Serpent sea by Maiya Ibrahim

Serpent Sea is the second in the Arabian-inspired series that began with Spice Road and picks up where the first book finished. The early chapters include dialogue about past events, as a reminder to the returning reader, and it takes a little while before the story really takes off. This book continues Imani’s first person perspective but also includes alternate chapters with a third person narration of the events befalling Taha, a fellow warrior from their homeland of Sahir. It is a fantasy world of magical beings and monsters, with a quest to retrieve the stolen jewels that will restore the magical powers of Qayn, the djinni, who could be either a saviour or a dangerous foe. Imani gradually comes to trust him, but Taha and others are not so sure.

This second instalment is not as focussed as the first but it is good to see the growing maturity of Imani, her gradual reliance on her intuition, and a developing wisdom and kindness. Taha, although a valiant soldier, is shown to be deeply scarred by his father’s treatment of him, and often seems trapped in memories of his childhood. He seems more of a boy than a young man. Whilst the other love interest, Qayn, is most definitely a sophisticated manipulator.

Readers are sure to enjoy this latest book, with many gripping adventures that keep the pages turning. But there is definitely more to come, Imani’s quest is fulfilled but her home is still in danger, more monsters are arising, and she has yet to test out how her conjoined magical powers with Qayn will work. Let's see what the third book brings.

Themes: Fantasy, Quest, Magic, Identity, Trust, Parent child relationship.

Helen Eddy