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A review by epellicci
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have so many things to say about this book. The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is such an incredible, beautiful story. I was instantly drawn in by the romance of the writing. Amina is a sailor, and her love for the sea, the sky, and her people leapt from the page through her language.
Funny, bursting with family ties, and relentlessly action packed, the book begins with a somewhat reluctant exit from retirement. Amina is forced to get the band back together when the mother of an old crew-mate finds her, desperately in need of her legendary reputation. One last score is always too good to be true though, and what started as a fairly straightforward rescue mission soon turns sinister. Before long, she and her loved ones are wrapped up in supernatural myth, blood magic, and higher stakes than they could have ever imagined. The Adventures... is a gripping mystery, thoughtful examination of morality, and highly entertaining sea adventure all rolled into one. Shannon Chakraborty is a fantastic storyteller, and her decision to tell the story through the perspective of Jamal the scribe, writing with Amina's blessing felt both authentic and gave the tale great grandiosity. I will be thinking about these characters for a long time to come, and can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
Funny, bursting with family ties, and relentlessly action packed, the book begins with a somewhat reluctant exit from retirement. Amina is forced to get the band back together when the mother of an old crew-mate finds her, desperately in need of her legendary reputation. One last score is always too good to be true though, and what started as a fairly straightforward rescue mission soon turns sinister. Before long, she and her loved ones are wrapped up in supernatural myth, blood magic, and higher stakes than they could have ever imagined. The Adventures... is a gripping mystery, thoughtful examination of morality, and highly entertaining sea adventure all rolled into one. Shannon Chakraborty is a fantastic storyteller, and her decision to tell the story through the perspective of Jamal the scribe, writing with Amina's blessing felt both authentic and gave the tale great grandiosity. I will be thinking about these characters for a long time to come, and can't wait to get my hands on book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexism, War, and Sexual violence