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The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.
Would you trade love for peace?
Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth. Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology into Lower Earth will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.
Or is justice more urgent?
Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding. Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution.
When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother—a fugitive on the run. And when Nayf and Raisa meet, the long-simmering animosity they feel toward each other's worlds slowly burns away into something unexpected.
But the Crown Prince wants his bride—and future—back. And he will go to the ends of the Earths to reclaim them.
Would you trade love for peace?
Raisa of Upper Earth has only lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. Ever dutiful, she accepts her father’s arrangement of her marriage to Lein, Crown Prince of the corrupt, volatile lands of Lower Earth. Though Lein is a stranger, Raisa knows the wedding will unite their vastly different worlds in a pact of peace: an infusion of Upper Earth technology into Lower Earth will usher in the final age of enlightenment, ending war between humans forever.
Or is justice more urgent?
Newly released from imprisonment, Nada of Lower Earth has found her own calling: disrupting the royal wedding. Convinced her cousin Lein’s alliance with Upper Earth will launch an invasive, terrifying form of tyranny, Nada sets out undercover to light the spark of revolution.
When Raisa goes missing a week before the wedding, all eyes turn to the rebels, including Nayf, Nada’s twin brother—a fugitive on the run. And when Nayf and Raisa meet, the long-simmering animosity they feel toward each other's worlds slowly burns away into something unexpected.
But the Crown Prince wants his bride—and future—back. And he will go to the ends of the Earths to reclaim them.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
About the author
S.K. Ali
18 books2,858 followersS. K. Ali writes the characters she never saw growing up into the stories she never saw growing up. Find her on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/skalibooks/ , on twitter at https://twitter.com/SajidahWrites , on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@skalibooks , and on her website at https://skalibooks.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
October 14, 2024
4.45!
"Tyranny rises because it is encouraged to rise!"
If you like Shatter Me, Red Rising, and As long as the Lemon trees grow, read this!!
I have only read one of S.K. Ali's novel (Love from A to Z) and she is the only author out there that has delivered on the perfect Islamic representation that I've been looking for so I was certainly very excited to see where she would go with a dystopian sff and I was so impressed because she nailed it. I love how she wrote this book with such a diverse cast, gripping plotline and amazing prose. I think this hit a little harder considering the real world events that are happening right now and it reminded me very much of that, this book had me feeling the same way lemon trees and shatter me had me feeling, its not like the first two books but it has pretty heavy vibes that resemble them, The way the whole book is planned and set up and the build up till the end was so well done. I was so invested and it felt so satisfying to see it all build up and go to shit near the end. I cant wait for the next book ugghhh.
This book is a YOUNG ADULTnovel and the way it's written is a little elevated for that genre but the story and the events that unravel fit well in there. There are themes of betrayal and twists that will catch you off guard. You will be so invested with this world. There are so many characters with their stories and reading how they all intervene together is so satisfying. So, if that's your thing check this out.
“By our records, shall we resist.
From our past, do we find our future.”
The characters were the best part, they were so well written and so different from one another. Nada and Nayf I loved these two siblings so much!! I wanted so much for them, they deserved so much better. The determination that these two had and the willingness to forego everything that they consider dear to them just for a better cause made my heart bounce of the walls. Raisa made me feel so much. She made me feel claustrophobic and she made me feel free, I loved how her character was portrayed and the role that she played in this cause. Musaid was easily my favorite character!! He was everything to me, such a loving, cute character who was willing to do everything for his love and the last chapters of the second last part had me on the verge of tears for him. Lein omg! I have literally no idea what to think of him, I tried to understand him, his past was a tough one but his actions dont justify it so hes in a black area for me. Khalda she was so kind and sweet, I loved reading about her story. Hasuf hes also in a grey area but I feel like there is more depth to his actions that will be explored later on!!
The way these point of views were written was so beautiful because all of them had me feeling something different, all these point of views offered different stories and I gave into their clutches. The way their stories got together, the way they contributed to the plot, the way everything was placed was perfect. The emotional aspect was there, the high stakes were there, betrayal was there and heart wrenching moments were there and they fit so beautifully together!! they will stay with me for a while for sure.
"How can anyone extinguish human life without a second thought?"
Worldbuilding and plot the setting, the world?? it was perfect for a dystopian novel!! It was so advanced and so well structured. The way it was described and written made it so much easier for me to imagine and the vivid writing style helped a lot as well. There are two earths. Upper earth and Lower earth. Upper earth is where the elite lass live and Lower Earth is ruled by a family from upper earth and they "govern" the lower class. I don't want to get into it much because I want you guys to have the same experience that I had but there is definitely some forced oppression and resistance following that and this how the story begins, its a little confusing at the beginning but you get used to it very easily!! The way the story progressed was easy to read and the events unfolding made it so hard not to stop it. the last 180 pages were absolute fire 5 stars through and through!!
The only reason why its not a 4.5-5 was because I still cant grasp the whole concept of record keepers and it bugged me a lot because they have an important role but I was confused by that. but besides that it was near perfection!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!
*Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse and S.K. Ali for an E-arc in exchange for an honest review*
___
I literally started it a few hours ago and I'm 190 pages in 🙂 THIS IS SO GOOD! 😭
____
Queen Ali is gonna single handedly bring back the dystopian genre 😌🤟
"Tyranny rises because it is encouraged to rise!"
If you like Shatter Me, Red Rising, and As long as the Lemon trees grow, read this!!
I have only read one of S.K. Ali's novel (Love from A to Z) and she is the only author out there that has delivered on the perfect Islamic representation that I've been looking for so I was certainly very excited to see where she would go with a dystopian sff and I was so impressed because she nailed it. I love how she wrote this book with such a diverse cast, gripping plotline and amazing prose. I think this hit a little harder considering the real world events that are happening right now and it reminded me very much of that, this book had me feeling the same way lemon trees and shatter me had me feeling, its not like the first two books but it has pretty heavy vibes that resemble them, The way the whole book is planned and set up and the build up till the end was so well done. I was so invested and it felt so satisfying to see it all build up and go to shit near the end. I cant wait for the next book ugghhh.
This book is a YOUNG ADULTnovel and the way it's written is a little elevated for that genre but the story and the events that unravel fit well in there. There are themes of betrayal and twists that will catch you off guard. You will be so invested with this world. There are so many characters with their stories and reading how they all intervene together is so satisfying. So, if that's your thing check this out.
“By our records, shall we resist.
From our past, do we find our future.”
