Michael Barnes
I was impressed by Kamilah Cole's debut novel in this duology, and I am elated to say the conclusion is satisfyingly wraps the story and these characters tales.
Becky of Becky's Book Blog sums it up well ".. picks up almost directly after the ending of So Let Them Burn. Faron and Elara almost swapping positions, with Faron now being bonded to a Dragon and Elara now the maiden Empyrean. Cole’s decision to flip their roles added an extra dimension to the story, not only allowing for the emotional aspects after the ending of book one, but quite literally putting the sisters in each others shoes. Allowing them to feel the weight each has carried, understand better the stresses both they and their roles put them under. We now see Elara in the role of protector, not simply of Faron, but the entirety of San Irie. She’s in the spotlight more than she ever has been, and now dealing with people who don’t think she should be allowed power at all. And Faron, going from being someone loved and prayed too, to someone everyone believes a traitor. She really grew in this book, acknowledging just how she abused her powers, but also acknowledging her trauma and how the God’s used her at only 12 years old to be the face of a war. I’ll always love these characters for many reasons, but the main one being just how human Cole makes them feel. They each have their flaws, their wants and needs that might not be seen as favourable by those they are trying to help, but what Cole does expertly is make them so real to their ages and the experiences that they have gone through".
For a book with some many characters who have suffered the horrors of war and occupation each dealing or denying have to deal with the trauma and horror and responsibilities for decisions they have to make there is also a lot of suprising heart between these characters.
The plot itself in the second book is more fast-paced especially in the last third of the novel, though allowing for these more introspective character building moments. It is compulsively readable with suspense and tension through the roof. Cole also expands on the already rich world-building here, furthering the lore and landscape of this immersive world. It feels like we could discover plenty more stories. All of this culminates in a brilliant conclusion that is powerful and poignant. As you may expect, it is not clean-cut. The road ahead will be difficult and Cole does not shy away from that.
This Ends in Embers solidifies Cole as a name to watch in the YA fantasy genre with exquisite characterisation and a layered yet deeply compelling plot with plenty to say.
I was impressed by Kamilah Cole's debut novel in this duology, and I am elated to say the conclusion is satisfyingly wraps the story and these characters tales.
Becky of Becky's Book Blog sums it up well ".. picks up almost directly after the ending of So Let Them Burn. Faron and Elara almost swapping positions, with Faron now being bonded to a Dragon and Elara now the maiden Empyrean. Cole’s decision to flip their roles added an extra dimension to the story, not only allowing for the emotional aspects after the ending of book one, but quite literally putting the sisters in each others shoes. Allowing them to feel the weight each has carried, understand better the stresses both they and their roles put them under. We now see Elara in the role of protector, not simply of Faron, but the entirety of San Irie. She’s in the spotlight more than she ever has been, and now dealing with people who don’t think she should be allowed power at all. And Faron, going from being someone loved and prayed too, to someone everyone believes a traitor. She really grew in this book, acknowledging just how she abused her powers, but also acknowledging her trauma and how the God’s used her at only 12 years old to be the face of a war. I’ll always love these characters for many reasons, but the main one being just how human Cole makes them feel. They each have their flaws, their wants and needs that might not be seen as favourable by those they are trying to help, but what Cole does expertly is make them so real to their ages and the experiences that they have gone through".
For a book with some many characters who have suffered the horrors of war and occupation each dealing or denying have to deal with the trauma and horror and responsibilities for decisions they have to make there is also a lot of suprising heart between these characters.
The plot itself in the second book is more fast-paced especially in the last third of the novel, though allowing for these more introspective character building moments. It is compulsively readable with suspense and tension through the roof. Cole also expands on the already rich world-building here, furthering the lore and landscape of this immersive world. It feels like we could discover plenty more stories. All of this culminates in a brilliant conclusion that is powerful and poignant. As you may expect, it is not clean-cut. The road ahead will be difficult and Cole does not shy away from that.
This Ends in Embers solidifies Cole as a name to watch in the YA fantasy genre with exquisite characterisation and a layered yet deeply compelling plot with plenty to say.
This debut novel, the first in a duology by Kamilah Cole is a Jamaican mythos inspired sapphic young adult fantasy that delivered from beginning to end.
