Gorgeous photo by @picklesbooks!
Hi fairy friends!
Welcome back to day 2 of our readalong for our February Adult featured book: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. I hope you’re all loving the book so far!
Today we’re reading from chapter 7 to the end of chapter 13. Let’s go!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty, from chapters 7 to 13. Please only read on if you’ve finished this section!
-!SPOILERS!-
Not only does Amina now have a crew, she has a ship!
After a rather tumultuous and non-discreet exit (sorry Salima) they’re officially en route to finding Dunya (I hope).
So Tinbu and Dalila both received letters from Layth, Falco’s agent, seeking out Amina. This… feels like a bad sign.
They think another old crew member, Majed, might have sold them out. Sounds like he’s gone very straight laced since Amina retired though.
Ok, forget Amina, forget Tinbu and Dalila, Payasam has just stolen the show. (PS, if you haven’t already taken a peek at the endpapers of the FairyLoot edition, it’s worth looking now! Not only is there a foiled map, BUT… Payasam. That is all.)
Amina is my hero. “Falco Balalamata”
They don’t find out a lot from Layth, but they find out a little. Dunya wanted to make a deal with Falco. Maybe she wasn’t as happy as Salima thought. As he divulges more information, things get a little strange…
Layth is down. Coughing up and choking on coins, the coins Amina just gave him.
Falco is a little more dangerous than Amina initially anticipated, it seems.
Well, Jamal has stepped in at a perfect time. Things are tense and it’s definitely a good time to take a step back and learn about the Moon of Saba that Falco wanted from Dunya!
Salima is in denial and more than that, she won’t let Amina quit. When she tries, Salima threatens her family. Oh no. Despite Salima’s secrets, despite her holding onto valuable (and dangerous) information about Falco, Amina is stuck between a rock and a hard place. This job is way more risky than she initially anticipated, but she can’t bow out, not without risking her family.
This is all getting soooo much worse. Salima has essentially burnt the notes that could’ve led them to Dunya.
Amina leaves with pretty much nothing to go off, and a threat to her family. Not ideal. So, they set sail for Mogadishu, to find Majed.
Majed, much like they expected, is not so happy to see them. The back and forth between Majed and Amina, specifically about Marjana, has me wondering… who is her father? There’s definitely something fishy going on.
Majed isn’t coming back, at least it doesn’t seem like he is, but he’s willing to try and decode then riddle and find out where the Moon of Saba is. Let’s hope he does, at least that way Amina will have some kind of lead!
The Marawati’s Mapmaker is in fact, on board… like literally and figuratively. He thinks he knows where to find the Moon of Saba and he’s not letting them go alone. So Amina, Dalila, Tinbu and Majed (and Payasam) are heading for Socotra.
There’s a lot to unpack in this section and almost none of it is good!!! I’m stressed. At least Amina has three of her valued crew members? And a cat of course. In my experience, cat’s fix most things.
Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend?
Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra?
How are you liking the book so far?
Here’s hoping tomorrow’s section brings us more answers! See you then, fairies!
Love,
Shannon
I’m still really liking the book. But I’m scared for everyone. Though i am glad that Amina has some of her old crew back! And of course Payasam does make everything a bit better. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Moon of Saba was real.
Still loving the book so far. This section was even more fun than the last! I don’t think the Moon of Saba is going to turn out to be real, but I would love it to be. Imagining a pearl that big is so fun! I think they’ll find something tangible, but not like the stories described.
I think there will be a confrontation between Amina and the pirates of Socotra, like Tinbu foreshadowed, and I can only hope that they end up siding with her against the Frank. After what happened to Laythe, I’m starting to get very worried about what his powers might actually be.
Not fully managed day twos chapters but feeling like chapter 9/10 is where the story is starting to take off and I’m really getting into the book now ?
Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend?
I think so. But I don’t think everything will be exactly according to the legend.
Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra?
All hell will break loose. ??
How are you liking the book so far?
I am enjoying it. It is one you have to fully pay attention and catch all the hint and I do enjoy that.
I’m liking the book more with every chapter. These last few dropped even more hints about Majana’s father and what happened between Amina and Asif’s death and I’m curious to learn the truth. I also like the second chance adventure Amina is getting with her closest crew members. Dalila is my favorite, so much sass!
This book is sooo good for the moment! It’s not the kind of stuffs I thought I could enjoy (the all “old pirates retirement thing”, never read something with main characters that are not in their 20/30), but well… here we are ?
Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend?
I don’t know about that one. I guess it’s a fifty/fifty for me. Meaning: a part of the legend is true, the other not. I think there really is a Moon of Saba, but it’s not what everyone think it is. Maybe it’s some metaphorical thing you have to find in yourself when you’re on the right place? I don’t know ??♀️
Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra?
