[HCW]⇒ Download Gratis Mirage A Novel Mirage Series Somaiya Daud Books

Mirage A Novel Mirage Series Somaiya Daud Books

Download As PDF : Mirage A Novel Mirage Series Somaiya Daud Books

Mirage A Novel Mirage Series Somaiya Daud Books

Somaiya Daud's Mirage, a YA novel, gives us the story of three vibrant characters in a Moroccan Space Opera that reads a bit more like fantasy than sci-fi. We have Amani, a classic heroine who is clever, goodhearted and brave, Maram, an antiheroine princess and heir apparent to a violent invading Vethek people who have invaded and subjugated, the peaceful world in which Amani and her Andalaan tribe live, and Idris, the hostage Andalaan prince bridegroom, who must marry Maram in order to forge a peace between the invaders and the subjugated. As the novel opens Amani is about to undergo a coming of age ceremony. Rather than being able to celebrate this embrace of her cultural history, Vathek droids invade the venue and Amani is forcibly removed. Shortly thereafter she finds herself in training to become the body double for Maram, providing security against assassination at public events. And why is Amani so similar in appearance? Maram's mother was Andalaan. Amani is rigidly trained to take Maram's place and while she initially finds Maram cruel and cold, as months pass the girls draw closer to each other, putting Amani in a difficult position. She grows to care for Maram as she begins to see how isolated and secretly vulnerable Maram is and yet protecting Maram could potentially mean turning against her own people. Attending events and going on visits to family that Maram might find arduous means that Amani also spends time with Idris. Amani and Idris, quite predictably, become attracted to one another. They share a culture and heritage that is being systematically wiped away by the Vatheks. It includes a love of games, stories and especially of poetry. The story of these three people is set against a backdrop of growing rebellion and political intrigue.

There are a number of aspects of the novel that are quite refreshing, not least of which is the importance of language and poetry to Amani and Idris' story. I love this aspect of Arabic flavor to the novel. This is the first book in a trilogy and it manages to move beyond the usual "there's a princess and a girl that isn't the princess and the prince who is promised to the princess but loves the girl that isn't a princess" trope. (Which, don't get me wrong, I'm quite content to see this trope adapted to Moroccan/Arabic traditions!) Daud manages to give the reader the flavor of what colonialism, imperialism, and erosion of culture in the name of unity is like. Amani is shocked to find that Idris cannot even read what should have been his native language (Kushaila). He knows stories, games, but all have been reinterpreted through a Vathekaar filter. He is unable even to interpret his daan, a tribal tattoo with designs relating to a person's history- family, faith and ancestry. There is poignancy too in the fact that Maram resembles a member of a tribe and culture that she knows nothing about and has been told is inferior and dangerous. She knows little, really, of her mother's heritage, and her mother's people mourn her distance from her maternal family and culture. Amani bridges a cultural gap for both Maram and Idris, all while struggling to maintain her integrity.

There was much to love in this book and I'm looking forward to the next entry in the trilogy!

I received a paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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Mirage A Novel Mirage Series Somaiya Daud Books Reviews

I enjoyed the premise and the creativity. Daud’s development of the romance was excellent and it was natural to “ship” the protagonist and her love interest. Most interesting was the developing relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist. I would have liked to see the protagonist be tested a bit more. It seemed rushed and then made the rest of the narrative a bit too easy.
This is a lyrical and powerful novel, all the more remarkable for being a debut work. The author is truly a storyteller and her interweaving of myth and legend with traditional ideas create a work I couldn't stop reading. I can't wait to read more of Amani's story. I highly recommend this book.
When Amani, a young woman, goes to her celebration of becoming an adult, she has no idea how much her life will change. But then the war lords and their drones show up, kidnapping her for a trip to their capital—where she is tortured and trained as a royal body double.
This fantasy world is particularly interesting, blending elements of Arabic culture with a fascinating world of desert tribes and cities.
I can’t wait for the sequel in August.
I was quite disappointed in this book when I realized that it was a romance novel wrapped up in some fantastical elements and sprinkled with sci-fi elements that could've been removed without changing the story's integrity. This is just another forbidden romance between the protagonist girl and the supporting character guy. They fall in love in a matter of weeks and the most detailed parts of the book are the parts they spend together.

