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Aicha
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.
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First published March 24, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 ★— The Moroccan myth of Aicha is one I wasn’t familiar with before starting this book, so I went into it intrigued and curious about how a flesh-eating, man-killing folkloric figure would be portrayed.
Set against the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, Aisha is a young woman who grows up with the increasing hardships the Portuguese impose on her people and environment, living in a strictly divided society where her occupiers rule.
I thought the beginning chapters did enough to really settle me into the narrative and draw a picture of the book’s setting, but where the story kind of lost me was after I got roughly into the middle, where I still felt like I was waiting for it to really begin. The pacing felt slow, even though the book itself isn’t particularly long, and I often felt the story lacked a deeper exploration of Aicha’s rage and the darker nuances that come with the powers she possesses.
While the author does spend time showing her familial situation and her connection to the people in her community, I often felt the book didn’t truly delve into how Aicha’s powers affected those relationships.
The story also felt very YA in its execution, and I was a bit taken aback by how much it shied away from showing the real grit and violence that should come with a story about such a brutal mythical figure and the fight against an occupational regime. It came across as if the author was waiting until the last few chapters to finally include scenes that showed the more brutal side of the story, and even those moments felt brief and made me want more.
In general, many of the heavier and more dramatic moments lacked emotional weight and seemed to pass very quickly. There was little space given to the aftermath, which left me feeling somewhat disconnected from what I was reading on the page.
There was also a sense of repetition, particularly in how Aisha’s rage is portrayed. As a prominent fixture of the narrative, the book makes clear that this rage is of supernatural origin and something she struggles to control. However, the story often seemed to repeat similar scenes again and again. This sameness weakened the ferocity of her powers for me and made Aisha seem almost reckless and immature in how she handled herself.
I did really like how religion and Aisha’s relationship with it was portrayed, and how supernatural figures like the djinn were woven into the story and shown to be feared while still very much a part of the cultural narrative of this world.
The romance is a subplot here, one that I appreciated because we get an established childhood connection that develops into something romantic, but I do have to say that the romantic developments toward the end felt somewhat tacked on to make the story feel “complete,” without fully deepening Aisha and her male love interest’s relationship enough for me to truly care about them. Which is a pity, because I thought a few later plot points could have hit much harder if we had seen more of them together earlier on.
Ultimately, I still really appreciated the setting and the retelling of Aicha's myth that I got through this! I think this is definitely worth a read for anyone interested in female-led folklore, with the caveat that the pacing can feel quite slow and the character relationships may not feel as deeply developed as they could have been.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
I loved, loved, loved the narrator and the smooth, beautiful tone of her voice, as well as the sound of her English accent! With her being a native Arabic speaker, she really enhanced the story for me by pronouncing the various Arabic phrases and names in their native sounds and making me feel even more immersed in the story. I also thought she did a marvelous job with the different male voices, ranging from Aisha’s father to other characters that all felt very distinct and well portrayed.
_______________
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC and to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
Set against the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, Aisha is a young woman who grows up with the increasing hardships the Portuguese impose on her people and environment, living in a strictly divided society where her occupiers rule.
I thought the beginning chapters did enough to really settle me into the narrative and draw a picture of the book’s setting, but where the story kind of lost me was after I got roughly into the middle, where I still felt like I was waiting for it to really begin. The pacing felt slow, even though the book itself isn’t particularly long, and I often felt the story lacked a deeper exploration of Aicha’s rage and the darker nuances that come with the powers she possesses.
While the author does spend time showing her familial situation and her connection to the people in her community, I often felt the book didn’t truly delve into how Aicha’s powers affected those relationships.
The story also felt very YA in its execution, and I was a bit taken aback by how much it shied away from showing the real grit and violence that should come with a story about such a brutal mythical figure and the fight against an occupational regime. It came across as if the author was waiting until the last few chapters to finally include scenes that showed the more brutal side of the story, and even those moments felt brief and made me want more.
In general, many of the heavier and more dramatic moments lacked emotional weight and seemed to pass very quickly. There was little space given to the aftermath, which left me feeling somewhat disconnected from what I was reading on the page.
There was also a sense of repetition, particularly in how Aisha’s rage is portrayed. As a prominent fixture of the narrative, the book makes clear that this rage is of supernatural origin and something she struggles to control. However, the story often seemed to repeat similar scenes again and again. This sameness weakened the ferocity of her powers for me and made Aisha seem almost reckless and immature in how she handled herself.
I did really like how religion and Aisha’s relationship with it was portrayed, and how supernatural figures like the djinn were woven into the story and shown to be feared while still very much a part of the cultural narrative of this world.
The romance is a subplot here, one that I appreciated because we get an established childhood connection that develops into something romantic, but I do have to say that the romantic developments toward the end felt somewhat tacked on to make the story feel “complete,” without fully deepening Aisha and her male love interest’s relationship enough for me to truly care about them. Which is a pity, because I thought a few later plot points could have hit much harder if we had seen more of them together earlier on.
Ultimately, I still really appreciated the setting and the retelling of Aicha's myth that I got through this! I think this is definitely worth a read for anyone interested in female-led folklore, with the caveat that the pacing can feel quite slow and the character relationships may not feel as deeply developed as they could have been.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
⭐ Listener Rating: 5/5
I loved, loved, loved the narrator and the smooth, beautiful tone of her voice, as well as the sound of her English accent! With her being a native Arabic speaker, she really enhanced the story for me by pronouncing the various Arabic phrases and names in their native sounds and making me feel even more immersed in the story. I also thought she did a marvelous job with the different male voices, ranging from Aisha’s father to other characters that all felt very distinct and well portrayed.
