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eco23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hoffnungswolke's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
This one is such a damn bummer.
I wanted to love it. Cause on paper this sounds right up my alley.
But at the end of it all, I was just super frustrated with pretty much everything.
The things I loved where the whole setting of the book, I loved the atmosphere, and the magic was done so very well. Loved that.
But then you have the real important stuff, like the characters. They just frustrated me to no end. Like I love myself some layered characters but the whip lash I got from some of them was insane, and not in a fun way. I just found myself not caring about them and being really meh about their journey and if they could archive their goals.
I also can't believe I'm typing this, since I am such a sucker for family dynamics in books. But good god, these siblings just didn't do it for me at all.
I wanted to love it. Cause on paper this sounds right up my alley.
But at the end of it all, I was just super frustrated with pretty much everything.
The things I loved where the whole setting of the book, I loved the atmosphere, and the magic was done so very well. Loved that.
But then you have the real important stuff, like the characters. They just frustrated me to no end. Like I love myself some layered characters but the whip lash I got from some of them was insane, and not in a fun way. I just found myself not caring about them and being really meh about their journey and if they could archive their goals.
I also can't believe I'm typing this, since I am such a sucker for family dynamics in books. But good god, these siblings just didn't do it for me at all.
mariahreadsmore's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
adodom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
3.75
yusra_s's review against another edition
5.0
"We will fight, but first we will have tea."
I was in love with this book since the first line. Even if it did not mean what I initially thought it did.
But then, I met Imani.
That stubborn, ignorant girl who refused to even glance outside the box and believe what she did not want to. Her arrogance knew no bounds since the very first chapter. Every word she uttered ignited an urge in me to punch her.
Then why did I award this book a five star? well, that's the thing. Read the book and you'll be in on my secret.
there is a bunch of other characters and their personalities were very well built.
Spice Road is a story about a seventeen year-old girl Imani who is stuck in mourning of her brother since a whole year. But when the horse of that dead brother leads Imani and her sister to an abandoned place far into the desert, she is no longer sure if he was truly dead or was it something entirely different.
I was in love with this book since the first line. Even if it did not mean what I initially thought it did.
But then, I met Imani.
That stubborn, ignorant girl who refused to even glance outside the box and believe what she did not want to. Her arrogance knew no bounds since the very first chapter. Every word she uttered ignited an urge in me to punch her.
Then why did I award this book a five star? well, that's the thing. Read the book and you'll be in on my secret.
Spoiler
She changes. not many writers transform the personalities of their characters. They already have their perfectly made MCs at the ready. But when Maiya made Imani selfish, arrogant and ignorant, then made her see her errors and correct them , I knew I would love the trilogy.Next, we are introduced to Amira, Imani's sister who is as stubborn (not ignorant) as her older sister . But damn it. I loved her the moment she bunked school. And that love only grew.
there is a bunch of other characters and their personalities were very well built.
Spoiler
except for Taha. In my opinion, he always acted kind of childish, blushing every other second. But I guess he is one hell of a conflicted person and I absolutely adore that. I know I should hate him. But I don't. I want to sometimes jump into the book just so that I can give that dude a hug and whisper hope into his ears.Spice Road was so explicitly detailed in its description, I was hauled into its magical world and forced to traverse the sands alongside the scouts and their companions. And, oh, what a journey it was. I wish I could live there forever and not have to give my exams. Alas, one can only read and dream.
jlbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story! This is very typical YA, but I liked the Arabian influence throughout. It is action packed as Imani searches for her brother and deals with life-threatening scenarios and betrayal. I would have liked more scenes with the djinn Qayn, and I wished he had a larger presence in the story. I thought it was interesting and I recommend!
readwithbush_'s review against another edition
3.0
it hasn't been the best reading month for me y'all... i wish this book was as amazing as its cover
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"That is the truth, and as difficult as it may be, the truth must always prevail, regardless of the rules it defies and the false history it rewrites."
