Mirage is definitely that kind of story that I wasn’t expecting. It is an interesting and unique story, that moves quickly. It was easy to read this in almost one sitting. I loved the lush descriptions of the culture and places.

The world building was interesting. I enjoyed the descriptions of the different settings from the architecture, to the foods and just the general differences between the cultures. I think the traditions that vary between the Vath and the Andalaans are so well defined and so much of the culture feels beautiful. I loved the focus on the folklore and stories. The way things are put into poetry and song. I felt like I could really feel and taste what I was reading. As far as the placement of things. I think I could have really used a map to keep it straight in my brain, but at the same time I love that there is a title page letting you know the location they are at.

Even though the story takes place on different planets and moons and at times the Vath are called Aliens. I guess since there are droids too but I wouldn’t consider this really Sci-Fi, to me it definitely flows more in the vein of Fantasy.

The thing I really liked about this book besides the fact that I do think it is a great plot, is the pacing. I love fantasy but lately I feel like the books have gotten really heavy and very involved and lot more like adult fantasy. Which again I do love but I really liked how this story is laid out. There is definitely politics at play but it did not feel overwhelming. Everything is constantly in motion and I did not feel overwhelmed with too many characters. This gave an opportunity for the main characters to be more developed and I really felt bonded with them. It was easy to see why each character is motivated into the actions that they follow.

The writing is great and of course the inclusion of the poetry. It definitely gave it that feel throughout. Plus just a great and unique plot, that is strong in the fact that it’s simple. It’s not too much and extremely easy to follow.

I loved the romance. I needed a romance like this one, sweet and natural. Two people finding solace in having an ally and partner.

I really liked Amani, Maram and Idris. I liked that my opinions of them fluxated as a I read because to me that always shows development. I might not like someone at first but as I learn more about them. I can see things from a new perspective. I also felt like how Amani is strong because she holds on to who she is. She might be striped of many things but she holds fast to her culture and who she is. It’s a deep part of her, where we see Maram often mold herself to what she needs to be.

I’m very excited for the next book. I can’t wait to see where this story takes us next.

Amani has really only ever known her home as occupied by the harsh invaders the Vathek empire. She does wish she could live in the time it was different, not that long ago — when her Andalaan culture could be one she cherished and took part in fully, when she and her family could live peacefully in their quiet village and go about their business. When she could take time to read and ponder on the poetry dedicated to Massinia, the prophetess of their religion, and maybe even write some of her own.

Her life is hard, but she has her beloved family. Then one night, during the cultural ceremony marking her entry into adulthood, she is taken by the Vath to the royal palace, where the half-Andalaan, half-Vathek Princess Maram lives. It turns out Amani looks uncannily like Maram, and she is now being trained to be her body double for certain events — to keep the real princess safe in case of any attacks. Maram is cruel and hated by the people the Vatheks have conquered; her appearance is very Andalaan, but her personality is very much a product of her Vathek upbringing and the personality and expectations of her ruthless father the king.

Amani finds a way to do what she’s told, and as time goes along, she finds a place in the world she’s been thrust into. She particularly enjoys the company of Maram’s fiancé, Idris, a fellow native of her world who was born into privilege but is being forced to play a role as well, though not a secret one, to stay alive in their harsh reality.

As time goes on, Amani finds it may be possible for her to make a difference, to effect some change. But most possibilities are very dangerous options. Can she risk her life, the lives of her family, her connection to Idris and even to the princess?

This is a story that’s not unusual in its setup — young woman has to find ways to be courageous, to survive, to look deep inside herself, etc., in a tough world of some kind — but it’s enjoyable. It’s set on a moon that’s been colonized by people from the planet it orbits. There are people who live on various star systems and other planets, and there’s technology that enables travel, communications, etc., but the book has no more elements of science fiction and doesn’t feel of that genre at all. Those are just facts underlying the story. And the setting is very much Moroccan: the colors, the foods, the culture and language. It’s very rich and descriptive. Amani is a young woman who doesn’t consider herself strong or courageous, but she has opportunities to find those qualities in herself and to create a place for herself in a life she didn’t expect. “Strong women” threads run throughout the book in different ways but aren’t in-your-face. I enjoyed that.

