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A review by ko_rax
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
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
5.0
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 andDalila, 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 withgore, profanity, violence and death . These themes/triggers have a major appearance in this novel.
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Alcohol, and Torture
Minor: Slavery, Rape, and Transphobia