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totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Murder, Hate crime, Grief, Genocide, Gore, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Trafficking, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
stormwise's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
4.5
A fantastic sequel to The City of Brass! Taking place five years after the events of the first book, Chakraborty doesn't hesitate to throw us back into the plots and machinations of the djinn. The worldbuilding continues to amaze me - realistic without being "gritty" and still maintaining a wondrous quality that pulls you in.
Nahri and Ali, our POV characters, have matured and grown during the time skip,and Dara is introduced as a third viewpoint. The clashing perspectives allow us to see all sides of the political struggle - and shows how the unending exchange of violence in the name of revenge ultimately prevents Daevabad's society from thriving.
Fantasy fans, please check out the Daevabad trilogy! I can't wait to read the final book.
Nahri and Ali, our POV characters, have matured and grown during the time skip,
Fantasy fans, please check out the Daevabad trilogy! I can't wait to read the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Xenophobia and Genocide
Minor: Child death
ehmannky's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spectacular. Show stopping. Amazing. I throw all the praise at this book, because it's so beautifully written and it builds so well on the previous book. It dives deeper into the meaninglessness of vengeance vs. the true healing power of justice. Because the shafit aren't wrong and the Daevas aren't wrong and those clamoring for a better life aren't wrong, but since no one can address the pains of the past without murder, no one can devise a way to move forward. Well, Nahri and Ali could, but no one ever listens to the best characters.
This book also skyrocketed Ali to the top of my list of favorite characters. The previous book of "the oppressed can have some rights" is burned away as he gains more confidence in his own moral clarity and is able to see a life outside of the palace (also, Aqisa and Lubayd are the best additions the vast cast of characters). Muntadhir plummeted pretty far down the list with the petty jealousy and the fear his father beat into him taking over his love for his siblings, Jamshid and what he knows is right. Like, the whole lie to embarrass Ali and then causing a massacre and like only realizing after the fact that all this death was his fault? Fuck him. Though the ending reconciliation was pretty damn satisfying. But also, fuck him.
This book also skyrocketed Ali to the top of my list of favorite characters. The previous book of "the oppressed can have some rights" is burned away as he gains more confidence in his own moral clarity and is able to see a life outside of the palace (also, Aqisa and Lubayd are the best additions the vast cast of characters). Muntadhir plummeted pretty far down the list with the petty jealousy and the fear his father beat into him taking over his love for his siblings, Jamshid and what he knows is right. Like, the whole
I empathize with him, but it's also part of the cycle of revenge and status quo and trying to please their abusive father to become an abuser himself. I also liked the expanded role for Zaynab and Hastet, and it was nice seeing Nahri finding female allies. Additionally, Dara (a character I like in spite of my morals) slowly figuring out Just Following Orders is a paltry excuse when he's doing atrocities.
Overall, a stunning sequel. I cannot wait to read the final installment.
Overall, a stunning sequel. I cannot wait to read the final installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Torture, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage
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