
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Image Unavailable
Colour:
-
-
-
- To view this video, download
Follow the author
OK
The City of Brass: A Novel Hardcover – Nov. 14 2017
鶹
Purchase options and add-ons
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OFTHE YEARBY Library JournalVulture The VergeSYFYWire
Step into The City of Brass,the spellbindingdebut fromS. A. Chakraborty, an imaginative alchemyof The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and Uprooted, in which the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom rests in the hands of a clever and defiant young con artist with miraculous healing gifts.
Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trades she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, and a mysterious gift for healing—are all tricks, both the means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles and a reliable way to survive.
But when Nahri accidentally summons Dara, an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to reconsider her beliefs. For Dara tells Nahri an extraordinary tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire and rivers where the mythical marid sleep, past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises and mountains where the circling birds of prey are more than what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass—a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.
In Daevabad, within gilded brass walls laced with enchantments and behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments run deep. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, her arrival threatens to ignite a war that has been simmering for centuries.
Spurning Dara’s warning of the treachery surrounding her, she embarks on a hesitant friendship with Alizayd, an idealistic prince who dreams of revolutionizing his father’s corrupt regime. All too soon, Nahri learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.
After all, there is a reason they say to be careful what you wish for . . .
- Print length544 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper Voyager
- Publication dateNov. 14 2017
- Dimensions15.24 x 3.4 x 22.86 cm
- ISBN-100062678108
- ISBN-13978-0062678102
Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed
- “Greatness takes time, Banu Nahida. Often the mightiest things have the humblest beginnings.”Highlighted by 1,339 Kindle readers
- “That’s a very narrow-minded way of looking at it. I prefer to think of myself as a merchant of delicate tasks.”Highlighted by 956 Kindle readers
- “Daeva who call themselves djinn have no respect for our people. They are traitors, worthy only of annihilation.”Highlighted by 852 Kindle readers
From the Publisher

![]()
The City of Brass
|
![]()
The Kingdom of Copper
|
![]()
The Empire of Gold
|
![]()
The River of Silver
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Add to Cart
|
Add to Cart
|
Add to Cart
|
Add to Cart
|
|
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars 13,653
|
4.6 out of 5 stars 10,434
|
4.7 out of 5 stars 9,095
|
4.5 out of 5 stars 858
|
Price | $24.99$24.99 | $24.99$24.99 | $23.99$23.99 | $33.24$33.24 |
Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3 | Book 4 |
Product description
Review
“The City of Brassis the best adult fantasy I’ve read sinceThe Name of the Wind. It’s stunning and complex and consuming and fantastic.You must read it.” — Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
“The City of Brass is a gorgeous epic as rich in its language as it is in characterization, and I can’t recommend it highly enough...There’s palace intrigue, simmering passions, plenty of magic, and a fascinating bestiary. Simply one of the best debuts I’ve read.”
— Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles
“An opulent masterpiece. Chakraborty’s debut is desire-soaked, intrigue-laced, and rife with so-delicious-you’ll-sink-your-teeth-into-it worldbuilding and equally mesmerizing characters. A must-read.” — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen
“[The City of Brass]reads like an invitation for readers from Baghdad to Fairbanks to meet across impossibly divergent worlds through the shared language and images of the fantastical.” — New York Times Book Review
“Chakraborty writes a winning heroine in Nahri — flawed but smart and engaging. And her portrayal of the cultural conflicts in the magical city of Daevabad and of Ali’s inner turmoil is compelling and complex, serving as a strong counterpoint to the thrilling action.” — Washington Post
"I loved the protagonist, there was a nice cast of supporting characters, and the plot had some twists and turns that I did not see coming… Her style is vivid and colourful and very readable. The best thing, though, was the setting. Instead of drawing on the European Dark Ages and Middle Ages, Chakraborty evoked the flavours of the Middle East and ARABIAN KNIGHTS and the legends of the djinns. I enjoyed the novel hugely, and I just ordered the second and third books in the trilogy so I may continue the adventure." — George R.R. Martin
“Chakraborty’s debut dazzles...The City of Brass takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster, leaving them with an open ending that will have them desperate for the follow-up. Majestic and magical.” — Shelf Awareness
“Against [a] syncretic yet nonderivative and totally credible backdrop, Chakraborty has constructed a compelling yarn...culminating in a cataclysmic showdown that few readers will anticipate....Best of all, the narrative feels rounded and complete yet poised to deliver still more. Highly impressive and exceptionally promising.” — Kirkus Reviews(starred review)
“This lyrical historical fantasy debut brings to vivid life the ancient mythological traditions of an Islamic world...Chakraborty’s grasp of Middle Eastern history, folklore, and culture inspires a swiftly moving plot, richly drawn characters, and a beautifully constructed world that will entrance fantasy aficionados.” — Library Journal(starred review)
“The City of Brass is more than a promising debut — it beguiles all the way...Chakraborty’s research and imagination are equally strong, and she deftly sets up a rich world — and ample suspense — for the rest of this trilogy.” — Variety
“It’s hard to describe just how gorgeous and intricate this fantasy novel is.” — SYFY Wire
“The City of Brassis a mesmerizing fantasy tale of magic and intrigue that showcases the very best that the fantasy genre has to offer...a superbly written, lush fantasy story that deserves to be at the top of your to-read list.” — Hypable
“With this rich and layered novel, Chakraborty builds a fantasy world as intricate and intriguing as its Middle Eastern setting. Following the various subplots is like pondering vibrant Arabic design; readers will lose themselves in the wonder and complexity.” — BookPage
“Vivid descriptions percolate the lush prose, and a final twist leaves room for a sequel. Recommend this scintillating, Middle Eastern fantasy to fans of thoughtful, mystical adventures.” — Booklist
“Chakraborty’s first book in her in Daevabad Trilogy introduces an enchanting world of magic and treachery that will leave you clamoring for book two.” — Paste Magazine
“Chakraborty combines the plot’s many surprises with vivid prose, and leavens the action with wry humor. There is enough material here—a feisty, independent lead searching for answers, reminiscent of Star Wars’s Rey, and a richly imagined alternate world—to support a potential series.” — Publishers Weekly
“An extravagant feast of a book—spicy and bloody, dizzyingly magical, and still, somehow, utterly believable.” — Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Strange the Dreamer
“Fast-paced, strong characters, and immersive world-building—S. A. Chakrabortydebut isa carpet-flying adventure of djinn-filled wonder that leaves you wishing for more.”
— Michael J. Sullivan, New York Times bestselling authorofthe RiyriaRevelations
“S. A. Chakraborty’s debut novel is an adventure that sweeps readers through the streets of Cairo and out into a spellbinding landscape of magic, warring clans, sacrifice, and betrayal. Each page reveals a new wonder. Con-woman Nahri, djinn warrior Dara, and the enchanted city that they--and we--are only just beginning to understand, are captivating. What an exciting ride!” — Fran Wilde, award-winning author of Updraft, Cloudbound, and Horizon
“The City of Brass immerses you in a magnificent and vivid world. It’s a thrilling adventure, brimming with fabulous magic, compelling characters, and wonderful intrigue.I can’t wait for book two!” — Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queen of Blood
“A richly imagined, stunningly immersive book that takes you into a world of darkly alluring djinn and beguiling magic...Peopled with irresistible characters and steeped in the myths of the Middle East,The City of Brass is a dazzlingly inventive tale.” — Ausma Zehanat Khan, award–winning author of the Khattak/Getty mysteries and The Bloodprint
“I particularly love a story of twisty, complex, dangerous, and character-driven family and palace politics, steeped in hidden history, cruel betrayals, and desires that can’t be admitted. The City of Brass delivers on all counts.” — Kate Elliot, New York Times bestselling author of the Court of Fives
“The City of Brass is a true testament to Chakraborty’s writing [...] She has constructed a fantastic and immersive world brimming with Islamic lore, written characters that will stay with you long after the end of the book, and created a plot that will have you on tenterhooks.” — Cultured Vultures
“The City of Brassis fast-paced and totally engrossing. It’s the kind of book you can really immerse yourself in, and I’m so glad I was able to spend some time in this richly-detailed world.” — All About Romance
“The political corkscrews of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones meets the emotion and imagination of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted in this marvelous debut fantasy.” — The 鶹 Book Review
“Even a few pages will enmesh you in its magic.” — Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author
From the Back Cover
Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, she's a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trades she uses to get by–palm readings, zars, and a mysterious gift for healing–are all tricks, both the means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles and a reliable way to survive.