The characters were the best part, they were so well written and so different from one another. Nada and Nayf I loved these two siblings so much!! I wanted so much for them, they deserved so much better. The determination that these two had and the willingness to forego everything that they consider dear to them just for a better cause made my heart bounce of the walls. Raisa made me feel so much. She made me feel claustrophobic and she made me feel free, I loved how her character was portrayed and the role that she played in this cause. Musaid was easily my favorite character!! He was everything to me, such a loving, cute character who was willing to do everything for his love and the last chapters of the second last part had me on the verge of tears for him. Lein omg! I have literally no idea what to think of him, I tried to understand him, his past was a tough one but his actions dont justify it so hes in a black area for me. Khalda she was so kind and sweet, I loved reading about her story. Hasuf hes also in a grey area but I feel like there is more depth to his actions that will be explored later on!!
The way these point of views were written was so beautiful because all of them had me feeling something different, all these point of views offered different stories and I gave into their clutches. The way their stories got together, the way they contributed to the plot, the way everything was placed was perfect. The emotional aspect was there, the high stakes were there, betrayal was there and heart wrenching moments were there and they fit so beautifully together!! they will stay with me for a while for sure.
"How can anyone extinguish human life without a second thought?"
Worldbuilding and plot the setting, the world?? it was perfect for a dystopian novel!! It was so advanced and so well structured. The way it was described and written made it so much easier for me to imagine and the vivid writing style helped a lot as well. There are two earths. Upper earth and Lower earth. Upper earth is where the elite lass live and Lower Earth is ruled by a family from upper earth and they "govern" the lower class. I don't want to get into it much because I want you guys to have the same experience that I had but there is definitely some forced oppression and resistance following that and this how the story begins, its a little confusing at the beginning but you get used to it very easily!! The way the story progressed was easy to read and the events unfolding made it so hard not to stop it. the last 180 pages were absolute fire 5 stars through and through!!
The only reason why its not a 4.5-5 was because I still cant grasp the whole concept of record keepers and it bugged me a lot because they have an important role but I was confused by that. but besides that it was near perfection!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!
*Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse and S.K. Ali for an E-arc in exchange for an honest review*
___
I literally started it a few hours ago and I'm 190 pages in 🙂 THIS IS SO GOOD! 😭
____
Queen Ali is gonna single handedly bring back the dystopian genre 😌🤟
July 21, 2024
I'm not gonna lie when one of my favourite authors writes a book in a different genre I get a little scared because what if I don't like it as much as their previous books, what if it's not the same? So naturally I was nervous before starting this, but turns out I shouldn't have worried.
This book is so well constructed. One of my favourite things is when there are multiple storylines from different POVs that eventually intersect to form the plot, it builds so much tension especially when the characters are on opposing sides.
The story is woven through the sheltered "princess" of upper earth, the crown prince of volatile lower earth, his fugitive rebel twin cousins, their childhood friend, the record keeper, and a few more characters.
There's a character guide in the beginning of the book to keep track of who everyone is, but I actually found that I didn't really need to refer to it once I was invested in the story it wasn't confusing or difficult to remember who they were.
The world (and its technology) that S.K. Ali builds is so cool and by the end I was so attached to the characters. I especially liked how the last quarter of the story unfolded.
When I was halfway through, I realized that it has been so long since I read a dystopian and that now I find that everything is too easy to imagine; when destruction and death is described my brain supplies clear pictures, it's no longer a vague concept but a real reflection of something that is happening/has happened. It allows no escapism that we had in childhood which makes sense of course.
It has all the themes of justice, and peace, surveillance, exploitation, environmental consequences, etc; and idk if it's just me but dystopians written by authors of color hit different
The more I sit with it the more I like it. I keep thinking about it a week later. Can't wait to see what happens next in the sequel.
I received a digital advance reader copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book is so well constructed. One of my favourite things is when there are multiple storylines from different POVs that eventually intersect to form the plot, it builds so much tension especially when the characters are on opposing sides.
The story is woven through the sheltered "princess" of upper earth, the crown prince of volatile lower earth, his fugitive rebel twin cousins, their childhood friend, the record keeper, and a few more characters.
There's a character guide in the beginning of the book to keep track of who everyone is, but I actually found that I didn't really need to refer to it once I was invested in the story it wasn't confusing or difficult to remember who they were.
The world (and its technology) that S.K. Ali builds is so cool and by the end I was so attached to the characters. I especially liked how the last quarter of the story unfolded.
When I was halfway through, I realized that it has been so long since I read a dystopian and that now I find that everything is too easy to imagine; when destruction and death is described my brain supplies clear pictures, it's no longer a vague concept but a real reflection of something that is happening/has happened. It allows no escapism that we had in childhood which makes sense of course.
It has all the themes of justice, and peace, surveillance, exploitation, environmental consequences, etc; and idk if it's just me but dystopians written by authors of color hit different
The more I sit with it the more I like it. I keep thinking about it a week later. Can't wait to see what happens next in the sequel.
I received a digital advance reader copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2024
i need some time to pull my thoughts together because this was a LOT. but 4.25 stars rounded up
7/25: finally feeling ready to put some words to my thoughts! first of all, dystopian is SO BACK. this is a proper dystopian; world destroyed, corrupt government, chosen one-archetype and everything. there was a lot to wrap my head around so i think this book will be even better than i already think it is once the duology is completed and i have all the pieces to the puzzle. but going along Nada's, Nayf's, Raisa's, and Lein's journey was so fun, so engaging, and to be in some of their heads was also enraging. i finished this book on the plane and the last 20% had me sitting up straight in my chair and gasping out loud, much to my seatmates' chagrin. Fledgling is reflective of the current state of the world; how damaging ideologies and demagogues come to be; and how we lay ordinary people at the altar of our ambitions to have more power and more resources. this story is about the revolution starting with the 1%, the bravery it takes to change your worldview when you realize something is wrong, and the courage of selflessness. i love SK Ali's writing and this is just on a whole new level. the worldbuilding and storytelling totally blew me out of the water and i can't wait to understand character motivations and see who will get a redemption plot in book 2.
