4.5 stars - This is a fantastic and unique tale that reminds you that women’s lives don’t end when they have children. Amina is a reluctant hero throughout our story for a variety of reasons but in the end, all she wants is to protect her daughter. Her love for Marjana is a beautiful portrayal of how deeply a mother loves her children.

Amina also reunites with her crew, who she realizes are truly her family as well. She is finally able to let go of some of her guilt from her prior adventures and realize what she means to them.

I love how emotional this story is, and the mix of relationships portrayed. A lost friendship reunited, an estranged couple, strong familial bonds, and varying degrees of religious practice among the crew.

Shannon Chakraborty created such a complex and beautiful magical world. Her inclusion of religion and Muslim mythology is so fun to read.

I think this one starts slow, the first half dragged a bit. However, I think the second half is fantastic and the stakes are so high, I couldn’t put it down. If you’re a fan of City of Brass, you’ll definitely be a fan of this one too.

Fantastic. I had been eagerly awaiting this release and now I can’t wait for the sequel. The writing, the plot, and the characters were all wonderful and I love that we are seeing so much more representation in the fantasy genre recently.

This book was refreshing and action-packed. Well at least at the end, the first half was a little slow for me; the end however was quick and filled with plot. I enjoyed the take on a female pirate and the fantasy aspects of magical artifacts and creatures tied into religious beliefs in the supernatural. The characters were all flawed, no one was perfect, and that made them even more relatable. This was a great book and I am definitely looking forward to the next book(s) in the series.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is possibly one of the best books I have ever read.

Amina is called out of retirement to find the daughter of a fallen comrade and chaos ensues.

I absolutely loved the character development and I think that is something that Chakraborty does extremely well. I felt like these characters were so vivid and each one seemed to get a good amount of the spotlight.

The story was a bit slow to start but I appreciate that the author too their time to build up the characters, the world and some back story before launching into the absolute wild ride that this book was.

If you enjoyed City of Brass I think that you will enjoy this book.

DNF at 20%
I absolutely loved the Daevabad trilogy by Shannon Chakraborty, so I was really looking forward to The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi. In fact, it was my most anticipated book of 2023. Sadly, the first 20% was a lot of descriptions, and it just wasn't holding my interest. I might come back to it at a later date, but for now it's a DNF for me. I do think people who love descriptive books will enjoy it!

This is a wondrously vibrant tale taking place in the middle east during the height of trade and learning in the middle ages. It is beautifully written with characters that come alive during the story. The main character is a retired pirate as well as a mother of middle age. It is her story that is being told in various ways, through tales and rumor as well as dictation to a scribe. She is coming out of retirement one last time in a journey to find and rescue a missing young woman. Not only is the main character colorful and realistic, the supporting characters are as well. It is a rare glimpse into the Muslim world at this time period. So many books focus only on the Western Europe world of the middle ages but this shows us a different world. It is well researched and enjoyable to read. I highly recommend it. I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Source: DRC via NetGalley (Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager) in exchange for an honest review
Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Synopsis: Goodreads
Purchase Link: Amazon

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Why did I choose to read this book?

I started The Daevabad Trilogy a while ago (The City of Brass) and loved it, but I must have gotten busy because I haven’t read the rest of the trilogy yet. Chakraborty’s writing is lush and exciting, so when I began to see tweets and articles about The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi my ears and eyes perked up. And how could I resist a story about a middle-aged woman who was a notorious pirate (now 10 years retired) who is being drawn back into the game for one last adventure?

Narrator: She couldn’t resist.

What is this book about?

This story explores the consequences of our decisions. Amina thinks she is safely retired with her daughter and family, but the first domino falls when the mother of one of her former (deceased) crewmates shows up and promises her a million dinars to hunt down and bring back her granddaughter (that crewmate’s daughter). Once she agrees she faces all the things she thought she left behind. Some good, some bad, and one husband she was never able to divorce. Her quest to find the missing/kidnapped/runaway child takes her on a path that may just make her a legend.

