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erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
CW: violence and war and emotional anguish and things.
I tackled this book as part of a book club (Lighthouse Library thicc bois :) ). It wasn't something I had heard of before that. It starts off set in Cairo with a young woman of unknown origin who is a theif, swindler and survivor, and who has a mysterious healing talent and the ability to understand languages, which she hides to avoid people thinking her a dangerous witch.
Her world is upended when she utters some words of power while doing a faith healing scam, and unexpectedly summons something to her. This leads to her and a big scary soldier guy on the run from murderous ghouls and ifrits. She learns of the world of Daeva and Djinns and journeys to find sanctuary in a magical hidden city, all the while being hunted and tracked by mysterious forces and magical creatures.
Having read a children's translation of the Persian epic Shahnameh, some of the creatures and names were familiar to me. I did keep wondering if Nahri's uncle had an epic warhorse called Rakhsh. I find that I clearly have a lot more grounding in the myths of the Pacific Islands, the Mediterranean, Europe and the British Isles, and need to read more mythic stories from other parts of the world. This story weaves together myth from many places in Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, South and East Asia. Thematically it pits Tradtions, family, individualism, duty, and survival together in a story that sets up a world that I feel is yet to be explored and played in. That's quite a big book for an intro!
The main character is antiheroic. She is a thief, a liar, and a con-artist. She is used to not having a lot and needing to swindle what she can, and so she is out of her depth when she is cast into a palace with opulence at all turns. She is under no illusions that everyone has their own agenda, and that appearances are often skin-deep. It can make for slippery footing as you try to come to grips with a story where there are centuries of history, of alliances and rivalry.
As far as the elemental magic goes, it's generally coherent. The story has some curiosities but non of the "surprises" are overly so. I'm interested to wade into the world and see a little more.
I tackled this book as part of a book club (Lighthouse Library thicc bois :) ). It wasn't something I had heard of before that. It starts off set in Cairo with a young woman of unknown origin who is a theif, swindler and survivor, and who has a mysterious healing talent and the ability to understand languages, which she hides to avoid people thinking her a dangerous witch.
Her world is upended when she utters some words of power while doing a faith healing scam, and unexpectedly summons something to her. This leads to her and a big scary soldier guy on the run from murderous ghouls and ifrits. She learns of the world of Daeva and Djinns and journeys to find sanctuary in a magical hidden city, all the while being hunted and tracked by mysterious forces and magical creatures.
Having read a children's translation of the Persian epic Shahnameh, some of the creatures and names were familiar to me. I did keep wondering if Nahri's uncle had an epic warhorse called Rakhsh. I find that I clearly have a lot more grounding in the myths of the Pacific Islands, the Mediterranean, Europe and the British Isles, and need to read more mythic stories from other parts of the world. This story weaves together myth from many places in Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, South and East Asia. Thematically it pits Tradtions, family, individualism, duty, and survival together in a story that sets up a world that I feel is yet to be explored and played in. That's quite a big book for an intro!
The main character is antiheroic. She is a thief, a liar, and a con-artist. She is used to not having a lot and needing to swindle what she can, and so she is out of her depth when she is cast into a palace with opulence at all turns. She is under no illusions that everyone has their own agenda, and that appearances are often skin-deep. It can make for slippery footing as you try to come to grips with a story where there are centuries of history, of alliances and rivalry.
