in the whole time and just grow and grow up until the climax.
The ending confused me as to what the cast would go on to do next. I won’t say any more because spoilers, but after the climax, it just wasn’t clear whether the characters were going with one route or another.
I rated this 3.75 stars! Definitely pick this up if you’re a fan of fantasy graphic novels!

Gorgeous art; really interesting worldbuilding; and nice themes of the importance of duty, fluidity of patriotism and citizenship, and morality. On the down side, the plot is a pretty standard training/coming of age story, and the twists are both simultaneously somewhat predicable and not explored enough. That said, I would read a lot more in this universe especially with these characters.

I have been super excited to read Squire ever since it appeared in my inbox. I’ve really gotten into graphic novels in the last few months and I’m always interested in ones with a beautiful art style. And oh how beautiful this one is. I love that even though the colours are muted it is still breathtaking and interesting to look at. The character designs and landscapes were stunning. 10/10 for art style, colours and lettering.

Considering the main theme of this novel was war/conflict there wasn’t actually a lot of action. I was expecting pages of fast-paced and high-intensity action, but that never really happened. I do understand that with so few words and obviously static images it is hard to greatly capture action, but I don’t know I was a little disappointed.

One part I did love though was our main character Aiza. She was fiery, strong-willed, and loyal. All the great qualities you would expect from someone wanting to be a knight’s squire. She was definitely one of the best characters and she seemed pretty well-rounded.

The ending seemed to come around very fast and it was a little underwhelming so I am wondering whether this will be a longer series. It does work as a standalone, but I think it was quite an open ending so it would be great to see more of this world.

One of my favourite parts of this release is definitely the section after the story has finished. You get an insight into the creative process of Squire including the cultural inspiration (including a look into the author's own background), the art development and how the novel is brought together. This section was super fun and was a really great inclusion.

Overall I did really enjoy Squire and I will definitely look forward to any future releases from Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas. If you are looking for a quick read with a stunning art style then you should definitely check out Squire.

Squire is well illustrated and has dynamic characters that show the effects of colonialism and war between people. It also shows the effect of propaganda as well as misinformation.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

This graphic novel was extremely well done. Young Aiza is part of a marginalized group in her empire. She joins the imperial army in hopes of becoming a knight and earning equal status as a citizen. However, as she gets deeper into her training, she has to decide what is actually honorable- staying in a corrupt institution or fighting back for what she believes in.

Squire is a quick but meaningful read. Aiza is feisty and determined, and I loved her. The illustrations capture her spirit beautifully. Definitely recommend, and I’ll be adding this to my classroom library!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Squire is the rise to glory fantasy novel I wish had been around sooner. This middle-grade novel has excellent conversations about honor, the duty to yourself and discussions of the negative effects of colonialism and colonization on both countries and the people within them. It also has a pretty solid conversation on racism and stereotypes within societies and the lengths people feel they must go to find a better world for themselves. I also love the ending and the message it sends. This is definitely something to be on your TBR and to stock into your libraries for an adventurous story about personal honor and finding your own path against all obstacles.

Squire is a graphic novel that takes place in the past in an Eastern country. A girl spends her days selling her family's fruit at the closest village's market. Her family are from a neighboring country that has been at constant war with the one they live in. Her family are easily recognizable to be from the other country due to their arm tattoos. Aiza, the main character, is bored with life and wants more and thinks joining the army as a squire and eventually a knight will help her feel more fulfilled with life. It takes some arguing with her parents to convince her to go. She gets to go and makes friends and learns that being a part of an army is more than she expected. She learns more about the prejudice against her people and hides her tattoos to blend in. She makes friends with a janitor and is able to excel at the tests due to his training. This title includes a lot of detail about the politics of warring countries which can be relatable and make interesting conversations.

A beautiful graphic novel that follows Aiza, a young girl from the oft-scapegoated Ornu people who dreams of being respected which can only be gained by joining the Empire’s military. As she goes through training, she faces reality and pushes back against the colonizing narrative against her people.

I loved Aiza’s relationship with gruff, hulking, but tender Doruk. The illustrations were nice throughout, but I wish the cover art’s layout was more present - it really captured the mood of a girl dreaming for more. The only large panels we get are much more somber, quiet moments.

There were sections where the writing felt a little wordy (large multi-speech-bubbles) and the beginning & ending felt rushed.

I found myself thinking that the story would be more impactful to have her veil of naivety be shown more thoroughly upfront, so that the following victory can feel more sweet. But that’s the point - she was never really ignorant to how others treated her, and winning against such an oppressive constant is not happy and never over. That’s life.

