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Aicha
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12 days and 23:05:06
100 copies available
U.S. only
TEMPTRESS. MONSTER. WARRIOR.
The ultimate female rage fantasy, Aicha is a fierce and devastatingly powerful romantic epic fantasy perfect for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and She Who Became the Sun.
The Portuguese flag has been planted across Morocco, its empire ruling with an iron fist. But eventually, all empires must fall.
Aicha, the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, was born for battle. She has witnessed the death of her people, their starvation and torture at the hands of the occupiers, and it has awakened an anger within her. An anger that burns hot and bright, and speaks to Aicha's soul.
Only Aicha's secret lover Rachid, a rebellion leader, knows how to soothe her. But as the fight for Morocco's freedom reaches it violent climax, the creature that simmers beneath Aicha's skin begs to be unleashed. It hungers for the screams of those who have caused her pain, and it will not be ignored.
The ultimate female rage fantasy, Aicha is a fierce and devastatingly powerful romantic epic fantasy perfect for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and She Who Became the Sun.
The Portuguese flag has been planted across Morocco, its empire ruling with an iron fist. But eventually, all empires must fall.
Aicha, the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, was born for battle. She has witnessed the death of her people, their starvation and torture at the hands of the occupiers, and it has awakened an anger within her. An anger that burns hot and bright, and speaks to Aicha's soul.
Only Aicha's secret lover Rachid, a rebellion leader, knows how to soothe her. But as the fight for Morocco's freedom reaches it violent climax, the creature that simmers beneath Aicha's skin begs to be unleashed. It hungers for the screams of those who have caused her pain, and it will not be ignored.
Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 24, 2025
For a cover and a premise that is so stunning, I am very disappointed.
This is inspired by the Portuguese occupation, Conquest of Ceuta, and the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha.
Aicha is the daughter of a blacksmith and the secret leader of a Moroccan freedom-fighter.
Her sister is given a large part in the rebellion, but Aicha always feels like she is given the safe tasks, barely involved.
This is told as a countdown to the siege, but it all felt very repetitive and surface level. I wanted to dnf half-way through, but kept waiting for the fantasy aspect, the ‘darker power [that] simmers beneath her skin’ - as promised by the synopsis.
We are teased that Aicha is filled with rage and anger. Told, not shown, all the way through.
The ending was so rushed in comparison to the rest of the book which felt like one ridiculously long lead up to exactly what you would expect without even knowing the history or the myth.
There were so many threads left unresolved despite my complaints that nothing happened.
For example:
The romance felt thrown in there as well as a steamy chapter that was the only reason this could be considered adult. Especially with the massive hand-holding all the way through.
Then, the repressed guilt over her mother’s childbearing death and her own aversion to marriage and children as a result.
The exploration of conservative attitudes clashing with the occupation which felt very surface level and the biggest case of told, not shown with the same examples each time.
Finally, the portrayal of what might be magic - djinn, etc.
We also have a strange choice of randomly changing the pov in two chapters as a one-off.
I was excited by the promise of non-Western FANTASY, cultural representation, and female rage. Sadly, this did not deliver on any of these aspects for me.
I did like the sister relationship and I loved the representation we did get.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
This is inspired by the Portuguese occupation, Conquest of Ceuta, and the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha.
Aicha is the daughter of a blacksmith and the secret leader of a Moroccan freedom-fighter.
Her sister is given a large part in the rebellion, but Aicha always feels like she is given the safe tasks, barely involved.
This is told as a countdown to the siege, but it all felt very repetitive and surface level. I wanted to dnf half-way through, but kept waiting for the fantasy aspect, the ‘darker power [that] simmers beneath her skin’ - as promised by the synopsis.
We are teased that Aicha is filled with rage and anger. Told, not shown, all the way through.
The ending was so rushed in comparison to the rest of the book which felt like one ridiculously long lead up to exactly what you would expect without even knowing the history or the myth.
There were so many threads left unresolved despite my complaints that nothing happened.
For example:
The romance felt thrown in there as well as a steamy chapter that was the only reason this could be considered adult. Especially with the massive hand-holding all the way through.
Then, the repressed guilt over her mother’s childbearing death and her own aversion to marriage and children as a result.
The exploration of conservative attitudes clashing with the occupation which felt very surface level and the biggest case of told, not shown with the same examples each time.
Finally, the portrayal of what might be magic - djinn, etc.
We also have a strange choice of randomly changing the pov in two chapters as a one-off.
I was excited by the promise of non-Western FANTASY, cultural representation, and female rage. Sadly, this did not deliver on any of these aspects for me.
I did like the sister relationship and I loved the representation we did get.
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Want to read
July 3, 2025I hope they update the cover here soon, because I just saw it on twitter and it is amazing!
Want to read
April 18, 2024I will now be counting down the days till 2026, meep meep
December 21, 2025
I’ve been obsessed with Aicha for a while, and I’ve followed Soraya’s development updates and reveals for months. So when I spotted a physical advance reader copy at a book event, I was ready. I had a plan. I needed a digital copy as fast as possible and I’m so grateful to Orbit for making that happen in the span of 24 hours.
You see, Soraya and I have never met, but this book? We are in complete lockstep. Her reclaiming and rewriting of the fable of Aicha is profoundly moving, and I don’t think the average reader fully understands just how much this retelling will mean for so many readers. I can tell from the dismal early reviews, that many are missing the key arcs and honey, I’m here to set things right.
Having visited Morocco and heard firsthand the horrors of colonization, and the legacy of its impact, this story sits with me differently. We’re living in a time of conflict, of people turning away from atrocities, frozen in their ability to empathize or even simply act. Aicha forces you to confront that. Aicha herself is a tempest. Her rage bottled, releasing in controlled bursts as the story unfolds. Living in a colonized nation, her people face starvation, mutilation, violence, and the theft of land and culture. Duarte embodies all of this: the relentless, insidious villainy inspired by the same kinds of men we still see today.
There are several moments that made me pause. The characters waking up at dawn hiding to pray. When simply binding her curls or choosing clothes that won’t draw attention becomes an act of survival. How when faced with continued injustice Aicha doesn't give up or give in. This book makes you sit in discomfort, and it’s desperately, urgently needed. It stirs empathy. It tightens your chest with rage at every injustice Aicha endures.
And yet amid the quiet, unsettling darkness, we still get light. From Rachid, Fouad, Samira, Naima, and so many others who bring hope and warmth to the world Soraya has created. They help calm the rage and ground the story that is filled with pain.
“She is your curse, but also a gift. When the time comes, use it.”
Reclaim and rewrite. I’m in awe, and I’m on board for whatever Soraya does next. Thank you so much to Orbit Books, eternally glowing from this heart-wrenching read.
You see, Soraya and I have never met, but this book? We are in complete lockstep. Her reclaiming and rewriting of the fable of Aicha is profoundly moving, and I don’t think the average reader fully understands just how much this retelling will mean for so many readers. I can tell from the dismal early reviews, that many are missing the key arcs and honey, I’m here to set things right.