_______________
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC and to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley & orbit for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: march 24, 2026
the story follows young woman named aicha who lives in morocco when the country is ruled by the portuguese empire. her father is a freedom fighter, and aicha has grown up seeing her people suffer. she watches friends die, watches families starve, and watches the portuguese torture anyone who resists. all of that pain turns into a burning anger inside her. that anger drives her to fight for her nation’s freedom.
aicha is not a quiet a "heroine". she has a sharp tongue, a quick mind, and she is willing to use a blade when she has to. she can be cruel to those who try to hurt her people, and she never backs down from a fight. the author made her feel like so freaking real and i loved her so much.
rachid, the love interest is the embodiment of yearning here. he was so pathetic and downbad for aicha i couldn't stop giggling.
the book also shows the complicated relationship between aicha and her sister, samira. the two women are close, but they often clash because they see the world in different ways. their arguments add a lot of depth to the story and made the complex relationship more real. on top of that, there is a hidden prophecy that hints at a larger destiny for aicha and her people.
the legend of aicha kandicha, a famous moroccan spirit who looks like a beautiful woman but has goat or camel hooves, inspired the name of the main character. however, the novel does not retell that myth. instead, it borrows the idea of a powerful female figure and turns it into a human rebel who fights for her country.
apart from these things, the book felt more like historical fiction than pure fantasy. it is set in a real time period, with real politics, and the author builds the world in a way that is easy to follow. at times the story tells what is happening instead of showing it with scenes, and the pacing jumps from fast to slow. those are the only weak spots i noticed.
even with those flaws, the ending is powerful and stays with you long after you finish the last page. i give it a full 10 out of 10 and would recommend it.
"They will remember her as a demon. And we will remember her as a savior.
⤿ female rage
⤿ morrocon fantasy
⤿ violence as resistance
⤿ mythological retelling
⤿ complex sister dynamics
✦ publication date: march 24, 2026
the story follows young woman named aicha who lives in morocco when the country is ruled by the portuguese empire. her father is a freedom fighter, and aicha has grown up seeing her people suffer. she watches friends die, watches families starve, and watches the portuguese torture anyone who resists. all of that pain turns into a burning anger inside her. that anger drives her to fight for her nation’s freedom.
aicha is not a quiet a "heroine". she has a sharp tongue, a quick mind, and she is willing to use a blade when she has to. she can be cruel to those who try to hurt her people, and she never backs down from a fight. the author made her feel like so freaking real and i loved her so much.
rachid, the love interest is the embodiment of yearning here. he was so pathetic and downbad for aicha i couldn't stop giggling.
the book also shows the complicated relationship between aicha and her sister, samira. the two women are close, but they often clash because they see the world in different ways. their arguments add a lot of depth to the story and made the complex relationship more real. on top of that, there is a hidden prophecy that hints at a larger destiny for aicha and her people.
the legend of aicha kandicha, a famous moroccan spirit who looks like a beautiful woman but has goat or camel hooves, inspired the name of the main character. however, the novel does not retell that myth. instead, it borrows the idea of a powerful female figure and turns it into a human rebel who fights for her country.
apart from these things, the book felt more like historical fiction than pure fantasy. it is set in a real time period, with real politics, and the author builds the world in a way that is easy to follow. at times the story tells what is happening instead of showing it with scenes, and the pacing jumps from fast to slow. those are the only weak spots i noticed.
even with those flaws, the ending is powerful and stays with you long after you finish the last page. i give it a full 10 out of 10 and would recommend it.
"They will remember her as a demon. And we will remember her as a savior.
⤿ female rage
⤿ morrocon fantasy
⤿ violence as resistance
⤿ mythological retelling
⤿ complex sister dynamics
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 ☆
”Fire would take a seat, subsuming her pain and demanding action. And she would listen to it, because he knew Aicha’s thirst for retribution was insatiable.”
i really thought i would like this more than i did, but it failed to fully impress me. despite knowing nothing of the Aicha myth in Moroccan folklore, i found this book to be predictable and surface level. Aicha as a character didn’t really do anything for me and although i could empathize with her turmoil, i didn’t quite believe in her motivations overall. the romance was more telling than showing, due to the fact that Rachid and Aicha were already established. the pacing was also very uneven and then the ending section was rushed/anticlimactic. i wouldn’t go into this expecting a fantasy book either, because it’s more historical fiction than anything.
⇢ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
”Fire would take a seat, subsuming her pain and demanding action. And she would listen to it, because he knew Aicha’s thirst for retribution was insatiable.”
i really thought i would like this more than i did, but it failed to fully impress me. despite knowing nothing of the Aicha myth in Moroccan folklore, i found this book to be predictable and surface level. Aicha as a character didn’t really do anything for me and although i could empathize with her turmoil, i didn’t quite believe in her motivations overall. the romance was more telling than showing, due to the fact that Rachid and Aicha were already established. the pacing was also very uneven and then the ending section was rushed/anticlimactic. i wouldn’t go into this expecting a fantasy book either, because it’s more historical fiction than anything.
⇢ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Orbit books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
Aicha is a solid epic fantasy debut that I solidly recommend.
I was sincerely glued to this book. Every time female rage is mentioned - I’m mostly a bit wary because I always feel that it’s not well represented. But this one nailed it. There’s so many instances where Aisha was enraged or displaying built up anger that I feel were relatable and well demonstrated. This author definitely has a strong suit for describing and showing emotions. I was rooting for the fmc (and everyone close to her) and could distinctly feel her anger. It was also refreshing to read about a fmc who didn’t want kids and I appreciated that very much.
There’s strong concepts of liberty, family, friendship, sisterhood & romance displayed. I felt for every character in this story and could vividly feel their turmoil.
I think that… especially with everything going on in the world - this read is definitely impactful.
There’s great worldbuilding and the pacing was decent. I wish we got more of the various relationships (father-daughter, sisters, lovers, friends, etc.) because I feel that it was a very important part of the story.
Overall, a very impactful read that I recommend. I simply could not put this book down and I will keep an eye on this author for her next releases.
Aicha is a solid epic fantasy debut that I solidly recommend.
I was sincerely glued to this book. Every time female rage is mentioned - I’m mostly a bit wary because I always feel that it’s not well represented. But this one nailed it. There’s so many instances where Aisha was enraged or displaying built up anger that I feel were relatable and well demonstrated. This author definitely has a strong suit for describing and showing emotions. I was rooting for the fmc (and everyone close to her) and could distinctly feel her anger. It was also refreshing to read about a fmc who didn’t want kids and I appreciated that very much.
There’s strong concepts of liberty, family, friendship, sisterhood & romance displayed. I felt for every character in this story and could vividly feel their turmoil.
I think that… especially with everything going on in the world - this read is definitely impactful.
There’s great worldbuilding and the pacing was decent. I wish we got more of the various relationships (father-daughter, sisters, lovers, friends, etc.) because I feel that it was a very important part of the story.
Overall, a very impactful read that I recommend. I simply could not put this book down and I will keep an eye on this author for her next releases.
