Fledgling

July 22, 2024
Hoping to forge a lasting alliance between their peoples, 19-year-old Raisa Freelund, daughter of the Guardian of Upper Earth, prepares to enter a political marriage with Lower Earth’s Crown Prince Lein Verg. Simultaneously, 19-year-old Nada Verg, a political prisoner and former princess, sets off on behalf of Lower Earth rebel factions to block the alliance, seeking to prevent Lower Earth’s citizenry from being enslaved by colonialist, technologically advanced Upper Earth. Nada’s mission is complicated by the involvement of her childhood love Musaid Habib, who is entrusted by Lein to make sure that his wedding goes off without a hitch. As they become embroiled in decades of Upper and Lower Earth plotting, the characters find that nothing is as it seems. Ali (Love from Mecca to Medina) immerses readers in a postapocalyptic dystopia that raises questions about the meaning of freedom and the politics of revolution through a sprawling cast, numerous perspectives, and detailed worldbuilding. Though occasionally didactic in tone, this fiery duology opener leaves plenty of tantalizing hooks to whet the appetite for a sequel. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary.

Starred review from August 15, 2024
In a socially and physically stratified future, political forces seek a marital alliance between Raisa Freelund, daughter of the chief guardian of Upper Earth, and Lein Verg, son of the amir of Lower Earth. Upon their marriage, Verg and the Alliance Libert� of Independent Guardian Nationals, or ALIGN, will launch the Enlightenment Project, "knitting" the population of Lower Earth into streams of knowledge and the accoutrements of industry, technology, and prosperity while eliminating the Ahraar, whom they regard as destructive "brutes." The Ahraar conduct strikes against ALIGN and the Verg collaborators' exploitation of people and resources, while planning a second revolution; their analogue records reveal the consequences of their failed first attempt, and the subsequent mind control of the people of the Bridge. To prevent a future of eternal subjugation and servitude, Ahraar enlists political prisoners Nayf and Nada Verg, the twin grandchildren of the deposed amira, to capture Raisa. To win people over and promote the Enlightenment, ALIGN styles Raisa as the Fledgling, a symbol of freedom foretold by the late amira--but fractures soon reveal unexpected underlying plots. In this duology opener, Ali depicts a richly complex setting through the perspectives of an array of politically positioned characters. References to the Islamic lunar calendar and scripture and Arabic naming conventions, as well as clear allusions to present-day geopolitics, conflicts, inequities, and imperialism, lend verisimilitude to a dystopian future of technological and environmental destruction. A grippingly believable mirror of our own world. (cast of characters)(Dystopian. 13-18)

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Starred review from October 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-A thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure for fans of Marie Lu's "Legend" series. With a sweeping cast of distinct characters, the novel dives into the rich world of Upper and Lower Earth on the brink of war. Nineteen-year-old Raisa, a dutiful and privileged daughter of Upper Earth, and Lein, the crown prince of the volatile Lower Earth, are about to enter an arranged marriage to unite their two disparate worlds and end the impending war between their people. Then Raisa goes missing a week before their wedding. Twins Nada and Nayf, 19, are determined to spark a revolution before their cousin Lein can unite with Upper Earth and use ALIGN technology to oppress and enslave their people. Sparks fly when Raisa and Nyaf meet-a star-crossed romance in the making-but with Prince Lein willing to do anything to get his bride back, all eyes are hunting the rebels. Ali's first foray into YA dystopia has a meticulous storyline and rich worldbuilding with Islamic influence. The novel is filled with lore, making reference to present-day politics that ground the worldbuilding in believable details that evolve into well-executed themes: revolution, exploitation, and surveillance are vital to both characters and plot. Nothing is wasted as Ali balances a wide cast of characters and various subplots to create a propulsive duology opener that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next book. VERDICT In this exciting addition to YA shelves, Ali's characters leap off the page. Highly recommended for all collections.-Emmy Neal

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Starred review from October 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 *Starred Review* One link to rule them all: it's the goal of the Guardians of Upper Earth as they work toward the Enlightenment, which will leave the minds of Lower Earth open to government manipulation via scalplink. The narration begins with Raisa, from Upper Earth, who is the bride-to-be set to solidify the alliance with Lower Earth and ensure the Enlightenment occurs. Nada and Musaid follow as primary POV characters--Nada is the jailed princess of Lower Earth conspiring with the revolutionaries against the royal wedding, and Musaid is from the Underground, like other servants of Lower Earth. As the seemingly simplistic dystopian revolution plotline gains complexity and nuance, additional POVs are added as needed, although not all enter into the regular narrative rotation. This is largely effective due to the conceit that the narratives presented are as written by the recordkeeper of the second revolution. Accordingly, the story is divided into 11 parts, with the first 9 dedicated to slowly setting up the dominoes that quickly and calamitously topple in the final 2 parts. However, despite the pacing, characterization is secondary to the plot, which may cause some difficulty with reader buy-in. Ultimately, this is a duology to watch; if the sequel accomplishes what this first entry promises, it will be the modern follow-up to the conversations begun in Lois Lowry's The Giver.

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