But when Nahri accidentally summons Dara, an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, to her side during one of her cons, she's forced to reconsider her beliefs. For Dara tells Nahri an extraordinary tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire and rivers where the mythical marid sleep, past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises and mountains where the circling birds of prey are more than what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass–a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.
In Daevabad, within gilded brass walls laced with enchantments and behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments run deep. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, her arrival threatens to ignite a war that has been simmering for centuries.
Spurning Dara's warning of the treachery surrounding her, she embarks on a hesitant friendship with Alizayd, an idealistic prince who dreams of revolutionizing his father's corrupt regime. All too soon, Nahri learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.
After all, there is a reason they say to be careful what you wish for . . .
About the Author
Shannon Chakrabortyis the author of the critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling Daevabad Trilogy. Her work has been translated into over a dozen language and nominated for the Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, Crawford, and Astounding awards.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper Voyager
- Publication date : Nov. 14 2017
- Language : English
- Print length : 544 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062678108
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062678102
- Item weight : 703 g
- Dimensions : 15.24 x 3.4 x 22.86 cm
- Book 1 of 3 : The Daevabad Trilogy
- 鶹 Rank: #227,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17 in Cultural Heritage Historical Fiction
- #22 in Holiday Fiction
- #22 in Men's Adventure Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Shannon Chakraborty is the author of the critically acclaimed and internationally best-selling The Daevabad Trilogy. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages and nominated for the Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, Crawford, and Astounding awards. When not buried in books about medieval seafarers and con artists, she enjoys hiking, knitting, and re-creating unnecessarily complicated historical dishes. You can find her online at www.sachakraborty.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @SAChakrabooks, where she likes to talk about history, politics, and Islamic art. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and an ever-increasing number of cats.
Customer reviews
Customers say
Customers find the world-building amazing, excellent, and interesting. They also appreciate the content, saying it's wonderfully told and beautifully told. Readers also mention the historical context is rich, exotic, and detailed. In addition, they say the plot moves along at a brisk pace.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Select to learn more
Customers find the world-building in the book amazing, excellent, and interesting. They say the world the author created is brilliant and the stories are engaging. Readers also say the book makes them want to read book two.
"...I really enjoy the world building here; there's a clear divide between worlds within the book, but their coexistence is explained simply and..." Read more
"Just finished this wonderful book in almost one ( very long) sitting...." Read more
"...the complex political intrigue, the class wars, the intricate lore and hidden histories with all of the spectacular world building is beautiful..." Read more
"This book had me hooked from the first few pages. The writing style is simple and clear...." Read more
Customers find the content wonderful, thoroughly good, and beautifully told. They appreciate the incredibly cool magic and lore not Westernized. Readers also mention the book is rich, exotic, and detailed.
"...within the book, but their coexistence is explained simply and wonderfully...." Read more
"...world that the author has imagined - rich, exotic, colourful and detailed. Characters are fully realized and enjoyable...." Read more
"...memorable character a place to let herself loose and work her own special magic and weave her next con...." Read more
"Really enjoyed these - was looking at some fantasy that was "different" to the main very 'European' type fantasy that is more common and found these..." Read more
Customers appreciate the historical context of the book. They mention the magic and lore are not Westernized. Readers also describe the book as rich, exotic, and detailed.
"...from this Spectacular world that the author has imagined - rich, exotic, colourful and detailed...." Read more
"Such an amazing fantasy novel, something not Western, beautiful world building, I was engrossed and am waiting on the next book in the trilogy." Read more
"Fantastic characters; incredibly cool magic and lore not Westernized; some of the best and endearing dialogue I’ve read; and the a story with many..." Read more
Customers like the pacing of the book. They mention the plot moves along at a brisk pace.