January 5, 2026
3.5 stars.
Minus the explicit sex scenes, this was a little too older YA/NA for me (easy to read, concepts aren't convoluted, ideas aren't too complex, etc.) But despite that, I absolutely loved the Moroccan rep and enjoyed my time reading this novel.
I don't read a lot of books from this region, so this was a brand new and exciting setting for me. The author definitely excelled with the worldbuilding and characterization. It was so easy to picture life in historical Morocco living under Portuguese colonization.
The way that Soraya Bouazzaoui wove in Islam and Moroccan witchcraft/sorcery into the story felt very natural and really enriched the story. If you're familiar with organized religion and its push and pull regarding local beliefs, then this aspect of the story might interest you. This was one of the stronger parts of the novel.
I would've rated this novel a lot higher if it was darker and grittier. For a family living under oppression and planning a rebellion, I didn't really feel a sense of urgency. There was danger, but it's the kind of danger you read about in standalone YA fantasy novels.
I think if the timeline were much longer and took place over Aicha's childhood and then early adulthood, we might be able to understand the full force of her anger. I feel like we only get snapshots of this throughout the novel. The climax was great, but the buildup wasn't as strong as it could've been.
And for me, this also applies to Aicha's relationships with her father and her sister. I think if we saw them all growing up together, I could feel something for her entire family. Instead, it was giving YA fantasy side character energy.
Honestly, I just wanted more out of everything. It was like ordering your favorite spicy dish, but the chef made it mild. I enjoyed it, but it definitely could've been a lot better.
While this didn't fully work out for me, I still think this is a great read for historical fantasy newbies or fantasy readers who prefer standalones and no commitment.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this arc.
Minus the explicit sex scenes, this was a little too older YA/NA for me (easy to read, concepts aren't convoluted, ideas aren't too complex, etc.) But despite that, I absolutely loved the Moroccan rep and enjoyed my time reading this novel.
I don't read a lot of books from this region, so this was a brand new and exciting setting for me. The author definitely excelled with the worldbuilding and characterization. It was so easy to picture life in historical Morocco living under Portuguese colonization.
The way that Soraya Bouazzaoui wove in Islam and Moroccan witchcraft/sorcery into the story felt very natural and really enriched the story. If you're familiar with organized religion and its push and pull regarding local beliefs, then this aspect of the story might interest you. This was one of the stronger parts of the novel.
I would've rated this novel a lot higher if it was darker and grittier. For a family living under oppression and planning a rebellion, I didn't really feel a sense of urgency. There was danger, but it's the kind of danger you read about in standalone YA fantasy novels.
I think if the timeline were much longer and took place over Aicha's childhood and then early adulthood, we might be able to understand the full force of her anger. I feel like we only get snapshots of this throughout the novel. The climax was great, but the buildup wasn't as strong as it could've been.
And for me, this also applies to Aicha's relationships with her father and her sister. I think if we saw them all growing up together, I could feel something for her entire family. Instead, it was giving YA fantasy side character energy.
Honestly, I just wanted more out of everything. It was like ordering your favorite spicy dish, but the chef made it mild. I enjoyed it, but it definitely could've been a lot better.
While this didn't fully work out for me, I still think this is a great read for historical fantasy newbies or fantasy readers who prefer standalones and no commitment.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 🌟
Great deput novel! But I was left a bit disappointed at the end.
I was so excited when I read the premise, and the cover is just stunning. But the overall story was lacking some depth. I wanted more historical details and descriptions. More in depth world building and overall explanations about how life was back then. I missed some culture details overall.
Aicha herself was a bit childish to be honest. I didn't feel like that would be the emotions or the thought processes of a twenty-somthing women in that time of age. The magic system could be more thought out as well, it was just there but wasn't there at the same time. If that makes sense.
The writing style was very easy to follow and read very fast. I do feel that this is more of a YA book, if you would take out that one explicit chapter.
Talking about chapters, I didn't understand why the POV's changed all of the sudden for about two chapters. That was just confusing and unnecessary.
Overall a fast and enjoyable read, but this could have been 100 pages longer with more in depth details and would be so much better!
For Bouazzaoui's first novel, this wasn't bad! I feel like there will be more books in her future that will be very interesting!
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette publishing for this ARC! 🧡🧡
Great deput novel! But I was left a bit disappointed at the end.
I was so excited when I read the premise, and the cover is just stunning. But the overall story was lacking some depth. I wanted more historical details and descriptions. More in depth world building and overall explanations about how life was back then. I missed some culture details overall.
Aicha herself was a bit childish to be honest. I didn't feel like that would be the emotions or the thought processes of a twenty-somthing women in that time of age. The magic system could be more thought out as well, it was just there but wasn't there at the same time. If that makes sense.
The writing style was very easy to follow and read very fast. I do feel that this is more of a YA book, if you would take out that one explicit chapter.
Talking about chapters, I didn't understand why the POV's changed all of the sudden for about two chapters. That was just confusing and unnecessary.
Overall a fast and enjoyable read, but this could have been 100 pages longer with more in depth details and would be so much better!
For Bouazzaoui's first novel, this wasn't bad! I feel like there will be more books in her future that will be very interesting!
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette publishing for this ARC! 🧡🧡
March 30, 2026
✦ Rating: ★★★★☆
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes
☾ For readers who love: feminine rage, Arab/North African–inspired fantasy
✧✧✧✧✧
✦ Mood: dark, tense, and filled with that “she’s about to snap” energy/slow-burning rage
✦ Setting: Morocco - against the Portuguese occupation of Morocco.
I wasn’t familiar with the Moroccan myth this story is inspired by before reading it up, but the synopsis instantly pulled me in…and I’m really glad it did.
We follow Aicha and her family during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, and I really appreciated how the story doesn’t shy away from showing the weight of that reality. The world felt rich and immersive, but what stood out most to me was the strength of the characters and the quiet sacrifices they’re constantly making. And Aicha and Samira’s sister bond?? one of my favourite parts.
One thing I liked was how Aicha’s anger is always there, just under the surface. It’s not loud at first she allows it to build slowly. I was kind of waiting for that rage to fully snap into place, but at the same time, I understand why it took time. It felt like something she had to grow into.
