Scan barcode
bessadams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
ienbdri's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Slavery
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you’re looking for something magical, beautiful, and intriguing… you’ve found it in The City of Brass.
This gorgeous novel takes readers on a fantastical journey throughout the djinn world in the Middle East: Daevabad. Told through two perspectives, one insider and one outsider, you slowly learn more about the politics and racial tensions between the different tribes of djinn and the half-breed shafit.
Tensions run high, and allegiances will be tested as both POVs learn to navigate the world of Daevabad. Everything is not as black and white as it seems. Who can they trust? And how can they tell what is right?
You will absolutely fall in love with this world and the characters who inhabit it. I’m immediately picking up book two because I have to know what happens right now.
This gorgeous novel takes readers on a fantastical journey throughout the djinn world in the Middle East: Daevabad. Told through two perspectives, one insider and one outsider, you slowly learn more about the politics and racial tensions between the different tribes of djinn and the half-breed shafit.
Tensions run high, and allegiances will be tested as both POVs learn to navigate the world of Daevabad. Everything is not as black and white as it seems. Who can they trust? And how can they tell what is right?
You will absolutely fall in love with this world and the characters who inhabit it. I’m immediately picking up book two because I have to know what happens right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
hannah_and_her_stories's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Child death and Rape
ericageorge91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
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
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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
erebus53's review against another edition
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.
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
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, and Excrement
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Dementia, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Classism
insidiousturtle's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Genocide, Self harm, Slavery, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol and War
Minor: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Pregnancy
brynalexa's review against another edition
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Child death and Rape
geometricsun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
foxonabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Synopsis: During an exorcism, known as a Zar amongst the religious of Cairo, Nahri, a talented conwoman, accidentally summons the djinn warrior Dara. Never one to believe in magic, Nahri is forced to reconsider what she understood of the world, and of herself as Dara takes her to the magical city of Daevabad where she forms an unlikely friendship with Alizayd, one of Daevabad princes with an affinity for the human world. But tensions are brewing and Nahri will have to make a difficult decision between the djinn warrior who saved her life and the new home that has so much to offer.
🧞♀️
Review: This has been on my TBR for over a year since I bought the trilogy with a Kobo gift voucher I’d received. I’m ashamed it’s taken me this long to finally read it because I didn’t know how much I needed a book inspired and influenced by the Middle Eastern culture until I’d read this.
🧞♀️
The world building is great, the characters are well rounded and the plot is not short of any action, twists or turns. I did feel like sometimes things or a character’s mood/motive shifted a little too quickly, but that’s just a minor detail.
🧞♀️
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is because at points you could tell that this book wasn’t written by someone from the Middle East, and that broke the immersion for me. Though there is no denying that this is very well researched and clearly a labour of love, and I may be more sensitive to these things because of my own background 🤷🏽♀️
🧞♀️
Review: This has been on my TBR for over a year since I bought the trilogy with a Kobo gift voucher I’d received. I’m ashamed it’s taken me this long to finally read it because I didn’t know how much I needed a book inspired and influenced by the Middle Eastern culture until I’d read this.
🧞♀️
The world building is great, the characters are well rounded and the plot is not short of any action, twists or turns. I did feel like sometimes things or a character’s mood/motive shifted a little too quickly, but that’s just a minor detail.
🧞♀️
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is because at points you could tell that this book wasn’t written by someone from the Middle East, and that broke the immersion for me. Though there is no denying that this is very well researched and clearly a labour of love, and I may be more sensitive to these things because of my own background 🤷🏽♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism