The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi: The epic first book in a swashbuckling new fantasy series from the bestselling author of THE CITY OF BRASS (Amina al-Sirafi, 1)

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This was such an incredible story; well told and well constructed. I loved this cast of characters so much. I honestly can't believe how attached I got to them.

Fabienne Schwizer (23 Feb 2023). "Review: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty". Grimdark Magazine . Retrieved 11 Sep 2023. I wrote it as the sort of book I’ve been craving in the past few years: a madcap adventure tale that offers excitement and escapism, but also a good dose of heart. It touches upon plenty of serious topics: class and societal oppression, the struggle to balance parenthood and your dreams, and perhaps most obviously, the “crafting” of history and one’s legacy. But it’s also a story about a deeply flawed woman who finds faith and family in later life, about clinging to humor and hope even in the bleakest of circumstances. A+ storytelling with compelling writing and such a witty and heartfelt (not to mention feminist) voice!! I LOVE IT Amina's story did not end. [...] For when Amina chose to leave her home and return to a life at sea, she became more than a pirate. More than a witch. Unfortunately, the woman really leaves her without much of a choice and when riches beyond Amina's wildest imaginations are dangled in front of her, she agrees. One more mission.There's a particular kind of anxiety that comes with reading a new book from a favorite author, and I'm so happy to announce that The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi was everything I hoped it would be, and more : Since her debut novel, The City of Brass, was published in 2017, Chakraborty is a name that keeps getting more popularity and recognition with each new book. That debut was six years ago. It is unbelievable that it took me this long to finally read a book written by Shannon Chakraborty for the first time. The first trilogy by her, The Daevabad Trilogy, was completed in the year 2020, and it is a historical fantasy series with a lot of diehard fans. A LOT. And yes, I am ashamed to admit I haven't read that trilogy yet. That said, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is a new book in a new series by her taking place in the same world as The Daevabad Trilogy, but before the events of The City of Brass. And it is very much possible to read this without reading The Daevabad Trilogy first. Because of that, and also the stunning cover art by Ivan Belikov (US edition) that got my attention, I decided to read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi first instead before reading The Daevabad Trilogy. I am happy to say I had a fun time reading it, and if possible, I would love to read The Daevabad Trilogy before the release of the second book in the Amina al-Sirafi trilogy. I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well! I enjoyed the extra day off for the Easter weekend and had a very relaxing few days full of reading and eggs haha. The scope of the story is huge. The worldbuilding is expansive, building far beyond the Daevabad origins, supported by Chakraborty’s signature sweeping, evocative descriptions. Yet it doesn’t feel big and expansive, because the author keeps you close to the main cast of characters, so that you can’t help but fall in love with them even though each one is more unscrupulous than the last. This is found family at its absolute best.

Our hearts may be spoken for by those with sweet eyes, little smiles and so very many needs, but that does not mean that which makes us, us is gAfter retiring, Amina lives a quiet life with her daughter Marjana. A woman named Salima tells Amina that her granddaughter Dunya is missing. Dunya’s father was Asif, one of Amina’s crew members who died under unclear circumstances. Dunya has disappeared after meeting with a Frankish mercenary and occultist named Falco Palamenestra. Amina recruits a team of her former crewmates to retrieve Dunya. These include Dalila, an expert poisoner; Tinbu, her first mate; and Majed, her navigator. They sail aboard the Marawati. This is why the first 50%-66% of the book was okay. The characters showed promise, the action was great, the mystery compelling. But the end of the book didn't deliver on its promises--it just upped the action times 10 and forgot about any emotional, internal changes.

I was first introduced to Shannon's work through The City of Brass series, for which I am due a reread. Not a spoiler, but you won't have to look far to see a bit of overlap between the series. The premise had everything I wanted in a fantasy novel. A sexually liberated Muslim pirate that captains her own ship? And accidentally marries a demon? Say less. I wanted to travel the world and sail every sea. I wanted to have adventures, to be a hero, to have my tales told in courtyards and street fairs, where perhaps kids who’d grown up like me, with more imagination than means, might be inspired to dream. Where women who were told there was only one sort of respectful life for them could listen to tales of another who’d broken away—and thrived when she’d done so.” The Portalist - Shannon Chakraborty Breaks Down Her Writing Process and New Book, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Jena Brown What was your approach to combining this research and the historical setting with your elements of the more fantastic and the mythology of the Middle East? Thus, they set out to find and rescue the allegedly kidnapped granddaughter or their rich benefactor.We used to joke that of the three of us, I could kill you up close, Tinbu could kill you from another ship and Dalilia could kill you from another city three days later." Amina al-Sirafi has led a storied existence, leaving home at sixteen and making her way on the briny deep, not just a pirate, but a female captain, a nakhudha, notorious for her success at parting the wealthy from their wealth. Not exactly a Robin Hood, not particularly bloodthirsty either. But life moves on. The years take their toll, and one seeks out less perilous enterprises, particularly after a singularly harrowing experience, particularly when pregnant. Years on, Amina is living a sedate existence, raising her ten-year-old daughter. But life comes calling, in a way that might be familiar to Michael Corleone. A rich widow, Salima, the mother of Asif, a crewman of Amina’s who had been lost, wants to hire her to retrieve her granddaughter, 16yo Dunya, Asif’s daughter. Books like these are why I adore fantasy with all of my heart. A pirate queen cajoled out of retirement for one last job. A deadly sea with supernatural consequences. And a myth in the making. Sindbad the Sailor meets Ocean’s 11 (in the spirit of the book, I’m cheating and deciding 11 doesn’t count as a word)

Chris Kluwe (Feb 2023). "Book Review: The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty". Lightspeed Magazine . Retrieved 11 Sep 2023.

Is there any stare like that belonging to your children, the kind that fills you with love and responsibility at once?” First, I already love Amina. She’s a tough woman, who stands before an even tougher decision. As a mom myself, I know how hard it is, to leave your kid behind to do something that will benefit their lives. No, don’t worry, I always come home every day.