The City of Brass

By S.A. Chakraborty

The City of Brass - S.A. Chakraborty
  • Release Date: 2017-11-14
  • Genre: Epic Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 618 Ratings

Description

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Library Journal | Vulture | The Verge | SYFYWire

Step into The City of Brass, the spellbinding debut from S. A. Chakraborty perfect for fans of The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and Uprooted, in which the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom rests in the hands of a clever and defiant young con artist with miraculous healing gifts.

On the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, Nahri is a con woman of unsurpassed skill. She makes her living swindling Ottoman nobles, hoping to one day earn enough to change her fortunes. But when Nahri accidentally summons Dara, an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, during one of her cons, she learns that even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

Forced to flee Cairo, Dara and Nahri journey together across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire and rivers where the mythical marid sleep, past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises and mountains where the circling birds of prey are more than what they seem, to Daevabad, the legendary city of brass.

It’s a city steeped in magic and fire, where blood can be as dangerous as any spell; a city where old resentments run deep and the royal court rules with a tenuous grip; a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound—and where her very presence threatens to ignite a war that has been simmering for centuries.

*Finalist for the World Fantasy Award: Best Novel

*Nominated for the Locus Award: Best First Novel

*Finalist for the British Fantasy Award: Best Newcomer

Featuring a stepback and extra content including a bonus scene and an excerpt from The Kingdom of Copper.

Reviews

  • So good

    5
    By getarshed
    Splendid
  • Unlikeable protagonist cartoony stakes

    1
    By blackmisandry
    If you want to be frustrated with characters and befuddled by fictional racism and prejudice this book is for you.
  • Refreshing and different

    4
    By mmarcone912
    If you’re into fantasy books, this series offers a refreshingly different take on magic and fantasy worldbuilding because it’s one of the few that aren’t Euro-centric. I really enjoyed reading about Middle Eastern/central Asian fantasy creatures and cultures. I thought the story was also pretty interesting and I like the main character Nahri a lot. I think I would have given it 5 stars if it had stronger romantic subplot(s). I think there was good potential but the romance elements failed to sizzle for me.
  • Best fantasy series since Harry Potter

    5
    By Tadaaaasana
    The Daevabad series is an incredibly fun read from the first page to the last. Through the eyes of Nahri— a thief and con artist from Cairo—you discover a gorgeous, politically fraught, tribalistic world full of magic and djinn. Chakraborty expertly weaves in the varying flavors Islam from the Sahara to the Subcontinent into the story, making her fictional world feel as rich and real as the actual Islamic empires of the Medieval ages. Read it for the novel plot and the morally conflicted characters, get invested in the historical details along the way. You won’t regret picking this series up!
  • Brilliant

    5
    By bbsfresh
    A great start to this series
  • Amazing

    5
    By katthomas22
    One of the best fantasy books I’ve read. Ever.
  • Wonderful read

    5
    By carnivaleyes
    What a great read! I discovered this trilogy because the second book was on sale. After reading a lot of reviews I had to give it a shot. So glad to have picked it up! About to start the second book, and have the third book pre-ordered. This is well worth the read. There were unexpected twists and turns and the author takes you to a truly magical place. It has been far too long since I enjoyed a fiction book and so glad that this story was the one that fell into my hands. A great read for anybody who loves mythology and fantasy stories, or anybody who is looking for a unique adventure!
  • Transfixed!

    5
    By DennyPenny62
    This is a story that was difficult to put down. I read every word, imagining the world Nahri and Ali lives in, utterly transported! If this is a world of genies, sans the magic lamps(djinn), it is well worth visiting.
  • Refreshing Read. Highly Recommend!

    5
    By VPtts
    Having just finished reading this book, I can confidently give it my highest recommendation. Not only does this story have tons of action and magic and bits of love sprinkled through, but the story line is unpredictable and keeps you on your toes. This is truly a unique and captivating story and I very much look forward to reading the second book when it eventually comes out. Don't hesitate any longer and pick up this book!
  • Shocked & In love with this book!

    5
    By Steleoj4eva
    Not at all what I was expecting! Just finishing this book makes want to pick up the next one! And the feels at the end!? Ahhh! This book sucked me into an exciting and extravagant world, and I am not in any appalled by the outcome! A beautifully blended book, that you must read for yourself.