Scan barcode
hesperis's review against another edition
1.0
This is the book that made me realize I'm probably too old for YA. But I know there some great YA books out here, so I think it's just that this particular book is terrible. I'm not sure which was worse: the poor pacing, the Strong Female MC who's Not Like The Other Girls, the plot holes, the 2 generic love interests, or the fact that most characters were one-dimensional.
I did finish this book, but I probably shouldn't have bothered.
I did finish this book, but I probably shouldn't have bothered.
wooseoks's review against another edition
2.0
Some good mixed in with lots of bad. The characters weren't likeable, the dialogue felt unrealistic and cringy, the magic system was barely explained, the world didn't feel lived in and a lot of the worldbuilding was just told through random infodumps. That said, there were some good moments here and there and I thought Qayn was a likeable character and Taha was interesting. Lot's of random emotional flip-flopping that seemed unrealistic (). I won't read the next one, but the Fairyloot edition is one of the most beautiful they've ever done, so at least it will look pretty on my shelf.
Spoiler
Like Taha just... changing his mind immediately about killing Atheer after like three sentences of convincing even though he was dead set on it for the whole book.allireadsmke's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
nolaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sarelle24's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted more from this novel, I still enjoyed it. Especially the storyline. It progresses quite well.
I did find it a little confusing as some things are not explained very well or at all. Just the magic and the other beings such as djinn etc.
I think and hope the next book will be even better!
Quote"
"That is the way of the world slayer. Everyone hates and distrusts what is unfamiliar to them" - Maiya Ibrahim
I did find it a little confusing as some things are not explained very well or at all. Just the magic and the other beings such as djinn etc.
I think and hope the next book will be even better!
Quote"
"That is the way of the world slayer. Everyone hates and distrusts what is unfamiliar to them" - Maiya Ibrahim
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
Despite a shaky start Spice Road turned out to be a captivating opener to a YA fantasy trilogy. I loved the world the author created, the magic system and the web of intrigue that is slowly being revealed.
I really had to push through the first 10% or so, I found the dialogue quite stilted and can't say I warmed to either Imani or Amira. What I, and Imani, discovered as the story unfolded was that she was quite an unreliable narrator due to her narrow and biased view of her world. She goes on two huge journeys in this book, the first is across the Swallowing Sands to the distant lands of Alqibah, whilst the second was a much-needed one of personal growth and development. Imani was prone to rushed choices, reckless decisions and poor choices that all reflected the somewhat sheltered and pampered teenager she was. Those actions could have become irritating has she not also begun to learn from them and try to be a better person.
Whilst the book is written from Imara's perspective (third person) there is a good cast of supporting characters to add depth and interest. Stick with Amira, she becomes less petulant and actually has a better understanding of real life than her older sibling does. Taha and Qayn are well-fleshed-out supporting characters, Reza and Fey not so much, though that didn't impact on my enjoyment of the story. The pace definitely picked up once the group depart on their search for Atheer and this went from a book I nearly DNFd to a book I couldn't put down.
I will be adding book #2 to my TBR list and hope I don't have to wait too long for its release!
Thoughts during reading -
I will keep trying to read this and hope it improves!
Because this is a Netgalley arc I've pushed myself to keep reading, and I'm pleased to say that the story has definitely improved. The pace is good, Imani is finally starting to realise how annoying she is there are other points of view than her own.
I really had to push through the first 10% or so, I found the dialogue quite stilted and can't say I warmed to either Imani or Amira. What I, and Imani, discovered as the story unfolded was that she was quite an unreliable narrator due to her narrow and biased view of her world. She goes on two huge journeys in this book, the first is across the Swallowing Sands to the distant lands of Alqibah, whilst the second was a much-needed one of personal growth and development. Imani was prone to rushed choices, reckless decisions and poor choices that all reflected the somewhat sheltered and pampered teenager she was. Those actions could have become irritating has she not also begun to learn from them and try to be a better person.
Whilst the book is written from Imara's perspective (third person) there is a good cast of supporting characters to add depth and interest. Stick with Amira, she becomes less petulant and actually has a better understanding of real life than her older sibling does. Taha and Qayn are well-fleshed-out supporting characters, Reza and Fey not so much, though that didn't impact on my enjoyment of the story. The pace definitely picked up once the group depart on their search for Atheer and this went from a book I nearly DNFd to a book I couldn't put down.