7/25: finally feeling ready to put some words to my thoughts! first of all, dystopian is SO BACK. this is a proper dystopian; world destroyed, corrupt government, chosen one-archetype and everything. there was a lot to wrap my head around so i think this book will be even better than i already think it is once the duology is completed and i have all the pieces to the puzzle. but going along Nada's, Nayf's, Raisa's, and Lein's journey was so fun, so engaging, and to be in some of their heads was also enraging. i finished this book on the plane and the last 20% had me sitting up straight in my chair and gasping out loud, much to my seatmates' chagrin. Fledgling is reflective of the current state of the world; how damaging ideologies and demagogues come to be; and how we lay ordinary people at the altar of our ambitions to have more power and more resources. this story is about the revolution starting with the 1%, the bravery it takes to change your worldview when you realize something is wrong, and the courage of selflessness. i love SK Ali's writing and this is just on a whole new level. the worldbuilding and storytelling totally blew me out of the water and i can't wait to understand character motivations and see who will get a redemption plot in book 2.
October 19, 2024
Four words: Amazingly confusingly beautifully rich
October 8, 2024
I dont write reviews- this on the other was so good that ti would be criminal for me not to. I LOVED THIS BOOK! it was everything I look for in a dystopian novel. The world was so detailed and amazing , perfect for a dystopian. The amount of character may seem a little too much but they were so good, each of them was perfect. I cant believe how much it had me hooked because I started it last night, skipped school and finished it. AMAZING!
October 28, 2024
This book changed my brain chemistry. But I don’t want to spoil anything😭 I HAVE SO MUCH GOOD THINGS TO SAY.
Read
February 3, 2025 ̨ ╭╯ꗃ 02. 03. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ post-read 2.0
╰› nevermind queens, my ever-so-lovely best friend dnf'd it again sigh 😞 Though it's a dnf, I'm marking this as read, because I read 60%. This book was picking up around 15-40% but became slow and boring once again afterwards.
Will I write a review? Maybe. Anytime soon? Your expectations of me are too high.
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 01. 25. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read 2.0
╰› here we go again?? Sara’s already ahead and she hasn’t dnf’d it like the dnf queen she is so it must be REALLY good.
࿔.⊹ Post-read
╰ idk what is going on so dnf at 10%
࿔.⊹ Pre-read
╰ Buddy read with meripagal ladkhi jaan, Sara<3 I'M SOOO EXCITED OMG QUEEN ALI
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ post-read 2.0
╰› nevermind queens, my ever-so-lovely best friend dnf'd it again sigh 😞 Though it's a dnf, I'm marking this as read, because I read 60%. This book was picking up around 15-40% but became slow and boring once again afterwards.
Will I write a review? Maybe. Anytime soon? Your expectations of me are too high.
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 01. 25. 25 ˚﹒
︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read 2.0
╰› here we go again?? Sara’s already ahead and she hasn’t dnf’d it like the dnf queen she is so it must be REALLY good.
࿔.⊹ Post-read
╰ idk what is going on so dnf at 10%
࿔.⊹ Pre-read
╰ Buddy read with meri
October 13, 2024
I adored this! I honestly didn't have that high expectations. Authors switching genres almost never work for me but this one surprisingly did and it worked out in the best way. The whole story was so well and intricately layered. I would most definitely recommend this!
October 16, 2024
4.5
2024 reads: 282/250
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
raisa of upper earth has lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. so, when her father arranges her marriage to lein, crown prince of lower earth, she accepts. though lower earth is corrupt and lein is a stranger, raisa knows this will be the push needed to unite lower and upper earth once and for all.
nada of lower earth, recently released from prison, is determined to disrupt the royal wedding. she’s sure that her cousin lein’s wedding will result in tyranny, so she sets out to spark a revolution.
i read and enjoyed love from a to z a few years ago, so i was very excited to read this book, though it belongs to a different genre! i also can’t get enough of YA dystopian novels, and luckily, this book did not let me down in that aspect. i was a bit scared by this book’s length at first, but this was so fast-paced that i got over that fear pretty quickly. overall, this was a wonderful novel exploring themes of peace, resistance, and preservation. i highly recommend this to YA dystopian fans and can’t wait for book two!
2024 reads: 282/250
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
raisa of upper earth has lived a life of privilege and acquiescence. so, when her father arranges her marriage to lein, crown prince of lower earth, she accepts. though lower earth is corrupt and lein is a stranger, raisa knows this will be the push needed to unite lower and upper earth once and for all.
nada of lower earth, recently released from prison, is determined to disrupt the royal wedding. she’s sure that her cousin lein’s wedding will result in tyranny, so she sets out to spark a revolution.
i read and enjoyed love from a to z a few years ago, so i was very excited to read this book, though it belongs to a different genre! i also can’t get enough of YA dystopian novels, and luckily, this book did not let me down in that aspect. i was a bit scared by this book’s length at first, but this was so fast-paced that i got over that fear pretty quickly. overall, this was a wonderful novel exploring themes of peace, resistance, and preservation. i highly recommend this to YA dystopian fans and can’t wait for book two!
January 5, 2026
How good was this??
October 9, 2025
Post-read ☾:
4.75 ⭐️
I’m unwell and S.K. Ali was my favorite author but she betrayed and and tore me apart emotionally and she cannot be forgiven 💔😔
Rtc
Pre-read ☾:
I'm literally so excited for this, I'm gonna go crazy. The queen herself is back with not only a new book, but a fantasy?!?!? This is too much for my poor heart to handle. Buddy reading with my girl @Asmaa!! Ilysm and I'm so excited!! <33
4.75 ⭐️
I’m unwell and S.K. Ali was my favorite author but she betrayed and and tore me apart emotionally and she cannot be forgiven 💔😔
Rtc
Pre-read ☾:
I'm literally so excited for this, I'm gonna go crazy. The queen herself is back with not only a new book, but a fantasy?!?!? This is too much for my poor heart to handle. Buddy reading with my girl @Asmaa!! Ilysm and I'm so excited!! <33
September 30, 2024
!!!!!!!!!!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
October 5, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up.
Even though this was nothing new in the YA dystopia genre, I did like the POC cast and generally, I had a good time reading it. I doubt I'll pick up the second arc, but I'll at least put the finished copy on hold at my library.
I think Fledgling is a great beginner YA dystopia for readers looking to dip their toes in this genre. The worldbuilding is pretty easy to grasp, with haves and the have-nots literally physically stratified into different levels above Earth, on Earth, and underground.
The characterization really shines through in this novel. Different characters and their families, friends, and allies have varying experiences when it comes to living or working in the different Earth sectors. Characters aren't just shoehorned into their roles (ex. the poor people live Underground vs. rich people live in Upper Earth).
The record-keeping part lost me a bit and it felt like it wasn't integrated into the story as well as it should've been. I think I would've liked this novel a lot better if the record keeper story actually started in the beginning and was interwoven with the MCs' stories instead of randomly starting halfway through the story.
