Guest Review: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty


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Title: The City of Brass
Author: S.A. Chakraborty
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Hardcover, 533 Pages
Published November 2017


Summary: 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... 

Today on the blog we have a guest review from Riza over at What’s History? – a diverse book blog that advocates #MuslimShelfSpace! They were kind enough to stop by and review The City of Brass and share their thoughts on it, so let's get into it!


Hiya, readers of The Book Bratz! I am Riza from What’s History? – a diverse book blog that advocates #MuslimShelfSpace. 

So, some days ago, I wrote a review of The City Of Brass on my blog. It is a brilliant book, one that I have not been able to shut up about, and when The Book Bratz invited me to do a guest post, I thought what better choice than to talk about this book again? (Remember I said how I won’t stop babbling about it? Yup.) But, hey, this post is going to be different. Here I have laid out ten reasons for you to scramble to your nearest bookstore, pick The City Of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty off the shelf, and get to reading it right away:

1. The City Of Brass is a book full of dreams. Not only is it soaked in rich, syrupy prose, but is it also shored by an intensively-researched backstory, stemming from Middle Eastern folklore. 

2. It’s that sort of a book where you are able to feel (and relish!) the intricacy with which the author has envisaged the story.

3. There are djinns in it! Also, shafit, peris, the insidious erfit, you name it. Er, and also, humans. 

4. The characterisation is remarkable. The arcs and the dynamics are very well-drawn out. 

5. We have a strong female lead in Nahri. She is smart, sneaky, and sly. And unquestionably brave. 

6. If I haven’t gushed about Alizayd enough already, here’s some more of it: He’s virtuous, loyal, courageous, (very) religious, with a heart dripping pure gold, and that sort of a character every author creates for emotional slaughter. S. A., have mercy on him (and us). Thank you. *insert crushed face because everyone knows that is implausible*

7. There are Muslim characters in it. (Yay for Muslim representation!) This is a diverse read you would not want to miss out.

8. The descriptions are solid goals. If you wish to feast your eyes on scrumptious literary-food, then TCoB is the right book for you.

9. The book leaves you hooked until the end, that, in turn, (very unapologetically) leaves you devastated. Yes, you should totally rush to buy it. Because it will crush your heart. 

10. The ending is no less promising than the beginning. There is sure a lot more to be expected of this story. You are going to adore it to bits.



We'd like to once again thank Riza for stopping by The Book Bratz today to post this guest review. You can read the original review over on their blog by clicking HERE!



** Psst! Interested in guest reviewing on The Book Bratz? Shoot us an email at thebookbratz@gmail.com or DM us on Twitter (@thebookbratz) and we'd love to have you!

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