Shannon Chakraborty, the Hugo-nominated author of The Daevabad Trilogy, returns with a new fantasy series set in the pirate-infested waters of the 12th-century Arabian Sea.
When the novel opens, Amina, a middle-aged woman, a sea captain in retirement (or hiding, if you prefer)is attempting a quiet staid life with her aged mother and young daughter. However, she can’t escape her fearsome reputation and adventure comes knocking on her door in the form of a rich, noble lady from Aden. Salima believes her granddaughter has been abducted by a dangerous Frank by the name of Falco Palmanestra. And she wants Amina to find her in exchange for lots of money and serious threats. Thus starts Amina’s adventure across the Gulf of Aden, as she first recruits her old crew and then goes on the quest to recover the missing girl and potentially one of the most fantastical artifacts of the time.
Motherhood & Ambition
Like any decent quest, Amina’s path is filled with life-threatening encounters, cheating alliances, mythical monsters, and a very, clingy demon from her past.
Back at work after what can be only called a long maternity leave, Amina also mentally struggles with the guilt women feel to this day in the 21st century. Is it okay to enjoy her work? Is it okay to want things for herself? Does she become a bad mother if her profession of choice is dangerous? Why can’t she be both a loving mother and an explorer too?
“I’m not sure I ever stopped being a nakhudha,” I finally replied. “Our hearts may be spoken for by those with sweet eyes, little smiles, and so very many needs, but that does not mean that which makes us us is gone. And I hope . . . part of me hopes anyway that in seeing me do this, Marjana knows more is possible. I would not want her to believe that because she was born a girl, she cannot dream.”
― S.A. Chakraborty, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
It is in these inner ramblings of Amina, the author reveals herself the most. A mother of young children herself, Chakraborty has sometimes shared on social media the trials of a working mom, especially in the harsh years of the pandemic. As a fan and fellow mother, I relate to her struggles and in turn Amina’s.
Amina’s main pit stops in her journey (Image Credit: Vipula Gupta)
Tour of the Yemeni Coast
Through Amina’s adventures, we get a historical tour of the Arabian Sea from the coast of Omen to Yemen. Whether we talk about the grassy coastlines of Oman or the bustling city of Aden, Chakraborty visually evokes the pictures of a rich cultural belt in the middle east. Especially with her descriptions of Aden and Mogadashu, we learn that sea trade is thriving in Asia and such port towns are melting pots of various nationalities and ethnic groups. Way before the Portuguese started the European naval race.
The heart of the adventure is set in the beautiful island of Socatra, Yemen which with its unique species and geography is often referred to as the ‘most alien place on earth’. So obviously, it is a hot bed of pirate activity and superstition — in fact, one of the key components of the quest in the novels appear to be inspired by the Hoq Caves on the island.
The famous dragon blood trees of Socatra (Photo by Andrew Svk on Unsplash)
Gentle Touch of Politics
“For while the pious claim money doesn’t buy happiness, I can attest from personal experiance that poverty buys nothing.”
― S.A. Chakraborty, The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
Chakraborty, first in The Daevabad Trilogy and now, in The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, tries to make a case for a world that should be. The big difference is that main cast of Daevabad were the ruling elite, and it was a long, arduous journey for them to come to terms with their privilege and be accountable for it.
In The Adventures of… Chakraborty remains firmly in the realm of the common (wo)man. Amina, like any salt of the sea worker, is apolitical and just wants to go about her life. But she learns soon enough, it’s not always easy to make that choice, and apathy might end up hurting the people you love. Even with all her skills and fame, she cannot escape the manipulations and microaggressions of the rich and powerful.
“For the greatest crime of the poor in the eyes of the wealthy has always been to strike back. To fail to suffer in silence and instead disrupt their lives and their fantasies of a compassionate society that coincidentally set them on top. To say no.”
― S.A. Chakraborty, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Pacing & Character Development
The novel maintains an even pacing for the most part but appears to lose the plot in the last 100 pages. It’s not that story stops making sense, but instead, there is too much happening. I feel Chakraborty was tempted to throw in every single mythical creature she knew of in the narrative, even for a fleeting moment. I was overwhelmed by the action, the locations, and just the over-the-topness of it all.
The other thing that dragged down the novel for me a little bit is the slow character development. Tied down by first-person narrative, we learn oodles about Amina’s deepest thoughts but none of the other characters seem to rise over the page. Raksh is too silly and charming to be taken seriously, but I wish I knew more about Tinbu, Dalila, and Majeb. I wish they had more to do than be sidekicks. I know too much about Amina and not enough about anyone else.
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is a unique read as it puts a middle-aged female single mother in the heart of a fantasy story. I haven’t read anything like this before. Chakraborty’s writing is well-researched and pays homage to medieval Arabic travel writers and folklore. It’s an easy, fun read, that could have done with a tighter plot and better character development. I enjoyed the voyage but am not hankering for the next adventure.
