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A review by bookish_otaku
The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
5/5 stars
Could there have been a better ending to an amazing trilogy? I really don’t think so.
I think I’d have to say the thing I loved most, that really stuck out to me about this entire series, was the writing of Dara’s character. He’s so incredibly flawed and morally grey and suffers so much, but the way he was written to trigger the deepest emotions (whether they be anger or sorrow) a human is capable of feeling was masterfully done. Sometimes I hated him, and then other times I found my heart deeply aching for him, and the sheer range shows just what a well written character he is. He is also so wonderful for reminding us that there is always more than one side to a story, and that sometimes people believe terrible things because if they stopped believing them, then they couldn’t live with themselves.
This is a topic I think Chakraborty did an immensely wonderful job addressing. What Dara did is inexcusable, and she faces that head on. He has done horrible things, but she offers this path to redemption, a way to be productive instead of wallowing over all that has happened and cannot be changed. It’s a tough topic, and she does it amazingly. Her writing of Manizheh is similar and one of a tragedy, although we see what happens as a result of her terrible life. It’s awful and gut wrenching and unforgivable, but it also makes us chew on that bitter fact that no one person is entirely to blame, and that peace can only come from ending the horrible chain of revenge and blame.
More on the topic of book writing, I loved what she did with the world-building, expanding it even into the final installation of her trilogy. It leaves endless possibility for other works and gives that sense of hope that even though this story is completed, it’s never really over.
I’m sure I’ve talked about this in my other reviews, but it warrants being repeated, Nahri as a strong female lead. So many times, “strong female lead” is thrown around to attract readers when really it’s some chic who’s conventionally hot (generally to white people might I add) who refuses to listen to others because she’s too “independent” for that, even when they give sound advice, and who tends to have a streak for violence or trying to break rules. Nahri broke rules, but not in the “I have to prove my independence as a strong female lead so I’m going to break some rules for the sake of breaking rules.” No, she broke rules with a purpose and a message. She also broke the rule that apparently, “strong” female leads require a desire for violence.
I’m so in love with her being a healer, finding strength in helping others and listening to what they need. Sometimes she gets pushed around by men, but she does it with a resistance, and in a way where it’s like she is the one in control. She knows how to pick and choose her battles, a message that’s so vital in this trilogy. She uses her wits, not her brawn, to win not the battle, but the war. She also becomes stronger, not by hiding her feelings, but by learning to slowly open up after having been repeatedly taught by the world that everything she wants will be taken from her. She is beaten again and again, but she gets back up on her own, she doesn’t need a man to help her. But of course, if she does need help, it will be from a friend first, not a man. (By this I mean she won’t care if they’re a man or not because she isn’t so focused on her impression of being strong.) If this isn’t true strength, then my goodness I don’t know what is.
I can’t say that the plot twists weren’t entirely unexpected. There were some parts where I was like “Oh :O” but nothing earth shattering. Where this trilogy really stands strong is in its characters and the emotional impact they have and the hard lessons they must learn alongside us. It’s for this that I find this series truly invaluable to read and hope that anyone and everyone who enjoys living, read these books.
For the modern day reader who is truing to diversify their bookshelves, also a great read. But it’s mostly for the above that this trilogy shines so far above many others.
Could there have been a better ending to an amazing trilogy? I really don’t think so.
I think I’d have to say the thing I loved most, that really stuck out to me about this entire series, was the writing of Dara’s character. He’s so incredibly flawed and morally grey and suffers so much, but the way he was written to trigger the deepest emotions (whether they be anger or sorrow) a human is capable of feeling was masterfully done. Sometimes I hated him, and then other times I found my heart deeply aching for him, and the sheer range shows just what a well written character he is. He is also so wonderful for reminding us that there is always more than one side to a story, and that sometimes people believe terrible things because if they stopped believing them, then they couldn’t live with themselves.
This is a topic I think Chakraborty did an immensely wonderful job addressing. What Dara did is inexcusable, and she faces that head on. He has done horrible things, but she offers this path to redemption, a way to be productive instead of wallowing over all that has happened and cannot be changed. It’s a tough topic, and she does it amazingly. Her writing of Manizheh is similar and one of a tragedy, although we see what happens as a result of her terrible life. It’s awful and gut wrenching and unforgivable, but it also makes us chew on that bitter fact that no one person is entirely to blame, and that peace can only come from ending the horrible chain of revenge and blame.
More on the topic of book writing, I loved what she did with the world-building, expanding it even into the final installation of her trilogy. It leaves endless possibility for other works and gives that sense of hope that even though this story is completed, it’s never really over.
I’m sure I’ve talked about this in my other reviews, but it warrants being repeated, Nahri as a strong female lead. So many times, “strong female lead” is thrown around to attract readers when really it’s some chic who’s conventionally hot (generally to white people might I add) who refuses to listen to others because she’s too “independent” for that, even when they give sound advice, and who tends to have a streak for violence or trying to break rules. Nahri broke rules, but not in the “I have to prove my independence as a strong female lead so I’m going to break some rules for the sake of breaking rules.” No, she broke rules with a purpose and a message. She also broke the rule that apparently, “strong” female leads require a desire for violence.
I’m so in love with her being a healer, finding strength in helping others and listening to what they need. Sometimes she gets pushed around by men, but she does it with a resistance, and in a way where it’s like she is the one in control. She knows how to pick and choose her battles, a message that’s so vital in this trilogy. She uses her wits, not her brawn, to win not the battle, but the war. She also becomes stronger, not by hiding her feelings, but by learning to slowly open up after having been repeatedly taught by the world that everything she wants will be taken from her. She is beaten again and again, but she gets back up on her own, she doesn’t need a man to help her. But of course, if she does need help, it will be from a friend first, not a man. (By this I mean she won’t care if they’re a man or not because she isn’t so focused on her impression of being strong.) If this isn’t true strength, then my goodness I don’t know what is.
I can’t say that the plot twists weren’t entirely unexpected. There were some parts where I was like “Oh :O” but nothing earth shattering. Where this trilogy really stands strong is in its characters and the emotional impact they have and the hard lessons they must learn alongside us. It’s for this that I find this series truly invaluable to read and hope that anyone and everyone who enjoys living, read these books.
For the modern day reader who is truing to diversify their bookshelves, also a great read. But it’s mostly for the above that this trilogy shines so far above many others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Confinement
Moderate: Genocide