Aicha

One of my most anticipated releases last week was Aicha, the debut novel from Soraya Bouazzaoui. It’s set during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco and inspired by the Moroccan legend of Aicha Kandicha. I knew nothing about this myth, but was excited to get to know it through this retelling.

In the 1700s, Aicha is the younger daughter of a freedom-fighter, aiming for Morocco’s overdue independence from the Portuguese. Along with her secret boyfriend Rachid, Aicha and Samira both help their father with organizing and fighting for independence, though Aicha continues to crave more responsibility. As she becomes more integral in the struggle for freedom, an inner rage is ignited within her. Is there an evil force inside of her? Can it be used for good?

What I Liked:

• Moroccan history and culture. Prior to reading this, I knew little about Morocco’s history overall, nor about the Portuguese occupation specifically. I appreciated getting to learn a bit about this history, as well as seeing some of Morocco’s culture surrounding religion and beliefs in magical beings like djinn.
• Family relationships. Aicha is very close with her dad and her elder sister, Samira. Both daughters were raised with respect and to be warriors, but they can also be honest and vulnerable with each other. (Aicha’s mom died in childbirth, but is mentioned with love throughout the book as well.) Friendships and the romance between Aicha and Rachid were also done well.
• Uncontrollable dark side. Something happened to Aicha as a baby, and it seems to have left a lasting mark. What are these vicious dreams she keeps having? What is this simmering urge to destroy and kill her enemies in the most brutal of ways? Should she tamp down her rage and violence… or use it to her advantage in the fight for Morocco’s freedom?
• How legends are told. What will be Aicha’s legacy, and how much of it depends on who tells the tale?

What Didn’t Work for Me:

• Slow pace. This novel builds up very gradually. While I liked the world-building and development of relationships, it didn’t feel like enough was happening. I had a hard time staying interested as I worked through the book.
• Magic… where is it? This is a fantasy book, and while there is certainly plenty hinted at about Aicha’s rage, plus mentions of djinn, there isn’t much magic on the page. It feels like a suggestion of fantasy more than a resolute work of the genre.

Audiobook:

Sarah Slimani does a wonderful job of narrating Aicha. Her narration was easy to listen to and engaging, and I liked hearing the correct pronunciation of words in Darija Arabic. I don’t speak the language, but it helped me feel more immersed in the setting.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot I enjoyed about Aicha, from getting to know a fascinating figure in Moroccan mythology to learning about the country’s history. However, I wish it had moved at a faster pace and built up Aicha’s character more. I would love to read more about Morocco and will look out for Soraya Bouazzaoui’s next book.

Special thanks to Orbit, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy Aicha here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui
Audiobook Narrator	Sarah Slimani
Audience	Adult
Genre	Fantasy
Setting	Morocco
Number of Pages	352
Format I Read	Audiobook & Ebook (NetGalley ARCs)
Original Publication Date	March 24, 2026
Publisher	Orbit

Official Summary

TEMPTRESS. MONSTER. WARRIOR.

Aicha is the story of Morocco’s warrior goddess, her strange magic, fierce rebellion, and devastating romance. Soraya Bouazzaoui weaves an epic tale of female rage and hidden myths, perfect for fans of The City of Brass and The Stardust Thief.

The Portuguese empire has planted its flag across Morocco, ruling with an iron fist. But eventually, all empires must fall.  

Aicha, the daughter of a Moroccan freedom-fighter, was born for battle. She has witnessed the death of her people, their starvation and torture at the hands of the occupiers, and it has awakened an anger within her. An anger that burns hot and bright and that speaks to Aicha’s soul.  

Only Aicha’s secret lover, Rachid, a rebellion leader, knows how to soothe her. But as the fight for Morocco’s freedom reaches its violent climax, the creature that simmers beneath Aicha’s skin begs to be unleashed. It hungers for the screams of those who have caused her pain, and it will not be ignored.