As far as the elemental magic goes, it's generally coherent. The story has some curiosities but non of the "surprises" are overly so. I'm interested to wade into the world and see a little more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Racism, Police brutality, War, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexism, Vomit, Blood, Classism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infertility, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, and Excrement
Minor: Dementia, Chronic illness, Classism, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Bullying, Cancer, and Abandonment
nutmegnomegano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a magic carpet ride for me. I love taking a dive into other cultures and legends and the little flavors of that throughout this book are fun! I got to know a few characters and really want to know a few more. Therefore, I will be continuing on with the next book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide, Racism, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
Before I start writing the review, I will state that I'm a Muslim practitioner, although just do a bare minimum, like praying (if I remember), fasting, and giving money to the poor. Unlike many of my Muslim colleague, I don't use hijab. Just preference of mine. Also, usually I avoid reading books with Islamic theme, again just preference, lol. So, The City of Brass is my first foray into fantasy book with Islamic theme and lore, maybe that's why reading this book make me feel nostalgic of sort. Like the prayer, the custom, the language, the laws, I found myself smiling while reading this one. I admit, my faith kinda wavering this day , I'm afraid maybe someday I'll go ashtray. But, eh, enough about that, right? ^_^
The City of Brass is S.A.Chakraborty's debut. It's feel like her debut, but without some of debut weakness, such as confusing world building or wordy sentences and paragraphs. Quite opposite, Chakraborty's writing is pretty much simple and straightforward. Reader that not quite familiar with Islamic or Arabic term might be feel difficult to understand some term, but since I state at the first that I already know them, I can read this one with ease. The City of Brass itself is like a fanfic or retelling of Alf Layla Wa-Layla, or we might know it as One Thousand and One Night. My friend, Raven, also said that The City of Brass is appear in those folktales. I think I will try to read 1001 Nights someday.
However, not only 1001 Nights, because Chakraborty also infused some elements such as the tale of Prophet Suleiman with the Djinn (or you might know Suleiman as Solomon). I feel not only similarity with the terms and lore, but with the setting as well. All Djinn tribes have their hometown similars to our. From Shahrayn that dwell in Sahara Desert. Ayanlee djinn that dwell in Ta Ntry that if I remember correctly located below the Nile river, exactly in Ethiopia and Somalia. The proud Geziri tribe that claim Am Gezira as their own, pretty much Saudi Arabia, and Tukharistani that own Silk Road, so basically they come from Kazakhstan and around. Then we have Agnivanshi tribe, dwell from Agnivansha, if you know that Agni is fire in India, then you know where it is. And lastly, Daeva tribe who lived in Daevastana, with their glimmering city, The City of Brass, the Daevabad, located in what we know today as Iran.
Not only the location, but the faith of Daeva, which the Geziri say with distaste that they are fire worshiper remind me of Majusi (Magush), or Zoroastrianism. And how one of the character practice his religious devoutly, people around him called him religious fanatic. Then, the discord between the Geziri, those who govern Daevabad and Daeva, those who claim that Daevabad is their own. Between of them, there's shafit, mixed blood union between Djinn and human, constantly in lower caste in Daevabad, without justice, only lived because the Geziri somehow try to tolerate them at best. All of it hit too close to home, to reality, but without Chakraborty write it in your face. She's like let her reader guess it of their own, while show that history always repeat itself. No matter who, when and where. There always people suffer under oppression and tyranny, injustice and prejudice. And a character with moral and integrity, full of privilege, but found that he can't do anything to make a better world for those who suffer.
In term of trope and characters, since the premise of City of Brass itself is simple, Chakraborty itself also use trope that fantasy reader already know. We have our heroine Nahri, a con woman and thief of questionable heritage that found herself as a last descendant of Nahid, a djinn healer then swept away to Daevabad by a djinn that she accidentally summoned, Darayavahoush e-Afshin or we may call him Dara. Then, we will introduced to Alizayd al Qahtani, the Geziri-Ayanlee prince of Daevabad that found himself entangled in his effort to give the shafit a better place to live despite his father, King Ghassan barely tolerate them. Told between alternative PoV, Nahri and Ali, Chakraborty bring us into her world, a world that not as simple as it seems, not that mesmerizing like its first glimpse. With Nahri, we got an adventure, for she and Dara flee from the ifrit that chased them, then meet with ruhk bird (or Roc), peri and Marid in their journey to Daevabad. In Ali, we got a glimpse into Daevabad and court machinations in the palace. I think why I never bored while I need a week to finish this because of my busy schedule, it's because this book never let me down. For me, it's never a dull moment. We have adventure, then next we get a political maneuver from inside Daevabad. Also some mystery that surrounding Dara, his enslavement by Ifrit and his dark past that make him known as The Scourge of Qui-zi.