I really enjoyed the afterwords from both authors - where they both discussed their inspirations and their process with creating it. This book could inspire a next generation of illustrators.

Squire is a young adult graphic novel featuring Middle Eastern characters, beautifully illustrated images and a strong female main character ready to fight for herself and her friends.

The story follows Aiza as she decides that she wants to join the Knights and become a squire in order to better her life, become a hero, and have some adventure, only she soon finds out that war is a strange thing and sometimes you aren't sure who or what you are fighting for.

This plot was very interesting, with a focus on prejudice and expansion, it is surprisingly non-violent in a lot of ways. although the messages are clearly received. I found that in some places the graphic novel was a little too wordy, but overall the story was portrayed well in this format. The characters were animated through teh illustrations, they were also a diverse group which lended well to the overall theme.

Azia, our main character, shows so much growth throughout this story. She soon realizes the price of war and expansion and that price is oppression and prejudice. While this might have been her dream, she realizes that there is a complexity to everything that she had not understood before and as she learns more about the politics and war she is upset by what is happening.

Overall, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It was really well done, the illustrations were vibrant and told the story well. I think that the ending was a little rushed in comparison to the rest of the build up, but I would like to read more about Aiza and her friends if they have more story to tell.

A stirring tale of friendship, martial training, and uprising. I was instantly drawn in by this underdog story featuring Aiza, a small but fierce girl who dreams of becoming a knight and achieving great things. She's bought into the empire's idea of greatness and, despite her parents cautioning her against it, is determined to join the recruits. However, she has to keep her identity as one of the Ornu people a secret. As the story unfolds, Aiza meets recruits from different people groups and social classes, trains with an old soldier haunted by the past, and uncovers hard truths about the knights. The characters are all wonderful and the story kept me engaged and eager to know what would happen next.

I love the art and character design - the art is really detailed and the characters have a wide range of body types and expressions. I especially loved the visual contrast between Aiza and her mentor - they're polar opposites in every way and I love their dynamic. Inspired by Arab countries, culture, and history, this story is wonderfully diverse. Reading it was a joy!

I really enjoyed this story. The plot line was thought provoking and well paced. I enjoyed the deeper messages and thought it was well integrated into the story without disrupting the flow. The characters were well written and I particularly enjoyed seeing their different backgrounds and reasons for wanting to be squires. The artwork was well done and I appreciated that at the end of the book the artist explained the process of creating the pages and their inspiration for the character designs. One of my favorite details was the Bedouin influence of the characters tattoos and significance. All around this is a well done book.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order this year and will recommend it to students.

This was so excellent! It was beautiful, visually and thematically. A really satisfying arc with a wonderful cast of characters, and the stakes feel high and relevant all the way through. Characters change, actions have meaningful consequences, and a lot of awesome action happens.

I'm pretty sure I've been looking forwards to this graphic novel for a few years now, having first heard about it back in my webcomic-heavy era - the concept and the art were an immediate draw. I was delighted when I got a chance to give it a try.

Aiza, a member of the oppressed Ornu people, captivated by propaganda pamphlets, dreams of joining the army of the Bayt-Sajji Empire occupying her homeland and becoming a knight. Dreams of adventure, glory, full citizenship. When she finally convinces her parents to let her join, she's delighted. But of course, it's not going to be as easy or clear-cut as that.

I absolutely loved how this graphic novel interrogates imperialism, militarism, and prejudice, the way different characters are shaped by their backgrounds, which influences their biases and opinions, it was all very well done. It reminds me a lot of The Unbroken, if YA and less dark. The basic plot is classic school setting coming of age with a plucky heroine, it's fun and it works, but it's the themes and the art and the setting that really make it shine.

However, there is one major flaw: the pacing is extremely rushed. It felt as if it should have been at least two, perhaps three times its length to give some events their proper weight. Especially near the end, too many things happen too quickly, with what feels like not enough reason. In particular when it comes to characters changing their minds. There is a good plot and a good ending, but with some more space to breathe it would have been an excellent one.

Regardless, I'd generally recommend it if it sounds good to you.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are mine alone, and do not represent any organization I am affiliated with.

I loved Squire, and I truly hope that there is a second volume down the line. The characters are endearing and distinct, the world is well built without providing much exposition, and the overall messages of individual growth and fighting imperialism/propaganda were compelling. The art is bright and crisp, reminding me of a watercolor version of Telgemeier or Brosgol.

It definitely reads towards younger teens (12-14), but that's not a bad thing - despite it's length, it is a very fast read and should be easily digested for most readers. I'll absolutely recommend this to my teen patrons.

