Reviews with content warning for Torture - The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty

96 reviews

aheyns's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

clavishorti's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In the splendid literary masterpiece The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon A. Chakraborty, I must confess that my attention has been captivated for quite some time. It is not merely the enchanting cover of the book, designed by Mumtaz Mustafa and illustrated by Ivan Belikov, but also the epic promises emanating from its story premise that have drawn me in. Thus, with a hopeful heart, I embarked upon the journey through its pages.

However, I did not immediately immerse myself in the narrative. It took me some time to navigate its intricate plot. Initially, my perspective was adrift amidst the flowing waves of words, compounded by confusion regarding the narrative viewpoint presented. Additionally, the varied vocabulary employed in the story remained partially veiled to my understanding. It was regrettable that, when consulting the footnotes or glossary provided, explanations for these words were rarely found. Consequently, I found myself investing extra time in comprehending each sentence, resorting to digital sources and the like for answers. Nonetheless, with patience and perseverance, I eventually succeeded in assimilating every nuance presented within the tale’s pages.

The tale of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon A. Chakraborty indeed revives the glory of a nakhuda named Amina al-Sirafi, immortalized as a hero amidst the mist of the ocean. She, a courageous woman, wearied from sailing across oceans to traverse time.

Amina, oh Amina, an intrepid explorer with a fiery spirit burning within her. Alongside her steadfast companions, she traverses the corners of the world, uncovering mysteries amidst the twinkling stars. Yet, when the curtain of retirement finally shrouds her vision, a sudden call beckons her to return to the sea that yearns for her. Although the joy of embracing it once more fills her, lament and regret reign within her, compelling her to leave her beloved family once more.

Thus unfolds a new chapter of Amina’s adventure, each step akin to a cluster of stars dancing in the sky. An adventure not only captivating but also filled with wonders and darkness. Otherworldly creatures, enchanting magic, and even bloodshed adorn her journey.

In this tale, Shannon A. Chakraborty presents a rich and intricate portrayal of the fantasy world created, a world that breathes life into its culture, history, and politics. With a storytelling style flowing like a river and descriptions that transform into living paintings, readers are invited to immerse themselves in the whirlpool of a captivating adventure, brimming with surprises and gripping tension.

As I sailed deeper into the currents of the story, pleasure undoubtedly crept into my soul. Even in the serene silence, tension danced at the edge of my heart, while frustration approached, evoking a sense of palpable frustration. However, some aspects of the story still seemed too shallow to explore fully.

Within the recesses of my heart, a bittersweet essence lingered, complementing the journey in certain parts. Just like any great literary work, this book has become a focal point of debate and diverse studies among its observers and enthusiasts. Opinions gathered may vary regarding the cultural, social, or political representations in this story, as well as different perspectives on the evolution of characters and plots unfolded.

There are cheers and somber reflections adorning the discussion, particularly when Shannon A. Chakraborty portrays the culture and religion amidst a landscape imbued with the aroma of the Middle East and the distinctive Arab flavor. Some feel a sharp impact, while others feel respected, or even identify weaknesses within it.

Yet, amidst the deluge of opinions and torrents of criticism, it is crucial to remember that every stroke of the pen carries subjective interpretations and reactions. Diversity of viewpoints is one of the hidden treasures amidst the flow of literary discourse. Despite varying opinions and interpretations, within them lies the magic that makes literature a wellspring of inspiration, self-reflection, and a cornerstone of critical reflection.

With all the grandeur and controversy surrounding the tale of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, it is undeniable that it remains a topic of conversation among literature enthusiasts. Amidst the cheers and somber reflections, discussions about cultural values, religious thoughts, and the intricacies of the plot continue to flow like an ever-running river. It is a work that invites deep reflection, sparks discussions that stimulate critical thinking, and adds an unforgettable hue to the tapestry of the world’s literary richness.

Content Warnings

_rowantree_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny 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

4.5

There is so much I loved about this book and I may come back to write a proper review once I have digested it a bit more (/bought my own copy to cherish and reread multiple times). I borrowed this as an audiobook from the library and thought the voice actors were incredible, I would highly recommend. I also think this would make an amazing basis for a series and hope it gets a tv adaptation from someone who loves it as much as I did

Content Warnings

caoimhemia's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

wardenred's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging 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

4.75

To be a woman is to have your story misremembered.

This book is a perfect combination of some of my very favorite fantasy tropes. Coming out of retirement for one last job! Getting the gang back together! A badass older protagonist who is also a parent! Naval adventure! Female pirate captain! I seriously adore all these, so of course I had to read this book and, quite predictably, I liked it a lot.