I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites authors Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
Natalie from the Lesbrary summaries the story bits well "…book switches between the POVs of two sisters Faron and Elara Vincent. Faron can channel the power of the gods, which made her the secret weapon of her country’s revolution against the dragon-riding Langley Empire. Faron is fiery, mischievous, and unwilling to play the part of wise and composed chosen-one. Elara is calm, diplomatic, and has felt like she’s been both living in her sister’s shadow while also being charged with “managing” Faron’s hot-headed emotions. At what was supposed to be an international peace summit, Elara ends up bonding with a Langley Empire dragon and the dragon’s other rider, Signey. Elara must then go to the dragon riding academy on enemy ground, both as a spy for her country and to try to figure out if there’s a way to reverse the bond so she can return home to sister. Among battles of gods and dragons, bubbling rage (against colonizers, the gods, the situation), and impossible choices, Elara and Signey find themselves falling for each other. Two badass dragon riders discovering enemy secrets, plotting revenge, and falling in love?"
I also liked the focus on the relationships a moment when the romantasy genre is taking off, I appreciated how in this book, the friendships were treated as equally important. So Let Them Burn is a YA fantasy novel with a lot to offer. Not only does it start at a different point in the story than a more typical novel might have started. There’s a whole unseen YA novel that happens before So Let Them Burn even starts. Where the island of San Irie is fighting the Langley Empire for it’s freedom. This story YA tropes and gives them a fresh viewpoint. If you’re looking for queer YA fantasy with something new to say then I would suggest this book.
Did I mention there are dragons.
This debut novel, the first in a duology by Kamilah Cole is a Jamaican mythos inspired sapphic young adult fantasy that delivered from beginning to end.
I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites authors Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
Natalie from the Lesbrary summaries the story bits well "…book switches between the POVs of two sisters Faron and Elara Vincent. Faron can channel the power of the gods, which made her the secret weapon of her country’s revolution against the dragon-riding Langley Empire. Faron is fiery, mischievous, and unwilling to play the part of wise and composed chosen-one. Elara is calm, diplomatic, and has felt like she’s been both living in her sister’s shadow while also being charged with “managing” Faron’s hot-headed emotions. At what was supposed to be an international peace summit, Elara ends up bonding with a Langley Empire dragon and the dragon’s other rider, Signey. Elara must then go to the dragon riding academy on enemy ground, both as a spy for her country and to try to figure out if there’s a way to reverse the bond so she can return home to sister. Among battles of gods and dragons, bubbling rage (against colonizers, the gods, the situation), and impossible choices, Elara and Signey find themselves falling for each other. Two badass dragon riders discovering enemy secrets, plotting revenge, and falling in love?"
I also liked the focus on the relationships a moment when the romantasy genre is taking off, I appreciated how in this book, the friendships were treated as equally important. So Let Them Burn is a YA fantasy novel with a lot to offer. Not only does it start at a different point in the story than a more typical novel might have started. There’s a whole unseen YA novel that happens before So Let Them Burn even starts. Where the island of San Irie is fighting the Langley Empire for it’s freedom. This story YA tropes and gives them a fresh viewpoint. If you’re looking for queer YA fantasy with something new to say then I would suggest this book.
Did I mention there are dragons.
This reads as a very confident and assured writer, I was so impressed to discover this was a debut author. I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
The worldbuilding and the mythos of how magic works in the contemporary greater Washington, D.C., metro area id intricate and interesting, but it's the family and relations between the characters is a real strength. Leading off by the protagonist Venus’ mother, the formidable Clarissa Stoneheart, used to be the Love Witcher. From Kirkus review "She broke her pledge to only brew love potions, lost her magic as a consequence, and then turned her attention to teaching Venus, the new Love Witcher, “her 3-B philosophy…Get your bag, brew, and bounce.” When Clarissa is murdered, Venus is tested to her limits as she fights external forces by using her calling (her magical ability to brew) for political gain while also struggling to quiet the deviation (or trauma-inflicted corruption of her calling) that infects her. The deviation, which she calls It, can give Venus access to immense power, but she’s still haunted, in more ways than she realizes, by the first time it was uncaged, when she was 15. Patient readers will eventually encounter unexpected twists and turns that provide an exciting and satisfying ending.
