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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Court of Lions by Somaiya Daud
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: Violence, kidnapping, torture, abuse, slavery, colonization
Court of Lions by Somaya Daud is book two in the Mirage duology. I read book one so long ago, all I remember was that I really liked it, but book two was great too!
We pick up with Amani after the events of last book. Amani is doing her best to bring the mahkzen and the rebels together to back Maram as the true ruler of Andalaa. We mostly have Amani's pov, but every once in Ala while we get an interlude from Maram's perspective. This greatly improved the character of Maram for me. She had so much growth in this book, and we get to see a different side of her other than the ruthless, cold, heir of the Vath.
I don't remember many of the details from book one, but in this book we get a lot of court intrigue, a continuation of a romance from last book and a new slow burn sapphic romance. I love the way Daud has written Amani. Everything about Amani demands subtlety. As Maram's body double, it is important that she is able to discern much from people nonverbal commincations, such as the tightening of a jaw, a look in someone's direction, all while pretending to be someone she isn't. Amani deserves an Oscar, honestly.
I do wish there had been more care taken for the world-building. I felt like it was just an outline of world-building. It was pretty surface, just enough to explain the world the story takes place on (Andalaa), but we don't learn much about how the other planets fit into the economy and governance. It just seems like a weird choice to make this a scifi story in space, when it really isn't necessary and doesn't really fit the aesthetic. I wish we had gotten more from Ahgraas, as she was a fascinating addition to the story.
There are a lot of themes on colonization, the harm it does, the lasting effects, and the price of standing by and doing nothing in the face of injustice. The message from Maram's perspective is clear: It is easy to do nothing and pretend nothing is wrong when you are afraid of losing your own privilege. From Amani's the message is to be stalwart in the face of oppression, it is not the big actions that foment change, but the subtle machinations that make it possible.
If you're looking for an Arabic inspired fantasy/scifi read, this duology is it.
Court of Lions by Somaya Daud is book two in the Mirage duology. I read book one so long ago, all I remember was that I really liked it, but book two was great too!
We pick up with Amani after the events of last book. Amani is doing her best to bring the mahkzen and the rebels together to back Maram as the true ruler of Andalaa. We mostly have Amani's pov, but every once in Ala while we get an interlude from Maram's perspective. This greatly improved the character of Maram for me. She had so much growth in this book, and we get to see a different side of her other than the ruthless, cold, heir of the Vath.
I don't remember many of the details from book one, but in this book we get a lot of court intrigue, a continuation of a romance from last book and a new slow burn sapphic romance. I love the way Daud has written Amani. Everything about Amani demands subtlety. As Maram's body double, it is important that she is able to discern much from people nonverbal commincations, such as the tightening of a jaw, a look in someone's direction, all while pretending to be someone she isn't. Amani deserves an Oscar, honestly.
I do wish there had been more care taken for the world-building. I felt like it was just an outline of world-building. It was pretty surface, just enough to explain the world the story takes place on (Andalaa), but we don't learn much about how the other planets fit into the economy and governance. It just seems like a weird choice to make this a scifi story in space, when it really isn't necessary and doesn't really fit the aesthetic. I wish we had gotten more from Ahgraas, as she was a fascinating addition to the story.
There are a lot of themes on colonization, the harm it does, the lasting effects, and the price of standing by and doing nothing in the face of injustice. The message from Maram's perspective is clear: It is easy to do nothing and pretend nothing is wrong when you are afraid of losing your own privilege. From Amani's the message is to be stalwart in the face of oppression, it is not the big actions that foment change, but the subtle machinations that make it possible.
If you're looking for an Arabic inspired fantasy/scifi read, this duology is it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Kidnapping