Reviews with content warning for Slavery - La Cité de Laiton

Reread July 2024: [5⭐️]

For reference, I’m using Book Roast’s CAWPILE rating system and SusanLynKnits’s detailed rating definitions:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iZhinxtTMFQ - Book Roast

https://susanlynknits.wordpress.com/2023/01/21/rating-books-tweaking-cawpile-to-fit-my-needs/ - Susan Lyn Knits and Reads, Update #3

Characters: 9/10 - I’ll think about these characters often. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the characterization. Nahri and Ali felt so real to me. Nahri, I love her ambition and how she does whatever it takes to survive. She’s a reluctant hero and I find that beautiful. Ali is so unabashedly himself. He is so fucking honest and stubborn, and yet still likable. Chakraborty finds a way to make his unwavering moral compass and stiff personality charming. She also has a wonderful cast of side characters that feel equally complex and fleshed out. Everyone has their reasons for moving the way that they do and it makes for a captivating (and stressful 😅) story.

Atmosphere: 10/10 – Setting is amazing and unique. This x1000!!! I don’t think I’ve ever read a Middle Eastern fantasy. The world-building felt so intricate and, once you’ve got the hang of it, immersive. She left no stone unturned when it came to developing the lore of this world and the people that make up this magical city.

Writing Style: 9.5/10 – Excellent // Wow, that was awesome. While I definitely struggled with my first read through, my reread makes me wonder if part of it was just being unfamiliar with Middle Eastern culture. Don’t get me wrong, the world building IS dense, but I think the writer pretty smoothly guides readers through the terrains of her world while also trusting them to find their own footing. That level of craft is truly incredible.

Plot: 9.5/10 – Awesome. Hello?!? High stake adventures, political intrigue, and a slow burn romance (it’s technically a love triangle but there’s only one pairing I will accept 😤).

Intrigue: 8/10 - I want to read more from this author/series. Shannon could shit on a piece of paper and finger paint and I would read it, to be honest 🤷🏾‍♀️

Logic: 8/10 – I totally understand this world.

Enjoyment: 9/10 – I’m sad it’s over. This might not make sense, but I loved this and the next book in the trilogy SO MUCH that I have yet to read the third because I didn’t want it to end 😩

8.5+10+9.5+10+8+8+9 = 63/7 = 9

1.1-2.2 = ⭐
2.3-4.5 = ⭐⭐
4.6-6.9 = ⭐⭐⭐
7.0-8.9 = ⭐⭐⭐⭐
9.0-10 = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

= 5⭐️

Original Review April 2023: [4.5⭐️]

I LOVED IT! I FUCKING LOVED IT!

It’s been about two months since I’ve been this invested in a book’s characters and their world. <i>City of Brass</i> might not be for everyone, BUT IT SURE AS FUCK WAS FOR ME 😭

The world-building was lush and intricate. If I’m honest, it might have been a little too intricate at times 😅. I fought for my life trying to understand the different djinn tribes and their characteristics and politics. Did it pull me out of the world at times because of that? Yes, but once I got the hang of this world, I was sucked in. This was set in a Middle-Eastern/Muslim-inspired world, which might be tough for Western readers but, I think if you can read Game of Thrones, you can make it through this book.

Part of me wishes that Nahri and Dara had gotten to the City of Brass sooner. Another part thinks that we needed time for that relationship to grow from reluctant allies to something more. Because they took so long on this arduous journey, their feelings for each other felt earned. I got so into it, I could almost forget the age gap.

Almost 🥴

This story is full of magic, morally grey characters, and political intrigue. There is so much history and bad blood between various characters and groups of people that I don’t even know who to root for. I ate this shit up. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

TW: Death, violence, slavery, human trafficking, torture, age/gap romance, attempted murder/murder, discrimination, rape (mentions/off page), religious themes

Rep: BIPOC characters, Middle Eastern characters, queer SC characters

Content Warnings

erebus53's review against another edition

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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.

Content Warnings

insidiousturtle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

renpuspita's review against another edition

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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

Content Warnings

queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

4 ⭐ CW: violence, torture, slavery, descriptions of blood and gore, kidnapping, rape, whipping

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty is book one in the Daevabad trilogy. I've been meaning to read this for awhile, and I'm glad I finally did! I love intricate world building and morally gray characters, and we have plenty.

We follow Nahri, a thief in Cairo who can heal herself and others, although she mainly uses her ability to fleece her marks. During a "fake" ritual, she accidentally summons a daeva named Dara who is determined to take her to Daevabad, the City of Brass, because Nahri is not human. Dara is a daeva who was enslaved thousands of years ago, and was made to do terrible things, but Nahri trusts him anyway. I really like their dynamic throughout the books and the way it ebbs and flows.

We also follow Ali, the youngest son of the King and Future Qaid to his older brother, Muntadhir. Ali is young, brash, and self-righteous, which makes him quite annoying most of the time, ah youth. Ali is a bit of a contradiction, he believes in the rights of the shafit, a mix of human and djinn blood, but despises and wants to oppress the Daeva clan for their religion. Ali was a compelling character, though, being the second son, and fighting a moral war within himself: stop the mistreatment of shafit, or do as his father says. Speaking of his father, he is a fascinating character. He's not someone I'd say I like, but he's wonderfully complex and brilliant, if diabolical.

There is so much political and clan intrigue in this. It was all a little confusing and overwhelming at first, but it picks up once the world-building is established. Nahri makes a good stand in for the reader in Daevabad, so there is some exposition, but it doesn't feel like info dumping. I want to learn more about the Daeva religion and the shafit as well as more about Nahri's abilities.

Nahri is definitely my favorite character, but I also really liked Muntadhir, who is bisexual. He's your typical charming prince who often drinks too much and has too much fun with courtesans. I can't wait to see how he develops over the series.

Content Warnings

sreddous's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The worldbuilding is really what shines in this book. The scenery and architecture is dazzling here. Every room, city, palace, stretch of desert, is described beautifully. There's a great sense of adventure here, and the sizes of the landscapes and how far all the characters go both in the city and around the region really have weight. This feels like a big, scary, magical WORLD, and that's super fun.

The princes and king are especially interesting characters -- it's really satisfying to watch Ali try to be a good leader but his naivete and youth make him not-always-efficient, and it's cool to watch his brother and father have to try to navigate political things as more-experienced people around him.

A few things didn't really work for me though -- in the beginning of the book, it makes sense that Nahri has a prickly personality and doesn't trust easily. But her quick temper started becoming annoying by the middle and ending of the book, because a lot of times she was pushing back on, and arguing with... people who were, like, definitely right and she was definitely wrong. This book is long, so the fact that she didn't really grow in that regard became pretty frustrating for me because by the time I saw her being snarky and causing fights near the end of the book, I was like, "lol, what are you going to ruin now, sigh."

I think that's partially the reason the romances didn't really work for me either. With all the fighting and bickering it's hard to see where any connections and love blossom, and it makes me not really care about rooting for which romance arc is "going to work out" per se.

The ending is high-stakes and terrifying and amazing though. For me personally, I'd definitely say that the plot overall is exciting and that the intrigue of the politics and magic and world itself can make up for any times that the characters themselves do things that aren't working for me.

Content Warnings

midnightstory's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

brynalexa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The world building is rich and the characters are complex. Hard to put down!

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