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Aicha
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17 days and 11:29:56
1 copies available
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TEMPTRESS. MONSTER. WARRIOR.
Aicha tells the tale of Morocco's warrior goddess, her strange magic, vicious rebellion and devastating romance. This is a story of female rage and lesser known myths, perfect for fans of She Who Became the Sun, The Jasmine Throne and Circe.
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.
Aicha tells the tale of Morocco's warrior goddess, her strange magic, vicious rebellion and devastating romance. This is a story of female rage and lesser known myths, perfect for fans of She Who Became the Sun, The Jasmine Throne and Circe.
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.
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
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10586 people want to read
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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.
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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
Currently reading
March 3, 2026── ✦ pre-read review
i have a feeling i'm going to love this one. 🙂↕️
eARC provided by netgalley & orbit
i have a feeling i'm going to love this one. 🙂↕️
eARC provided by netgalley & orbit
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! 🧡🧡
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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🤍🤍🤍
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.
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.
February 28, 2026
This is one of the most devastating and powerful short novels I’ve read in a long time. In under 300 pages, it delivers an insane amount of emotional weight in the form of heartbreak, rage, grief and love.
At its centre, Aicha is family-bond centred, driven by loss and the inheritance of pain across generations. The political impact is huge and Bouazzaoui writes a brutal yet realistic tale of colonial violence, persecution and resistance with an unforgettable female main character full of rage.
There is so much story packed into such a short space, making this one of the best novels under 300 pages I’ve read so far. That said, I did find myself wishing for more particularly when it came to Fouad. He was such an intriguing character but his backstory felt underexplored and I would have loved deeper insight into his motivations and history. Similarly, a few concepts are introduced without being fully explained, which occasionally dragged me out of the story.
At its centre, Aicha is family-bond centred, driven by loss and the inheritance of pain across generations. The political impact is huge and Bouazzaoui writes a brutal yet realistic tale of colonial violence, persecution and resistance with an unforgettable female main character full of rage.
There is so much story packed into such a short space, making this one of the best novels under 300 pages I’ve read so far. That said, I did find myself wishing for more particularly when it came to Fouad. He was such an intriguing character but his backstory felt underexplored and I would have loved deeper insight into his motivations and history. Similarly, a few concepts are introduced without being fully explained, which occasionally dragged me out of the story.
February 4, 2026
Ohhh I had high hopes, but unfortunately this was a very girlboss retelling without a ton of substance. The magical elements are very limited - which I might have been fine with if the plot was strong enough.
Aicha is supposed to be a radical revolutionary who changes destiny, but she’s a very immature character. I don’t mean just flawed. I love a flawed character. I don’t love a character who acts 13 when she’s supposed to be 20.
Overall I think the marketing here is a bit misleading, and this story suffers from pacing issues.
Aicha is supposed to be a radical revolutionary who changes destiny, but she’s a very immature character. I don’t mean just flawed. I love a flawed character. I don’t love a character who acts 13 when she’s supposed to be 20.
Overall I think the marketing here is a bit misleading, and this story suffers from pacing issues.
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.
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.”
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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.5 Stars
I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern 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 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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such an interesting concept. Also a veeeery timely read for our current socioeconomic climate 🙃🫠
Anyways, this book captures the story of a Moroccan family under Portuguese occupation. I do agree with other reviewers, this isn't "a woman's rage", this is the rage of anyone fighting for their homeland. For freedom, for space, for peace.
There was a lot of good- the representation, the culture, and some of the world building.
I didnt care as much for the lack of depth in some of the side characters. I also wish there was less "telling" and more "showing", I wanted to feel her rage and her connection with Rachid moooooore. I do think this at times read YA/NA.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such an interesting concept. Also a veeeery timely read for our current socioeconomic climate 🙃🫠
Anyways, this book captures the story of a Moroccan family under Portuguese occupation. I do agree with other reviewers, this isn't "a woman's rage", this is the rage of anyone fighting for their homeland. For freedom, for space, for peace.
There was a lot of good- the representation, the culture, and some of the world building.
I didnt care as much for the lack of depth in some of the side characters. I also wish there was less "telling" and more "showing", I wanted to feel her rage and her connection with Rachid moooooore. I do think this at times read YA/NA.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 26, 2026
What happens when a group of people (an one young woman) are pushed to their breaking point?
Aicha is an epic high fantasy novel that follows the protagonist, Aicha, as she grapples with djinn magic that’s fueled by her rage and hatred for colonization. Aicha is the culmination of every person who’s had to succumb to sexism, apartheid, and ego. I felt this book was beautifully written and had the perfect amount of action, inner monologue, and dialogue between characters. The family dynamics were excellent as well as the blooming love between Rachid and Aicha.
Aicha is an epic high fantasy novel that follows the protagonist, Aicha, as she grapples with djinn magic that’s fueled by her rage and hatred for colonization. Aicha is the culmination of every person who’s had to succumb to sexism, apartheid, and ego. I felt this book was beautifully written and had the perfect amount of action, inner monologue, and dialogue between characters. The family dynamics were excellent as well as the blooming love between Rachid and Aicha.
December 6, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
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.
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
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
March 20, 2024IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SORAYA 🥹🫶🏻
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