At its heart I think this story is about living a life that honors your truest self. You can be a mother, a daughter, a wife, but you are also YOU and if you don’t live a life that you are happy with, it doesn’t matter how happy you make those around you, you will always be left wanting. And the lesson of this book seems to be that the denial of that want is a denial of self, and so you should honor who and what you are. It is a lesson we all need to make sure we learn.

What is notable about this story?

This story is one of the most inclusive I’ve read. Chakraborty draws in all elements of society and treats them as though they are normal, which I always appreciate. The only exception to this is a bit of a spoiler, so I’ll leave it out of my review, but suffice it to say that she honors the fact that not everyone is allowed to live as their truest self and asks us to think about how we can create space and safety so that can happen.

I LOVE DELILA. My little poison monster, how I loved reading when she was in the scene. Imagine if Edna from The Incredibles got into poison instead of fashion and was also Batman. She shines like a diamond in the story, mostly because she’s the character that is clearly herself. I wanted to give her everything she ever wanted and be her lab assistant.

I cackled at how the main characters all made fun of each other’s “oldness”: Amina’s bad knee/leg, Delila’s eyesight, Majed’s weight – it was like hanging out with old friends just ragging on each other. And let me tell you that if you haven’t ever done that, it’s a hell of a lot of fun, epecially if you don’t get offended too easily or take anything too personally. There’s a comfortable familiarity in it that says “this sucks but we’re in it together.” It made me feel warm and welcome.

The portrayal of multiple religions in the story were beautiful. The slight friction between them was there, but the rituals and routines that the characters went through just as a part of their daily lives were so calming to read. It was like Chakraborty gave me a moment of meditation before the next burst of action, or wanted to remind the reader that even when you’re out being a notorious pirate, the unknown and incomprehensible must be acknowledged – whatever that happens to be for you – because there is always someone or something bigger, smarter, stronger than you and it is healthy to stay humble.

The supernatural monsters were absolutely spectacular, and when you consider that they were brought to life by Chakraborty’s writing, you will be able to see/smell/feel them as though they were in the room right next to you. I got chills more than once as Amina made her way through the magical elements of her journey.

Was anything not so great?

I have nothing to say here. Shannon Chakraborty has written a masterpiece and I will defend it with every breath.

What’s the verdict?

5 stars on Goodreads. I plan to preorder a hardcover version and also send one to my grandmother. If you have a woman in your life that dreams, that travels, that seems too big for the container they’ve been placed in, that has been smothered by everyone or everything around them and needs a way to break free – buy this book for them. A masterpiece of feminine power in all its shapes, you’ll finish it and long for more. When you read it, say hi to Delila for me.

A thrilling adventure on the water, Amina Al-Sirafi was a book I couldn't quite put down. It leads you into a world you think is familiar and then shifts it into the fantastic. Overall I think that the book was stunning and is something that I haven't quite stopped thinking about.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty is an adult fantasy that is destined to become a classic in the genre. The story revolves around Amina al-Sirafi, who is a retired pirate captain. Now, she's a mother and has put her former life behind her. One day, she's offered the sum of a lifetime in order to rescue a kidnapped girl. Now, she has to put her crew back together to embark on one more adventure. But is coming out of retirement the right choice?

Here is a detailed excerpt from the opening chapter:

"The maps are—and I cannot emphasize this enough—remarkably easy to forge. I can even tell you how it is done: You merely need a scrap of parchment and a bit of time. Tonics are applied to darken and yellow the paper, though regrettably, the majority require urine and the best derive from the bile of a bat. The map itself should be drawn with care, with enough details that some geographic locations will be recognizable (ideally directing the mark in the opposite direction of which the mapmaker intends to flee). Symbols can be lifted from any number of alphabets. Many forgers prefer Hebrew for its mystical connotations, but in my opinion, the text off an old Sabaean tomb makes for more mysterious letters. Wrinkle the whole thing up; fray the edges, burn a few holes, apply a thin layer of sandarac to fade the script—and that is that. Your “treasure” map is ready to be sold to the highest bidder."