This book was written so beautifully, and the characters are dynamic and lovable. I enjoyed reading this so much!! I recommend to readers even if they never read fantasy. It's just that good! One of the most anticipated late summer releases, and for good reason.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud is a wonderful sci-fi, fantasy story with a bit of romance on the side. While this is Ms. Daud's debut novel, it certainly does not read like one. It has an engaging plot, believable characters and the story has twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.

It is a wonderful book that kept me glued to reading from start to finish. I've been told this book series will be a trilogy and I can't wait to read Book 2 and 3!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Daud, Flat Iron Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow, what a brilliant debut! I absolutely loved this story! I didn’t know quite what type of book I was in for when I read the description, but the premise intrigued me. Would it be like a cross between something like Arabian Nights and Star Wars? That might seem like a strange or impossible combination, but it works beautifully! The brutal coldness and sophistication of the Vathek Empire who kidnaps Amani is in stark contrast to Amani’s culture filled with so much warmth, love and beauty.

I was so on edge fearing for Amani yet amazed at her bravery and strength in the face of adversity. She grew so much as a character. She’s a wonderful example of a strong, intelligent heroine. And Maram may look like her twin, but she is a terrifying and complex character vastly different from Amani. And then there’s Idris who is simply swoon worthy and wonderful (but I must stop there since I don’t want to spoil the plot for you.:) Suffice it to say I couldn’t put this book down once I started. The visual imagery the author uses is lush and gorgeous-a veritable feast for the senses! I felt like I was transported to another world while reading as I was so immersed in this book.!

There’s plenty of intrigue, romance, and drama that kept me riveted until the last page. I can’t wait for the sequel to continue with Amani’s story. If you enjoy fantasy books, you will love this one. I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read the ARC of this amazing novel. I will definitely be buying a finished copy and waiting anxiously for the sequel.:)

When you begin reading this you’ll see signs of Sci-fi such as the talk of other inhabited planets within the system, the presence of droids, and transport vehicles. It isn’t until the story really gets going that you start to feel like you’re in a fantasy world.

Amani is taken from her home on a night of celebration only to find herself in the palace, in front of princess Maram, the one person she was afraid she’d have to face at some point in her life. It is like looking in a mirror. Maram has one request of Amani, to become her so that she can take her place at events where her life will be in the most danger. Why? Because Amani is Maram’s doppelganger. Amani now has to learn the cold and distant demeanor of Maram in order to keep her existence a secret while she attends events as Maram. The inner struggle Amani has is developed very well in this story because you can feel her constant awareness to making sure her own mannerisms are not leaked into those of Maram’s. She has to make sure that her true identity is not discovered but when Idris, Maram’s betrothed, discovers there is something different in his fiance’s behavior things really get interesting!

I loved Amani and Maram’s character development throughout this book and at one point they start to form a close bond with one another. I think this happens because Amani is an outsider and that allows Maram to let her guard down a little bit. Amani also doesn’t hold her tongue as much as she should. The relationship between the two is the most important and by the end you’ll be left broken and wanting more.

Idris. He’s kind of a babe who is observant enough to know there is something different about Maram and when he finds out he needs to know more. His and Amani’s relationship blossoms at an even pace which I liked. They spend time together when they can but it is not as often as either of them would like. The poetry between them is beautifully done and I’m hoping for more of them in the next book!

Revolution! There is some plotting and betraying going on in this book so be prepared for some of that!

The only criticism I have is that this book didn’t feel enough Sci-Fi for me. I felt that those elements were only portrayed in some of the wording but the feel of the book was much more fantasy. Other than that I really enjoyed this book.

