City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty is a bold and brilliant debut novel with complex characters, stunning world development and thrilling adventure. I couldn’t put it down. I’m in awe. The descriptions were so vivid, the characters and the world so well drawn, that even now, just by thinking about the book, I feel transported back into the story. That’s the mark of a powerful storyteller, and I can’t wait to read more from S.A. Chakraborty.
In the book we follow two narrators: Nahri, a cunning, brilliant con artist in 18th century Cairo and Ali, a devout Muslim Djinn prince in Daevabad.
Now, Nahri doesn’t believe in magic, she never has. Sure, she can feel sickness in people and she can heal them most of the time, but she wouldn’t call that magic. She survives by skillfully conning people with palm and tea leaf readings, healings and the occasional exorcism. Then, one night she accidentally summons Dara, a powerful Djinn warrior, during one of her cons and her world will never be the same. Nahri, Dara explains, is a descendant of the now extinct Naheed tribe of Djinn healers and the only place where she can be safe is the magical hidden Daevabad, city of brass. However, Daevabad is immersed in complicated politics and conflict between its diverse ethnic groups is never far from boiling over. Nahri will have to use all her street smarts and cunning to survive.
Meanwhile, Prince Ali, the second son of the king, is destined to lead the army and must support and defend with his life, if necessary, his brother who is the heir to the throne. But Ali, who is as equally talented with economics as he is with a sword, doubts the current class structure of his kingdom. He is a starry-eyed dreamer who tends to see life in black and white, good or evil. He sympathizes with the suffering of the Shafid, those of mixed human and Djinn blood who form the lowest caste and decides to help them without understanding the danger to himself, his family and Daevabad itself. His rash actions could spell disaster for everyone.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy complex stories where there are no clear answers to conflicts or easy choices for characters.
Ariana Galeano is a community librarian with the Richmond Public Library.
