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purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Re-read for book club and loved it just as much the second time. Retired lady pirate gets the crew back together for one last job — shenanigans and legends ensue. Perfection. No notes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Cannibalism, Torture, Colonisation, Blood, Xenophobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery, Abandonment, Rape, Alcoholism, and Animal death
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an incredibly exciting and action filled book. I haven't been reading as much this year so I rushed to finish this before the archive date. As a result, there are still some parts of the book I have to come back to in order to call it fully finished. However, I did overall really enjoy this! I think if I'd read it at a more reasonable pace I probably would have enjoyed it slightly more but overall I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the potential for more stories in this world. I also really loved the minor plot twist at the very end I found that to be really fun :)
I was personally not expecting anywhere near the amount of fantasy that ended up being in this book as I originally thought it was mostly just a pirate book, but I wasn't mad about discovering that just not what I originally expected.
Overall would definitely recommend! 4.5 stars
This was an incredibly exciting and action filled book. I haven't been reading as much this year so I rushed to finish this before the archive date. As a result, there are still some parts of the book I have to come back to in order to call it fully finished. However, I did overall really enjoy this! I think if I'd read it at a more reasonable pace I probably would have enjoyed it slightly more but overall I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the potential for more stories in this world. I also really loved the minor plot twist at the very end I found that to be really fun :)
I was personally not expecting anywhere near the amount of fantasy that ended up being in this book as I originally thought it was mostly just a pirate book, but I wasn't mad about discovering that just not what I originally expected.
Overall would definitely recommend! 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Colonisation, Murder, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Islamophobia, Rape, Transphobia, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
vgdesigns's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I Will Fight Through Fire
S.A. Chakraborty returns to the mysterious coast of the Indian Ocean where myth and monsters live. Legends follow Amina al-Sirafi wherever she goes, even as she lives a quiet life in hiding for the sake of her daughter. When the desperate Lady Salim finds her, wishing to hire Amina al-Sirafi to rescue her kidnaped granddaughter Dunya. Threatening her family with rumors of past deeds, old regrets, and a tragic death. Amina al-Sirafi will face all odds to rescue Dunya, protect her family, and prevent a calamity.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is written by the character Jamal al-Hilli on behalf of Amina al-Sirafi the pirate. It is a treat to hear this tale in Amina al-Sirafi’s perspective, as she deserves to tell her own story. She also adds some humor by often interrupting her tale to chide Jamal. This adventure starts as a heist novel, as Amina al-Sirafi is given the impossible task of rescuing Dunya. She must first find her crew, and very talented friends. Dalila the paranoid, and mischievous poisoner. Tinbu her loyal, and flirty first mate. Majed the serious, but wise navigator. Then Raksh her ever cursed, and traitorous husband. Jamal often inserts random passages to hype Amina al-Sirafi’s friends, various locations, and myth. Though this job is not all as it seems, Dunya holds a great secret, and a rescue mission turns into an impossible adventure. A brief warning for vomiting, swearing, threats of rape, and mass murder.
Amina al-Sirafi herself is a strong dynamic character full of compassion toward her diverse crew. S.A. Chakraborty is very careful and considerate with all the various religions, with their diverse cultures, that she introduces into her book. Though this is an era of mass murders, the fault is placed squarely on the perpetrators. Amina al-Sirafi is also vocal about the treatment of women, and advocates for their better treatment. Proving her strength by fighting for her family and crew even in the darkest moments. She is an impressive pirate, and even more remarkable hero.
Filled with magic, dangerous obstacles, pirates, and monsters. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a vibrant story of the struggle between the desire to become legendary, and the love of a child. S.A. Chakraborty leaves The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi open ended, leading to several sequels, and perhaps a prequal. Hopefully filled with even more magic, monsters, and adventures.
S.A. Chakraborty returns to the mysterious coast of the Indian Ocean where myth and monsters live. Legends follow Amina al-Sirafi wherever she goes, even as she lives a quiet life in hiding for the sake of her daughter. When the desperate Lady Salim finds her, wishing to hire Amina al-Sirafi to rescue her kidnaped granddaughter Dunya. Threatening her family with rumors of past deeds, old regrets, and a tragic death. Amina al-Sirafi will face all odds to rescue Dunya, protect her family, and prevent a calamity.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is written by the character Jamal al-Hilli on behalf of Amina al-Sirafi the pirate. It is a treat to hear this tale in Amina al-Sirafi’s perspective, as she deserves to tell her own story. She also adds some humor by often interrupting her tale to chide Jamal. This adventure starts as a heist novel, as Amina al-Sirafi is given the impossible task of rescuing Dunya. She must first find her crew, and very talented friends. Dalila the paranoid, and mischievous poisoner. Tinbu her loyal, and flirty first mate. Majed the serious, but wise navigator. Then Raksh her ever cursed, and traitorous husband. Jamal often inserts random passages to hype Amina al-Sirafi’s friends, various locations, and myth. Though this job is not all as it seems, Dunya holds a great secret, and a rescue mission turns into an impossible adventure. A brief warning for vomiting, swearing, threats of rape, and mass murder.
Amina al-Sirafi herself is a strong dynamic character full of compassion toward her diverse crew. S.A. Chakraborty is very careful and considerate with all the various religions, with their diverse cultures, that she introduces into her book. Though this is an era of mass murders, the fault is placed squarely on the perpetrators. Amina al-Sirafi is also vocal about the treatment of women, and advocates for their better treatment. Proving her strength by fighting for her family and crew even in the darkest moments. She is an impressive pirate, and even more remarkable hero.
Filled with magic, dangerous obstacles, pirates, and monsters. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a vibrant story of the struggle between the desire to become legendary, and the love of a child. S.A. Chakraborty leaves The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi open ended, leading to several sequels, and perhaps a prequal. Hopefully filled with even more magic, monsters, and adventures.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Cursing
Minor: Vomit and Rape
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- mid-aged badass main character
- who is also a mother
- swashbuckling pirate adventures
- ancient magic
- reunited found family
- celestial/magical beings
- LGBTQIA+ representation
This book has a wonderful central theme about the complexity and depth of being a woman. How we contain multitudes. How someone can be both a mother and also want to pursue adventure and their own dreams.
The first half is a bit slow, and there's a lot of character set up before the plot gets going. But honestly the characters are so fun, & I really love the dynamic between Amina and her crew. The second half really gets intense and interesting and I didn't want to put it down. There's kiiiiiind of an enemies to lovers thing, it's hard to describe without giving much away: Amina's fourth husband and her are estranged for *reasons* and when he shows back up there is a lot of general animosity, exasperated dialogue and tension which will likely continue through the series. The ending of the main plot is fairly resolved, but it sets up very well for the rest of a series, which I am excited to read.
1.5/5 🌶️ (closed door) My personal preference would be a bit spicier (because Raksh is HOT), but maybe it will go there in future books idk?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Colonisation, and Death
Minor: Dysphoria, Rape, Transphobia, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, and Slavery
Minor discussion of rape in historical context, and Amina is threatened to be SA at one point (which doesn't happen)
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