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saracat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
5.0
I devoured this book. If I had started this book at the beginning of a weekend, I would not have slept before finishing it.
I did listen to the audiobook, so sometimes I lost track of who was who since many of the characters have titles and/or nicknames that they are called by. But, typically, back tracking about 30 seconds after pausing to think about who was in the scene typically straightened things out for me.
I loved the main characters and was really drawn in to the story. I really appreciated how one of the main characters just didn’t automatically become perfect at something simply because of some innate abilities. I also loved how grey things felt.
I can’t wait to jump into the next book. Especially after the epilogue in this one.
I did listen to the audiobook, so sometimes I lost track of who was who since many of the characters have titles and/or nicknames that they are called by. But, typically, back tracking about 30 seconds after pausing to think about who was in the scene typically straightened things out for me.
I loved the main characters and was really drawn in to the story. I really appreciated how one of the main characters just didn’t automatically become perfect at something simply because of some innate abilities. I also loved how grey things felt.
I can’t wait to jump into the next book. Especially after the epilogue in this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Slavery, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Racism, Rape, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ko_rax's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty is the first part of The Daevabad Trilogy and accompanies two opposing figures: A con woman with a natural affinity for healing, who is swept up by a world of magic, mythological creatures and ancient djinn, and magical heritage, and a royal prince, who is torn between his morals and loyalties.
Oh, what a read! I was so invested and time flew by.
Truthfully, the world build is vast, and throughout the first ten chapters or so it was difficult for me to remember important details concerning the relation-& allyships between mythological beings. However, as the story advanced, things added up on their own. I also liked the pacing, it fit the events well. Personally, my favourite element of this book is its character building and development. The majority of the characters were believable to me, especially Alizayd(his inner turmoil made so much sense!) .
Will pick up the second book as well!
Oh, what a read! I was so invested and time flew by.
Truthfully, the world build is vast, and throughout the first ten chapters or so it was difficult for me to remember important details concerning the relation-& allyships between mythological beings. However, as the story advanced, things added up on their own. I also liked the pacing, it fit the events well. Personally, my favourite element of this book is its character building and development. The majority of the characters were believable to me, especially Alizayd
Will pick up the second book as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Rape and Self harm
drjoannehill's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Read for Close Encounters book club.
I was interested to read a fantasy set in the middle east but this confusing mess falls so short!
(Probably spoilers)
So there's an orphan young woman, Nahri, scraping a living in Cairo during the French occupation in the 18th century. That is the only time the 18th century will be relevant. She performs fake healing ceremonies to earn money, but somehow summons a magical person - how, and from where, we never know. He won't tell Nahri his name at first, again - who knows why. They are promptly chased by some reanimated corpses and a very violent magical thing who want to know what magical powers Nahri has. They flee Cairo and set off for a city Nahri has never heard of because it's hidden, I guess in the mountains of Iran or Turkmenistan judging from the map. But it's basically deserted desert the whole way there, no humans (sure). Nahri will be safe in Daevabad.
The magical person, oh, now he reluctantly says his name is Dara short for - no still can't tell you for an unknown reason. He drip feeds info about the hidden city Daevabad which is home to the djinn, he's a djinn, but oh no that's a rude slur, don't dare call him a djinn, say daeva, they're all daeva, Nahri included. But some are capital D Daeva, a tribe of daeva...? There are other tribes and there's some bizarre long term intrigue and occasional war going on between them. But wait because in Daevabad some actually do call themselves djinn but the Daeva don't. Still with me?
There's another main character, Alizayd. Just one thing to moan about his story line - he is referred to as religious all the way through, and that's a laughable thing to other characters. Which religion? - isn't said, you have to piece that together from how there are Muslim things like minarets and call to prayer in the book, and how Alizayd (from the Geziri tribe) calls the Daeva "fire worshippers" which is apparently a slur about their religion and is apparently derided by the Geziri (aren't all cultures derided in some way by their political rivals, so that's buyable as a plot line). However, Islam/Muslim is not mentioned by name at all until about 85% in, so it's one more thing to be confused about. At that point, it's dropped in that the daeva/djinn took the religion of their human neighbours (back when it was a new thing? Later? Who knows). Also for an unknown reason. This is very annoying and I can't make sense of it apart from the author wanting to represent Islam in fantasy (and doing a poor job of it).
