Scan barcode
flyinglark's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-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
4.0
Going into The City of Brass, I knew the anticipation was going to pay off. The first half was on the slower side to establish the world and politics of Daevabad. It felt like a YA novel. Then the second half arrived, especially the last 30ish percentage and the novel clicked.
The cast of characters is diverse, but each has strong convictions which inevitably clash. I love and am annoyed with them.
Another part of the novel I was intrigued by was the world itself. It's not every day you get a non-eurocentric world. In addition, who gets to control the narrative of history? What happens when one goes against the status quo? This book is definitely on my list to reread and overanalyze.
I am going to let The City of Brass settle in my brain before jumping into the next book, but wow I liked this a lot!
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Content Warnings: Blood/Injury Detail, Racism, Violence, Discussions of Human Trafficking, Discussions of War, Discussions of Slavery, Depicts Death of Child (Ch 17), Mention of Rape
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
POV: 3rd Person - Dual POV
Format: Audio - Single Narrator
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Medical content, Trafficking, Alcohol, and War
Depicts Death of Child (Ch 17)perfectcupoftea'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Torture
chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
This was an epic story for me. I was hooked from the very first page and did not want to put it down Chakraborty has a way of writing characters, plot, and world building that just sucks you in.
First, the world building is top notch. She incorporates so many fantasy elements into real world history and blends the religions and history fo the time period so seamlessly for me. I was mesmerized not only by the real world depictions but also the way she uses the characters to almost tell stories about the history of Djinn and Daevas.
Second, the plot was plottin all over the place. There were twists I didn't see coming and even the ones I did, her descriptions of the story just were chef's kiss.
Lastly, the characters were so complex and brought to life. Every single character had strengths and weaknesses and I could not figure out who were the good guys and who were bad.
First, the world building is top notch. She incorporates so many fantasy elements into real world history and blends the religions and history fo the time period so seamlessly for me. I was mesmerized not only by the real world depictions but also the way she uses the characters to almost tell stories about the history of Djinn and Daevas.
Second, the plot was plottin all over the place. There were twists I didn't see coming and even the ones I did, her descriptions of the story just were chef's kiss.
Lastly, the characters were so complex and brought to life. Every single character had strengths and weaknesses and I could not figure out who were the good guys and who were bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Rape
cpratreads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.75
I really really liked this book. I loved the two POVs, the story was really engaging, and I am fighting the urge to immediately go buy the second book.
I was worried halfway through the action was going to slow down but I was very wrong. There were 3 pages near the end where I went on an "emotional rollercoaster" (my partners words). I thoroughly enjoyed this and think it is a spectacular adult fantasy.
I was worried halfway through the action was going to slow down but I was very wrong. There were 3 pages near the end where I went on an "emotional rollercoaster" (my partners words). I thoroughly enjoyed this and think it is a spectacular adult fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and War
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape
karydiazc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- 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
I remember seeing this book on social media and thought the cover looked cool, so I got it on audiobook.
I really enjoy the worldbuilding this book has, I don't think it's very detailed in some aspects, but still I like it. I must admit I know little to nothing about the regions and religions in which this book is based, so I had a hard time following all the concepts and beings mentioned. I think I'll get the ebook and read along the audio, so I can stop at every concept I don't know, so I'll have a better understanding of the story and mithology.
The characters were good, they felt interesting and tridimensional. We as readers still don't know much about Dara, so I hope the author gives us more info in the next book. I find Ali quite charming and I definitely want to see what happens to him after that ending.
Now, I feel like Nahri didn't grow much as a character during this book, but I feel like we'll see a lot more of development in the next one.
I've seen comments saying her POV was boring and while I wouldn't call it that, I do recognize she wasn't the most interesting person in the book. I believe she'll grow out of necessity due to the position she was put in.
I really enjoy the worldbuilding this book has, I don't think it's very detailed in some aspects, but still I like it. I must admit I know little to nothing about the regions and religions in which this book is based, so I had a hard time following all the concepts and beings mentioned. I think I'll get the ebook and read along the audio, so I can stop at every concept I don't know, so I'll have a better understanding of the story and mithology.
The characters were good, they felt interesting and tridimensional. We as readers still don't know much about Dara, so I hope the author gives us more info in the next book. I find Ali quite charming and I definitely want to see what happens to him after that ending.
Now, I feel like Nahri didn't grow much as a character during this book, but I feel like we'll see a lot more of development in the next one.
I've seen comments saying her POV was boring and while I wouldn't call it that, I do recognize she wasn't the most interesting person in the book. I believe she'll grow out of necessity due to the position she was put in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Murder, and War
spacerkip's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Torture, and Colonisation
jsayre's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Rape, and Xenophobia
matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.5
This could have been a great book for me except I was confused half the time. There's an overwhelming amount of world building and politics going on. If I re-read this then the politics would make more sense, but I don't have time for that.
Honestly, if it wasn't for the end of the book I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the book as much. I'm on the fence about continuing the series, I want to know what happens but do I really want to read another 2 books?
Honestly, if it wasn't for the end of the book I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the book as much. I'm on the fence about continuing the series, I want to know what happens but do I really want to read another 2 books?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and War
Minor: Rape
chloelai12's review against another edition
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?
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?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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