While I enjoy reading about Nahri and her pragmatism and cunning mind, especially about her fortune because of her background as a poor thief in the Cairo street, I admire Chakraborty for her ability to make compelling male characters. From Ali, Dara, even King Ghassan and one of my favorite character, Jamshid. I admit that the female character beside Nahri, only have spoiled brat like Zaynab (Ali's sister), or a mentor figure that sadly not helping Nahri and seems like hiding her own secret. Ali is remind me of myself, despite deemed as a religious fanatic, he has integrity and idealistic to the core. Dara is more like Byronic hero, with a tortured past. What surprised me is King Ghassan, for I despise him but also admire his ruthlessness, cunning and complexity. He's act as a king, a paranoid ones. He can be a loving father to Ali and Muntadhir, his Crown Prince, but he held Daevabad above all he didn't hesitate to use his children as pawn. He also illiterate, because if he have an entire scribes to read for him, why bother. In contrast with Ali that pretty much enthusiastic with book, I think I got why despite his religious upbringing and devotion, he can feel empathy. Book will do that to you, lol. My less favorite male character is might be Muntadhir. I just feel like he's okay, he's doing his brotherly duty to protect Ali, but that's all. My opinion might be differ in the next book, tho.
Although I'm a romance reader, I don't mind if a fantasy book I read didn't have any, and if it's have one or two romantic moment, I want it to well written. Nahri's affection to Dara might be feel sudden, but I see it as a forced proximity trope. Like, if I'm in Nahri's shoes, find myself as an extraordinary person with extraordinary background that got swept away with this dark, lethal but also charming guy, my heart might be skip a beat. I also liked that Chakraborty write Nahri not as shivering lily, despite she don't have experience with men. Nahri do what she want to do to Dara, although the result end up in disaster. I'm myself much invested to Nahri relationship with Ali, despite their first meeting start badly because Ali's hostility, but they become friends afterward. I admit I'm a sucker for friend to lover trope, however I don't search for romance in this book, lol. So, whatever Chakraborty have in the future, I'll accept it.
The City of Brass is a wonderful debut from S.A. Chakraborty with a promising start. Four or five last chapters of this book make me holding my breath since it's change everything and I'm so grateful I have my copy of book 2, The Kingdom of Copper and book 3, The Empire of Gold already in hand. I think if you love epic fantasy with Middle East lore and setting, complete with compelling characters, stubborn and pragmatist heroine, also Machiavellian politic court, I'm
The City of Brass is S.A.Chakraborty's debut. It's feel like her debut, but without some of debut weakness, such as confusing world building or wordy sentences and paragraphs. Quite opposite, Chakraborty's writing is pretty much simple and straightforward. Reader that not quite familiar with Islamic or Arabic term might be feel difficult to understand some term, but since I state at the first that I already know them, I can read this one with ease. The City of Brass itself is like a fanfic or retelling of Alf Layla Wa-Layla, or we might know it as One Thousand and One Night. My friend, Raven, also said that The City of Brass is appear in those folktales. I think I will try to read 1001 Nights someday.
However, not only 1001 Nights, because Chakraborty also infused some elements such as the tale of Prophet Suleiman with the Djinn (or you might know Suleiman as Solomon). I feel not only similarity with the terms and lore, but with the setting as well. All Djinn tribes have their hometown similars to our. From Shahrayn that dwell in Sahara Desert. Ayanlee djinn that dwell in Ta Ntry that if I remember correctly located below the Nile river, exactly in Ethiopia and Somalia. The proud Geziri tribe that claim Am Gezira as their own, pretty much Saudi Arabia, and Tukharistani that own Silk Road, so basically they come from Kazakhstan and around. Then we have Agnivanshi tribe, dwell from Agnivansha, if you know that Agni is fire in India, then you know where it is. And lastly, Daeva tribe who lived in Daevastana, with their glimmering city, The City of Brass, the Daevabad, located in what we know today as Iran.