Overall, I'd recommend this for newbies to YA dystopia looking for a more diverse cast. It's complex enough without being too bogged down by confusing politics or family ties that are usually found in more adult SFF.
For more hardcore veterans of SFF, I'd say come in with realistic expectations and know that you've most likely read similar stories before.
Thank you to Kokila and NetGalley for this arc.
Even though this was nothing new in the YA dystopia genre, I did like the POC cast and generally, I had a good time reading it. I doubt I'll pick up the second arc, but I'll at least put the finished copy on hold at my library.
I think Fledgling is a great beginner YA dystopia for readers looking to dip their toes in this genre. The worldbuilding is pretty easy to grasp, with haves and the have-nots literally physically stratified into different levels above Earth, on Earth, and underground.
The characterization really shines through in this novel. Different characters and their families, friends, and allies have varying experiences when it comes to living or working in the different Earth sectors. Characters aren't just shoehorned into their roles (ex. the poor people live Underground vs. rich people live in Upper Earth).
The record-keeping part lost me a bit and it felt like it wasn't integrated into the story as well as it should've been. I think I would've liked this novel a lot better if the record keeper story actually started in the beginning and was interwoven with the MCs' stories instead of randomly starting halfway through the story.
Overall, I'd recommend this for newbies to YA dystopia looking for a more diverse cast. It's complex enough without being too bogged down by confusing politics or family ties that are usually found in more adult SFF.
For more hardcore veterans of SFF, I'd say come in with realistic expectations and know that you've most likely read similar stories before.
Thank you to Kokila and NetGalley for this arc.
Did Not Finish
January 25, 2025pre-read: stopping every single book i was planning to read and starting this one, the sophomore year slump got to me so it may take me 2 weeks to finish this, sadly 😭 still super super excited and hyped for it + the queen sk ali never disappoints hello?
+ my hs’s librarian actually met her and got her book signed, when i found it in the library i automatically gasped. i am a fan girl at heart.
pre-read, again: br with my synced twin niyya, except we are NOT dnfing this time 🤞🏽🤞🏽
+ my hs’s librarian actually met her and got her book signed, when i found it in the library i automatically gasped. i am a fan girl at heart.
pre-read, again: br with my synced twin niyya, except we are NOT dnfing this time 🤞🏽🤞🏽
Want to Read
March 4, 2024If there’s anyone I trust to get me back into the dystopian genre, it’s SK Ali
March 26, 2026
❝“That is finding your way to the One. To move away from asking of
others what you would hate for yourself, to move toward feeling the pain of
others, to bind ourselves to each other so as to be flowing from the same
source to the same source.” Hasuf looked up at each of them. “Reject that
which pulls the world down, that which frays the fibers that hold us, and
you’ll be free to see the way forward. Only through rejection of all that is
ugly and hateful can we find the beauty in life.”❞
This was amazing.
Firstly, I want to talk about the author and the way she never stops speaking up about her beliefs, fighting for justice and ignoring the consequences of these. You go, Queen.
Anyway,
The book started off great, with a really unique, mysterious, prologue which had me invested immediately. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure I would like the characters when I met Raisa, who sounded a little desperate and somewhat brainwashed in a way that made her appear extremely foolish. But perhaps that was the point of the story. Because the characters were all super intricate and well-developed which I lovedd. But that could’ve been because of the amazing writing. It was sooo good throughout the book, I was in love from the very start. I do think there was room for improvement, though. It wasn’t as emotional as I would’ve liked, maybe at some points but some of the scenes that shouldve been impactful were not.
Anyway, let’s get to my favourite part: The plot. Absolutely perfect. The twists made the book really enjoyable with how unpredictable and brutal they were. And the world building was so good, this didn’t feel like an ordinary fantasy-dystopian book. It felt real, like a future image of our doomed world. S.K Ali portrayed everything so well, it made me scared of whatever’s waiting for us, because its certainly nothing good.
Cant wait to read the next bookkk.
Want to Read
February 3, 20242/3/24 HELLO I NEED THIS RN
July 17, 2024
THANKS TO S.K. ALI AND PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE FOR THIS PHYSICAL ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.
I'll read whatever S.K. Ali will write. Really enjoyed her Saints and Misfits, Love From A to, and Love from Mecca to Medina. I was dying to read her new rom-com but when I learned that the upcoming book is Fantasy/Sci-fi/Dystopian, I was more than shocked. Who wouldn't be? Romance and Sci-fi/Fantasy are like opposite worlds. I also got lucky enough to receive the ARC of Fledgling. King of Scars duology was the last fantasy that became the reason for my breakup from this genre.
I never thought I'd get hooked by a dystopian world at this age.
Like most of the fantasies, it took me a while to get into it. Not because there was the bombardment of information, but of the entirely new futuristic world that took me by surprise and I took a good amount of days to imagine this world with all of the details. After a catastrophic event, the earth is divided into Upper Earth: all rich people flee to, Bridge: as the name implied, and Lower Earth: dedicated to poor people who are living under the rulership of a family installed by Upper Earth. Upper Earth has an align with the bridge and also working to include Lower Earth in it. Align is all about striping people of free thinking and treating everyone like a program to avoid any future revolution and war. The group opposing this align is of course villain in the eyes of Upper Earth and labeled as Brutes. I am still shocked at how layered and detailed this plot is.
There were several characters, Nada and Nayf (twins): one restless, emotional, and energetic, the other a reader, logistic and patient. Lein, with several layers that confused me. Musaid (love the name), is a simple guy with big dreams. Raisa, bound in so many chains. Khalda, a kind soul who just sees good. All of these have their own POV and I am a sucker for that. At the same I know, how risky and difficult it is to maintain individuality without sounding the same. But every POV was so well written and gave insights of each character which made them more human. I started shipping my first couple in the first 100 pages, then I sensed a love triangle, then another couple to ship but the last couple? I don't want that to happen, I am kinda scared of the direction, the story is indicating to turn in the next book. Don't start me on that twist, I've been reading mystery and thrillers a lot. So, I kinda forget that people might die in Fantasies and that broke my heart 💔. I kept thinking throughout the book that wow the plot is so rich, and a lot is going on but the last few chapters made me feel stupid, these chapters opened another world, a new Pandora's box.
The only thing, I hate about this book is that I got the ARC, book is publishing in October. I don't know, how long I'll have to wait for the next one.
