I’m not gonna lie, I was very scared I wasn’t going to like this book when I started it!! The book is written so that our main character, Amina, is telling the story to someone else, who is then writing everything down. The weird thing is that at times, Jamal, the person writing down Amina’s story, will ask Amina a question or interrupt the story but we never see what’s been asked or said, only Amina’s responses to the question or interruption.

I didn’t particularly enjoy this method of story telling and it made it hard for me to really immerse myself in the book. I kept putting it down and not really feeling the urge to pick it back up. I think what also played into me not wanting to pick the book back up is that the beginning of this book is SLOW. So incredibly slow. For the first 40% I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it enough to want to continue the series but THANKFULLY!!! Things really do kick off and get interesting right after the 40% mark.

Around this point is when everything I originally expected the book to be like started to take place. It became a fast paced, intense, high stakes pirate adventure with everything you could possibly want! INSANE sea creatures, a lovable and compelling crew that you root for, a lost treasure waiting to be found, magic, battles, and more!

I really enjoyed the battle sequences and they were actually very intense, my jaw dropped at one in particular! I also loved the crew SO much and they were truly the highlight for me. Majed, my beloved, I can’t wait to see more of him and his friendship with Amina in the rest of the series. I also was not expecting to love Raksh but honestly he was lowkey hilarious and gives off big himbo vibes and I can’t WAIT to see what chaos he brings to the next books.

And then of course, we have our main character, Amina. I really love Amina and she is my morally grey icon. She is strong and calculated when it comes to her plans and her ambitions, but soft and caring when it comes to her friends and family. She’s fiercely loyal and not afraid to do what she needs to do to protect the ones she loves and we have to stan!! She’s also SO funny.

If I could condense the first 40% of this book into like 15% this would’ve been 5 stars without a doubt but it just took too long for me to get into. I am EXTREMELY excited for the next book though because the set up and where things are going sounds perfect!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with this eARC!!

This book is full of everything I can honestly love: pirates, magic, demon husbands, lovable characters, excitement, a capable and strong pirate lady, humor, and everything in-between. An old-fashioned fantasy story but with a vibrant and enriching world. It grips you with its lush and colorful writing from start to finish. Every scenario is carefully described, weaving such a detailed and intricate world that leaves you hungering for what's to come next. There is no dull moment neither in the narrative nor in the dialogues.

What to say about the cast. Colorful characters that you can't help but love. Every moment and interaction between Amina, Dalila, Tinbun, and Majed lives rent-free in my mind. Their dynamics were all so entertaining and endearing to read. They all complimented each other. And while Amina is our main character, everyone had little moments in which we could see what they were capable of. Don't get me started on Raksh. Easily the one I adore the most, tusks and all. I could happily read a short story of him and Amina and love it forever. Their relationship is so tumultous but delicious. The tension between them palpable each chapter, despite the many reasons we as the reader know why Raksh is a terrible creature. But even so, I found myself cheering for a rekindled romance.

This book was just amazing to read. As someone who deeply respects Muslim culture and religion, every page was full of this vibrant culture. It was such a treat to read. My one complain is that the way its written it assumes you already know about Muslims and Islam so many references to such were lost on me. Some parts I felt I didn't enjoy thoroughly because of this. Regardless, this was a wonderful story and one I feel empowers those who can resonate with the culture. If you want a swash-buckling adventure with pirates, magic, demons, and ancient folklore, look no further and pick up The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.

Thanks to Netgally for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A sweeping epic filled with magic, joy, and wonder, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is the perfect book to get you through the winter doldrums. Amina is a retired pirate, living quietly in seclusion with her mother and daughter, keeping her storied past a secret until the day the mother of a shipmate arrives with a job offer - and a threat. Amina can either accept a dangerous hunt for a missing girl and the murderous mercenaries she travels with, or her whereabouts will be told to her many enemies. Amina gets the essentials of her crew back together and journeys out onto the high seas in a stunning adventure. Loosely linked to Chakraborty's Daevabad trilogy, Adventures is filled with colorful details of the Islamic Golden Age, with mythology and magic everywhere. The writing is fast-paced and the characters well-imagined. It's also nice to have an adult female protagonist who is firm in her identity and crafty as well as strong. The crew are delightful and the mystery surrounding Amina's daughter is compelling. I look forward to reading the seemingly inevitable sequels.