Not only the location, but the faith of Daeva, which the Geziri say with distaste that they are fire worshiper remind me of Majusi (Magush), or Zoroastrianism. And how one of the character practice his religious devoutly, people around him called him religious fanatic. Then, the discord between the Geziri, those who govern Daevabad and Daeva, those who claim that Daevabad is their own. Between of them, there's shafit, mixed blood union between Djinn and human, constantly in lower caste in Daevabad, without justice, only lived because the Geziri somehow try to tolerate them at best. All of it hit too close to home, to reality, but without Chakraborty write it in your face. She's like let her reader guess it of their own, while show that history always repeat itself. No matter who, when and where. There always people suffer under oppression and tyranny, injustice and prejudice. And a character with moral and integrity, full of privilege, but found that he can't do anything to make a better world for those who suffer.
In term of trope and characters, since the premise of City of Brass itself is simple, Chakraborty itself also use trope that fantasy reader already know. We have our heroine Nahri, a con woman and thief of questionable heritage that found herself as a last descendant of Nahid, a djinn healer then swept away to Daevabad by a djinn that she accidentally summoned, Darayavahoush e-Afshin or we may call him Dara. Then, we will introduced to Alizayd al Qahtani, the Geziri-Ayanlee prince of Daevabad that found himself entangled in his effort to give the shafit a better place to live despite his father, King Ghassan barely tolerate them. Told between alternative PoV, Nahri and Ali, Chakraborty bring us into her world, a world that not as simple as it seems, not that mesmerizing like its first glimpse. With Nahri, we got an adventure, for she and Dara flee from the ifrit that chased them, then meet with ruhk bird (or Roc), peri and Marid in their journey to Daevabad. In Ali, we got a glimpse into Daevabad and court machinations in the palace. I think why I never bored while I need a week to finish this because of my busy schedule, it's because this book never let me down. For me, it's never a dull moment. We have adventure, then next we get a political maneuver from inside Daevabad. Also some mystery that surrounding Dara, his enslavement by Ifrit and his dark past that make him known as The Scourge of Qui-zi.
While I enjoy reading about Nahri and her pragmatism and cunning mind, especially about her fortune because of her background as a poor thief in the Cairo street, I admire Chakraborty for her ability to make compelling male characters. From Ali, Dara, even King Ghassan and one of my favorite character, Jamshid. I admit that the female character beside Nahri, only have spoiled brat like Zaynab (Ali's sister), or a mentor figure that sadly not helping Nahri and seems like hiding her own secret. Ali is remind me of myself, despite deemed as a religious fanatic, he has integrity and idealistic to the core. Dara is more like Byronic hero, with a tortured past. What surprised me is King Ghassan, for I despise him but also admire his ruthlessness, cunning and complexity. He's act as a king, a paranoid ones. He can be a loving father to Ali and Muntadhir, his Crown Prince, but he held Daevabad above all he didn't hesitate to use his children as pawn. He also illiterate, because if he have an entire scribes to read for him, why bother. In contrast with Ali that pretty much enthusiastic with book, I think I got why despite his religious upbringing and devotion, he can feel empathy. Book will do that to you, lol. My less favorite male character is might be Muntadhir. I just feel like he's okay, he's doing his brotherly duty to protect Ali, but that's all. My opinion might be differ in the next book, tho.
Although I'm a romance reader, I don't mind if a fantasy book I read didn't have any, and if it's have one or two romantic moment, I want it to well written. Nahri's affection to Dara might be feel sudden, but I see it as a forced proximity trope. Like, if I'm in Nahri's shoes, find myself as an extraordinary person with extraordinary background that got swept away with this dark, lethal but also charming guy, my heart might be skip a beat. I also liked that Chakraborty write Nahri not as shivering lily, despite she don't have experience with men. Nahri do what she want to do to Dara, although the result end up in disaster. I'm myself much invested to Nahri relationship with Ali, despite their first meeting start badly because Ali's hostility, but they become friends afterward. I admit I'm a sucker for friend to lover trope, however I don't search for romance in this book, lol. So, whatever Chakraborty have in the future, I'll accept it.
