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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Animal death, Murder, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, War, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Child death
manaledi's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
An interesting magic theory with a good adventure. Might have needed a little more time in Qalia in the beginning to set up the class conflict between characters and why they hold onto beliefs so strongly. Sometimes hits you over the head with the moral questions of duty versus injustice versus family with a fairly brutal look at colonialism. Intrigued to see where we go from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Violence, Xenophobia, Animal death, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Death, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
eahoffm2's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: War, Murder, and Sexual harassment
readingelli's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
I admit it took me longer to pick this book up than it should have... but I have mixed feelings about it even a while after I finished it.
Things I loved:
- the writing itself. Ibrahim has fantastic writing that makes you curious about this world.
- the worldbuilding is done so well! I loved that there were journeys and a map, everything made sense and added up, and was so well done!
- I actually really liked the plot and the story. While it hit pretty close to what is going on in the world right now, making it a difficult read at times, it is a well done story. The reveals of the information worked well and I am incredibly curious to see what happens next in terms of the plot, based on the ending.
The things I struggled with/ what made this a 3 star read:
- I REALLY struggled with the characters in this book. I struggled to find them likeable to be honest as they all have major flaws. And while I appreciate flaws being a part of the characters, these ones were just too big... if all of the characters are unlikeable, I find it really hard to root for them. I did like Qayn from the beginning though, as he is a fantastic character. I will also note that a couple characters have very good arcs, and their arcs make me curious where they will go with the next books. But as this set everything up, it was a struggle.
- I'm not sure if this is a spoiler so I'll keep it vague, but the supposed "romance" that was trying to happen was so incredibly toxic thaf I couldn't get behind it at all. I get that they are teenagers and experiencing the harsh realities of the world or stuck under a terrible influence but my goodness. The switches in temperament/ personality and the toxic nature of the interactions irked me way too much. I can understand if the author is trying to do something with this as part of the story going forward in terms of how toxic it is, but not knowing where the story is going and seeing it as the possible "romance" for the series really doesn't work for me.
I am curious to read the next book, as I mentioned for the plot, and for Qayn and the sibling relationships. I think the next book would be the decider if I finish the series or not.
Definitely an interesting debut YA fantasy!
Highly recommend reading TW/CW before reading, as it was a LOT darker than I had initially expected for a YA book.
Things I loved:
- the writing itself. Ibrahim has fantastic writing that makes you curious about this world.
- the worldbuilding is done so well! I loved that there were journeys and a map, everything made sense and added up, and was so well done!
- I actually really liked the plot and the story. While it hit pretty close to what is going on in the world right now, making it a difficult read at times, it is a well done story. The reveals of the information worked well and I am incredibly curious to see what happens next in terms of the plot, based on the ending.
The things I struggled with/ what made this a 3 star read:
- I REALLY struggled with the characters in this book. I struggled to find them likeable to be honest as they all have major flaws. And while I appreciate flaws being a part of the characters, these ones were just too big... if all of the characters are unlikeable, I find it really hard to root for them. I did like Qayn from the beginning though, as he is a fantastic character. I will also note that a couple characters have very good arcs, and their arcs make me curious where they will go with the next books. But as this set everything up, it was a struggle.
- I'm not sure if this is a spoiler so I'll keep it vague, but the supposed "romance" that was trying to happen was so incredibly toxic thaf I couldn't get behind it at all. I get that they are teenagers and experiencing the harsh realities of the world or stuck under a terrible influence but my goodness. The switches in temperament/ personality and the toxic nature of the interactions irked me way too much. I can understand if the author is trying to do something with this as part of the story going forward in terms of how toxic it is, but not knowing where the story is going and seeing it as the possible "romance" for the series really doesn't work for me.
I am curious to read the next book, as I mentioned for the plot, and for Qayn and the sibling relationships. I think the next book would be the decider if I finish the series or not.
Definitely an interesting debut YA fantasy!
Highly recommend reading TW/CW before reading, as it was a LOT darker than I had initially expected for a YA book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Animal death, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood and Bullying
Giving stitches to someone, family member missingcjwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This is a book that should be read by anyone who has ever wondered if they should step in to defend someone they did not know. It's a book that should be read by anyone who ever claimed reading is not political, or who ever pushed back against any action that upset the status quo.
It's a book that reminds readers that sometimes, the right choice isn't going to be a popular choice. It might not even be a legal choice. But standing up for what is right and fighting for those in need is still, ALWAYS, the right choice.