Her relationship with the MMC was beautifully done. He felt like her calm in a lot of ways, which I liked, but I did find myself wishing she stood a bit more on her own before everything unfolded at the end. Still, their dynamic added a softer layer to the story that balanced out the heaviness.
This book had some really heartbreaking moments. You can feel the anger that comes from living under occupation…the kind that’s tied to resilience, to love for your people, to wanting something better. The theme of female rage is such a powerful part of the story, and I loved how it was rooted in something deeper than just anger it felt earned.
Overall, a story that’s quiet, emotional, and slowly burning with something much bigger underneath. Would recommend to anyone who likes feminine rage .
Thank you Hachette Canada for the gifted copy 💌 !!
☾ Yes/No/Maybe? Yes
☾ For readers who love: feminine rage, Arab/North African–inspired fantasy
✧✧✧✧✧
✦ Mood: dark, tense, and filled with that “she’s about to snap” energy/slow-burning rage
✦ Setting: Morocco - against the Portuguese occupation of Morocco.
I wasn’t familiar with the Moroccan myth this story is inspired by before reading it up, but the synopsis instantly pulled me in…and I’m really glad it did.
We follow Aicha and her family during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, and I really appreciated how the story doesn’t shy away from showing the weight of that reality. The world felt rich and immersive, but what stood out most to me was the strength of the characters and the quiet sacrifices they’re constantly making. And Aicha and Samira’s sister bond?? one of my favourite parts.
One thing I liked was how Aicha’s anger is always there, just under the surface. It’s not loud at first she allows it to build slowly. I was kind of waiting for that rage to fully snap into place, but at the same time, I understand why it took time. It felt like something she had to grow into.
Her relationship with the MMC was beautifully done. He felt like her calm in a lot of ways, which I liked, but I did find myself wishing she stood a bit more on her own before everything unfolded at the end. Still, their dynamic added a softer layer to the story that balanced out the heaviness.
This book had some really heartbreaking moments. You can feel the anger that comes from living under occupation…the kind that’s tied to resilience, to love for your people, to wanting something better. The theme of female rage is such a powerful part of the story, and I loved how it was rooted in something deeper than just anger it felt earned.
Overall, a story that’s quiet, emotional, and slowly burning with something much bigger underneath. Would recommend to anyone who likes feminine rage .
Thank you Hachette Canada for the gifted copy 💌 !!
Want to read
July 3, 2025I hope they update the cover here soon, because I just saw it on twitter and it is amazing!
March 26, 2026
Aicha (Hardcover) by Soraya Bouazzaoui
Book Blurb: 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.
Rating: *****
Feels: Fascinated, Rage, Engaged, Vengeful
Style: Historical Fiction, Retellings, Historical, Mythology, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy
First published March 24, 2026 : 352 pages
This book was just fire 🔥🔥🔥 Aicha was strong , stunning and sassy !!! She was everything I love in an FMC and this story was riveting and powerful. From the very beginning I was pulled in and rebelling right along with our women !!! The countdown to the siege gave the book this natural build up that just kept the intensity rising !! There were so many amazing bonds explored in this story. That of a committed father to his daughters and community. The connection between two sisters. Aicha with her secret love who protects her in everything. And even the bond of the community with the lands and each other. A really compelling read and deeply moving.
Favorite Quote: The hope of having freedom came wrapped in a fear of what freedom even meant, because none in the citadel knew.
This book has:
Historical mythology retelling vibes
Political plotlines
Stabby FMC
Feminine Rage
Protective MMC
Moroccan lore
Found Family
Strong Community
Book Blurb: 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.
Rating: *****
Feels: Fascinated, Rage, Engaged, Vengeful
Style: Historical Fiction, Retellings, Historical, Mythology, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy
First published March 24, 2026 : 352 pages
This book was just fire 🔥🔥🔥 Aicha was strong , stunning and sassy !!! She was everything I love in an FMC and this story was riveting and powerful. From the very beginning I was pulled in and rebelling right along with our women !!! The countdown to the siege gave the book this natural build up that just kept the intensity rising !! There were so many amazing bonds explored in this story. That of a committed father to his daughters and community. The connection between two sisters. Aicha with her secret love who protects her in everything. And even the bond of the community with the lands and each other. A really compelling read and deeply moving.
Favorite Quote: The hope of having freedom came wrapped in a fear of what freedom even meant, because none in the citadel knew.
This book has:
Historical mythology retelling vibes
Political plotlines
Stabby FMC
Feminine Rage
Protective MMC
Moroccan lore
Found Family
Strong Community
March 24, 2026
This book is very hard to review.
I will be the first to admit that I am not nealy educated enough about important world conflicts and political issues, however I do know enough to find this depiction of the Islam faith troubling. In a world so plaughed by Islamophobia I found it difficult to understand the author's choice in such a violent narrative for her protagonist, as I think ultimately it is one that will be misinterpreted and read at surface level only fueling certain fires.
Now this is not to say that a Muslim woman cannot be portrayed as strong, competent and determined, but utlimately the lengths this book goes to serve violent ends would be disturbing coming from any character.
Further, moving away from the context which adds to my conflicting thoughts, what is the message in this book?
That retribution and violent revenge is the answer? That seeking traumatising violence on your tresspassers is justified when you have suffered?
Again, I could not possibly know what the reality of living under such a tyrannical scheme would make a person think or do but this is why there is a place for fiction, even fantasy. I did not expect any kind of reconciliation at the end of the novel but the ending did leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm not sure what the appropriate conclusion would have been in this instance but I feel that the route chosen was not necessarily most deptly picked.
Again this is just my opinion, and I am happy to stand corrected on any of these fronts as there is a world for me to learn about these contexts, no matter how closely they resemble reality - so please, take this with a pinch of salt. This platform is my safe haven where I have been able to freely discuss my thoughts about any books I have read so far and it is with my deepest gratitude that I intend to continue to do so.
I will be the first to admit that I am not nealy educated enough about important world conflicts and political issues, however I do know enough to find this depiction of the Islam faith troubling. In a world so plaughed by Islamophobia I found it difficult to understand the author's choice in such a violent narrative for her protagonist, as I think ultimately it is one that will be misinterpreted and read at surface level only fueling certain fires.
Now this is not to say that a Muslim woman cannot be portrayed as strong, competent and determined, but utlimately the lengths this book goes to serve violent ends would be disturbing coming from any character.
