Mirage

“Somaiya Daud’s debut novel is a YA marvel that will shock breath into your lungs. If you loved The Wrath and the Dawn and Children of Blood and Bone; Mirage will captivate you.” —The Christian Science Monitor Princess. Rebel. Spy. 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. “A beautiful and necessary meditation on finding strength in one’s culture.” —Entertainment Weekly; Top Pick of the Month