I will begin by saying this...if you love young adult fantasy, this needs to be on your TBR list. It is probably one of the most highly anticipated and important new releases of 2018. The writing in this novel is astounding. For a debut novel, I was amazed at how well it was written. You are drawn into this newly crafted world, as if you were a supporting character, walking the streets yourself. What was most impressive was the own-voice characters. Own voices is a term that was coined by writer Corinne Duyvis. It essentially means to define marginalized characters written by marginalized writers. It is important to look for own voices novels when trying to read more diverse books.

"The crown of Dihya had been stripped from me, my face changed, my body broken. But I was not a slave and I was not a spare. I was my mother’s daughter, and I would survive and endure. I would find my way back home."

Mirage is a prime example of a character driven story. I think my favorite part of this novel was the characters and the relationships between them. They are each developed so well and bring their own traits to the story. Amani (the protagonist) has a special place in my heart. She was stripped of everything she held close to her, but never once gave up fighting. Through everything, she never forgot who she was or where she came from. Amani always remembered and fought for her heritage, beliefs, and people. She seemed to bring out the best in people. Maram (the antagonist) is not your typical, simple villain. She has much more to show readers, sides of her they might not expect. Idris...ugh what can I say? He is amazingly handsome and so compassionate. I think he is my new bookish crush. Although, I do wish that the ending between Idris and Amani was different.

The plot for Mirage is well thought out and holds the reader's attention. It is almost scary at how realistic it becomes. The story within Mirage depicts the real events that take place during colonization. Readers are shown the horrific aftermath of Vatheks' colonization. The Andalaan people continue to suffer, being stripped of many of their traditions. Though, they are allowed to continue practicing few religious ones. The author did a great job drawing on the reader's empathy. I felt so deeply for the Andalaan people, I want them to have a win. There were many instances where I was on the edge of my seat hoping some huge turn of events would give them much needed hope.

It is hard to put my feelings into words, this book was simply amazing. It is not often one comes across such a masterpiece. I was shocked that this was a debut novel! Somaiya Daud has incredible talent and it shows here. Not only is this a debut novel, but an own voices one. If you have not read this and you enjoy young adult fantasy or diverse novels, this needs to be on your TBR list...like yesterday.

I am giving this book a 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed it. For a debut novel, this was beautifully written. I was captivated by the story the moment I finished the first page. I cannot wait to see where else this series take us. I absolutely loved the strength of Amani and Maram. They both have such different personalities but that is what made the story so much better. I thought the world building was incredible and the political system was extremely fascinating. I cannot recommend this novel enough.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

I'm not really sure how to start this review. I was provided and advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, so here goes. MIRAGE was one of my most anticipate books of the year. I am a huge fan of YA sci-fi and fantasy books and the synopsis to this one immediately grabbed my attention. For some reason this one did not live up to the hype for me.

The books is kind of a mash up of Rebel of the Sands, The Diabolic and something else that I just can't quite put my finger on. The story is full of lush descriptions, of both the scenery and characters. The writing was great and it was easy to get absorbed in the world. It was an entertaining read that I think a lot of people are going to thoroughly enjoy.

I'm not quite sure what it was about it or why it didn't work for me. I enjoyed it enough that I am looking forward to continuing the story when the next book releases. It's possible that I just wasn't in the right mood for this kind of read, perhaps I will feel differently if I reread it at another time.

Dopplegängers are weird. I mean, the idea that there’s someone out there who looks almost exactly like you, even though you’re not related in any way whatsoever is just a little bit creepy. The whole concept is so weird, of course we have to use the German word for it. Just smush together the verb doppeln = to duplicate and gänger which isn’t it’s own word by itself, but a Vorgänger is a predecessor, and a Fußgängerzone is a pedestrian area, so assume it refers to a person. I suppose you could translate it as “goer” so your Doppelgänger is your double goer…yeah the original word sounds way better. And if you want to make it female, make the article Die and add -in. Voila! Female Doppelgänger.