Further, moving away from the context which adds to my conflicting thoughts, what is the message in this book?
That retribution and violent revenge is the answer? That seeking traumatising violence on your tresspassers is justified when you have suffered?
Again, I could not possibly know what the reality of living under such a tyrannical scheme would make a person think or do but this is why there is a place for fiction, even fantasy. I did not expect any kind of reconciliation at the end of the novel but the ending did leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm not sure what the appropriate conclusion would have been in this instance but I feel that the route chosen was not necessarily most deptly picked.
Again this is just my opinion, and I am happy to stand corrected on any of these fronts as there is a world for me to learn about these contexts, no matter how closely they resemble reality - so please, take this with a pinch of salt. This platform is my safe haven where I have been able to freely discuss my thoughts about any books I have read so far and it is with my deepest gratitude that I intend to continue to do so.
March 18, 2026
I can’t believe this book ended the way it did 😭 I feel so broken, while simultaneously trying to process everything that just happened.
I’d describe Aicha as an origin story for the Moroccan mythological figure Aicha Kandicha. I see a lot of reviews complaining about the pacing and plot, but I think that’s because people had different expectations going into this book. If you go into it with the right expectations, I think this will be an enjoyable read for you. This book not a story of Aicha traveling across lands killing men left and right as a jinn/succubus—it’s a story about a woman defending her home alongside her family from Portuguese colonists, while discovering an ancient power that lies within her. I would describe this as a “cozy” fantasy in the sense that the story is very much contained to Aicha’s hometown, immediate family, and the antagonist. But I also don't want to confuse you by calling it "cozy"—it’s not a lighthearted fantasy! It’s actually quite serious and gory, lol. I also see readers complaining about how the book’s big events don’t happen until the very end, but again, I think that's because the story is structured as an origin story.
I still really loved this book, as heartbreaking as it was. I’d recommend this book for readers who enjoyed The City of Brass (minus the epic fantasy vibes) and the local resistance plot of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion. 4.5 stars rounded up!
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
I’d describe Aicha as an origin story for the Moroccan mythological figure Aicha Kandicha. I see a lot of reviews complaining about the pacing and plot, but I think that’s because people had different expectations going into this book. If you go into it with the right expectations, I think this will be an enjoyable read for you. This book not a story of Aicha traveling across lands killing men left and right as a jinn/succubus—it’s a story about a woman defending her home alongside her family from Portuguese colonists, while discovering an ancient power that lies within her. I would describe this as a “cozy” fantasy in the sense that the story is very much contained to Aicha’s hometown, immediate family, and the antagonist. But I also don't want to confuse you by calling it "cozy"—it’s not a lighthearted fantasy! It’s actually quite serious and gory, lol. I also see readers complaining about how the book’s big events don’t happen until the very end, but again, I think that's because the story is structured as an origin story.
I still really loved this book, as heartbreaking as it was. I’d recommend this book for readers who enjoyed The City of Brass (minus the epic fantasy vibes) and the local resistance plot of Ten Incarnations of Rebellion. 4.5 stars rounded up!
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
February 14, 2026
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.
Read
March 29, 2026A retelling of the Moroccan myth of Aicha Qandicha, this was brutal and in many ways tragic. It's cool to see folklore that I'm less familiar with. Aicha is a young woman living under Portuguese occupation, hiding her faith, and in love.
Her father trains her and her sister to fight using unforgiving and often violent methods, but it's coming from a place of love for them. As the Portuguese colonists crack down on locals, Aicha eventually gives into the "monstrous" side of herself and fights for her people.
It has a bit of a fantasy element but leans more historical fiction with and existing romantic relationship. I would recommend this more for fans of books like Circe by Madeline Miller than romantasy readers and I wouldn't be surprised if there is an expectation mis-match for some people picking this up. It's an exploration of a character from folklore with themes of faith, resistance, rage, and sacrifice for loved ones. It reads closer to a tragedy than what I think people tend to expect from this genre. I thought it was pretty good but in some ways it does read like a debut and I am interested to see future books by this author as she continues to develop as a writer. The audio narration is well done. I received an audio copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Her father trains her and her sister to fight using unforgiving and often violent methods, but it's coming from a place of love for them. As the Portuguese colonists crack down on locals, Aicha eventually gives into the "monstrous" side of herself and fights for her people.
It has a bit of a fantasy element but leans more historical fiction with and existing romantic relationship. I would recommend this more for fans of books like Circe by Madeline Miller than romantasy readers and I wouldn't be surprised if there is an expectation mis-match for some people picking this up. It's an exploration of a character from folklore with themes of faith, resistance, rage, and sacrifice for loved ones. It reads closer to a tragedy than what I think people tend to expect from this genre. I thought it was pretty good but in some ways it does read like a debut and I am interested to see future books by this author as she continues to develop as a writer. The audio narration is well done. I received an audio copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Want to read
April 18, 2024I will now be counting down the days till 2026, meep meep
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.5 Stars
I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern/African fantasy and female rage books and so this sounded like an absolute dream of a read for me! Sadly though...it definitely didn't live up to my hopes.
Aicha is based around the real history of the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta from the Marinid Sultanate of Morocco. It is a story based on our lead female Aicha, the youngest daughter of a blacksmith who is also an underground Moroccan rebel fighting against the Portuguese to get their land back. The story is told over a very short amount of time and is split into days before the siege happens.
Aicha is a strong young woman who fights and smuggles alongside her Father, sister and secret boyfriend to help the Moroccan people.
The story overall is very basic. It is lacking in detail and skims over a lot information, making it rather surface level. It is quite repetitive but as it is a fast read, I stuck with it in the hopes things would improve. Sadly, that wasn't the case.
The fantasy aspect of the book is based around jinn that some of the characters can see. We get a tiny bit more detail as the book continues but it doesn't add much to the story which was a shame. All I will say is that Aicha is a woman filled with rage and an internal voice urging her to spill the blood of and destroy her enemies. This is in the summary and so I wasn't surprised at all by the lead up and ending of the book.
What I did like was that Aicha's father and their community are Muslim and he trains his girls to fight with swords, smuggle and take care of themselves. It was a refreshing change from generally the women being the wives and childbearers in middle Eastern books. He raised two strong females and that was wonderful to read.
