Politic of the Middle East is not a democracy, it depends on money, religion, cunning and treachery. Laila finds this out the hard way. Her father, a Middle Eastern dictator, is killed in a coup. Exiled to the United States, Laila finds freedom that she has not known before, can she fit in? Does she want to? Laila’s mother is still playing the political game to secure a place for her six-year-old son. Laila becomes entangled in things she would rather not, but she learns her lessons well. I was intrigued by the premise. It sounded so real. It is not often in fiction to come across such a title.Having a story about a child of a middle eastern ruler was interesting, I wanted to know what it felt like to be a part of this life and the pressures that came along with it. Constantly being in the state of war and danger must do something to a young adult. Laila has lived a life of luxury, she foolishly thinks she is royalty and her father a king, but when he is assasinated she is ripped from the life she knows and dropped into a world she has only heard of: surburbia of America. She is introduced to many alien things because killing and plots are so very normal in her home country. She feels panicked when she is brought into unfamilair situations like a school dance and football game. Seeing from her perspective was eye opening. To think such normal events would cause someone to think of other violent situations because of triggers is very heart breaking. The narrative was good and made me excited. The bloody details not spared. This felt so realistic and I felt so sad. The various characters like her mother and brother are humanized. Even her mother and her schemes. Amir fascinated me because he was part of the other side of the regime. The blue collar class of workers, part of a movement to change things. Laila's interactions with him was a truce, I would never thought they could find anything in common but they did. Two people on the opposite sides of the fight. Bastien was young but strong. I loved how sweet Emmy was and wished Laila could have remained her friend but alas life happens.The ending is unexpected but open, it leaves room for thinking and interpretation on the reader's part. A very heavy read with a strong message.
What do You think about Tyrant's Daughter (2014)?
Best book I have read in a while. Brutally honest and intriguing choices.
—kame
Very interesting premises but altogether a confusing plot line.
—ForgottenTruths
I liked this one a lot. Interesting perspective.
—abi_gale333
