Spice Road – Maiya Ibrahim

Recommended ages: 14+. Book 1 of the Spice Road trilogy.

In the hidden desert city of Qalia, a coveted spice awakens magical abilities when brewed into tea. Gifted with an affinity for iron, young warrior Imani has earned a formidable reputation, but her brother’s disappearance has cast a shadow over her family.

When clues suggest he may still be alive and sharing their nation’s guarded magic with outsiders, Imani ventures beyond the Forbidden Wastes to bring him home. Alongside fellow warriors, including the powerful beastseer Taha, she discovers that the truths she has always trusted may not tell the whole story.

Arabian folklore-inspired fantasy, desert monsters, political intrigue and conflicting loyalties make this an immersive series opener. If you liked We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal or The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty, you’ll like this.

Continue the trilogy with Serpent Sea and Spirit Lands.

A trade paperback in Very Good condition: minor shelf wear, clean and intact pages, and a tight binding.