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smolhandsdan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
uanyacubreads's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
BOOK REVIEW!!
Mirage
Somaiya Daud
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
HER OWN FACE WAS HER ENEMY.
GENRE:
YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
BLURB:
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.
THOUGHTS:
I just finished this book, and it left me speechless throughout the book. I enjoyed all the characters, their character development, and the storyline. I loved how Amani loved her family so much and how she always thought of them, even when her life was at stake. I really admire how strong, powerful, observant, careful, and risk-taking Amani is as an 18-year-old girl.
Her story would make you feel her determination to survive the missions and trials that will come at her. She is so precious and soft-hearted, especially when she said these things to Princess Maram: "I am the youngest of my siblings; my elder brothers always watched over me. And now-now I will try to watch over you," and "You are not defined by the men in your life, no matter how powerful. You lived before them and you shall live after them. You can't let them determine your path." Those statements made an impact on me as a reader. I felt the message. Even though Princess Maram did terrible things to Amani, she didn't let that stop her from helping Princess Maram be the rightful inheritor of Andala.
"It was a cruel person that judged a child by their parent's legacy"
Mirage
Somaiya Daud
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
HER OWN FACE WAS HER ENEMY.
GENRE:
YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
BLURB:
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.
THOUGHTS:
I just finished this book, and it left me speechless throughout the book. I enjoyed all the characters, their character development, and the storyline. I loved how Amani loved her family so much and how she always thought of them, even when her life was at stake. I really admire how strong, powerful, observant, careful, and risk-taking Amani is as an 18-year-old girl.
Her story would make you feel her determination to survive the missions and trials that will come at her. She is so precious and soft-hearted, especially when she said these things to Princess Maram: "I am the youngest of my siblings; my elder brothers always watched over me. And now-now I will try to watch over you," and "You are not defined by the men in your life, no matter how powerful. You lived before them and you shall live after them. You can't let them determine your path." Those statements made an impact on me as a reader. I felt the message. Even though Princess Maram did terrible things to Amani, she didn't let that stop her from helping Princess Maram be the rightful inheritor of Andala.
"It was a cruel person that judged a child by their parent's legacy"
5678901234's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
phantomignis's review
4.0
This book really surprised me and I thoroughly enjoyed it, plus I love the beautiful cover art.
minayana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nilla_beanie19's review against another edition
2.0
Not a bad book at all just didn’t click with me.
tatyanavogt's review
5.0
Like a lot of books I enjoy this was unexpected. Had the second book in the series for awhile and got this one so that I could finally read its sequel. Had no clue what i was getting into and ended up loving it. The premises is that a young woman basically gets kidnapped because she looks almost identical to the princess and she if forced to act as her body double. But as to be expected in most stories like this, things are complicated and unlikely bonds are made. I enjoyed it.
I dont think the stories or the characters are amazing but I was invested and I cared. Sooooo, it was a good time.
I dont think the stories or the characters are amazing but I was invested and I cared. Sooooo, it was a good time.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
And, the campaign to read more Fairyloot books and to make sure they finally fit into one square of my bookcase again continues. This time it was time for Mirage. For some reason this book didn't speak to me when I got it, I even had it filed as book I'm not gonna read soon. However, when I came across it a few weeks ago I was kinda intrigued and curious. So, when I woke up way too early this morning and had more time than I thought before my friends came over, I grabbed this book and started.
The book is not really spectacular and a lot of really interesting things are happening away from our point of view character. Even though we meet the resistance, we don't get to see much of how they operate and what they do, because our heroine doesn't get that close to them. We get a few glimpses of the politics, but our heroine is not involved enough to see much of it. Even action-wise it's quite a calm book. There are a few action scenes, but most of it is talking and relationship bonding.
However, even though this would normally frustrate me, it didn't annoy me at all in this book. Maybe because I personally really enjoyed Amani's careful steps into this world. She was constantly balancing her own wishes, longings and needs, with her duties and the consequences when she would forget about those for a moment. Watching her struggle, watching her figure out what she wanted and what she didn't want was actually quite amusing and entertaining.
And because a lot of things are new for Amani, we get to learn and experience this world with her. So, just like her we have to make up our minds, discover new information and change our stands constantly. There were moments that the book gave a lot of information though, information that maybe formed the world and characters, but wasn't really important. However, once I let go that I needed to remember all of that, it worked for me.
I will certainly read the last book of this duology too! I'm really curious how everything will be solved!
The book is not really spectacular and a lot of really interesting things are happening away from our point of view character. Even though we meet the resistance, we don't get to see much of how they operate and what they do, because our heroine doesn't get that close to them. We get a few glimpses of the politics, but our heroine is not involved enough to see much of it. Even action-wise it's quite a calm book. There are a few action scenes, but most of it is talking and relationship bonding.
However, even though this would normally frustrate me, it didn't annoy me at all in this book. Maybe because I personally really enjoyed Amani's careful steps into this world. She was constantly balancing her own wishes, longings and needs, with her duties and the consequences when she would forget about those for a moment. Watching her struggle, watching her figure out what she wanted and what she didn't want was actually quite amusing and entertaining.
And because a lot of things are new for Amani, we get to learn and experience this world with her. So, just like her we have to make up our minds, discover new information and change our stands constantly. There were moments that the book gave a lot of information though, information that maybe formed the world and characters, but wasn't really important. However, once I let go that I needed to remember all of that, it worked for me.
I will certainly read the last book of this duology too! I'm really curious how everything will be solved!