h4ppycupcake's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The beginning of the book was very very slow. I thought about DNFing about a million times, but at about 60% the book got very good and stayed good all the way to the end. I’m glad I finished it. 

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bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious 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

This book was a delight to read. I enjoy reading mythology and legends from cultures other than my own, and this story provided all of that and more. the characters felt so well defined and detailed. the writers voice in this story was so distinct and powerful. it really felt like being in Amina’s head in her travels. 

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excommunikate's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25


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mahra's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense slow-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

4.5

"To be a woman is to have your story misremembered. Discarded. Twisted."

Amina Al-Sirafi, the Legend that you are.

Oh, I loved this so much. Incredible read.

Amina Al-Sirafi is a fierce pirate captain who retired and spent the past few years raising her daughter. A mysterious benefactor offers her a mission and a prize that no pirate worth their salt would refuse. She is then forced to reunite with her former crew and embarks on a long journey across the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

This book is essentially a heist story, set on the sea, in a fantasy world.

We finally have a middle-aged female main character. She is a muslim woman, and the author does not make her turn against her religion or remove her hijab. Who would have thought this was possible? *eyeroll* And for that, S. A. Chakraborty, I thank you. How refreshing!

The prose? Immaculate. The worldbuilding? Immersive. The characters? Captivating.
The twist at the end with the narrator was very heartwarming.


Why not a five stars then? Well, the story took a crazy turn
(the bird people etc. lol)
. I was VERY worried. And while the author ultimately stuck the landing, it was really perplexing. It actually took me out of the story.

Still, it is one of my favorite reads of 2023. I cannot wait to see what happens next. 

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laurareads87's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

As a huge fan of her Daevabad series, I was very excited to pick up a copy of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, the first in a planned new trilogy by Shannon Chakraborty, and it did not disappoint!  This installment follows Amina, a middle aged 'retired' pirate captain who is drawn back into the action of the seas as she is hired for a mission she cannot refuse. The plot is a solid well-paced pirate adventure, the cast of supporting characters is fantastic, and the protagonist is one to cheer for who I came to love very quickly.  I appreciate Chakraborty's thoughtful inclusion of diverse characters in all her work.  Can't wait to read the next in the series!

Compared to Daevabad, so far I would say this series feels a bit lighter in tone -- there is some more comic relief between the serious and heavy aspects, with themes of friendship and found family amongst the protagonist and her crew and the complexities of pursuing one's dreams while also prioritizing being a parent.  This book is also more rooted in historical research, with the very vast majority of the action taking place in twelfth century cities surrounding the Indian Ocean.  Chakraborty's inclusion of a section on recommended further reading is great.

Content warnings: violence, murder, death, blood, gore, body horror (not extensive or particularly severe), torture, war, colonialism, mention of past massacres and mass killings, sexism, misogyny, sexual assault (mentioned in context of a threat; not described in detail), cannibalism (off page, not described in any graphic or detailed way)

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brynalexa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-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? No

5.0

Amazingly perfect from the protagonist to the villain to the clever twist. So happy to see some nods to the Daevabad trilogy as well! Cannot wait for the second book!

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bookishcori's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.25

Give me all the 40-something woman pirates who are parents. 

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kurumipanda's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amina, an infamous smuggler/pirate, comes out of retirement and gets her crew back together for one last job. Plans go awry and both danger and hilarity ensue. Great adventure story with funny, distinct, and lively characters. Excellent as an audiobook; it has a frame narrative from a scribe who is relating Amina’s story as she told it to him, and Amina’s asides to him really come to life in audio. 

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marippe's review against another edition

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adventurous
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Y'know it was a lot of fun. I like Amina's ability to be independent while admitting she likes the company of a man.
It had a lot of LGBTQ+ rep too, like wowie.
I kinda wish the world building was a bit stronger. I'd like to see more of the actually pirating and bonding with the new crew members along the way.
I didn't know the demons and birdpeople actually existed until she said she'd accidentally married one??? LOL

Raksh actually cracks me up, hes such a loser its fun.

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