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A review by adityasundar
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
4.0
I've always had a soft spot for the Bronze Age civilizations, and consequently for fantasy inspired by or set in such worlds. It was a major reason why I picked this book up. It's safe to say that it quenched my thirst for Bronze Age fantasy and delivered more.
The worldbuilding and magic system are very nuanced and carefully crafted. I especially liked the way the classic elemental magic is portrayed here. It isn't the typical fireball-throwing or water-wave spinning system but it leans into the mystical and pagan nature, drawing some cool inspiration from the Arabian folklore.
Magic-driven politics isn't new, but this book manages to rope them in with belief systems and prejudices that makes the scenes jump out alive with verbal and sometimes physical conflict.
I generally liked the characters. Their motives and positions in the social ladder and political spectrum were clear. But personality-wise, they could've used some more insight. I liked Ali and his overall arc. Felt a little sorry for him towards the end but definitely pumped to see what's in store for him next.
Nahri starts off and remains for a majority of the story a foil for us readers in acclimating to this world and its web of politics. In the grip of Dara, however, she's reduced to a ball of clay for him to mold and shape in whichever way he pleases. She challenges the situations she's thrust into but does little more than argue about them. For literally 80% of the book, the plot happens to her and strips her of her agency. Even in the end, it's hinted at that she has a plan, but I'm not quite trusting of it as a development until I read the sequel.
I really didn't understand the appeal for Dara. His actions weren't clearly justified or explained. Nahri seemed to trust him with her life for no reason, to the point of even willing to run away with him and marry. This would've been a very difficult book if we didn't have Ali's PoVs to balance Nahri's.
Despite the shortcomings in character development, this book sells itself on the worldbuilding, magic, and the political intrigue.
The worldbuilding and magic system are very nuanced and carefully crafted. I especially liked the way the classic elemental magic is portrayed here. It isn't the typical fireball-throwing or water-wave spinning system but it leans into the mystical and pagan nature, drawing some cool inspiration from the Arabian folklore.
Magic-driven politics isn't new, but this book manages to rope them in with belief systems and prejudices that makes the scenes jump out alive with verbal and sometimes physical conflict.
I generally liked the characters. Their motives and positions in the social ladder and political spectrum were clear. But personality-wise, they could've used some more insight. I liked Ali and his overall arc. Felt a little sorry for him towards the end but definitely pumped to see what's in store for him next.
Nahri starts off and remains for a majority of the story a foil for us readers in acclimating to this world and its web of politics. In the grip of Dara, however, she's reduced to a ball of clay for him to mold and shape in whichever way he pleases. She challenges the situations she's thrust into but does little more than argue about them. For literally 80% of the book, the plot happens to her and strips her of her agency. Even in the end, it's hinted at that she has a plan, but I'm not quite trusting of it as a development until I read the sequel.
I really didn't understand the appeal for Dara. His actions weren't clearly justified or explained. Nahri seemed to trust him with her life for no reason, to the point of even willing to run away with him and marry. This would've been a very difficult book if we didn't have Ali's PoVs to balance Nahri's.
Despite the shortcomings in character development, this book sells itself on the worldbuilding, magic, and the political intrigue.