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blewballoon'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Cursing, Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Genocide, Transphobia, Vomit, War, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
vgdesigns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
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.
Moderate: Murder and Cursing
Minor: Vomit and Rape
rosesforreading's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Torture, Sexism, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Islamophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, Animal death, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Slavery, Sexual content, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Xenophobia and Transphobia
displacedcactus's review against another edition
- 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
- Stuff inspired by/related to 1001 Nights (aka The Arabian Nights)
- Pirates, especially lady pirates
- Adult characters who actually act like adults
- No really, the main character is in her FORTIES, and a MOM
- Adventure books
- Getting the gang back together
- Well-researched historic settings with thoughtfully integrated fantastical elements
- DID I MENTION PIRATES?
I did see this on at least one "most anticipated YA of 2023" list, which I find really amusing because while you could argue that the Daevabad Trilogy was a little YA-ish (although marketed as adult fiction), this is a book about an ADULT coming out of RETIREMENT. I do think that teen readers can enjoy it too, but Amina has the concerns of a woman in her forties with a kid at home.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Cursing
There is a cat in this book:ezwolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book SO much! Amina's devotion to her daughter, her sense of humor, and her crew being more than her crew but being her family were what I enjoyed most. The end of the book had me crying, but and not for the reasons you might think. I can't wait to read about more of Amina's adventures!
I listened to the audiobook version and I thought it was done in a clever way, where at points the narrator, Amina, would turn away from the recorder and speak to the scribe detailing her adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for making this available in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Blood, Misogyny, Cursing, Death, Violence, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
Minor: Dysphoria, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
meshell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I think Chakraborty does a lot in her books - but I also think she does them all extremely well. It's funny, playful, semi-educational, and told from a perspective that doesn't always get centred. I thought the struggle of being a working parent and feeling both the freedom from and longing for wasn't belaboured, but nicely expressed. I enjoyed the queer rep, the themes of defying gender norms, the magic and the mayhem. The whole story is just very fun and engaging, and I look forward to any future adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.
Specifically to the narration - I loved the performance of the interview asides, I really felt like I was in the moment with them. I did play this at 2x, but that's my normal audiobook speed. Thanks to the publisher HarperAudio and Netgally for the opportunity to review this title and enjoy it a bit early.
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Body horror, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Fatphobia and Transphobia
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Torture, Alcohol, Death, Cursing, Violence, and Body horror
Minor: Transphobia, Xenophobia, Dysphoria, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Religious bigotry
Everything "phobia" in these content warnings are not presented in a positive light. The graphic violence/gore are mainly in the last third of the book when dealing with a horrifying villain, but I was glad to be skimming text instead of listening by audio to that part!