renpuspita's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4,5 stars
The Daevabad Trilogy is one of my favorite reads this year and I will always recommend this trilogy for anyone in search of a good and epic fantasy. But, what comes after the end? What happen in the pasts that shaped some of major player in Daevabad, that justified their atrocities in the first place? What if after everything that happen, every hurt and pain, do they deserve the forgiveness and redemption?
Chakraborty in her introduction said that she write this in the pandemic era, like try to visit an old friend. I did read the trilogy after the pandemic but I share the sentiments. Sometimes to pump up the creative juice, we will write or create something that we already familiar of. The River of Silver is more like an anthology, collection of the short stories or maybe deleted scenes that didn't made it into the books. Give us some perspective to some characters that not Nahri, Ali or Dara, even the trio also have their own story told in this book. So, since the River of Silver contain spoilers from the 3 books, I will marked them all with spoiler tag.
Manizheh, Hatset and that certain someone whom related to Nahri :
This is make me think that all of the events that happen in the Daevabad is a cause and effect. Action and reaction. The Nahid council deserve their demise for their treatment of shafit, yet the tyranny that Ghassan and his father did to both Manizheh and Rustam is what drive Manizheh to be as ruthless as Ghassan. I think maybe that's why Chakraborty write Nahri as Nahid-shafit Daeva and Jamshid's personality is what I wonder maybe Rustam was like him before he got broken by Ghassan. Too many violence, too many blood spilled. Too many prejudice, racism and xenophobia. Reading all the chapter from Manizheh, Duriya and Hatset is not easy to read. We know what happen in their future, since the three women story were told from their past. Uniquely enough, all of them are mothers. Chakraborty might want to show that all these mothers have power of their rights. From Manizheh's ruthlessness, Hatset's political maneuverings and Duriya's determination
Muntadhir:
Jamshid:
Zaynab:
The Scout :
Dara:
Ali :
and finally, Nahri:
Fyuh, that's a plenty for a book that its lenght is only half of the first book XD. This anthology make me want to revisit the world of Daevabad again, to reminiscence some events that happen in those books. Sadly, I have what you said "too many book to read, too little time." The River of Silver is a must read if you love The Daevabad Trilogy!
The Daevabad Trilogy is one of my favorite reads this year and I will always recommend this trilogy for anyone in search of a good and epic fantasy. But, what comes after the end? What happen in the pasts that shaped some of major player in Daevabad, that justified their atrocities in the first place? What if after everything that happen, every hurt and pain, do they deserve the forgiveness and redemption?
Chakraborty in her introduction said that she write this in the pandemic era, like try to visit an old friend. I did read the trilogy after the pandemic but I share the sentiments. Sometimes to pump up the creative juice, we will write or create something that we already familiar of. The River of Silver is more like an anthology, collection of the short stories or maybe deleted scenes that didn't made it into the books. Give us some perspective to some characters that not Nahri, Ali or Dara, even the trio also have their own story told in this book. So, since the River of Silver contain spoilers from the 3 books, I will marked them all with spoiler tag.
