Goodreads blurb:
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens affinities in those who drink the Misra tea. With an affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani wields a dagger like no other warrior, garnering her the reputation as the next greatest Shield for battling the dangerous djinn, ghouls, and other monsters that lurk in the sands beyond city limits. Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother who tarnished the family name after he was discovered stealing their nation's coveted spice - a tell-tale sign of magical obsession. He disappeared soon after, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes, and leaving Imani reeling with both betrayal and grief.
But when Imani uncovers evidence her brother may be alive and spreading their nation's magic beyond the desert, she strikes a deal with the Council to find him and bring him back to Qalia before he can reveal the city's location. Accompanied by Qayn, a roguish but handsome djinni, and Taha, a powerful beastseer whose magical talents are matched only by his arrogance, they set out on their mission.Imani will soon discover there are many secrets that lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes - and in her own heart - but will she find her brother before his betrayals endanger the fate of all of Qalia?
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My Review: 3.5 Stars
When I read the words “Arabian inspired” and “magic spice tea,” I knew the Spice Road was something I couldn't pass up. Let me start by saying that Maiya Ibrahim is an incredible story weaver. I was thoroughly impressed by the epic world-building and the fascinating magic system. I adored the fact that this was Middle-Eastern inspired, it reminded me of home and the culture that I grew up in. From the framing of sociopolitical history to unveiling family dynamics, everything was on point. The more I read, the more I craved to know. If I were to describe Ibrahim's book in one world, it would be ✨colourful✨. My heart raced as I imagined the burst of colour that the Qalia adorned itself with. From quaint stalls to glittering mansions, it was nothing less than magical. Speaking of magical, I'm a huge fan of the Misra spice-magic system! I loved that the spice gave each individual a different affinity. The plot was the star for me. It was paced perfectly and packed a strong punch of adventure and action! The pieces within the plot, fit each other perfectly. Nothing was random or out of the blue. My favourite themes were family and anti-colonisation, the latter being a topic not talked about enough, so I'm glad to see it in this book.
What I did find lacking, however, were the characters. They were painfully complicated and one-dimensional. Starting with the MC, I found her quite defiant and stubborn as the story unfolded. And don't get me started on Taha! At first, I found him extremely infuriating, then lovable in the middle and went back to infuriating again. I was disappointed to see a flat character development for both MCs. But Qayn on the other hand…pure gold! I didn't expect to be swept by the Djinni of all people. And oh, the glorious irony of a Djinni bound to a Djinni slayer, *chef's kiss*! He was loyal, honest and genuinely cared for Atheer and Imani. There's more to him than what meets the eye and I'm dying to know more! I hope in Book 2, we get to see more of him and his story.
Overall, I believe that The Spice Road is a promising debut worth reading. Hence, I'm rating it a 3.5/5. If the world-building doesn't entice you, the epic plot definitely will, making it perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Hafsah Faizal.
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