Overall, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a high-seas adventure that will appeal to fans of R.F. Kuang's Babel or Adrienne Young's Fable. One highlight of this book is the lovely Arabian-inspired setting. Another highlight of this book is how the protagonist is both a mother and a retired pirate captain. I rarely read books with mothers as protagonists in fantasy books, and it's even better that she has such a non-stereotypical job.

Yet another highlight of this book is how the plot is super interesting and how it launched right into the action right away. One last highlight of this book is how funny it is. There were moments when I laughed out loud at the book. I can't wait for the sequel! If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of adult fantasy books in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!

I was never a fantasy reader until the last few years and really enjoy getting lost in the fantasy worlds. This book is SO GOOD!!! i really loved the whole crew and their different relationships, they’re all really intriguing on their own BUT ALSO TOGETHER?? will always love found families. shannon exploring more of the daevabad world was one of my favorite aspects, i felt like in the trilogy a lot was introduced but not expanded on much so it was really fun to read about and hope that that’ll continue with the next books of the series

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager & NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC

This was my first Chakraborty and I can see why her work is so beloved! This was such an enjoyable read. The flow was so good, I loved the main character, the story and everything else this book had going on. While I think the book wrapped up in a good stopping point, I'm already excited for what comes next in this series.
Thank you Harper Voyager for the ARC of this one!

The Daevabad series is one of my favorites so I was very excited for the release of a new series by Shannon Chakraborty. Amina is a likeable and complex character and I look forward to seeing where the series takes her. The worldbuilding is strong, which is to be expected. The 13th century pirate setting was certainly unique so that's a strength of the book. I was a little bored before they finally got going on the journey but looking back I realize that we needed the time for her to get her crew back together. I'm still looking forward to the next installment as this one laid the groundwork for an exciting tale still to come. Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy.

This was an incredibly fun and adventurous read! I adore a nice pirate tale and this one hit the mark for me. I really enjoyed the MC being older and more mature (mostly mature lol). I also appreciated how it wrapped up nicely at the end, although I would continue on in the series if more are released. The writing style was easily consumed and well-paced. The cover is gorgeous and eye-catching as well. I have really enjoyed everything I've read from Chakraborty so far and reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys pirate/heist vibes.

Thank you so much for the ARC.

This book hooked me from page one. The storytelling style is one that I think will be perfect on audio - so if you're an audio reader, I'd recommend that.


Pros:

The Accessibility: Even though this story has fantastical elements, it is super easy to read. It has an addictive quality where it is easy to get sucked into the storytelling.

The Characters: I really like how this story has characters that are more funny. I love the Daevabad Trilogy (also by S.A. Chakraborty), but that definitely feels serious. This was funny, and I loved it.


Cons:

The Intrigue of Book 2: I will be reading book two because I love Chakraborty's writing. However, I can see how some readers will be satisfied with just this one installment. It wraps up nicely, which I personally do not love for the first book in a series. I prefer open questions (and perhaps a dreaded cliffhanger). This incentivizes me to pick up the next book without waiting years.

The Length/Pacing: Parts of this book felt a little fast. Others felt a bit slow. The writing and humor kept me going, but I do think that there are parts of this novel which hit a slump.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in morally gray characters, pirates, and heists!

After loving Chakraborty's debut Daevabad trilogy, I have been eagerly awaiting the release Amina al-Sirafi. Overall, it did not disappoint. Chakraborty is as skilled at writing historical fiction as fantasy, and she is at her best when she pauses to linger on the details: unpacking her characters' intricate loyalties, dropping nautical factoids, or seamlessly integrating the customs, prayers, greetings, and history of the ancient Islamic world. I felt completely immersed in this setting and quickly came to love Captain Amina and her crew.

The introduction of a certain character at about the halfway point was, for me, one of the book's only stumbles. This character is not supposed to be likable -- in fact, he has a mysterious, villainous backstory that readers slowly learn details of as the adventure unfolds. My issue was: his interactions with Amina felt off, and made her character read a little too "YA." This wouldn't usually bother me too much, except that one of the major themes of the book is Amina's "older" age: unlike a lot of fantasy protagonists, she is over 40 and a mother. In fact, most of the cast is middle aged. For the most part, this is handled well and makes for an interesting dynamic, as each character struggles to balance what they want from their lives with their family obligations. There were times, however, when I had to forcibly remind myself that Amina was a fully-grown adult as she endlessly bickered with this completely reprehensible character. All of her interactions with him felt out-of-character and immature, and made me wonder where the rational, wise Amina of the early chapters went.

