Spice Road
On sale
24th January 2023
Price: £16.99
Genre
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
Control the spice. Control the kingdom.
‘An epic, sand-swept adventure’ Ayana Gray
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. With her affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani can wield a dagger like no other – and for that she has gained a reputation as the next greatest Shield, battling djinn, ghouls, and the other monsters spreading across the sands.
But ever since her brother was discovered stealing their nation’s coveted spice – a tell-tale sign of magical obsession – and disappeared into the deadly Forbidden Wastes, Imani’s reputation has been in tatters. Despite Atheer’s betrayal, there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t grieve him.
Then Imani discovers signs her brother may be alive, and spreading their nation’s magic to outsiders. Desperate to find him – and to protect him – she joins the mission sent to hunt him down. Accompanied by Taha, a powerful beastseer, who enthrals and enrages her in equal measure, Imani soon discovers that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes – and in her own heart.
Caught between her duty to her nation, and her love for her brother, Imani must decide where her loyalties lie . . . before it is too late.
The first in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land.
‘An enchanting world of tea magic and desert monsters ‘ Amélie Wen Zhao
‘A gripping fantasy adventure that YA readers are going to love!’ Lynette Noni
‘Soul-stirring’ London Shah
Control the spice. Control the kingdom.
‘An epic, sand-swept adventure’ Ayana Gray
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens the affinities of those who drink the misra tea. With her affinity for iron, seventeen-year-old Imani can wield a dagger like no other – and for that she has gained a reputation as the next greatest Shield, battling djinn, ghouls, and the other monsters spreading across the sands.
But ever since her brother was discovered stealing their nation’s coveted spice – a tell-tale sign of magical obsession – and disappeared into the deadly Forbidden Wastes, Imani’s reputation has been in tatters. Despite Atheer’s betrayal, there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t grieve him.
Then Imani discovers signs her brother may be alive, and spreading their nation’s magic to outsiders. Desperate to find him – and to protect him – she joins the mission sent to hunt him down. Accompanied by Taha, a powerful beastseer, who enthrals and enrages her in equal measure, Imani soon discovers that many secrets lie beyond the Forbidden Wastes – and in her own heart.
Caught between her duty to her nation, and her love for her brother, Imani must decide where her loyalties lie . . . before it is too late.
The first in an epic fantasy series for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Hafsah Faizal and Elizabeth Lim, set in an Arabian-inspired land.
‘An enchanting world of tea magic and desert monsters ‘ Amélie Wen Zhao
‘A gripping fantasy adventure that YA readers are going to love!’ Lynette Noni
‘Soul-stirring’ London Shah
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Reviews
An epic, sand-swept adventure
With an enchanting world of tea magic and desert monsters and a thrilling quest helmed by a girl whose wit is sharper than her blades, Maiya Ibrahim's Spice Road is a fantasy you don't want to miss
Magic-fueled and action packed, Spice Road takes an epic quest and fills it with secrets, scorching betrayals, and a spellbinding magic system. Prepare to sink into the pages and never want to leave
A beautifully written, surprise-filled page-turner
With vivid world-building and epic action scenes, SPICE ROAD is a gripping fantasy adventure that YA readers are going to love!
Come, let the mysterious Spice Road sweep you away. Spirited characters, compelling societies, critical subject matter, and a riveting plot all scheme to ensure a soul-stirring journey
A rich, fresh-voiced fantasy, Ibrahim weaves a masterful tale of family and adventure. Readers will devour the pages like a perfectly spiced tea and be left burning for more
Imani's introspective voice, rendered in Ibrahim's lush prose, propels a deliberately plotted adventure populated by magnetic characters. 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
Spice Road is an intriguing and adventure-filled Arabian-inspired tale that weaves together a fascinating magic system, complex characters and the complicated bonds of family
Spellbinding magic, lush description and whirlwind action define Maiya Ibrahim's YA debut
Maiya Ibrahim packs a lot into her debut YA novel ... Ibrahim effectively communicates the intense, unfiltered emotions of her teenage heroine and crafts a richly detailed world around her
Step into a brand new world inspired by Arabia in the first novel in a sprawling fantasy series
The age of the protagonists inevitably means this book is being marketed as YA. It's certainly an excellent read for a teenager. That said, older readers will find it entirely satisfying as well, particularly those who prefer an absence of explicit 'adult content'. Rest assured that doesn't mean there's any lack of emotional depth