PHEW. How on EARTH am I going to summarize everything that made Amina al-Sirafi a brilliant, breathtaking read?

I am stunned by this book. It is, as the name suggests, truly an epic adventure unlike anything I’ve read before. The backdrop of a historically accurate Medieval Indian Ocean with fantasy aspects grounded in myth and legend was truly breathtaking and so incredibly… full. This is the kind of fiction book you walk away from feeling like you’ve been graced with a wealth of new information and history, and a hunger to learn more.

Let’s talk about Amina. She is a mother, she is a fighter, she is a pirate, she is unapologetically hilarious, she cares so deeply for everyone around her. She is brave and wildly intelligent and creative. I loved Amina, and this story made me realize how much of a tragedy it is that we don’t see many mother’s kicking butt in fantasy novels.

I also want to linger with hilarious because this tale made me laugh out loud SO many times, and sometimes for pages straight. I loved the banter between this found family, I loved Dalila’s antics, I loved Amina’s sibling relationship with Majed, and her unwavering trust in Tinbu. I loved the flippant aloof attitude from our resident Demon, Raksh. I loved how all of these characters had a distinct place on this crew and an important role in one another’s lives outside of their swashbuckling adventures.

And I loved this plot. Quite literally everything took my by surprise, and in the best way, because it all made such utter sense in the end. I am so happy that while this particular adventure feels *complete*, we have the promise of more to come.

I can’t say enough good things about this tale. Thank you endlessly to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this before publishing. I will be watching like a hawk for any possible chance to get my hands on the sequel early!

After a chaotic February, I too would like to hide away in retirement like our protagonist in Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. But that is where our similarities end. Unlike Amina al-Sirafi, I am terrified of the open ocean, yet I decided to follow the storied captain safely from the comfort of my home as she took to the sea for one last adventure.

Amina al-Sirafi is an infamous pirate who savvily schemes across the Indian Ocean. People speak of her in fear and in awe, and the tales about her life are as tall as the mast on her beloved ship, the Marawati. But for ten years, the seas have not seen the legendary woman cresting its waves. al-Sirafi retired and is hiding away in a pile of crumbling ruins, hoping to evade her past and its enemies as she raises her daughter. However, a lifetime career of piracy can’t be put to the sea bed so easily. al-Sirafi is tracked down by a former crewmate’s family member who needs help locating their kidnapped loved one. She reluctantly accepts the call to go on one more adventure, but a lot has changed in a decade and the treacherous seas are becoming even more unpredictable when a new foreign power gets added to the mix.

While I enjoyed The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi overall, the first half of the book was the most compelling. Chakraborty does a phenomenal job setting up the story. She mixes the present day with intermittent chapters that flashback to al-Sirafi’s piracy days while sprinkling in a mystery around a horrifying event that pushed the captain into retirement. As we dance around al-Sirafi’s past, her present is built around this new journey and the crew she depended on for so long. There was a defining moment when the story changed for me, and it was when al-Sirafi’s adventure takes her away from the supporting characters. Without their banter, shared history, and interactions in sticky situations the story’s tone changed. al-Sirafi and her crew were the life force of the story and it could not be replicated as we spent the second half interacting with new faces.

The book starts off as if al-Sirafi is telling her tale to a scribe. al-Sirafi interrupts her story to curse and tell the scribe to keep the story true to her unique voice, and the scribe pops in with short chapters of their own to provide background or supplementary information for the tale. While the short chapters continue throughout the rest of the book, the side conversations with the scribe stop at one point. I can see in hindsight why Chakraborty made this narrative choice, but I found it distracting and uncompelling in the moment and I wish it had been integrated more seamlessly from the start. It’s another reason why the first and second half of the book feel different. At first, the energy of the book feels like we’ve all gathered around to listen to al-Sirafi recount her adventures, but when the interruptions with the scribe cease it makes the reader become an active participant. It’s nothing that prevented me from enjoying the story, but it’s a noticeable shift.

This may be a fantasy adventure story, but Chakraborty explores some of the challenges of motherhood, and the balancing act of mothers who have both dreams for their children and conflicting aspirations for themselves. al-Sirafi contains multitudes, struggling to balance the parts of her that is a mother with the parts that are an explorer, two worlds that are at odds when she wants to keep her daughter in a safe, stable environment. It’s the reason she’s so hesitant to take on the new job, but she also feels alive when she’s on the sea. While al-Sirafi’s doubts, fears, and feelings about her role as a mother surface throughout the story, I didn’t find the theme fully realized. Once al-Sirafi is on her adventure it’s all pirate life all the time, and she didn’t spend much time evolving. Her daughter is like the elephant seal in the room that lets al-Sirafi miss home without putting any effort into reflecting on how she wants to resolve both roles as a pirate and mother.

Despite how the story shifted in the second half, I did enjoy most of my time aboard the Marawati. The bombastic energy of the first half gives you the momentum you need to coast through the calm waters of the second half of the story. Our captain was a fierce yet tired badass who had a lot of IDGAF energy that I know many of you will appreciate. There is fun to be had in The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, and if you’re curious, set sail and see where it takes you.

Rating: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - 6.5/10

Obviously a talented writer, this is a strong well-written story. This author has a big following and this will do well in addition to the fact that this is a compelling read. Recommended.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

I made the mistake of starting this at around 11 p.m. last night. I say mistake because it was so good I couldn't tear myself away and stayed up until 4:30 a.m. to finish it. Absolutely incredible, loved the expansion of the world of the Daevabad Trilogy and that it features a badass female protagonist in her 40s. You can also tell it's incredibly well-researched, and I added more than a few books from the author's note at the end to my reading list. If a book that can be described as "the retired female equivalent of Sinbad the Sailor returns to the sea after being blackmailed into searching for a noblewoman's granddaughter" doesn't excite you, then I'm sorry you have bad taste in books.

After the smashing success of the Daevabad trilogy, fans of Shannon Chakraborty know exactly what to expect from her. She consistently provides: complex characters with complex morality; an in-depth immersion in the Middle Eastern mythology, geography and faith; and a gradual build up to a crescendo of non-stop action. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi brilliantly delivers all of the above.

If you ever wondered how the story of Sinbad would be improved if the lead character were a middle-aged woman whose strength and wit have already reached legendary status in her own time, the character of Amina al-Sirafi is your answer. Magical forces outside her control, and no small amount of greed and political machinations, pull al-Sirafi away from her bucolic life in semi-retirement and cause her to reassemble her eclectic, eccentric, and highly-skilled pirate crew to help save a young woman. Along the way there is plenty of swashbuckling, a jailbreak, and enough witty banter to fill the hold of the largest frigate. There's even a cameo by a beloved Daevabad character.

Chakraborty does not weave her tales out of whole cloth, instead relying on her deep, scholarly appreciation of her source material. Serious readers would do well to plumb the depths of the mutli-page bibliography she provides at the end of the book. But you don't have to be a scholar to love this story. Anyone who loves to watch a scruffy team of big-hearted rogues pull together to use their wits to defeat an unambiguous evil will find much to love in this book.

Be forewarned, as with City of Brass, things move slowly at the beginning of Amina al-Sirafi, but the payoff in the second half of the book more than compensates for the slow early pace. As always, Chakraborty's prose is rich and evocative without feeling overwrought, and her dialogue is as sharp as a pirate's scimitar. Everything about the Adventures of al-Sirafi is a delight, and it's easily a must-read for 2023.

This is so much more than just a book about a retired female pirate back for one last job!

For anyone familiar with Chakraborty’s writing, you’ll know she crafts beautiful worlds with middle eastern influence filled with magic, mystery and (my favorite) found family. And while Amina is no different in that regard, it is breathtakingly fresh in its portrayal of a middle aged mother!

