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mievinther's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
briz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
noemi1010's review against another edition
4.0
Imani is one of the best shields in the kingdom. Nobody wields a blade like her, and no monster or djinn can stand in her way. When she receives news hinting at more information about her brother's disappearance, she doesn't hesitate. She'll find him, no matter what, even if she has to bite her tongue and work with her rival.
I love how strong and independent Imani is. I can't say the same about her sister, but one can't like all characters. Taha was a little bit annoying too, but at times he redeems himself. This is a great fantasy series with Middle Eastern folklore and magic. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I love how strong and independent Imani is. I can't say the same about her sister, but one can't like all characters. Taha was a little bit annoying too, but at times he redeems himself. This is a great fantasy series with Middle Eastern folklore and magic. I can't wait to read more from this author.
spunglass's review against another edition
4.0
A huge thank you too NetGalley and 'Random House Children's, Delacorte Press' for the digital ARC of 'Spice Road' by Maiya Ibrahim.
This has been one of my most anticipated reads for 2023, mainly because when I first read the description, the magic in the book made me think of a crossover between the 'Mistborn' and 'Dune' series.
I will admit in the first few chapters it was hard for me to initially engage with the book, but as the story progressed it was so easy to fall in love with this book. I absolutely loved the development of Imani throughout the story, and watching her learn to look at the world with not such a narrow focus. Her privileges, and isolation had blinded her from seeing how daily life was like for the majority of people in their world. I was happy when she starts to realize she has "gone too long with a full belly and ignorant heart". It would be nice to also eventually see this same growth for Taha has well, but he has a lot of emotional damage to undo first.
Overall, the only wishes I have is these books going forward is for them to avoid the enemies-to-lovers cliché for Imani and Taha... for Imani's family to be whole again... and for Qayn's outcome to be a good one.
I definitely believe this is a book my students would enjoy, and I can't wait to share this with them... as well as add to my own personal library.
This has been one of my most anticipated reads for 2023, mainly because when I first read the description, the magic in the book made me think of a crossover between the 'Mistborn' and 'Dune' series.
I will admit in the first few chapters it was hard for me to initially engage with the book, but as the story progressed it was so easy to fall in love with this book. I absolutely loved the development of Imani throughout the story, and watching her learn to look at the world with not such a narrow focus. Her privileges, and isolation had blinded her from seeing how daily life was like for the majority of people in their world. I was happy when she starts to realize she has "gone too long with a full belly and ignorant heart". It would be nice to also eventually see this same growth for Taha has well, but he has a lot of emotional damage to undo first.
Overall, the only wishes I have is these books going forward is for them to avoid the enemies-to-lovers cliché for Imani and Taha... for Imani's family to be whole again... and for Qayn's outcome to be a good one.
I definitely believe this is a book my students would enjoy, and I can't wait to share this with them... as well as add to my own personal library.
chelcyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely LOVED it. Everything. The characters, the world, the plot, the twists and turns, how it pulled at my emotions and left me wanting more. So excited for the next book!!
belle2022's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a deep, adventurous and interesting read. The characters were so intriguing and intricate as well as the culture you felt yourself submerged in. Highly recommend everyone adds this to their TBR! Coming out in Jan 2023!
This was a refreshing take on any normal fantasy/magical novel. With such deep and rich culture, this was such beautiful Arabian-inspired world. I’ve read my fair share of western-esc books where I just found them bland and boring, the gorgeous desert setting was refreshing to read about. I thought the characters were well written with there own deep and internal struggles. I couldn’t help but love Amani but also resent in a way. She is definitely more wealthy and comes from a family rooted in the hierarchy where she is quite blind to the ways the others live. Even after they try to explain to her what she just can’t see. But her loyalty and devotion to her family and loved ones, is so strong.
I adored Taha too, the ending was just something else. He was quite scary then, but what a tortured soul and at the root of it… only wanting to do what is expected of him in order to finally get the respect he wants from his own blood.
This was an adventure almost heist like. With forgotten cities and political drama, magical abilities and djinni. The adventure this group go on are like no other I’ve read, obstacle after obstacle, it felt like they would never reach the end. Beautiful sibling relationships that hurt so bad too. All in all, a wonderful and wonderful read.
This was a refreshing take on any normal fantasy/magical novel. With such deep and rich culture, this was such beautiful Arabian-inspired world. I’ve read my fair share of western-esc books where I just found them bland and boring, the gorgeous desert setting was refreshing to read about. I thought the characters were well written with there own deep and internal struggles. I couldn’t help but love Amani but also resent in a way. She is definitely more wealthy and comes from a family rooted in the hierarchy where she is quite blind to the ways the others live. Even after they try to explain to her what she just can’t see. But her loyalty and devotion to her family and loved ones, is so strong.