This reads as a very confident and assured writer, I was so impressed to discover this was a debut author. I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
The worldbuilding and the mythos of how magic works in the contemporary greater Washington, D.C., metro area id intricate and interesting, but it's the family and relations between the characters is a real strength. Leading off by the protagonist Venus’ mother, the formidable Clarissa Stoneheart, used to be the Love Witcher. From Kirkus review "She broke her pledge to only brew love potions, lost her magic as a consequence, and then turned her attention to teaching Venus, the new Love Witcher, “her 3-B philosophy…Get your bag, brew, and bounce.” When Clarissa is murdered, Venus is tested to her limits as she fights external forces by using her calling (her magical ability to brew) for political gain while also struggling to quiet the deviation (or trauma-inflicted corruption of her calling) that infects her. The deviation, which she calls It, can give Venus access to immense power, but she’s still haunted, in more ways than she realizes, by the first time it was uncaged, when she was 15. Patient readers will eventually encounter unexpected twists and turns that provide an exciting and satisfying ending.
This is the fourth in the Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal which began in 2018 with The Calculating Stars. I have enjoyed reading each with its blend of technical details of how in 1952
a meteorite strikes the eastern seaboard of the United States. Climate change from the disaster will make the Earth uninhabitable within decades and so the world begins to embark on a plan to build habitats off earth.
The previous books have seen lunar landings, a moon platform, a Mars landing and now in the 1970s the first steps of establishing a habitat on Mars.
The satisfactions of these novels for me is seeing how the technological achievements may exceed our own but catching up on the social issues which our world has worked through with the sexism faced by our protagonist Elma York, mathematician and pilot with attitudes I wish we could believe were left in the eras covered by the books. The racism so heightened as major plot driver in the previous novel with its repercussions a major factor in this book. One of the crucial points in this novel is trying to support scientists, engineers, etc from a coalitions dispart nations all while 43 minutes from communication of earth.
I look forward to reading more about this future.
This is the fourth in the Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal which began in 2018 with The Calculating Stars. I have enjoyed reading each with its blend of technical details of how in 1952
a meteorite strikes the eastern seaboard of the United States. Climate change from the disaster will make the Earth uninhabitable within decades and so the world begins to embark on a plan to build habitats off earth.
The previous books have seen lunar landings, a moon platform, a Mars landing and now in the 1970s the first steps of establishing a habitat on Mars.
The satisfactions of these novels for me is seeing how the technological achievements may exceed our own but catching up on the social issues which our world has worked through with the sexism faced by our protagonist Elma York, mathematician and pilot with attitudes I wish we could believe were left in the eras covered by the books. The racism so heightened as major plot driver in the previous novel with its repercussions a major factor in this book. One of the crucial points in this novel is trying to support scientists, engineers, etc from a coalitions dispart nations all while 43 minutes from communication of earth.
I look forward to reading more about this future.
This reads as a very confident and assured writer, I was so impressed to discover this was a debut author. I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
The worldbuilding and the mythos of how magic works in the contemporary greater Washington, D.C., metro area id intricate and interesting, but it's the family and relations between the characters is a real strength. Leading off by the protagonist Venus’ mother, the formidable Clarissa Stoneheart, used to be the Love Witcher. From Kirkus review "She broke her pledge to only brew love potions, lost her magic as a consequence, and then turned her attention to teaching Venus, the new Love Witcher, “her 3-B philosophy…Get your bag, brew, and bounce.” When Clarissa is murdered, Venus is tested to her limits as she fights external forces by using her calling (her magical ability to brew) for political gain while also struggling to quiet the deviation (or trauma-inflicted corruption of her calling) that infects her. The deviation, which she calls It, can give Venus access to immense power, but she’s still haunted, in more ways than she realizes, by the first time it was uncaged, when she was 15. Patient readers will eventually encounter unexpected twists and turns that provide an exciting and satisfying ending.
