Mirage: A Novel
Written by Somaiya Daud
Narrated by Rasha Zamamiri
4/5
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About this audiobook
“Mirage is full of characters who feel like they existed long before the story began, and a rich world that is as beautiful as it is cruel. Somaiya Daud is a rare talent. A smart, romantic, exciting debut.” —Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divergent and Carve the Mark
A stunning epic fantasy audiobook inspired by the author’s Moroccan heritage about a poor girl who must become the body double of a princess of a ruthless empire hailed as ”a rich, dazzling, powerful debut” by Tahereh Mafi, the New York Times author of the Shatter Me series
In a world 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 home.
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.
More praise for Mirage:
“Daud is a masterful storyteller. Mirage gives readers an exquisitely wrought world with deft characters, death-defying stakes, and an aching romance. Bound to linger in your dreams.” — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen
"MIRAGE reads as an impossible trick of the light, a feather that carves words into stone, a banquet of longing and loss. Every page comes roaring to life in a way that overwhelms and transforms you. This isn't a debut novel so much as an heirloom, and the work of a master storyteller." — Margaret Stohl, #1 New York Times bestselling author Beautiful Creatures & Black Widow: Forever Red
"With its breathtaking worldbuilding and characters who grabbed me from the first page, Mirage is by turns thrilling and ruminative, sexy and heartbreaking. Somaiya Daud has written a moving and unforgettable debut." — Sabaa Tahir, New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
Somaiya Daud
Somaiya Daud is the author of Mirage and holds a PhD from the University of Washington in English literature. A former bookseller in the children’s department at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., now she writes and teaches full time.
Related to Mirage
Titles in the series (2)
Mirage: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Court of Lions: A Mirage Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Mirage
88 ratings8 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rich in culture and lore, Mirage is a story fully revealed. It is well thought out with fleshed out characters that you cant help but love. This story is equally character and plot driven with a lot of political machinations. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The book and narrator are both amazing! This was beautiful!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Fantastic until the end. Fair warning: If you don't like books that don't finish the story, and leave off as a giant, unnecessary cliffhanger -- don't bother.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5OMG was not expecting to enjoy this story so much! A character driven story that makes you want to root for their well-being with just enough world-building sprinkled throughout the story to draw you into to the story. Loved this scifi fantasy sotry!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent plot line and characters. I really enjoyed how the female relationships were written.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mirage was the first book I received from Owlcrate. The beginning of the story was slow, and introduced terms and themes that I was not familiar with, unless I looked them up. The world building and details were rich, creating an alien world with a hint a familiarity. I enjoyed the character growth and development, for both the protagonists and antagonists. The story itself had a beautifully crafted foundation, but I felt the narration might benefit from being stronger with more varied and complex use of words (for example, ‘respite’ was used far too many times in a variety of situations that could have benefitted from another term). I am excited to read the continuation of this novel and have closure to the story and the characters’ arcs.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5its five am and i just finished listening to this book. its absolutely incredible and i just couldnt stop listening!! let out an audible gasp at that ending & makes me very excited for the rest of the triology!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next books.