wyrd & wonder 2023 | spice road review
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links which, if used to purchase a book, will lead to me getting a small commission.
Title: Spice Road
Series: The Spice Road Trilogy
Author: Maiya Ibrahim
Narrator: Krupa Pattani
Content Warnings: Violence, discussions of implied parental abuse, colonization, racism, classism
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first book in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land. Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, seventeen-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother whose betrayal is now their greatest threat.
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?
In this epic and action-packed fantasy, one young heroine navigates the treacherous road between protecting the ones you love and staying loyal to the place you call home.
Friends, do you ever read a book that just…*thumps chest*…it hits ya right in the heart? That was Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim for me! First off, this book is an Arab-inspired fantasy by a Lebanese author, so can I please get a zaghrouta for that?! As a reader who is part Lebanese myself, there are so many beautiful parts of my culture that I noticed in big and small details sprinkled through Spice Road, and it warmed my heart and made me so proud! There have been many mainstream Arab-inspired fantasy books of late, but to have one infused with so much Lebanese culture? *zaghrouta*
✨ Also Check Out: My Interview with Maiya Ibrahim, Debut Author of Spice Road
But beyond making me proud of my heritage, I absolutely ADORED Spice Road! The world, the plot, the characters, the themes—all of it was abso-freakin’-lutely GLORIOUS!!! So, let’s take a look at what made me fall in love with Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim!
writing
It is magic, how words can be deadlier than daggers.
Spice Road
Ibrahim’s prose is the perfect mixture of lush and elegant, yet also not overly flowery and it’s absolute perfection! Her plotting and pacing are also immaculate—not too fast and not too slow, and always filled with enough intriguing elements to keep readers’ attention captured! I found myself completely engrossed in the story and dying to return everytime I had to set the book aside. Given this promising start to the Spice Road trilogy, I can”t wait to see how Ibrahim grows even more as a writer!
characters
The blade follows the heart.
Spice Road
Although not all out an “unlikeable heroine,” Imani is an incredibly flawed and human character. That being said, I still loved her, not despite her flaws, but because of them. It was so beautiful to watch her grow as a person across the story! It’s funny—I actually think Imani’s younger sister, Amira, fits the mold of a stereotypical YA fantasy heroine far more than Imani does, but I think Imani’s imperfect perspective is actually a better fit for the story and themes of Spice Road. I also think that teens and young adults will be able to relate to Imani’s perspective more because she isn’t perfect. Further, I love that Ibrahim doesn’t end the story with Imani having learned all of the lessons she needs to and completely relinquishing her prejudices, but instead chooses to show that though Imani has certainly grown, she still struggles with not being so prejudiced. I thought this touch was very realistic!
I also loved the secondary characters of Spice Road and how rich, complex, and dynamic they were as well! Each of them had a unique personality that served to highlight and influence Imani’s evolving perspective. I loved that they weren’t simply “token background characters”! I especially fell in love with Amira and Taha and how both of them sparked changes in Imani’s understanding of the world, although they did so in different ways.
world building
That is the way of the world, Slayer. Everyone hates and distrusts what is unfamiliar to them.
Spice Road
The worldbuilding is really part of where Ibrahim’s infusion of Lebanese culture into Spice Road truly shines. I loved finding every hint of Lebanese culture in the world of Spice Road—it made me so joyful and proud to find these cultural Easter eggs! From the fact that her characters (both male and female) wear sirwal to mentions of labneh and baklawa and more, I was overjoyed to see it all!
Then there’s also the Lebanese sociocultural aspects that Ibrahim also infused the cultures of Spice Road with! For example, Lebanese culture holds family (both nuclear family and extended family) as one of the most important things in life, and it was really gratifying to see this value reflected in Imani’s relationship and interactions with her family, as well as family’s importance to the story of Spice Road in general.
themes
Yes, Bright Blade, for light not shared is light that is diminished.
Spice Road
The major themes of Spice Road are colonization, empire, and exclusion, and Ibrahim manages to handle these themes with care. I thought it was interesting that Ibrahim chose to frame the story not through the eyes of a colonizer or a member of the colonized group, but rather through the eyes of a bystander. In a way, this choice allowed her to explore the idea that apathy to cruelty is its own form of cruelty. Imani must learn that her own form of exclusionary thinking is also dangerous and cruel towards those who are not members of her own “in-group.” It was nice to see her learn this in her interactions with Qayn, Taha, and Farida.
All in all, Spice Road was near perfection for me and quickly became a new all-time favorite! From the Lebanese representation to the themes about colonization and empire to the complex characters—everything was just terrific!! I absolutely recommend picking Spice Road up and I’ll be eagerly awating the sequel.
This looks gorgeous and I love that the author incorporated lebanese culture into the worldbuilding of the book! Definitely have to remember to read this!
i hope you enjoy it when you get to it!