A review by cynsworkshop
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

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.