Having visited Morocco and heard firsthand the horrors of colonization, and the legacy of its impact, this story sits with me differently. We’re living in a time of conflict, of people turning away from atrocities, frozen in their ability to empathize or even simply act. Aicha forces you to confront that. Aicha herself is a tempest. Her rage bottled, releasing in controlled bursts as the story unfolds. Living in a colonized nation, her people face starvation, mutilation, violence, and the theft of land and culture. Duarte embodies all of this: the relentless, insidious villainy inspired by the same kinds of men we still see today.
There are several moments that made me pause. The characters waking up at dawn hiding to pray. When simply binding her curls or choosing clothes that won’t draw attention becomes an act of survival. How when faced with continued injustice Aicha doesn't give up or give in. This book makes you sit in discomfort, and it’s desperately, urgently needed. It stirs empathy. It tightens your chest with rage at every injustice Aicha endures.
And yet amid the quiet, unsettling darkness, we still get light. From Rachid, Fouad, Samira, Naima, and so many others who bring hope and warmth to the world Soraya has created. They help calm the rage and ground the story that is filled with pain.
“She is your curse, but also a gift. When the time comes, use it.”
Reclaim and rewrite. I’m in awe, and I’m on board for whatever Soraya does next. Thank you so much to Orbit Books, eternally glowing from this heart-wrenching read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars : ̗̀➛I think I've been horrified into silence.
The political impact of this book is astronomical, considering the experiences of these characters mirrors many experiences people are having today. Aicha was a tale of colonialism, settler violence & persecution and pure rage. I know this was makreted as feminine rage but I disagree, the rage experienced in this book isn't felt just by women but by everyone who is suffering under the reign of these colonisers including man and woman.
Aicha is a reimagined tale of the moroccan story of a warrior goddess, who has demonic magic she is unaware of. Set in Morocco, her homeland has been overrun by the Portugese and she is on the precipice of leading a rebelion with her father, sister and secret lover. But within Aicha, is an unchecked being of violence and anger that will not hesitate to take the reigns and retirieve the revenge she so desperately craves.
When I finished this book, the inner turmoil I felt reading the ending did not leave me. I was just staring at the air not knowing what to do. It was such a violent ending, that will undoubtedly haunt me 😭 I don't know if I regret reading this book but I feel like that's my ignorance talking because the way this book spoke MEASURES. The struggles of the Moroccan people hurt my heart to read because of how real this felt. Oh my heart is irreparably damaged 💔
The pain Aicha endures. I didn't cry at the ending but I feel like crying now as I write this review, processing that ending. Genuinely how do I shut up until the release date about this book? My heart is in shambles 😭
Now, you're probably wondering for a book that has likely wrecked me why have I rated it 3.75 stars? Let's get into it. To start, I wasn't fully engrossed the whole time I can't lie and felt a bit bored sometimes. I honestly didn't like Samira that much, Rachid felt hmmmmm just slightly sus to me 😭. As we learned more about Fouad, I needed more about him. I think the twist for his character was amazing and added more to the story, but we needed more of that geneseqoi if you catch my drift. I feel likeeeee the smut was uneeded. Or rather, that style of smut. In my opinion, there's 3 ways to write a smut scene- explicit, fade-> black, and Olivie Blake style. Given the tone of the story and Aicha & Rachid's relationship I feel like the intimate scene between them should have had more of a focus on the emotional intimacy rather than the physical aspect, you know? The explicit style felt quite tastless and added nothing. Lastly, I don't think the concept of Mahr was correctly explained?
Anyway, now I'm stuck between the decision of trying to forget this book or actually dwelling and reflecting on it.
release date: 24th march 2026
thank you so much netgalley & sourcebooks for an eARC !!
4 stars
pre read: this book cover is mothering— middle eastern fantasy + female rage may possibly be the best combo
The political impact of this book is astronomical, considering the experiences of these characters mirrors many experiences people are having today. Aicha was a tale of colonialism, settler violence & persecution and pure rage. I know this was makreted as feminine rage but I disagree, the rage experienced in this book isn't felt just by women but by everyone who is suffering under the reign of these colonisers including man and woman.
Aicha is a reimagined tale of the moroccan story of a warrior goddess, who has demonic magic she is unaware of. Set in Morocco, her homeland has been overrun by the Portugese and she is on the precipice of leading a rebelion with her father, sister and secret lover. But within Aicha, is an unchecked being of violence and anger that will not hesitate to take the reigns and retirieve the revenge she so desperately craves.
When I finished this book, the inner turmoil I felt reading the ending did not leave me. I was just staring at the air not knowing what to do. It was such a violent ending, that will undoubtedly haunt me 😭 I don't know if I regret reading this book but I feel like that's my ignorance talking because the way this book spoke MEASURES. The struggles of the Moroccan people hurt my heart to read because of how real this felt. Oh my heart is irreparably damaged 💔
The pain Aicha endures. I didn't cry at the ending but I feel like crying now as I write this review, processing that ending. Genuinely how do I shut up until the release date about this book? My heart is in shambles 😭
Now, you're probably wondering for a book that has likely wrecked me why have I rated it 3.75 stars? Let's get into it. To start, I wasn't fully engrossed the whole time I can't lie and felt a bit bored sometimes. I honestly didn't like Samira that much, Rachid felt hmmmmm just slightly sus to me 😭. As we learned more about Fouad, I needed more about him. I think the twist for his character was amazing and added more to the story, but we needed more of that geneseqoi if you catch my drift. I feel likeeeee the smut was uneeded. Or rather, that style of smut. In my opinion, there's 3 ways to write a smut scene- explicit, fade-> black, and Olivie Blake style. Given the tone of the story and Aicha & Rachid's relationship I feel like the intimate scene between them should have had more of a focus on the emotional intimacy rather than the physical aspect, you know? The explicit style felt quite tastless and added nothing. Lastly, I don't think the concept of Mahr was correctly explained?
Anyway, now I'm stuck between the decision of trying to forget this book or actually dwelling and reflecting on it.
release date: 24th march 2026
thank you so much netgalley & sourcebooks for an eARC !!
4 stars
pre read: this book cover is mothering— middle eastern fantasy + female rage may possibly be the best combo
Want to read
March 20, 2024THE WAY IM EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK🤍🤍🤍
August 29, 2025
omgggg this book was insane, it was like watching a movie the way it was so immersive!! official blurb:
"Masterfully woven, AICHA is a heart-pounding and immersive read that has it all: intriguing magic, devastating romance, detailed world-building, and fascinating mythology. Bouazzaoui crafts her powerful debut with gut-wrenching intricacy. This is a must read.”
"Masterfully woven, AICHA is a heart-pounding and immersive read that has it all: intriguing magic, devastating romance, detailed world-building, and fascinating mythology. Bouazzaoui crafts her powerful debut with gut-wrenching intricacy. This is a must read.”