Imani's a Shield of Qalia. In this magical desert city, sorcerers like her rely on the magic of misra, which they brew and drink as tea. For Imani, this means she can manipulate the iron in her dagger, changing its form at will in battle. Her mastery, employed in protecting Qalia from the ever-encroaching monsters in the surrounding desert, has earned her the moniker "Djinni Slayer." Imani followed in her brother's footsteps to become a Shield, but a year ago, Atheer disappeared. He'd been talking about the importance of truth before duty leading up to his vanishing, and officials allege he stole misra, a sign of magical addiction. Imani's aunt on the ruling Council hushed up these unflattering stories, but Imani carries the weight of the shame. Her little sister, however, believes Atheer is still alive, working on something secret and important. Amari's been acting out at school, feeling alone in her grief, perceiving her older sister going about her normal life as if nothing happened. When Amari's friend comes tattling that she's off chasing their brother's horse in the desert, Imani sets off to retrieve her. But Atheer's horse leads the two sisters to unexpected clues about his secretive last days. It turns out Atheer was the Council's Scout, tasked with venturing beyond the sands to the world they pretend to the populace doesn't exist. And the surrounding nation of Alqibah is being overtaken by colonizers. Atheer couldn't stand by knowing Sahiran magic could save them from their fate.
This kicks off Imani's quest to return her brother home, restore her family, and close off Qalia from the outside world to ensure its safety. To that end, she makes a desperate and illegal binding to the djinni Qayn, a self-proclaimed friend of Atheer and the only one who can lead Imani to him across the desert. She'll also be forced to follow the lead of the Scout who took Atheer's place. Taha is not only Imani's rival Shield but also the son of the Council's leader, an upstart soldier lacking the same lineage bona fides as the other Council clans like Imani's family.
Imani has some work to do (on herself). She's a young woman of great fortitude, as brave as she is inflexible. She cannot let go of a happier past, even to find a potentially better future. All the upheaval of having her worldview challenged barely makes a chink in her armor at first. Stubborn and determined, Imani molds new information to suit her best, ignoring what doesn't fit and pushing down her fears and uncertainty about being so challenged. She's called out by all kinds of people for her narrow, privileged worldview-- even by her little sister. It's almost impressive how easily she lets such criticisms roll off her without hitting the mark. Surely there is no truth in them that would require any self-reflection. In other words, it sets up the character arc beautifully. This is a story about class privilege-- who answers to it and who's served by it, unwittingly and untroubled.
One of the book's standout accomplishments is its descriptive writing. Ibrahim includes a beautiful degree of detail, whether the author's eye is turned toward a setting or a character's backstory. When we enter a scene, Ibrahim paints a picture to include us in what everyone's doing and how they're arrayed before us. No detail of architecture, cuisine, or body language is ignored-- it's a full-body, multisensory experience. The same attention is applied to some epic chase and fight scenes that held my attention the whole way through (a feat), and I was particularly in awe of the Assassins Creed vibes in some scenes. Imani's quest takes her to a swathe of mesmerizing locales-- a city abandoned but for a dream of its former glory, a desert that eats up travelers who lose their way, and a struggling kingdom infected with their colonizers' presence. Ibrahim brings each to life with a dense cast of characters, all while keeping our attention firmly on Imani's personal growth and her relationships.
Because the relationship plots, nearly the most important aspect of any book, do not disappoint. In terms of romance, we're given two potential options-- one started vastly superior in my view, but my opinion shifted throughout. I was impressed with how the author kept her cards close to her chest, making Imani's turmoil more real and less a pit stop on the way to a clear destination. One option features vulnerable moments, including a "nurse back to health" moment and a terrible way to bond-- the loss of a beloved animal (I have an abysmal track record with bookish animal safety at the moment that makes me VERY suspicious of any fictional pets appearing on the page. I may have to go on strike for my poor tear ducts' sake.) I appreciate that neither love interest is perfect throughout their journey, necessitating some give-and-take, some growth and flexibility on everyone's part. And flexibility is not a trait that comes naturally to any of them. And the SISTERLY story-- be still my heart. Imani sets out with an entrenched view of her family that's slowly worn down. It feels devastating in the moment (to her) but leads to stronger relationships and a clearer mind.
I am so curious about where this series will go next. For all Imani's already impressive growth, there's still plenty of work to be done in terms of action and resolution. The threats are mounting, and though her worldview's been shattered, I think she's still deciding what to do with the information, and there's a lot that's out of her hands. This is an exceptional series starter, a magnificent debut. It's stories like these that keep me returning to ya fantasy to see characters rise and make the world a better place. Thanks to Delacorte for my copy to read and review!