I adored Taha too, the ending was just something else. He was quite scary then, but what a tortured soul and at the root of it… only wanting to do what is expected of him in order to finally get the respect he wants from his own blood.
This was an adventure almost heist like. With forgotten cities and political drama, magical abilities and djinni. The adventure this group go on are like no other I’ve read, obstacle after obstacle, it felt like they would never reach the end. Beautiful sibling relationships that hurt so bad too. All in all, a wonderful and wonderful read.
thebookpantheon's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed the book, the eye catching phrase “fans of Saba Tahir” is disappointingly deceptive. Do not expect this book to compare to Tahir’s writing or world building.
This book gave exactly what it was supposed to: a quick YA fantasy read, so I’m not sure why everyone is upset that it gave exactly that. Maybe because it had very common tropes like a love triangle, magic, and characters that, honestly, lacked a little depth. But so is the way of YA, especially a debut author’s YA.
I’ll admit, I attempted to read this in February and put it down because I was struggling to maintain interest, but I recently picked it back up again and managed to read it in one single day. While the characters were almost all entirely unbearable (I made a whole annotation tab for Amira - Jesus, she was annoying), the plot itself made me stick around, as well as the budding enemies to lovers. I will admit our MC, Imani, was also hard to read. But I truly believe it was part of her character development from a sheltered, privileged girl to a person who had their eyes slammed wide open to the cruelties of the world.
I know I mentioned that I enjoyed the plot, and while I did, don’t get me wrong, I also wish it flowed more cohesively. The scenes felt scattered and not fully hashed out. Maybe that’s why I set the book the down the first time I tried reading it. The beginning seemed to kickstart too quickly when I feel like the book demanded more world-building, especially a book with such unique potential for fantasy and mythology. I read a comment saying that world building tends to be more difficult when writing in first person, and I totally agree. Maybe that’s why this felt more juvenile and less congruent (you know, aside from it being YA).
The way the over arching themes of colonialism, colorism, and “otherism” was introduced was well done. Ibrahim was able to write in these themes and meld them perfectly with her fantasy world and I genuinely think it’s a great introduction of heavy topics for younger readers who have a penchant for only fantasy.
For a debut novel, I think that it was exceptionally done, much in the way that people can rave over Shadow and Bone, though it is widely recognized as Bardugo’s worst book (even by Bardugo herself), I can see this becoming popular and Ibrahim’s work developing and improving as she continues to write.
This book gave exactly what it was supposed to: a quick YA fantasy read, so I’m not sure why everyone is upset that it gave exactly that. Maybe because it had very common tropes like a love triangle, magic, and characters that, honestly, lacked a little depth. But so is the way of YA, especially a debut author’s YA.
I’ll admit, I attempted to read this in February and put it down because I was struggling to maintain interest, but I recently picked it back up again and managed to read it in one single day. While the characters were almost all entirely unbearable (I made a whole annotation tab for Amira - Jesus, she was annoying), the plot itself made me stick around, as well as the budding enemies to lovers. I will admit our MC, Imani, was also hard to read. But I truly believe it was part of her character development from a sheltered, privileged girl to a person who had their eyes slammed wide open to the cruelties of the world.
I know I mentioned that I enjoyed the plot, and while I did, don’t get me wrong, I also wish it flowed more cohesively. The scenes felt scattered and not fully hashed out. Maybe that’s why I set the book the down the first time I tried reading it. The beginning seemed to kickstart too quickly when I feel like the book demanded more world-building, especially a book with such unique potential for fantasy and mythology. I read a comment saying that world building tends to be more difficult when writing in first person, and I totally agree. Maybe that’s why this felt more juvenile and less congruent (you know, aside from it being YA).
The way the over arching themes of colonialism, colorism, and “otherism” was introduced was well done. Ibrahim was able to write in these themes and meld them perfectly with her fantasy world and I genuinely think it’s a great introduction of heavy topics for younger readers who have a penchant for only fantasy.
For a debut novel, I think that it was exceptionally done, much in the way that people can rave over Shadow and Bone, though it is widely recognized as Bardugo’s worst book (even by Bardugo herself), I can see this becoming popular and Ibrahim’s work developing and improving as she continues to write.
ryleesbookshelf's review against another edition
I found the pacing to be too slow for my liking and the main character was very very obtuse. The world was cool though and maybe I'll come back to it as a vacation read.