As I said, this isn't what I was expecting. I will admit I forgot what this book was about by the time it was released. I'm just tired of YA books that advertise as fantasy or sci-fi but they are really romance novels. Even if the romance wasn't a girl and a guy - I'm just tired of YA romantic relationships in general. This book wasn't poorly written. It just wasn't what I wanted to read, and I finished it only so that I could write a review.
“I covered my face and froze when I caught my reflection in the mirror. I hardly recognized the girl looking out from under the shadow of her hood. A rebel. A spy. The farmer’s daughter from a backwater moon and the body double couldn’t have been more different.”

Mirage is the story about a girl, Amani, being ripped from her family and forced to play the double of the princess she resembles. Along the way Amani learns a lot about herself and what she is capable of, but she also learns that things are not all as they appear in the kingdom. There is a lot of sweetness to this story, especially the romance and the poetry. It also contains intrigue and suspense. Parts of the overall book that I felt could have used more fleshing out and I would have liked to see more character interactions to make it feel less rushed or forced at times. Overall though I did enjoy the book very much and I am giving 4 stars. I will keep my eye out for the next book in the series as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mirage. On a practical level, it is incredibly well written, easy to read, and enjoyable. There's quite a bit of meat to the book as well. Since it takes place in a society that has been conquered and is expected to assimilate into the society of their new and cruel masters, it deals with the struggle between maintaining your identity on a personal and a cultural level.

I enjoyed the Arabic elements in Mirage. I had little to no familiarity going into this book. Not only did the book open doors for me, it made me realize how little I know and inspired me to learn more about Arabic culture, poetry, and literature. You will be able to enjoy this book if you know nothing about Arabic culture. If you make a point to learn about things as you go, it will become even more enjoyable for you.

I will say that the Science Fiction is largely downplayed in the book. However, the ending makes me think that it will play a much larger role in the sequels.
Somaiya Daud's Mirage, a YA novel, gives us the story of three vibrant characters in a Moroccan Space Opera that reads a bit more like fantasy than sci-fi. We have Amani, a classic heroine who is clever, goodhearted and brave, Maram, an antiheroine princess and heir apparent to a violent invading Vethek people who have invaded and subjugated, the peaceful world in which Amani and her Andalaan tribe live, and Idris, the hostage Andalaan prince bridegroom, who must marry Maram in order to forge a peace between the invaders and the subjugated. As the novel opens Amani is about to undergo a coming of age ceremony. Rather than being able to celebrate this embrace of her cultural history, Vathek droids invade the venue and Amani is forcibly removed. Shortly thereafter she finds herself in training to become the body double for Maram, providing security against assassination at public events. And why is Amani so similar in appearance? Maram's mother was Andalaan. Amani is rigidly trained to take Maram's place and while she initially finds Maram cruel and cold, as months pass the girls draw closer to each other, putting Amani in a difficult position. She grows to care for Maram as she begins to see how isolated and secretly vulnerable Maram is and yet protecting Maram could potentially mean turning against her own people. Attending events and going on visits to family that Maram might find arduous means that Amani also spends time with Idris. Amani and Idris, quite predictably, become attracted to one another. They share a culture and heritage that is being systematically wiped away by the Vatheks. It includes a love of games, stories and especially of poetry. The story of these three people is set against a backdrop of growing rebellion and political intrigue.

There are a number of aspects of the novel that are quite refreshing, not least of which is the importance of language and poetry to Amani and Idris' story. I love this aspect of Arabic flavor to the novel. This is the first book in a trilogy and it manages to move beyond the usual "there's a princess and a girl that isn't the princess and the prince who is promised to the princess but loves the girl that isn't a princess" trope. (Which, don't get me wrong, I'm quite content to see this trope adapted to Moroccan/Arabic traditions!) Daud manages to give the reader the flavor of what colonialism, imperialism, and erosion of culture in the name of unity is like. Amani is shocked to find that Idris cannot even read what should have been his native language (Kushaila). He knows stories, games, but all have been reinterpreted through a Vathekaar filter. He is unable even to interpret his daan, a tribal tattoo with designs relating to a person's history- family, faith and ancestry. There is poignancy too in the fact that Maram resembles a member of a tribe and culture that she knows nothing about and has been told is inferior and dangerous. She knows little, really, of her mother's heritage, and her mother's people mourn her distance from her maternal family and culture. Amani bridges a cultural gap for both Maram and Idris, all while struggling to maintain her integrity.

There was much to love in this book and I'm looking forward to the next entry in the trilogy!

I received a paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review.