Anyway, Doppelgängers are like catnip for fiction - remember how I was just talking about Tana French’s The Likeness? Or Edgar Allan Poe’s short story William Wilson? Or Fyordor Dostoevsky’s The Double? I mean, what would you do if you discovered there was someone out there who, despite not being related to you by blood, looked exactly like you?

Mirage goes the “my living doppelgänger is a person in power” route. Amani lives in a Star Wars-esque system of planets controlled by the cruel Vathek empire. Amani and her family are just trying to keep their heads down and not get killed or tormented by their Vathek overlords. During the “majority day” celebrations (the day you, and all the other girls your age officially turn 18 and become adults) Vathek droids crash the party and start scanning girls’ faces. They get to Amani and, lo and behold, they’ve found what they’re looking for, and they drag her away, leaving her family with zero idea why she’s been taken, where she’s going, or anything. We learn pretty quickly though that Amani is being taken to the royal court because she’s a dead ringer for the half-Vathek princess Maram, whom everybody hates. Maram doesn’t really go out of her way to seem like a very nice person - I mean, the first thing she does to her doppelgänger Amani is sic an attack bird on her. Anyway, being so disliked by other Vathek and the people of their conquered star system alike, Maram is in danger of being assassinated, so Amani gets the superfun you-have-no-choice task of being Maram’s body double.

Noncompliance is not an option, by the way.

So Amani gets the fun of being forced to mimic Maram exactly, and, after the literary equivalent of a training montage, Amani is ready to appear in public as Maram. With Maram’s appropriately named fiance, Idris. Not exactly Idris Elba, but, hey, go ahead and picture book Idris as Idris Elba. It’s pretty great.

Anyway, Amani gets all tangled up in Vathek politics, a burgeoning rebellion against the Empire, and her growing feelings for Idris, the fiance of the person she’s pretending to be. All while maintaining her own identity, though she has to essentially become Maram. And potentially be killed in her place.

Mirage is really, really, really quite good. If you’re into an exploration of identity with doppelgängers in a Star Wars-esque Moroccan and North African-inspired sci-fi world, then seriously, read it. Not just to picture 18 year old Idris Elba in your head every time the fiance is mentioned. Though that is a huge bonus. The only downside is that Mirage is another one of those YA books that is meant to be the first in a series. So it ends kind of abruptly, with lots of loose ends to be tied off in future books.

How come I seem to never be able to find standalone books? Will I be doomed to be waiting for sequels forever?

Eh, worth it.

I have to confess that when I first requested an ARC of Somaiya Daud’s Mirage, I did so because the hints of rebellion and the need for a body double revealed in the synopsis gave me Star Wars/Padme Amidala vibes. Being a huge Star Wars fan, I was immediately intrigued. What I got instead of just a story with a bit of a Star Wars vibe, however, was an absolutely gorgeous science fiction/fantasy story set in a Moroccan-inspired land and filled with complex, well drawn characters that captivated me from the moment I met each of them.

Mirage follows eighteen year old Amani, who lives on a moon that has been occupied by the brutal Vathek empire. Because of her resemblance to the Vathek’s princess Maram, Amani is kidnapped from her home and taken to the royal palace. There, she is told that if she wants to live, she will learn everything there is to know about Maram – mannerisms, her history, her relationships, etc. – so as to prepare herself to serve as Maram’s body double. Why does Maram need a body double? Because the people who have been conquered by the Vathek hate her and would love nothing more than to be able to assassinate her. Amani’s job is to serve as a decoy, ready to die in Maram’s place if need be.

The story follows Amani as she is forced into this new role and as she meets the princess and suffers her wrath for the first time. It is easy to see why someone would want to kill Princess Maram, and it makes the reader all the more sympathetic to the plight facing Amani. The few bright spots in Amani’s days are those moments when she can sit back and admire the beauty of the palace and those when she is in the company of Maram’s fiancé, Idris. One of Amani’s first tests was to see if she could fool Idris and Maram’s father, and while she succeeds with the King, Idris, on the other hand, suspects after a very short time that she is not Maram. As Amani gets to know Idris better, an unexpected bond forms between them that starts as friendship but could easily become more if either of them were to give in to the temptation.

