Mirage (Book #1 in the Mirage series)
by Somaiya Daud
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release date: August 28, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Synopsis:
In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon.
But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place.
As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.
But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place.
As Amani is forced into her new role, she can’t help but enjoy the palace’s beauty—and her time with the princess’ fiancé, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection...because one wrong move could lead to her death.
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REVIEW
I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Amani lives in a world conquered, stripped of its heritage and thrown into famine and tyranny. She tries to survive along with her family, but when her village is attacked in her majority night and she is taken to the capital, she will learn that her life is more at stake than she thinks.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's rich, blending in Moroccan culture and sci-fi with a cast of characters who are all scarred, fear for their lives and have lots at stake to lose. I liked that Amani tried to come to terms with her circumstances in order to survive and escape, how despite her fear she slowly becomes braver and realizes that not all around her are evil.
I also loved Idris. That boy deserves lots of hugs! And the ending? It gutted me, made me cry and anticipating to read the next book eagerly!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
GIVEAWAY
Prize: One finished copy of Mirage by Somaiya Daud (USA only)
Starts: 8/22/18
Ends: 8/30/18
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