Review: Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

Spice Road

Maiya Ibrahim

(Spice Road Trilogy #1)

Publication Date: January 24, 2023

Hardcover, 464 pages, Delacorte Press

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Goodreads

 

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, there is secret spice magic that awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. Sixteen-year-old Imani has the affinity for iron and is able to wield a dagger like no other warrior. She has garnered the reputation as being the next great Shield for battling djinn, ghouls, and other monsters spreading across the sands.

 

Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother, who tarnished the family name after it was revealed that he was stealing his nation's coveted spice--a telltale sign of magical obsession. Soon after that, he disappeared, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes. Despite her brother's betrayal, there isn't a day that goes by when Imani doesn't grieve him.

 

But when Imani discovers signs that her brother may be alive and spreading the nation's magic to outsiders, she makes a deal with the Council that she will find him and bring him back to Qalia, where he will face punishment. Accompanied by other Shields, including Taha, a powerful beastseer who can control the minds of falcons, she sets out on her mission.

 

Imani will soon find that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes--and in her own heart--but will she find her brother?

 

The first book in an epic fantasy series set in an Arabian-inspired land with secret spice magic. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, sixteen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother, whose betrayal is now the country's greatest threat.From the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material comes a sweet and scrumptious romantic comedy about facing your insecurities, finding love, and baking it off, no matter what people say.

My Review

Are you devastated S.A. Chakraborty's Daevabad series is over? Are you not-so-patiently waiting for the release date of Chelsea Abdullah's sequel to The Stardust Thief? Do you miss being immersed in fantastical desert fantasy worlds? Well then, Spice Road is 100% for you. It's an adventure full of djinn, unique powers, and frustrating siblings.

Imani, the female main character, is trying to be the best Shield (a.k.a. monster slayer) that she can be, but her missing brother's secrets mean she has to go on a quest to find him with her arrogant nemesis and his crew tagging along, much to her annoyance and my internal squealing. Cue all the awesome fantasy and romance tropes! Enemies to (maybe) lovers, one horse, epic quests, and, most importantly, magical creatures!

Both Imani and Taha—Imani's rival and possibly something more and just overall a general pain in Imani's you-know-what—have a lot of hidden secrets in their families and pasts, and while nothing revealed throughout this book was particularly shocking, the author did manage to make me feel strongly for the characters, despite how stubborn they could be around each other. Also, the side characters were good too. Imani's siblings had their own time to shine. I loved that. And the mysteries of Qayn the djinni are very intriguing.

Honestly, I loved this book. I loved Imani's strength and tenacity, her sister's attitude, and Taha's frustrating inability to make good decisions. Everything in Spice Road just flowed so easily from the beginning to end. I wasn't left confused like some other fantasy books. My only minor complaints are two teensy tiny things that probably will only ever bug me because I'm ridiculous. How often Taha's sweat is mentioned (nothing explicit, it's just face sweat due to heat) had me cringing. It's only mentioned like three or four times, but it's just something that wigs me out a little for no reason other than being a germaphobe. Haha. Also, the female characters had a tendency to sob a bit too much. It wasn't anything overly distracting, but I did notice the repeated use of the word during my read-through

All in all, regardless of my very small nitpicks, I am ready for book two. I can't wait to see what happens after the reveals at the end of Spice Road, and I know you'll feel the same. Because if you're looking for a story in the same vein as The City of Brass, The Wrath and the Dawn, or Rebel of the Sands, you'll definitely want to pick this one up.

*Note: I received a NetGalley ARC of this book to review from the publisher. This in no way affected my opinion/review.