Mirage was easily one of the most beautifully written YA Fantasy novel to sweep the online book community by storm. With a world rich in detail, deception, politics and body doubles, it was a concept that had many of us immediately intrigued. Somaiya Daud crafted a story that felt very much Cinderella-esque, while completely absorbing us into an entirely new tale.
MIRAGE
by Somaiya Daud
Publication Date: August 28, 2018
Publisher: Flat Iron Books
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
From Goodreads:
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.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Racism, Torture, Kidnapping, Genocide, Biracial hatred, Physical Violence
The novel had the potential to go either way - a totally bad ass story, or a lack-luster flop that wasted my time. Considering the reviews and buzz around the novel, I was not at all surprised when the narrative blew me away. I gave this novel a solid 4.5/5 stars!
With a morrocan fantasy fusion, Daud has transported us to a world that we rarely see. The culture, both Vathek and Kushalia, are so richly described that it's easy to reach out and feel the world around you. Instantly we are immersed into a world of culture, love, loyalty. We meet a family that is incredibly tight knit; a people who -despite being conquered- hold on to the joy in their lives, the special things that connect them to a culture that was stripped from them during the invasion. This is what kept me turning the pages in the first few chapters.
Admittedly, the beginning was slow for me. The first 5 chapters really seemed to be like pulling teeth to get to the meat of the story. However, that was the only part of the book that felt like it was dragging. The rest of the book FLEW by!
Love, Relate or Hate?
For me, the biggest hook is the characters. I have a motto when dealing with characters. Everyone has heard of the teenage game Date, Marry, Kiss... Well this is my version, Love, Relate or Hate. Either I connect with them because I relate to them in some way - even just a small way, Love them or I hate them. If they cannot hold my interest in one of those three categories, the story just isn't going to do it for me. This novel had all three. :D
Amani is the protagonist in this series. Amani is a great character. We see her grow from scared, kidnapped victim to mostly confident, and sure of herself. That sureness builds through out the novel as she forms relationships with the others. Her personality morphs and twists as she grows and it's amazing to watch the change, even when it comes full circle. I did have a bit of an issue with Amani's development in the way that she allowed people to treat her. It seems like everyone in the book has some type of reason for using Amani. No one around her is there for anything other than what they can get out ot it. Amani allows herself to open up far too often when she should have remained closed off. I am chalking this "flaw" up to be a character personality trait and just part of what makes the writing of these characters so vivid.
Next, we have the love interest for both the princess and Amani. Idris... I mean, he is gorgeous, of course. Idris is the epitome of prince. Wonderful and Charming. He is a character that I really got behind. I'm not usually a rooter of the prince/king consort, but man - Idris is a stud! :) He plays so many different roles it was really hard to keep track of them all!
A character that i really didn't expect to like was Furat. The disgraced cousin of the Royal family is most definitely some one to watch out for. She is very good at being who she needs to be, when she needs to be it. I was drawn to her because of the ferociousness in her soul.
My favorite character in the series so far has to be Maram. I just feel plain sorry for Maram. She is considered a half breed by BOTH sides of her family. I honestly felt like she was a much more complex character than Amani was. Amani wanted one thing, Maram wanted so many things she could never have. Maram was why I gave this book 4.5, instead of the full 5. Maram is not a villian. She's definitely an antagonist, but by no means is she the villian of this story. I truly feel as though Maram is another victim of the society her father has sculpted. Many times, we see that Maram is capable of more, YEARNS for more than the cruelty she has been taught, but she has no one to show her how to yield that want into something more. By the end of the novel we know WHY Maram is the way she is, but we don't know how she truly feels, who she is under that mask - since the story is told from Amani's point of view.
There are a plethora of other characters that add to the depth and complexity of "Mirage" but if I detailed them all, what fun would that be for the readers?! :D
The Story
As I mentioned before, the novel began slow, aside from the initial event that propelled the story forward. There were several info dumps, but they worked for the most part - not retracting from the story as info dumps often do. The world building in this novel is exeptional. It's hard to find a world so well detailed that it leaps off of the page and into reality for me. As some one who does not see or think in images, it really takes a talent to immerse me into a world that I otherwise would not be able to image.
I found it interesting to see how Maram and Amani's relationship grew and changed, and even her relationship with the stewart and those that could do her the most harm.
I was especially impressed with her use of culture and language in her world. Vathek, which is the name of the people who conquered their worlds, comes from a story about barbarianism. It's very appropriate considering the people are barbarians. Evil and uncaring, even about their own people. King Mathis is a man who values loyalty and power over love and compassion. He built his empire (solar system) on the idea of fear ruling this people. Those that were nobility and on his side were bathed in riches, those that were not - they didn't live long enough to let that spread. The clash of the two cultures, and the mix of them in Maram is so skillfully done that it is like a song on each page, the two halves fighting for control.
I've heard some complaints about the insta love in this book, but I feel like that's a bit misplaced. The novel takes place over a matter of several months. I believe Amani says several times that it was many weeks between seeing Idris, so they both had time to dwell and yearn for each other. Though it may have been slightly escalated, I don't feel like it was truly "instalove".
Through out the book, there was a theme of hope. The one item that Amani holds so dear is a constant reminder that she could be more, wants to be more. Both the beginning and ending sparked a note of hope for me, and I was pleased to see it continue through out, no matter the trials that Amani faced.
Over all, Mirage was a great novel. The entire story is a roller coaster of emotions. I was truly invested, searching out any clues of how the story would progress. It was heartwrenching, heartwarming and cunning. Daud created characters that instantly stole the show, many of them showing up Amani in most scenes, and forced us to see into a parallel for the worlds that we currently live in. I wish I had seen more of Maram, with the connection that she formed with Amani I felt like too much was held back - a disservice to the characters. I loved that we got to see a #ownvoices story in a way that so many people can relate to! I would have loved to see a queer character, but that's simply because I always wish for a queer girl some where in there. ;)
I'm almost certain that there is an entire sub story that lies within Maram, and I am desperately hoping that it will be revealed in the coming books. The relationship that Amani and Maram have is so complex that there can only be more surprises to come!
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