I started it a few days before release day because I hoped I'd be able to read it before it came out, but back then I wasn't in the mood for a long fantasy book, so I ended up leaving it for a bit. I came back to it a couple days ago because I was finally in the mood, but I still ended up DNFing it at 54%.

It’s ya and it’s a trilogy… did the book really have to be almost 500 pages long?

The premise of a Middle Eastern fantasy with magic fueled by tea sounded amazing, but the way it’s executed made it feel like nothing interesting was actually happening. At the point where I stopped reading the plot was starting to become a little more interesting, but I stopped anyway because of the characters (they seriously made the reading experience painful).

The characters in general were annoying and flat, but the main character was the worst of all. I tried, I really did, but Imani is so entitled, insufferable and naive, I can’t fucking stand her. She literally acts like an arrogant child all the time. The part where Qayn snapped at her and told her "You will know the truth when you deserve it, but the ignorant deserve nothing" was totally deserved.

Taha’s an asshole to Imani for years and they’re “rivals”, then they actually talk to each other ONCE and she already goes all “oh no I’m falling for him”. Excuse me??
At some point Taha starts acting somewhat nicely a few times to her in private just to be a douche again to her in front of the others and I’m just like “are you 12? What is your problem".

Also, that scene where everyone meets Qayn, and Taha has that weird jealous moment when he asks if Imani is in love with Qayn was just random and weird. Qayn has been bound to Imani for like four days, and Taha has had two decent conversations with Imani in all the years they had known each other. How is anyone supposed to be in love with anyone here?

I found out this story has a love triangle after I had already started reading it, but I don't see how any kind of romance can fit in here, or how am I supposed to even root for anyone. Taha is the typical ya book asshole/bully, so no thank you. Qayn is actually the only interesting character in this story, but I'm still not rooting for him because he deserves way better than Imani.

I might come back to this book some day in the future, but for now it's a no from me.

Insgesamt hat mir das Buch gut gefallen. Ich mochte die Geschichte, die Buchwelt und auch die Charaktere. Die Reise, die das Buch beschreibt ist spannend und abwechslungsreich. Es gibt viele gute Szenen zwischen den Charakteren und man erfährt auch sehr viel über sie und die Welt in der sie leben. Trotzdem hat mir etwas die Tiefe bei den Figuren gefehlt. Zum Ende hin wurde dies aber immer besser und ich könnte mir vorstellen, dass es in zwei Band genau das geben wird. Daher bin ich sehr gespannt.

Spice Road was one of my anticipated reads for 2023, and it did not disapoint. I loved Imani as a character and how she has to adapt and evolve as new information is thrown her way throughout the story.

Spice Road takes place mostly as a journey away from the society of Qalia which is hidden behind the sands. In the wider world however, there’s a war for resources (spice) and Imani’s brother has defected to help the people there, but Imani plans to bring him home.

The magic and explainations around Qalia and the spice/tea magic that they have is really easy to understand. I liked that magic is something they have to learn to harness and adapt to, rather than this being another book around forbidden or lost magic.

One of the key themes throughout was class within society. Imani not only has privilege of being in Qalia society and therefore hidden from war and colonisation, she’s in the upper class and so never really has had to worry about food, or consequences for her actions. Her academic rival, Taha, is the main character that repeatedly points this out but we also see this from within Imani’s family when her sisters owns up to stealing for those less fortunate. It was woven into the overall storyline well, and I liked that Imani actually grew from this.

The first half of this book was a little slow for me, but the second half really picked up. I loved the action at the end, and really enjoyed Imani's character development throughout. The world building and magic system was well written and I can't wait to see where this story goes in the next book!

I'm not the biggest fan of YA so this one was just not for me. I wanted to give it a go because I love Middle Eastern fantasy but I couldn't really connect with the main character. I think Maiya has a very promising future ahead of her and I hope she writes an adult fantasy series at some point!

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I initially wanted to read as the hype for this book made it on to my list of highly anticipated books and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually loved it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book has perhaps the best setup to a love triangle after The Infernal Devices.

