If you’ve been looking for your next detailed epic fantasy, The Spice Gate may be for you. This debut fantasy has questions of scale, subjugation, and spices. It transports you into a world of exploitation, hope, and ambition. Keep reading this book review of The Spice Gate for my full thoughts.
Summary
Relics of a mysterious god, the Spice Gates connect the eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated by a distinct spice and only accessible by those born with a special mark. This is not a caste of distinction, though, but one of subjugation: Spice Carriers suffer the lashes of their masters, the weight of the spices they bear on their backs, and the jolting pain of the Gates themselves.
Amir is one such Spice Carrier, and he dreams of escaping his fate of being a mule for the rich who gorge themselves on spices like the addicted gluttons they are. More important than relieving his own pain, though, is saving his family, especially his brother, born like him with the unfortunate spice mark that designates him for a life of servitude.
But while Amir makes his plans for freedom, something stirs in the inhospitable spaces between the kingdoms. Fate has designs of its own for Amir, and he soon finds himself drawn into a conspiracy that could disrupt the delicate dynamics of the kingdoms forever.
The more Amir discovers truth and myth blurring, the more he realizes that his own schemes are insignificant compared to the machinations going on around him. Forced to chase after shadows with unlikely companions, searching for answers that he never even thought to question, Amir’s simple dream of slipping away transforms into a grand, Spice Gate–hopping adventure. Gods, assassins, throne-keepers, and slaves all have a vested interest in the spice trade, and Amir will have to decide—for the first time in his life—what kind of world he wants to live in…if the world survives at all.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Spice Gate starts off by asking us what we would do for our family. Too often I think we find these epic fantasy stories with characters who want to be a hero. They want to have that grand story book life, that heroic journey. They’re ready to give it all up for that. To be selfless and noble. But for Amir, he just wants to take care of his family. And while he finds himself in the largest conspiracy ever, there’s a sense that fate has plans for him. That despite wanting to protect his family the world be damned, destiny is calling.
The Spice Gate pushes characters to their desperation. And in those limits, we are able to see the groans and creaks of the subjugation and exploitation. The ways in which they’re struggling so hard to make ends meet, but it all stems from this inequality, from an injustice, from this system. The Spice Gate takes a bit of time to get into, to follow along with Amir as he finds himself thrown into these situations. Amir feels like an every man. He reminded me of who I might be when the realities of the story come calling.
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They’re all searching for truths and answers and the scale of this conspiracy is revealed, you’re wondering if anything can ever go back to the way it was. And the answer is always no. The Spice Gate asks us about our duty versus what we want. While it can be dense at some times, based on the scale of information – and rule defying – if you’re in the right space for it, I can see readers being swept away.
Find The Spice Gate on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.