I'll read whatever S.K. Ali will write. Really enjoyed her Saints and Misfits, Love From A to, and Love from Mecca to Medina. I was dying to read her new rom-com but when I learned that the upcoming book is Fantasy/Sci-fi/Dystopian, I was more than shocked. Who wouldn't be? Romance and Sci-fi/Fantasy are like opposite worlds. I also got lucky enough to receive the ARC of Fledgling. King of Scars duology was the last fantasy that became the reason for my breakup from this genre.
I never thought I'd get hooked by a dystopian world at this age.
Like most of the fantasies, it took me a while to get into it. Not because there was the bombardment of information, but of the entirely new futuristic world that took me by surprise and I took a good amount of days to imagine this world with all of the details. After a catastrophic event, the earth is divided into Upper Earth: all rich people flee to, Bridge: as the name implied, and Lower Earth: dedicated to poor people who are living under the rulership of a family installed by Upper Earth. Upper Earth has an align with the bridge and also working to include Lower Earth in it. Align is all about striping people of free thinking and treating everyone like a program to avoid any future revolution and war. The group opposing this align is of course villain in the eyes of Upper Earth and labeled as Brutes. I am still shocked at how layered and detailed this plot is.
There were several characters, Nada and Nayf (twins): one restless, emotional, and energetic, the other a reader, logistic and patient. Lein, with several layers that confused me. Musaid (love the name), is a simple guy with big dreams. Raisa, bound in so many chains. Khalda, a kind soul who just sees good. All of these have their own POV and I am a sucker for that. At the same I know, how risky and difficult it is to maintain individuality without sounding the same. But every POV was so well written and gave insights of each character which made them more human. I started shipping my first couple in the first 100 pages, then I sensed a love triangle, then another couple to ship but the last couple? I don't want that to happen, I am kinda scared of the direction, the story is indicating to turn in the next book. Don't start me on that twist, I've been reading mystery and thrillers a lot. So, I kinda forget that people might die in Fantasies and that broke my heart 💔. I kept thinking throughout the book that wow the plot is so rich, and a lot is going on but the last few chapters made me feel stupid, these chapters opened another world, a new Pandora's box.
The only thing, I hate about this book is that I got the ARC, book is publishing in October. I don't know, how long I'll have to wait for the next one.
October 28, 2024
THATS IT???? I wont accept this because this was so long but felt so short. I loved it so much. The characters were everything they were the best fucking part I would litr die for them. The world beautiful and the plot was so good. The rush of feelings that I got my hart actually stopped. OMG you guys need to read this asap.
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December 9, 2024
Rtc
Buddy read with my girl yusra ( I don't think either of us will ever get over this book 😭)
Buddy read with my girl yusra ( I don't think either of us will ever get over this book 😭)
January 24, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I hope Sk Ali continues to writing dystopian because this is her best work yet. Fledgling is intriguing, it’s horrifying, and everything in between. The characters draw you in with every line, you can’t help but connect to them. Every single chapter leaves you wanting more. I will definitely be rereading this because my hunger will not be satiated. SK Ali managed to write some of the best dystopian work I’ve seen yet and despite having such a large cast, it’s not hard to follow along. It has you making predictions and then does the exact opposite. It’s entertaining while still managing to warn us about the future. This is the road we heading down if we continue to act as we are. If we choose profits over people. If we choose consumption over environment. It’s terrifying to think that someday the air may be completely unbreathable or that most of our species may go extinct. To think that we may be living in the end of times. The Islamic references in this book were done phenomenally. It was still easy for non Muslims to read, but those that knew the references got it. Even the way the start of Lower and Upper Earth were written reminded me of what earth is supposed to be like on Yawm ul Qiyamah.
I hope Sk Ali continues to writing dystopian because this is her best work yet. Fledgling is intriguing, it’s horrifying, and everything in between. The characters draw you in with every line, you can’t help but connect to them. Every single chapter leaves you wanting more. I will definitely be rereading this because my hunger will not be satiated. SK Ali managed to write some of the best dystopian work I’ve seen yet and despite having such a large cast, it’s not hard to follow along. It has you making predictions and then does the exact opposite. It’s entertaining while still managing to warn us about the future. This is the road we heading down if we continue to act as we are. If we choose profits over people. If we choose consumption over environment. It’s terrifying to think that someday the air may be completely unbreathable or that most of our species may go extinct. To think that we may be living in the end of times. The Islamic references in this book were done phenomenally. It was still easy for non Muslims to read, but those that knew the references got it. Even the way the start of Lower and Upper Earth were written reminded me of what earth is supposed to be like on Yawm ul Qiyamah.
April 19, 2024
Wow. I am just blown away- no words. Just one: IMPECCABLE!
SKALI YOU HAVE SERVED! It is no secret that I love this author and everything she writes, but I am going to say with full confidence that FLEDGLING is truly her best work yet!
I am a huge fan of reading fantasy and sci-fi, and I really am familiar with a lot of the tropes that fantasy is known for. This book just defied all expectation. It felt unique, fresh, so very relevant and compelling, and honestly, so important!! And themes aside, I fell in love with these characters, they tugged at my heart- and oh man I cried!!!!!
The story!!! I am going to be thinking about this literary masterpiece for a very long time!
The plot is absolutely engaging from page one. I found myself wanting to sink back into the world every single time I had to do normal life stuff and stop reading. I absolutely adored every main character, and I found myself worrying for them throughout the story. I loved the prose, the pacing, the craft- the book truly is a masterpiece!
I found myself engaged in every aspect of this book, including setting, world building, the ROMANCE, the devastation (did I mention I sobbed!).
I don’t want to spoil it.
Literally just preorder and read it.
You all aren’t ready!
SKALI YOU HAVE SERVED! It is no secret that I love this author and everything she writes, but I am going to say with full confidence that FLEDGLING is truly her best work yet!
I am a huge fan of reading fantasy and sci-fi, and I really am familiar with a lot of the tropes that fantasy is known for. This book just defied all expectation. It felt unique, fresh, so very relevant and compelling, and honestly, so important!! And themes aside, I fell in love with these characters, they tugged at my heart- and oh man I cried!!!!!
The story!!! I am going to be thinking about this literary masterpiece for a very long time!
The plot is absolutely engaging from page one. I found myself wanting to sink back into the world every single time I had to do normal life stuff and stop reading. I absolutely adored every main character, and I found myself worrying for them throughout the story. I loved the prose, the pacing, the craft- the book truly is a masterpiece!
I found myself engaged in every aspect of this book, including setting, world building, the ROMANCE, the devastation (did I mention I sobbed!).
I don’t want to spoil it.
Literally just preorder and read it.
You all aren’t ready!
