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The Alamaxa Duology #2
The Weavers of Alamaxa
Following up on one of the most exciting fantasy debuts, The Daughters of Izdihar, Hadeer Elsbai concludes her Alamaxa Duology, inspired by Egyptian history and myth, with a tale of magic, war, betrayal, sisterhood, and love.
The Daughters of Izdihar have finally made strides in having their voices heard. . . only to find them drowned out by the cannons of the fundamentalist Ziranis. As long as Alamaxa continues to allow for the elemental magic of the Weavers - and insist on allowing an academy to teach such things - the Zirani will stop at nothing to end what they perceive is a threat to not only their way of life, but the entire world.
Two such weavers, Nehal and Giorgina--come from very different backgrounds, but had come together to grow both their political and Weaving power. But after the attack, Nehal finds herself waking up in a Zirani prison and Giorgina finds herself on the run in her besieged city.
If they can come together, they can rally Alamaxa to fight off the Zirani, because their abilities only continue to grow. Yet with so much in their way--not the least of which is needing to spend their energy protecting the ones they love--this will be no easy task.
And the last time a Weaver fought back, the whole world was shattered.
Two incredible women are all that stands before an entire army. But they've stood up to power before, and they won then. This time, though, it's no longer about rhetoric.
This time it's about magic and blood.
The Daughters of Izdihar have finally made strides in having their voices heard. . . only to find them drowned out by the cannons of the fundamentalist Ziranis. As long as Alamaxa continues to allow for the elemental magic of the Weavers - and insist on allowing an academy to teach such things - the Zirani will stop at nothing to end what they perceive is a threat to not only their way of life, but the entire world.
Two such weavers, Nehal and Giorgina--come from very different backgrounds, but had come together to grow both their political and Weaving power. But after the attack, Nehal finds herself waking up in a Zirani prison and Giorgina finds herself on the run in her besieged city.
If they can come together, they can rally Alamaxa to fight off the Zirani, because their abilities only continue to grow. Yet with so much in their way--not the least of which is needing to spend their energy protecting the ones they love--this will be no easy task.
And the last time a Weaver fought back, the whole world was shattered.
Two incredible women are all that stands before an entire army. But they've stood up to power before, and they won then. This time, though, it's no longer about rhetoric.
This time it's about magic and blood.
480 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2024
44 people are currently reading
4352 people want to read
About the author
Hadeer Elsbai
7 books258 followersHadeer Elsbai is an Egyptian-American writer and librarian. Born in New York City, she grew up being shuffled between Queens and Cairo. Hadeer studied history at Hunter College and later earned her Master’s degree in library science from Queens College, making her a CUNY alum twice over. Aside from writing, Hadeer enjoys cats, iced drinks, live theater, and studying the 19th century.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
June 29, 2025
I adored book one, but this one felt like it was from a completely different series. I don't know how that happened, but I'm very disappointed. It was also too fast paced and felt rushed, it would've worked better as a trilogy.
While the first one was more character focused, this one revolved around the plot, but I can't say I loved the direction it went in, I was expecting something else.
Like the ending specifically, you're telling me that's how this story was meant to finish?? It just...doesn't seem right. But that's me, another reader might feel differently.
So many things I loved in The Daughters of Izdihar weren't present here, but there were things I enjoyed anyway. Like the characters, the world, the magic system.
There was some character development, but even that felt rushed, and practically zero relationship development. And the academy...what academy? Hah.
We lose an important character at the end, but I didn't really feel it, because everything was so fast. They were there, and then the next moment they were gone. Poof.
But I'm glad I finally finished this duology, and I'll be supporting this author's future work.
While the first one was more character focused, this one revolved around the plot, but I can't say I loved the direction it went in, I was expecting something else.
Like the ending specifically, you're telling me that's how this story was meant to finish?? It just...doesn't seem right. But that's me, another reader might feel differently.
So many things I loved in The Daughters of Izdihar weren't present here, but there were things I enjoyed anyway. Like the characters, the world, the magic system.
There was some character development, but even that felt rushed, and practically zero relationship development. And the academy...what academy? Hah.
We lose an important character at the end, but I didn't really feel it, because everything was so fast. They were there, and then the next moment they were gone. Poof.
But I'm glad I finally finished this duology, and I'll be supporting this author's future work.
November 1, 2023
Overall, I enjoyed the finale of The Alamaxa Duology. I think the pacing was great in this one and it was nice to see the characters develop further. I loved being back in this world, because it felt like home, and I think Hadeer is now one of my 'comfort read' authors. I'm very excited to see what she does next.
You might be thinking why I didn't give it a five stars? There are two main reasons why:
Firstly, one of my favourite aspects of the first book was the quiet moments between the characters. This is something I personally love, and I don't think we had as many in this one.
Secondly, I was really intrigued by the topics brought up in the middle and ending of this book, specifically what happens when a government is upended. I would have loved to have had a third book that explored this in a lot more detail. These are both very personal preferences so this probably won't bother other people.
Overall, highly enjoyable duology! This author has become an auto-buy author for me now.
You might be thinking why I didn't give it a five stars? There are two main reasons why:
Firstly, one of my favourite aspects of the first book was the quiet moments between the characters. This is something I personally love, and I don't think we had as many in this one.
Secondly, I was really intrigued by the topics brought up in the middle and ending of this book, specifically what happens when a government is upended. I would have loved to have had a third book that explored this in a lot more detail. These are both very personal preferences so this probably won't bother other people.
