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ayanahtaneja's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lakefx's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
turbo_elephant's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
astracassiopeia's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cdurso's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kayfab's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mainlyfantasy's review
5.0
“The king lifted his dark brows. "This should be an interesting story.”"
5*
The Daevabad Trilogy written by S.A. Chakraborty starts with The City of Brass, followed by The Kingdom of Copper, and finishes with The Empire of Gold.
As I read the complete trilogy over the last month I have decided to cover them in one review rather than individually. Although I will try to avoid any spoilers for those who have not read any of the books.
BACKGROUND
The series takes place in the Middle East, with the main events of the Trilogy happening in the late 18th century. We see historical references to the occupation of Egypt as the backdrop to part of the story, but we find out that there has been a greater battle that has took place and this has involved magical races and beings, unknown and unseen to most humans.
These beings are linked to the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth
The main ones in the story are Daeva/Djinn who are an ancient race of fire elementals that could shapeshift and pass between various worlds, until the Prophet Suleiman repressed their magical abilities and were spread to the 4 corners of the world as punishment for harming and breeding with the humans.
However, the mystical city of Daevabad, which the series is names after, remained a secretive city hidden from humans, where they would congregate and eventually it grew in popularity and power, with many of the tribes setting up their own districts, with their own customs. However, all is not calm with various tribes rebelling and trying to take control of the city of Daevabad and the magical powers it holds.
MAIN CHARACTERS
However, the story does not start there but in Cairo with a thief and conwoman called Nahri.
As Nahri says “Someone steals from me, I steal from others, and I'm sure the people I stole from will eventually take something that doesn't belong to them. It's a circle.”
Nahri, has some gifts which she used along with her quick mind to con those around her into believing that she was a healer and giving her money to help cure their relatives. However, she is suddenly and violently dragged into a magical world which she was not really aware of and then start to learn more about her abilities and also about her own past.
She meets Dara, an ancient djinn warrior, who sees something special in her and he rescues her/kidnaps her to take her to Daevabad.
We soon learn that Dara has led a terrible life, one which he cannot escape because of others who know his past and also his own guilt in what he did both as a warrior and a slave.
As he says himself about the afterlife "If what I have seen is true, it means there is peace for the worst of us. Rest for those who do not deserve it. It was beautiful. And it spoke to a mercy this world does not deserve.”
The last person who we follow in the series is the youngest prince of Daevabad, Ali, who although trained as a soldier/bodyguard, longs to see social justice and equality in his city. And he loves books (what is there not to like about him).
He says about Daevabad "I'm tired of everyone in this city feeding on vengeance. I'm tired of teaching our children to hate and fear other children because their parents are our enemies. And I'm sick and tired of acting like the only way to save our people is to cut down all who might oppose us, as if our enemies won't return the favor the instant power shifts.”
These three peoples lives start to intertwine, although at times we see distrust, deception and betrayal between them, they also realise that they are fighting a greater enemy(enemies?) but first they need to find themselves, sometimes forgive themselves and follow their hearts rather than do what others expect of them.
WHY READ THIS SERIES
As said in the book, “Greatness takes time, Banu Nahida. Often the mightiest things have the humblest beginnings.”
This brings me to the first reason why I like the series, is the character development over the three books. We see the depth of their personality and as things are revealed or experienced we see this mould them, sometime through breaking them down and you start to understand their motivations for how they act. And as we hear each of their inner voices you hear their internal struggles and realise that they are not perfect characters which makes them more relatable and real.
The relationship and interactions between the main characters and even some of the secondary characters, are well written and help pull you into this strange mystical world. We have sibling rivalry, a love triangle, family feuds, tribal politics, forced marriages and even a secretive romance.
I also enjoyed the world and magic systems which is different to the fantasy I normally read, that it was rooted in the folklore of the Middle East where it is set. And the djinn (genie) are very different from what we see in the "Disney" family friendly version... although there is a flying carpet or two!
