Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by judyc_elementz_mj
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
My first 5-star review for 2024, but if I could have given this a 6, I would have. A fantastic story told beautifully with great characters, action on the seas, fantasy elements and mixed in humour, usually with a touch of sarcasm.
Initially, when I bought this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I'm typically not one for historical fiction, but I had hoped and heard many reviewers talk about the great main character, and I loved the idea that she was a "retired" pirate who had been lured back to her old job. I was not at all disappointed. I enjoyed the character's maturity, the fact that she was a mother who had to leave her child behind and that her past actions weighed heavily on her throughout. She had a morally grey past but still managed to hold onto her humanity and caring spirit. She was an amazing character who carried me throughout the story.
What had surprised me was that the story is a retelling by the narrator, Amina, to a scribe. Throughout, there are small snippets of pages with a bit of backstory but told from the scribe's POV. I loved how that added world-building without ever dragging you out of the story. And of course at the end, when you realize who the scribe is, well, that was a huge surprise to me.
Add to that all of the other wonderful characters. Especially her shipmates Tinbu, Dalilia and Majed who were her friends and the people that she loved the most outside of her own family.
Now as the story starts, Amina has been, more or less, blackmailed into going after a rich old women's granddaughter. Amina, who feels some guilt about the young girl's father and also wants to protect her daughter, feels she has no choice.
So, off she goes with her ship, the Marawati, which had been in the care of her friend Tinbu. She is quickly drawn into a mess because he's being arrested, along with his crew. Of course, Amina needs him, and he's her friend, so she and Dalilia break him and the others out of prison and then they steal back their ship. From there, chaos ensues, including her finding her ex-husband alive. Yep, she had left him, who is a demon, in a situation where he should have been dead. Nope ... not dead ... quite alive ... unfortunately. But, alas, he ends up with the crew and creates a mess wherever he goes.
Now, without telling you too much, none of the trip is simple. Amina and her crew are faced with sorcery and bad guys everywhere they go.
I LOVED IT ... ALL OF IT. Surprised the hell out of me that I did, but I think what made me love it, was the author's ability to make these characters and the world come to life. So, that brings me to her writing style. I'd say it's a bit flowery, but not in the same way as say, a book like "When the Moon Hatched" but in such a way that it sounded like the type of writing that would have existed back when Amina lived. It made the placement and time of the book seem incredibly real. At the back of the book, she has a bibliography, which indicates that she has researched Asiatic Society in the 13th century, which perhaps is why this feels very REAL. And, of course, adding in the fantastical elements gave her the ability to create a rich story built on that realism.
I'm not sure if any of that made sense, but I really wanted to try to express why and how much I enjoyed this book. I know that this is her most recent work, but I can tell you, without a doubt, I will be looking to read her earlier work, starting with "City of Brass." I'm hoping I enjoy it as much.
Initially, when I bought this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I'm typically not one for historical fiction, but I had hoped and heard many reviewers talk about the great main character, and I loved the idea that she was a "retired" pirate who had been lured back to her old job. I was not at all disappointed. I enjoyed the character's maturity, the fact that she was a mother who had to leave her child behind and that her past actions weighed heavily on her throughout. She had a morally grey past but still managed to hold onto her humanity and caring spirit. She was an amazing character who carried me throughout the story.
What had surprised me was that the story is a retelling by the narrator, Amina, to a scribe. Throughout, there are small snippets of pages with a bit of backstory but told from the scribe's POV. I loved how that added world-building without ever dragging you out of the story. And of course at the end, when you realize who the scribe is, well, that was a huge surprise to me.
Add to that all of the other wonderful characters. Especially her shipmates Tinbu, Dalilia and Majed who were her friends and the people that she loved the most outside of her own family.
Now as the story starts, Amina has been, more or less, blackmailed into going after a rich old women's granddaughter. Amina, who feels some guilt about the young girl's father and also wants to protect her daughter, feels she has no choice.
So, off she goes with her ship, the Marawati, which had been in the care of her friend Tinbu. She is quickly drawn into a mess because he's being arrested, along with his crew. Of course, Amina needs him, and he's her friend, so she and Dalilia break him and the others out of prison and then they steal back their ship. From there, chaos ensues, including her finding her ex-husband alive. Yep, she had left him, who is a demon, in a situation where he should have been dead. Nope ... not dead ... quite alive ... unfortunately. But, alas, he ends up with the crew and creates a mess wherever he goes.
Now, without telling you too much, none of the trip is simple. Amina and her crew are faced with sorcery and bad guys everywhere they go.
I LOVED IT ... ALL OF IT. Surprised the hell out of me that I did, but I think what made me love it, was the author's ability to make these characters and the world come to life. So, that brings me to her writing style. I'd say it's a bit flowery, but not in the same way as say, a book like "When the Moon Hatched" but in such a way that it sounded like the type of writing that would have existed back when Amina lived. It made the placement and time of the book seem incredibly real. At the back of the book, she has a bibliography, which indicates that she has researched Asiatic Society in the 13th century, which perhaps is why this feels very REAL. And, of course, adding in the fantastical elements gave her the ability to create a rich story built on that realism.
I'm not sure if any of that made sense, but I really wanted to try to express why and how much I enjoyed this book. I know that this is her most recent work, but I can tell you, without a doubt, I will be looking to read her earlier work, starting with "City of Brass." I'm hoping I enjoy it as much.