Somaiya Daud

It's possibly a mix of this being a debut novel and a YA novel, but I had a hard time getting through this one. Actually, I admit I skimmed parts of it. A lot of prose, and not a lot of plot.

Which is to say, there are full pages of inner thoughts, descriptions, and world-building explanations, but not a whole lot happened. The characters are a little one-dimensional, and for all that the stakes are high, I couldn't bring myself to actually care about what was going on. The tragedies and challenges of the MC and her oppressed people are rehashed a lot, but they never took on life.

And for all that I appreciated the unique cultural elements, the setting felt stiff like a badly written historical fiction novel where time/place are a backdrop rather than lived-in space. I really wish this novel could have worked for me, but it wasn't my cup of tea.… (altro)

* I got this book for review from the publisher* I gave this book a 3.5 stars for review*

I really did enjoy this book. I felt this book was a super fast pace read. I overall enjoyed it, but I did not feel as connected to the characters and the world as I wanted too. I thought the world was intreasting. I really thought the dynamics between the princess and her double and also liked the hints of romance. I did enjoy the end and I like how the book was structured. It just did not wow me. I will def be checking out book 2!!… (altro)

* I got this book for review from the publisher* I gave this book a 3.5 stars for review*

I really did enjoy this book. I felt this book was a super fast pace read. I overall enjoyed it, but I did not feel as connected to the characters and the world as I wanted too. I thought the world was intreasting. I really thought the dynamics between the princess and her double and also liked the hints of romance. I did enjoy the end and I like how the book was structured. It just did not wow me. I will def be checking out book 2!!… (altro)

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 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, taking her place at public events and fooling even the king himself.

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, who was downright abusive to her, 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.… (altro)