Join a book club that is reading The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi: A New Fantasy Series Set a Thousand Years Before the City of Brass Featuring Magic, Pirates, and Ancient Mysteries!

Federal Way Book Club

We're a friendly group of people who like to discuss books in a relaxed atmosphere while eating food. We read both fiction and nonfiction and variety is encouraged. Most of us joined this group to read books we might not have otherwise picked up by ourselves (and to meet people of course!). We meet in person, and therefore can only accept members who live in the Seattle/Tacoma area.

Fire and Fables - Speculative Fiction Book Club

Fire and Fables is intended to be a place for adults to read and discuss fantasy and science fiction novels. Friendly criticism is encouraged!

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi: A New Fantasy Series Set a Thousand Years Before the City of Brass Featuring Magic, Pirates, and Ancient Mysteries

"A thrilling, transportative adventure that is everything promised–Chakraborty's storytelling is fantasy at its best." -- R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War

"An exhilarating, propulsive adventure, stitched from the threads of real history, Amina’s adventures are the reason to read fantasy." -- Ava Reid, internationally bestselling author of Juniper & Thorn

Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.

But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.

BUY THE BOOK

Published Feb 28, 2023

496 pages

Average rating: 8.29

211 RATINGS

|

Community Reviews

Mmarostegui
May 20, 2025
10/10 stars
Amazon review: Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural. But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will. Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.
cozyandcontentnc
Jan 25, 2025
6/10 stars
Our club enjoyed this story of badass female pirate Amina, who is pulled back onto the high seas with her loyal crew (and demon ex-husband) in a search for a young woman with the key to a powerful magical treasure from the ancient world. I loved the medieval settings of different ports and locations in the Arabian Sea - it conjures a different sort of swashbuckling in the vein of Sinbad but with a female MC who is legendary in her own right. A slowish start leads to a dizzying series of locales and characters serving to set the characters up for future adventures. Looking forward to more tales of nakhuda Amina Al-Sirafi!
yahoo mail
Apr 15, 2024
9/10 stars
Loved this swashbuckling adventure featuring a strong woman leader! Lots of rich history and storytelling!
StephanieT
Jun 27, 2025
8/10 stars
Listening to The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi was an absolute delight—equal parts swashbuckling adventure, magical mystery, and character-driven comedy. The audiobook performance brings out the full charm of Amina’s sharp wit and sarcastic narration, which were hands-down my favorite parts of the experience. Amina, a retired pirate captain reluctantly drawn back into one last quest, is not just fierce and seasoned but hilariously self-aware, juggling her past with the demands of motherhood and an ever-wilder magical journey. The novel unfolds in a satisfying quest format, complete with relics, riddles, sea monsters, and betrayals, all filtered through a richly imagined world inspired by Middle Eastern history and folklore. Chakraborty masterfully balances fast-paced plotting with a strong emotional core—particularly around themes of aging, regret, legacy, and the complexity of female identity. Highly recommended for anyone who loves fantasy laced with humor, layered storytelling, and unforgettable characters. If you liked The Princess Bride, or Pirates of the Caribbean with a feminist edge, this one’s for you.
Colleen Haasmann
Feb 21, 2025
10/10 stars
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time! A beautiful and very nearly classic romp of an adventure, but told through a female voice and within a narrative that is plainly queer and easily inclusive. There is something deeply healing about literature set in times long ago that make you feel that all identities have always existed and always been valid. Through an authentic feeling and sure footed voice, this book flawlessly entwines massive social commentary and pure joy and fun. Truly a joy to read.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.