I will be adding book #2 to my TBR list and hope I don't have to wait too long for its release!
Thoughts during reading -
Spoiler
I'm only at 10% and it already feels as though it's been a battle to get that far. The language is overly flowery, every sentence seeming to contain a simile, metaphor, emotive language or personification. I found myself having to re-read passages to fully comprehend their meaning. Then there is the awful dialogue that feels neither easy nor natural to read.I will keep trying to read this and hope it improves!
Because this is a Netgalley arc I've pushed myself to keep reading, and I'm pleased to say that the story has definitely improved. The pace is good, Imani is finally starting to realise how annoying she is there are other points of view than her own.
tezmira's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookish_holz's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
annamickreads's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, the Fairyloot edition of this book is absolutely stunning, so my compliments to the graphic designer and endpaper artist who brought the characters in this book to life.
Second, I thought this was a really strong debut with a lot of important themes in this book. "Spice Road" follows Imani, whose brother Atheer has been missing for a year. Imani and her family reside in a city called Qalia in the kingdom of Sahir, where magic is real and incorporated into everyday life through a brewed tea known as misra. When Imani discovers her brother may be alive in a hidden kingdom beyond the ominous Forbidden Wastes, she petitions to be put on the rescue mission team. Her brother has been accused of stealing misra and funneling it to others, so Imani spends most of the journey defending her brother from naysayers — including three of her fellow "Shields" or warriors who use magic.
The group ultimately discovers that the place Atheer has disappeared has been colonized by a horrible tyrant king and his people, known as Harrowlanders. The native people there have no magic with which to defend themselves, and the region is suffering as a result. At first, Imani refuses to get involved, only concerned with rescuing her brother, but she ultimately realizes that even if the colonization didn't affect her personally, it was still hurting people like her, and she needed to act.
I can understand the complaints about Imani's character, but for me, I think (I hope) the author was using Imani's stubbornness and pride as an attempt to point out her privilege, much as the other characters in the book did (but, since the book is from Imani's POV, she writes them off). Imani's family are all wealthy and come from a long line of scholars, so it's no surprise that her behavior reflects that upbringing, especially when she learns her sister, Amira, has been engaging in "criminal" behavior, only to realize Amira has been helping those in need as a Robin Hood-type all along. Throughout the whole book, Imani is constantly grappling with what she's been taught and following her morals vs learning new information and adapting.
While I wasn't a big fan of the romance (as I grow older, enemies to lovers is not really for me) or the idea of a love triangle, I do think that ultimately the plot outweighs the characterization and I'm really looking forward to see where Maiya Ibrahim's series takes her!
Second, I thought this was a really strong debut with a lot of important themes in this book. "Spice Road" follows Imani, whose brother Atheer has been missing for a year. Imani and her family reside in a city called Qalia in the kingdom of Sahir, where magic is real and incorporated into everyday life through a brewed tea known as misra. When Imani discovers her brother may be alive in a hidden kingdom beyond the ominous Forbidden Wastes, she petitions to be put on the rescue mission team. Her brother has been accused of stealing misra and funneling it to others, so Imani spends most of the journey defending her brother from naysayers — including three of her fellow "Shields" or warriors who use magic.
The group ultimately discovers that the place Atheer has disappeared has been colonized by a horrible tyrant king and his people, known as Harrowlanders. The native people there have no magic with which to defend themselves, and the region is suffering as a result. At first, Imani refuses to get involved, only concerned with rescuing her brother, but she ultimately realizes that even if the colonization didn't affect her personally, it was still hurting people like her, and she needed to act.
I can understand the complaints about Imani's character, but for me, I think (I hope) the author was using Imani's stubbornness and pride as an attempt to point out her privilege, much as the other characters in the book did (but, since the book is from Imani's POV, she writes them off). Imani's family are all wealthy and come from a long line of scholars, so it's no surprise that her behavior reflects that upbringing, especially when she learns her sister, Amira, has been engaging in "criminal" behavior, only to realize Amira has been helping those in need as a Robin Hood-type all along. Throughout the whole book, Imani is constantly grappling with what she's been taught and following her morals vs learning new information and adapting.
While I wasn't a big fan of the romance (as I grow older, enemies to lovers is not really for me) or the idea of a love triangle, I do think that ultimately the plot outweighs the characterization and I'm really looking forward to see where Maiya Ibrahim's series takes her!