Overall, highly enjoyable duology! This author has become an auto-buy author for me now.
July 2, 2024
1. The Daughters of Izdihar ★★★★
“She had felt unlike herself. For all that fear, though, she had also felt safe: safe in the knowledge that she was powerful, that few people could hurt her.”
The Daughters of Izdihar was one of my favorite books of last year, so I was highly anticipating the final book in this duology. And while I overall enjoyed it, I must say that I was also slightly disappointed. This sequel picks up a couple of days after the ending of the first book and from there on everything happens at a very fast pace. The latter is one of the aspects that made me not enjoy this book as much as its predecesor: everything happens so fast—for example, characters moving from one country to another in just a paragraph—that both the character development and the suffragette plot take a backseat to make room for a rushed war in which highly stupid decisions are made.
Personally, I wish the author had explored more of the Zirani culture in this book, as well as the different relationships between the characters and the storyline of the daughters of Izdihar, perhaps leaving the war for a third book instead of trying to force the resolution of all the plots in less than 400 pages. But I had a good time listening to this final book and I’ll be reading whatever the author publishes next.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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March 24, 2024
Nehal is still a brat, Giorgina IS the master of all elements, and literally everyone is making the dumbest of decisions. The world-building is engaging as is the underlying themes of oppression, reclamation and agency. The introduction of the Zirani royal family and the rebels was an interesting foil that brought Nehal down a notch and provided a perspective of a different society, equally broken. But before you know it, it's one big hot mess of a war, both sides of which are not even pretending to make strategic decisions. The resolution is the most predictable deus ex machina, which is barely explained, and could have been the most interesting aspect of this narrative if more than five pages were devoted to it. Frustrating but at least it's a complete duology, non-stop action, good audiobook narration, and some heavy handed commentary in a non-western fantasy world.
June 11, 2024
Filled with both great losses and victories, The Weavers of Alamaxa brings the wonderfully immersive Arab-inspired and refreshingly queer Alamaxa Duology to a satisfying and beautiful close.
This sequel picks up right where The Daughters of Izdihar left off, reuniting us with our favourite fearsome weavers, Nahel and Giorgina, as they deal with the devastating fallout of their actions in book 1. One of them is drugged and trapped in a Zirani prison while the other is on the run in a besieged city, but that doesn't hold them back from fighting for what they believe in. Together, they can and will defeat the invading army and change the status quo, no matter the cost.
While I enjoyed The Daughters of Izdihar, I think there is no denying that Elsbai stepped up her game in this sequel. To me, The Weavers of Alamaxa takes all the best elements of the first instalment, and just cranks everything up to eleven. The Arab-inspired world building feels even more immersive, the political conflict (on both a national and international level) is even more nuanced, the pacing is steadier, and the characters only become more complex and beautifully human.
Whereas Nahel got on my nerves a couple of times in the first book, I really appreciated how all the trials and tribulations she had to face over the course of this story ended up helping her grow as a person. And don't get me started on Giorgina's arc; I was nervous about her maybe becoming overpowered, but her tumultuous journey in learning to overcome her insecureties and inner demons to embrace the full extent of her powers was absolutely beautifully handled.
To me, Elsbai did an excellent job of balancing and interweaving the internal and external conflicts that these characters were faced with, which made for such a smooth and engaging reading experience. I do think book 1 was slightly stronger in terms of giving the supporting cast (and all the beautifully messy interpersonal relationships that come with them) their full time to shine, but ultimately I am very pleased with how everyone's journey developed and concluded. Still, I want that Malek spin-off series, thank you very much!
Normally rebellion/revolution stories don't really work for me, but here we really get to see just how much action needs to be taken to see even the smallest baby steps towards progress, and I loved that. Though this is mostly a very hopeful and empowering narrative, I appreciated that Elsbai didn't shy away from showing the darker aspects of fighting against the status quo. For every tiny victory, there's a sacrifice or loss as well, and some of the emotional gut punches here hit me way harder than expected, but that only made me enjoy the story more!
Safe to say, this was an absolutely stunning ending to a wonderfully refreshing fantasy duology, and I absolutely think Elsbai is an author who deserves to be watched! If you like your stories to be both highly entertaining and deeply thought-provoking, I highly recommend The Alamaxa Duology. It's diverse, refreshing, immersive, romantic, magical, and just so beautifully human.
This sequel picks up right where The Daughters of Izdihar left off, reuniting us with our favourite fearsome weavers, Nahel and Giorgina, as they deal with the devastating fallout of their actions in book 1. One of them is drugged and trapped in a Zirani prison while the other is on the run in a besieged city, but that doesn't hold them back from fighting for what they believe in. Together, they can and will defeat the invading army and change the status quo, no matter the cost.
While I enjoyed The Daughters of Izdihar, I think there is no denying that Elsbai stepped up her game in this sequel. To me, The Weavers of Alamaxa takes all the best elements of the first instalment, and just cranks everything up to eleven. The Arab-inspired world building feels even more immersive, the political conflict (on both a national and international level) is even more nuanced, the pacing is steadier, and the characters only become more complex and beautifully human.
Whereas Nahel got on my nerves a couple of times in the first book, I really appreciated how all the trials and tribulations she had to face over the course of this story ended up helping her grow as a person. And don't get me started on Giorgina's arc; I was nervous about her maybe becoming overpowered, but her tumultuous journey in learning to overcome her insecureties and inner demons to embrace the full extent of her powers was absolutely beautifully handled.
