The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

I waited far too long to write this review, but it was so good. Enough so that as soon as I finished, I walked down to the bookstore by my house and immediately picked up the second in the series.

This story was such an amazing breath of fresh air. With rich characters, vivid world building, a world steeped in history and tradition, and a complex and varied plot that still has me guessing the endgame The City of Brass was a delight to read.

Chakraborty’s knowledge of history, and love of culture is evident in this novel. While she immediately has you gunning for an underdog with grey morals, seconds later you are thrown into the magical.

Well-rounded characters, each with their own agenda, take you on a journey through the middle east and into a world somehow not so different from our own. The way that the lore of religion and creation is woven into the ongoing plot was artfully done.

This book was vivid. I don’t think there’s another way to say it, the characters and Daevabad itself reaches out to pull you into a world of djinn (deava’s) magic, and how humanity and divinity have always been at odds.

Politics rules all in the story, and somehow beautifully mirrors our own world in those moments. Heartbreak and hard choices are scattered into the weave, leaving a lasting impression of what sacrifice and making ones own choices mean.

I hope you allow yourself to become enraptured in this beautiful story, and join me for the next in the series!

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