Read
December 22, 2025I'm having to DNF this at 41%. Cool premise but lacklustre execution.
Most of the novel is spent telling us about Aicha's anger and not showing us. It's a similar problem with Aicha's relationships - telling us they're close but her inner monologue is quite unflattering and judgemental.
I don't love the way her fear of motherhood is portrayed. It's not allowed for her to just not want children it has to be some sort of cliche fear of dying in childbirth but actually she'd be an excellent mother. This is a legitimate experience but the way it's written leaves much to be desired.
In the same vein, the discussions on religion felt really conservative and simplistic. This may have developed towards the end of the novel but I really doubt it. Aicha has a sense of superiority over her friend as a Muslim woman. She seems to think that she's being benevolent by being friends with her even though her lifestyle and magic was evil which was really frustrating. What could've been a really interesting plotline about navigating interfaith friendships felt quite reductive and infuriating.
The idea of the love interest already being established is a really interesting idea in theory but it removes a lot of the intrigue from the relationship.
This combination of issues made being in Aicha's head incredibly unpleasant. I found her to be annoying and childish. It's not helped by the incredibly simplistic writing style. It felt like it should've been a YA novel.
I wish I has loved this. I would still be interested in reading this authors future works because a lot of the issues I had could be rectified with more experience but this just wasn't for me.
Most of the novel is spent telling us about Aicha's anger and not showing us. It's a similar problem with Aicha's relationships - telling us they're close but her inner monologue is quite unflattering and judgemental.
I don't love the way her fear of motherhood is portrayed. It's not allowed for her to just not want children it has to be some sort of cliche fear of dying in childbirth but actually she'd be an excellent mother. This is a legitimate experience but the way it's written leaves much to be desired.
In the same vein, the discussions on religion felt really conservative and simplistic. This may have developed towards the end of the novel but I really doubt it. Aicha has a sense of superiority over her friend as a Muslim woman. She seems to think that she's being benevolent by being friends with her even though her lifestyle and magic was evil which was really frustrating. What could've been a really interesting plotline about navigating interfaith friendships felt quite reductive and infuriating.
The idea of the love interest already being established is a really interesting idea in theory but it removes a lot of the intrigue from the relationship.
This combination of issues made being in Aicha's head incredibly unpleasant. I found her to be annoying and childish. It's not helped by the incredibly simplistic writing style. It felt like it should've been a YA novel.
I wish I has loved this. I would still be interested in reading this authors future works because a lot of the issues I had could be rectified with more experience but this just wasn't for me.
September 14, 2025
this book is so painfully rich - truly just full of everything you could want in a fantasy book and more and i can't wait to have an actual physical copy in my hands
December 3, 2025
I’m torn, I loved this.. but I wanted more!
Aicha isn’t just a perfect retelling of Moroccan lore, but it manages to grasp some of the nuances people have to maneuver during occupation. The lack of autonomy in one’s own land. The lack of peace, food, the erasure of their cultural and religious practices. The way individuals have to choose a path in life based on pure necessity, instead of passion or skill. These all are things many of us take for granted, and I might argue we all should. But it’s not granted equally to all humans.
Aicha is many things, but one thing that I loved about her the most was the true love for her people. Her connection to her sister, the love and adoration for her father. My heart broke several times, I felt rage and shortly after my heart was soothed.
As a little sister myself, I identify with Aicha on a spiritual level and frequently have and forever will be my sisters keeper. Did I mention that she’s a loyal friend as well?
The writing was immersive and the pacing was fast. There isn’t a dull moment and the plot continues to thicken. The chapters are generally shorter, but cut off at decent points that allow you to reorient yourself in the next one without any tension or speed being lost.
Soraya Bouazzaoui recreated and gave might to Aicha in a way that is undeniably a burning reminder that love can conquer.. most.
Thank you to Orbit Books for allowing me to read my most anticipated read for 2026 and rage along Aicha!
Aicha isn’t just a perfect retelling of Moroccan lore, but it manages to grasp some of the nuances people have to maneuver during occupation. The lack of autonomy in one’s own land. The lack of peace, food, the erasure of their cultural and religious practices. The way individuals have to choose a path in life based on pure necessity, instead of passion or skill. These all are things many of us take for granted, and I might argue we all should. But it’s not granted equally to all humans.
Aicha is many things, but one thing that I loved about her the most was the true love for her people. Her connection to her sister, the love and adoration for her father. My heart broke several times, I felt rage and shortly after my heart was soothed.
As a little sister myself, I identify with Aicha on a spiritual level and frequently have and forever will be my sisters keeper. Did I mention that she’s a loyal friend as well?
The writing was immersive and the pacing was fast. There isn’t a dull moment and the plot continues to thicken. The chapters are generally shorter, but cut off at decent points that allow you to reorient yourself in the next one without any tension or speed being lost.
Soraya Bouazzaoui recreated and gave might to Aicha in a way that is undeniably a burning reminder that love can conquer.. most.
Thank you to Orbit Books for allowing me to read my most anticipated read for 2026 and rage along Aicha!
dnf
October 15, 2025DNF’ed at ~31%
It’s nice to see something different from all these Greek mythology retellings, and the premise sounded really promising.
Unfortunately, the writing just didn’t work for me. It read so lifeless and bland to me that everything else did as well. It’s overwritten, monotonous, and was too heavy on telling and exposition. The plot meandered without clear focus or tension, and I struggled to stay engaged. I didn’t feel connected to the characters or immersed in the setting, which made reading a chore.
That said, I did appreciate Aisha’s close family relationships and the fact that her romantic relationship was already established, which both made for refreshing details.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s nice to see something different from all these Greek mythology retellings, and the premise sounded really promising.
Unfortunately, the writing just didn’t work for me. It read so lifeless and bland to me that everything else did as well. It’s overwritten, monotonous, and was too heavy on telling and exposition. The plot meandered without clear focus or tension, and I struggled to stay engaged. I didn’t feel connected to the characters or immersed in the setting, which made reading a chore.
That said, I did appreciate Aisha’s close family relationships and the fact that her romantic relationship was already established, which both made for refreshing details.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
March 20, 2024IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SORAYA 🥹🫶🏻
November 7, 2025
Thank you so much to Orbit Books for the ARC!
For a book with such a striking cover and an incredible premise, Aicha turned out to be a real disappointment for me. It’s inspired by the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta and the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha, which immediately caught my attention. The setup had all the potential for something fierce and layered: a blacksmith’s daughter secretly leading a rebellion, her sister deeply involved in the fight, and hints of a dark power simmering under Aicha’s skin. But what we actually get is a repetitive countdown to a siege that never builds enough tension. The pacing drags, the fantasy elements barely make an appearance until the very end, and when they finally do, the payoff feels rushed and underwhelming.