To me, Elsbai did an excellent job of balancing and interweaving the internal and external conflicts that these characters were faced with, which made for such a smooth and engaging reading experience. I do think book 1 was slightly stronger in terms of giving the supporting cast (and all the beautifully messy interpersonal relationships that come with them) their full time to shine, but ultimately I am very pleased with how everyone's journey developed and concluded. Still, I want that Malek spin-off series, thank you very much!
Normally rebellion/revolution stories don't really work for me, but here we really get to see just how much action needs to be taken to see even the smallest baby steps towards progress, and I loved that. Though this is mostly a very hopeful and empowering narrative, I appreciated that Elsbai didn't shy away from showing the darker aspects of fighting against the status quo. For every tiny victory, there's a sacrifice or loss as well, and some of the emotional gut punches here hit me way harder than expected, but that only made me enjoy the story more!
Safe to say, this was an absolutely stunning ending to a wonderfully refreshing fantasy duology, and I absolutely think Elsbai is an author who deserves to be watched! If you like your stories to be both highly entertaining and deeply thought-provoking, I highly recommend The Alamaxa Duology. It's diverse, refreshing, immersive, romantic, magical, and just so beautifully human.
May 1, 2024
ugh, what a great ending to a rlly great duology.
I LOVE MY THREE GIRLS!!!!!!!!! i'm deeply sad abt but i do think it ended up narratively satisfying. all in all, i had a lOT of fun with the first book and this one. i cared a lot abt both nehal and giorgina as our pov girls (i rlllllly wanted a malek pov, bc i LOVE HER and want to get into her head, but i will take what i got).
my girls are alive, happy, and nehal and malek can kiss everyday, i'm gonna read whatever else this author puts out.
I LOVE MY THREE GIRLS!!!!!!!!! i'm deeply sad abt but i do think it ended up narratively satisfying. all in all, i had a lOT of fun with the first book and this one. i cared a lot abt both nehal and giorgina as our pov girls (i rlllllly wanted a malek pov, bc i LOVE HER and want to get into her head, but i will take what i got).
my girls are alive, happy, and nehal and malek can kiss everyday, i'm gonna read whatever else this author puts out.
July 9, 2025
3.75 stars 🌊🌪 While I liked the first book more I still enjoyed the second book. Th ending was pretty chill, too. ✌🏼
March 19, 2024
I absolutely enjoyed this! This had a lot more magic than the first book. Also this book had me so worried for Giorgina and Nehal with all of the conflict and the danger that they were in. Had me stressed the whole time!
I thought overall this was paced well and I never felt that the plot dragged at any point. I thought the world building and the magic was clear and overall, just really enjoyed The Weavers of Alamaxa. Hadeer Elsbai, I look forward to what else you’ll write!
I thought overall this was paced well and I never felt that the plot dragged at any point. I thought the world building and the magic was clear and overall, just really enjoyed The Weavers of Alamaxa. Hadeer Elsbai, I look forward to what else you’ll write!
March 17, 2024
I'll admit, I was harsh in my review of book one in this series. It was highly anticipated for me and I took it on vacation. Immediately loved the characters and was insanely immersed in the magic, but boy was the feminist messaging heavy handed. It just took me out of it. I love a fantasy with political intrigue but book one just felt so angry and heavy. That said, I really wanted to see what happened to these characters and this world. So I'm grateful to the publishers for giving me that chance. It was one of those scenarios where I wasn't sure I wanted to buy the book before I read it. I'm happy to say book two was so much stronger than book one and I will definitely be buying a copy.
Without giving anything away about book one, this is a story set in an Egyptian inspired magical world where people can weave different elements to their will; earth, water, fire and blood. The kingdom is threatened by women with these powers and our characters all come from the first Academy class of women. The last book ends with a violent clash leaving the women and the kingdom in peril and this book picks up with non-stop action. The political messages were a lot more integrated and the women less emotional and more logical which made me enjoy the story so much more. If you like fantasy, definitely give this one a try now that it is complete.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.
Without giving anything away about book one, this is a story set in an Egyptian inspired magical world where people can weave different elements to their will; earth, water, fire and blood. The kingdom is threatened by women with these powers and our characters all come from the first Academy class of women. The last book ends with a violent clash leaving the women and the kingdom in peril and this book picks up with non-stop action. The political messages were a lot more integrated and the women less emotional and more logical which made me enjoy the story so much more. If you like fantasy, definitely give this one a try now that it is complete.
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.
March 12, 2024
Welcome to feminine rage pt 2, the sequel and conclusion!
Plot: 4/5
Within two chapters, I was FUMING with rage... which is very much how I felt reading Daughters of Izdihar so props on the consistency! Elsbai really hit the nail on the head with the feminine rage and autonomy conversation. The plot moved at a rather fast pace which made it really bingeable but there were some moments that I think could have been slowed a bit.
Characters: 5/5
I love the focus on our two main characters, I really just love that Elsbai picked these two characters in particular. So many of the characters have compelling individual stories but those aren't the focus and I appreciate that actually. Both Nehal and Giorgina went through alot of trauma and character growth in this book. For real, Elsbai chewed them up and spit them back out.. these poor girls!
As for the side characters and what happens to them... I am mad but its fine whatever... Hadeer knows what she did...
Writing: 4.5/5
I love Elsbai's writing, its descriptive with a good balance of dialogue and internal thought process. I would have liked some slowing down at certain points as I mentioned before. I also want to say that there is a certain skill to giving a satisfying ending to a book filled with so much strife, and Elsbai did just that!
Overall: 4/5
A must read sequel! I hope everyone is as mad as I am about CHOICES even though there's nothing we can do about it lol
Plot: 4/5
Within two chapters, I was FUMING with rage... which is very much how I felt reading Daughters of Izdihar so props on the consistency! Elsbai really hit the nail on the head with the feminine rage and autonomy conversation. The plot moved at a rather fast pace which made it really bingeable but there were some moments that I think could have been slowed a bit.
Characters: 5/5
I love the focus on our two main characters, I really just love that Elsbai picked these two characters in particular. So many of the characters have compelling individual stories but those aren't the focus and I appreciate that actually. Both Nehal and Giorgina went through alot of trauma and character growth in this book. For real, Elsbai chewed them up and spit them back out.. these poor girls!
As for the side characters and what happens to them... I am mad but its fine whatever... Hadeer knows what she did...
Writing: 4.5/5
I love Elsbai's writing, its descriptive with a good balance of dialogue and internal thought process. I would have liked some slowing down at certain points as I mentioned before. I also want to say that there is a certain skill to giving a satisfying ending to a book filled with so much strife, and Elsbai did just that!
Overall: 4/5
A must read sequel! I hope everyone is as mad as I am about CHOICES even though there's nothing we can do about it lol
April 13, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
The Weavers of Alamaxa is the second book in the Egyptian inspired fantasy series The Alamaxa Duology, written by Hadeer Elsbai and published by Orbit Books. After the daughters of Izdihar managed to make their voices being heard in the patriarchal society of Alamaxa, a new threat has risen: the city is rounded by the Zirani cannons, fundamentalists that demand weaving to be stopped and to go back to the old customs.
Our two weavers will find themselves in different situations: Nehal has woken in a Zirani prison, against her will, and under the effects of a drug that causes great pain if weaving is tried; and Giorgina is on the run, trying to escape on Alamaxa. If they don't manage to work together and fight against the situation, Alamaxa will be under the control of the fundamentalists.
There's another group whose targets align with theirs, Zirani insurgents that want to get rid of the fundamentalists; however, soon it gets clear that their methods might not be in pair with those Giorgina and Nehal might be comfortable, creating an interesting question about if a goal might justify all the mediums used to achieve it.
On the other hand, we see how the Zirani delegation proposes a solution for leaving Alamaxa: injecting all the weavers with the drug that would cause them pain at weaving; and it's interesting how for some of the members of the Parliament, partly due to fear and partly due to the low consideration they have about weavers, consider accepting this, creating an effective second-class citizenship, a sacrifice in the name of keeping the nation.
Elsbai has written a powerful story that is not afraid to delve into themes that open many questions, all while portraying the fight of two powerful women who are rebelling against the established order for the sake of creating a more equalitarian society; all with an excellent pacing that allows us to enjoy this Arab inspired worldbuilding, which remembers to how certain countries are under the threat of falling prey of totalitarian powers, sending them many years back in questions of human rights.
The Weavers of Alamaxa is the cherry on the top of this excellent Alamaxa Duology; if you want a story about empowered women fighting for society rights, while enjoying the Egyptian inspired worldbuilding, give this series a try.
The Weavers of Alamaxa is the second book in the Egyptian inspired fantasy series The Alamaxa Duology, written by Hadeer Elsbai and published by Orbit Books. After the daughters of Izdihar managed to make their voices being heard in the patriarchal society of Alamaxa, a new threat has risen: the city is rounded by the Zirani cannons, fundamentalists that demand weaving to be stopped and to go back to the old customs.
Our two weavers will find themselves in different situations: Nehal has woken in a Zirani prison, against her will, and under the effects of a drug that causes great pain if weaving is tried; and Giorgina is on the run, trying to escape on Alamaxa. If they don't manage to work together and fight against the situation, Alamaxa will be under the control of the fundamentalists.
There's another group whose targets align with theirs, Zirani insurgents that want to get rid of the fundamentalists; however, soon it gets clear that their methods might not be in pair with those Giorgina and Nehal might be comfortable, creating an interesting question about if a goal might justify all the mediums used to achieve it.
On the other hand, we see how the Zirani delegation proposes a solution for leaving Alamaxa: injecting all the weavers with the drug that would cause them pain at weaving; and it's interesting how for some of the members of the Parliament, partly due to fear and partly due to the low consideration they have about weavers, consider accepting this, creating an effective second-class citizenship, a sacrifice in the name of keeping the nation.
Elsbai has written a powerful story that is not afraid to delve into themes that open many questions, all while portraying the fight of two powerful women who are rebelling against the established order for the sake of creating a more equalitarian society; all with an excellent pacing that allows us to enjoy this Arab inspired worldbuilding, which remembers to how certain countries are under the threat of falling prey of totalitarian powers, sending them many years back in questions of human rights.
The Weavers of Alamaxa is the cherry on the top of this excellent Alamaxa Duology; if you want a story about empowered women fighting for society rights, while enjoying the Egyptian inspired worldbuilding, give this series a try.
March 24, 2024
Rating: Really Enjoyed It, 4 stars
Overall Series Rating: 4-4.5 stars
I had a fantastic time with the conclusion to the Alamaxa Duology. This one continues all the elements that were introduced in the first book: the fight for women's rights, for weaving rights, for representation in government. I think if you like the first book in this duology, you will enjoy this one; however, if you were not a big fan of the first book, I don't see that changing with this installment.