Admittedly, it wasn't super easy to get into; I think the first 100-120 pages took me longer than the rest of the book combined. The prose here is rich and evocative and voicey, but in a way that took me some getting used to (might be an ESL thing?), especially combined with the historical Arabian peninsula/Indian ocean setting. It's a part of the world I admit I know little about, and what I do know is filtered through the lens of European history. Yes, that's something I certainly want to rectify! But for now, figuring out the feel of the historical period + all the fantasy elements + the prose made for a combination that stalled me a bit. I think that maybe, a bit counterintuitively, it would be easier for me to get immersed if the action started earlier and I could absorb everything else through it. But the set-up here certainly took a long time. Fortunately, eventually the pacing picked up and when I got all the promised adventure, I couldn't stop reading.

There's a great balance of characterization, plot, and worldbuilding to be found here. All the elements blend together to create a truly exciting fantasy story. I loved Amina in particular as the protagonist: she has the kind of dominating presence I would expect from a woman in her position. Her struggles to balance her past and her present, her history and her burning love for her daughter, her womanhood and being in the position of leadership in a cutthroat man-dominated world, her religion and the kind of things she does/lets others do as a pirate and the people she surrounds herself with—all of that was super well-crafted and never turned overdramatic. I adored her crewmates, as well, in particular Dalila and Majed. Especially Dalila. She's my venomous favorite.

I also appreciated how gradually the secrets of the past resurfaced, adding to the plot one by one and merging together, and all the quests within quests that formed the larger adventure. In some ways, the plot reminded me of a well-crafted tabletop campaign, and that's definitely a compliment.

I do feel that the beginning could be made a bit tighter for a better effect, but overall, this definitely goes on my list of my favorite 2024 reads!

Content Warnings

tinkeringcheck's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25

The first 2/3 of this book was a VERY enthusiastic 5 stars for me. The slow burn of this found family of middle-aged former pirates getting the gang back together for one last, very personal job just sucked me in. The descriptive-yet-witty narration does an incredible job of immersing you in their world and making this place and time come to life. And I absolutely adored Amina's old crew, who each felt like unique, fleshed out people. The story really sold their existing sibling-esque bonds, which is no easy feat for a story that picks up decades after those relationships were forged.

And I especially - ESPECIALLY - loved Amina al-Sirafi as a POV character. She's a middle-aged sea rat with a bad knee and a penchant for swearing. She's sharp and funny, observant and ambitious, long-suffering and guilt-ridden. She's devoted to her family and crew and tries her best to balance both. She's faithful but certainly no saint. She's genuinely the most fascinating narrator I've read in recent memory and I love her SO much. And I don't usually like 1st person! Her narration, how she sees the world, and her relationships with her old crew just sparkle off the page.

I also loved the framing technique of Amina telling her story and her hilarious back-and-forth with the scribe writing it down. It's genuinely so fun, and it gives the scribe their own voice when they interject with asides and bits of historical letters to help you contextualize the ports and places in the story.

What fell a little flat for me was the pacing in the last 1/3 of the book. It felt like the story switched genres and backslid into stereotypical fantasy plotting, complete with a shoehorned quest to extend it into a series. Maybe I misjudged the genre (I went in mostly blind and have never read this author before) but I thought the story was stronger when the supernatural aspects lurked around the edges as a more unknown entity. Going full stereotypical fantasy killed some of that tension and mystery, and the cliché plotting weakened the writing for me. Personally, it just made those chapters a slog to get through.

But honestly, even if I found some of the pacing and plotting a bit disappointing, I still absolutely adored the characters and world-building. The pace picked back up for the climax and everything wrapped up in a satisfying way while promising future adventures with the most fun cast of characters I've read in a long time. Plus, on a superficial note, the cover is gorgeous (though my hardcover's sleeve seems designed for a book 100 pages thinner rip). If you can stomach the content warnings - which I'll go into below - I highly, highly recommend.

P.S. to fellow reviewers: It's possible to mention representation without spoiling things. Signed, a

trans person

delighted by the nuanced rep and yet spoiled by well-meaning reviewers. (And also by annoying reviewers who think the mere existence of queer people is inherently political or ahistorical. Come onnn.)

Content Warnings

blankcrayon's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

At first I found the details of an unfamiliar culture and time complicated to follow, but I was driven to find out how the adventure ended (or began…).

Content Warnings

mesulkin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious 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

Content Warnings

books_and_cream_cheese's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous inspiring 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

Eine großartig erzählte Piratengeschichte! Mit wilden Seeräubern, Monstern und Zauberei für das abenteuerlustige Kind in mir, das mit Augenklappe und Stock durch den Garten rennt und Schätze im Sandkasten sucht, kombiniert mit tiefergreifenden Themen über Identität und Mutterschaft. Die bunte Welt des arabischen Raums im Mittelalter und die lebhaften Figuren, die die Geschichte bevölkern, sind absolut fantastisch und hauchen jeder Seite Leben ein. Absolut empfehlenswert für alle, die Lust auf ein Abenteuer haben - und für mich ein neues Lieblingsbuch.

Content Warnings

ko_rax's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.75

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 and

Dalila, 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 with

gore, profanity, violence and death

. These themes/triggers have a major appearance in this novel.

Content Warnings

More...