Tag: shannon chakraborty

Book Review: The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi #2) by Shannon Chakraborty

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 485 pages
Author: Shannon Chakraborty
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: May 12th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

New York Times bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty sets sail into the second adventure of pirate Amina al-Sirafi as her quest to track down magical artifacts brings her to the island lair of a sorceress whose woven enchantments are impossible to flee.

Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.

Forced to leave Marjana—who is increasingly frustrated at being peddled what are clearly lies about her mother’s life and her own past—Amina finds her mission almost immediately thrown into peril. But deadly storms, an erratic poison mistress, and old enemies are the least of her worries. For the peris’ story is unraveling, hinting at a far deadlier game whose rules Amina must swiftly puzzle out. A game that sets her against an adversary more cunning and powerful than she has ever faced.

A game that not everyone on her crew wants her to win.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the gifted copy.

SOLID SEQUEL.

What I find most charming about these books is that the audiobook feels like I’m being read a storybook. There’s this whimsical quality to the writing that is translated fantastically by the narrator that makes reading this book easy. I liked being back in this world and with these characters and seeing what chaos was persued this time.

I will note that I’m not sure this did anything for the larger plot? Like, it was a great adventure. I had a good time, but is there an over arching plot? I’m not sure there is. Maybe that’s the point? It’s just different tales from Amina’s life? I have yet to determine the answer but I definitely want to read the next book regardless. I would love more interactions with Rashk. I liked getting some more background from Anima’s best friend at least.

But all in all, a good story, not mad I continued the story and I still love Chakraborty’s writing.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate+

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Book Review: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi #1) by S.A. Chakraborty

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Historical Fiction
Length: 483 pages
Author: S.A. Chakraborty
Publisher: Harper Voyager US
Release Date: February 28th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

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.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and Bibliolifestyle for the gifted copy.

PLEASANT SURPRISE.

I loooove Chakraborty’s debut trilogy (The City of Brass) but you never know what’s going to happen when you pick up a new book. And here I am, happily throwing five stars at this one because it was SO GOOD.

It felt like a big classic fantasy read. I absolutely am enthralled by Amina. I love that she’s an older bada** mother who takes on trials and adventure to keep her loved ones safe. The set-up for this was perfect and I love that it was from the angle of Amina telling her story, her legend.

There’s a big found family vibe here too and y’all know that’s about an auto-read scenario for me. I loved the whole crew, getting some of their backgrounds and the funny banter and caring souls everyone was. I loooved all of the sea travels and how even with a travel plot (not usually my thing) the pace kept things going. And there was enough happening each time that I kept wanting to know more. The audiobook is INCREDIBLE and highly recommend that option.

Super complex religious, political, and more dynamics intersect throughout. I loved that this had the historical elements woven in with the fantasy. It’s complex without being overwhelming. The writing style is fluid and easily holds your attention. It’s just a great book. I can’t wait for Amina’s next adventure.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: closed-door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, creature attacks, blood/gore depiction

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