Spice Road

Spice Road, Book 1

By: Maiya Ibrahim

Narrated by: Krupa Pattani

The Sunday Times Best Seller

Raised to protect her nation from the monsters lurking in the sands, 16-year-old Imani must fight to find her brother, whose betrayal is now the country's greatest threat. Get swept away by this romantic fantasy!

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, there is secret spice magic that awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. Sixteen-year-old Imani has the affinity for iron and is able to wield a dagger like no other warrior. She has garnered the reputation as being the next great Shield for battling djinn, ghouls, and other monsters spreading across the sands.

Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother, who tarnished the family name after it was revealed that he was stealing his nation's coveted spice—a telltale sign of magical obsession. Soon after that, he disappeared, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes. Despite her brother’s betrayal, there isn’t a day that goes by when Imani doesn’t grieve him.

But when Imani discovers signs that her brother may be alive and spreading the nation's magic to outsiders, she makes a deal with the Council that she will find him and bring him back to Qalia, where he will face punishment. Accompanied by other Shields, including Taha, a powerful beastseer who can control the minds of falcons, she sets out on her mission.

Imani will soon find that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes—and in her own heart—but will she find her brother?

"An epic, sand-swept adventure." (Ayana Gray, New York Times best-selling author of Beasts of Prey)

©2023 Maiya Ibrahim (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic reviews

★ “A beautifully written, surprise-filled page-turner.” ―Kirkus Review, Starred Review

★ "Overflowing with culturally specific details and set in a fictional, Arabian-inspired world, this high-octane adventure maintains a steady clip toward a scintillating conclusion."―Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “Spellbinding magic, lush description and whirlwind action define Maiya Ibrahim's YA debut....readers will find much to admire in this powerful young woman who learns that thinking for herself is as vital as the magic she wields." ―Shelf Awareness, starred review

Wonderful!

I was shallow in picking this book, the cover is GORGEOUS! But I didn’t look into it’s synopsis at all before starting it. So it took me a while to catch on to the mythology and characters. But once I did I was hooked. Trying to guess what would happen next, and always being surprised. Especially when I reached the end and realized this is book one of a trilogy. Which when they come out I will definitely read.

That even the strongest, most talented are not perfect.

Loved the person reading.
It was an awesome book to listen to while traveling. The story kept my interest, but did not distract me.

first time I have felt immersed in a story based in the Middle East since Aladdin

wow....I cannot wait to start the next book in this series. I can imagine the characters, colors, smells, sand and heat. The female lead takes my breath away. She is a powerful and ethically sound example that any girl would adore to be like. I don't understand why this has not become a series or movie......yet.

All that matters is will there be a sequel???

it is absolutely wonderful. kept me enthralled from the first word. The characters our complex, the themes so relevant and layered, and the story so compelling that I couldn't stop listening if I wanted to and I didn't want to. and the narrative performance is absolutely out of this world!!! please please bring us more of these wonderful characters ❤️❤️❤️

Family bonds and magical realms

A wonderful story that pulls you into another world. You definitely get lost into the story. Just a beautiful world. I only wish it had more detail! It is a short book and could have been longer to have more detail. I love the family dynamic and the strong bond between siblings. I only pray my own girls are that close. Glad to add this to my list!

Very entertaining

I am trying to decide if this is a darker more fantastical Pride and Prejudice without the witty dialogue. I did thoroughly enjoy it. Bummer I have to wait for the next one.

♥️♥️♥️♥️

I love any book that gives off Aladdin vibes, it’s one of my favorite Disney movies.
This book definitely has a lot of my favorite tropes and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the second book doesn’t bring in the worst trope of all… love triangle 🤮🫣 I was getting some love triangle vibes in the last few chapters and I pray I’m wrong because nothing ruins a book faster for me.

This book has:
✅ sarcastic djinn

✅ moody and mysterious male interest

✅ sibling love

✅ tea magic (which you don’t see used a lot in YA fantasy)

✅ enemies to lovers

✅ rebellion

✅ adventure and action
And so much more…

It was one of those books that you are sad when it ends. Hello, book hangover 😢

Tea Magic is THE thing

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! ). Maiya 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

Trite and one dimensional

Unimpressed by this story. The main character is annoyingly slow to learn, the attributes she is awarded are unproven, and she failed to be believable. The parts of the story that have the potential to be rich are left unexplored or brushed over. I finished it for book club but otherwise would have abandoned it. Zero interest in the next book.

amazing story

I truly enjoyed listening to this book. The writer of this book leaves so many things on edge but results them within the next chapter or two. I love the anticipation of what's to come and how vividly the reader makes everything I cannot wait for the next book to come out in November already pre-ordered.