Court of lions A mirage novel

Somaiya Daud

Book - 2020

"The long-awaited second and final installment in the "smart, sexy, and devilishly clever" Mirage series (Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Beautiful)! On a planet on the brink of revolution, Amani has been forced into isolation. She's been torn from the boy she loves and has given up contact with her fellow rebels to protect her family. In taking risks for the rebel cause, Amani may have lost Maram's trust forever. But the princess is more complex than she seems, and now Amani is once more at her capricious nature. One wrong move could see her executed for high treason. On the eve of Maram's marriage to Idris comes an unexpected proposal: in exchange for taking her place in the festivitie...s, Maram will keep Amani's rebel associations a secret. Alone and desperate, Amani is thrust into the center of the court, navigating the dangerous factions on the princess's behalf. But the court is not what she expects. As a risky plan grows in her mind, and with the rebels poised to make their stand, Amani begins to believe her world might have a future. But every choice she makes comes with a cost. Can Amani risk the ones she loves the most for a war she's not sure she can win?"--

Saved in:

Young Adult Area Show me where

YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Daud Somaiya
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
Young Adult Area YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Daud Somaiya Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Fantasy fiction
Novels
Published
New York : Flatiron Books 2020.
Language
English
Main Author
Somaiya Daud (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
xi, 304 pages : illustration ; 22 cm
ISBN
9781250126450
9781250238023
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

The final installment in the Mirage duology drops readers at Amani's feet as she resumes her duties as Princess Maram's body double, this time during the festivities marking Maram's marriage to Idris--the man Amani loves. To keep her family safe and reestablish her loyalty after the discovery of her rebel association, she has little choice. But court life gives Amani a risky idea, one demanding forged alliances that could save her planet from the cruel Vathek occupation. She'll have to be cunning if she wants to aid the rebellion, but can it be done without giving up everyone she loves? Political intrigue and confederations take center stage as Amani's guile and Maram's ability to rule are put to the test. The slower pacing is embellished with vivid references to Moroccan culture and exquisitely suited to Daud's melodic prose. Chapters interspersed with Maram's point of view are a welcome addition, as they lay bare her fears and sorrow (and unexpected romance), thawing the icy reputation she's amassed. The cherry on top? A cast of dauntless female characters.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

In the conclusion to the Mirage duology, identity and self-acceptance are inextricably tied to revolution and the dismantling of colonial oppression and power. Having spared a rebel assassin and broken princess Maram's trust, body double Amani must now obey orders to the letter to avoid further torture of her family by Maram's stewardess Nadine. The order for Amani to stand as a proxy in the royal marriage to prince Idris is exquisitely painful, physical proximity serving as a daily reminder of the impossible reality of their mutual love. But Maram's additional secret orders reveal the half Kushaila/half Vath princess's inner conflicts of identity and discomfort with the unjust rule of the Vath and her father. Amani must regain Maram's trust and convince her and their possible allies that Maram is the queen their planet needs. Daud continues to explore aspects of colonialism, from cultural erasure to self-hatred, action versus complicity, and liberation from structural oppression. Shifting perspectives reveal the depth of Maram's inner conflicts but also the power dynamics and trappings of the two women. The pacing is deliberate, focusing mostly on court machinations and personal relationships as inner and interpersonal conflicts dominate over rebellion plots and revelations (some a little too on-the-nose). Daud's prose is poetic and rich though occasionally repetitive. The climax, while satisfying, is more abbreviated. Most characters are brown-skinned. A solid conclusion. (maps, dramatis personae, political factions, timeline, glossary) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.