I was especially frustrated by how much the story told me about Aicha’s rage instead of showing it. We’re reminded again and again that she’s angry, but her choices rarely reflect any meaningful growth or depth. She mostly comes across as reckless rather than driven. The romance subplot didn’t help either. It felt randomly inserted, with repetitive, nearly identical scenes that made it hard to stay invested. There’s one steamy chapter that seems included just to make the book “adult,” but it doesn’t add emotional weight or complexity.
Still, I did appreciate the relationship between Aicha and her sister, as well as the bits of cultural representation that made it through. Those parts felt genuine and heartfelt. I just wish the book had leaned harder into those elements instead of rehashing the same emotional beats and surface-level commentary on colonialism. Three stars for ambition and a few strong moments, but I can’t help feeling let down by what could have been something powerful.
For a book with such a striking cover and an incredible premise, Aicha turned out to be a real disappointment for me. It’s inspired by the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta and the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha, which immediately caught my attention. The setup had all the potential for something fierce and layered: a blacksmith’s daughter secretly leading a rebellion, her sister deeply involved in the fight, and hints of a dark power simmering under Aicha’s skin. But what we actually get is a repetitive countdown to a siege that never builds enough tension. The pacing drags, the fantasy elements barely make an appearance until the very end, and when they finally do, the payoff feels rushed and underwhelming.
I was especially frustrated by how much the story told me about Aicha’s rage instead of showing it. We’re reminded again and again that she’s angry, but her choices rarely reflect any meaningful growth or depth. She mostly comes across as reckless rather than driven. The romance subplot didn’t help either. It felt randomly inserted, with repetitive, nearly identical scenes that made it hard to stay invested. There’s one steamy chapter that seems included just to make the book “adult,” but it doesn’t add emotional weight or complexity.
Still, I did appreciate the relationship between Aicha and her sister, as well as the bits of cultural representation that made it through. Those parts felt genuine and heartfelt. I just wish the book had leaned harder into those elements instead of rehashing the same emotional beats and surface-level commentary on colonialism. Three stars for ambition and a few strong moments, but I can’t help feeling let down by what could have been something powerful.
November 23, 2025
Aicha is an epic historical fantasy romance with lots of female rage, political intrigue, & dark folklore. The story follows Aicha, the daughter of a Moroccan freedom fighter during the Portuguese occupation. Her people suffer under tyranny and she feels anger that’s personal and generational. Beneath her human skin is a dark power—a creature born of her fury and grief, longing to be unleashed. Aicha’s secret lover, Rachid, soothes her pain—but as their fight for freedom intensifies, Aicha must decide whether to tame or release the monster within.
Aicha is the embodiment of female rage & is a powerful heroine. Her inner conflict bounces between anger, grief, & longing, making her very layered. Rachid, her secret lover and a rebellion leader, is a steady, calming force in her life, but their heated relationship is but weighed down by secrecy & duty. Family legacy and generationak trauma are very pronounced in this story—Aicha’s family’s roots in the freedom-fighter community gives her a sense of purpose & identity.
The world building is good—16th-century Morocco is richly described with its deserts, coastal towns, & Portuguese occupation. Moroccan folklore is also a key part of the story—the legend of Aicha Kandicha, a mysterious jinn-like figure comes up and mirrors Aicha’s own rage & power.
The pacing feels like a time-bomb narrative—from the opening chapters there’s a constant sense of a siege coming. The midsection has political intrigue & delves deeper into Aicha’s internal struggles—and feels a bit repetitive, often circling back to Aicha’s anger. But when the climax hits, it’s explosive & very cinematic—the rebellion reaches its breaking point and Aicha’s darker power fully manifests in a tense, emotional finale that lingers!
Overall, Aicha is a standout debut that will resonate with readers who love epic historical fantasy, forbidden romances, & female protagonists who fully embody feminine rage!
Aicha is the embodiment of female rage & is a powerful heroine. Her inner conflict bounces between anger, grief, & longing, making her very layered. Rachid, her secret lover and a rebellion leader, is a steady, calming force in her life, but their heated relationship is but weighed down by secrecy & duty. Family legacy and generationak trauma are very pronounced in this story—Aicha’s family’s roots in the freedom-fighter community gives her a sense of purpose & identity.
The world building is good—16th-century Morocco is richly described with its deserts, coastal towns, & Portuguese occupation. Moroccan folklore is also a key part of the story—the legend of Aicha Kandicha, a mysterious jinn-like figure comes up and mirrors Aicha’s own rage & power.
The pacing feels like a time-bomb narrative—from the opening chapters there’s a constant sense of a siege coming. The midsection has political intrigue & delves deeper into Aicha’s internal struggles—and feels a bit repetitive, often circling back to Aicha’s anger. But when the climax hits, it’s explosive & very cinematic—the rebellion reaches its breaking point and Aicha’s darker power fully manifests in a tense, emotional finale that lingers!
Overall, Aicha is a standout debut that will resonate with readers who love epic historical fantasy, forbidden romances, & female protagonists who fully embody feminine rage!
December 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
DNF @ 25%
This is one of those books where you need context beforehand or it makes little sense. The author did helpfully include a note before the start of the story explaining the current political landscape during the scope of this book. It did feel a bit like a new, more tedious way of info dumping since it was like reading a history lesson and trying to remember it during the book.
This book takes place in Morocco during a time when it was occupied by the Portuguese and Islam was outlawed. From page one the story seems to be leading up to a large siege where the rebels will be trying to take back Morocco, or at least the citadel portrayed in the story.
Here was my problem: I didn't care. A large battle in a story is only interesting so long as you're invested in the outcome. You need to have connection with the story as a whole and the characters involved. I couldn't care about any of them because they're so wooden bordering on unlikable. Aicha's father in particular grated on my nerves. We're told over and over how devoted he is to his daughters and then on page he won't stop slapping Aicha. "But it was a different time! A different culture!" That's fine, but it's not going to make me like him more.
I think this book would be really good for a history junkie that would like to see speculative historical fiction. Unfortunately I am not a history junkie, so this book doesn't work for me. After reading some other reviews that the pacing is going to continue being slow, and the characters are going to continue to be wooden, I decided it wasn't worth it and gave up.
Best wishes to Soraya Bouazzaoui and their future publications
DNF @ 25%
This is one of those books where you need context beforehand or it makes little sense. The author did helpfully include a note before the start of the story explaining the current political landscape during the scope of this book. It did feel a bit like a new, more tedious way of info dumping since it was like reading a history lesson and trying to remember it during the book.
This book takes place in Morocco during a time when it was occupied by the Portuguese and Islam was outlawed. From page one the story seems to be leading up to a large siege where the rebels will be trying to take back Morocco, or at least the citadel portrayed in the story.
Here was my problem: I didn't care. A large battle in a story is only interesting so long as you're invested in the outcome. You need to have connection with the story as a whole and the characters involved. I couldn't care about any of them because they're so wooden bordering on unlikable. Aicha's father in particular grated on my nerves. We're told over and over how devoted he is to his daughters and then on page he won't stop slapping Aicha. "But it was a different time! A different culture!" That's fine, but it's not going to make me like him more.
