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A review by growintogardens
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
dark
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
I'm pretty sure that other than Emma (which took years before picking it up again), this is the longest I've ever taken to read a single book. I struggled with what to rate this and I know I'm in the minority, but the bad outweighs the good for me. That said, I'm invested enough to see how the tale continues and might read the next book.
Good: Muslim characters and setting that aren't often seen, okay worldbuilding, interesting ideas. Nahri and Ali's interactions really made the last 35% of the book for me.
The Okay: The ending was solid yes, but a lot of it was foreshadowed or predictable so I'm not sure why many reviews are raving about it. I disliked Ali a lot in the beginning, but I think he went through the most change in the end and I warmed up to him a bit. There's a hint of lgbtq rep. Nahri's background and beginning of the tale was interesting, far more interesting than the neverending travel chapters. Nahri was a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Bad: I disliked the "romance" and despite the length, it still felt like instaromance. I had a lot issues with Dara and liked him less as the book continued. This book dragged like no other book I've ever read. It feels like at least 80 pages could have been scrapped or edited down and it wouldn't have really changed the story. The war and the background I felt like should have been explained better.
Good: Muslim characters and setting that aren't often seen, okay worldbuilding, interesting ideas. Nahri and Ali's interactions really made the last 35% of the book for me.
The Okay: The ending was solid yes, but a lot of it was foreshadowed or predictable so I'm not sure why many reviews are raving about it. I disliked Ali a lot in the beginning, but I think he went through the most change in the end and I warmed up to him a bit. There's a hint of lgbtq rep. Nahri's background and beginning of the tale was interesting, far more interesting than the neverending travel chapters. Nahri was a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Bad: I disliked the "romance" and despite the length, it still felt like instaromance. I had a lot issues with Dara and liked him less as the book continued. This book dragged like no other book I've ever read. It feels like at least 80 pages could have been scrapped or edited down and it wouldn't have really changed the story. The war and the background I felt like should have been explained better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Blood, Slavery, and War