Regardless, I loved the adventure and "heist" elements of the plot. I loved the crew. I thought the framing device - Amina telling her story aloud to a scribe named Jamal - was executed perfectly. And finally, I appreciate that this book can be read as a standalone fantasy story. Though it teases sequel novels to follow, it still ends on a satisfying note.

I love Chakraborty's writing. It's always so thought-through and funny. I also adore the addition of a (not) demon himbo. We need more of them in all of literature!!! And of course the throwback to COB was perfect, and left breadcrumbs for more crossovers to come.

I am not going to lie, I missed the political intrigue that was integral to the COB books, but that does not stop this novel from being a very fun romp!

Lady pirates! Magic! Getting the team back together for one last mission! This has all the ingredients you could ask for for an epic series start plus more. Amina as a middle aged lady pirate that feels too old for this sh*t is such a badass and I love her. I also adore Dalila, Mistress of Potions, who could kill you from 200 miles away 3 days after you saw her last. And dare I say it, but Raksh wormed his way into my heart despite how chaotic he is. AND! We got to see our favorite peri from the Daevabad trilogy!
This book was so great, not just for the plot and the characters, but for the homage to strong women who raise strong women and make sure they create spaces in the world for other strong women.
I’m excited to see the next adventures of Amina and her crew!

4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a requested copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I will not be giving a full review of this book, because Harper Collins has still not met the demands of the strike.

That being said: please support Arab and/or Muslim authors (I know this author is a Muslim convert). These stories deserve love and attention, as do many others that are suffering due the current situation.

This book is great--please Harper Collins, please give your workers what they need and deserve.

Absolute perfection… I don’t have words to describe how amazing this book was!

I saw this ARC available for request on NetGalley and was so thrilled to get it!

Genre: Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Summary: Amina Al-Sirafi is a mother, a daughter oh and a bad ass pirate! She just wants to retire with her family in their secluded family home. She wishes to remain hidden after quite the scandalous career as a notorious pirate. Although she has hidden her identity she is found by a wealthy woman in desperate need of Amina’s particular skill set. A young woman has gone missing and she needs Amina to find her and bring her home. She’s offered a sum of money and security that will ensure that her whole family and generations after, will never have to worry about money again. Once she sets out to find the young girl it’s apparent that there is much more at stake.

I heard this book compared to Oceans 11 meets swashbuckling pirate adventures. That is not too far off! I am not usually drawn to “sea tales” or ‘pirate” stories. Not a fan of Jack Sparrow (don’t cancel me), so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dive into this. So glad I did, what an amazing story and what incredible writing once again by Shannon Chakraborty! She is a new must buy author for me! I am obsessed… I loved the magic and lore of this unique world and setting. Amina is an older female lead that is a power house. The diversity of characters and the melting pot of this world is really unique to see in story telling. Loved that so much. I was really surprised at how much I loved the way she was portrayed as a mother and a bad ass pirate. That deep down her desire was to provide security for her family, mainly her daughter. Such a fun read, super story and worth the ride!

#theadventuresofAminaalsirafi #netgalley #shannonckraborty #bookreview

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off a little slow, but once our main character got back on her boat and got the gang back together, it really picked up. First and foremost, I think it is important to point out that the main character is not only a badass female Muslim pirate, she is a badass female Muslim pirate over 40, which is amazing. I am truly looking forward to following more of her and her crew's adventures.

Speaking of her crew- the characters in this book are all well drawn out and characterized. Their relationships to each other all feel authentic and not forced. The found family aspect of this book is definitely one of the things that I loved most here. Also, big shout out to the lovable idiot of a ship cat, Payasam, probably the best character out of a group of really great characters.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves pirates, heists, women being badasses, and/or the excellent HBO show Our Flag Means Death.