# The Republic of Memory: A Novel (The Song of the Safina) **Author:** Mahmud El Sayed [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/120746/9781668207215) [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5SM1MV?tag=ronnicareads-20) 100% of affiliate revenue supports Ronnica Reads A Most Anticipated Book of 2026 *Transfer Orbit • CrimeReads • The Bookseller* A Memory Called Empire meets Children of Time in this Arabfuturist debut set on a generation ship on the brink of revolution as its crew begin to ask why they should toil for a people, and an empire, none of them remember. The Safina is a city ship halfway through its four-hundred-year voyage from the ruins of Earth to a new colony world. Its crew maintain the ship, generation after generation, while protecting their ancestors in cryostasis so that one day they will be able to enjoy a fresh start under clear blue skies. But when blackouts start, unrest follows. The ship can only continue running smoothly with the cooperation of the crew. And the crew has had enough. As coordinated acts of resistance coincide with a much more complex conspiracy, a chain of events is set into motion that will change life on the Safina forever. Inspired by the real-world events of the Arab Spring, *The Republic of Memory* is a bold interrogation of empire and an energizing portrait of revolution. --- ## Posts about this title from Ronnica Reads ### Ronnica Fatt *May 4* May is looking to be a great month for new releases. Here are some May 5th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). - **_Saturn Returning_ by Kim Narby** 4.25/5 stars Put this on your TBR if you enjoy character-forward stories about messy lesbians who face real-life struggles. - **_Homebound_ by Portia Elan** 3.5/5 stars Put this on your TBR if you like a book that explores both the path and the future. The 1980s queer coming of age story was especially intriguing. - And the ones I haven't gotten my hands on yet: - **_Seek Immediate Shelter_ by Vincent Yu** Why it interests me: explores the aftermath of a ballistic missile warning on a community that was a false alarm. - **_The Girl with a Thousand Faces_ by Sunyi Dean** Why it interests me: diverse fantasy. In full transparency, I ordered this through Aardvark but will probably hold off until I'm excited for fantasy again. - **_One Leg on Earth_ by 'Pemi Aguda** Why it interests me: it's said to exploring coming of age and motherhood, set in Nigeria. - **_Now Then_ by Morgan Radford** Why it interests me: a multigenerational novel exploring a Cuban American family. - **_The Last Contract of Isako_ by Fonda Lee** Why it interests me: everyone loves Fonda Lee's writing, and I think I will too. - **_Republic of Memory_ by Mahmud El Sayed** Why it interests me: it's comped to _A Memory Called Empire_. I love books like this, set on a generational ship. - **_Honey_ by Imani Thompson** Why it interests me: a feminist rage novel. If we don't read about it, maybe we'll be forced to act on ours. - **_John of John_ by Douglas Stuart** Why it interests me: it sounds like a quiet novel exploring queerness in a rural, traditional setting. --- ### April Showers bring a May Bouquet of Books --- * **11 books** ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! --- ## Posts about this book from across Bindery ### Join for free --- 2 books --- ### Personal Updates: **What I've been reading & playing:** With my surgery being done a week ago, I've been reading & gaming a lot more this week as I rest & recover. I'm currently making my way through *The Taming of Dukes* series by Amalie Howard and I've just finished the second book in this inter-connected series. This was such a fun & cute historical Romance story and I'm obsessed with the friend group Amalie has written. I'm also reading *The Republic of Memory* by Mahmud El-Sayed, which is an Arabfuturism Sci-fi book! I'm about 30% in and I can already tell this book is going to be filled with adventure that is going to break my heart. I've started playing *Coral Island*! This game has been on my radar for a while now and it's perfect for steam deck as well. Thank you for reading this today friends! Can't wait to catch up with you in the community or in discord and thank you for being around here as always.