September 30, 2024
WOWWW
this book takes a while to build up but when it does??? It’s like watching puzzle pieces fall perfectly into place, the last parts of this book had me completely captivated and I CRIED my eyes out at the end. SK Ali proves that she can write any genre with this one and I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!
this book takes a while to build up but when it does??? It’s like watching puzzle pieces fall perfectly into place, the last parts of this book had me completely captivated and I CRIED my eyes out at the end. SK Ali proves that she can write any genre with this one and I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!
January 8, 2025
December 2024 - Review:
I'm not a dystopia reader--at some point they all began looking the same. But this dystopia is unique and I really enjoyed reading it. My favorite thing about it is the symbolism about Muslim traditions. From the seven sleepers in the cave, to the quotes that come directly from the Quran/sunnah, to the way certain characters alluded to God--I never saw that in a dystopia or science fiction, and I really appreciate it. They were pretty subtle - I think unless you're a Muslim or familiar with Muslim traditions, you wouldn't even notice. I absolutely loved the running theme of Surat al-Kahf.
If this book has an ultimate message, I'd say it's the importance of record-keeping. And by that, I mean telling and preserving our stories--our own stories, our elders' stories, our loved ones' stories and even strangers' stories. It's about cherishing our traditions in a world that increasingly wants to erase them, hide them, criminalize them. The world of Fledgling is filled with state-sponsored mind-control and brainwashing and gaslghting and villainizing--and our heroes resist this by writing their own stories, not letting anyone else write their stories, and recording the truth. There are many forms of resistance in this book but perhaps record-keeping is the ultimate form of resistance here.
Which is timely. So many things in this book were timely, I felt. The genocide in Gaza is being allowed to happen largely because of the stories told about Muslims and Arabs and specifically Palestinians. And one of the biggest forms of resistance is stories by Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians that counter that. In his book "The Message," Ta-Nehisi Coates points out that over the last 5 decades of mainstream news publications, only 2% of the articles written *about Palestine* were *by* Palestinians. Hence it is allowed to call them savages, human animals, children of darkness.
But resistance is not limited to the pen. The sword must sometimes by wielded. And the characters in this book learn this--some more quickly than others. That is one thing I wish was explored more in this book: each of the POV characters had their own unique visions of what resistance should look like, and I wanted to see them argue about their different opinions more, to flesh out the different POVs better. I'm hoping we'll see more of that in the next book.
I also wish I had a map of this world! The story takes place on earth, but it looks very different due to the climate crisis, rising sea levels, and the new "upper earth" that the elite built for themselves. There are some places I could guess about, but I wasn't sure, and maybe that was SK Ali's intention. For example, I guessed that "Ululla" referred to Al-Ula in current day Saudi due to the mentions of winds and deserts and mountain homes (Medain Salih seemingly), but there was a forest near this area, and there isn't any today. I wonder if this is meant to reflect the hadith about the desert turning green at the end of times - a map would confirm it, but again, maybe it was intentionally left vague.
And I need the next book now! I was *not* expecting that cliffhanger ending.
Still, this is probably the best dystopia I've read and I'm sure the themes, messages, and characters will stick with me for a long time. I can't wait for the next one.
Finally, shout out to SK Ali for her bravery: bravery to try a new genre, to weave Islam into it, and to continuously post about the genocide in Gaza, no matter the dunyawi cost it might have. May Allah reward her and protect her.
10/23/2024:
Finally started reading this! It's already so good. The worldbuilding is fascinating and the characters are all so intriguing. Islam/Muslims are not explicitly mentioned but it's virtually on every page if you look closely. The parallels to our world today, in terms of surveillance, free speech, justice, political corruption, greed, revolution, etc. are so poignant. I'm not a dystopia reader but I'm enjoying this so much.
10/8/2024:
Ahhhh this beautiful book is out today!!! Everyone go read it/buy it/request it from your library, it's SK Ali so you know it's AMAZING. I haven't read it myself, still waiting for my copy to arrive, but I can guarantee it will be great before reading it, which is something reserved for a very few...actually only for SK Ali ❤️❤️
I'm not a dystopia reader--at some point they all began looking the same. But this dystopia is unique and I really enjoyed reading it. My favorite thing about it is the symbolism about Muslim traditions. From the seven sleepers in the cave, to the quotes that come directly from the Quran/sunnah, to the way certain characters alluded to God--I never saw that in a dystopia or science fiction, and I really appreciate it. They were pretty subtle - I think unless you're a Muslim or familiar with Muslim traditions, you wouldn't even notice. I absolutely loved the running theme of Surat al-Kahf.
If this book has an ultimate message, I'd say it's the importance of record-keeping. And by that, I mean telling and preserving our stories--our own stories, our elders' stories, our loved ones' stories and even strangers' stories. It's about cherishing our traditions in a world that increasingly wants to erase them, hide them, criminalize them. The world of Fledgling is filled with state-sponsored mind-control and brainwashing and gaslghting and villainizing--and our heroes resist this by writing their own stories, not letting anyone else write their stories, and recording the truth. There are many forms of resistance in this book but perhaps record-keeping is the ultimate form of resistance here.
Which is timely. So many things in this book were timely, I felt. The genocide in Gaza is being allowed to happen largely because of the stories told about Muslims and Arabs and specifically Palestinians. And one of the biggest forms of resistance is stories by Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians that counter that. In his book "The Message," Ta-Nehisi Coates points out that over the last 5 decades of mainstream news publications, only 2% of the articles written *about Palestine* were *by* Palestinians. Hence it is allowed to call them savages, human animals, children of darkness.
But resistance is not limited to the pen. The sword must sometimes by wielded. And the characters in this book learn this--some more quickly than others. That is one thing I wish was explored more in this book: each of the POV characters had their own unique visions of what resistance should look like, and I wanted to see them argue about their different opinions more, to flesh out the different POVs better. I'm hoping we'll see more of that in the next book.
I also wish I had a map of this world! The story takes place on earth, but it looks very different due to the climate crisis, rising sea levels, and the new "upper earth" that the elite built for themselves. There are some places I could guess about, but I wasn't sure, and maybe that was SK Ali's intention. For example, I guessed that "Ululla" referred to Al-Ula in current day Saudi due to the mentions of winds and deserts and mountain homes (Medain Salih seemingly), but there was a forest near this area, and there isn't any today. I wonder if this is meant to reflect the hadith about the desert turning green at the end of times - a map would confirm it, but again, maybe it was intentionally left vague.
And I need the next book now! I was *not* expecting that cliffhanger ending.
