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ko_rax's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi takes readers on a journey to accompany the retired pirate and mother Amina al-Sirafi, who is brought back into life led aboard on the Arabian Sea, contracted to hunt down a client's granddaughter gone missing. Fantastical elements like the appearance of wondrous monsters, higher beings, as well as lots of swashbuckling will await readers as Amina al-Sirafi uncovers mystery by mystery, realising soon the scope of her mission to be beyond her expectations.
Where should I start? I loved it!
I like the setting, as well as the lovely cast, and appreciate how Chakraborty does a wonderful job at illustrating the influence of age in a setting that usually calls for a young, independent hero(ine). Amina is witty, and her hilarious remarks made me laugh out loud not only once! I also adore the dynamic between Amina andDalila, Tinbu and Majed . Dare I say I was pleasantly surprised to find queer representation, written in a way that the queer person's only character trait is NOT their queerness ?
The author Chakraborty is also quite nerdy and provides a list of reading recommendations to further delve into the origins of this novel's setting. Highly appreciated!
That being said, the first half of the novel is slower than the second half, and that may be an issue to those used to fast-paced adventure literature. For me, I found the story reasonably paced, and I loved every bit. I ended up reading more and more with every session, and did not put the novel away towards the end, reading over 200 pages in one go.
On another note, be careful if you struggle withgore, profanity, violence and death . These themes/triggers have a major appearance in this novel.
Where should I start? I loved it!
I like the setting, as well as the lovely cast, and appreciate how Chakraborty does a wonderful job at illustrating the influence of age in a setting that usually calls for a young, independent hero(ine). Amina is witty, and her hilarious remarks made me laugh out loud not only once! I also adore the dynamic between Amina and
The author Chakraborty is also quite nerdy and provides a list of reading recommendations to further delve into the origins of this novel's setting. Highly appreciated!
That being said, the first half of the novel is slower than the second half, and that may be an issue to those used to fast-paced adventure literature. For me, I found the story reasonably paced, and I loved every bit. I ended up reading more and more with every session, and did not put the novel away towards the end, reading over 200 pages in one go.
On another note, be careful if you struggle with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Alcohol, and Torture
Minor: Slavery, Rape, and Transphobia
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, Trafficking, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body shaming, Animal cruelty, and Slavery
h4ppycupcake's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War, Body horror, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, and Sexism
ebethanders's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Dysphoria and Transphobia
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, War, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual content, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Rape, and Transphobia
booksteader's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
My most favorite book ever. It has all the elements of the kind of magical adventure I've craved my whole life with history, motherhood, and snark thrown in to make it accessible and relatable. The action is easily visualized, and the emotions that the characters experience is palpable. My imagination hasn't had this much fun since I was a kid and I'm salivating to get my hands on the next book in this new series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Cursing
persephonefoxx's review
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
4.0
To be a woman is to have your story misremembered. Discarded. Twisted.
There is something about the characters in this book that is almost addictive. With every new character introduced, I found myself more enraptured. Their personalities, their banter, their unique traits and intricacies.
Truly a masterclass in character building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Death, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Transphobia, and Sexual violence
kaylasbewks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm really glad I read this book, even if I didn't give it the highest rating. It was wonderfully written and unique in so many ways - I just felt.. empty when I'd finished reading, the characters weren't well fleshed out as their relationships & dynamics felt forced + I had no emotional attachment to any character, so in tense moments I was unable to immerse myself in their world. However, the world building was excellent - I loved learning about the different creatures, items, magic 'systems', islands, rituals and more. The pacing was also enjoyable. :) As I mentioned, despite it's flaws I'm very glad I've read this book!
I would've loved to learn more about the Mistress of Poisons, I need to hear more about her part in the adventures.
Rated using the CAWPILE system. :3
Rated using the CAWPILE system. :3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Trafficking
ryangiglio's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Overall I enjoyed this book - the characters are fun and the adventure/mystery is very intriguing - but I thought it took a little too long to get going. It’s a “one last ride” story, but it takes fully half the book to get the gang back together. Of course there are some adventures along the way, but it doesn’t really kick into high gear until then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
e_claire's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Rape, and Gore