This reads as a very confident and assured writer, I was so impressed to discover this was a debut author. I signed up for this book as a pre-order after one of my favourites Xiran Jay Zhao revealed that Cait Corrain author whose debut fantasy novel Crown of Starlight was scheduled to be publish in 2024 had created multiple fake accounts on Goodreads to review bomb other authors of colour. Kamilah Cole's (So Let Them Burn), Bethany Baptiste's (The Poisons We Drink), Frances White (Voyage of the Damned), and K.M. Enright (Mistress of Lies). So I immediately pre-ordered these novels.
The worldbuilding and the mythos of how magic works in the contemporary greater Washington, D.C., metro area id intricate and interesting, but it's the family and relations between the characters is a real strength. Leading off by the protagonist Venus’ mother, the formidable Clarissa Stoneheart, used to be the Love Witcher. From Kirkus review "She broke her pledge to only brew love potions, lost her magic as a consequence, and then turned her attention to teaching Venus, the new Love Witcher, “her 3-B philosophy…Get your bag, brew, and bounce.” When Clarissa is murdered, Venus is tested to her limits as she fights external forces by using her calling (her magical ability to brew) for political gain while also struggling to quiet the deviation (or trauma-inflicted corruption of her calling) that infects her. The deviation, which she calls It, can give Venus access to immense power, but she’s still haunted, in more ways than she realizes, by the first time it was uncaged, when she was 15. Patient readers will eventually encounter unexpected twists and turns that provide an exciting and satisfying ending.
A young adult novel very much in demand at my library. When it was chosen at the previous bookclub a month back I was No 12 on the list. By the weekend before book club I was down to No 6 which speaks to its popularity for a book published in 2005.
More lyrical than I expected - haven't read much WWII set in Germany literature. My exposure has been more Thomas Keneally 'Schindler's list', Primo Levi's 'If This Is a Man', and Art Spiegelman 'Maus'.
I was intrigued by the use of a philosophical, sentimental, melancholy grim reaper as the narrator, giving it a more resonant 3rd person perspective. Death was able to provide some of the more reflections, “I am haunted by humans.” "I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race—that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.
This big, (552 pages depending on edition and font size) expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. I have read a few reviews that recommend it is to be read slowly and savored. Sorry not really my thing but I can understand why it was so well regarded.
A young adult novel very much in demand at my library. When it was chosen at the previous bookclub a month back I was No 12 on the list. By the weekend before book club I was down to No 6 which speaks to its popularity for a book published in 2005.
More lyrical than I expected - haven't read much WWII set in Germany literature. My exposure has been more Thomas Keneally 'Schindler's list', Primo Levi's 'If This Is a Man', and Art Spiegelman 'Maus'.
I was intrigued by the use of a philosophical, sentimental, melancholy grim reaper as the narrator, giving it a more resonant 3rd person perspective. Death was able to provide some of the more reflections, “I am haunted by humans.” "I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race—that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.
This big, (552 pages depending on edition and font size) expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. I have read a few reviews that recommend it is to be read slowly and savored. Sorry not really my thing but I can understand why it was so well regarded.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 52 books by December 30, 2025
Progress so far: 25 / 52 48%
I think Bill Capossere at Fantasy Literature website said it best
"Cutesy tag lines for a review of The Empire of Gold (2020), S. A. Chakraborty’s concluding novel for her DAEVABAD trilogy of humans, djinn, and water elementals, sort of write themselves:
“Chakraborty strikes gold with the final novel in … ”
“Chakraborty is on fire with her newest … ”
“Come on djinn, the water’s fine … ” .
The Empire of Gold is a fully satisfying conclusion to this excellent trilogy, even though there are definitely moments that many fans won’t like for whatever reason. But, as a whole, what matters is that this feels like a bittersweet close one that is both deserved and earned, for both good and ill. And that is something to be celebrated .
I think Bill Capossere at Fantasy Literature website said it best
"Cutesy tag lines for a review of The Empire of Gold (2020), S. A. Chakraborty’s concluding novel for her DAEVABAD trilogy of humans, djinn, and water elementals, sort of write themselves:
“Chakraborty strikes gold with the final novel in … ”
“Chakraborty is on fire with her newest … ”
“Come on djinn, the water’s fine … ” .
