Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The Daughters of Izdihar

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

51 reviews

bea_reads_books's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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dejahentendu's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Pretty solid. Set in a fantasy Egypt (?), Elsbai details the lives of several women struggling for legal equality in a deeply misogynistic society. Each has their own reasons and their own methods, and watching them claim their power was beautiful. The magic isn't terribly innovative, but does it have to be? The point was revolution and growth!

LGBTQIA positive but with homophobia as well

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nikkihill22's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I liked this story, but found myself frustrated with most of the characters, particularly Nehal who has never once thought about restraint or prudence. The world was engaging, and I’ll probably read the next book too. I also find there wasn’t really much progress made, it feels like the characters mostly ended the story the way they started it, as far as their thoughts and perspectives go.

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bootrat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I struggled to get into this when I first started reading this, though I'm not really sure why. When I picked it up again 18 months later I devoured it! Now I need to go and pick up the sequel and see how it ends asap.

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ems_book_shelf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

3.5

i wish i did not find Nehal as selfish as i did, but nonetheless this book was a really fun read. the politics were written well, the feminine movement was exciting to read, the SLIGHT character growth in Nico was fine but i neeeed more from him. excited to continue with the next book!

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veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but I think I was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot more politically focused than I anticipated and was something hard to get through. However, I really enjoyed the pace and structure of the plot. Worldbuilding in any fantasy book can be a mouthful, but once you get past it, there is a lot of potential here. By halfway through, I was super invested and hooked. I don’t feel extremely attached to the characters, but I do like them a lot and I can’t wait to see where they end up in the second book.

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0ivy0's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The Daughters of Izdihar is a sappic fantasy in an Egyptian-inspired world with elemental magic.

We follow a split POV between two women, connected by one man, as they strive for women's (and weaver's rights), developing as people on the way.

This is definitely not an emotionally easy read fantasy, it isn't all fun and silly, but it was still really enjoyable.

I loved the world, though it felt very much like magical realism which isn't really my favourite type of world-building. There was plenty of lore that affects the storyline and I did really enjoy the plot.
This was a slower-paced story but I really enjoyed that because it meant that plot points and emotions had time to set in.

I also really enjoyed the characters, they were both different, having opposing methods and thought processes which made it really interesting to see them strive towards the same thing and to see how they could both learn from each other.

Throughout were discussions about misogyny and oppression, including particular... checks...when a woman will get married, which was detailed and uncomfortable - but this was purposeful. The detail provided was needed and didn't feel excessive.
I enjoyed exploring the manipulation of the truth by people with power / authority, which is very compelling and relates to a lot of things that are happening in the world.

There wasn't really anything I disliked about this book, even though it isn't one I am very, very excited about because it was an emotionally heavy read. I will definitely be finishing the duology and am so glad I read this book.

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