I Can’t Wait For…The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about but haven’t yet read. Most of the time they’re books that have yet to be released, but not always. It’s based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme, which was originally hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This week my Can’t-Wait-For is The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai!
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai Genres: Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Egyptian-coded cast and setting, F/F
Published on: 10th January 2023
Goodreads
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From debut author Hadeer Elsbai comes the first book in an incredibly powerful new duology, set wholly in a new world, but inspired by modern Egyptian history, about two young women--Nehal, a spoiled aristocrat used to getting what she wants and Giorgina, a poor bookshop worker used to having nothing--who find they have far more in common, particularly in their struggle for the rights of women and their ability to fight for it with forbidden elemental magic
As a waterweaver, Nehal can move and shape any water to her will, but she's limited by her lack of formal education. She desires nothing more than to attend the newly opened Weaving Academy, take complete control of her powers, and pursue a glorious future on the battlefield with the first all-female military regiment. But her family cannot afford to let her go--crushed under her father's gambling debt, Nehal is forcibly married into a wealthy merchant family. Her new spouse, Nico, is indifferent and distant and in love with another woman, a bookseller named Giorgina.
Giorgina has her own secret, however: she is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. She has no money and no prospects. Her only solace comes from her activities with the Daughters of Izdihar, a radical women's rights group at the forefront of a movement with a simple goal: to attain recognition for women to have a say in their own lives. They live very different lives and come from very different means, yet Nehal and Giorgina have more in common than they think. The cause--and Nico--brings them into each other's orbit, drawn in by the group's enigmatic leader, Malak Mamdouh, and the urge to do what is right.
But their problems may seem small in the broader context of their world, as tensions are rising with a neighboring nation that desires an end to weaving and weavers. As Nehal and Giorgina fight for their rights, the threat of war looms in the background, and the two women find themselves struggling to earn--and keep--a lasting freedom.
The cover and full description were revealed on Fantasy Hive today, and I am BEYOND in love with both!!! I’ve been excited for Daughters since the publishing deal was announced, but it looks and sounds even more amazing than I could have hoped for. EEE!
I mean, a setting inspired by modern Egypt? That would be enough to get my attention all by itself, but then all the rest of it! I MEAN??? An all-female military regiment of magic-users?! Radical women’s rights groups?! A bookshop worker with earthbending powers?!
YES YES YES ALL THE YES FOREVER!!!
And then, as if all of that wasn’t enough (which it would be!) it’s also queer.
PRETTY SURE THEY CAN HEAR MY SHRIEKS OF DELIGHT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION!
You better believe I slammed that preorder button. If you haven’t yet, what on Earth are you waiting for?!
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