The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty | Mini Review

Thank you so much, Harper Collins Australia for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

| Book Depository | Booktopia |

---

Rating: ★★★★★

Release Date: November 14th, 2017

Pages: 528

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Goodreads Review: here

Goodreads blurb:

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles. 

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: 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 hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass?a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound. 

In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences. 

After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for… 

---

M I N I   R E V I E W

The City of Brass was a book I was cautious of when I was requesting it. I was a bit nervous because it is so big. 520 pages, to be exact. I find that sometimes the longer the book the more bored I get throughout. However, this wasn’t the case at all. The City of Brass is an enchanting and alluring story that grips you from the very first page. Every single character has a layer of depth, I literally mean every single one to even the side characters who are only around for a few pages.

From the very first page, you are sucked into a world of magic and Egypt. I say Egypt purely because I adored reading a book set in the environment. I think the only book I’ve read that has gone to Egpyt is the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan. But, that’s off topic.

You follow one of the main characters of The City of Brass, Nahri on her journey of discovery throughout this book. Learning her origins, what her past is and what is expected of her. It was honestly pretty heartbreaking at times to read. Though, I adored reading the main character who wasn’t perfect. Nahri has done what she has to survive and it might not be the most ethical but she has done it and she’s not ashamed. She was so damn strong in her own right and learning about her culture throughout the book was so interesting.

The other perspective we get in this book is from Ali. A prince for his people but viewed as a religious fanatic. He’s basically the opposite to Nahri and it was incredibly interesting to read the dynamic between the pair. In the grand sense of it, neither character is meant to be viewed as a good character either. They have flaws that are very obvious in the text.

The writing within The City of Brass was just spectacular as well. I’m honestly speechless since this is a debut. This book reads a lot better than some authors with many books published. The imagery is done so well and not at all overdone, coming from someone who usually gets frustrated with metaphors. The language use was just spectacular. I obviously can’t speak about the muslim representation throughout this book but the author is an own voices author, so I adored learning her persptive on her culture and how it incoperated into this book. I’m so excited to read more!

It is a book full of betrayal, wishes and magic. It is complex and full of politics. At some stages, I didn’t understand what was happening but I never once cared majorly due to the absolute incredible cast of characters in this debut, own voices novel. The City of Brass is a must read. Put it on your December or January TBR’s, because I promise you won’t regret it.

---

Happy reading everyone!

| Bookstagram | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads |

If you use my Book Depository link I will receive a 5% commission from your order at no expense to you. I would sincerely be grateful if you chose to use it.

The same goes for my Booktopia link, which is a great service for Aus and NZ residents.