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dejahentendu's review
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
LGBTQIA positive but with homophobia as well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
nikkihill22's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Abortion and Alcohol
bootrat's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Homophobia
Minor: Abortion
ems_book_shelf's review against another edition
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Blood
0ivy0's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Abortion
I have placed a tag for sexual violence due to the checks that an engaged woman must go through.stardust_heidi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Holy shit. Destroy the patriarchy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
tamarina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: War
bookishmillennial's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
The fantasy worldbuilding totally reminded me of Avatar: The Last Airbender (only because of recency bias, I just watched the new Netflix TV show lol), but I recognize that not every world built upon elements like earth, air, fire and water are only derivative of ATLA. ATLA does not own the copyright and was not the first to do that, I know that! I'm just saying the "weaving" reminded me of it, that's all!
Anyway, I do think the messaging of this women's suffrage movement was extremely heavy handed. Most of the examples of the sexism were overtly sexist and loudly misogynistic. Not too many subdued or covert behaviors displayed, which are sometimes helpful to illustrate too, to show how the patriarchy operates in such insidious ways! However, I didn't find the on-the-nose telling to be exhausting or unnecessary. We need things spelled out sometimes, and that's okay!
This book sets up Nehal and Giorgina's stories (they act a bit like foils against each other) perfectly for the next book in the duology, which I am excited to read! I have the arc so I can't wait to see how this all wraps up!
The fantasy worldbuilding totally reminded me of Avatar: The Last Airbender (only because of recency bias, I just watched the new Netflix TV show lol), but I recognize that not every world built upon elements like earth, air, fire and water are only derivative of ATLA. ATLA does not own the copyright and was not the first to do that, I know that! I'm just saying the "weaving" reminded me of it, that's all!
Anyway, I do think the messaging of this women's suffrage movement was extremely heavy handed. Most of the examples of the sexism were overtly sexist and loudly misogynistic. Not too many subdued or covert behaviors displayed, which are sometimes helpful to illustrate too, to show how the patriarchy operates in such insidious ways! However, I didn't find the on-the-nose telling to be exhausting or unnecessary. We need things spelled out sometimes, and that's okay!
This book sets up Nehal and Giorgina's stories (they act a bit like foils against each other) perfectly for the next book in the duology, which I am excited to read! I have the arc so I can't wait to see how this all wraps up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
rosyapple's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Violence and Blood
saphfics's review
adventurous
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? Yes
3.25
Prepare to be frustrated a lot by all the characters, and especially the men of the cast.
I think the author did a decent job with writing a very patriarchal society and the different effects it can have on very differen women. As well as how the (lack of) privileges different characters have will change how they approach the issue of women's right. The worlbuilding of the cityitself was quite vivid but when it comes to the religion I was left with many questions
At times it felt very on the nose with the way it handled its themes and there was a lot of repetition. Mostly to contrast the two main characters which again felt very on the nose. The story does delve I to why the two are so different and I do appreciate that.
I do feel like the two mains were very distinctive and had their own distinctive voices. However there was an imbalance to how much screen time I felt each of them were getting. Especially in the beginning. Which kind of makes me sad because I feel like we lost some characterization for both that character and the daughters of izdihar as a whole.
All around a pretty engaging read, mostly towards the end. I will read the next book to see how it ends
I think the author did a decent job with writing a very patriarchal society and the different effects it can have on very differen women. As well as how the (lack of) privileges different characters have will change how they approach the issue of women's right. The worlbuilding of the cityitself was quite vivid but when it comes to the religion I was left with many questions
At times it felt very on the nose with the way it handled its themes and there was a lot of repetition. Mostly to contrast the two main characters which again felt very on the nose. The story does delve I to why the two are so different and I do appreciate that.
I do feel like the two mains were very distinctive and had their own distinctive voices. However there was an imbalance to how much screen time I felt each of them were getting. Especially in the beginning. Which kind of makes me sad because I feel like we lost some characterization for both that character and the daughters of izdihar as a whole.
All around a pretty engaging read, mostly towards the end. I will read the next book to see how it ends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Abortion
Minor: War