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unboxedjack's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I picked this as my Book of the Month for March, and I also ended up receiving an additional copy in my FairyLoot subscription.
"The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi" follows ex-pirate and single mother, Amina al-Sirafi, on a wild adventure to rescue a young girl. Amina al-Sirafi gave up her ship, crew, and perilous life when she had her daughter, but she still feels the pull to return to the water and go on a grand adventure. A former crewmember's mother tracks down Amina al-Sirafi and asks for her help in finding and returning the crewmember's daughter. If Amina al-Sirafi can return the girl, the elderly woman has promised more money than Amina al-Sirafi could ever imagine. She is hesitant to put herself and by proxy her daughter in danger, but she cannot turn down this opportunity to set her family up for life. With everything on the line, Amina al-Sirafi embarks on an unforgettable adventure.
I knew that this book was about a pirate going on a great adventure, but I did not realize the pirate was a middle-aged woman and mother. I really, really loved seeing this badass woman going on this great adventure but still struggling with the guilt of motherhood. She wants to be home with her daughter, but the sea and adventure also call to her. She would do anything for her family, but her mother does not really approve of her lifestyle. The fantasy genre is so saturated with young people, at least the books I gravitate towards, so I loved seeing this strong main character who is in a different chapter of her life.
This story has some light magical and fantastical elements. I really enjoyed reading these moments because they felt laced with culture and history that I am not entirely familiar with. I really enjoyed learning more about a different country's history and lore. I also really enjoyed that the magic was not overly complicated and did not take me out of the story. I personally really enjoy fantasy novels that are still rooted in the realms of reality.
I feel ready to set sail and find treasure, and I cannot wait to pick up the sequel of this book when it comes out!
"The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi" follows ex-pirate and single mother, Amina al-Sirafi, on a wild adventure to rescue a young girl. Amina al-Sirafi gave up her ship, crew, and perilous life when she had her daughter, but she still feels the pull to return to the water and go on a grand adventure. A former crewmember's mother tracks down Amina al-Sirafi and asks for her help in finding and returning the crewmember's daughter. If Amina al-Sirafi can return the girl, the elderly woman has promised more money than Amina al-Sirafi could ever imagine. She is hesitant to put herself and by proxy her daughter in danger, but she cannot turn down this opportunity to set her family up for life. With everything on the line, Amina al-Sirafi embarks on an unforgettable adventure.
I knew that this book was about a pirate going on a great adventure, but I did not realize the pirate was a middle-aged woman and mother. I really, really loved seeing this badass woman going on this great adventure but still struggling with the guilt of motherhood. She wants to be home with her daughter, but the sea and adventure also call to her. She would do anything for her family, but her mother does not really approve of her lifestyle. The fantasy genre is so saturated with young people, at least the books I gravitate towards, so I loved seeing this strong main character who is in a different chapter of her life.
This story has some light magical and fantastical elements. I really enjoyed reading these moments because they felt laced with culture and history that I am not entirely familiar with. I really enjoyed learning more about a different country's history and lore. I also really enjoyed that the magic was not overly complicated and did not take me out of the story. I personally really enjoy fantasy novels that are still rooted in the realms of reality.
I feel ready to set sail and find treasure, and I cannot wait to pick up the sequel of this book when it comes out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
amy_w_1998's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was a really really great read. Amina has such a clear voice and personality that comes through with the writing. Also, one of the best audiobooks I’ve heard in a while too! Definitely recommend this one ☺️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Amina Al-Sirafi is a retired pirate trying to live out her retirement in peace with her daughter and family. When the mother of one of Amina's long dead crewmates comes to hire her to retrieve her kidnapped granddaughter, Amina brings her crew together for one last adventure. As you may have guessed, this adventure does not go as planned.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, Slavery, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
lauraslittlebooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I wanna start of by highlighting just how *stunning* this book is! The cover art and the maps are just absolutely beautiful!! 😍😍
The story follows Amina al-Sirafi, a 40-something year old single mother living out her retirement from pirate life for a decade in relative peace and quiet, who is forced to done her pirates hat again and set off to rescue her deceased shipmate’s daughter from a horrific murderous villain.
This story has everything. Adventure, battles, pirates, sea monsters, magic, friendship and more. I was hooked to this one from the get-go. With so many mysteries to unravel and secrets to uncover, it was impossible to put this book down.
Chakraborty’s writing style is wonderful and makes for a quick paced read full of description and action. The dialogue is natural and quick witted, making for relatable and lovable characters.
Amina makes for an incredible protagonist, and I absolutely loved reading an epic fantasy with an *adult* female lead, dodgy knee and all! She’s fiercely loyal and devoted to her family, is distrustful of most (if not all) those she encounters and is not afraid to own her mistakes.
Her inner circle are equally outstanding, each with their own unique backstories and personalities; Dalila being my obvious favourite!
In addition to how fantastically written this story is, Chakraborty has made it so wonderfully inclusive with multiple religions, gay rep and trans rep all flowing seamlessly together in this diverse and exciting read!!
I absolutely loved this and I cannot wait for the next instalment in the series to see where Amina’s adventures take her next!!
I fucking loved it. You need to read this. It’s amazing.
The story follows Amina al-Sirafi, a 40-something year old single mother living out her retirement from pirate life for a decade in relative peace and quiet, who is forced to done her pirates hat again and set off to rescue her deceased shipmate’s daughter from a horrific murderous villain.
This story has everything. Adventure, battles, pirates, sea monsters, magic, friendship and more. I was hooked to this one from the get-go. With so many mysteries to unravel and secrets to uncover, it was impossible to put this book down.
Chakraborty’s writing style is wonderful and makes for a quick paced read full of description and action. The dialogue is natural and quick witted, making for relatable and lovable characters.
Amina makes for an incredible protagonist, and I absolutely loved reading an epic fantasy with an *adult* female lead, dodgy knee and all! She’s fiercely loyal and devoted to her family, is distrustful of most (if not all) those she encounters and is not afraid to own her mistakes.
Her inner circle are equally outstanding, each with their own unique backstories and personalities; Dalila being my obvious favourite!
In addition to how fantastically written this story is, Chakraborty has made it so wonderfully inclusive with multiple religions, gay rep and trans rep all flowing seamlessly together in this diverse and exciting read!!
I absolutely loved this and I cannot wait for the next instalment in the series to see where Amina’s adventures take her next!!
I fucking loved it. You need to read this. It’s amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery and Death of parent
Minor: War
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