Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - Squire

Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

Squire by Sara Alfageeh, Nadia Shammas

68 reviews

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

First and foremost, the illustrations in this graphic novel are incredible: filled with action, detail, and a remarkable ability to communicate a wide array of emotions and landscapes. I was hooked from the very beginning by the dedication page, in which Shammas notes, "To Edward Said, for giving me the language to see myself clearly."

Squire follows Aiza, a teenage girl living in Bayt-Sajji. In the narrative, Bayt-Sajji is an empire seeking to expand its borders through militaristic conquest. While there are several colonized identities outlined in the story, Aiza's Ornu heritage is of particular importance. The Ornu are looked down upon by others in the Bayt-Sajji empire - seen as greedy and uncivilized - and often depicted as cowards within the empire's historical narrative. Being an Ornu is a key aspect of Aiza's identity that she is compelled to hide during her military training.

Themes of militarism, colonization, patriotism, and citizenship are deeply woven into the story. At the beginning, Aiza envisions a future for herself beyond the walls of her family's designated camp and its accompanying agricultural life. There were two aspects that really resonated for me during Aiza's confrontation with her parents regarding her desire to enlist. 1) The parents' initial reaction: "How can you be so ungrateful? How can you not accept all we have given you?" and 2) The parents' eventual conclusion: "We will support you if this is truly the path you envision for yourself." And while Aiza begins her squire training with rose colored glasses, she soon comes to find that not all is as it seems, especially when you come from her particular ethnic identity. And all of this comes full circle as Aiza must grapple with some difficult questions. Did I enlist in squire training for personal glory? Would I be comfortable exacting violence in the name of the empire against my own people? What can one person do to challenge the vast machinations of empire?

This graphic novel is not only thoughtful in its approach to these questions, it is written and illustrated in a manner that appears to a wide audience. I can't wait to read this one with my kiddo.

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puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

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

5.0

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aslteric's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

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

4.25

The metaphor in this story is surprising and truly effective.

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dragongirl271's review

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adventurous challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

“Characters are a tool. History, altogether, is a tool, and tools are neutral until they're wielded. When you listen to a story, think about who is telling it. When you listen to a history, think about who it serves.”
Nadia Shammas in her author's note for Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh

If you've even remotely been in the same corner of booktok or bookstagram as I have, you've probably seen this book hyped up a lot. Let me spare you the dramatic reveal: it's worth the hype and it was worth the long wait on the Libby holds list (seriously I started to wonder if I would ever finally get to the front of the line for this book). It's a beautifully drawn story about a scrappy young girl with a sword. What could go wrong?

Seriously though, this is a really well-told story about the importance of accurate history, resisting colonization, rejecting the idea of finding glory in war, and embracing your true identity. The author and illustrator put so much love into this story that it's palpable. I think Aiza’s story is beautiful and I almost wish there was a sequel (if the ending wasn't already perfectly done). The level of nuance the authors depicted was also impressive for a YA book. Aiza and her friends all come to realize the truth of empire in different ways, and it doesn't mean the same thing for all of them. There's a real messiness to that process that can be hard to show, and I really applaud how it was executed.

“‘We saw what happened.’

‘No. We saw what we were told to see.’”

I'm not sure how many fiction YA books out there are so painfully relevant to navigating such a bleak moment in history, but this is definitely one of them.

“In many ways, fantasy and history walk hand in hand, but there’s an important thing about the way we view history in comparison: history is, above all else, neutral. If you are on the outskirts of the empire’s convenient history, however, you know it’s anything but.”

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mariebrunelm's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective tense 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? Yes

5.0

In this visually gorgeous and sadly timely story, Aiza discovers that history is not, in fact, neutral. Born as a second-class citizen, Aiza dreams of becoming a squire, and then perhaps a knight, to wield a sword and become a hero, far from the limitations of her people. When she finally manages to enlist, she starts training with new recruits from all walks of life, and quickly makes friends — and enemies. But is she fighting the right enemy and for the right reasons?

I’m not sure I can praise this book enough. Friends, it is per-fect. From the anticolonial discourse and urge to question authority, to the swoon-worthy art style and colour palette, this graphic novel was very quick to capture my heart. Aiza is a stubborn character desperate to prove herself. Despite a rocky start, a few pages were enough to make me fall for her friend Husni who looks like a rich spoiled kid but has actually a good heart. I loved how nuanced the narration was, especially in the feeling of unease it creates as the grand military discourses fail to inspire Aiza as they should.
Last but not least, the Palestinian-American and Jordanian-American authors masterfully weaved very current themes and situations in this fantasy setting to help us reflect on who gets to tell the story during a conflict.
This book came with quite the hype after it was reviewed by people whose opinion I hold in high regard, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations.

Rep : diverse cast, no romance, and disabled representation.

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lunarblazes's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

this is one of the best books i've ever read. i checked it out from my library on a whim, because long graphic novels are always a fun time, and guys. i was crying on my couch by the end. this book is beautiful. the authors nailed the complexities of navigating your identity under colonization, wanting to make more of yourself but not at the cost of others, and the realities of war. it's tragic and compelling.

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