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Synopsis

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens affinities in those who drink the misra tea. With an affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani wields a dagger like no other warrior, garnering her the reputation as the next greatest Shield for battling the dangerous djinn, ghouls, and other monsters that lurk in the sands beyond city limits.

Her reputation has been overshadowed, however, by her brother who tarnished the family name after he was discovered stealing their nation’s coveted spice – a tell-tale sign of magical obsession. He disappeared soon after, believed to have died beyond the Forbidden Wastes, and leaving Imani reeling with both betrayal and grief.

But when Imani uncovers evidence her brother may be alive and spreading their nation’s magic beyond the desert, she strikes a deal with the Council to find him and bring him back to Qalia before he can reveal the city’s location. Accompanied by Qayn, a roguish but handsome djinni, and Taha, a powerful beastseer whose magical talents are matched only by his arrogance, they set out on their mission.

Imani will soon discover there are many secrets that lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes – and in her own heart – but will she find her brother before his betrayals endanger the fate of all of Qalia?

Synopsis from Kobo Canada.

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What I Think

Before this book, I read The Guest List by Lucy Foley. That was a year ago. Things happened and we moved country of residence and I left most of my books in the Philippines. Spice Road is the first book that I read this 2023 and to be honest if I haven’t been obsessed with spicy oriental fragrances lately, currently Sacred Scarab by The Zoologist, I maybe would have not picked this up. I don’t know why I feel a little old for light fantasy stories.

Nonetheless, I just finished the book. It is a slow burn in the first half which I actually found suitable for people who are getting back into reading books after a long pause, or maybe casual readers with busy lifestyles and they only got half an hour a day to sit on the couch and prop their feet up. Although I would say, I struggled in the first few chapters and I did initially think the book was boring and cringey. Maybe because after reading The Guest List I have some sort of expectation built up in my head.

Teenage Imani, where do I begin? She is that one privileged classmate I would not hesitate to give a good slap, twice. She is the best in close combat, wielding her dagger like no other. However, it makes me sad because given her sheltered background and how everything was always done and prepared for her, I could not fathom for the life of me how on earth she became the strongest. I have not read tons of books, but I have watched a fairly good amount of anime and it’s always the characters who went through the toughest of situations who rise above others in terms of skills. It’s only logical. So how did you do it, Imani? I’m pretty sure training everyday only to come home to your mini palace to a table full of tasty dishes, and then finally retire to the comfiest of bed would not suffice. Are you a secret Kardashian?

I would not say this is the first time that I encountered such a build of character because anime has a lot of them too but maybe give us more details? Like, inheriting some sort of unique power that sets her above the rest? And then there’s Imani’s idealistic personality if you will. In her mind, her brother is not capable of betrayal. He is but influenced and tricked. She will venture out of Qalia, bring her brother Atheer back and everything will be as it was. But to be fair, I actually found this quality about her realistic. It makes absolute sense. It reflects the limitations of her reasoning given how poorly knowledgeable she is about the ugly parts of a thriving society.

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I rate this book 4 stars out of five. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good story. I might actually pick up another light fantasy with action-adventure. The world-building, the invisible territory of Qalia in the middle of a desert powered by a magical tea called Misra, the Swallowing Sands, the colonialism led by the Harrowlanders, the betrayals brewing in the middle of all-an important mission, the rally of changing hearts, I could go on. If the first half of the book gave me a lulling stillness that I was almost tempted to give in to my impatience, the second half was gloriously redeeming. It gave me the turnaround I was hoping for, heavy downpour claiming every bit of sand as if the drought never happened.

Imani might not be the inspiring, likable protagonist, the pacing of the story might not be everybody’s cup of tea, and the writing may feel a little bumpy with the slightly over-sprinkling of metaphors but I still think the author did a good job being this is a debut novel.

Magical tea, djinnis, add a whole lot of resistance here and there, and awkward romance going on. Stir and mix well in a pot of Middle-eastern-inspired setting with the shishas and trade of spices. You now got yourself a cozy read with a silent humdrum at the base that if anything, will balance out possible triggers of anxiety. As a casual reader, I actually enjoyed reading this book despite my slight annoyance with Imani.