Summary:
Laila, a middle Eastern princess, her brother and mother have been moved from their palace to the US. A coup killed her father, so life has changed dramatically. Laila has to adjust to an American high school, make new friends, and try to appease her mother who wants her to spy on Amir, a boy from the rebel country. Eventually, Laila begins to work with the CiA to take back the power within her home country. The problem is that the way she views her father and the way the rebels do is quite different. While attempting to take everything in, Laila definitely sees the world as a whole new place.
My thoughts:
I love the point of view within this novel. It's so different and really makes me question how we think about "enemies". I enjoyed the reality of situations within the story. Things never felt far fetched and everything wasn't wrapped up in a nice little bow. The teenage drama seems to go up and down, which I would definitely understand with a new high school student. Laila doesn't immediately become the popular girl or the outcast. The men in her life are not easily rescuing her from one thing to another. It actually seemed like a real high school student that was forced to deal with real problems in the school on top of other things within her life. There are times where I would have enjoyed a more powerful stance or action, but overall I really enjoyed the story.
Laila, a middle Eastern princess, her brother and mother have been moved from their palace to the US. A coup killed her father, so life has changed dramatically. Laila has to adjust to an American high school, make new friends, and try to appease her mother who wants her to spy on Amir, a boy from the rebel country. Eventually, Laila begins to work with the CiA to take back the power within her home country. The problem is that the way she views her father and the way the rebels do is quite different. While attempting to take everything in, Laila definitely sees the world as a whole new place.
My thoughts:
I love the point of view within this novel. It's so different and really makes me question how we think about "enemies". I enjoyed the reality of situations within the story. Things never felt far fetched and everything wasn't wrapped up in a nice little bow. The teenage drama seems to go up and down, which I would definitely understand with a new high school student. Laila doesn't immediately become the popular girl or the outcast. The men in her life are not easily rescuing her from one thing to another. It actually seemed like a real high school student that was forced to deal with real problems in the school on top of other things within her life. There are times where I would have enjoyed a more powerful stance or action, but overall I really enjoyed the story.
Laila is forced to flee her homeland with her mother and six year old brother after the assassination of her father. She attempts to find her place in her new home and through the political maneuverings that surround her. This book is marketed for children's/young adult but deals with the adult topics of loss, politics, and difficult choices.
Read my full review at: Memories From Books
*** Reviewed based on a publishers galley received through NetGalley ***
Read my full review at: Memories From Books
*** Reviewed based on a publishers galley received through NetGalley ***
