Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.

But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.

This is another book that has been sitting on my TBR for way too long. I’m so happy I finally made time for it. If you’re into action, adventure, or stories with fierce female leads— oh, and pirates!—you’re going to want to move this one to the top of your list. It’s a ton of fun!

The story follows Amina al-Sirafi, a legendary pirate who has retired from an adventurous life at sea to live quietly with her mother and daughter. Amina’s reputation as one of the most notorious pirates of the Indian Ocean precedes her—she’s done every piratey thing imaginable and has more stories than she’d ever dare to admit. Now, she’s pretty content with a quieter life. But when a wealthy noblewoman tracks her down with an irresistible offer—a million dollars to help find her missing daughter (who also happens to be the daughter of a former crew member)—Amina’s plans for a peaceful retirement are out the window. The woman offers her a million bucks for her help, and that much money is too good to pass up–especially when it would secure a normalish future for her and her family.

So, Amina gets her old crew together for one more adventure on the high seas. What follows is a rip-roaring quest across treacherous waters (and the mysterious creatures that swim beneath them), and a touch of supernatural chaos. And of course, it wouldn’t be a true pirate adventure without our characters uncovering some seriously dark secrets along the way.

Right off the bat, the tone of this book pulled me in. It’s sharp, funny, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. But it’s also touching in some parts. Amina is a hell of a main character. She’s clever, fierce, and unapologetically ambitious. I also loved that she’s not just some naive, wide-eyed damsel in distress who needs a man’s help to succeed. She’s a seasoned, world-weary woman who’s been through the ringer and has come out stronger because of it. It’s about time we had a pirate story where a woman gets to be the one calling the shots. I also loved that she’s a mother and that her relationship with her daughter and her own mother is a significant part of the story. It added a rich layer of vulnerability that makes her all the more relatable.

The world-building is another high point. The setting feels lush and immersive,. It’s like Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Arabian Nights, but with a feminist twist. The pacing is perfect, too—no dragging through exposition here. It’s a book that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. There are plenty of secrets and intrigue, and while some plot twists feel inevitable, others took me by surprise.

This book effortlessly blends action, humor, and heart seamlessly. It’s a whole lot of fun! If you love stories about daring exploits, complex female leads, and richly woven worlds, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Plus, it’s the first book in a series, so there’s more to come. I can’t wait to see what Amina does next!

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