rljg_798's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Based on other reviews I had low expectations for this book. I think that was a good mindset to have going into this book it is a good interesting story very light fantasy I’d say probably more on a political fiction side then fantasy.
mdelao630's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
tcu3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Women’s rights in a magical Middle East
rhllor's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tea__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
books_andprobablysome_wine's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my! I could not put this one down. I love women. We rock! This is a captivating story about sisterhood and freedom featuring elemental magic and THE sapphic couple goal. One thing I really enjoyed is that I found it difficult to place in history, this might be because I don´t know enough of Egyptian modern history but regardless several of the issues the women in this book face are sadly timeless making me feel like a part of the beautful community that is The Daughters of Izdihar
More feminist sapphic fantasy to the people!
More feminist sapphic fantasy to the people!
fadingapple's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5/5 stars
There were a lot of things about this book I really liked - the world was interesting, I loved Giorgina, and the conflict/political issues were relevant and well rendered. However, I found too many of the main cast difficult to relate to and like to elevate to a higher rating.
Nehal and Nico, I believe, are intended to be opposites of each other just as Nehal and Giorgina are, but differently. The comparison between the women are more obvious - one is rich, one is poor; one is privileged, one is powerless; one goes through life headstrong and reckless, one has hide to stay safe. But I believe there are similar, but more subtle, comparisons with Nehal and Nico - both are wealthy and from influential homes, forced into a marriage they don’t want. But, where Nehal uses her privilege as a blinder and motivation for doing whatever she wants, Nico is blind to his influence and the impact that influence has on others (like Giorgina). As for Giorgina, she sees the others much more clearly than they see themselves, but only near the end realizes the power she wields herself.
My biggest issues were with Nehal and Nico, who I felt were often insufferable and gained very little in the way of meaningful character development. The sapphic storyline also just felt awkwardly placed - perhaps it will gain more relevance in the next book but the homophobia and rumors were there before the relationship started and the weight of it coming to fruition didn’t seem to impact the story in any meaningful way. The women were still outspoken women and weavers - 2 offenses men could never let stand, regardless of their sexual preference, so it just felt like a “pile more” situation.
That said, I did really enjoy the themes of female empowerment and challenging the status quo in this book. While I think the character could use more development, they are effectively used to tell an important story that I enjoyed and think people need to read. The world itself was very interesting as well and I enjoyed the imagery and descriptions of both landscapes and weaving.
Overall I did really enjoy the story and look forward to the sequel. It was written well, I think there is just room for additional maturity in pacing, character development, and general depth of motivation. I still recommend it to all my fantasy lovers!
There were a lot of things about this book I really liked - the world was interesting, I loved Giorgina, and the conflict/political issues were relevant and well rendered. However, I found too many of the main cast difficult to relate to and like to elevate to a higher rating.
Nehal and Nico, I believe, are intended to be opposites of each other just as Nehal and Giorgina are, but differently. The comparison between the women are more obvious - one is rich, one is poor; one is privileged, one is powerless; one goes through life headstrong and reckless, one has hide to stay safe. But I believe there are similar, but more subtle, comparisons with Nehal and Nico - both are wealthy and from influential homes, forced into a marriage they don’t want. But, where Nehal uses her privilege as a blinder and motivation for doing whatever she wants, Nico is blind to his influence and the impact that influence has on others (like Giorgina). As for Giorgina, she sees the others much more clearly than they see themselves, but only near the end realizes the power she wields herself.
My biggest issues were with Nehal and Nico, who I felt were often insufferable and gained very little in the way of meaningful character development. The sapphic storyline also just felt awkwardly placed - perhaps it will gain more relevance in the next book but the homophobia and rumors were there before the relationship started and the weight of it coming to fruition didn’t seem to impact the story in any meaningful way. The women were still outspoken women and weavers - 2 offenses men could never let stand, regardless of their sexual preference, so it just felt like a “pile more” situation.
That said, I did really enjoy the themes of female empowerment and challenging the status quo in this book. While I think the character could use more development, they are effectively used to tell an important story that I enjoyed and think people need to read. The world itself was very interesting as well and I enjoyed the imagery and descriptions of both landscapes and weaving.