I think this book would be really good for a history junkie that would like to see speculative historical fiction. Unfortunately I am not a history junkie, so this book doesn't work for me. After reading some other reviews that the pacing is going to continue being slow, and the characters are going to continue to be wooden, I decided it wasn't worth it and gave up.
Best wishes to Soraya Bouazzaoui and their future publications
Want to read
November 4, 2025I wasn't familiar with the story of Aicha Kandicha - look it up on Google guys because it's amazing. This book is definitely among my most anticipated 2026 releases. Check the trigger warnings and content warnings on the author's Instagram (they'll be in the book, but I feel it's important to read it before).
December 10, 2025
“Aicha” is pure female-rage fantasy in the best way, a stunning mix of myth, rebellion and forbidden love.
Fierce, brutal, chaotic… I devoured it.
The ending? Absolutely explosive!!
A beautifully wild debut that left me haunted in the best way.🥰
Thank you Orbit Books US for the opportunity to read this book!
Fierce, brutal, chaotic… I devoured it.
The ending? Absolutely explosive!!
A beautifully wild debut that left me haunted in the best way.🥰
Thank you Orbit Books US for the opportunity to read this book!
Currently reading
October 16, 2025I HAVE PROOF IM EXCITED!!!!!!
Want to read
November 25, 2025r u f'ing kidding me! a Aicha Kandicha inspired fantasy!!! my Moroccan ass is about to have a blastttt! waiting impatiently for this to come out!
December 6, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Want to read
November 9, 2025Thank you netgalley and little, brown book group for this arc.
October 24, 2025
Aïcha delivers on so many things: the historical and cultural set up, the rightful anger, and tender love. I also learned so much on the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, which I know so little about.
I struggled in the first 30% of the books, as it took a while for the plot to start hooking me.
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown for the ARC.
I struggled in the first 30% of the books, as it took a while for the plot to start hooking me.
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown for the ARC.
Want to read
August 13, 2025A story of female rage, Morocco's warrior goddess, her strange magic, vicious rebellion and devastating romance, perfect for fans of She Who Became the Sun, The Jasmine Throne and Circe."
sold
sold
Want to read
July 3, 2025I grew up with my mother telling me stories about Aicha Kandicha I could not be more excited for this book!!!
December 22, 2025
“Because it was not a love that was tied in blood bonds, no obligation was present. Her love was not unconditional because of family ties, it was unconditional because she chose it to be.”
I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Soraya Bouazzaoui and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Aicha will be out March 24th, 2026!
As a lover of angry women in fantasy, I was really looking forward to Bouazzaoui’s promising debut. With favorite characters like R. F. Kuang’s Fang Runin and Sara Hashem’s Sylvia of Jasad, I had high hopes for Aicha to join their ranks. I love historical fictions and fantasy books, especially when the fantasy elements are grounded in historical realism. Set in Northern Africa during the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century, our main character is the daughter of the leader of the resistance rebels who is plagued by visions of evil spirits and wields an unfathomable rage only soothed by her secret partner within the resistance. Aicha is a real person, her story based off of Aicha Kandisha who has two main portrayals throughout history: one being a Berber freedom fighter against Portuguese invaders and the other being the Qandicha, a dangerous female Jinn with camel feet that lures men near water sources and drives them mad before killing them.
Bouazzaoui does acknowledge this in her author’s note, however it is insisted it is just inspiration and the book is fiction. Throughout the book, despite being set in a real period of time and bearing strong similarities to battles between Portugal and Morocco, a majority of the plot consists of a vague Sultan waging a war with Portugal outside of their fictitious citadel, with more vague references to the world around them. As well, despite Islam being a point of contention between the native Muslim community and the Portuguese soldiers and Aicha often being told off for missing prayer, we as readers don’t get any insight to Aicha’s relationship to her faith other than avoiding what is haram; something I think would have greatly strengthened her resolve towards many of her choices made in the story and tightened the tension of several conflicts we are presented with.
The fantasy element surrounding Shawafas and Jinns was really interesting to me and something I wish had been given more time, especially with Aicha’s friendship with the Shawafas Naima, her relationship to Lala Ilham and her connection to Jinns which is never fully explored in my opinion.
To me, I feel a bit disappointed with how despite how strong Aicha is described as being, so much is out of her hands or decided for her. There are no impactful consequences for her actions, no wrongs she commits and the tragedies she faces are because of someone else’s mistakes. Furthermore, with all the atrocities that occur, because of the quick pacing and tight timeline Aicha is not given nearly enough time to react or be effected; with a certain event that should be hugely devastating, we are given a few paragraphs of being upset before being given a whole chapter of smut.
The strongest elements to me were Aicha’s friendship with Naima and her relationship to her sister and her father and her romance with Rachid. The relationships are the heart of the story, to the point that I think this should be advertised as a romance first and foremost. It’s the strongest element to me which unfortunately weakens the historical and fantasy elements as there is no connection between genres. My biggest question after finishing the book is why base the story on a strong historical mythological woman but then decontextualize it and not build something new with it? The whole romantic storyline stood out from the main storyline and oftentimes took the focus, making scenes feel rushed or sudden.
Overall, I do think Bouazzaoui is a great writer and this is a strong debut; I also think that the decision to set the book over seven days and base it loosely off of history really restricted what this book could have become.
2.75/5
I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Soraya Bouazzaoui and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Aicha will be out March 24th, 2026!
As a lover of angry women in fantasy, I was really looking forward to Bouazzaoui’s promising debut. With favorite characters like R. F. Kuang’s Fang Runin and Sara Hashem’s Sylvia of Jasad, I had high hopes for Aicha to join their ranks. I love historical fictions and fantasy books, especially when the fantasy elements are grounded in historical realism. Set in Northern Africa during the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century, our main character is the daughter of the leader of the resistance rebels who is plagued by visions of evil spirits and wields an unfathomable rage only soothed by her secret partner within the resistance. Aicha is a real person, her story based off of Aicha Kandisha who has two main portrayals throughout history: one being a Berber freedom fighter against Portuguese invaders and the other being the Qandicha, a dangerous female Jinn with camel feet that lures men near water sources and drives them mad before killing them.
Bouazzaoui does acknowledge this in her author’s note, however it is insisted it is just inspiration and the book is fiction. Throughout the book, despite being set in a real period of time and bearing strong similarities to battles between Portugal and Morocco, a majority of the plot consists of a vague Sultan waging a war with Portugal outside of their fictitious citadel, with more vague references to the world around them. As well, despite Islam being a point of contention between the native Muslim community and the Portuguese soldiers and Aicha often being told off for missing prayer, we as readers don’t get any insight to Aicha’s relationship to her faith other than avoiding what is haram; something I think would have greatly strengthened her resolve towards many of her choices made in the story and tightened the tension of several conflicts we are presented with.