Manizheh, Hatset and that certain someone whom related to Nahri :
Spoiler
Why I put them together is while each have their own story told, there are some element that tied these chapters. It's a tidbits and little crumbs about Rustam. From Manizheh, Duriya and Hatset, all of them feature Rustam. Rustam himself is more like a phantom in the Daevabad Trilogy, just mentioned here and there but never make appearance (same with Duriya, to be exact). Yet, reader know that he's important. He's not only Manizheh's brother, Duriya's lover or more importantly, Nahri's father. Rustam is an example that even man can be broken beyond compare. Rustam is quiet and his light already suffused under Ghassan's torture to reins Manizheh's control. So all we know is Rustam in his bad state, even in this anthology. Even when we get a glimpse into how he met Duriya, he's already broken. Somehow, I want to see the real Rustam, before he get beaten over by Ghassan. If Kingdom of Copper make me despise Ghassan despite I admire his ruthlessness (Daevabad always come first), his treatment toward Rustam make me hate him more.This is make me think that all of the events that happen in the Daevabad is a cause and effect. Action and reaction. The Nahid council deserve their demise for their treatment of shafit, yet the tyranny that Ghassan and his father did to both Manizheh and Rustam is what drive Manizheh to be as ruthless as Ghassan. I think maybe that's why Chakraborty write Nahri as Nahid-shafit Daeva and Jamshid's personality is what I wonder maybe Rustam was like him before he got broken by Ghassan. Too many violence, too many blood spilled. Too many prejudice, racism and xenophobia. Reading all the chapter from Manizheh, Duriya and Hatset is not easy to read. We know what happen in their future, since the three women story were told from their past. Uniquely enough, all of them are mothers. Chakraborty might want to show that all these mothers have power of their rights. From Manizheh's ruthlessness, Hatset's political maneuverings and Duriya's determination
Muntadhir:
Spoiler
I admit Muntadhir is not my favorite characters (despite he's Chakraborty favorite, lol), because of his act in book 2 although he kinda redeemed himself in book 3. This anthology kinda reveal his life story, from the moment he lost his mother, then groomed to be an emir, a future king and his fated meeting with his true love, Jamshid. I still think Jamshid is too good for Muntadhir, lol. And I amend my opinion about how Nahri and Muntadhir have civilized marriage life. Maybe they look civilized at first but reading some tidbit of their marriage life from Nahri's PoV make me realized that Nahri indeed hate Muntadhir although they try to make their marriage work. At last, Muntadhir find his peace, he also got his HEA despite what he did to Jamshid (broke his heart) and also Kaveh. If you forget, it's Muntadhir who orchestrated Kaveh's murder although reader knew it's act of revenge since Kaveh killed Ghassan in book 2Jamshid:
Spoiler
Ah, Jamshid. One of my favorite character, Muntadhir really didn't deserve you. His story actually entangled with Muntadhir, so I don't have much explanation except I really enjoyed his story. He also finally become a true Baga Nahid and I liked how he become a brother to Nahri although they are more like cousin. I admit I did like the way Chakraborty wrapped Jamshid and Muntadhir's HEAZaynab:
Spoiler
We get her story after Daevabad fallen, so not much, to be honest. Although if Chakraborty write more of Daevabad world, I want to read her adventure together with Dara and Aqisa to hunt the ifritsThe Scout :
Spoiler
even the unnamed characters have their own role! These scouts I believe didn't make it into the book since the event that happen to them more like a prologue to The Kingdom of Copper. We will get glimpse into a device that Manizheh create to destroy the Geziri. Sadly, one of the scout, the Tukharistani soldier, actually didn't deserve his gruesome death not like his Geziri companion (he deserve it with he try to manhandling Manizheh's servant and with his prejudice toward Daeva). Farewell Pran, you will be missedDara:
Spoiler
Just a short moment that happen when he and Nahri flee from Cairo and their ifrits pursuer. Reading this chapter make me feel melancholy. Despite I'm a fans of Nahri and Ali, I did at first think that Dara is capable to love Nahri and become her lover (or maybe husband). It's just his hatred for the Geziri run deep that lead to his first demise after he being freed from the slave ring. To said first love hurt is an understatement. Like Zaynab, I also want to read Dara's adventure and maybe when he already redeem himself enough, just maybe, he will finally meet Nahri?Ali :
Spoiler
His first short story feel like a deleted scenes that got reworked and will make sense after we finish reading the trilogy. Since it's deal with his marid bloodline. I did get why it's not make into the book. The other is one of his little moment with Nahri in book 2. Not much opinion for Ali, though. I already gushed about him in the book 1 & 2 reviews XDand finally, Nahri:
Spoiler
do Nahri get her own HEA? With Ali? Yes, of course. I can said with much certainty that Nahri and Ali finally get their happy ending. Or more like happy for now. It's amusing to read Nahri waiting Ali to reach his quarter age (aka 25) to propose a marriage. Bold move to be expected from Nahri (in case you forget, it's also Nahri that kissed Dara first. Girl have guts). I did like that Chakraborty also wrote about Nahri's trauma after Qandisha try to drown her but she's healing bit by bit. I also liked that Nahri didn't want to rushed Ali into a wedding ceremony and knowing both, I suspect their wedding will be private, small and only attended by people that dear to them. All I can said is, I'm glad that both Nahri and Ali find their peace and place they belong to. And I hope Dara will, in the end, got his own peaceFyuh, that's a plenty for a book that its lenght is only half of the first book XD. This anthology make me want to revisit the world of Daevabad again, to reminiscence some events that happen in those books. Sadly, I have what you said "too many book to read, too little time." The River of Silver is a must read if you love The Daevabad Trilogy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Genocide and War
readandfindout's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
Style/writing: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Sexual harassment
Minor: Genocide and War
lauraglovestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful - this collection of fifteen short stories and scenes, including an alternate epilogue, was a welcome opportunity to return to the world and characters of the Daevabad Trilogy. I knew from very early on that this would be a five star read. The stories are written from a range of points of view, including both POV characters from the novels and some additional characters that did not have POV chapters until now. Everyone that a fan of the trilogy would hope to see represented in a book like this is included. So good.