Still, this is probably the best dystopia I've read and I'm sure the themes, messages, and characters will stick with me for a long time. I can't wait for the next one.
Finally, shout out to SK Ali for her bravery: bravery to try a new genre, to weave Islam into it, and to continuously post about the genocide in Gaza, no matter the dunyawi cost it might have. May Allah reward her and protect her.
10/23/2024:
Finally started reading this! It's already so good. The worldbuilding is fascinating and the characters are all so intriguing. Islam/Muslims are not explicitly mentioned but it's virtually on every page if you look closely. The parallels to our world today, in terms of surveillance, free speech, justice, political corruption, greed, revolution, etc. are so poignant. I'm not a dystopia reader but I'm enjoying this so much.
10/8/2024:
Ahhhh this beautiful book is out today!!! Everyone go read it/buy it/request it from your library, it's SK Ali so you know it's AMAZING. I haven't read it myself, still waiting for my copy to arrive, but I can guarantee it will be great before reading it, which is something reserved for a very few...actually only for SK Ali ❤️❤️
Did Not Finish
May 9, 2024I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a chance at reading this book.
There is a story in here if you look really hard. It's just a messy narrative.
That's what Fledgling was for the 50% of the book I read. I like to blame it on the world building and what character is associated with what faction / resistance. Some people are Under Earth people who are working for those Above Ground and some are Above Ground working for Under Earth. Then you're not quite sure on why they're against one another besides a sentence here and there.
It's not very fluid to me. The romance is also flat. Like, these characters honestly have no sort of character besides what the story is telling you / wanting you know.
I had to abandon ship.
There is a story in here if you look really hard. It's just a messy narrative.
That's what Fledgling was for the 50% of the book I read. I like to blame it on the world building and what character is associated with what faction / resistance. Some people are Under Earth people who are working for those Above Ground and some are Above Ground working for Under Earth. Then you're not quite sure on why they're against one another besides a sentence here and there.
It's not very fluid to me. The romance is also flat. Like, these characters honestly have no sort of character besides what the story is telling you / wanting you know.
I had to abandon ship.
Want to Read
May 15, 2025WE’RE GETTING A COVER REVEAL ON MARCH 20!!!!!
February 14, 2025
I devoured this book in two days! I could hardly put it down! I loved all the characters. The world build was amazing! I am very excited for next book!
October 14, 2024
Yes. Absolutely yes. Absolutely 100% yes. Yes, if you want a dystopian. Yes, if you want good world building. Yes, if you want a long, well developed cast. Overall, yes.
October 28, 2024
This came out in the wrong era but still delivered
March 13, 2026
”our records, shall we resist.
In our past, we find our future.”
I didn’t expect this book to hit as hard as it did.
I believe no author writes about enslavement, racism, sexism, sex trafficking, abuse, propaganda, oppression, and torture for no reason. No one writes about resistance and standing up to oppressors just for fun. Books like this are literally my ride or die.
Fledgling NAILED it!!!!
── .✦
So let’s begin by saying I felt uncomfortable reading this, mainly because of thow deeply this book mirrors real life. Being seen as less because you being born in a different spot in the world? Being silenced for daring to ask questions? Watching entire peoples be erased by propaganda? Too close. Way too close.
I’ll admit, I don’t even like post-apocalyptic books most of the time. They often feel overdone or hollow. But TBH this one ate. And it’s rare (like so rare) to see Muslim authors writing in this genre, which made me want to pick it up even more. From the very first page, I knew it had the potential to be a masterpiece. And it was :)))
── .✦
This book takes place in a fractured world divided between Upper Earth, a privileged, technologically advanced society in the skies, and Lower Earth, where people live under systemic oppression, silenced by propaganda, prisons and violence.
We are first introduced to Raisa, daughter of the chief guardian of Upper Earth, who agrees to marry Lein Verg, Crown Prince of Lower Earth. Their marriage is meant to symbolize peace and progress through a project called the “Enlightenment” - but obviously in truth, it hides colonialist intent.
At the same time, Nada Verg, daughter of a deposed amira and a survivor of political imprisonment, is released and immediately determined to resist. She knows the so-called “peace” is just another tactic of the Upper Earth. Alongside her twin brother, Nayf, she becomes a key player in the revolution.
Then, Raisa vanishes just a week before the wedding, every faction (from rulers to the Ahraar, AKA the rebels) races to control the future of both Earths, which, well, it’s one Earth at end, but two different worlds. From there on, the story unfolds into unexpected turns and events. Politics are pretty heavy in this book, don’t go expecting rebels who fall in love and save the world. No one is purely good, no romance and love with a happy ending.
── .✦
Oh, boy, the characters are what wrecked me…
We are following up these chapters from the perspective of eight different characters (more or less - depending on what’s really happening). Khalda is the last record-keeper, she’s such a fierce character, literally sunshine in a person. She’s tied to the preservation of truth in a world that wants to erase it.
“I’ve been told that I am the last remaining record-keeper on Earth.
This cannot be.
Join me.
Expose. Disrupt.
Resist.”
The twins (Nada and Nayf) are a whole other story. Their bond is just so so beautiful. Nada is always fighting for justice, always fighting to remember and resist. She reminds me of so many of our martyrs in real life, that was enough to destroy me completely lol.
“She lived in search of truth. Her wish was to die on the path of justice, standing together with unseen ones.”
“She couldn’t be free until everyone was.”
Nayf, her other half, also shares similar beliefs. He wants the best for the world, and he wants to bring down those who force oppression upon the people. He’s more of a listener I would say, again, reminds me so much of real life people.
Now going back to Raisa, which, well, she had her whole world turned upside down. One day she wakes up questioning everything, and despite all the privileges she has and had, she is the Fledgling.
There are so many other characters that stand out too - like the Tangled Servant, Musaid (don’t like him, won’t bother to write about him), and the brutal Lein - all of them so sharply written. Whenever I’m in Lein’s or the Tangled Servant’s chapters, it feels like my brain is on fire. You really can’t trust anyone 💀
── .✦
That said, this isn’t just a dystopian novel about power struggles, your typical white protagonist against the bad people, it’s a book about resistance, truth, and survival. The author doesn’t shy away from retelling certain events in real life her way, she doesn’t shy away from asking questions. Who gets to write history? Who gets to tell our stories? What does freedom mean if it’s NOT for everyone?