The fantasy element surrounding Shawafas and Jinns was really interesting to me and something I wish had been given more time, especially with Aicha’s friendship with the Shawafas Naima, her relationship to Lala Ilham and her connection to Jinns which is never fully explored in my opinion.
To me, I feel a bit disappointed with how despite how strong Aicha is described as being, so much is out of her hands or decided for her. There are no impactful consequences for her actions, no wrongs she commits and the tragedies she faces are because of someone else’s mistakes. Furthermore, with all the atrocities that occur, because of the quick pacing and tight timeline Aicha is not given nearly enough time to react or be effected; with a certain event that should be hugely devastating, we are given a few paragraphs of being upset before being given a whole chapter of smut.
The strongest elements to me were Aicha’s friendship with Naima and her relationship to her sister and her father and her romance with Rachid. The relationships are the heart of the story, to the point that I think this should be advertised as a romance first and foremost. It’s the strongest element to me which unfortunately weakens the historical and fantasy elements as there is no connection between genres. My biggest question after finishing the book is why base the story on a strong historical mythological woman but then decontextualize it and not build something new with it? The whole romantic storyline stood out from the main storyline and oftentimes took the focus, making scenes feel rushed or sudden.
Overall, I do think Bouazzaoui is a great writer and this is a strong debut; I also think that the decision to set the book over seven days and base it loosely off of history really restricted what this book could have become.
2.75/5
December 5, 2025
'they will call her a monster.' 'but we will not.'
actual rating: 3.5 stars ⭐️
as an avid fantasy reader and a woman from the Moroccan diaspora, i definitely went into this book with very high expectations . i've known the story of Aicha Kandicha since i was fairly young and looking for any scraps of Maghrebi legends and mytholgy online. i have also followed Soraya Bouazzaoui's updates on this novel before she'd even gotten a publishing deal.
all of this to say this was one of my most anticipated reads ever , and i really wish i'd loved it more. i'm unsure of my rating even as i write this review, because while i enjoyed parts of this, it was far from what i wanted from this story.
first of all, don't go into this expecting full-on fantasy. religion, superstition and legends are definitely a core part of this story but this more of a historical fiction novel with slight fantasy elements than a fantasy story. still, i enjoyed the plot, because who wouldn't enjoy a revolutionary, anti-colonialist story? i appreciated that it did not shy away from the horrors and the violence of revolution without falling into unnecessary violence for shock value. i loved the sense of community, i loved how easy it was for me to picture the citadel, its people, the food and traditions. (i also loved seeing Islam represented realistically and not through a fear-mongering or orientalist lens.)
part of it is influenced by my own heritage, but i was definitely immersed in the setting.
as for the characters and the relationships, i enjoyed them but wished we'd gotten more depth from both. it feels like we've barely scratched the surface of the potential that was there but i still liked what we got. i love it when families are the core of stories, especially sisters and i enjoyed Aicha's complicated feelings towards her parents. the romance was also sweet, Rachid was a good counterpart to Aicha.
where this fell a little flat for me was unfortunately the writing. the prose was fairly bland, clunky at times, and it did a lot more telling than showing. Aicha's anger, which is supposedly a core part of the story, never felt as visceral as it could've been. i was told she was angry, but i didn't feel it, and it was repetitive at times. still, i definitely see potential there, and this was not bad, just not to my taste. it feels like it could've benefitted for more editing.
my other gripe with this is how slow the plot is. although i enjoyed the countdown as a timeframe, i wish Aicha's story and her grappling with her anger and what it could mean took up more of the story. this is marketed as the story of a monstrous woman, but i think it played too safe on that aspect. it made the resolution feel somewhat unsatisfying because it ended too quickly. if anything, i wish the ending had actually been the middle of the story and we got to see more.
still, i think this novel will hold a special place in my heart by virtue of its topic and how happy it makes me to see myself within the pages. i definitely want a copy on my shelves once it comes out.
i hope this marks the beginning of more Moroccan and Magrebi fiction, of more retellings of our myths and legends and i will definitely keep an eye out for this author's future work to see her evolution. Dima Maghrib!
— thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
I was excited for this after reading several other great POC uprising books this year, but Aicha was a struggle to get through.
The main culprit is terrible pacing - at 45%, it still felt like we were in the introduction section, still explaining the world, introducing characters, setting up for eventual conflict that just kept getting delayed and delayed and delayed... The first 45% of this novel should have been condensed to 20% max. The action finally started around the 50% mark but I was already too divorced from characters and story to get excited about it. It also felt rather rushed at that point, since over half the novel was gone.
In terms of the prose there is far too much Telling. We are constantly Told that Aicha is full of rage, that it is supernatural and excessive and destructive, moreso than humanly possible... but all I ever Saw on the page was a very human reaction to excessive misogyny and oppression. I've seen much worse rage and destruction in fantasy without any kind of supernatural origin/influence, so this felt underbaked for me. I kept waiting to see any of the cover's taglines: temptress, monster, warrior. Warrior sort of showed up? But everyone around Aicha was doing their best to keep her away from danger or fighting, so it was barely there. The others, not at all.
Lastly, I was very concerned while reading about the casual misogyny and male-on-female violence that the author doesn’t seem to frame as bad. At least not consistently. The antagonist hits Aicha hard enough to bruise and cut her and this is clearly bad (apart from how no character seems to care or think this is bad/unusual, apart from the love interest). But Aicha's father slaps her far more frequently and this is okay because he loves her. Despite having raised her (and her sister) in frankly abusive ways. I'm supposedly still meant to like the father, and see this as a close family bond that I should care about.
I did enjoy the relationship between Aicha and her sister, as well as the other female friendships in the novel. They felt real and complex. I wish Aicha's relationships with male characters like Rachid and her father felt as organic as the female relationships.
This novel was marketed as Adult, but it reads fairly YA or new-adult at best. The inclusion of a graphic sex scene doesn't make the rest of the novel adult in tone, especially when it's so very "teenager coming of age". The romance was also a little too flat for me. I love that the romance is already set up before the novel starts, and I love a childhood friends-rivals who became lovers... but there was just no chemistry on the page. And the love interest spends so much time trying to smother Aicha, like her father, despite knowing she's just as good a warrior as him, if not better. I'm not a fan of love that expresses itself by trying to constantly knock someone down with the excuse of wanting to 'protect' them. Making someone feel like shit is not protecting them, or loving them.
I am DNFing at 62%. I'm curious about what happens, but not enough to keep struggling through the actual writing just to find out the end. If I change my mind later and decide to finish, I'll come back and edit this review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2 stars - I don't hate it, I'm curious about how it ends, but it's too much of a struggle to keep going just to satisfy my curiosity.
The main culprit is terrible pacing - at 45%, it still felt like we were in the introduction section, still explaining the world, introducing characters, setting up for eventual conflict that just kept getting delayed and delayed and delayed... The first 45% of this novel should have been condensed to 20% max. The action finally started around the 50% mark but I was already too divorced from characters and story to get excited about it. It also felt rather rushed at that point, since over half the novel was gone.
