Gr 7 Up--In a Middle Eastern fantasy setting, this is the story of a young Ornu girl growing up in the Bayt-Sajii Empire. Aiza and her family are forced to live in a community for the marginalized Ornu people, which provides them safety within the Empire but not much more. She dreams of leaving her small farming community to become a hero, and when an opportunity arises to join the army in hopes of becoming a squire (and eventually a knight, which would grant her citizenship), she is eager to serve the Empire. Yet almost immediately, she begins to question the history being taught to the new recruits: that the Empire is at war only because other nations refuse to return to the golden age, when all nations flourished as one. Over time, Aiza learns what it truly means to be a hero and the ways in which historical narratives are used to manipulate people. Alfageeh's artwork is stunning, with inspiration taken from Middle Eastern countries, specifically Turkey and Jordan. The recruits train in a place reminiscent of Petra, with buildings carved into red-toned cliffs, and Aiza and the majority of characters are depicted in various tones of brown skin and hair. Extensive author and artist notes on the process of creating the book are included. VERDICT An action-packed graphic novel in a beautifully depicted world, sure to inspire and engage young audiences.--Amanda Melilli

Teenage Aiza hungers for adventure and hopes to become a Squire in the Bayt-Sajji army, which would set her on the path to knighthood. Being a Knight means heroism, glory, and--for those like Aiza who reside in conquered territories--the possibility of full citizenship. As an Ornu person, easily recognized by the tattoo on her right arm, Aiza faces discrimination from those who resent her people's hesitation about integrating. Altering her identification papers and covering up her tattoo, she sets off and joins an ethnically diverse cohort that reflects the vast reach of the Bayt-Sajji Empire and the vision of unification held by Gen. Hende, the woman who oversees the recruits' training. After Aiza fails the first set of Squire tests, she finds an unexpected mentor in groundskeeper Doruk, who helps Aiza improve her sword work but warns her about the violent realities of war; he lost his right arm in battle. History as a purposefully crafted narrative is a dominant theme throughout the story, underscored by calls for unity. The setting, which reads as a fantasy version of Jordan, is beautifully and luminously colored, with artwork that emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow. The characters' expressions are another visual highlight, used to great effect for both comic and dramatic impact. An engaging graphic novel that examines the nature of prejudice and the cost of imperial expansion. (character sketches, historical notes, creators' notes) (Graphic fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

As an Ornu, a second-class citizen, Aiza knows knighthood is her only path to full citizenship in Bayt-Sajji. She hides her heritage by covering her Ornu tattoos in bandages, and then, eager for adventure, she enlists in the Bayt-Sajji army. Life at camp, however, quickly shatters Aiza's glorious illusions of war; if she fails training, she'll be deployed to the infantry, where she will surely die on the front lines. But Aiza is determined to succeed. Armed with her conviction--and an upbeat, headstrong, funny personality--Aiza amasses both enemies and friends, including a bearded, one-armed janitor who is also a retired knight. Grouchy but with a heart of gold, he trains Aiza in secret, and her progress soon catches the attention of the general, a conniving, elderly woman. Alfageeh's effective inking is reminiscent of Fiona Staple's work, while her distinct use of shadow and space intensify the story's drama. Though she is small in stature, Aiza's theatrical gestures make her stand out, and her training takes her to gorgeous pink-and--orange-tinged landscapes and monuments, such as a lovely rendition of al-Khazneh. This alternative history of the Middle East and North Africa deftly tackles complex subjects such as war, loyalty, and imperialism, all made humane and relatable through a young, compelling protagonist.

Shammas and Alfageeh draw inspiration from their respective Palestinian and Jordanian backgrounds in this epic fantasy graphic novel. The Bayt-Saiji Empire is recruiting soldiers from among the peoples of conquered territories to fight ongoing wars at the empire's expanding borders. Lured by the promise of escape from her dull life--and of citizenship and glory should she rise through the ranks--Aiza enlists, concealing her Ornu heritage to avoid discrimination. Enduring grueling squire training under charismatic General Hende, the teen grows stronger while making friends from across the empire. But when a training mission goes wrong, she must reconcile her dreams of acceptance within the empire and the reality of its treatment of its citizens. Alfageeh's arresting visuals conjure a richly detailed, sun-drenched world in which impressive architecture fills open landscapes populated by visually diverse and complex characters. Shammas uses Aiza's determined voice to examine themes of assimilation and passing privilege through the ways in which the Bayt-Saiji Empire simultaneously divides and homogenizes its peoples. Aiza's pursuit of her goal, along with her genuine struggle to overcome the cycle of violence into which she has unknowingly entered, carries the reader to the story's cathartic resolution. Ages 14--up. Agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Mar.)

Set in an alternate-history version of the Middle East/North Africa region, this sweeping graphic novel begins as a thrilling quest for glory and becomes an artful revelation of the destructive cost of imperialist power. In a conquered territory of the fictional Bayt-Sajji empire, Aiza spends her days peddling apricots while weathering taunts and threats because she is Ornu, a non-citizen. When a recruitment announcement tantalizes Aiza with promises of a path to full citizenship and a chance at glorious heroism, she convinces her parents, conceals her Ornu tattoos, and commences her enlistment journey. New friendships with other squire hopefuls make the relentless and intense training bearable, and late-night practice sessions with the combat-savvy cook help her improve after she fails her first squire examination. Everything changes during one climactic excursion on the border of an Ornu village, however, and Aiza must decide whether to pursue her dream of becoming a squire, thus upholding the fabricated histories of the empire, or to make a much greater, and graver, stand for justice. Alfageeh's light line work, desert-hued color palette, and inspired use of Islamic patterns and architecture in her compositions transport readers into the action. With its high stakes and robust characters, Squire feels like a new take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, minus the magic. Niki Marion March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.