Reviews with content warning for Child death - The City of Brass

It's been a while since a book made me immediately run to borrow the sequel from the library. Vibrant and full of lively characters and well-crafted, multi-layered intrigue, I quickly found myself absorbed into this story and its world. I'm so glad I borrowed the physical copy my library had instead of the audiobook through hoopla. It was a lot easier to look up all of the names and words for clothing and architecture I didn't recognize, and my enjoyment was definitely richer because of it. I'm excited to see how our three protagonists (two protagonists and one antagonist? 👀) handle the fallout from the end of this book.

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yruss972's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

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

From a world building and fantasy fiction perspective, a good book. Would rather it if more of the magic system had found closure by the end of the first book. It's still unclear what the rules are.

From a message perspective, touches on lots of issues but, sadly, takes a stand on none of them. Comes disturbingly close to legitimizing terrorism especially naming the rebel group Tanzim.
Blurs all the lines on both sides of the conflict so no one is innocent and, when guilty, they are not at fault.
The author needs to visit Israel post October 7 and get some new perspective.

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chloelai12's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Wow this woman can write politics. One of the most complicated and enriched fantasy worlds I’ve read.

I will start by saying I want Nahri to destroy the lives of every single one of those men. My girl didn’t deserve any of that. Dara had me in the first half and I was rooting for him whilst Ali annoyed me for 60% of the book. But you lost me at the forced coercion my guy. And actually, as much of a self righteous brat Ali could be, he was the only one was truthful to Nahri when everyone else lied to her face but still expected the most from her.
I hope if anything (though I doubt it will happen) that Nahri rinses these men for filth, takes over the city for herself but keeps Ali as a friend because she does not need that stress .
I’m still pretending those ears aren’t a thing.

ALSO IM RIHJT ABOUT THE UNCLE DAD?

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_forestofpages's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.25

I absolutely loved this world. The characters were so interesting and complex, and I am excited to see where they go in the series. The world building was excellent and always delivered in a believable and not info-dumping way. I was immersed from the first page and intrigued with how everything would come together. The pacing was great! It never got too slow and there was just enough action, but the parts I liked best were inside Daevabad. The political aspect and the second POV was the real elevator for me. Ali and his whole family, the opposing ideals and his ridigness and how he grows was amazing to watch.

Now, why it isn't a higher rating:

I did feel at times that Nahri for all her experience with thieves and conmen, she was blind when it came to Dara and the royals. This character in particular, felt passive at times when she shouldn't be (based on her fiery personality) and aggressive when she REALLY shouldn't have been (like when she knew she was in danger and should keep quiet), which would have been fine except her whole career (as a con artist) was based on trickery and charisma, knowing when to speak and how. And yet, as soon as she was with Dara all of that was out the window. She was inconsistent, so as a character I didn't know if I really liked her or not since she went back and forth with her personality.

Also Dara being a liar the whole book made me unsure if I could like him either. I never knew where he would land, what side he was on, or what his real motives were and because this wasn't revealed in book 1 and he is (for now) gone, I can't really say how I feel about him. I can tell you the romance between Dara and Nahri also did nothing for me.

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