Spice Road is beautifully descriptive and I was fully engaged in the story from the start, despite my early dislike Imani, our FMC. For much of the book, she stubbornly and intentionally clung to the ignorance that granted her privilege both in and outside of her society...to the point of convincing herself that any independent thought or action from anyone around her must be caused by that individual being "not themselves" at the moment or influenced by outsiders or lying due to some plot against her/her family.
She truly believed that her government and the "old families" were correct and just and she frequently attempted to force her rule on everyone around her. She refused to listen to anyone, and whenever the possibility that she may be wrong occurred to her, she stubbornly pushed the thought away and refused to consider it.
It wasn't until Imani arrived in the outlands and saw the citizens, who her government taught were corrupt and unworthy of magic, that she realized that the government may have an agenda of their own. It wasn't until she came face to face with starvation and brutality that she began to open herself to the truth of her world.
Imani's growth through her journey was incredible and the lessons she learned applies fully and completely to our own world. All people deserve to be safe and free and, if someone is oppressing or hurting another, it is our duty to become their shield, in whatever way we can.
It's a book that reminds readers that sometimes, the right choice isn't going to be a popular choice. It might not even be a legal choice. But standing up for what is right and fighting for those in need is still, ALWAYS, the right choice.
Spice Road is beautifully descriptive and I was fully engaged in the story from the start, despite my early dislike Imani, our FMC. For much of the book, she stubbornly and intentionally clung to the ignorance that granted her privilege both in and outside of her society...to the point of convincing herself that any independent thought or action from anyone around her must be caused by that individual being "not themselves" at the moment or influenced by outsiders or lying due to some plot against her/her family.
She truly believed that her government and the "old families" were correct and just and she frequently attempted to force her rule on everyone around her. She refused to listen to anyone, and whenever the possibility that she may be wrong occurred to her, she stubbornly pushed the thought away and refused to consider it.
It wasn't until Imani arrived in the outlands and saw the citizens, who her government taught were corrupt and unworthy of magic, that she realized that the government may have an agenda of their own. It wasn't until she came face to face with starvation and brutality that she began to open herself to the truth of her world.
Imani's growth through her journey was incredible and the lessons she learned applies fully and completely to our own world. All people deserve to be safe and free and, if someone is oppressing or hurting another, it is our duty to become their shield, in whatever way we can.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault
hardcoverhaven's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm reviewing this about five months after I read it and unfortunately, not much memorable about this really stuck out, so I'm basing this off of notes that I took back then. The MC's search for her brother is what drew me in because I love a good sibling-related plot especially if there's danger involved or a case of finding the sibling and hoping they're not dead. The setting is very unique and I loved the Arabian inspiration. Qayn was an interesting character but besides that, nothing else appealed to me. The FMC and her love interest were severely lacking in chemistry and I was just not invested in their stories and development. A lot of parts in the book seemed to just drag and there was very little I can remember as far as scenes go that I thought were impactful. I will probably not be picking up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and Animal death
Moderate: War and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
renettereads's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
This is a book that really pleasantly surprised me recently. This was a damaged copy that my friend gifted me when she received a replacement and so I didn’t go into it knowing much about the plot or with any expectations.
We follow Imani in an Arabian-inspired setting where she, as a Shield of Qalia, uses her magic to protect her people against monsters. When she learns her brother, who she thought dead, might still be alive, she embarks on a journey with a rival Shield and a hidden (and forbidden) Djinn.
We follow Imani in an Arabian-inspired setting where she, as a Shield of Qalia, uses her magic to protect her people against monsters. When she learns her brother, who she thought dead, might still be alive, she embarks on a journey with a rival Shield and a hidden (and forbidden) Djinn.
I loved the magic system in this – I thought the tea magic was not only unique but fit beautifully in this setting. I also loved the journey element of this book and this seemingly endless quest to track down the ghost of her brother. But what I really loved was how this tackled colonialism and racism in a heartfelt and interesting way.
Seen entirely through Imani’s POV, it was heartwarming to see her growth. Going from a very ‘us against them’ mindset where she thought only her people were worth protecting, to genuinely being moved by the plight of “the outsiders” was touching and I liked how she could admit that she was in the wrong.
Though some of the internal dialogue became a little repetitive, there were plenty of things I loved about this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Colonisation and Sexual violence
honuzbubbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Gore, Bullying, Child abuse, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Classism