Nehal and Georgina live very different lives. Nehal is pampered and wealthy, whilst Georgina is poor and downtrodden. However, in the eyes of their countryfolk, both women are defined by their gender and the expectations that come with it. This is a rousing story of women finding their voices and trying to bring about change in a world that is against them.

The world building is vibrant, weaving magic effortlessly through a story of oppression that is heartbreakingly familiar. This book is a real hard hitter.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was engrossed from the first chapter, and the writing was addictive, making it difficult to put down. I enjoy the magic system; female characters are dominant and powerful. I'm looking forward to the sequel as well as the author's other works. Thanks so much netgalley and orbit for the ARC! I loved it

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai 💧🤲🏼✨

My first ever eArc, thanks so much Orbit!!

I’ve been trying to find something to fill in the void ever since finishing the Daevabad Trilogy and this book has come close to it!!

What a well paced and action packed story told from two female POVs in a very unequal world whose stories are intertwined in a different take on a ‘love triangle’ which was refreshing to read

Theres some great representation, an elemental weaving magic system (which I actually thought there needed to be more of) and an academy setting which I know I always enjoy in a book, there’s always something different going on

The ending sets up for the second book in this duology very well which isn’t just reliant on the cliff hanger at the end

Netgalley e-arc given in exchange for a review

This was a book I was highly anticipating and my goodness it did not let me down! I adored this from the very first page! The magic system is completely fresh and unique oh so beautiful and whimsical. Similarly, the magic system and and political storyline have been so well thought through and is so well fleshed out, it makes everything feel so real and believable, the world building in this book is spectacular. All the details and gorgeous descriptions really immersed me and fully transported me to this world where this fantastic story unfolded. The story was engaging and gripping - from the word go, I was so wholeheartedly invested in our characters and their stories and I found once I started reading, I flew through the book in next to no time and was devouring this book so quickly, so eager to read what happens next. I actually really loved all the characters - which is unusual for me! I normally don’t like all of them, but in this instance I did and wanted to read more about them and spend more time in their presence!

This is such a fantastic epic read and I am so happy for how much I loved it. It has more than captured my attention and I can’t wait to read it again when the book is out next year! I’ve also heard it’s a duology which I’m really hoping is true because my goodness - I need more!!!

What a book!!!

I had an absolutely fantastic time reading this book and I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to tell you all the reasons you should read it.
1) Elemental Magic
I am a classic fantasy reader and I am not ashamed to say that elemental magic, however many times I have seen it done, will always get me excited. I thought that the magic in this book (known as 'Weaving') was fascinating and while we didn't get to necessarily see all the ways weaving could be weilded and all the different kinds of weaving I got enough to know that I am looking forward to some potential combat scenes in future books.
2) Fantastic characters
I loved both Nehal and Giorgina (our POV characters) who both managed to capture that je ne sais quoi of a fantasy heroine where on the one hand they are utterly badass and incredibly likeable and yet they are not complete characatures of people who would never exist. I think if I had to pick a favourite it would be Nehal...no Giorgina...no...
3) Characters who actually communicate? Characters who are figuring out messy relationships in a way where they can be honest with each other and experiment and yes they have fights but broadly speaking theirs a goal of working things out and recognising privilege and using that privilege to help others and NEED I SAY MORE?
4) Ok I will say more - the themes of this book and the aims of the women of the Daughters of Izdihar to liberate themselves and other women could not be more poignant I'm sure you know. I thought that this story managed to balance the hopelessness of being in a system that does not want you to have more freedom and thus will try and stifle you at every opportunity with the triumph of joining together and daring to hope and to fight for something better. This book is no joyous romp but nor is it a tragedy fest - Hadeer Elsbai manages to hit the nail on the head in a way I rarely see it done - well.

I will be recommending this to everyone in the new year and you can bet I'm already lining up my reading schedule for the next book.
My rating: 5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this eARC!

Told through two POV's from very different women who are at polar opposites of life in terms of their social status, security, wealth, and respect, this book is a story about female friendships, relationships, the patriarchy, and feminism. All things which I, as a reader, enjoy immensely and am always looking for more of.

Set in a society and a place that values women far less than men, there is also the added fantasy aspect of those in society who have the gift (or curse) of weaving; using elements to fight, in most instances. There is growing political unrest throughout the country, with some demanding that weavers be banned due to their 'dangerous' gifts, and others protesting the same. And at the middle of it all, stand The Daughters of Izdihar - a group of revolutionary women from all walks of life who are fighting for their freedoms and their basic rights.

