The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty | Book Review (Spoiler-Free)

Hi everyone! I've been a bit behind on reading hyped new releases lately. That's why I read one of the most hyped fantasy new releases of the year, so today's video will be a book review of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. The review will be spoiler-free. Although well-known for her work on The Daevabad Trilogy, which I haven't read, I have decided to read her newest book before attempting The Daevabad Trilogy someday. If you've read The Daevabad Trilogy or The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, or both, let me know your thoughts on them. If not, do you plan to read Chakraborty's books someday?
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[@DragonHeart29]

This book is high on my TBR. I've read and loved the deavabad trilogy. Because western readers are not used to eastern/oriental mythology, Chakraborty has to spend time and effort explaining every element as if it's a high fantasy world, while under the restrictions of the historical fiction genre. As a North African (part of the arabo-islamic culture), the mere existence of these books brought me so much joy. Seeing your own culture, myths & fairytales acknowledged & represented in a loving & respectful manner really makes a difference.

[@PetrikLeo]

I look forward to reading Daevabad trilogy someday. I agree that Western readers are not used to oriental mythologies and cultures most of the time. But for us, seeing these kinds of world-building and cultures being written well in fantasy books is a relative rarity and a good plus! :)

[@moev29]

This book was fun. She did a great job making sure I was invested in Amina. It was creative and different from the usual settings we get all the time. It wasn’t perfect, but it did absolutely hook me and I can’t wait for the sequel.

[@PetrikLeo]

I can certainly agree with that. Even if it's not one of my favorites, it was fun and I look forward to reading the sequel! :)

[@kartik3719]

Chakraborty’s dedication at the beginning was so emotional, I literally welled up just reading that alone 🥺

[@PetrikLeo]

That dedication is so well written. Definitely made me emotional, too!

[@book_scent]

I'm glad you enjoyed this book. 😃 I had a fun time with it as well and plan on continuing on with the series. But I definitely loved the Daevabad trilogy more - it's one of my favorite series!! It wasn't easy to get into at first with all the new & unfamiliar terminology, but it''s also one of the reasons why I ended up loving it so much - because it was so different from anything I'd read before. I do hope that you will get to it some day and then hopefully love it as well 😊

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, friend! That's reassuring. I tried Daevabad a long time ago, and I bounced off the early stage of City of Brass. Many agreed the series improved so much from the second book and beyond, though. I will read it for sure! :)

[@opheliawinfrey9501]

Great video, I like the way you pronounce “Amina Al-Sirafi” like in Arabic. New subscriber! ☺️

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! I live in Indonesia. It's easy to pronounce Amina Al-Sirafi. 😄

[@gameoftomes14]

I met this author last month at a Pittsburgh book festival, and I love her process of writing, and I loved meeting her. I got a personalized signing of the book!

[@PetrikLeo]

That's so awesome! I never met any fantasy authors in person. Hopefully that will change someday! :)

[@gameoftomes14]

@@PetrikLeo omg I’m so stupid I meant to comment this under a video about Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I do love Shannon Chakraborty though, definitely recommend the Daevabad trilogy.

[@amy_harboredinpages8272]

Read this book this month. I rwally enjoyed it. The Audiobook was fun. And look forward to the next book. I loved the Davabad Trilogy.

[@PetrikLeo]

It was a fun book. I look forward to reading Daevabad trilogy, too! 😆

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

This was also my first book that I read by Shannon Chakraborty, and I loved it. It's definitely going to be a top 10 read of this year. Now I really want to read The Daevabad Trilogy as well

[@PetrikLeo]

Woohoo! That's wonderful. I heard from fans of her books that Daevabad trilogy is better. I look forward to reading that someday! :)

[@fcsolis]

I'm currently reading this one. It's great to learn Arabic words , names, sentimentalities, etc. I'm trying to learn to read and write Arabic. Leisurely pace, a bit at a time. Thank you.

[@PetrikLeo]

That's great! I hope you continue to enjoy the story and learn more Arabic words! :)

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Great review. Just finished it, and I'd give it the same rating. It's not my top fantasy read of the year, but I'll definitely pick up the next book.

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you! Glad you agree with me. Hopefully the next book will be even better! :)

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video!!! Thank you Petrik!!!

[@PetrikLeo]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching, Dino! 😁

[@esmayrosalyne]

What a great review! Sounds like we pretty much had the exact same reading experience with this one. It was really fun and good escapism, though it really hasn't stuck with me because of the lack of emotional investment. Glad to hear that you are eager to try out more by Chakraborti now though, Daevabad has a much more serious/sophisticated tone and vibe. I would be curious to hear your thoughts!