But when the Vathek threaten Amani’s family if she doesn’t do her job to perfection, Amani knows that she needs to focus and not let affairs of the heart guide her choices, especially if she ever hopes to see her family again.

As I already mentioned, Mirage is filled with complex, well drawn characters. In fact, I’d have to say it’s more character driven than it is plot driven. Sometimes that doesn’t work all that well for me, but in this case, I loved it because I was so into Amani and Maram and the complexities of their relationship. I loved how real these characters felt and how nothing was simple or black and white with them.

Amani was my favorite character, no surprise there. I fell in love with her right away. She is of course strong, smart, sassy, passionate, quite simply everything I love in a feisty heroine, but she’s also so much more than that. I love her passion for all things related to her people and their beliefs. She knows that the Vathek would love nothing more than to erase all of her people’s traditions as if they never existed and that they have banned so many things that they believe could lay the seeds of rebellion. And yet, she doesn’t care. She still reads the forbidden poems whenever she can and she refuses to forget the ways of her people, including their language. I loved how strongly she clung to all of these things and turned to them for strength whenever she felt like giving up. She’s also not perfect by any means, which makes her feel all the more human. The fact that she’s so tempted by her attraction to Idris shows that she is prone to make all-too-human mistakes, as is the fact that she really wants to make a connection with Maram even though she knows Maram could turn on her like a viper at any moment.

What probably comes as more of a surprise is that Princess Maram was actually my second favorite. And OMG, talk about your complex characters. At first she seems like the most evil, vindictive person alive, but as Amani gets to know her a little better, she starts to sense that there may be a lot more to Maram than originally meets the eye. Amani actually starts to feel sympathy for Maram and wants to connect with her, but it’s impossible to tell whether Maram will let Amani in and possibly become friends or if she’ll cruelly reject Amani and lash out at her as everyone has come to expect from Maram. I loved how unpredictable she was and that I could never decide which Maram was the real Maram, the one who lashes out at everyone or the more open and vulnerable one who occasionally came out in Amani’s presence. I think my fascination with Maram is only going to continue to grow in the next book too.

In addition to these amazing characters, there is also a dash of forbidden love in Mirage that really appealed to me. That is of course between Amani and Idris. I mean, seriously, of all the people you could feel attracted to, you have to pick the guy who is engaged to the woman you are pretending to be? How completely awkward but yet, oh so entertaining!

The worldbuilding in Mirage is some of the best that I’ve read. Daud has woven together a rich and beautiful atmospheric setting that is inspired by Moroccan culture. It is also complemented by elements of science fiction and fantasy, with a subtle magical system also included. I was utterly captivated by this world and every detail in it.

Finally, since I mentioned the whole Star Wars vibe thing, yes there are definitely hints of rebellion and resistance to the Vathek in this novel. Like Amani, those who have been conquered by the Vathek are clearly tired of being treated like dirt on what was actually their own land before the Vathek descended and took over control. I don’t want to spoil anything so that’s all I’m going to say, but it screams to me that even though this first book was mostly character driven, the action is going to ratchet up in the next book!

I almost hate to write anything about issues I had because I really did adore the book overall, but since I pride myself on honest reviews, I will say that there were a couple of spots along the way where I felt the pacing was a little slow. Thankfully there were only a couple and those centered around some of Amani’s training/study sessions where she was studying up on how to be like Maram and the “tests” that she had to take to see if she could actually fool anyone. Most of those sessions and tests were pretty interesting, but after a while, I was definitely ready for the story to move along and get to something more exciting.

Somaiya Daud is truly a gifted storyteller whose writing style was just such a good fit for me. The words in Mirage flow so smoothly and beautifully that I was drawn in immediately and couldn’t put the book down. Mirage is a beautiful and moving tale with characters that command your attention and whose plight you can’t help but become fully invested in. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year so far and so I highly recommend it to any fans of fantasy and science fiction, but especially to those who love character driven stories.