"...it's fun it has awesome characters and awesome plot moves along at a brisk pace. This is a adult fantasy world building at its very very best ." Read more
"...Then the pace picks up and this book becomes a page-turner. Will definitely be continuing with this series. 4.5*" Read more
"A fast paced and gripping read, with cunning and deceitful characters, heart rending interpersonal dynamics. Lot's of action...." Read more
Reviews with images

Perfect Condition
Top reviews from Canada
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2019Verified PurchaseTook this out from my local library. As a general rule, because I live in an immensely small space, I only buy a book if I find myself re-reading it 2-3 times first. On my third read of City of Brass, I decided it was time to buy it for my collection.
I really enjoy the world building here; there's a clear divide between worlds within the book, but their coexistence is explained simply and wonderfully. I found the characters rich and diverse, their motives interesting and less predictable than other novels of the same "found fantasy" genre, and though there IS a romantic subplot, it was not the main focus of the plot itself, and it didn't feel too forced.
Read this book if you enjoy character-based journeys in richly cultured fantasy lands, a little political intrigue, and a lot of magic. If you like other, similar fantasy novels, you will love this one.
- Reviewed in Canada on November 29, 2017Verified PurchaseJust finished this wonderful book in almost one ( very long) sitting. Still spinning from this Spectacular world that the author has imagined - rich, exotic, colourful and detailed. Characters are fully realized and enjoyable.
The only thing that I didn’t love was the many names, terminology and a vast and confusing genealogical history. I was lost half the time as to was related to whom and who was from which tribe, etc. There is a glossary at the end of the book which I unfortunately only found as I finished. Would have been helpful at the beginning.
But hang in there! It’s worth the journey - can’t wait for the next book.
- Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2018Verified PurchaseThis book warms the darkest recesses of my blackened heart. A lot of reviews will point to the middle eastern influences and mythology as the reason you should look at this book (which are all very good points and are under-represented in this arena), but I put forth that you need no reason to check this series out other than Nahri - a clever orphaned con artisan that puts all other con artists to shame, and after accidentally summoning the djinn whose mere name is invoked to bring fear into all other djinn, she's fully unimpressed with him and his insistence that she's the last member of a venerated line of high-ranking djinn holy persons.
Everything else, from the complex political intrigue, the class wars, the intricate lore and hidden histories with all of the spectacular world building is beautiful drapery that gives this wonderfully memorable character a place to let herself loose and work her own special magic and weave her next con. I cannot wait to welcome her back in the next installation.
- Reviewed in Canada on September 11, 2019Verified PurchaseThis book had me hooked from the first few pages. The writing style is simple and clear. I read through the glossary first as I didn’t know most of the creatures mentioned. I only knew them as jinn. I’d tell everyone to do this to enjoy the book more and refer to it as often as needed. Finished it in record time and bought Kingdom of Copper. The characters, the story, imagination etc are amazing!! I like fantasy so this was amazing and being a Muslim the references were familiar. Most disappointed the third book of this trilogy will release in 2020!!!
- Reviewed in Canada on June 3, 2021Verified PurchaseIt really is quite an achievement, particularly for a first novel. Just beware that it has no ending, but merely lays the course for the subsequent installment. If you don't plan to read the whole trilogy it will most likely be a disappointment.
- Reviewed in Canada on April 18, 2022Verified PurchaseReally enjoyed these - was looking at some fantasy that was "different" to the main very 'European' type fantasy that is more common and found these on a list about 'decolonizing your fantasy bookshelf' or something like that. My husband and I read this book and immediately ordered the other two, which we are now nearly done. Liked the world-building and the character development. Stories were engaging and good fun.
- Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2025Verified PurchaseGood enough.
- Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2024Verified PurchaseThe media could not be loaded.