The themes of violence here arw layered (reminds me a lot of how it was in my favorite series ever, The Bone Season) sometimes loud and violent (prisons, trafficking, destruction), and sometimes quiet and insidious (propaganda, twisted histories, systemic erasure). And yet, against it all, characters like Khalda, Nada, and Raisa show us what it means to fight back, each in their own way 🤍.
── .✦
As usual, I have to ramble about a very specific thing in every book, for this book, it’ll be the Ahraar. In Arabic, their name means “the free ones.” They are the resistance. They fight oppression in all its forms, refusing to submit to the human power that’s trying to silence them. You know, even within their movement, they argue, they split, they make mistakes. But that does not erase their right to resist. In fact, it makes them more human. Too often, when we look at real-world struggles for freedom, we demand purity from those who resist, as if imperfection strips them of legitimacy. But resistance belongs to the people - it is their right, NO MATTER how flawed they are.
You know, the word Ahraar itself is heavy, if you speak Arabic, try pronouncing it, it carries such a powerful sound. I just wanted to mention this for the sake of so :)
── .✦
I’ve talked A LOT (I even wanted to talk about the scalplink and the record keepers, but seems like that’s for you to know about lol). But I really wouldn’t have bothered if I didn’t think this was a necessary read.
To resist is to be free. To remember is to resist. We were born free, and we will die free.
“Our souls are like birds, never meant to be enslaved by anyone. A soul needs freedom to find its way to the source that holds the entirety of existence, together for eternity.”
In our past, we find our future.”
I didn’t expect this book to hit as hard as it did.
I believe no author writes about enslavement, racism, sexism, sex trafficking, abuse, propaganda, oppression, and torture for no reason. No one writes about resistance and standing up to oppressors just for fun. Books like this are literally my ride or die.
Fledgling NAILED it!!!!
── .✦
So let’s begin by saying I felt uncomfortable reading this, mainly because of thow deeply this book mirrors real life. Being seen as less because you being born in a different spot in the world? Being silenced for daring to ask questions? Watching entire peoples be erased by propaganda? Too close. Way too close.
I’ll admit, I don’t even like post-apocalyptic books most of the time. They often feel overdone or hollow. But TBH this one ate. And it’s rare (like so rare) to see Muslim authors writing in this genre, which made me want to pick it up even more. From the very first page, I knew it had the potential to be a masterpiece. And it was :)))
── .✦
This book takes place in a fractured world divided between Upper Earth, a privileged, technologically advanced society in the skies, and Lower Earth, where people live under systemic oppression, silenced by propaganda, prisons and violence.
We are first introduced to Raisa, daughter of the chief guardian of Upper Earth, who agrees to marry Lein Verg, Crown Prince of Lower Earth. Their marriage is meant to symbolize peace and progress through a project called the “Enlightenment” - but obviously in truth, it hides colonialist intent.
At the same time, Nada Verg, daughter of a deposed amira and a survivor of political imprisonment, is released and immediately determined to resist. She knows the so-called “peace” is just another tactic of the Upper Earth. Alongside her twin brother, Nayf, she becomes a key player in the revolution.
Then, Raisa vanishes just a week before the wedding, every faction (from rulers to the Ahraar, AKA the rebels) races to control the future of both Earths, which, well, it’s one Earth at end, but two different worlds. From there on, the story unfolds into unexpected turns and events. Politics are pretty heavy in this book, don’t go expecting rebels who fall in love and save the world. No one is purely good, no romance and love with a happy ending.
── .✦
Oh, boy, the characters are what wrecked me…
We are following up these chapters from the perspective of eight different characters (more or less - depending on what’s really happening). Khalda is the last record-keeper, she’s such a fierce character, literally sunshine in a person. She’s tied to the preservation of truth in a world that wants to erase it.
“I’ve been told that I am the last remaining record-keeper on Earth.
This cannot be.
Join me.
Expose. Disrupt.
Resist.”
The twins (Nada and Nayf) are a whole other story. Their bond is just so so beautiful. Nada is always fighting for justice, always fighting to remember and resist. She reminds me of so many of our martyrs in real life, that was enough to destroy me completely lol.
“She lived in search of truth. Her wish was to die on the path of justice, standing together with unseen ones.”
“She couldn’t be free until everyone was.”
Nayf, her other half, also shares similar beliefs. He wants the best for the world, and he wants to bring down those who force oppression upon the people. He’s more of a listener I would say, again, reminds me so much of real life people.
Now going back to Raisa, which, well, she had her whole world turned upside down. One day she wakes up questioning everything, and despite all the privileges she has and had, she is the Fledgling.
There are so many other characters that stand out too - like the Tangled Servant, Musaid (don’t like him, won’t bother to write about him), and the brutal Lein - all of them so sharply written. Whenever I’m in Lein’s or the Tangled Servant’s chapters, it feels like my brain is on fire. You really can’t trust anyone 💀
── .✦
That said, this isn’t just a dystopian novel about power struggles, your typical white protagonist against the bad people, it’s a book about resistance, truth, and survival. The author doesn’t shy away from retelling certain events in real life her way, she doesn’t shy away from asking questions. Who gets to write history? Who gets to tell our stories? What does freedom mean if it’s NOT for everyone?
The themes of violence here arw layered (reminds me a lot of how it was in my favorite series ever, The Bone Season) sometimes loud and violent (prisons, trafficking, destruction), and sometimes quiet and insidious (propaganda, twisted histories, systemic erasure). And yet, against it all, characters like Khalda, Nada, and Raisa show us what it means to fight back, each in their own way 🤍.
── .✦
As usual, I have to ramble about a very specific thing in every book, for this book, it’ll be the Ahraar. In Arabic, their name means “the free ones.” They are the resistance. They fight oppression in all its forms, refusing to submit to the human power that’s trying to silence them. You know, even within their movement, they argue, they split, they make mistakes. But that does not erase their right to resist. In fact, it makes them more human. Too often, when we look at real-world struggles for freedom, we demand purity from those who resist, as if imperfection strips them of legitimacy. But resistance belongs to the people - it is their right, NO MATTER how flawed they are.
You know, the word Ahraar itself is heavy, if you speak Arabic, try pronouncing it, it carries such a powerful sound. I just wanted to mention this for the sake of so :)
── .✦
I’ve talked A LOT (I even wanted to talk about the scalplink and the record keepers, but seems like that’s for you to know about lol). But I really wouldn’t have bothered if I didn’t think this was a necessary read.
To resist is to be free. To remember is to resist. We were born free, and we will die free.
“Our souls are like birds, never meant to be enslaved by anyone. A soul needs freedom to find its way to the source that holds the entirety of existence, together for eternity.”
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