Full review on: Flipping Through the Pages

I read Mirage way back in 2018. It had been more than two years since I was waiting for the sequel, and I can say it didn't disappoint. This story of rebellion and colonialism felt even more interesting and refreshing.

Content & Trigger warnings: physical assault, violence, murder of a child (off- page), grief, trauma, colonization
Representation: Ownvoices Moroccan-inspired world and characters; lesbian main character and love interest

Court of Lions begins a few weeks after the end of the previous book, Mirage. The rift and distance between Amani and Maram is still fresh. Amani has been kept in isolation after her rebel connections were revealed. Then when it was time for Maram’s wedding to Idris, Amani was brought back to her duties as Maram’s body double. But Amani also starts plotting to keep Maram on the throne as she believed Maram was the rightful ruler of Andala. On the other hand, Maram tries to fight her own fears of becoming queen and getting married while she is forming a relationship with her mysterious new falconer (uhmm this I didn’t expect