Overall, this is an excellent conclusion in terms of plot. It wraps up all the lingering loose ends really well. It keeps up a quick pace, and the characterization remains strong. I really loved seeing Nehal's character growth over the two books. I feel like the author walked the fine line of making the growth make sense with her character and not changing her into someone else. I also loved Giorgina's growth and coming into her own as a person throughout the series.
We get an expansion of the lore and of the world in this installment. The political maneuvering and the fight for rights takes a bit of a back seat as we get more of an invasion/military plotline. The stakes are high in this one with a lot on the line, and a lot of loss throughout.
Overall, it was an excellent conclusion to the series, and I had a great time. I am not entirely sure what kept me from absolutely loving this one, but I think that the plot almost took over a little too much from the time that we spent with characters in the first one. Still fun, but I didn't feel as connected as I did to the first installment. I was also kind of surprised by the way that the relationships of our MCs panned out. Not saying anything more due to spoilers, but I was never fully invested in either of the relationships our MCs were involved in in the first book.
Overall, I sincerely enjoyed this duology and will continue to follow Hadeer Elsbai's work!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVoyager for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Weavers of Alamaxa released on March 19,2024.
Overall Series Rating: 4-4.5 stars
I had a fantastic time with the conclusion to the Alamaxa Duology. This one continues all the elements that were introduced in the first book: the fight for women's rights, for weaving rights, for representation in government. I think if you like the first book in this duology, you will enjoy this one; however, if you were not a big fan of the first book, I don't see that changing with this installment.
Overall, this is an excellent conclusion in terms of plot. It wraps up all the lingering loose ends really well. It keeps up a quick pace, and the characterization remains strong. I really loved seeing Nehal's character growth over the two books. I feel like the author walked the fine line of making the growth make sense with her character and not changing her into someone else. I also loved Giorgina's growth and coming into her own as a person throughout the series.
We get an expansion of the lore and of the world in this installment. The political maneuvering and the fight for rights takes a bit of a back seat as we get more of an invasion/military plotline. The stakes are high in this one with a lot on the line, and a lot of loss throughout.
Overall, it was an excellent conclusion to the series, and I had a great time. I am not entirely sure what kept me from absolutely loving this one, but I think that the plot almost took over a little too much from the time that we spent with characters in the first one. Still fun, but I didn't feel as connected as I did to the first installment. I was also kind of surprised by the way that the relationships of our MCs panned out. Not saying anything more due to spoilers, but I was never fully invested in either of the relationships our MCs were involved in in the first book.
Overall, I sincerely enjoyed this duology and will continue to follow Hadeer Elsbai's work!
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVoyager for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Weavers of Alamaxa released on March 19,2024.
April 6, 2024
Decent conclusion to this duology. I didnt like this one nearly as much as i did the first one but it was still good and wrapped everything up decently. Nehal is a slay as always and im happy she got a good ending.
April 29, 2024
I am sending you an invoice for my therapy, Hadeer Elsbai!
March 2, 2025
This was an emotional journey with the most perfect conclusion for this duology.
November 30, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
3.5/5 stars
Same as with The Daughters of Izdihar, there were aspects of this book that I really liked and there were parts I wish Elsbai had done more with.
Things I really liked:
The worldbuilding and the conflict - the war between the 2 nations was really interesting and added a good level of conflict and tension throughout the book. The rivaling governments were interesting, as were the different rebel groups.
Some of the character development - I really appreciated that we saw actual growth and critical thinking here from Nehal, especially. She was still a bit spoiled by the end (my biggest gripe about her in book one is she never stopped being a spoiled Noble) but she had definitely grown a good bit because of what happened to her. Giorgina had some good growth too, but I'll talk about her more in a moment.
A death at the end I wasn't expecting, but was needed - I won't spoil, but there is a character death I didn't expect her to follow through with but I agree was necessary for the plot and I love that she didn't pull the punch.
Other stuff, these were just the stand outs - for any complaints, this is a really good duology!
Stuff I didn't love:
Missed opportunities - there is a big reveal at the end that just felt like it had a lot of missed opportunities for foreshadowing. Meaning, it isn't that it doesn't fit or make sense, but nothing happened in either book that really laid a good groundwork for it to come about. There were tons of places that really good hints could have been given without being obvious, but they weren't taken advantage of.
Giorgina's character development toward the end - there was a lot I loved that happened with Giorgina in this book, but there is a critical point at the end where she just....she hesitates and goes against the plan she made and it causes havoc and it leads to the a big development but it still was super frustrating.
So final thoughts: I think Elsbai has a really solid start here and handled a lot of hard topics well; however, I think she has some maturing to do in the depth with which she handles some topics (granted, this is YA) and with her character development and foreshadowing. I did really enjoy the story and her writing is good, I just didn't love it as much as I had hoped.
I still highly recommend this duology to any YA Fantasy reader!
3.5/5 stars
Same as with The Daughters of Izdihar, there were aspects of this book that I really liked and there were parts I wish Elsbai had done more with.
Things I really liked:
The worldbuilding and the conflict - the war between the 2 nations was really interesting and added a good level of conflict and tension throughout the book. The rivaling governments were interesting, as were the different rebel groups.
