The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by Shannon Chakraborty
Why read it
It delivers a rare and thoroughly enjoyable perspective in fantasy: an older, retired pirate captain and dedicated mother drawn back to the waves for one last daring heist. Framed as a spirited firsthand account dictated to an exasperated scribe, the novel blends rollicking maritime swashbuckling, vivid Middle Eastern folklore, deep camaraderie among an aging crew, and sharp, heartfelt humor.
Where to get it
For audio, the English unabridged production is expertly performed by Lameece Issaq alongside Amin El Gamal and is readily available across major platforms like Storytel Netherlands, Nextory, Kobo Plus, Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play Audiobooks. Digitally, check the Online Bibliotheek (or the Libby app via an Amsterdam/international library pass) for digital lending. For physical copies or ebooks, you can find English editions at Bol.com, Athenaeum Boekhandel, the American Book Center (ABC), and Waterstones Amsterdam.
What to expect
The tone is vibrant, witty, and adventurous with a warm undercurrent of emotional maturity and loyalty. It moves at an engaging, brisk pace, packed with sea monsters, magical artifacts, demonic exes, and tactical skirmishes without feeling overly dense. Content notes include high-seas combat, violence and blood, peril, dark magic, hostage rescue scenarios, and references to past trauma.
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