In terms of the prose there is far too much Telling. We are constantly Told that Aicha is full of rage, that it is supernatural and excessive and destructive, moreso than humanly possible... but all I ever Saw on the page was a very human reaction to excessive misogyny and oppression. I've seen much worse rage and destruction in fantasy without any kind of supernatural origin/influence, so this felt underbaked for me. I kept waiting to see any of the cover's taglines: temptress, monster, warrior. Warrior sort of showed up? But everyone around Aicha was doing their best to keep her away from danger or fighting, so it was barely there. The others, not at all.
Lastly, I was very concerned while reading about the casual misogyny and male-on-female violence that the author doesn’t seem to frame as bad. At least not consistently. The antagonist hits Aicha hard enough to bruise and cut her and this is clearly bad (apart from how no character seems to care or think this is bad/unusual, apart from the love interest). But Aicha's father slaps her far more frequently and this is okay because he loves her. Despite having raised her (and her sister) in frankly abusive ways. I'm supposedly still meant to like the father, and see this as a close family bond that I should care about.
I did enjoy the relationship between Aicha and her sister, as well as the other female friendships in the novel. They felt real and complex. I wish Aicha's relationships with male characters like Rachid and her father felt as organic as the female relationships.
This novel was marketed as Adult, but it reads fairly YA or new-adult at best. The inclusion of a graphic sex scene doesn't make the rest of the novel adult in tone, especially when it's so very "teenager coming of age". The romance was also a little too flat for me. I love that the romance is already set up before the novel starts, and I love a childhood friends-rivals who became lovers... but there was just no chemistry on the page. And the love interest spends so much time trying to smother Aicha, like her father, despite knowing she's just as good a warrior as him, if not better. I'm not a fan of love that expresses itself by trying to constantly knock someone down with the excuse of wanting to 'protect' them. Making someone feel like shit is not protecting them, or loving them.
I am DNFing at 62%. I'm curious about what happens, but not enough to keep struggling through the actual writing just to find out the end. If I change my mind later and decide to finish, I'll come back and edit this review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2 stars - I don't hate it, I'm curious about how it ends, but it's too much of a struggle to keep going just to satisfy my curiosity.
December 7, 2025
We can never have too many female rage books.
Aicha is a standalone historical fantasy novel based on the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha and her resistance against Portuguese colonialism. The premise sounded really cool and reminded me a bit of The Poppy War, so it was on my TBR before I saw it on Netgalley and grabbed it. Unfortunately, I seem to have had the same experience as many other readers. While I enjoyed the concept and the ending, I struggled to stay invested in the story. I read about 65% of it in one day, but mostly because I wanted to move on to another book. That being said, I do think this book has an audience, but it was mismarketed (at least from what I saw) as more fantastical than it actually is. Honestly, I'm hesitant to even call this a historical fantasy because the fantasy elements are so minimal that it reads more like a regular historical fiction.
Aicha is the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, and she'll take any chance she can get to join the fight. As the rebels prepare for a siege, Aicha must prove she can handle the riskier tasks, but there's something sinister simmering beneath her skin, and she might not be able to control it. This book is almost entirely preparation for a siege that lasts four chapters, so my main issue with it was pacing. I understand why we needed the backstory we did, but I didn't really feel the weight of the stakes because it felt like almost every scene was just conversation. There were a few action scenes throughout, and I liked the end (even though I agree it was a bit rushed), but it wasn't enough to make up for the drag of the rest of the book. The ending - despite feeling a bit rushed - was satisfying for me. I didn't have any real expectations for how it would end, but as it approached, I kind of realized what we were heading toward, and it helped the emotional impact hit harder for me. I think if the pacing were just a bit quicker, I would've enjoyed this book so much more.
I can't decide how I feel about the cast of characters. Aicha is one of those protagonists that I simultaneously love and get annoyed by. Her fury was palpable, and she was someone I could root for, but wow, did she make some stupid decisions. Her recklessness could be a bit annoying at times, but in general, I really liked her and her arc. Surprisingly, I wasn't a huge fan of her sister, Samira. Usually, I love the sister duo trope, but I felt Samira's exasperation, and it kind of put me off because I sided with Aicha for once. I didn't care much for her father or Rachid, though I'm not really sure why. I honestly wasn't fond of any of the supporting characters, and I don't know if I just personally found them underdeveloped or if I didn't like their personalities? I was kind of just meh about them like I was about the plot. Honestly, Aicha carried the book for me.
Aicha is a standalone historical fantasy (heavier on the history than the fantasy) based on Aicha Kandicha, featuring a female rage narrative and plenty of critique of colonialism.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.25/5
Aicha is a standalone historical fantasy novel based on the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha and her resistance against Portuguese colonialism. The premise sounded really cool and reminded me a bit of The Poppy War, so it was on my TBR before I saw it on Netgalley and grabbed it. Unfortunately, I seem to have had the same experience as many other readers. While I enjoyed the concept and the ending, I struggled to stay invested in the story. I read about 65% of it in one day, but mostly because I wanted to move on to another book. That being said, I do think this book has an audience, but it was mismarketed (at least from what I saw) as more fantastical than it actually is. Honestly, I'm hesitant to even call this a historical fantasy because the fantasy elements are so minimal that it reads more like a regular historical fiction.
Aicha is the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, and she'll take any chance she can get to join the fight. As the rebels prepare for a siege, Aicha must prove she can handle the riskier tasks, but there's something sinister simmering beneath her skin, and she might not be able to control it. This book is almost entirely preparation for a siege that lasts four chapters, so my main issue with it was pacing. I understand why we needed the backstory we did, but I didn't really feel the weight of the stakes because it felt like almost every scene was just conversation. There were a few action scenes throughout, and I liked the end (even though I agree it was a bit rushed), but it wasn't enough to make up for the drag of the rest of the book. The ending - despite feeling a bit rushed - was satisfying for me. I didn't have any real expectations for how it would end, but as it approached, I kind of realized what we were heading toward, and it helped the emotional impact hit harder for me. I think if the pacing were just a bit quicker, I would've enjoyed this book so much more.
I can't decide how I feel about the cast of characters. Aicha is one of those protagonists that I simultaneously love and get annoyed by. Her fury was palpable, and she was someone I could root for, but wow, did she make some stupid decisions. Her recklessness could be a bit annoying at times, but in general, I really liked her and her arc. Surprisingly, I wasn't a huge fan of her sister, Samira. Usually, I love the sister duo trope, but I felt Samira's exasperation, and it kind of put me off because I sided with Aicha for once. I didn't care much for her father or Rachid, though I'm not really sure why. I honestly wasn't fond of any of the supporting characters, and I don't know if I just personally found them underdeveloped or if I didn't like their personalities? I was kind of just meh about them like I was about the plot. Honestly, Aicha carried the book for me.
