If you liked the world of Spice Road and like the idea of consequences and deadly competitions, make sure you pick up Serpent Sea. This middle child in the trilogy is going to test alliances made and broken. There’s plenty of betrayal and action. Keep reading this book review of Serpent Sea for my full thoughts.
Summary
Imani is a magic-wielding warrior sworn to protect her land from the monsters that roam the desert. But an even worse enemy now threatens the Sahir. As the powerful Harrowlanders march south with their greatest weapon—spice magic—Imani knows it’s only a matter of time before their invasion of her land begins . . . and it will be a losing battle for her people.
But Imani also knows that one way to fight magic is with monsters. If she can restore Qayn’s stolen powers, together they can summon a supernatural army to defend the Sahir from the Harrowlanders. Forming an alliance with a djinni king is risky, but Imani will do anything to save her people, even embarking on a dangerous quest beyond the sands to find the magical jewels of Qayn’s lost crown.
As Imani journeys far from home, she will discover monsters that warriors have only heard about in myths . . . monsters that can strike at any moment. Meanwhile, her rival, Taha, has been captured and is on a dangerous mission of his own.
One wrong move could cost them their lives—and everyone they love. But they may find that there is more than meets the eye crossing the Serpent Sea . . . and betrayal cuts deeper than any dagger.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Serpent Sea forces both Imani and Taha to reconcile with their past, their own secrets, and their version of change. They’re on different sides and we wonder throughout if they can bridge the gap. During the course of Serpent Sea both Taha and Imani asks themselves how they can protect their home and loved ones without all these casualties. Without bargains with demons, unintended consequences, and scorched earth. From the beginning, I enjoyed reading Taha’s POV as he explores why he felt Imani and him could never work. We see him unraveling and processing his own images and conception of himself.
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If he cannot become what his people need, what his father wants, who can become? In the course of Serpent Sea we’re asked about what ‘saving’ looks like to a people, a family, a land. On the other hand there’s also this magical and deadly game to balance out these larger themes. While I felt the actual game component was quickly over – and losing a bit of momentum – I liked the themes and unexpected ‘friends’ they see again. Whereas the ending pulled me back into the story. Especially with those betrayals!
Find Serpent Sea on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.