The Empire of Gold is a fully satisfying conclusion to this excellent trilogy, even though there are definitely moments that many fans won’t like for whatever reason. But, as a whole, what matters is that this feels like a bittersweet close one that is both deserved and earned, for both good and ill. And that is something to be celebrated .
I found this a satisfying conclusion to this fantasy romance duology. While the focus of book one, CONSORT OF FIRE, was largely on the developing relationship between Ash, Sachi, and Zanya, this second book puts the brewing world politics more front and center. Our main characters and the rest of the gods in the Court of Dreamers are gearing up for a war on two fronts, and they’re fighting with every tool in their arsenal. There’s politicking to be had at royal banquets, training of latent magical gifts, and a truly impressive climactic battle scene on the scale of gods. Whilst there were fewer spicy scenes they were longer and more intense more Scotch Bonnet than Habanero I'd say.
I have read that Kit Rocha's is planning more stories in this world one focusing on Aleksi, the god known as the Lover. Certainly some of the characters in these stories were intriguing and the world building interesting enough to carry more stories.
I found this a satisfying conclusion to this fantasy romance duology. While the focus of book one, CONSORT OF FIRE, was largely on the developing relationship between Ash, Sachi, and Zanya, this second book puts the brewing world politics more front and center. Our main characters and the rest of the gods in the Court of Dreamers are gearing up for a war on two fronts, and they’re fighting with every tool in their arsenal. There’s politicking to be had at royal banquets, training of latent magical gifts, and a truly impressive climactic battle scene on the scale of gods. Whilst there were fewer spicy scenes they were longer and more intense more Scotch Bonnet than Habanero I'd say.
I have read that Kit Rocha's is planning more stories in this world one focusing on Aleksi, the god known as the Lover. Certainly some of the characters in these stories were intriguing and the world building interesting enough to carry more stories.
Only 398 pages which for romantasy is more manageable than many (a work colleague put it to me "you'll finish it in 3 days"). The world building is sumptuous and on the Scoville scale of spicyness it's about a Habanero with the added bonus it's queer AF. Penned by cult-favourite writing duo Kit Rocha (Bree Bridges and Donna Herren who started out writing as Moira Rogers) in a world dominated by Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros.
The sitch
For three thousand years, an ancient dragon god has protected the borders of the Sheltered Lands. In return, he makes only one demand: every one hundred years, the mortal ruler must send their heir to serve as his consort…for as long as they can survive.
Sachielle of House Roquebarre is the thirty-first consort to be sacrificed to the monster who guards the world. She is young, beautiful—and she has three secrets.
First: she’s a disposable orphan trained in seduction.
Second: her handmaid, Zanya, is an assassin and the only person she has ever loved.
Third—and most dangerous: she’s cursed. Sachi and Zanya have five weeks to murder the Dragon. If they fail, the mortal king’s curse will steal not just Sachi’s life, but her very soul.
The Dragon has only one secret: he is nothing like what they have been told.
Only 398 pages which for romantasy is more manageable than many (a work colleague put it to me "you'll finish it in 3 days"). The world building is sumptuous and on the Scoville scale of spicyness it's about a Habanero with the added bonus it's queer AF. Penned by cult-favourite writing duo Kit Rocha (Bree Bridges and Donna Herren who started out writing as Moira Rogers) in a world dominated by Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros.
The sitch
For three thousand years, an ancient dragon god has protected the borders of the Sheltered Lands. In return, he makes only one demand: every one hundred years, the mortal ruler must send their heir to serve as his consort…for as long as they can survive.
Sachielle of House Roquebarre is the thirty-first consort to be sacrificed to the monster who guards the world. She is young, beautiful—and she has three secrets.
First: she’s a disposable orphan trained in seduction.
Second: her handmaid, Zanya, is an assassin and the only person she has ever loved.
Third—and most dangerous: she’s cursed. Sachi and Zanya have five weeks to murder the Dragon. If they fail, the mortal king’s curse will steal not just Sachi’s life, but her very soul.
The Dragon has only one secret: he is nothing like what they have been told.
The second book of a series can be a bit of a let down, but no so kingdom of copper. If anything the world is richer for you having the first, the characters consistently developed and expanded and a genuine concern because of how much you have come to care about them. Except the ruler F* that guy.