I read Squire thinking it would be a story about knighthood and heroism. In a way, Squire is about those two things, but it was also, unexpectedly yet to my delight, so much more. Set in alternate history Middle East, Squire follows Aiza, a young girl of the fictional Ornu people who dreams of becoming a Knight for the Bayt-Sajji Empire – not only for the glory of it, but also because it will offer a path to full citizenship. Hiding her Ornu background, Aiza enlists to become a Squire, but discovers that the ‘greater good’ promised by military is not at all what she initially believed.

Squire examines why, a young girl of a subjugated people who are denied rights, resources, and respect would choose to become a soldier to serve those who subjugate her. When an opulently clad herald, a stark contrast to the poverty that Aiza has always known, promises full citizenship, rights to own property, and opportunities for travel - all of which have been denied to Aiza - to those who enlist and excel, it is no small wonder that Aiza sees this as a rare opportunity to rise above her circumstances. Aiza’s story and personal and emotional motivations are immediately engaging, a fascinating depiction of how she straddles two conflicting ideas of herself and who she can be. Though her decisions and aspirations may be in part naiveté, it also depicts how personal circumstances can have complicated intersections with oppression, power, and exploitation and why those most oppressed not just choose to enlist, but are often led to.

When Aiza joins the military and comes under the tutelage of the groundskeeper whose past becomes intertwined with Aiza’s future, Squire then explores the cruel realities of war and who gets to write history. Aiza’s journey is a deeply emotional one, fuelled by ambition and vulnerability. The unexpected companions that she makes along the way are excellently developed with their own reasons for enlisting in the army and, story-wise, also offer a nuanced perspective that challenge and conflict with Aiza’s own ideals and righteousness.
Underscoring the story of Squire is a firmly anti-imperialist and anti-war narrative that challenges the typical ‘hero story’, one that examines who gets to be a hero, and what it means to be a hero and to do what is right, even if that conflicts with the hegemonic symbol of heroism. The most compelling point of Squire is how Aiza is forced to confront how her dreams of heroism and glory are built on violence and subjugation of not just real people but her own people. What is heroism, if not a symbol? And what does that symbol stand for, and who gets to write that hero story? And what is that hero story used for?

Suffice it to say, the art of Squire is a marvel, a great deal of love, thought, and personal care gone into the art and storytelling. Readers who love ‘behind the scenes’ and process snippets will enjoy the last few pages of the book. compelling story from start to finish, Squire is a fantastic graphic novel which offers a fantastic interrogation of imperialism and war and how that intertwines with nuanced explorations of what it means to be a hero.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! Always on the lookout for new, diverse graphic novels to read, and this one fits the bill. Bonus points for it being fantasy and filling a hole seen in the graphic novel fantasy genre!

For the most part, I thought the writing throughout this was well done. There a few times where I thought it maybe got a little too wordy for a graphic novel, but sometimes it was necessary to ensure the readers are on the same page. Especially since this is a fantasy world that needs some explanation at times.

The writing also partners well with the characters to truly bring them to life. The art makes the characters incredibly expressive, supported by what’s going on in the text. We are also able to see a diverse representation of characters throughout this world, which better reflects the real world. You can see the characters changing as they learn more, which is so important in a book like this.

I also really liked the art in this. There are some really great panels in here, especially depicting the overall world. The overall color palette also helps in bringing this fantasy world to life.

My only qualm with this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed. I think it could have been expanded, and this honestly could become a series. I would totally read more!

I got turned off by this book mainly from an artistic standpoint. I did not enjoy the illustrations in this book and in comparison to the cover art it almost seemed as if it were done by an entirely different person. I requested this book in hopes that it would be a good example of art in graphic novels for my students but I personally did not connect with the story or the artwork. So I will continue to look for something that will inspire them.

This was a wonderful Middle Eastern inspired fantasy that examined imperialism and how an empire can skew history/how people view the world. There was a lot of complexity and nuance.

The main character, Aiza, is Ornu, and this group of people is looked down on and not considered full citizens of the Bayyt Saiji empire, She jumps at the chance to join the military and train to be a squire - if she were to succeed, she could become a full citizen. This is a huge honor - but the military is a huge part of this empire that has mistreated her people,

The character designs were all very distinct, which made it easy to tell the characters apart. I really enjoyed all the different characters, and how they each provided a different view of this world.

This seems to be a standalone but I wish it was part of a series. I’d love to see what happens next, especially because the ending felt a little rushed, and I’d also like to learn more about this world.

rating: 4/5 stars