Amina al-Sirafi lives with her elderly mother and ten year old daughter, Marjana. One day, she is visited by a rich older woman who ropes Amina into a job to find her kidnapped sixteen year old granddaughter.

Apprehensive, Amina goes to find her old crew mates and her ship, the Marawati, and heads off on the search! The cast of characters is so colorful and well-developed that I came to care for them all as much as our main character. I also really enjoyed the way the story was told—Amina retelling her tales to a scribe named Jamal.

If this sounds like a simple rescue mission or heist, it is that, but it’s so much more. The first book in a new trilogy, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi will have you on the edge of your seat and saying “just one more chapter”!

Thank you Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an eARC! All opinions are my own.

I'm so glad this is the beginning of a new series. Because I want so much more! It's been such a long time since I had this feeling of wanting to stay in the world and to follow everyone. The bread crumbs that the author dexterously wove in this novel for the next ones left me aching for the continuation of the story. But what I really enjoyed is that, even though I could see the next threads for the sequels, the author managed to tell a complete story in this book masterfully. She was able to create the world so vividly but still showing glimpses of tehre existing more; I was completely aware of being in the world that she created. I could tell that she did a lot of research for the book, not that it has info dumps, but in the careful way that she built everything. And the characters... They were so well rounded, so human, so real. The voice that Amina had when telling her story was a joy to follow - I was so engrossed in her tale that even if I knew she didn't die (because she is narrating it) I could still feel the tension. And one thing that I didn't expect but thoroughly enjoyed was the humour - not exactly in the situations but in Amina's voice and in the relationships with her friends and others. I loved every single character.

And the story is so good and fun. It is nerve wrecking, emotional (I had goosebumps in a particular scene with Dalila), and adventurous. And I was shocked with so many twists and turns that I could not see coming. The way the author built the suspense and delivered the reveals was really well done, I never felt she was withholding information to build the suspense.

I felt the same way I did when I first watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean (my previous favorite movie for a really long time). That same feeling of wanting to go in the adventure with my favorite characters in really dangerous situations but loving the feel of the adrenaline. I can't wait for more!

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

I'm trying to think of a way i could love this book more and coming up empty.

Amina Al-Sirafi is an single mom in a multigenerational household with money problems, a problematic ex, and a leaking roof. Amina Al-Sirafi is an infamous pirate captain known throughout the seas for her cunning and bravery. Amina Al-Sirafi is in over her head when an elderly noble enlists/coerces the captain to find her beloved granddaughter, kidnapped by a French mercenary sorcerer. Amina sets out on her quest, with her old crew in tow, to save the day.

NEED I SAY MORE? THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING.

The writing style is so amazing- reminiscent of alix harrow in humor and snap, but all its own. The mix of redemptive work Amina tries to do while also being a little grumpy and cursing like a (pun intended) sailor is so perfect-i feel like i know Amina. There was so much i learned, so many surprises. I just frigging loved it. Go read it.

This book was a delightful adventure that flawlessly brought together so many elements - a badass female pirate captain dragged out of retirement; a quest to save a rich, young girl that turns out to be way more difficult than anticipated; a myriad of locations throughout the medieval Indian Ocean, beautifully described; a batshit crazy villain that is easy to hate; witty, hilarious, and loving teammates that support our heroine; and strange magic and magical creatures.

The Adventures of Amina-al-Sirafi is told in an interesting way, as though Amina is recounting the story of this adventure to a scribe. Amina, now 40 years old, tells the story of how she has retired from a life of piracy and has settled into a remote village to raise her daughter. That is, until one day a rich older woman tracks Amina down and asks her to help retrieve her granddaughter, who she says was kidnapped by a ruthless Frank who is trying to locate magical items that can bolster his power. She offers Amina riches and wealth in exchange for her services, and Amina can't deny the draw of being back at sea (and the money, of course).