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!

"Happiness is rebellion."

Rating: 4.5/5

Stolen on her majority night, Amani loses all that she holds dear to become the expendable body double of the much despised Princess Maram. She is trained to fool everyone in order to secure Maram's inheritance, including her fiancé Idris. When the rebel group discovers who she truly is and uses her to their advantage, Amani becomes torn between fighting for justice from the Vath and nurturing the love and trust she develops with Princess Maram. Can she be the catalyst to change Maram to be the good leader she knows is inside or will her desperate plan for peace end in treachery?

- Characters -
There was soooooo much growth in each and every character! They each had lots of depth that delved into who their were at the start of the novel but then expanded so much more to show us their potential of how important their roles are! Ms. Daud had me surprised with each development that had me soon expecting the unexpected for each character - this is hard to do because you think you finally figured out who they are but then BAM! You become shell shocked to discover they are something else! Job well done :)

- Setting/World -
It took some getting used to especially with the unfamiliar vocabulary, but about the middle of the novel, I could comprehend this unique world. The atmosphere is definitely different and something I hadn't experienced before but that's what made this story so special. It's a tyrannical world with no exceptions for justice and peace. What had me confused until the very end was that at times it seemed set in the past (i.e. the village life, class structure) but had the advancements in technology you see in the future. It didn't mesh well for me enough to understand it from the start.

- Writing -
Very detailed and emotional - had me turning the page before I even finished the current one. I could feel the loneliness of Maram and the strength of Amani, the heartbreak of the villagers and Idris' exhaustion from politics. I understand why this book was the choice for many book box subscriptions not only for the beautiful cover but because of its beautiful poetic story.

For the first novel, it wasn't as adventurous as some YA fantasy books are but definitely leads up to and foreshadows a big battle to come in the next novel.

"We are not responsible for what cruel masters enact in our name."

Content Warning: Torture, Physical Violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Colonization, Genocide, Cultural Cleansing, Biracial Hatred, Internalized Self-hatred,

Mirage is such an intense ride. Character driven loaded with character progression and twisting relationships. Day to day survival and self care teetering against the resistance and greater good. Even the down times have forbidden love and attraction.

It doesn't sugar coat colonization so fellow white people, be prepared to take several seats. The council meeting was particularly chilling.

I love the world building, the descriptions, and the details. Everything just *popped* off the page and was so vivid.

I get the romance, but as a demi I need more time and involvement before I personally feel it. The prince is smart and cute and funny. He's damaged so you just want to hug him and make him feel better. It doesn't steal focus from the bigger picture of the occupation and rebellion. But it is still important. Loving each other against the rules, sharing their culture to keep it alive is an act of rebellion in itself.

There's so much I didn't see coming. The only thing I really called was the romance with the prince. Everything else was a surprise.

I'm convinced there's more going with the Princess. I have a ~theory~ I hope is correct. Maram and Amani's relationship is EVERYTHING. So unique and fascinating with so many different aspects and full of empathy. I normally don't get anti villains but I think people are going to appreciate Maram like they do Killmonger.

Sidenote: The lack of any queerness is disappointing but that's a general complaint of mine. This did not affect my rating at all.

Science fiction is always a hit or a miss for me. Mirage fell somewhere between the middle.
My main issues were the info dumping and the setting. The world building was great, but at times it was quite an info dump. Honestly, I’m still confused about the setting. They are in space but it’s like medieval times? They lost me with that.

Also, I see a lot of reviews saying that they thought that the love was very instant. Well, that didn’t bother me because I’m a big fan of insta love. I thought the romance was good and was a good break in between everything that was going on.

If you can’t tell by now, I’m torn at how to rate this. Mirage was a bit slow and I don’t see myself continuing with the next in the series.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book; all opinions and thoughts are my own.*

What to say about this book...