Some of the character development - I really appreciated that we saw actual growth and critical thinking here from Nehal, especially. She was still a bit spoiled by the end (my biggest gripe about her in book one is she never stopped being a spoiled Noble) but she had definitely grown a good bit because of what happened to her. Giorgina had some good growth too, but I'll talk about her more in a moment.
A death at the end I wasn't expecting, but was needed - I won't spoil, but there is a character death I didn't expect her to follow through with but I agree was necessary for the plot and I love that she didn't pull the punch.
Other stuff, these were just the stand outs - for any complaints, this is a really good duology!
Stuff I didn't love:
Missed opportunities - there is a big reveal at the end that just felt like it had a lot of missed opportunities for foreshadowing. Meaning, it isn't that it doesn't fit or make sense, but nothing happened in either book that really laid a good groundwork for it to come about. There were tons of places that really good hints could have been given without being obvious, but they weren't taken advantage of.
Giorgina's character development toward the end - there was a lot I loved that happened with Giorgina in this book, but there is a critical point at the end where she just....she hesitates and goes against the plan she made and it causes havoc and it leads to the a big development but it still was super frustrating.
So final thoughts: I think Elsbai has a really solid start here and handled a lot of hard topics well; however, I think she has some maturing to do in the depth with which she handles some topics (granted, this is YA) and with her character development and foreshadowing. I did really enjoy the story and her writing is good, I just didn't love it as much as I had hoped.
I still highly recommend this duology to any YA Fantasy reader!
August 15, 2024
Pros: feminist, Egyptian-inspired queer political fantasy with elemental abilities.
Cons: basic duology pacing issues, inconsistent character growth, rushed plot points.
Overall: I enjoyed this duology. It's not uncommon for duologies to suffer from pacing issues in my experience, so I wasn't surprised by it. I think this series deserves more recognition within the fantasy genre. It offers a culturally rich narrative that fits well within the broader tropes of revolutionary stories, with a focus on women's empowerment that feels both timely and impactful.
Cons: basic duology pacing issues, inconsistent character growth, rushed plot points.
Overall: I enjoyed this duology. It's not uncommon for duologies to suffer from pacing issues in my experience, so I wasn't surprised by it. I think this series deserves more recognition within the fantasy genre. It offers a culturally rich narrative that fits well within the broader tropes of revolutionary stories, with a focus on women's empowerment that feels both timely and impactful.
April 4, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Weavers of Alamaxa picks up where The Daughters of Idzihar left off, and I really loved seeing the characters from the first book grow and change. Elsbai puts Georgina and Nehal through a really compelling journey, and does a fantastic job at growing her world within the span of a single book in a way that is still very satisfying at the end.
There were definitely some things I hadn’t been anticipating, and I thought everything was well-handled and while I remember being annoyed with the characters at times in the first book, by the end of this I felt very proud of who they became. I do think at times the dialogue and prose could’ve been improved, but I didn’t mind so much because everything that was happening was interesting. I loved the way this ended and while part of me wishes I could get like… a little epilogue, Elsbai really stuck the landing. I had a great time reading this and this is a solid duology that I definitely recommend.
The Weavers of Alamaxa picks up where The Daughters of Idzihar left off, and I really loved seeing the characters from the first book grow and change. Elsbai puts Georgina and Nehal through a really compelling journey, and does a fantastic job at growing her world within the span of a single book in a way that is still very satisfying at the end.
There were definitely some things I hadn’t been anticipating, and I thought everything was well-handled and while I remember being annoyed with the characters at times in the first book, by the end of this I felt very proud of who they became. I do think at times the dialogue and prose could’ve been improved, but I didn’t mind so much because everything that was happening was interesting. I loved the way this ended and while part of me wishes I could get like… a little epilogue, Elsbai really stuck the landing. I had a great time reading this and this is a solid duology that I definitely recommend.
March 27, 2024
Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!
A really solid - but brutal - duology about revolution, colonialism, and civil rights.
While I wasn't quite as engrossed by this as I was with the first book, it still had a lot of the elements I really enjoyed. There was lots of post-colonial theory about the use/necessity of violence, and I think Elsbai did a really good job of showing Giorgina's conflict with this in particular. The characters all had interesting journeys to follow throughout the duology, and there is a hopeful ending for most of them.
It was a bit of a difficult read as it does feel very rooted in reality despite it being a fantasy novel, so the descriptions of brutal violence are unpleasant. Lots of content warnings for violence/gore, self-immolation, and threats of sexual assault. I would still recommend to fans of RF Kuang's fantasy works, or anyone more generally who is looking for historically-informed fantasy that delves a bit deeper into the mechanics of revolution.
A really solid - but brutal - duology about revolution, colonialism, and civil rights.
While I wasn't quite as engrossed by this as I was with the first book, it still had a lot of the elements I really enjoyed. There was lots of post-colonial theory about the use/necessity of violence, and I think Elsbai did a really good job of showing Giorgina's conflict with this in particular. The characters all had interesting journeys to follow throughout the duology, and there is a hopeful ending for most of them.
It was a bit of a difficult read as it does feel very rooted in reality despite it being a fantasy novel, so the descriptions of brutal violence are unpleasant. Lots of content warnings for violence/gore, self-immolation, and threats of sexual assault. I would still recommend to fans of RF Kuang's fantasy works, or anyone more generally who is looking for historically-informed fantasy that delves a bit deeper into the mechanics of revolution.