The book came in perfect condition, I have yet to read it but as for its delivery, it came quickly and the paperback is really nice. I decided not to get the hard cover but if you have extra spend I’d recommended it, as the book is fairly thick.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- MuseReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Filled with magic, politics, exceptional world building and unforgettable characters
Verified PurchaseI’d heard nothing but good things about this book and with the next book in the trilogy set to be released very soon, I felt like it was time to finally get to it. I will admit that I was somewhat daunted by the size of this book, but I was still very eager to jump into this world. And what a rich world it was, the world building in this was some of the best that I’ve ever come across. It didn’t feel like the author was forcing this world onto you, trying to cram these ideas into your head, it all felt so very natural and everything felt like it was so seamlessly connected, so when a new description or bit of information was given, I found myself saying, of course, because it all just fit so well. The descriptions of Daevebad in particular conjured the most spellbinding images in my mind, which was such a fantastic experience. Hand on heart, I could clearly see most of the scenes playing out in my head, because I had such a grasp on the setting and the characters. What was most impressive though, was that the descriptions didn’t seem to repeat themselves, they were freshly worded each time and yet every one created a very clear picture, “Fog shrouded the great city of brass, obscuring its towering minarets of sandblasted glass and hammered metal and veiling its golden domes. Rain seeped off the jade roofs of marble palaces and flooded its stone streets, condensing on the placid faces of its ancient Nahid founders memorialized on the murals covering its mighty walls”
The history in this world was just as thoroughly constructed as the setting. Throughout the book we are given different bits of information about the war that happened a very, very, very long time ago. Each bit of information usually makes you see things very differently, as you are given various characters thoughts on it. As always is the case in wars, everyone feels that they were in the right and that they were doing what was ultimately best for everyone. A lot of the politics in Daevabad stemmed from the war that their ancestors took part in centuries ago. In this, I think that the author beautifully showed that although a war may technically ‘be over’, the ramifications of it are always still present. This is most noticeable in the tension between the ruling family, the Qahtani family who belong to the Geziri tribe in the Daeva/ djinn race and how they deal with the ancestors of those whose city they now govern. The politics and general history in this can get a bit confusing at times though, for example the daeva race is also referred to as Djinn. Some of them started calling themselves Djinn as they learned that that is what humans dubbed them, they are essentially “souled beings like humans, but we were created from fire, not earth…all the elements-earth, fire, water, air-have their own creatures”.
Now, within the Daeva race there are six tribes: The Tukharistanis, The Agnivanshi, The Geziri, The Ayaanle, The Sahrayn and The Daevastana (Daeva). However, here is where it gets confusing, one of the six groups took the name of the entire race for their tribe name because they were in charge at the start, “What about your people?” “our people”, he corrected…”Daevastana,” he said warmly. “The land of the Daevas”. She frowned. “Your tribe took the original name of the entire daeva race as your own?” Dara shrugged. “We were in charge”. So, it’s basically like if within the Bird family you had, sparrows, crows, owls and then a group called birds. As you can imagine this was somewhat confusing at times, as I had to decipher whether someone was referring to the Daeva as a whole race or as that individual tribe. Then what made it more perplexing was that there were obviously different family names within those groups, and sometimes I kept thinking that they were the group name that person belonged to and not simply their last name. I did feel like I got to grips with this as I went along, but it did prevent this from being a full five star read.
Another thing that prevented this from getting that 5 start rating was that in a book full of politics, naturally people had a lot of secrets. And as is the way, a lot of things came to light as the book progressed, however, sometimes I would think that something had already been revealed about a character, but then someone would bribe them about the entirety of the secret getting out, and I would be like, I thought people knew that already. I can’t go into detail without spoilers, but I just didn’t get how people didn’t work out someone’s full secret when they knew enough damning information about them. I could of just been mistaken, but I thought a secret had come out, but then there’d be a character using it as a bribe later on or confronting them with it, and so I didn’t see the big deal when they resurfaced. Despite those issues I had, the writing in this was exquisite, the author is without a doubt a very gifted writer, and so although this was quite a long book, it didn’t feel like I was sifting through mountains of text, it was very readable and I was fully absorbed the whole time.
