Aiza is charming and spunky, and although she can seem naive as she chases her lofty dreams, she also admirably clings to her desire to do good. Her colors and illustrations themselves are epic, too. Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas’ Squire takes readers on a heart-pounding adventure set in a fantasy world inspired by the history and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. And it’s pretty great.) But as she starts to find her footing and succeed, it also becomes clear that maybe she doesn’t want to be part of what a conquering military is up to, and that maybe all that violence isn’t quite as heroic as she’d believed.Īlfageeh’s art is just amazing, and I particularly loved the way she used panels in the book - it feels like she’s been influence by manga, European comics, and American comics, too, and combines the best of each. After she fails a few tests she’s given one last chance, and finds help in the form of a former solder who helps her train at night, and who teaches her that her small size can be a strength. Aiza’s determination makes her stand out from the other recruits, though there are some who think she doesn’t belong among them. The days are long, the training grueling, and those who can’t make the cut are sent off to the front lines (where they likely don’t live long). Her adventure is, of course, not quite what she’d hope for. Her parents are unsupportive but eventually let her choose her own path, though they ask her to hide the fact that she’s Ornu. If she can become a Squire and eventually a Knight, she’ll be allowed to apply for citizenship and all its benefits. When the Emir plans to expand the Bayt-Sajji military, she wants to join up. 336pp.Īiza is an Ornu girl who lives in a camp in a conquered territory with her family. Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas.

Squire sara alfageeh