Reviews with content warning for Sexism - The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi

I have so many things to say about this book. The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is such an incredible, beautiful story. I was instantly drawn in by the romance of the writing. Amina is a sailor, and her love for the sea, the sky, and her people leapt from the page through her language.

Funny, bursting with family ties, and relentlessly action packed, the book begins with a somewhat reluctant exit from retirement. Amina is forced to get the band back together when the mother of an old crew-mate finds her, desperately in need of her legendary reputation. One last score is always too good to be true though, and what started as a fairly straightforward rescue mission soon turns sinister. Before long, she and her loved ones are wrapped up in supernatural myth, blood magic, and higher stakes than they could have ever imagined. The Adventures... is a gripping mystery, thoughtful examination of morality, and highly entertaining sea adventure all rolled into one. Shannon Chakraborty is a fantastic storyteller, and her decision to tell the story through the perspective of Jamal the scribe, writing with Amina's blessing felt both authentic and gave the tale great grandiosity. I will be thinking about these characters for a long time to come, and can't wait to get my hands on book 2.

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woweewhoa's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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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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harrisgrace's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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

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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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futureofmydays's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

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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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