A review by bunnieslikediamonds
City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

5.0

What an absolute delight of a book. I can't remember the last time I had such a fun reading experience. And to think I almost passed on it due to the cover (guy in cloak, bright lights big city, yawn). The reason I eventually picked it up was Bennett's American Elsewhere, which I loved. This one is very different, but just as wonderful. The world-building is intriguing, and there is a lovely sense of wonder that I imagine every fantasy writer wants to achieve. The characters are fully realized, even the minor players. And may I just say how fabulous it is that Bennett has not one, but multiple believable female characters who are not sexpot superheroes but extraordinary, intelligent, funny human beings with flaws and strengths and ambitions? And while there is much action and fighting and a bit of blood and gore, there is also a heroine who solves problems and saves the day thanks to her vast academic knowledge and curious mind. For a bibliophile like myself that was very validating.