I usually can’t stand the trope, but when it’s done well, I’m hooked. Granted, I always prefer the why choose road, but if the protagonist has to choose someone, then I prefer it when I like both love interests to the point that I’m happy either way. This is what happens in this book. The author built Taha and Qayn so well that I became invested in both characters and their dynamics with Imani, at the same time leaving enough yet to uncover that I’m intrigued to continue the series—especially where Qayn is concerned. There isn’t a weak trope with neither of the two. On one side we have a rivals to (hopefully) lovers, on the other we have the Djinni and the Djinni Slayer becoming friends and then (hopefully) lovers.

Another element that I loved was the sibling bond between Imani, Amira and Atheer. We don’t see Atheer for the majority of the book, and yet the love his two sisters feel for him jumps out of the page. And the tragedy is that I fell in love with him through the little things we learn about him through Imani’s memories. How do I fall in love with a character I hardly see? Why do I do this to myself?

The story itself was enjoyable and adventurous with some shocking moments toward the end. The only reason I’m not giving this a full 5 star rating is that there were some long passages throughout the story where we’re a bit too much in Imani’s head, which slowed down an otherwise impeccable pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is how to do an epic adventure in the right way. I was worried with so much travelling, it would drag a bit, but it was filled with action on every page. It really led to highlight the distance between the two nations and the scope of the sands between them.

Imani's journey was interesting. I've books before where the character discovers that they're living in a place of privilege and that maybe not everything they've been told is true, but I've never felt every revelation and ever moment of questioning so deeply. I could see every step of the journey that Imani was going on.

The narrator was a good reader, but I was left wanting a little. She didn't really do many voices and it was hard to tell which character was which especially between the female characters. I was disappointed because other than that she was good at reading and putting expression into the text.

There are so many things I want to know more about and so many things I'm excited to see in the next book. This was a fantastic start to a new series.

Spice Road was one of my most expected debuts of this year, after so many great reviews of people in the community that I trust and respect. And, as always, they didn’t disappoint me (I’m looking at you! ). Mayim brings to us a tale of adventure, magic and angst, perfect for fans of Arab mithology and culture, a first book that promises a much more dangerous, lush world to discover.

I had such a great time with this book. I listen the audiobook, the first one I finished, and it was really entertaining. The story is fast paced, a big adventure with all the great scenarios: lost cities, monsters, prison breakdown, ship’s battles. It has everything and we can’t breath between the action. And the magic system is amazing, I can’t wait to know more about it, That is the only complaint I have, I would love to see more world building as this world seems so interesting and full of amazing details. I hope in the next book to see more of it.

As the characters, I like the fact they’re full of flaws, so we can relate to them more. Imani, for example, has for me the biggest growth arc in the story. She is the proof that we can be blind to the world but we can also learn to worry and fight about it. And, let me tell you, this has the more intense enemies to lovers romance that I have read in a while. The angst in this is very real.

For a debut novel, Spice Road was a promising start and I can’t recommend to you enough. I really think the next books will be even better. How many great series starts like this? And Spice Road will be one of it, I bet.

*Thanks to @netgalley UK for providing me an arc in exchange of a honest review*

This book pleasantly surprised me and quashed my expectations in many ways. Spice Road is a magical but subtle thematic exploration on colonialism, the weight of parental expectations, and privilege. If you want an immersive new fantasy trilogy to sink into, pick this one up!

Thank you netgalleynfor the ARC

Ok... I enjoyed this. I listened to the audio book and read along, I think this really helped with how I perceived the book, it was narrated well.

I enjoyed the sass that oozed from the Djinn, I enjoyed the adventure and the family aspect. The plot was thick and well driven, the magic is an interesting concept and I liked how it was woven in.

I found I was desperate for more world-building and character depth, as much as the plot held its own, it was missing that extra something something to just teeter my brain into imagination mode. The audio was paced really well and for a debut of a trilogy I look forward to seeing how Ibrahim adapts and weaves the story and hopefully really delves into the world-building and characters.

This book tackled a lot of topics, like privilege, but it was paced in such a way that rather than being crowded, it flowed smoothly. And I appreciate that there was more emphasis on the sibling dynamic than the romance. I feel that a lot of times fantasy tends to blend families in the background, highlighting the romance. So it was really nice to read a book that truly delved into the complicate family relationships while also showing how no matter what, family comes first.
A special mention for the way the author depicted colonisation and the effects, leaving no crumbs.
Spice Road is a beautiful debut with a thrilling adventure and characters who you will relate to. I highly recommend it

Imagine a world where a sip of tea can unlock in you the power to see through the eyes of a bird, to shapeshift into a lion or to control fire. Maiya Ibrahim brings this world to life in her debut novel which takes readers on an epic fantasy adventure that’s also an exploration of colonialism and class. In the opening pages of SPICE ROAD, we meet Imani, the youngest warrior In the hidden desert city of Qalia. Her family is fractured after the death of her older brother. But when Imani discovers clues that he may be alive and sharing the secret of their nation’s magic tea beyond their borders she must embark on a quest that will change her world. From there we dive into betrayals, romance, and jam-packed action.

