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A review by tyrfishy
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The second half of the novel let the premise down a little, mostly because the characters were all committing the sin of being annoying. Conflict is good but when there's only ever conflict and arguments it becomes repetitive... especially between men over a woman. Please, I cannot do another YA lovetriangle I am begging...
The ending did redeem the second half. And I loved reading non-western inspired fantasy for a change. But the world is quite brutal and I struggled with that. Although characters did care about the injustice, if the trilogy as a whole isn't about confronting this (which to be fair it does seem like it will?) then I'd definitely say the way the readers attention is regularly (and at times casually) drawn to the oppression and violence faced by the shafit particularly is overkill.
The ending did redeem the second half. And I loved reading non-western inspired fantasy for a change. But the world is quite brutal and I struggled with that. Although characters did care about the injustice, if the trilogy as a whole isn't about confronting this (which to be fair it does seem like it will?) then I'd definitely say the way the readers attention is regularly (and at times casually) drawn to the oppression and violence faced by the shafit particularly is overkill.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
SA is not onscreen or graphic but mentioned multiple times, usually in the wider context of the shafit who are 2nd class citizens and do not get justice.