Amina tracks down her boat and her old team, including her first mate and a poisoner, and begins traveling throughout the Indian Ocean to get information on the whereabouts of the girl. But as she does so, she hears stories about this Frank, and what he is after - magic, power, and riches to help him continue his assault on the Muslim world. As they travel, Amina and her team get into a lot of hilarious hijinks and eventually run into Amina's husband (her third one, whom she tried to kill...), a cowardly demon who adds to the fun.

I don't want to give too much of the story away but the showdowns between Amina and the Frank are great. This book is packed with action, adventure, and fantasy. The world building is very easy to understand - this is set in the real world but with a magical element. The set up for future books is perfect and I can't wait to see what comes next!

This was a 4.5 star read for me and I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Chakraborty book, but it definitely won't be my last.

It took me awhile to get into this book, one, because the tone was so unexpectedly irreverent that it took me a bit to get used to it and two, it really picks up speed about half way when the crew is reassembled.

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is written as if Amina is telling the story herself and it has all the fun asides and jokes of such storytelling. Amina is funny and clever and crabby and very much over it all while simultaneously longing for the adventures of her youth. When we meet Amina she is in her 40s with a child and knee problems and far away from the life at sea that the stories about her talk about. With this one last call to adventure, Amina heads out again and gets the band back together.

I could spend pages and pages with Amina and her crew and I feel extremely lucky that we get two more books with them. I really liked how we get a great resolution to the central conflict of this first book while also setting up future conflicts and intrigue.

You can tell how much research and care went into this book but it is never bogged down by the setting and the story flowed so well, never bogged down by world-building. The world of Amina al-Sirafi is one of history and legend and fantastical elements that only enhance the world and the very real choices the inhabitants have to make.

I can't wait to spend even more time with Amina al-Sirafi and her motley crew in the future.

Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A magical and exciting read! I loved the swashbuckling lady pirates! With poisoners, demons, magic and more, this high fantasy read is a sea worthy tale!

Thanks for the digital ARC! All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Amina Al-Sirafi is a retired pirate trying to live out her retirement in peace with her daughter and family. When the mother of one of Amina's long dead crewmates comes to hire her to retrieve her kidnapped granddaughter, Amina brings her crew together for one last adventure. As you may have guessed, this adventure does not go as planned.

I loved this book SO much! Amina's devotion to her daughter, her sense of humor, and her crew being more than her crew but being her family were what I enjoyed most. The end of the book had me crying, but and not for the reasons you might think. I can't wait to read about more of Amina's adventures!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for making this available in exchange for an honest review.

Myth: 4.5/5

Amina was an utter delight! A pirate captain, attempting retirement, she is pulled back quickly into the chaos and adventure of the seas. This story sets up so beautifully for an action-packed series. Amina’s insistence to her scribe that the story must be told in her voice, makes for entertaining interludes within the telling of the adventure itself.

Magic: 4.5/5

After a notorious smuggling career in the Indian Ocean, one might wonder what else Amina could get up to. Her present adventures seem to set her up to be a pirate of legend. Relics of the supernatural, a demon, and a sorcerer are just the start as Amina falls headlong into an unexpected adventure.

Overall: 4.5/5

I think the tone of this book was my favorite part. Amina's banter with her scribe from start to finish was amazing. The framing through which the story was told made it all the more fun to follow along. The characters were rich, having survived plenty of past adventures, only to be pulled reluctantly into a new one. Setting us up for a collection of these stories, Amina al-Sirafi’s adventures will continue and I can’t wait to see what she gets into next.

You had me at Pirates, and then it just got better from there. I love that the heroine is 40 and that she's a protective mom and that she's a total BA pirate. It started a little slow, but I didn't mind getting g to know everyone and then once it picks up it takes off. I'm really looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

3.5 stars I think

I believe a lot of people are going to really love this book. It's definitely one that has very broad appeal. I will say for me, it was good, but not a favorite. I absolutely adored her daevabad trilogy, and I don't want to compare them to each other exactly, except for to say what it is that I love so much about that series that wasn't there for me in this one.