Aicha is a standalone historical fantasy (heavier on the history than the fantasy) based on Aicha Kandicha, featuring a female rage narrative and plenty of critique of colonialism.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.25/5
November 19, 2025
2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc
I was really excited to read this, the premise sounded so promising, and I went in expecting a rich, emotionally layered story. Unfortunately, the execution fell short for me. It never fully engaged me.
The writing style was thin and oddly YA in tone, even though the book seems aimed at an older audience. Big emotions and themes are mostly stated outright rather than being earned on the page, so scenes that should have been powerful or moving just sort of passed by without leaving much impact. We’re constantly told that Aicha is burning with anger, haunted by grief and guilt, but we rarely feel it with her. The result is a lot of repetition and “telling” instead of immersive, character-driven moments. You have to believe that your readers have some level of intelligence and critical thinking abilities but the amount of hand holding here got patronising fast.
Structurally, the countdown to the siege started to feel like a long, drawn-out lead-up to an ending that was both predictable and rushed. The fantasy elements, especially the hinted “darker power” and the jinn/magic side never really take center stage and end up feeling more like decoration than a real part of the story. On top of that, several threads are introduced (Aicha’s complicated feelings about marriage and motherhood, the tension between conservative traditions and occupation, etc) but remain shallow and unresolved, as if the book kept circling the same points without fully developing them.
The characters themselves never quite came alive for me. Aicha and the side characters felt underdeveloped and flat, more like outlines than fully realized people with distinct voices and inner lives, depth and nuance. The romance in particular felt tacked on, there’s one steamier moment that seems to be doing all the work of making this “adult,” but the relationship itself lacks chemistry and emotional build-up. I never found myself rooting for them to end up together; it just felt like something that was supposed to matter rather than something that actually did.
Overall, it’s a book I really wanted to love, but it just didn’t deliver on its potential.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc
I was really excited to read this, the premise sounded so promising, and I went in expecting a rich, emotionally layered story. Unfortunately, the execution fell short for me. It never fully engaged me.
The writing style was thin and oddly YA in tone, even though the book seems aimed at an older audience. Big emotions and themes are mostly stated outright rather than being earned on the page, so scenes that should have been powerful or moving just sort of passed by without leaving much impact. We’re constantly told that Aicha is burning with anger, haunted by grief and guilt, but we rarely feel it with her. The result is a lot of repetition and “telling” instead of immersive, character-driven moments. You have to believe that your readers have some level of intelligence and critical thinking abilities but the amount of hand holding here got patronising fast.
Structurally, the countdown to the siege started to feel like a long, drawn-out lead-up to an ending that was both predictable and rushed. The fantasy elements, especially the hinted “darker power” and the jinn/magic side never really take center stage and end up feeling more like decoration than a real part of the story. On top of that, several threads are introduced (Aicha’s complicated feelings about marriage and motherhood, the tension between conservative traditions and occupation, etc) but remain shallow and unresolved, as if the book kept circling the same points without fully developing them.
The characters themselves never quite came alive for me. Aicha and the side characters felt underdeveloped and flat, more like outlines than fully realized people with distinct voices and inner lives, depth and nuance. The romance in particular felt tacked on, there’s one steamier moment that seems to be doing all the work of making this “adult,” but the relationship itself lacks chemistry and emotional build-up. I never found myself rooting for them to end up together; it just felt like something that was supposed to matter rather than something that actually did.
Overall, it’s a book I really wanted to love, but it just didn’t deliver on its potential.
November 13, 2025
📖Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui
368 pages | 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~fantasy, romantasy, historical fiction
Firstly, thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_UK @sorayabouazzaoui and @netgalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.🤍
Blurb ~
Aicha is a fantasy novel inspired by Morrocan history. It follows Aicha, a daughter of a Moroccan freedom fighter, who grows up under Portuguese occupation. Day and night, Aicha is fueled with rage for the atrocities she and her people suffer in their rule and it also seem to awaken a dark, unknown power within her. In the midst of it all, she find another warrior named Rachid, who offers solace just as her family does. Aicha is a tale of empowerment and resistance.
My review ~
I gave the book a 4 star for the fact that it was a non-western fantasy, and the characters were muslim. The author did say in the beginning of the book itself that even if they are muslims, their actions certainly do not reflect the religion entirely, cause they do forbidden acts (like murder, stealing, pre-marital romantic relationships etc). But even so, certain aspects of the religion has been explored with sanctity, and nowhere these forbidden acts have been glorified which I admired. The plot also contains an arc of black magic, which again isn't celebrated and has been repeatedly said that it's against the laws.
Also, i don't post books with spice usually, but there is one chapter in this book- Ch.19 which has an explicit scene (after marriage of course) but since the author mentioned that in the beginning itself, you can easily skip it.
Now for the plot, it was predominantly about the days dealing up to the siege of the city, so a lot of war talk was there. I feel like Rachid and Aicha's relationship could've been explored in a better way but they did seem suited for each other. I absolutely adored the sisters in the book, such love they had for each other and also for their Baba. Also that ending, was very brutal, but kind of apt for the overall plot I think.
I'm not an overly critical person. The book has a lot of potential, and even though some parts can be improved, as the author's debut novel, it was a good one.🤍
368 pages | 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~fantasy, romantasy, historical fiction
Firstly, thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_UK @sorayabouazzaoui and @netgalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.🤍
Blurb ~
Aicha is a fantasy novel inspired by Morrocan history. It follows Aicha, a daughter of a Moroccan freedom fighter, who grows up under Portuguese occupation. Day and night, Aicha is fueled with rage for the atrocities she and her people suffer in their rule and it also seem to awaken a dark, unknown power within her. In the midst of it all, she find another warrior named Rachid, who offers solace just as her family does. Aicha is a tale of empowerment and resistance.
My review ~
I gave the book a 4 star for the fact that it was a non-western fantasy, and the characters were muslim. The author did say in the beginning of the book itself that even if they are muslims, their actions certainly do not reflect the religion entirely, cause they do forbidden acts (like murder, stealing, pre-marital romantic relationships etc). But even so, certain aspects of the religion has been explored with sanctity, and nowhere these forbidden acts have been glorified which I admired. The plot also contains an arc of black magic, which again isn't celebrated and has been repeatedly said that it's against the laws.
Also, i don't post books with spice usually, but there is one chapter in this book- Ch.19 which has an explicit scene (after marriage of course) but since the author mentioned that in the beginning itself, you can easily skip it.
Now for the plot, it was predominantly about the days dealing up to the siege of the city, so a lot of war talk was there. I feel like Rachid and Aicha's relationship could've been explored in a better way but they did seem suited for each other. I absolutely adored the sisters in the book, such love they had for each other and also for their Baba. Also that ending, was very brutal, but kind of apt for the overall plot I think.
I'm not an overly critical person. The book has a lot of potential, and even though some parts can be improved, as the author's debut novel, it was a good one.🤍
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