The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Bookseller recommendation

“A fantastical pirate adventure on the Indian Ocean, full of magic inspired by Middle Eastern mythology! Amina, once an infamous pirate, is retired. She reluctantly goes on one more quest, facing monsters that threaten to keep her from her daughter. This book offers a refreshing take on fantasy born from Chakraborty’s Middle Eastern inspirations! The novel is also carried by the wonderfully complex character of Amina who illuminates her struggles with colorful commentary as her complex morality and firm loyalty are weighed against her desire to return to her daughter. The audiobook narrators also did a fantastic job of voicing the characters and truly bringing them to life with performances that elevate the dialogue and characterization!”

— Justin • Vroman's Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“I loved the setup of her being pulled in for 'one last job' and all the illusions to Middle Eastern Mythology. Plus, pirates! The narrator had the perfect air of wry humor to embody Amina, and her asides where she steps away from the microphone as if she's actually talking to someone else are a nice touch that make it feel as if she's actually narrating her adventures. ”

— Anna • Plumfield Books

Bookseller recommendation

“The humor - 5/5; the adventure - 5/5; the strong female characters - 6/5; ALL of the representation - 10/5! (Bonus: fantastic beings and mystical creatures). ”

— Tori • BookPeople

Bookseller recommendation

“Lovers of Pirates of the Caribbean rejoice! This tale contains all the swashbuckling, hilarious banter, magic, and monsters I've grown to love in pirate stories. Lameece Issaq perfectly, delightfully, and hilariously brings Amina's character to life. This is 100% a new favorite novel for me!!”

— Jordan • Roundabout Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I didn’t know I could love a book so much. Chakraborty gives us a pirate adventure with a charming and sarcastic female lead, the most lovable crew, and ancient magic. Sheer perfection from start to finish — this is a guaranteed five star read!”

— Stephanie Skees • The Novel Neighbor

Bookseller recommendation

“I’ve looked forward to this book for years. I adore Chakraborty’s Daevebad trilogy, and hearing she was working on a new project starring a retired female pirate of the Indian Ocean? I could not contain my excitement. This book blew away every expectation. It was all I hoped it would be and more. It has everything: adventure, magic, and an unforgettable cast of characters, all written and narrated with nuance, care, and enough humor to make me chortle from time to time.”

— Jenni • Mysterious Galaxy Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Amina has forsaken her swashbuckling days, trading high-sea adventures for peaceful days at home tending to her young daughter and watchful mother. A precarious situation arises and Amina must assemble her crew back together to conquer this mission... and what a riotous time! The dual narrators are fantastic and Amina's tale is absolutely engrossing. I didn't want this to end and I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series. ”

— Riona • Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

Bookseller recommendation

“LOVED this pirate adventure story! Protagonist is an older woman going on one last adventure, and she is BADASS AF. Super fun, and the audiobook was extremely well done! One of my favorite reads of 2023!”

— Candice • Tubby & Coo's Book Shop

Bookseller recommendation

“Conjuring the magic of The Arabian Nights, you can imagine yourself sitting around a campfire on a cool desert evening as Amina al-Sirafi tells of her adventures. And I hope you aren't sensitive because she is brash, brazen, and foul mouthed! A truly singular and compelling voice, Amina reminded me of all the heroic tales I grew up reading. This is a must listen for anyone who fancies themselves a pirate, swashbuckler, magic hunter, and mother. ”

— Kristine • Buttonwood Books and Toys

Bookseller recommendation

“An absolute must-read for fantasy fans, one of the best audiobooks I've ever read. The author's stated goal of 'entirely historically accurate except for the plot' means that this is an incredibly well-executed historical fantasy placed in an area and time period that is extremely rare from a non-Eurocentric point of view. The actual writing (structure, pacing, characters, etc.) is phenomenal, plot is thoroughly entertaining, and it is also very funny. The audiobook performance is also possibly the best I've ever heard: sound effects and direction that keep you engaged and really up the humor. If you're looking to get into audiobooks, this is the one to try. ”

— Lauren • Chapterhouse Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Women have to do everything around here, don't they? But that's alright because in this case everything is to go on a pirate adventure with a rag tag crew that's basically a found family of quirky outcasts, all the while narrated with some pretty snarky commentary. Man, this is SUCH A FUN BOOK. There's a little bit of everything, it's pretty lighthearted, and oftentimes Amina is a moooood. I had a feeling this series would be different from City of Brass, and for sure yes, it is. In the best way. It's still very character driven, full of history and magic, and really unputdownable. I can't wait for the next! Additional note: the audio production is a hoot and I highly recommend going that route for the optimal reading experience.”

— Leah • Bright Side Bookshop