Aicha
Set during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco in 1769, this follows the feisty Aicha, one of a family of freedom fighters. But as she strives to save her city, she struggles to control the beast inside.
Bouazzaoui crafts a vivid 18th-century Morocco where you can taste zayt al Zaytun, ‘luscious and rich with the spices and herbs crushed together in olive oil’. Magic, myth and folklore are part of the culture, as are the Shawafas, Maghrebi women whose unique ‘abilities make them outliers’. The claustrophobic city reflects the sobering reality of life under Portuguese occupation, with its segregation, the prohibition of carrying weapons, and the banning of ‘any and all practices of Islam’.
Aicha herself is pitched as a “temptress, warrior and monster.” But the monster element hovered just beyond my grasp for most of the read. Whilst we sense the supernatural presence that threatens to consume her, it came across as a device used to address the morality of violence. As the novel progresses, the story becomes more brutal and visceral, raising the question of whether violence is ever justified, and this aligns with, rather than absorbs, the ‘creature’ element.
The plot is engaging, bringing in high-stakes tension, steamy romance and memorable characters. The relationships between the protagonists, such as Aicha with her family and her lover, Rachid, are strong, adding a relatable, human touch to the story and highlighting the importance of human connection during conflict.
For those expecting epic fantasy, Aicha is more historically grounded with threads of allegorical fantasy and myth. But it’s a powerful and immersive read that raises thought-provoking questions whilst transporting the reader to an important period in Morocco’s history.