May 13, 2024
The suffragette movement took a backseat to the magic/weaving plotline, to its detriment. The whole oppression of mages for having powers they can’t control that kills people is both overdone - and this wasn’t a unique take on it - and just not a great metaphor for real world oppression, generally. The plot is more high stakes and fast paced than the first book, but less personal and gripping. Still loved Malak and her ending. She’s a great character.
November 12, 2023
A fantastic conclusion to a duology that is definitely on my list of favourites now. There was just so much about this book, and especially reading it right now, it hit hard. I cannot recommend enough.
January 24, 2025
All the injustice towards these characters that I love just had me raging...
June 13, 2024
I really liked book one in this duology, but was slow to remember it when I started this book. The characters all felt very similar, and it was a bit boring at times.
July 13, 2025
What do you get when you mix an Egyptian-inspired fantasy world, elemental magic and feminist and queer empowerment? The Alamaxa Duology!
THE WEAVERS OF ALAMAXA picks up shortly after book one ends, with just a few days between the ending’s events and the start of the novel. Because of this, we’re tossed into the action right away—and the pace stays pretty break-neck from there. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first. A lot of the plot points felt predictable and far-fetched, to the point where I was rolling my eyes and going “of course that would happen.” Everything was too easy for the MCs amidst all the action, and it made me stop believing in or caring about the story. The stakes should have been really high, but they felt lowered into the ground by the end of the book.
The way everything wraps up in the end was also too neat. It was satisfying to see a measure of progress made for our cast of characters, but that’s all it was—a measure.
I did like the characters in the novel, both the MCs and side cast. It was unexpectedly very queer, and while there is romance, it’s not the driving force for the story on any level. Nehal and Giorgina were set up with their own voices and motivations, which allowed their POVs to feel different, even when they were doing similar things.
If you’re looking for a politically charged, queer fantasy duo that moves quickly and features a familiar magic system, this might be great for you!
THE WEAVERS OF ALAMAXA picks up shortly after book one ends, with just a few days between the ending’s events and the start of the novel. Because of this, we’re tossed into the action right away—and the pace stays pretty break-neck from there. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first. A lot of the plot points felt predictable and far-fetched, to the point where I was rolling my eyes and going “of course that would happen.” Everything was too easy for the MCs amidst all the action, and it made me stop believing in or caring about the story. The stakes should have been really high, but they felt lowered into the ground by the end of the book.
The way everything wraps up in the end was also too neat. It was satisfying to see a measure of progress made for our cast of characters, but that’s all it was—a measure.
I did like the characters in the novel, both the MCs and side cast. It was unexpectedly very queer, and while there is romance, it’s not the driving force for the story on any level. Nehal and Giorgina were set up with their own voices and motivations, which allowed their POVs to feel different, even when they were doing similar things.
If you’re looking for a politically charged, queer fantasy duo that moves quickly and features a familiar magic system, this might be great for you!
December 25, 2024
What an utter disappointment this was after the promising first book. The Alamaxa Duology is a middle eastern inspired fantasy about a world where some people can control the elements though a process called weaving. The two main female protagonists Nehal (a noble woman) and Giorgina (a working class woman) are both weavers. The first book deals with how women and weavers are discriminated against and supressed in the fictional nation of Ransawa where the story takes place. The books dealt with all kinds of themes that are very relevant today.
Unfortunately, in the second book, all these interesting themes take a back seat to fast paced and illogical plot developments and unrelenting action sequences. Nehal, Giorgina and other protagonists stumble from one crisis to another, making stupid decisions along the way and escalating their bad situation even further. The pace is blisteringly high, so much so that as a reader you don't even have the time to consider what the hell just happened and how silly it all is.
It's a shame. Hadeer Elsbai created a fascinating world. There is so much happening in it. that if she had talen the time and expanded the story with more POV characters, she could've written an entire series of books. "The Weavers of Alamaxa" feels like a hastily written conclusion. And it's a very unsatisfying one
Unfortunately, in the second book, all these interesting themes take a back seat to fast paced and illogical plot developments and unrelenting action sequences. Nehal, Giorgina and other protagonists stumble from one crisis to another, making stupid decisions along the way and escalating their bad situation even further. The pace is blisteringly high, so much so that as a reader you don't even have the time to consider what the hell just happened and how silly it all is.
It's a shame. Hadeer Elsbai created a fascinating world. There is so much happening in it. that if she had talen the time and expanded the story with more POV characters, she could've written an entire series of books. "The Weavers of Alamaxa" feels like a hastily written conclusion. And it's a very unsatisfying one
April 28, 2024
DNF @ 67%.
To be honest, there wasn't anything really wrong with this book, but it just didn't really hold my interest. I didn't really care about anything that was going on, or really about any of the characters. It's really a bummer, since I did enjoy the first book in the duology.
To be honest, there wasn't anything really wrong with this book, but it just didn't really hold my interest. I didn't really care about anything that was going on, or really about any of the characters. It's really a bummer, since I did enjoy the first book in the duology.
March 17, 2024
Upon finishing "The Weavers of Alamaxa," the sequel to Hadeer Elsbai's debut, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the evolution of this series. The second installment in this YA duology succeeded in expanding the world, deepening character development, and raising the stakes to satisfying heights while tying up loose ends.
One of the most commendable aspects of the book is its ability to expand the world of Alamaxa, offering readers a deeper glimpse into its intricacies and complexities. Elsbai masterfully weaves together elements of magic, politics, and intrigue, creating an engaging story that immerses readers in a vivid world inspired by Egyptian history.