Well, I guess my major feeling, what I think of first when I think of this book is: I don't think much happened. It is unfortunate that I think this book feels like a prequel or set up for the rest of the story. Now, this isn't to say nothing happens-- there are a few keep plot points... which I'm sure the next book will bring up. It just seems like there isn't much conflict and for someone being a body double of a princess who is being targeted, there should have more of a worried feeling to it.
I suppose I'm a bit tired of the first book in series not being able to stand on its own.

Yet, I was entertained while reading this. I didn't continue to look at the clock-- I was waiting for more. This is an interesting concept, with vast characters to pull upon to give the book more oomph. I'm hoping that the next book will have more of the characters I'm interested in: Maram, the rebel leader, Amani's brothers, and a few more.

I wasn't a huge fan on Amani... I would have liked something more... I don't know it felt like something was missing to me. She has a lot of potential, like Idris, but sometimes they felt smoothed over -- not much conflict so they didn't have chances to shine. Also, their romance felt like it happened so, so quick. especially how deep they fell for each other.

But, the setting and world-building, I think, were done well. There is Moroccan rep here which is something I've never seen or read about before. I didn't always remember the sci-fi elements when there wasn't space travel-- this is an interesting mix of a futuristic setting while having a ton of historic feel.

So, will I read the next one? Most likely. I'm interested enough in the story and want to see some things really start to move. I'd recommend this if you like slight sci-fi and don't mind a slow start to a series to really get you involved in the world.

Mirage was not what I expected it to be, but it was a fun and unique read nonetheless. I quickly devoured the story, eager to see the dynamics between Amani, Maram, and Idris play out. With a unique and enthralling world, I can easily see how this book will be a new favorite for many (I’ve already seen so many raving reviews).

"On a small moon orbiting a large planet, in a small farmhouse in a small village, there was a box, and in this box was a feather."

One of my favorite parts of this book was the setting! The world is founded on a Moroccan inspired culture; something I’ve never witnessed before in the book! Additionally, this book falls into the space set, science fiction genre, which normally I don’t gravitate towards, but this aspect totally worked for me in this book! Mirage was subtly sci-fi, with droids, spaceships, advanced medical technology woven into the setting. There was no technological concepts that I struggled to understand. I think this light science fiction background will appeal to many fantasy readers, given how it emulated kingdom/empire vibes typical of YA fantasies (does that make sense?), to the point where half the time I forgot it was science fiction. My only complaint about the world, which is probably merely due to me having an e-ARC, is that I wish there had been a glossary for all the terminology used. There were so many times I clicked on a term in the kindle app, trying to figure out what it was, only to have it tell me there were no definition available.

"And endurance was strength, to be sure, but even a rock wore away to nothing if asked to endure enough rain."

To coincide with this, I think another great characteristic of this book was the people, especially when it comes to the conquered Andalaan people. I think Daud did an amazing job of exploring people’s different reactions, feelings, and coping methods to living under an oppressive, tyrant government. This was such a powerful and compelling dimension of the novel.

"So I took each memory, folded it over and over again, and put it away."

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the ever-shifting relationship between Amani and the princess, Maram. My favorite scenes were when Amani imitated Maram’s cold, hard personality and when Amani & Maram interacted. I loved their dynamic and how they brought out different sides of each other.

"I liked to think I was brave and filled with conviction, but I was untested."

Now, as I mentioned before, this book was a lot different then what I expected it to be. First off, it was a lot more character driven than plot driven, which is not a bad thing in itself, just not what I anticipated. Additionally, I was super sad to discover that this book utilized my least favorite trope, insta-love, when it came to the romance between Amani & Idris (not a spoiler; this is very much implied by the synopsis). As soon as this aspect took stage, it seemed that the whole plot swung around to focus on it, which I found rather disappointing.

"Any and every end I imagined for the two of us as one mired in tragedy."

Overall, I think this book was a decent contribution to the YA sci-fi world and will be compelling to many. As long as you don’t mind (intense) insta-love and a few other clichés, I would recommend this book to all YA fantasy & sci-fi lovers!