It all amounts to an excellent foundation for a story however unfortunately I was not as invested in this as I would have liked to have been. The writing is good and the characters are well thought out, and you really do as a reader feel absolute horror and revulsion at some of the crimes committed against these women, and the society in which they live that many of us could not imagine (though admittedly still does exist in some parts of the world). But I wasn't as drawn to the main characters of Nehal and Giorgina as I ought to have been.

Nevertheless, the ending of this was certainly a cliffhanger, and I have nothing inherently against the story, so I will definitely be continuing the series! Hopefully I will feel warmer towards the characters and invested more with the next addition...

This review will be posted to Goodreads, Waterstones and Amazon approx. two weeks prior to the publication date of 12 January 2023, as requested.

Thank you for granting me early access to reading this novel but I think I did myself a disservice because I'm not going to be able to sleep well until I have read book two! OMG what a rush this novel is.! The worldbuilding is what I'm fangirling about, such attention to detail deserves its own award. Kudos to this author because anytime I took a break from reading, I could always tell the difference. Oh, and the characters! I just want to hug this author.

Truth and justice? This isn’t a quaint little folktale where the heroes win because they’re supposed to.

Such a cool cover, let’s see what’s behind it. Goodies. Lots of goodies. A political upheaval, sapphic romance, magic, and a looming war. In the kingdom of Ramsawa, based on a fantastical Egypt, women have no voice. Nehal Darweesh wants to master her innate waterweaving skills and become a soldier. Instead, she learns her parents have arranged her marriage to Niccolo Baldinotti, the son of another influential family. The marriage surprises Nico, too; He already has someone in his life.

Unfortunately, Nehal’s father’s gambling debts won’t pay for themselves, so the two get married. Nehal persuades Nico to allow her to enroll in the Alamaxa Academy of the Weaving Arts to study waterweaving. In return, he can keep his beloved Giorgina Shukry as a concubine. Giorgina and Nehal were both born with elemental magic, but weren’t allowed to be trained because they were women. Both find their way to the Daughters of Izdihar, a clandestine organization fighting for equality. The traditionalists don’t want any progressive changes and react with ire to women daring to study magic and willing to be heard.

The story focuses on Nehal and Giorgina and their paths to challenge society and its norms. Their arcs strongly differ - Nehal comes from a wealthy family and she knows her name has power in the city. Giorgina has nothing but her reputation. I admit, I found Nehal’s voice more interesting. She’s filled with anger and ready to fight for her beliefs. She also rarely listens to anyone, and while she comes from money, she never wastes time worrying about what people are saying about her. Still, she can afford it, contrary to many women coming from less privileged backgrounds.

She has a short fuse, and her angry antics entertain and deliver a strong social commentary. Now, the world here lacks nuance, especially in its presentation of gender relations and approach to queerness. It’s actually quite shallow, but it amplifies the message. If you can turn a blind eye to the lack of subtlety and enjoy characters easily engulfed by a feeling of uncontrollable fury, you’ll be good and have a good time. If, however, you appreciate a more nuanced approach, look for entertainment elsewhere.

I enjoyed the story despite its shortcomings and cartoonish shortcuts. I found Nehal’s voice delightful, and I cheered for her. Giorgina needed more time to develop as a character and find her strength, but once she did, she became an excellent character.

I recommend it to readers looking for emotional, character-driven story focused on the fight for women’s right and sympathetic characters. With its fast-paced storytelling, relatable characters, and solid hooks, The Daughters of Izdihar will hook you from beginning to end.

I'll admit I let this sit on my NetGalley shelf for a bit while working through some other titles but once I started it I couldn't help but keep reading to find what happens next.

This is a rich world and a story centred on two fierce women, fierce in different ways, with a magic system reminiscent of Avatar the Last Airbender (which I make as a wholly complementary comparison).

I love Nehal and Giorgina. As I said, they are two fierce women but they show it in different ways. Nehal is upfront, in your face and unapologetically independent, as only a woman of status in this society can be. Giorgina is obedient on the surface while fighting for rights and independence in secret from her family. Their relationship is actually really refreshing because despite Nehal's arranged marriage to Nico, Giorgina's lover, the two never blame each other for their not quite love triangle. Everyone else does but Nehal does her pushy best to let the two carry on together as long as she can do her thing. And Giorgina recognises the marriage for what it was - the lot of women in society.

The writing of both characters was excellent. The subtle tone shifts in each character's focal chapter reflected their personalities in a way I've not seen from many authors doing multiple character POV books.

I want to see more of these firey ladies and their weaving, I want to see Nico come into his own, I want more Yusry and after the dual cliffhanger I got, I almost need all this more than want.

Cannot wait to see what Hadeer pulls out for book two!