The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

Bookseller recommendation

“I have now listened to this audiobook three times over this year because it is just that freaking brilliant!”

— Katie • The Novel Neighbor

Bookseller recommendation

“If you wanted Pirates of the Caribbean to be about an intelligent, badass woman captain, with a diverse cast and non-Eurocentric setting, this is the book you need! The narration of this book adds some extra texture to the story, and this is one that deserves to be listened to. ”

— Kate • Ballast Book Co.

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

“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

“This is one of those rare books that had me laughing, crying, screaming and cheering for more. The way this book is narrated, the adventure, the characters. Everything about this book is phenomenal. Amina is a mother who struggles with her Muslim faith, wanting to be a good mother but also go out on adventures with her crew. She’s strong, fights for what she wants, unabashedly in her sexuality as an older woman and is a badass. I also love the crew! Dalilah was absolutely amazing. Every single character was written well and just fantastic. I NEED MORE PIRATES!!”

— Sammie • Anderson's Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“This is a pirate adventure for those of us with slightly creakier knees. Amina has to do one last job (you know how it is), and she's got to pull together a motley crew to make it happen. This was really well narrated, with little asides that made the historian in me chuckle. I know this won't be my last Shannon Chakraborty book. ”

— Maggie • The Book Nook

Bookseller recommendation

“An incredible adventure story with the coolest female lead (she's a pirate captain, that speaks for itself)! The audiobook experience is so immersive for this book.”

— Bella • Booksweet

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

“Chakraborty starts her new trilogy out strong with this one. A female pirate captain sailing the Indian Ocean in the eleventh century is a fresh place for a new fantasy novel, and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi comes with a delightful cast of characters and monsters. Amina is a great protagonist. The most difficult thing about this book will be waiting for the sequel.”

— Zoe • Bookshop Santa Cruz

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

“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