Note: If you have yet to read the Daevabad Trilogy, what are you waiting for?! Go start with City of Brass.
Note: If you have yet to read the Daevabad Trilogy, what are you waiting for?! Go start with City of Brass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Medical content
ehmannky's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good! I feel like I had forgotten just how much I loved the Daevabad Trilogy until I read this. Chakraborty is such a spectacular writer and it just made me fall in love with these characters all over again. They're beautiful stories from a beautiful series (though you should read the series before this collection because these stories contain spoilers for the trilogy).
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, War, Violence, and Murder
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
THE RIVER OF SILVER is a group of stories arranged alongside and between the main books of the Daevabad trilogy, showing hidden moments with characters you know and (maybe) love already.
To me, the best way to read this would be to read the stories alongside the main trilogy, in the order indicated at the start of each chapter. Because most of these stories were originally drafted as part of the writing process for the other books, they contribute to but are unable to alter the emotional landscape and general trajectory of the series. They work well as companion stories to the trilogy, but are unable to stand on their own for someone who hasn’t read the other books. There are some excellent sections relating to events before the main trilogy featuring characters not seen before, and I enjoyed. This book is absolutely worth reading if you want more of Jamshid and Muntadhir, singly and together. Many of the stories touch on the arc of their relationship, and for me the highlight of the book is a story featuring both of them which takes place near (or perhaps slightly after) the end of EMPIRE OF GOLD. Anyone hoping also or instead for more of Nahri, Ali, or Dara shouldn’t be disappointed either.
CW for cursing (brief), sexual content (brief), grief (graphic), xenophobia, pregnancy (backstory), sexual harassment, sexual assault (brief), panic attacks, alcohol, fire/fire injury, blood (graphic), gore (brief), torture, body horror, violence (graphic), torture, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, suicidal thoughts (brief), genocide (backstory), self harm, suicide attempt (backstory), parental death (backstory), death (graphic).
THE RIVER OF SILVER is a group of stories arranged alongside and between the main books of the Daevabad trilogy, showing hidden moments with characters you know and (maybe) love already.
To me, the best way to read this would be to read the stories alongside the main trilogy, in the order indicated at the start of each chapter. Because most of these stories were originally drafted as part of the writing process for the other books, they contribute to but are unable to alter the emotional landscape and general trajectory of the series. They work well as companion stories to the trilogy, but are unable to stand on their own for someone who hasn’t read the other books. There are some excellent sections relating to events before the main trilogy featuring characters not seen before, and I enjoyed. This book is absolutely worth reading if you want more of Jamshid and Muntadhir, singly and together. Many of the stories touch on the arc of their relationship, and for me the highlight of the book is a story featuring both of them which takes place near (or perhaps slightly after) the end of EMPIRE OF GOLD. Anyone hoping also or instead for more of Nahri, Ali, or Dara shouldn’t be disappointed either.
CW for cursing (brief), sexual content (brief), grief (graphic), xenophobia, pregnancy (backstory), sexual harassment, sexual assault (brief), panic attacks, alcohol, fire/fire injury, blood (graphic), gore (brief), torture, body horror, violence (graphic), torture, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, suicidal thoughts (brief), genocide (backstory), self harm, suicide attempt (backstory), parental death (backstory), death (graphic).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Torture, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Self harm
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Grief, Cursing, Sexual assault, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
levesc17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
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