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much, Esmay! The lack of emotional investment is accurate. I feel like it's really fun and quite compelling, but not enough for it to have a lasting impression on me. Who knows whether that will change or not in the future. But I look forward to reading Daevabad trilogy! :)

[@safinan8008]

Thank you for the review of the book.. happy reading to you! 🎥📖

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! Happy reading to you, too!

[@Heathennation1976]

Another great review I won't be reading this book though so I wanted to tell you something I just finish reading Primal Fury trial of the Berserker by Noel Traver awesome book by the way awesome a little too short but awesome can't wait for book 2 but in the back of the book he mentions you I thought that was pretty cool and be something you would like to know also I'm not getting notifications for your videos Man you are one of the only booktubers that I watch only have three and they're not giving me the notifications for you it sucks either way man keep up the great work

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! Oh, that's pretty cool. I haven't read Trials of the Berserker yet. I will have to check out the acknowledgment at the back of the book when I get to it. It's weird that you're not getting notifications for my videos, though. I hope KZbin will fix the issues!

[@andrareads2285]

Glad to hear that you liked this book!🙃 Now I can go and buy a copy of it!😁

[@PetrikLeo]

Thank you so much! Here's hoping you will like it, too! :)

[@iheartwalle]

I thought this book was so much fun and can't wait for more installments

[@PetrikLeo]

It was fun for sure! 😁

[@izanazir7088]

I don't really read books anymore, i try to find pdf version of it online, and i subscribed to your channel because i like listening about fantasy books and peaked my interest in reading novels, i am currently reading rezero arc 7 and don't usually read something mid. Thank you man, i am gonna buy and read " *Realms Of The Elderling* " thankyou for that, because you recommended it. I know its random.

[@PetrikLeo]

Glad my video made you buy and read books again. I hope you will love The Realm of the Elderlings! 😁

[@fjuran1]

I read the City of Brass, which I did like, but never finished the trilogy. Interesting I do feel the same about sea faring stories myself, far and few I read. I think I'll wait for the next book to make a decision here.

[@PetrikLeo]

Understandable! This was fun but not a must read yet, imo. I look forward to reading Daevabad someday. Maybe next year if possible! Hearing that you liked the first book is reassuring because I heard from many readers the trilogy gets better with each book. 😁

[@adhdsheila]

I wonder if I felt more connected to the supporting characters because I listened to the audiobook...I found them all so loveable!

[@PetrikLeo]

Could be! Audiobook could elevate our experience when done right!

[@mariareadsssf]

I had so much fun with this work. It is still in my top 3 of the year ( counting the whole "Dandelion Dynasty" at number one 😂 )

[@PetrikLeo]

I had a great time reading this! But yeah, I think it's fun but it did not left a lasting impression on me. 😅

[@TheFindol]

I've DNFed The City of Brass halfway as I wasn't really invested in the story and the setting wasn't enough to keep me reading. But maybe I should try this book and eventually give the Daevabad trilogy another try since so many people are talking about it.

[@PetrikLeo]

I have attempted reading City of Brass back when it was first published, and I put it down, too. I heard from many readers the series gets so much better on the 2nd book, so I'm willing to give the series a try again someday! :)

[@ba_samsoum]

The first part of the novel is beautiful, well paced, and so rich in details. It wasn't sustained though... the denouement was rather weak in my opinion and random solutions kept popping up. But overall, it was a fun read 🌟 I'm happy to see more positive Muslim representation in mainstream media 🩷 Thank you for the fun time Petrikv🌹

[@PetrikLeo]

Yeahh, I think the second half was more engaging but the final chapters were a bit disappointing. The resolution to the fight against the villain was a disappointment. Definitely a fun read, though! Glad to hear you had a great time with it, too! :)

[@o_o-lj1ym]

I love the cover art

[@PetrikLeo]

Same. It's beautiful!

[@narsimha678]

Petrik, I just want to know one thing. Is it better than or equal to 'The Scar' by China Mieville. Then, I will read it right away.

[@PetrikLeo]

I haven't read The Scar yet so I can't tell which one is better! 😅

[@narsimha678]

@@PetrikLeo Oh, you should read that one. I think none have created a surreal city like this on the ocean than Mieville.

[@CommonCentzFGC]

Hey Petrik, I know you're a big fan of from software games. Have you seen or tried the demo for The Lies of P? It feels exactly like a bloodborne spiritual successor. It's amazing👌

[@PetrikLeo]

I've seen the demo for Lies of P! It looks freaking promising not gonna lie. I haven't played it, though! 😄

[@CommonCentzFGC]

@Petrik Leo yeah I keep getting dissapo8nted that they won't remaster Bloodborne but this looks like a great alternative. I think you'll definitely like it if you like the other from soft games!👌

[@alzahraaalkhamis5336]

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