The character development, while satisfying overall, presented a surprising twist in the form of our two leads. Nehal, who was a source of frustration for me in the first book due to her lack of subtlety and empathy, underwent a transformation in this installment. Her growth was palpable, and I found myself rooting for her as she navigated the challenges before her.
Conversely, Giorgina, who had been a compelling second lead in the first book, seemed to struggle with doubt and fear throughout much of this installment. Her character arc felt somewhat regressive, as she grappled with insecurities and uncertainty. While this added complexity to her character, it also led to moments of frustration as I longed to see her embrace her true potential.
However, as the story approached its climax, Giorgina's character underwent a dramatic shift, culminating in a finale that required her to make a complete turnaround. While somewhat jarring, this sudden transformation added an unexpected layer of depth to her character, showcasing her resilience and inner strength.
"The Weavers of Alamaxa" is a fulfilling sequel and conclusion to this duology that is both engaging and immersive.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
One of the most commendable aspects of the book is its ability to expand the world of Alamaxa, offering readers a deeper glimpse into its intricacies and complexities. Elsbai masterfully weaves together elements of magic, politics, and intrigue, creating an engaging story that immerses readers in a vivid world inspired by Egyptian history.
The character development, while satisfying overall, presented a surprising twist in the form of our two leads. Nehal, who was a source of frustration for me in the first book due to her lack of subtlety and empathy, underwent a transformation in this installment. Her growth was palpable, and I found myself rooting for her as she navigated the challenges before her.
Conversely, Giorgina, who had been a compelling second lead in the first book, seemed to struggle with doubt and fear throughout much of this installment. Her character arc felt somewhat regressive, as she grappled with insecurities and uncertainty. While this added complexity to her character, it also led to moments of frustration as I longed to see her embrace her true potential.
However, as the story approached its climax, Giorgina's character underwent a dramatic shift, culminating in a finale that required her to make a complete turnaround. While somewhat jarring, this sudden transformation added an unexpected layer of depth to her character, showcasing her resilience and inner strength.
"The Weavers of Alamaxa" is a fulfilling sequel and conclusion to this duology that is both engaging and immersive.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
March 18, 2024
When I read for fun, there are few things that annoy me more than realizing that a book I have been liking was just the first part of a duology, ending in a cliffhanger, with the second installment only scheduled for the next year. That was what the first part of Hadeer Elsbai's Alamaxa duology, The Daughters of Izdihar, did to me last year.
So I am really glad to be able to see how the author unravels the mess she left her protagonists in. To remind you: the first volume ended with a neighboring autocracy's army positioning itself outside the walls of the capital, Alamaxa, and Nehal, one of our protagonists, being kidnapped by an unidentified evil-doer.
The second installment catches us immediately where we left the first one, and follows the same structure of alternating Nehal's and Giorgina's points of view. So, no, we won't have to wonder for too long together with Giorgina, and Nico, and Malak, and everybody else who cares for Nehal about her fate and whereabouts. By the way, what I liked in this part, is that they really grew to care about one another, something that was lacking from the first part (but understandably so) - here the parties of this "love square (?)" (since not a triangle anymore) learned to see beyond their seemingly competing interests, and - will we see our young ladies exchange some friendly hugs? yes, we will!
Another development from the first part was that the Daughters was to a greater extent about the protest movement and the daily life as a member of a disenfranchised part of the population - this one is more of an adventure story, with narrow escapes and awe-inspiring feats. (If that's what is necessary to restore your political rights, that might mean Elsbai has bad news for all of us in this version of the reality where weaving, or elemental magic, is not really an option at a protest rally).
What else? We'll see one of our two protagonists consider whether she might be like Edua Badawi, remember, that historical weaver who went rogue, lost control of her powers, and destroyed Talyana and part of Zirana? I'll leave you wondering who that might be, after all: our careful Giorgina or our volatile Nehal.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
The publishing day is tomorrow, March 19.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
So I am really glad to be able to see how the author unravels the mess she left her protagonists in. To remind you: the first volume ended with a neighboring autocracy's army positioning itself outside the walls of the capital, Alamaxa, and Nehal, one of our protagonists, being kidnapped by an unidentified evil-doer.
The second installment catches us immediately where we left the first one, and follows the same structure of alternating Nehal's and Giorgina's points of view. So, no, we won't have to wonder for too long together with Giorgina, and Nico, and Malak, and everybody else who cares for Nehal about her fate and whereabouts. By the way, what I liked in this part, is that they really grew to care about one another, something that was lacking from the first part (but understandably so) - here the parties of this "love square (?)" (since not a triangle anymore) learned to see beyond their seemingly competing interests, and - will we see our young ladies exchange some friendly hugs? yes, we will!
Another development from the first part was that the Daughters was to a greater extent about the protest movement and the daily life as a member of a disenfranchised part of the population - this one is more of an adventure story, with narrow escapes and awe-inspiring feats. (If that's what is necessary to restore your political rights, that might mean Elsbai has bad news for all of us in this version of the reality where weaving, or elemental magic, is not really an option at a protest rally).
What else? We'll see one of our two protagonists consider whether she might be like Edua Badawi, remember, that historical weaver who went rogue, lost control of her powers, and destroyed Talyana and part of Zirana? I'll leave you wondering who that might be, after all: our careful Giorgina or our volatile Nehal.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
The publishing day is tomorrow, March 19.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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