While I don't typically read this genre, I was intrigued by the premise after hearing the author interviewed on a bookish podcast and decided to give it a try. I am so glad that I did! I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in The Daevabad Trilogy and plan to continue with it to find out how the story ends for Nahri, Dava, and Ali. I normally shy away from fantasy trilogies in which each book is 500+ pages, but this one was an absolute delight to read. The writing and story itself were equally engaging. I was easily able to imagine the Daevabad universe, finding myself immersed from the first chapter.

The story is told in alternating perspectives between Nahri and Ali, and I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter to pick up where each of their stories left off. I liked getting to know all of the characters and exploring the world in which they exist. This was a fun, action-packed novel with an air of fairy tale and fable woven into the plot, which I loved. I also loved the fact this is set in a world filled with djinn tribes and political intrigue. Although the tale is set in a fantastical world, its themes are relevant to this world and would make for an interesting book club discussion.

This review is based on the NetGalley copy I received from William Morrow via the Book Club Girl Free Friday program. Many thanks for the opportunity to read this new-to-me author! I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy soon.

The story of Nahri who encounters various demons while taken on a journey by Dara to Daevabad. Where she meets the royal family. The story is full of violence and betrayals. It is hard to figure out who the good guys are, if there are any. It takes a long time to reach the end which is not really an end.

This book begins as a mildly intriguing fantasy tale, and evolves into an exciting world with understandable politics and prejudices, wild battles and duels, and some of the most expertly executed character development since (and I usually hate making this comparison) Game of Thrones. Easily the best book I've read this year!

I was at first intrigued by the summary of this book. However, when I started reading it, I was confused with all of the terms that I had to look up. I usually like fantasy, but this book did not meet my expectations.

The City of Brass is a beautifully detailed fantasy that takes place in the Middle East and centers around the street smart Nahri, who doesn't realize just how special she is, Dara, her tempestuous protector, and Ali, and honor bound soldier and member of a rival royal family. Nahri is a thief trying to make her way in Cairo when a money-making scheme goes horribly wrong and summons Dara as well as ghouls and ifrits. Dara takes her to the mystical city of Daevabad to protect her but politics quickly begin to play out that put the main characters as well as the city itself at risk. This story is elegantly written and features well developed characters facing realistic challenges, making this a quick-moving and enjoyable read set in a part of the world not normally featured in fantasy novels.