Amazon Summary

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. With her affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani can wield a dagger like no other - and for that she has gained a reputation as the next greatest Shield, battling djinn, ghouls, and the other monsters spreading across the sands.

But ever since her brother was discovered stealing their nation's coveted spice - a tell-tale sign of magical obsession - and disappeared into the deadly Forbidden Wastes, Imani's reputation has been in tatters. Despite Atheer's betrayal, there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't grieve him.

Then Imani discovers signs her brother may be alive, and spreading their nation's magic to outsiders. Desperate to find him - and to protect him - she joins the mission sent to hunt him down. Accompanied by Taha, a powerful beastseer, who enthrals and enrages her in equal measure, Imani soon discovers that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes - and in her own heart.

Caught between her duty to her nation, and her love for her brother, Imani must decide where her loyalties lie . . . before it is too late.

My Review
I liked this book but didn't love it!

First the positives, i really liked the world building, it was a take on a middle eastern inspired fantasy where some people gain power from drinking tea but the chosen few gain a different power. The writing was fine but did read a little young for my tastes. Thats pretty much where the positives end.

I didn't love the plot, it was realllllly slow and a bit on the boring side, also i feel like i've seen this sort of plot before and done better. I didn't like the acceptance on bullying because his father is a jerk, this really puts me off a book. i didn't connect with any of the characters and found most of them really annoying.

Its a shame because i really like middle easter fantasies but this really let me down. I wont be reading the next book in the series.

This one didn’t work for me. The plot of this story is quite interesting: a hidden kingdom where magic is practised and which can only be reached through a monster-haunted waste. A young girl who goes to seek her brother who has journeyed to the lands outside and may be betraying the secrets of their kingdom to outsiders.

I quite often read and enjoy Young Adult books, but every now and then one hits me as really for the age group it was aimed for, and some of its conventions don’t work for me. Imani the heroine is portrayed as an unreliable narrator, but comes across as mainly clueless. Her emotions swing from high to low in a couple of sentences (which is probably very accurate for teenagers!). Sometimes there is too much tell rather than show, and other times there seem to be sentences missing that would have helped the rest of the narrative make sense. The other characters, including a potential love interest, are not given much depth, or seem to react in an incongruous fashion.
I really wanted this to be a new fantasy series I could get into, but I won’t be reading on. However this could be a great read for the appropriate age range.


I had a copy of this book early through Netgalley

I can't find any fault in this book that I loved: gorgeous cover, intringuing world building, well developed characters, and a plot which is both entertaining and gripping.
This is the first in a series full of promises and I can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed this book way more than I thought. Maiya Ibrahim has a talent for lush descriptions and succeeded in making me feel like I was a part of the misfit crew in the story. She also ensured that I felt sympathy for almost all the characters, and I am hungry for the sequel. Full review to come on the blog.

I think “We will fight, but first we will have tea” from Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim has taken the top spot as my new fave opening line!

I finished this book recently and fell completely in love with it. The magic system was so interesting, with secret spice magic and misra tea that awakens people’s magic (I wish my coffee would do the same for me in the morning). Imani, the main character, is desperate to find her brother who disappeared after it was discovered he’d been stealing their nations spice. I found Imani frustrating at times, but I honestly kind of loved that in an odd way? She was so passionate about doing the right thing, that she couldn’t help but think with her heart instead of her head which led to her jeopardising her mission, and I think while it was frustrating as a reader to see her make those mistakes, it made her more real and likeable in the long run.

Read this book if you like:
✨ quests
✨ djinn
✨ love triangles 👀

This book was such a fun ride! I loved Imani and Qayn but me and Taha are currently not talking. They were such interesting characters and I was completely hooked by the story from the beginning. I loved the world and the mythology that was woven into the story. The magic system was also so interesting and I am excited to learn more about it in the sequel and the history behind how Imani’s people were given the powers.

