REVIEW: The City of Brass by S.A Chakraborty

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN13: 9780062678102

Release Date: 17th November 2017

Links: Amazon.com B&N Indigo
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Rating: 8/10


Synopsis:

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 .

Review:

**I was sent this book, for free, by Harper Collins Canada in return for my honest review**

So I recently finished this book and boy oh boy did I love it. The City of Brass is a fantastic, upcoming debut novel by Chakraborty, and for a first novel I'm happy to say how much I loved it. I was blown away and I really cannot wait to see where the story leads us.

Let's talk briefly about the book cover... it's beautiful. The design, colour choices, I love everything about it (seriously look at it!).

Now onto the story. The basic storyline is somewhat familiar: a girl in our world discovers a more magical world and finds out how she is connected to it. But, I personally saw nothing wrong with that.

Our main character is Nahri, who lives in Cairo when our story begins. She earns her money through medicine and reading tea leaves. She also has some other gifts (that I won't go into- you'll have to read it yourselves). She's a strong, independant character that you can't help but love.

Then we have Dara, a character we meet early on in the novel. I loved him! He's surly, short-tempered, and a joy to read about.

Chakraborty has some truly magical workdbuilding skills, but beyond that, she crafts remarkable characters who are achingly real and complex. I really loved their interactions.

The world is incredibly well built- full of magic and folklore, myths and legends. The story's mythology is vibrant and so tangible--it truly comes alive.  I really was transported into the world. Everything was described so beautifully I was left yearning for more.

With the brilliant writing, amazing world building, amazing characters and a beautful cover The City of Brass is a book I'd recommend to every reader looking for their next read. Though be warned that it's not out till the fall.