The adventures of Amina Al Sarafi is a whimsically horrific adventure about a middle-aged, female pirate who has to encounter all sorts of extraordinary characters on her forced quest to recover a person who was kidnapped by a power-hungry psychopath. I thought the story in and of itself was really entertaining, and I enjoyed Amina's voice as well as the cast of characters that she interacts with.

The thing that was missing for me personally was the emotional attachment that I felt to the characters in the daevabad trilogy. When I think of a favorite book, it's a book that pulls on my emotions because of the character relationships. It's a book where the stakes are high and believable, and when things finally do work out, if they do work out, the relief is palpable. This book never made me feel like the stakes were very high. It was so whimsical that even if something bad happened it seemed almost silly. There were some really horrible things that happened in the book, but if it weren't for that, I would almost characterize this as a cozy fantasy. I would almost relate it to something like Pirates of the Caribbean. Bad things happen, but I'm not too fussed about it. There was even a character in the book that gave me very much Jack Sparrow vibes in that he did some pretty awful things, and was completely self consumed, but you still end up kind of having a soft spot for him.

If you're looking for romance, if you're looking for a deep emotional connection with the characters, if you're looking for high stakes, that feel like I stakes, you will not find that in this book. If you're looking for a fun romp with middle aged pirates, some obnoxious magical creatures, and campfire style storytelling in a creative setting, you will love Amina.

Hell yes, give me all the lady pirate books! Guys, I knew this was going to be such a fun read as soon as I read the synopsis and I was totally right! It’s amazing, definitely a new favorite!
Amina al-Sirafi has hung up the proverbial pirate hat and has settled down to raise her daughter and be with her family rather than traipsing across the Indian Ocean on her ship, the Marawati. After a decade of domestic life, Amina is tempted back to the sea when the mother of one of her former crewmates comes to her with an undeniably good offer to rescue her granddaughter from the man who kidnapped her. Though she is loath to leave her young daughter behind, Amina accepts the offer with the thought that the payout will set her family up to live comfortably for the rest of their lives and she hopes it will alleviate the guilt she feels for the death of her former crewmate. Thus begins the high stakes adventure that leads Amina, Dalila the poisoner, Tinbu her first mate, and Majed the navigator, and the rest of the Marawati’s crew to numerous countries and into unimaginable danger.
If the synopsis and my little plot teaser aren’t enough to make you want to read this book, here's a few more things I loved. Amina is not a young, beautiful prodigy heroine - she’s 40, she’s got a gold tooth and scars, and she’s like 6 feet tall. She’s also a mother (a ferocious, protective one) and when we first meet her, she’s very happy to live her quiet life away from past adventures, though you can tell she longs for the sea. It’s rare to have an older heroine and especially one who’s also a mother and I really appreciate seeing that in fantasy! It’s also a tale of friends reunited after many years and they share tidbits of their wilder past together. Oh, and did I mention there are magical artifacts just waiting to be found? And beasts and beings of legend? I’m pretty sure this is set in the same world that Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy is set in and I have my fingers crossed for a character cameo at some point. Either way, there’s strange dark magic, lovable rogues, terrifying enemies, and a clear set up for several more exciting books where Amina chases down more magical artifacts!
I delighted in every page of this book and I absolutely can’t wait to read more tales of harrowing pirate adventures. This book isn’t all lighthearted either, there are darker themes, violence and gore, and bad guys that resemble Davy Jones’s crew from Pirates of the Caribbean. What I’m saying is, go buy this and read it because you can’t tell me you won’t have a great time doing so.

I was so excited to get a copy of this book since the author wrote one of my favorite fantasy series I discovered in 2022, the Daevabad Trilogy.

This one took me awhile to get into. 44% to be exact. Then the demon was introduced and it picked up speed. But before the 44% mark I felt like it was dragging. There was a couple times where the action perked up, but the pacing felt off to me. I wasn’t connecting with the characters, even though they were interesting and had some good banter.

I think I needed more dialogue. There was a lot of internal monologue and excessive descriptions. Lots of words.

But I kept comparing my feelings to her other series, which probably isn’t fair to this book. All in all it was enjoyed. But took some time.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an earc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.