**I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own**
So I really don't know what to say about this book. It wasn't bad, but it really didn't have a lasting impression on me. It was pretty slow and somewhat boring throughout the majority of the book. I think the development of the main character was done well. There was also some development in the princess as well, so this book wasn't lacking in character development. It was plot development that was missing.
I would read the next book, just to see what happens, but unfortunately, this one didn't stick with me.

**3.5 stars**
I read this book for a blog tour to promote this book. Check out my full blog review linked in here. I loved that this was inspired by Morocco and I truly felt transported with the fashion, culture, dialogue, religion and politics in this book. I'm so happy that this book is giving us a novel inspired by another culture which made it feel so enchanting. There's also some very empowering statements throughout the book that I highlighted that are powerful. I also loved Maram with seeing how she really is and I do kinda wish we'd gotten her POV instead. Amani was a fine protagonist, but she felt frustrating at times, romance was too rushed to feel real and balanced and the reason for her being a body double never felt important. But this is a solid debut that you can't miss out on. This is hands down my favorite Flatiron book yet and I can't wait to read more of their catalog.

Somaiya Daud's Mirage is her debut noel. The story is set in a galaxy known as Mizaal, which has been invaded and colonized by a race called the Valthek Empire. The story features Amani, an 18-year old from Cadiz, one of the moons of the planet Andala. On Amani's 18th birthday, when she is receiving her marks (daan) to indicate her transition to adulthood, Imperial droids appear and spirit her away.

Amani is taken to the royal palace, the Ziyaana, on the planet of Andala where she will be lucky if she ever sees her family again. The next thing Amani knows, she is meeting half-Vathek princess Maram. Amani discovers that she is staring into what is practically her own face. Because of Maram's unpopularity and rebel activity, it has become necessary to have a stand-in at public activities. This is when Amani knows what her crime was, and why she was forcibly taken from her family.

Amani, after a few alterations, will act as the Princesses double, making public appearances and risking her life as the rebellion strengthens. Amani must learn to perfectly mirror Maram to survive (and perhaps see her family again). This is what her future will be for the near future and there's not a whole lot she can do about it. Or can she? As Amani and Maram learn to understand the other, you wonder if this will be a turning point in both characters lives.

I found myself quickly hating Maram. There's really not a whole lot to like. She's as brutal as those she deals with on a daily basis. She doesn't have a care in the world for those that she deems below her. Then you have to understand her family, and her expectations, and the fact that there are people all around her who want her not to rise to become the heir of the empire. To the Andalaans, she's a symbol of the oppressors and to the Vath she is impure and not worth to become the heir.

To make things even more interesting, she is outed to Maram's fiancé Idris who discovers that she is more than just a body double. Amani is a girl who dreamed of a world in which everyone is free and able to live and experience their own cultures through art and poetry. All Amani's life, she has been forced to face a life of oppression by the Vath and their slow erasure of the indigenous cultures, especially the Kushaila poetry that has been used as a rallying cry for rebellion.

Mirage is a painful true story when it comes to life under colonization. The author does a fairly impressive job in showing the aftermath of Vathek’s colonization and its continued effects on the Andalaan people. From living as second-class citizens in a world that used to be yours to being victims of cultural erasure, there were definitely a lot of parallels to our real world events and history. The author excels at showing the reader people living under harsh rule, living through myth and legend – the background is gorgeously described and multi-layered.

I dare say that the story is more of a science fiction novel with romance included, than a fantasy one. Or, one could say that the story is a science fiction / fantasy mix-up with mythology and romance. After all, when a story is set in space, and you have space travel, it's science fiction. When you have an alien race who colonizes your planet, it becomes science fiction. At the start, Amani seemed a bit naive, but overall she developed into a character who fights for her people and their legacy and their survival. The difference in her maturity from the beginning to the end of the book is vast and I'm hoping for even more character development after the author leaves us hanging by a tightrope waiting to see what happens next