I loved the world and the desert setting with Imani’s home being magically hidden and how we see it expand once Imani learns that there is so much more out there and we get to learn with her. There is also arab folklore woven into the story and I loved seeing it from jinns to other mythical creatures and how they are part of this world. I am looking forward to seeing more of the world in the sequel.

The truth is the thorn not the rose

I really loved Imani, she is a sheltered girl who doesn’t see the struggles of those who aren’t as fortunate as her. She comes from a powerful family so she is given opportunities that others may not get or have to fight for and she doesn’t see the advantages she has been given simply for being born into her family. But over the course of the story she starts to see that not everyone is given the same opportunities. She sees how Taha and the others resent her for it and that maybe she needs to do better. It was interesting to see because both her brother and sister do see the inequalities so she also learns a lot from her younger sister too. It was great to see that she was open to learning and changing by the end of the book.

Taha is such a complex character and had me going from rooting for him to hating him. I can see where he is coming from how he has had a difficult life and an abusive father but it still frustrated me that he would change how he was towards Imani so often. I hope we get to see some redemption for him in the sequel and he realises that he can choose his own path.

Qayn was probably my favourite character and I absolutely need more of him in the sequel and his backstory. We get to see some of it in this book and I am intrigued and I would read a whole book of his backstory. He is funny and chaotic and there is so much more to him than he shows us and Imani and how he is helping Imani.

Light not shared is light diminished

This book also has discussions on helping those who are being oppressed and whether it is not okay for powerful nations who aren’t affected to ignore what is happening and just protect themselves. We see the differing perspectives from the different characters and i really liked how the discussion was written into the story.

This is a fun story with lots of adventure and chaos and a great group of characters and I am so excited for the sequel!

**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

An exciting debut, Spice Road is a story exploring themes of family, privilege and colonialism that centres on characters from a hidden magical city venturing outside on a mission to the real world to save one of their own. Don’t you just love it when common tropes are switched up a little?

The leading protagonist Imani is a member of the Shields, a group of warriors who defend Qalia from the monsters and creatures that lurk in the city’s borders with the help of Misra – a magical spice that when infused in tea gives the drinker an affinity over a certain element. Imani’s has an affinity for steel which allows her to have an extraordinary mastery with weapons.
Imani’s elder brother was also an acclaimed Shield but upon being accused of stealing Misra - an act that has brought much shame to their family name - he disappeared and was presumed dead. However, when Imani stumbles upon evidence that her brother could still be alive she is determined to be part of the team sent outside the city walls to retrieve him, both out of love for him and in order to ensure the safety and security of her home from outsiders.

Through Imani’s quest Maiya Ibrahim gives us the lay of the vast Arabian inspired world that she has created, from the magic that these character’s lives are already accustomed to to the unknowns of everything outside of the Swallowing Sands that they come to face.

Magic based around tea will always instantly fascinate this tea lover and pair it with an elemental based power system and I am sold! However, as an already established part of the story I did feel like we didn’t get the full scope of it in this one book. With Imani being the solo POV that we follow throughout this story we mainly get an account of her power over steel – which was so cool, don’t get me wrong – but I’m definitely hoping that we get more extensive details and development of the world’s magic in the books to come.

The plot was without a doubt the strongest part of the story, Ibrahim is a really skilled storyteller. The journey from Qalia into the outside world was brilliantly paced and really well put together and I was immediately hooked in by all the action and the tensions of the mission. Despite the dialogue and inner monologue of the MC making the story feel a little clunky at times, I really enjoyed following Imani’s journey.
She is the impulsive sort, always charging in to do what she wants without much forethought of the consequences and a lot of her development comes down to unlearning her privilege. Of becoming more aware of the world around her and seeing the disparity in both the outside world as well as within her own community.

There was an interesting range of character dynamics and each supporting character informed Imani’s development in a different way. Her relationship with Taha is one of those that people are either going to be on board with or not. I have to say I wasn’t fully on board with the romance side of things but for the most part I enjoyed their back and forth and how it played a part in Imani’s character arc.

Sometimes things happened in the story a little too conveniently for how high the stakes were but all in all I had fun reading this book and I’m excited for more!
Final Rating - 4.25/5 Stars