So many names and ideas that I was in a spin. It's a good thing I had the e-book so I could search back through for references to things because so often a thing or person was thrown in and we're supposed to be "ooh that thing came up!" shock but instead I'm "wait what? Who?" flick back / search ... nope, none the wiser.
Unnecessary and weird romance like why do these two people like each other and where did that come from?
Longing for a Priory of the Orange Tree level of sensible and clear world building! Book club picks are disappointing me lately, but I am reading different things I guess.
I was interested to read a fantasy set in the middle east but this confusing mess falls so short!
(Probably spoilers)
So there's an orphan young woman, Nahri, scraping a living in Cairo during the French occupation in the 18th century. That is the only time the 18th century will be relevant. She performs fake healing ceremonies to earn money, but somehow summons a magical person - how, and from where, we never know. He won't tell Nahri his name at first, again - who knows why. They are promptly chased by some reanimated corpses and a very violent magical thing who want to know what magical powers Nahri has. They flee Cairo and set off for a city Nahri has never heard of because it's hidden, I guess in the mountains of Iran or Turkmenistan judging from the map. But it's basically deserted desert the whole way there, no humans (sure). Nahri will be safe in Daevabad.
The magical person, oh, now he reluctantly says his name is Dara short for - no still can't tell you for an unknown reason. He drip feeds info about the hidden city Daevabad which is home to the djinn, he's a djinn, but oh no that's a rude slur, don't dare call him a djinn, say daeva, they're all daeva, Nahri included. But some are capital D Daeva, a tribe of daeva...? There are other tribes and there's some bizarre long term intrigue and occasional war going on between them. But wait because in Daevabad some actually do call themselves djinn but the Daeva don't. Still with me?
There's another main character, Alizayd. Just one thing to moan about his story line - he is referred to as religious all the way through, and that's a laughable thing to other characters. Which religion? - isn't said, you have to piece that together from how there are Muslim things like minarets and call to prayer in the book, and how Alizayd (from the Geziri tribe) calls the Daeva "fire worshippers" which is apparently a slur about their religion and is apparently derided by the Geziri (aren't all cultures derided in some way by their political rivals, so that's buyable as a plot line). However, Islam/Muslim is not mentioned by name at all until about 85% in, so it's one more thing to be confused about. At that point, it's dropped in that the daeva/djinn took the religion of their human neighbours (back when it was a new thing? Later? Who knows). Also for an unknown reason. This is very annoying and I can't make sense of it apart from the author wanting to represent Islam in fantasy (and doing a poor job of it).
So many names and ideas that I was in a spin. It's a good thing I had the e-book so I could search back through for references to things because so often a thing or person was thrown in and we're supposed to be "ooh that thing came up!" shock but instead I'm "wait what? Who?" flick back / search ... nope, none the wiser.
Unnecessary and weird romance like why do these two people like each other and where did that come from?
Longing for a Priory of the Orange Tree level of sensible and clear world building! Book club picks are disappointing me lately, but I am reading different things I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Minor: Rape
adlane22's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape and War
gemma_hale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Brilliant world-building and complicated characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
mice_are_nice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape
kornwaiisms's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
i am devastated (this book is fantastic) here's a few thoughts!
- so strong in its writing and story from start to finish, when i tell you it got me hooked,, (if you say it's boring even in the slightest did we read the same book?)
- the characters are SO intricately written i want to see more of all of them (yes even the ones that pissed me off*guh guh dara guh guh* )
- i must admit i need a history book to understand and study the history of this world completely but IT'S OKAY WE'RE VIBING
- ..what WAS that last part. WHAT WAS IT. i'm on the floor sobbing i just want my little darling characters to be ok
special notes to the characters:
- so strong in its writing and story from start to finish, when i tell you it got me hooked,, (if you say it's boring even in the slightest did we read the same book?)
- the characters are SO intricately written i want to see more of all of them (yes even the ones that pissed me off
- i must admit i need a history book to understand and study the history of this world completely but IT'S OKAY WE'RE VIBING
- ..what WAS that last part. WHAT WAS IT. i'm on the floor sobbing i just want my little darling characters to be ok
special notes to the characters:
- NAHRI SHOW THEM WHAT YOU GOOOOOT
ali pls survive jamshid pls survive muntahdir pls don't do anything stupid
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Slavery
Minor: Sexual violence
taliaalongi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape
_forestofpages's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Child death, Rape, and Sexual assault
dreadspawn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Rape