Aicha

Bouazzaoui’s wrenching debut, set during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco and drawn from the story of Aicha Kandicha, a warrior goddess from Moroccan folklore, resounds with rage and violence. Aicha, the motherless daughter of a revolutionary blacksmith, is raised to be a warrior in a citadel that has been subjugated by the ruthless Portuguese commander Duarte Almeida. At age 20 and in obsessive love with handsome rebel leader Rachid, she joins the fight against their oppressors, discovering unexpected power within herself along the way. The politics are complex, Aicha’s anger is palpable, and Bouazzaoui takes cinematic liberties with the violence. For those unfamiliar with this tumultuous period of history, Bouazzaoui’s vivid fantasy retelling offers a colorful glimpse through the eyes of a committed female freedom fighter. The characterization at times feels thin, but the worldbuilding and high-octane plot entice. It’s an intense and fascinating tale. (Mar.)