The Adventures od Amina al-Sirafi (July 2023) Group Read Discussion

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

This is the group thread for The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi!

This thread is open for discussion beginning July 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.

The Group Read Discussion schedule is as follows:

or 16 pages

Week of 07/01
July 01: Chapter 1 or 16 pages
July 02: Chapter 2 or 16 pages

Week of 07/03
July 03: Chapter 3 or 16 pages
July 04: Chapter 4 or 16 pages
July 05: Chapter 5 or 16 pages
July 06: Chapter 6 or 16 pages
July 07: Chapter 7 or 16 pages
July 08: Chapter 8 or 16 pages
July 09: Chapter 9 or 16 pages

Week of 07/10
July 10: Chapter 10 or 16 pages
July 11: Chapter 11 or 16 pages
July 12: Chapter 12 or 16 pages
July 13: Chapter 13 or 16 pages
July 14: Chapter 14 or 16 pages
July 15: Chapter 15 or 16 pages
July 16: Chapter 16 or 16 pages

Week of 07/17
July 17: Chapter 17 or 16 pages
July 18: Chapter 18 or 16 pages
July 19: Chapter 19 or 16 pages
July 20: Chapter 20 or 16 pages
July 21: Chapter 21 or 16 pages
July 22: Chapter 22 or 16 pages
July 23: Chapter 23 or 16 pages

Week of 07/24
July 24: Chapter 24 or 16 pages
July 25: Chapter 25 or 16 pages
July 26: Chapter 26 or 16 pages
July 27: Chapter 27 or 16 pages
July 28: Chapter 28 or 16 pages
July 29: Chapter 29 or 16 pages
July 30: Chapter 30 or 16 pages

You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

[Helen 2.0]

My hold came in sooner than expected so I decided to go ahead and dive in!

29% Chapter 9 so far I’m really enjoying this. (view spoiler)[ everything about it is a breath of fresh air! The older characters from diverse backgrounds, the open and free attitude about sexuality, even the worldbuilding and vivid descriptions are on point. I don’t usually like fantasy books where the magic is super rare or not a big part of the world, but it works really well in this case. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

86% Ch 29 Honestly (view spoiler)[ I think her demon husband is hilarious! I hope he sticks around for longer on the series. He’s a terrible person but a great character. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Aaaaand done! Loved it! This was a great pick.

[Bopeep]

I've read the prologue today and I looove it! I'm totally in if not because I have a lot of BRs haha I hope I can read it soon ❤️

[Bopeep]

I've officially started and I plan to read this slowly.
Will anyone join me in the discussion soon? There's a lot of secrets I want to comment and theorize! Like who's the father, and what was the relationship between Amina and Asif?

[May]

I plan to read this slowly too, might start either tonight or tomorrow!

[Jen K]

Started on Monday and reading very slowly so far, totally me, not the book. I'm up to chapter 6.

I love the voice. I love that she is older and a mom. I'm also anxious to know who/what Marjana's father is and what happened to Asif. My theory is that the Frank is targeting Amina and has no interest in Salima's artifacts or else there would have been a ransom request already. I can't wait to have more time to really dive in.

[Bopeep]

How are you going with the reading, buddies?

I'm enjoying this a lot, laughing sometimes but loving the plot and characters so far. I also love that in the sea, nakhudhas have to accept the other religions, it's cool too see that kind of diversity~

I'm on chapter 15 and wow. This isle is so creepy. Those mysterious deaths, that invisible follower...
Guess we will know more about Amina'ss husband now.

[Jen K]

Bopeep wrote: "How are you going with the reading, buddies?

I'm enjoying this a lot, laughing sometimes but loving the plot and characters so far. I also love that in the sea, nakhudhas have to accept the other ..."

I got slowed down by Buddy Reads but hope to pick it up again later this week. You are ahead of me now.

[Bopeep]

Oh, don't worry. My reading pace with this is read 100 pages one day and not read for the rest of the week lol I'm sure you'll catch me soon.

About your previous comment: Yes, I'm still curious about "what" is Marjana's father. And I like your theory about the Frank targeting Amina, though I'm still not sure why her. Maybe she knows something the Frank wants?

[ALEXANDRA]

I just started it and love the ironical- satirical way of writing. But a lot of unknowing words for me, makes it a difficult read untill now. I wont give up... hope to find the rhythm

[Jen K]

I read more. I'm on a chapter in the early 20's. Beyond the fact that I read 2 BRs in the middle of this, it has been slow going for me. Not sure why because I do like all the pieces in the story.

@Bopeep, isle was terrible! Still interested to know more about Marjana's daddy and when will she be acknowledged between them. Surely he knows if he knows all her hopes and desires?

The Frank is frankly awful. Not even that good a villain. Interested to see how this all ends up.

@Helen, just read your chapter 9 spoiler and absolutely agree with it all!! Love the twist with Dunya and the acceptance there.

[Jen K]

Finished, quite enjoyed the ending. @Helen, completely agree with spoiler at chapter 29 but also like his ending.

[May]

I've read the first 6 chapters and I'm enjoying it so far! I liked the mini prison break that took place to save Tinbu.
I'm also curious to learn more about Asif and Marjana's father!

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

Diving in a little late because I'm super duper curious about it!

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

I'm up to chapter 11 and I'm enjoying it (and do not trust Mama after she said her daughter was "kidnapped" after she burned her kid's research) but the audiobook has a lot of changes in volume where they whisper/do asides and it's annoying because I have to keep adjusting the volume.

[Bopeep]

Yeah, that woman is awful D: I mean, you can't love your granddaughter so much if you burn ALL her research?! I was super pissed!!
But I'm not sure what's Dunya's personality right now, so I don't know if that obsession was really bad for her or she's enjoying the "kidnapping"...

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

Bopeep wrote: "Yeah, that woman is awful D: I mean, you can't love your granddaughter so much if you burn ALL her research?! I was super pissed!!
But I'm not sure what's Dunya's personality right now, so I don't..."

Oh shoot! Granddaughter!! I missed the generation jump lol

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

I think that Dunya was enjoying being needed for her brains instead of her body parts

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile]]

I just finished and I really enjoyed this one!

I especially loved Raksh, and his relationship with Amina. Amina's snark was hilarious, and seeing a middle-aged woman being the protagonist of a fantasy novel was just amazing. I felt for her poor knee so much!

[May]

I read up to chapter 15 so far and (view spoiler)[ it's interesting how we learn more about the circumstances behind Dunya's "kidnapping". She ran away with the Franks to an island help them find the Moon of Saba. I'm liking how this adventure is occuring so far! And I love the interactions between Amina and her friends/crew members!
I'm curious to learn more about Raksh since the chapter ended with him suddenly appearing to them on the island! (hide spoiler)]

[Alisha]

Finished this yesterday and it was defo an enjoyable read. I do feel like the pacing in the first half was a little slow and some parts could've been cut out. I love the representation overall in this book though and feeling of adventure!! My first Shannon Chakraborty book and I loved the writing style. I was also switching between the audiobook and reading the paper copy... I throughly enjoyed listening to (view spoiler)[ the little interactions between Amina and Jamaal (hide spoiler)] . Casting Arabic speaking voice actors was spectacular as pronunciation was spot on!

[May]

Just finished this and really enjoyed it! I thought it was a standalone this whole time, but I'm glad its part of a series!