A fight, but don’t know if it will be with this Frank guy or pirates… I also have a bad feeling for Majed. And for the Marawati, not sure it will escape Socotra without a scratch.
How are you liking the book so far?
I like it sooo much! Had to hide it somewhere or else I know I will read all day ?
Also, this part tends to confirm some of my suspicions about Marjana’s father, and I feel the little girl will have a greater part to play in this serie as she has now ?
Thaaanks a lot for this readalong, without it I will not have read this book until a few weeks!
1. I think it pearl is real, but if all stories about it are true that I don’t believe. Like the stone having magic or it being super big.
2. Lots of things will happen haha. I don’t think everything will go smoothly, but I also do think they’ll find Dunya.
3. I am really enjoying it!
I am liking this book so much ! I can’t wait to see where it takes us !
Also, I can’t read 98 pages a day so I’m listening to the audiobook and the narrators are really good !
Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend? – Every legend has a tiny bit of truth to it. Which means, the pearl could be real, but probably not as big as imagined.
Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra? – Oh my, that’s a tough on. But I have a feeling, that the suspense, which is already building up, we start blossoming once our friends get to the island.
How are you liking the book so far? – I love the vibe the book gives me. First, how Amina talks about patriarchal bigots and the whole feeling of the band being back together.
Man oh man…Salima is the worst! I was not super fond of her ambushing Amina at the start of the book but this blackmail and utter denial of her granddaughter’s actions is disturbing. I want to see her accept that Dunya left of her own volition by the end of this book. Also give all of her money to Amina and the crew! All. Of. It.
I am betting the pearl will be real since there is scary magic and creatures in this book. The Frank having access to magic, Amina’s husband, whatever creature he was, and the daughter of Iblis make me think nothing is off limits!
Socotra sounds volatile, both geographically and inhabitant wise. Hopefully Majed will be able to lead them to a safer side of the island so they can stay out of the eyes of the pirates. Nothing good can come of these pirates finding the Marawati. I do love that the gang’s back together now!
Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend? – I think it’s real, legends have to come from somewhere. Maybe only parts of the legend is true?
Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra? No idea to be honest, excited to find out!
How are you liking the book so far? I am really enjoying this book so far, it’s had me hooked from the start!!
Still really enjoying the book! Amina’s comments to Jamal while narrating are a nice touch. I’m not surprised Salima is blackmailing Amina, she seemed to hold back information from the beginning.
It’s nice to read about the crew coming back together for a last adventure, even Majed! But I have a feeling something is going to happen to him …
I think the Moon of Saba is real, but it may not be as powerful or impressive as expected. And I’m assuming they’ll run into the dangerous pirates, because the monthly theme is called “Voyage of Chaos” after all ?
Layth magically choking on coins was unexpected. Salima’s threats are putting her right up there with Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter on my “this character makes me see red” list. How does the Frank know so much about everyone on the crew? Sorcery or betrayal? I’ve liked Amina’s former crew members so far, & I’d hate to think any of them have this creep his Intel. Also, like Dalila, I was also drawn to a “failure of a cat,” & like Tinbu, I ended up taking him in (Hubby was firmly with Amina that he didn’t belong & wasn’t find of him in the least).
Daily Q&A:
Q:
1.) Do you think the Moon of Saba is real, or mere legend?
2.) Any theories on what will happen once they reach Socotra?
3.) How are you liking the book so far?
A:
1.) With the other supernatural things already mentioned, I’m willing to believe it’s real, but “in what form” is another matter all together.
2.) I’m hoping they find a clue, but I doubt they’ll find Dunya so quickly. Plenty of time for things to go spectacularly wrong.
3.) I’m liking the book. The character dynamic in the main group is plenty entertaining, & even that I feel so strongly about Salima (negatively), speaks well of how it’s written.
– i feel like the moon of saba is real
– i feel like amina will get kidnapped at some point during this book…so maybe that’ll happen soon after they reach socotra
– i’m liking it!
I like to believe the Moon of Saba is real. I’m curious if Socotra is the place or just another clue. The book is a slow one for me, but l live the characters so far!
I think that it is real, but that it is also being used as a lure.
I think that there is an ambush waiting for them. I’m just not sure who it is.
I am really enjoying it! I like the adventure and intrigue! Just a bit behind as it has been a busy week!
I think the Moon of Saba is real, but that perhaps its not quite what they think it is.
I’m not sure what’s waiting for them on the island – hopefully it’s Dunya!
Loving the book so far, especially now the action is picking up! I think all of the characters are amazing and so well written! Parts of the story are almost comical, especially with Jamal and Amina’s side conversations, and I love that her crew are reunited now they’re older!