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A review by karatics
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
5.0
How do I begin?
Why don't I first start off with how I got this into my hands and a little bit about my sentiments about current fantasy. I got this from Book of the Month and I figured it couldn't hurt for it didn't sound like anything I despised and I have yet to travel to 18th century Egypt. But there was also this voice telling me not to get my hopes up for I have been disappointed by so many current fantasy novels that I just stuck to my authors that I knew wouldn't break my heart.
And thank the fates that Chakraborty exceeded my expectations ten fold! The quick book blurb about it being "Dizzyingly Magical" couldn't be truer. I was swept up in this dusty desert and smoky city of Daevabad to the point that I felt like I was taken on a magic carpet ride.
Dara theorizes that she might be a shafit (mixed Daeva and human) but there is something odd about her. That is probably why the ifrit wants her dead or whatever. So Dara thinks it would be wise to take her to Daevabad where she can find safety. It is here that the narration starts to shift between Nahri and a young prince named Ali who lives in Daevabad. It was a bit confusing but this shift gives you a better understanding of the politics of the Daeva/djinn populated city.
The pair eventually makes it and they are thrown into a dizzying whirlpool of politics. But it is here that Nahri gets her answers to who or what she actually is. She is a Nahid, like Dara, who are the greatest healers known to all magical creatures. But the thing is that no one has seen a Daeva in 400 years for they were wiped out by the very people who are sitting on the throne of the city.
You then travel with Ali through webs of political intrigue, with Nahri trying to earn her title as a Nahid, and Dara trying to make sure the hordes of ifrit are gone. If you made it this far and want more context and an ending I suggest you pick up this read.
Chakraborty is a master world builder, her prose is poetic but also easy to digest. I did get a bit confused when they got to the city and new characters started to pop up but it wasn't awful. Her characters have multiple layers and tend to surprise you. There were times that I was like "I do not care for this character" but then they have a redeeming moment or you learn something that changes your perspective. And given that this is the first book in the trilogy you better believe that I will be first in line for the second installment.
Why don't I first start off with how I got this into my hands and a little bit about my sentiments about current fantasy. I got this from Book of the Month and I figured it couldn't hurt for it didn't sound like anything I despised and I have yet to travel to 18th century Egypt. But there was also this voice telling me not to get my hopes up for I have been disappointed by so many current fantasy novels that I just stuck to my authors that I knew wouldn't break my heart.
And thank the fates that Chakraborty exceeded my expectations ten fold! The quick book blurb about it being "Dizzyingly Magical" couldn't be truer. I was swept up in this dusty desert and smoky city of Daevabad to the point that I felt like I was taken on a magic carpet ride.
Spoiler
First we start off with Nahri would is a thief with the unexplained ability to heal. But regardless of this amazing ability, for fear of witchcraft reasons, she is dirt poor. But thankfully she hosts a bazaar (or zar?) to heal a local girl and in the process, she summons a 400 year only Daeva (djinn is a bad word for only Daevas who hate themselves would use such slang) named Dara. Who also comes with a horde of ifrit hell-bent on devouring Nahri.Dara theorizes that she might be a shafit (mixed Daeva and human) but there is something odd about her. That is probably why the ifrit wants her dead or whatever. So Dara thinks it would be wise to take her to Daevabad where she can find safety. It is here that the narration starts to shift between Nahri and a young prince named Ali who lives in Daevabad. It was a bit confusing but this shift gives you a better understanding of the politics of the Daeva/djinn populated city.
The pair eventually makes it and they are thrown into a dizzying whirlpool of politics. But it is here that Nahri gets her answers to who or what she actually is. She is a Nahid, like Dara, who are the greatest healers known to all magical creatures. But the thing is that no one has seen a Daeva in 400 years for they were wiped out by the very people who are sitting on the throne of the city.
You then travel with Ali through webs of political intrigue, with Nahri trying to earn her title as a Nahid, and Dara trying to make sure the hordes of ifrit are gone. If you made it this far and want more context and an ending I suggest you pick up this read.
Chakraborty is a master world builder, her prose is poetic but also easy to digest. I did get a bit confused when they got to the city and new characters started to pop up but it wasn't awful. Her characters have multiple layers and tend to surprise you. There were times that I was like "I do not care for this character" but then they have a redeeming moment or you learn something that changes your perspective. And given that this is the first book in the trilogy you better believe that I will be first in line for the second installment.