If you’re looking for a challenging yet ultimately rewarding read that will make you reassess your ideas of war as a solely masculine sphere (quite specific I know) then look no further than Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King!

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While I initially struggled with this book (twice), once I was past the 75 page mark, I became swept up in it. Military-focused historical fiction isn’t usually my jam, but with The Shadow King, Mengiste is intent on telling a side of military history which is often brushed over or forgotten about completely. During the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, women took up places among men in battle, spurred to protect their country from the colonisers. The orphaned Hirut plays the starring role in this book, the sections focused on her often gave me goosebumps, especially her first appearance with ‘the shadow king’.

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But we get a lot of other perspectives throughout this novel which keeps things interesting. I think Tasnim @reads.and.reveries mentioned this in her review, and I also appreciated how Mengiste reminds you that not everything is clear-cut; no one is 100% evil or 100% good. The oppressed can also be the oppressor in different spheres. The colonisers even get their share of backstory so they’re not just one-dimensional villains (although Fucelli is pretty much just a terrible terrible man - but we also see his weaknesses). This is particularly apparent with the Italian soldier Ettore, who is facing prosecution back in Italy for his Jewish heritage.

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I’ve seen this book described as ‘weighty’ and this is an accurate an adjective as I can think of. It’s weighted with the horrors of war, the violence of colonialism, but also with the fierce resistance and strength of women.