Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine
Spice Road is book one of a
hypnotic Arabian-inspired fantasy series for young adults. It’s a narrative
that weaves magic and mysticism by evoking all the senses.
Concealed in the arid wastelands of the
desert lies a guarded city called Qalia. It is the home to Imani and her people,
a people who possess magical affinities for the elements. They awaken them by
consuming a mystical spice tea called Misra.
The heroine Imani, is a warrior, known as
a ‘Shield’ and her affinity is for iron. She brandishes a blade like no
other which garners her a lofty reputation and the nickname of ‘Djinni Slayer.’
As a Shield, her duty is to protect her nation from, monsters, ghouls and evil
djinn that hide in the Sahir, beyond the city walls.
We discover however that Imani’s family’s influence
and honour has been called into question. Her brother Atheer, a powerful
sorcerer, has been missing for nearly a year. Presumed dead beyond their
borders, it is learned he had been stealing substantial quantities of their valued
spice, Misra. It is assumed he became magically obsessed and destroyed himself.
But when Imani and her sister Amira unravel
evidence to suggest that Atheer may still be alive, Imani makes a desperate
appeal to the cities council members to form a search party to retrieve him. They
agree, and are led by Taha, the son of the Grand Zahim. Taha is a powerful
beastseer; however, Imani has her reservations. Taha has only ever treated her
with curt disdain and maintains a permanent air of arrogance.
Imani journeys beyond her lands to face
unparalleled dangers and is forced to navigate friend from foe in her plight to
recover her beloved brother. Imani walks precariously along the edge of a blade
to protect the ones she loves while remaining true to her duties as a Shield.
With its captivating narrative, lavish
descriptions and mystical sandscapes Spice Road is an action-packed
adventure that lures you in from the get-go.
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