arithewizard's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
HUSNI MY FAVOURITE NONBINARY ICON OF THE BOOK!!!!!! i loved him so much. just the art is the most gorgous thing ever!!! the landscapes and the colours and the architecture is stare worthy, every page is so beautiful. i loved the story and had so many goseebumps in the last parts!!!! i really WISH the og designs w high fantasy elements would have made it to the book and am very sad to have been teased aboht them at the very end agdhjd
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: War and Violence
wraith_demjin's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Blood and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Colonisation, Classism, and Death
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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? No
4.5
Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas is a strong graphic novel that exposes readers to clear social class divisions, intense war training, and expansive imperial coverage. Readers join Ornu teen Aiza as she begins training to become a Squire and, hopefully, a Knight. This distinguished honor would grant Aiza citizenship (and heroism) into Bayt-Sajji, the empire that has colonized a majority of its surrounding territories.
The story of Aiza’s journey is accompanied by a beautiful set of illustrations that use earthy tones as well as light and shadows to create depth and movement throughout each image. All of this helps immerse readers into the rich, detailed, and impressive world Alfageeh and Shammas have created. The inspiration for this fantasy world comes from Middle Eastern landscapes and is filled with beautifully elaborate architecture that is meticulous and complex.
The cast of characters is something to be admired, as well. Each character holds vast complexity and individualism. Aiza, Husni, and Sahar all come from different territories, leaving them with greatly different backgrounds and experiences. This character uniqueness is clearly intentional and is shown through the visual diversity as well as the personalities of each character.
The weakness I want to point out is that the story is that some parts, like the beginning, felt a bit on the slower side. Though this slow pace helps with world-building and character introductions, it has the potential to cause some readers to lose investment and interest in where the story is going. However, when readers do stick it out, they will be pleasantly surprised by the moving story they explore.
This fantasy epic is bound to draw in middle-grade and teen readers alike, whether they are looking to expand their knowledge of fantastical history, contemplate the impact of war and colonization, or read a new, fresh adventure. This story feels like something we have not seen before, especially in graphic novels, and it has the potential to appeal to a vast audience of readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Injury/injury detail, Racism, Blood, Violence, and War
littlecake's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Being part of the army in any way is being part of war.
Squire is a beautifull graphic novel written by two arabic women. It touches on theme of war, colonialism, migration, nationalism and minority. This fictionnal world can serve so much parallels with our reality leaving in a Western country as Arabic and/or Muslim people. This made the story really intersting. Eventhough it touches on such difficult topics, there is a lightness and sense of adventure in it. The book reminded me of familiar mangas or fantasy books while still being so original in its setting and reflection.
The world building is great and inspired from different Muslim and African cultures. Inspirations are drawn for the Ottoman Empire, Bedouins, Arabs and so much more. All the characters' physic shows us the diversity of those country : black, brown and even white-looking people are mixed.
But the setting is nothing without great characters. I loved every single one of them. From the fiesty Aiza, to the torn Baseem, to the intellectual Husni and of course, our mysterious and loveable Doruk. Each one of them felt so fleshed out.
I really loved how this was a standalone book and at the same time, I wanted this to continue for volumes! I hope this blow up and more people read it so that Nadia and Sara can bring us more wonderfull stories !
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
The whole book is about war but without anything too graphic. But if you are highly triggered by this topic, maybe be carefull with this story.melhara's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
I loved the illustrations (the characters, the setting, and the colours) of this graphic novel which is heavily inspired by historical Turkish and Jordanian architecture, fashion, and culture.
The story itself was quite simplistic (appropriate for middle grade and the younger spectrum of YA) - it's about a young girl from a minority group who enlists to become a Squire with the hopes of one day being regarded as a hero.
The book deals with themes of war, patriotism, colonization, Arab representation, and the manipulation of historical narratives.
The story itself was quite simplistic (appropriate for middle grade and the younger spectrum of YA) - it's about a young girl from a minority group who enlists to become a Squire with the hopes of one day being regarded as a hero.
The book deals with themes of war, patriotism, colonization, Arab representation, and the manipulation of historical narratives.
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation, Violence, War, and Injury/injury detail
some_random_person_hi's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
sad
- 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
With the section 'Squire and History' at the end of the graphic novel bc my reading comprehension is poor enough to be mostly unable to pick up on subtext unless if someone points them out to me as added context, the themes were really well executed and the storyline is quite well done. The characters also did stuff/ reacted in ways that made sense and the art popped off the page. A sequel would be really cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Injury/injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Colonisation
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Murder, and War
Minor: Ableism, Grief, and Bullying
clarabooksit's review
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely fantastic. The art is beautiful and filled with life and movement, and the story is gripping and powerful. I loved Aiza and her band of would-be squires and how the story interrogates history, who writes it and what truth actually is or isn’t.
I do think more exposition would have helped at some parts and the pacing was a little too fast, but overall I loved it. It’s full of depth and nuance, and the touches of humor added a lot, too. Highly recommend this one.
I do think more exposition would have helped at some parts and the pacing was a little too fast, but overall I loved it. It’s full of depth and nuance, and the touches of humor added a lot, too. Highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gaslighting, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death and Blood
kaypringle's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
This was hands down one of the most moving and incredible tales I’ve had the chance to read. “Squire” is has an astonishing impact through its nature of being dually remarkable in both its storyline, characters and visuals along with a stunning yet meaningful underlying message about the narrative in which history paints western war torn minority along with the underlying meaning of how the historical narrative of eastern countries is impacted by the “victors” and ones with most influence. As Aiza’s actions demonstrated, we should never stop fighting for change because if we don’t stand against it, what will end the cycle? Please make sure you read this book folks, I hope it touches you as it has me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, and Racism
Minor: Blood
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, War, Violence, Death, Racism, Injury/injury detail, and Xenophobia
literarycavy's review
challenging
dark
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Xenophobia