Overall I did really enjoy the story and look forward to the sequel. It was written well, I think there is just room for additional maturity in pacing, character development, and general depth of motivation. I still recommend it to all my fantasy lovers!
tsunni's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'm very torn on this. On one hand I think the story did a decent (though ham fisted) job going into some very real feminist issues that reflect both personal experience and stories I've heard from women of more traditional cultures, while also creating some overall sympathetic and likeable flawed characters as protagonists.
On the other hand the writing is definitely clunky, the characters lean toward blunt and one note in service of illustrating the aforementioned issues, and the magic system is lifted straight from Avatar; I was letting that go until the story dove into a subplot about waterbending weaving that was also pulled directly from the same series. The whole arc of water weaving being learned was basically Katara's. That made me raise an eyebrow; there's derivative but this was closer to a straight copy.
Part of me wants to read part two to see how the good parts resolve, especially after a very abrupt cliffhanger. All the less desirable parts of the writing that come along with it is making me hesitate to continue.
On the other hand the writing is definitely clunky, the characters lean toward blunt and one note in service of illustrating the aforementioned issues, and the magic system is lifted straight from Avatar; I was letting that go until the story dove into a subplot about water
Part of me wants to read part two to see how the good parts resolve, especially after a very abrupt cliffhanger. All the less desirable parts of the writing that come along with it is making me hesitate to continue.
sissykatzreads's review against another edition
3.0
The Daughters of Izdihar is a solid 3.5 star book. I enjoyed reading the tale of the two main characters’ struggle to gain the rights they deserve. There were points that I felt it needed to force myself to get through a chapter, but the next chapter I’d be on the edge of my seat. This had a lot to do with which character was the narrator for the chapter. Especially early on in the book. As things progressed, I became more engrossed, but the first half of the book dragged a little for me. I did enjoy the magic system. It reminded me a lot of the bending in Avatar: The Last Air Airbender. Overall, I felt this was a very solid debut novel. While it wasn’t anywhere close to being the favorite book I’ve ever read, it was still enjoyable and I look forward to reading the sequel.
cynsworkshop's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Daughters of Izdihar is the perfect read for fans of Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra.
Splitting between two perspectives, The Daughters of Izdihar follows Nehal and Giorgina, two women brought together by their fight for equality in a man-dominated world.
Storytelling
I absolutely loved The Daughters of Izdihar. Not only because I am a massive fan of The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra but also because the elements behind the fantasy were incredibly relevant to the current climate.
I once had a professor tell me that genre fiction was not real fiction, a statement that I still feel is unfair and inaccurate. The Daughters of Izdihar is the perfect example as to why.
Nehal and Giorgina are two women from two different paths of life. Nehal was born privileged and is often a spoiled rich girl. She is headstrong and determined to use her ability as a waterweaver as more than just a parlor trick. That makes her a good character even when her narcissism sometimes makes her unbearable. Nehal strives for equality. She strives to be more than just a wife who hosts parties at her husband’s house. Nehal wants to be a warrior.
I also love how her character develops, and her powers grow to reflect that. Also, when she joins the suffrage movement, a group of women who call themselves The Daughters of Izdihar, she learns to put her ego aside (at times) and explore her sexuality. Nehal learns to care about more than herself, about something bigger than herself.
As for Giorgina, she comes from a modest family who put pressure on her to be a good daughter, a respectable daughter. Unlike Nehal, Giorgina does not like her gift as an earthweaver. She fears it, making her power uncontrollable as her emotions sometimes get the better.
But much like with Nehal, as life begins to wear down on her, she discovers her voice. She strives to be more outspoken. She strives for equality to make her own decisions and not be shamed for not folding herself into a box.
Nehal and Giorgina are perfect foils for one another, balancing one another out as they struggle with how society views not only their gender but also their magic. They fight for a voice in politics, a path towards equality.
Final Thoughts
The Daughters of Izdihar is a fantastic novel, and I’m incredibly excited for the sequel. They have both grown, but you can see the darker path ahead for some.