The City of Brass is a wonderful debut from S.A. Chakraborty with a promising start. Four or five last chapters of this book make me holding my breath since it's change everything and I'm so grateful I have my copy of book 2, The Kingdom of Copper and book 3, The Empire of Gold already in hand. I think if you love epic fantasy with Middle East lore and setting, complete with compelling characters, stubborn and pragmatist heroine, also Machiavellian politic court, I'm
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Slavery
saric7's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Great world building in a just ok plot.
Ali’s character kept this book from being terrible. I would love to have seen him get his own book instead of being tertiary and part of a subpar love triangle.
Ali’s character kept this book from being terrible. I would love to have seen him get his own book instead of being tertiary and part of a subpar love triangle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Genocide, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, War, Slavery, Trafficking, and Racial slurs
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Abandonment
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, War, Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, Colonisation, Child death, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Misogyny, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
relin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Medical trauma, Slavery, Violence, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, Grief, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Murder, Medical content, and Genocide
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Hate crime, War, Outing, Alcohol, Cursing, and Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, and Xenophobia
linluvsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Fun and adventurous and well written.
Many complex themes are explored and the perspectives of several sides are presented. This is a smart book, more than an adventurous romp (which would’ve been great as well).
I keep telling myself not to fall into any more trilogies but then I return to fantasy and they’re inevitable…
Many complex themes are explored and the perspectives of several sides are presented. This is a smart book, more than an adventurous romp (which would’ve been great as well).
I keep telling myself not to fall into any more trilogies but then I return to fantasy and they’re inevitable…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Slavery, Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and Police brutality
Minor: War, Addiction, Hate crime, Infidelity, Cursing, Infertility, Kidnapping, and Self harm
lauraeerika's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Racial slurs, Medical content, and Grief
macknificent's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's not a great book but there was some fun to be had. Very much high fantasy with training wheels, especially entertaining if the reader is coming from a romance background.
I was fine with only reading one of the books until I got to the very end, now I'll need to read the next entry in the trilogy. I'm not mad it's just a rather cliche trick to pull.
I was fine with only reading one of the books until I got to the very end, now I'll need to read the next entry in the trilogy. I'm not mad it's just a rather cliche trick to pull.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Xenophobia, War, Slavery, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief, Infidelity, Islamophobia, Cancer, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
I want to preface this review with the fact that I enjoyed this book. I think the world is very interesting and - for the most part - well built. However, there was a significant lack of plot for a large portion of the book.
Nahri and Ali’s viewpoints give the reader an insider and outsider view of Daevabad. The series is clearly meant to have Nahri as the main protagonist, however Nahri’s POV chapters have little to no plot in them. She is unable to make choices for a large portion of the book due to lack of knowledge <Spoiler> she spends the first 48% of the book traveling </Spoiler> and when she finally does make a decision it happens off page.
Ali, on the other hand, does seem to have more of a plot going on. It’s more of a plot via purposeful lack of action than a plot of action, but it’s definitely there. I found Ali hard to like at the beginning of the book due to his hardcore religious biases, but that gets easier to deal with as the book progresses.
All in all, City of Brass felt like a lot of exposition until the last point of action. Many of the main characters lacked agency, and the pacing was a little weird. I think that for a debut novel it did a great job of introducing us to the world, and I will be continuing to read the series.
Nahri and Ali’s viewpoints give the reader an insider and outsider view of Daevabad. The series is clearly meant to have Nahri as the main protagonist, however Nahri’s POV chapters have little to no plot in them. She is unable to make choices for a large portion of the book due to lack of knowledge <Spoiler> she spends the first 48% of the book traveling </Spoiler> and when she finally does make a decision it happens off page.
Ali, on the other hand, does seem to have more of a plot going on. It’s more of a plot via purposeful lack of action than a plot of action, but it’s definitely there. I found Ali hard to like at the beginning of the book due to his hardcore religious biases, but that gets easier to deal with as the book progresses.
All in all, City of Brass felt like a lot of exposition until the last point of action. Many of the main characters lacked agency, and the pacing was a little weird. I think that for a debut novel it did a great job of introducing us to the world, and I will be continuing to read the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Violence, and War