I also generally liked the writing. It was engaging and quick to read and without that, I likely would have DNFed.
The characters were fine, but lacking in any real depth and because the storyline was so short and the book so quick, I didn't really connect with them on an emotional level. The romance was a light aside that was needed but nothing groundbreaking.
I also felt the author needed to be a little more realistic with how people with serious sword injuries are impacted. I won't spoil anything but it was HIGHLY unrealistic and therefore made the (rather rushed) ending pretty ridiculous.
Overall, a book that I wouldn't recommend. This could have been a really great duology with detail and excitement. Instead it was rushed and lacking in real depth.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern/African fantasy and female rage books and so this sounded like an absolute dream of a read for me! Sadly though...it definitely didn't live up to my hopes.
Aicha is based around the real history of the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta from the Marinid Sultanate of Morocco. It is a story based on our lead female Aicha, the youngest daughter of a blacksmith who is also an underground Moroccan rebel fighting against the Portuguese to get their land back. The story is told over a very short amount of time and is split into days before the siege happens.
Aicha is a strong young woman who fights and smuggles alongside her Father, sister and secret boyfriend to help the Moroccan people.
The story overall is very basic. It is lacking in detail and skims over a lot information, making it rather surface level. It is quite repetitive but as it is a fast read, I stuck with it in the hopes things would improve. Sadly, that wasn't the case.
The fantasy aspect of the book is based around jinn that some of the characters can see. We get a tiny bit more detail as the book continues but it doesn't add much to the story which was a shame. All I will say is that Aicha is a woman filled with rage and an internal voice urging her to spill the blood of and destroy her enemies. This is in the summary and so I wasn't surprised at all by the lead up and ending of the book.
What I did like was that Aicha's father and their community are Muslim and he trains his girls to fight with swords, smuggle and take care of themselves. It was a refreshing change from generally the women being the wives and childbearers in middle Eastern books. He raised two strong females and that was wonderful to read.
I also generally liked the writing. It was engaging and quick to read and without that, I likely would have DNFed.
The characters were fine, but lacking in any real depth and because the storyline was so short and the book so quick, I didn't really connect with them on an emotional level. The romance was a light aside that was needed but nothing groundbreaking.
I also felt the author needed to be a little more realistic with how people with serious sword injuries are impacted. I won't spoil anything but it was HIGHLY unrealistic and therefore made the (rather rushed) ending pretty ridiculous.
Overall, a book that I wouldn't recommend. This could have been a really great duology with detail and excitement. Instead it was rushed and lacking in real depth.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
ARC REVIEW
I wanted to dnf this so bad 40% in. I am so disappointed I think I need to stop reading books described as “female rage”. Being of Moroccan descent myself, the representation is nice but I’m not sure it’s accessible if you don’t know this part of history (Portuguese occupation of the North of Morocco) but also if you don’t speak Arabic.
Except for the one tame smut scene, this book feels very YA. The writing is not particular, it lacks the use of pronouns as the names of every character are repeated over again. It’s also very bland, it doesn’t really make you feel anything. The characters came out as shallow there’s nothing deeper explained about them. I did not care about any of them. One thing that was also very peculiar with the writing was the ability to make transitions. We went from paragraph to paragraph changing locations, povs and situations and it was done so abruptly 😔😔
I’m still not sure what is happening with Aïcha’s power and I did feel that it was weird having magic powers but also being Muslim. It doesn’t make a lot of sense I’m not sure it was necessary to make the characters Muslim as such, nor exactly name Portugal Portugal and Morocco Morocco. It read like a fictional history book.
I wanted to dnf this so bad 40% in. I am so disappointed I think I need to stop reading books described as “female rage”. Being of Moroccan descent myself, the representation is nice but I’m not sure it’s accessible if you don’t know this part of history (Portuguese occupation of the North of Morocco) but also if you don’t speak Arabic.
Except for the one tame smut scene, this book feels very YA. The writing is not particular, it lacks the use of pronouns as the names of every character are repeated over again. It’s also very bland, it doesn’t really make you feel anything. The characters came out as shallow there’s nothing deeper explained about them. I did not care about any of them. One thing that was also very peculiar with the writing was the ability to make transitions. We went from paragraph to paragraph changing locations, povs and situations and it was done so abruptly 😔😔
I’m still not sure what is happening with Aïcha’s power and I did feel that it was weird having magic powers but also being Muslim. It doesn’t make a lot of sense I’m not sure it was necessary to make the characters Muslim as such, nor exactly name Portugal Portugal and Morocco Morocco. It read like a fictional history book.
February 2, 2026
Aicha is my biggest disappointment of 2026 so far. For a story centered around a rebellion and an impending siege, there was absolutely zero tension. The main character remained rash and immature, refusing to learn from her mistakes and blaming the Bad Guys for her terrible decisions. It was such a disappointingly surface-level story. The fantasy elements are minimal and underdeveloped. And the romance just felt so random and unnecessary.
Aicha wasn’t bad, just exceedingly bland.
But hey, that cover is gorgeous.
Thank you to Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Aicha wasn’t bad, just exceedingly bland.
But hey, that cover is gorgeous.
Thank you to Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
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.
April 2, 2026
3.75*
a loooot of history and buildup to the end but i enjoyed this book so much! i wish the ending was longer but this was such a fascinating tale
a loooot of history and buildup to the end but i enjoyed this book so much! i wish the ending was longer but this was such a fascinating tale
February 12, 2026
DNF @ 25%
I could already tell by the first couple of paragraphs of Chapter 1 that I probably would end up DNF-ing this book. But I kept reading until the 25% mark for the sake of a more informed review. All I could say is, description of scenes and lore dumps do not necessarily equal storytelling. The lack of story (up until the point I stopped reading) was very noticeable, and some trivial information was even mentioned repeatedly in the narrative, as if the author was already running out of things to describe. On top of that, there were many descriptions of details that bear no consequence on the story or actions of the character(s). Terribly disappointing, and especially insulting for the marketing to say that this book was “perfect for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and She Who Became the Sun.”
eARC courtesy of NetGalley and Orbit Books UK.