Imani's a Shield of Qalia. In this magical desert city, sorcerers like her rely on the magic of misra, which they brew and drink as tea. For Imani, this means she can manipulate the iron in her dagger, changing its form at will in battle. Her mastery, employed in protecting Qalia from the ever-encroaching monsters in the surrounding desert, has earned her the moniker "Djinni Slayer." Imani followed in her brother's footsteps to become a Shield, but a year ago, Atheer disappeared. He'd been talking about the importance of truth before duty leading up to his vanishing, and officials allege he stole misra, a sign of magical addiction. Imani's aunt on the ruling Council hushed up these unflattering stories, but Imani carries the weight of the shame. Her little sister, however, believes Atheer is still alive, working on something secret and important. Amari's been acting out at school, feeling alone in her grief, perceiving her older sister going about her normal life as if nothing happened. When Amari's friend comes tattling that she's off chasing their brother's horse in the desert, Imani sets off to retrieve her. But Atheer's horse leads the two sisters to unexpected clues about his secretive last days. It turns out Atheer was the Council's Scout, tasked with venturing beyond the sands to the world they pretend to the populace doesn't exist. And the surrounding nation of Alqibah is being overtaken by colonizers. Atheer couldn't stand by knowing Sahiran magic could save them from their fate.
This kicks off Imani's quest to return her brother home, restore her family, and close off Qalia from the outside world to ensure its safety. To that end, she makes a desperate and illegal binding to the djinni Qayn, a self-proclaimed friend of Atheer and the only one who can lead Imani to him across the desert. She'll also be forced to follow the lead of the Scout who took Atheer's place. Taha is not only Imani's rival Shield but also the son of the Council's leader, an upstart soldier lacking the same lineage bona fides as the other Council clans like Imani's family.
Imani has some work to do (on herself). She's a young woman of great fortitude, as brave as she is inflexible. She cannot let go of a happier past, even to find a potentially better future. All the upheaval of having her worldview challenged barely makes a chink in her armor at first. Stubborn and determined, Imani molds new information to suit her best, ignoring what doesn't fit and pushing down her fears and uncertainty about being so challenged. She's called out by all kinds of people for her narrow, privileged worldview-- even by her little sister. It's almost impressive how easily she lets such criticisms roll off her without hitting the mark. Surely there is no truth in them that would require any self-reflection. In other words, it sets up the character arc beautifully. This is a story about class privilege-- who answers to it and who's served by it, unwittingly and untroubled.
One of the book's standout accomplishments is its descriptive writing. Ibrahim includes a beautiful degree of detail, whether the author's eye is turned toward a setting or a character's backstory. When we enter a scene, Ibrahim paints a picture to include us in what everyone's doing and how they're arrayed before us. No detail of architecture, cuisine, or body language is ignored-- it's a full-body, multisensory experience. The same attention is applied to some epic chase and fight scenes that held my attention the whole way through (a feat), and I was particularly in awe of the Assassins Creed vibes in some scenes. Imani's quest takes her to a swathe of mesmerizing locales-- a city abandoned but for a dream of its former glory, a desert that eats up travelers who lose their way, and a struggling kingdom infected with their colonizers' presence. Ibrahim brings each to life with a dense cast of characters, all while keeping our attention firmly on Imani's personal growth and her relationships.
Because the relationship plots, nearly the most important aspect of any book, do not disappoint. In terms of romance, we're given two potential options-- one started vastly superior in my view, but my opinion shifted throughout. I was impressed with how the author kept her cards close to her chest, making Imani's turmoil more real and less a pit stop on the way to a clear destination. One option features vulnerable moments, including a "nurse back to health" moment and a terrible way to bond-- the loss of a beloved animal (I have an abysmal track record with bookish animal safety at the moment that makes me VERY suspicious of any fictional pets appearing on the page. I may have to go on strike for my poor tear ducts' sake.) I appreciate that neither love interest is perfect throughout their journey, necessitating some give-and-take, some growth and flexibility on everyone's part. And flexibility is not a trait that comes naturally to any of them. And the SISTERLY story-- be still my heart. Imani sets out with an entrenched view of her family that's slowly worn down. It feels devastating in the moment (to her) but leads to stronger relationships and a clearer mind.
I am so curious about where this series will go next. For all Imani's already impressive growth, there's still plenty of work to be done in terms of action and resolution. The threats are mounting, and though her worldview's been shattered, I think she's still deciding what to do with the information, and there's a lot that's out of her hands. This is an exceptional series starter, a magnificent debut. It's stories like these that keep me returning to ya fantasy to see characters rise and make the world a better place. Thanks to Delacorte for my copy to read and review!
urbanesunset's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.75
mirandaria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5