The second book of a series can be a bit of a let down, but no so kingdom of copper. If anything the world is richer for you having the first, the characters consistently developed and expanded and a genuine concern because of how much you have come to care about them. Except the ruler F* that guy.
A satisfying and epic conclusion to the trilogy. I enjoyed this novel especially because after the climatic cathartic third act Marvel battle the story continues, not just an epilogue but for a number of chapters. We got to see not just how all the players are recovering but instead of focusing on how societies and government are restructured we focus on the characters we have been following through these three books and get to see them find some resolution.
A satisfying and epic conclusion to the trilogy. I enjoyed this novel especially because after the climatic cathartic third act Marvel battle the story continues, not just an epilogue but for a number of chapters. We got to see not just how all the players are recovering but instead of focusing on how societies and government are restructured we focus on the characters we have been following through these three books and get to see them find some resolution.
This novel won a metric frack tonne of awards, positive reviews and effusive praise. I can see why after I read this rich Middle Eastern fantasy, the first of a trilogy and the author Chakraborty’s intriguing debut.
"On the streets of 18th-century Cairo, young Nahri—she has a real talent for medicine but lacks the wherewithal to acquire proper training—makes a living swindling Ottoman nobles by pretending to wield supernatural powers she doesn’t believe in. Then, during a supposed exorcism, she somehow summons a mysterious djinn warrior named Dara, whose magic is both real and incomprehensibly powerful. Dara insists that Nahri is no longer safe—evil djinn threaten her life, so he must convey her to Daevabad, a legendary eastern city protected by impervious magical brass walls. During the hair-raising journey by flying carpet, Nahri meets spirits and monsters and develops feelings for Dara, a deeply conflicted being with a long, tangled past. At Daevabad she’s astonished to learn that she’s the daughter of a legendary healer of the Nahid family. All the more surprising, then, that King Ghassan, whose ancestor overthrew the ruling Nahid Council and stole Suleiman’s seal, which nullifies magic, welcomes her. With Ghassan’s younger son, Prince Ali, Nahri becomes immersed in the city’s deeply divisive (and not infrequently confusing) religious, political, and racial tensions. Meanwhile, Dara’s emerging history and personality grow more and more bewildering and ambiguous". -Kirkus review
In this syncretic, nonderivative and incredible backdrop, Chakraborty has constructed a compelling yarn of personal ambition, power politics, racial and religious tensions, strange magics, and terrifying creatures, culminating in a cataclysmic showdown that I did not see coming.
Can not wait to follow this in the next novel The Kingdom of Copper.
This novel won a metric frack tonne of awards, positive reviews and effusive praise. I can see why after I read this rich Middle Eastern fantasy, the first of a trilogy and the author Chakraborty’s intriguing debut.
"On the streets of 18th-century Cairo, young Nahri—she has a real talent for medicine but lacks the wherewithal to acquire proper training—makes a living swindling Ottoman nobles by pretending to wield supernatural powers she doesn’t believe in. Then, during a supposed exorcism, she somehow summons a mysterious djinn warrior named Dara, whose magic is both real and incomprehensibly powerful. Dara insists that Nahri is no longer safe—evil djinn threaten her life, so he must convey her to Daevabad, a legendary eastern city protected by impervious magical brass walls. During the hair-raising journey by flying carpet, Nahri meets spirits and monsters and develops feelings for Dara, a deeply conflicted being with a long, tangled past. At Daevabad she’s astonished to learn that she’s the daughter of a legendary healer of the Nahid family. All the more surprising, then, that King Ghassan, whose ancestor overthrew the ruling Nahid Council and stole Suleiman’s seal, which nullifies magic, welcomes her. With Ghassan’s younger son, Prince Ali, Nahri becomes immersed in the city’s deeply divisive (and not infrequently confusing) religious, political, and racial tensions. Meanwhile, Dara’s emerging history and personality grow more and more bewildering and ambiguous". -Kirkus review
In this syncretic, nonderivative and incredible backdrop, Chakraborty has constructed a compelling yarn of personal ambition, power politics, racial and religious tensions, strange magics, and terrifying creatures, culminating in a cataclysmic showdown that I did not see coming.
Can not wait to follow this in the next novel The Kingdom of Copper.