I could already tell by the first couple of paragraphs of Chapter 1 that I probably would end up DNF-ing this book. But I kept reading until the 25% mark for the sake of a more informed review. All I could say is, description of scenes and lore dumps do not necessarily equal storytelling. The lack of story (up until the point I stopped reading) was very noticeable, and some trivial information was even mentioned repeatedly in the narrative, as if the author was already running out of things to describe. On top of that, there were many descriptions of details that bear no consequence on the story or actions of the character(s). Terribly disappointing, and especially insulting for the marketing to say that this book was “perfect for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and She Who Became the Sun.”
eARC courtesy of NetGalley and Orbit Books UK.
March 24, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
Aicha is a historical-inspired fantasy novel written by Soraya Bouazzaoui, published by Orbit Books. A proposal that takes its inspiration from the Moroccan folkloric figure of Aicha Kandicha, setting the story against the backdrop of the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, and partly grounding it to deliver a story of feminine rage, fight against colonization, and the importance of the loved ones.
Aicha, daughter of a Moroccan freedom fighter, has growth up with the increased hardships imposed by Portuguese colonizers on her people and environment, a society where the occupiers rule. With the sultan's army on its way to end the Portuguese rule, Aicha's people face even harsher conditions, with Duarte tightening the grip over the colonized; injustices that spark a flame inside Aicha, a darker power that threatens to consume her. The story of a fight for freedom against colonization.
We have a plot that revolves around the figure of Aicha, a character that Bouazzaoui puts a great effort into fleshing out; she is a tempest, a really temperamental person whose trigger tends to be the abuses her people are suffering from their colonizers. Each time she lets that rage take over her, we can see her internal conflict with the creature that habits inside her; a rage that usually is soothed by Rashid, her lover from childhood. The romance between those is pretty sweet, actually, and contrasts with how bleak certain parts of this book can be.
Duarte, as the main villain, embodies all the abuses colonizers exert against the local population; and even in his final act, we can see the kind of man that would prefer to destroy a possession if the alternative is giving it freedom. I couldn't have choosen a better character to spark Aicha's flame.
Bouazzaoui has woven a setting that oozes authenticity, putting meticulous attention to reflect the minimal details of daily life in the city: their food, how they practice their faith in secret as it is punished, and all those minor acts that constitute life. It is true that the pacing can suffer a bit as a consequence of this decision, but I can assure that this kind of slow burn has the perfect pay-off (even if it's painful).
I absolutely loved reading Aicha, and if you are looking for an excellent historical-inspired fantasy novel that exudes authenticity, a story of fighting against colonization and for your people imbued in feminine rage.
Aicha is a historical-inspired fantasy novel written by Soraya Bouazzaoui, published by Orbit Books. A proposal that takes its inspiration from the Moroccan folkloric figure of Aicha Kandicha, setting the story against the backdrop of the Portuguese occupation of Morocco, and partly grounding it to deliver a story of feminine rage, fight against colonization, and the importance of the loved ones.
Aicha, daughter of a Moroccan freedom fighter, has growth up with the increased hardships imposed by Portuguese colonizers on her people and environment, a society where the occupiers rule. With the sultan's army on its way to end the Portuguese rule, Aicha's people face even harsher conditions, with Duarte tightening the grip over the colonized; injustices that spark a flame inside Aicha, a darker power that threatens to consume her. The story of a fight for freedom against colonization.
We have a plot that revolves around the figure of Aicha, a character that Bouazzaoui puts a great effort into fleshing out; she is a tempest, a really temperamental person whose trigger tends to be the abuses her people are suffering from their colonizers. Each time she lets that rage take over her, we can see her internal conflict with the creature that habits inside her; a rage that usually is soothed by Rashid, her lover from childhood. The romance between those is pretty sweet, actually, and contrasts with how bleak certain parts of this book can be.
Duarte, as the main villain, embodies all the abuses colonizers exert against the local population; and even in his final act, we can see the kind of man that would prefer to destroy a possession if the alternative is giving it freedom. I couldn't have choosen a better character to spark Aicha's flame.
Bouazzaoui has woven a setting that oozes authenticity, putting meticulous attention to reflect the minimal details of daily life in the city: their food, how they practice their faith in secret as it is punished, and all those minor acts that constitute life. It is true that the pacing can suffer a bit as a consequence of this decision, but I can assure that this kind of slow burn has the perfect pay-off (even if it's painful).
I absolutely loved reading Aicha, and if you are looking for an excellent historical-inspired fantasy novel that exudes authenticity, a story of fighting against colonization and for your people imbued in feminine rage.
March 20, 2026
First, I’m not sure why people are hating on the sex scene. The author talked about it in the authors note at the beginning of the book.
I do agree that the fantasy elements are light. We don’t see any thing significant until the last 5% of the book. What is the point of female rage if you hold it back until it’s too late and you lose everything? I really liked the story until the end. The message is so relevant to today’s world, which the author acknowledges at the end, yet Aicha still held back. Can we please get some female rage where she doesn’t have to lose absolutely everything in her life before she acts?!?
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC of this book.
I do agree that the fantasy elements are light. We don’t see any thing significant until the last 5% of the book. What is the point of female rage if you hold it back until it’s too late and you lose everything? I really liked the story until the end. The message is so relevant to today’s world, which the author acknowledges at the end, yet Aicha still held back. Can we please get some female rage where she doesn’t have to lose absolutely everything in her life before she acts?!?
Thank you to Orbit for the ARC of this book.
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Aicha is inspired by moroccan myth and the portuguese occupation of Ceuta, where the daughter of a blacksmith fights for freedom of her people.
I didn't know the myth of Aicha Kandisha and I'm glad I didn't, because I'd be even more disappointed.
This book is very quick, the action is happening in the seven days counting down towards the big siege, but I did not feel the hurry or anticipation or walls pressing on me while reading. Aicha is at the same time too fast and too slow, the pace did not match the plot at all, because we got focus more on mundane things like going on errands than at the actual fighting or preparing for battle or going on missions.
At the same time, not much was said about her magical monstrous abilities that really popped up maybe five times and we saw the full scope of it in the last 3 pages. So the big advertising about her being a monster and female rage feels inadequate.
Also there's a lot of focus on Aicha relationship with Rachid and a lot of talks with her family, but because everything was so fast, I didn't feel much emotions towards them. I liked Aicha and Rachid together, but I do think the sex scene was unnecessary and giving it the whole chapter further disturbed the pacing.
Overall it wasn't bad, but I was hoping for something more.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
I didn't know the myth of Aicha Kandisha and I'm glad I didn't, because I'd be even more disappointed.