Although I enjoyed the world building in this tremendously, my absolute favourite thing about The City of Brass, was the characters. I may have found my best female protagonist yet in Nahri, and I may be just a little bit over the moon about it! I loved Nahri from the first time she made her appearance, her very dry sense of humour is made apparent from the start when she makes a remark on the Franks and Turks fighting over Egypt, “the only thing they seemed to agree on was that the Egyptians couldn’t govern it themselves. God forbid. It’s not as though the Egyptians were the inheritors of a great civilization whose mighty monuments still littered the land. Oh, no. They were peasants, superstitious fools who ate too many beans. Well, this superstitious fool is about to swindle you for all your’e worth, so insult away”. She is the embodiment of sassiness, but she also shows many different sides to her throughout the book, she’s gutsy and determined, but still craves some sort of stability for herself. She’s the first one to tell herself that she needs to get it together, but also allows herself to delve into her emotions, especially when it comes to a certain someone with emerald eyes. Nahri may not always take life seriously and makes smart remarks whenever she gets a chance to, but she is also extremely cunning and shrewd and thank the lord, didn’t always make a ton of stupid decisions.
When Nahri first summons this djinn/daeva, much like Nahri, I didn’t quite know what to make of him. He was rightly annoyed that he’d been summoned by this human looking girl, who has no idea what she is doing and who turns out to be so much more than meets the eye. Initially the two don’t get along, but Dara feels like it’s his duty to his lost masters, to get what he believes to be one of their ancestors safely to the city of Daevabad, the city of brass. As the two embark on this journey to the Daeva’s homeland, they develop a sense of companionship and a physical attraction starts to build and build between them. Dara knows that enemies await him if he returns to Daevabad, but that sense of duty and this growing fondness for this “little thief”, as he likes to call her, drive him forward. I absolutely adore the relationship that these two have, especially the banter, “Ali?” He scowled. “You’ve nicknamed the sand fly?” “I call you by a nickname…wait.” Nahri felt herself starting to grin. “Are you jealous?” When his cheeks flushed, she laughed and clapped her hands in delight. “By the Most High, you are!…how does that even work for you? Have you looked in a mirror this century”. Dara has a whole host of secrets trailing behind him, which some were revealed (although I’m still a little confused), but I have a feeling that there are many more waiting to slither out of the closet.
Out of all the characters, I feel like Dara had the most development in the book, he was amusing in the beginning as he would often entertain Nahri’s verbal sparring competitions, however, once they got to Daevabad we got to see a whole new side to him, which I might have enjoyed a bit too much. Surrounded by the ancestors of his sworn enemies, just how dangerous and powerful Dara is truly comes out, there were some very hostile and intense sparring scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, it was so amazing. Dara really seemed to come alive once he set foot back in his homeland, “A grin like Nahri had never seen before lit Dara’s face as he gazed upon the city. His cheeks flushed with excitement”. I thought that Nahri had a smart mouth, but Dara’s may just be that much more superior, “And now here I am getting a rather informative tour of my old home”, I greatly enjoyed this side to him, it was immensely entertaining to see him getting under the skin of and generally unnerving his enemies, “Did I really break it?” he asked with an impish grin. “I thought so. His bones made the most pleasant sound…”. Dara is also ridiculously good looking, so I challenge you not to fall head over heels in love with him, “He was beautiful-strikingly, frighteningly beautiful, with the type of allure Nahri imagined a tiger held right before it ripped out your throat. Her heart skipped a beat even as her stomach constricted in fear”.