Finally, I enjoyed the overall story across the three books and the twists in the story was not what I was expecting but it was a satisfying ending.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you like this series then I would recommend The Burning series by Evan Winter and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
5*
The Daevabad Trilogy written by S.A. Chakraborty starts with The City of Brass, followed by The Kingdom of Copper, and finishes with The Empire of Gold.
As I read the complete trilogy over the last month I have decided to cover them in one review rather than individually. Although I will try to avoid any spoilers for those who have not read any of the books.
BACKGROUND
The series takes place in the Middle East, with the main events of the Trilogy happening in the late 18th century. We see historical references to the occupation of Egypt as the backdrop to part of the story, but we find out that there has been a greater battle that has took place and this has involved magical races and beings, unknown and unseen to most humans.
These beings are linked to the four elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth
The main ones in the story are Daeva/Djinn who are an ancient race of fire elementals that could shapeshift and pass between various worlds, until the Prophet Suleiman repressed their magical abilities and were spread to the 4 corners of the world as punishment for harming and breeding with the humans.
However, the mystical city of Daevabad, which the series is names after, remained a secretive city hidden from humans, where they would congregate and eventually it grew in popularity and power, with many of the tribes setting up their own districts, with their own customs. However, all is not calm with various tribes rebelling and trying to take control of the city of Daevabad and the magical powers it holds.
MAIN CHARACTERS
However, the story does not start there but in Cairo with a thief and conwoman called Nahri.
As Nahri says “Someone steals from me, I steal from others, and I'm sure the people I stole from will eventually take something that doesn't belong to them. It's a circle.”
Nahri, has some gifts which she used along with her quick mind to con those around her into believing that she was a healer and giving her money to help cure their relatives. However, she is suddenly and violently dragged into a magical world which she was not really aware of and then start to learn more about her abilities and also about her own past.
She meets Dara, an ancient djinn warrior, who sees something special in her and he rescues her/kidnaps her to take her to Daevabad.
We soon learn that Dara has led a terrible life, one which he cannot escape because of others who know his past and also his own guilt in what he did both as a warrior and a slave.
As he says himself about the afterlife "If what I have seen is true, it means there is peace for the worst of us. Rest for those who do not deserve it. It was beautiful. And it spoke to a mercy this world does not deserve.”
The last person who we follow in the series is the youngest prince of Daevabad, Ali, who although trained as a soldier/bodyguard, longs to see social justice and equality in his city. And he loves books (what is there not to like about him).
He says about Daevabad "I'm tired of everyone in this city feeding on vengeance. I'm tired of teaching our children to hate and fear other children because their parents are our enemies. And I'm sick and tired of acting like the only way to save our people is to cut down all who might oppose us, as if our enemies won't return the favor the instant power shifts.”
These three peoples lives start to intertwine, although at times we see distrust, deception and betrayal between them, they also realise that they are fighting a greater enemy(enemies?) but first they need to find themselves, sometimes forgive themselves and follow their hearts rather than do what others expect of them.
WHY READ THIS SERIES
As said in the book, “Greatness takes time, Banu Nahida. Often the mightiest things have the humblest beginnings.”
This brings me to the first reason why I like the series, is the character development over the three books. We see the depth of their personality and as things are revealed or experienced we see this mould them, sometime through breaking them down and you start to understand their motivations for how they act. And as we hear each of their inner voices you hear their internal struggles and realise that they are not perfect characters which makes them more relatable and real.
The relationship and interactions between the main characters and even some of the secondary characters, are well written and help pull you into this strange mystical world. We have sibling rivalry, a love triangle, family feuds, tribal politics, forced marriages and even a secretive romance.
I also enjoyed the world and magic systems which is different to the fantasy I normally read, that it was rooted in the folklore of the Middle East where it is set. And the djinn (genie) are very different from what we see in the "Disney" family friendly version... although there is a flying carpet or two!
Finally, I enjoyed the overall story across the three books and the twists in the story was not what I was expecting but it was a satisfying ending.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you like this series then I would recommend The Burning series by Evan Winter and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
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