This book is very quick, the action is happening in the seven days counting down towards the big siege, but I did not feel the hurry or anticipation or walls pressing on me while reading. Aicha is at the same time too fast and too slow, the pace did not match the plot at all, because we got focus more on mundane things like going on errands than at the actual fighting or preparing for battle or going on missions.
At the same time, not much was said about her magical monstrous abilities that really popped up maybe five times and we saw the full scope of it in the last 3 pages. So the big advertising about her being a monster and female rage feels inadequate.
Also there's a lot of focus on Aicha relationship with Rachid and a lot of talks with her family, but because everything was so fast, I didn't feel much emotions towards them. I liked Aicha and Rachid together, but I do think the sex scene was unnecessary and giving it the whole chapter further disturbed the pacing.
Overall it wasn't bad, but I was hoping for something more.
Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The atmosphere of the book heavy and realistic. It really felt like I’m being in the middle of a war living through the characters.
Aicha a very strong headed young girl full of rage, who loves her big sister Samira (I’m not sure if that’s how the name’s spelled) so much and aspires to be like her.
Their father teaches them how to fight and take care of themselves and not be dependent on any man.
Inspired by real events with a fictional and fantasy twist to it.
Full of strong female characters fighting against a world ruled by men in the middle of a war.
The love between the sisters touched me so deeply.
Naima (I’m not sure if that’s how her name’s spelled) and Aicha’s friendship and what the can do for each other was also one of the things I liked while listening.
Aicha and Rashid’s love storyline had the perfect amount of presence without making the book too romantic.
The darkness inside of Aicha, that monster anticipating to come out and that’s when havoc erupts.
The narrator did a very good job with bringing the story to life and it feeling authentic to where the story takes place.
The fantasy element wasn’t as prominent as expected but I still had a blast listening!
The ending wrecked my heart to pieces and I shed a tear.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC of the book in exchange of my honest feedback!
Aicha a very strong headed young girl full of rage, who loves her big sister Samira (I’m not sure if that’s how the name’s spelled) so much and aspires to be like her.
Their father teaches them how to fight and take care of themselves and not be dependent on any man.
Inspired by real events with a fictional and fantasy twist to it.
Full of strong female characters fighting against a world ruled by men in the middle of a war.
The love between the sisters touched me so deeply.
Naima (I’m not sure if that’s how her name’s spelled) and Aicha’s friendship and what the can do for each other was also one of the things I liked while listening.
Aicha and Rashid’s love storyline had the perfect amount of presence without making the book too romantic.
The darkness inside of Aicha, that monster anticipating to come out and that’s when havoc erupts.
The narrator did a very good job with bringing the story to life and it feeling authentic to where the story takes place.
The fantasy element wasn’t as prominent as expected but I still had a blast listening!
The ending wrecked my heart to pieces and I shed a tear.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC of the book in exchange of my honest feedback!
March 25, 2026
Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for the gifted arc!! I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it’s a moving commentary on colonialism and Islamophobia (it’s based on the Portuguese occupation of Morocco in the 1700s) and Aicha, our freedom-fighter FMC, succumbs to her rage and becomes a man-eating succubus (based on the Moroccan myth of Aicha Kandicha). On the other hand, I just didn’t feel emotionally invested in the characters/plot—I felt like we were told a lot about Aicha’s rage, but it wasn’t really shown. This book was definitely on the shorter side, and I think it would’ve been more impactful if it had been longer and really delved into her experiences/her family more.
I found Aicha to be a frustrating character because she was so (rightfully) full of this rage, but her decisions were more on par with that of a YA novel FMC, rather than an adult. Without the one spicy chapter, I think this would’ve fit more into the YA genre.
Despite my issues with this book, I did enjoy it. It leans more historical than fantasy imo. I was unfamiliar with the Aicha Kandicha myth before this, and I found the folklore and setting to be the best parts of this book.
I found Aicha to be a frustrating character because she was so (rightfully) full of this rage, but her decisions were more on par with that of a YA novel FMC, rather than an adult. Without the one spicy chapter, I think this would’ve fit more into the YA genre.
Despite my issues with this book, I did enjoy it. It leans more historical than fantasy imo. I was unfamiliar with the Aicha Kandicha myth before this, and I found the folklore and setting to be the best parts of this book.
April 2, 2026
uh it was so underwhelming…
the premise of this book was very promising but it didn’t deliver. one of the main reasons why is THE PACING (absolutely atrocious) for a fantasy book this short; it was like trying to run against a river current.
maybe my expectations were misguided, but i was promised female rage, and i got an entitled, hotheaded 20-year-old 💆🏽♀️😪 i was completely checked out when, around 90% of the way through, it started to feel like what was promised in the blurb.
what was missing was also a richer description of the environment… the potential was here.
thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the ARC
the premise of this book was very promising but it didn’t deliver. one of the main reasons why is THE PACING (absolutely atrocious) for a fantasy book this short; it was like trying to run against a river current.
maybe my expectations were misguided, but i was promised female rage, and i got an entitled, hotheaded 20-year-old 💆🏽♀️😪 i was completely checked out when, around 90% of the way through, it started to feel like what was promised in the blurb.
what was missing was also a richer description of the environment… the potential was here.
thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the ARC
March 21, 2026
Picture this: the lyrics of “Just A Man” from Epic the Musical. But specifically the part that goes “But when does the comet become a meteor?
When does a candle become a blaze?
When does a man become a monster?
When does a ripple become a tidal wave?
When does the reason become the blame?
When does a man become a monster? “
That’s this book, a spark of a candle lit in the heart of a girl that quickly burns into a blaze against colonial and patriarchal violence, a woman turned monster turned legend.
This book is “good for her” feral feminine rage personified and I enjoyed it so much that I put it down at 90% and didn’t pick it back up again for a few days because I didn’t want it to end.
I don’t know what’s in the water but the debuts of the past six months have been absolutely blowing me away and this one is no exception!
Did not finish
March 19, 2026DNF at 14% solely because of the trigger warnings. I don’t think I’ll be able to stomach through the trigger warnings at the moment, as I’m just not in the right headspace to power through. Maybe in the near future, I’ll pick up the book again when I’m in the right headspace because I did genuinely enjoy the writing from what I’ve read so far.
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