Mirage

A Novel

By: Somaiya Daud

Narrated by: Rasha Zamamiri

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

“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, number one New York Times best-selling author of Divergent and Carve the Mark)

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, 16-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, and one wrong move could lead to her death....

©2018 Somaiya Daud (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“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 Choksi, New York Times best-selling 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, number one New York Times best-selling author Beautiful Creatures and Black Widow: Forever Red)

This was wonderful!

I loved the narration!!! The story was wonderfully crafted and I couldn’t put it down!

Pretty darn good!

interesting characters, different motivations, engaging plot, the narrative moves along very nicely, distinct science fiction view of the universe that is well fleshed out, and just plain enjoyable. Also, great performance by the reader.

pretty good

pretty good tho .... I kept forgetting it was a "futuristic book", but I suppose Im interested in the next one

Prince and the Pauper Meets Star Wars and MORE

This book is a fantasy version of Prince and the Pauper mixed with Star Wars, gorgeous poetry, and lush world building. There were places where I predicted what was going to happen, but I found myself enjoying it anyway. The pacing was also a bit off, slow in places and rushed in others, but again, I didn't mind because I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story.
I'm excited to read book 2!
The reader also did a fantastic job!

WOW

I am genuinely impressed with this novel. It will be a three book series eventually, which is great because the ending left me wishing for more. Her words are lyrical, moving, and so beautiful. The characters are round and full of depth, and the back stories are well thought through. The narrator was exceptionally gifted during this novel; I could listen to her all day. Highly recommend! It’s a gem hidden in the rough!

Nice story

Very interesting I love the court order side. This was a fun read. Can’t wait to read sequel.

Will there be a sequel?

I loved this book. So many powerful themes (family, war, good can evil, coming of age, feminine power). Only negative I can offer is that the end was truly disappointing. I hope there is a sequel, which I will devour, because there are too many loose ends for my taste.

Great Performance

While I didn't feel a whole lot happened in this novel (it seemed to lay the groundwork for the next novel), I think the excellent narrator made it a well-rounded, enjoyable listen.

Really enjoyed this book

Well written and interesting. Kept me thinking and I looked forward to down time when I could listen. Looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

One of my favorite reads so far

I really enjoyed the narration and the story. I love the tone of Rasha Zamairi's voice and the way she pronounced the names. I was a little put off by the author's interview at the end though. Overall would recommend.