Prince Alizayd al Qahtani’s family currently rule over Daevabad, and the books chapters are split between him and Nahri. So we are following Ali around Daevabad whilst also on a journey with Nahri and Dara to get to the city, until their worlds eventually collide, I really liked how this was structured as it added a heightened sense of anticipation. Through Ali we get to see what life is like for those in Daevabad, and in particular – The Shafit, “What’s a shafit?” “It’s what we call someone with mixed blood. It’s what happens when my race gets a bit…indulgent around humans”. These people are treated very badly by their fellow pureblooded citizens and the ruling system. Ali is very sympathetic to the Shafit’s cause and he is desperately searching for a way to be able to help them have a better way of life, but he loves his family dearly, especially his brother and knows that any attempts he makes would be going against his fathers wishes. Ali is such an interesting character though, as he is constantly unsure of where his loyalties lie, as he doesn’t completely agree with any side. Again, the issues with the Shafit have links to the war, which Ali’s ancestors started in order to liberate the Shafit from the tyranny of the Nahid rulers, “I believe the shafit should be treated equally. That’s why our ancestors came to Daevabad. That’s why Zaydi al Qahtani went to war with the Nahids”, and yet today they may not be outright murdered, but they are still gravely oppressed. Ali truly believes that he can find a way to help them though, but he’s as clueless and self righteous as he is caring and wise, but his good intentions bring him a great number of problems, which he doesn’t deserve, “The shafit aren’t fools. They just want a better life for themselves. They want to be able to work and live in buildings that aren’t coming down around them. To take care of their families without fearing their children will be snatched away by some pure-“.
This was an amazing fantasy book that was filled with magic, politics, questions of morality, exceptional world building and an unforgettable cast of characters. This book constantly kept me guessing and I reveled in every second of it. The City of Brass is unlike anything I’ve ever read, most notably in the fact that it’s an own voices Muslim fantasy and is consequently filled with characters of every shade of brown. I have so many things that I want to learn more about in the next book, I’m still trying to figure out a couple of characters, as so many of them have such blurry lines concerning their morality. This uncertainty also spills into the war and therefore, whose side I lean towards in the book. Both sides of those involved in the war seemed in the wrong to me, so it would be great to learn more specifics in the next installment, especially since there were so many loose ends! I am more than eager to get my hands on The Kingdom of Copper and suggest that you pick this up immediately.
- Sumaiya KhatoonReviewed in India on October 21, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for fantasy lovers..
Verified Purchase4.75/5
Not gonna lie but the first half of this book was incredibly slow and confusing as hell. I kept turning to the glossary , re-read certain portions and even take notes in order to keep myself up to date with the information overload.
But all that hardwork paid Off because of the delicious second half . All that build up seemed necessary and I couldn’t help myself craving for more.. hence, immediately started reading kingdom of copper..
Highly recommended for all fantasy lovers ..
and for all impatient readers, I urge you to keep going till the halfway mark, I guarantee you are going to love this book and forgive the slow start..
Sumaiya KhatoonHighly recommended for fantasy lovers..
Reviewed in India on October 21, 2020
Not gonna lie but the first half of this book was incredibly slow and confusing as hell. I kept turning to the glossary , re-read certain portions and even take notes in order to keep myself up to date with the information overload.
But all that hardwork paid Off because of the delicious second half . All that build up seemed necessary and I couldn’t help myself craving for more.. hence, immediately started reading kingdom of copper..
Highly recommended for all fantasy lovers ..
and for all impatient readers, I urge you to keep going till the halfway mark, I guarantee you are going to love this book and forgive the slow start..
Images in this review
-
Mirella MonteiroReviewed in Brazil on September 11, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars MEU DEUS!!
Verified Purchaseassim que comecei esse livro entendi completamente porque tem tanta gente obcecada nele, ele simplesmente é MUITO bom, é um daqueles livros que o melhor é trajetória que você faz acompanhando os personagens. o caos dos últimos capítulos? IMPECÁVEL. não vejo a hora de ler o restante!!
- Dominique Van den BruelReviewed in Japan on January 18, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated
Verified PurchaseTo be honest it took a while to really get me hooked, initially it was quite complicated to follow the story with so many foreign notions and words (English also being my 3rd language), but towards the middle of the book I started to see the potential. I have now finished the second book and all I can say is... Wow. I know some believe it's more of a YA vibe, which I got from the initial part of the first book but then it started becoming way more than that. It is not a romance book although romance is part of it (more so initially just to build the characters and the story) but it's certainly not the main portion, it simply adds to the storyline. So far I would say this is comparable to game of thrones, an incredibly intricate world yet brutal, detailed character builds, thought provoking moral questions and despite it being a fantasy series it draws strong parallels with humanity's history with segregation, war, dictatorship and cruelty.