I am delighted to share my review today for The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty. This is the 2nd book in the Daevabad Trilogy and yes, you really do need to read the first book, The Kingdom of Brass (review HERE) first.

This is the final book on my list for the #20booksofsummer reading challenge.

Nahri’s life changed forever the moment she accidentally summoned Dara, a formidable, mysterious djinn, during one of her schemes. Whisked from her home in Cairo, she was thrust into the dazzling royal court of Daevabad and quickly discovered she would need all her grifter instincts to survive there.

Now, with Daevabad entrenched in the dark aftermath of the battle that saw Dara slain at Prince Ali’s hand, Nahri must forge a new path for herself, without the protection of the guardian who stole her heart or the counsel of the prince she considered a friend. But even as she embraces her heritage and the power it holds, she knows she’s been trapped in a gilded cage, watched by a king who rules from the throne that once belonged to her family and one misstep will doom her tribe.

Meanwhile, Ali has been exiled for daring to defy his father. Hunted by assassins, adrift on the unforgiving copper sands of his ancestral land, he is forced to rely on the frightening abilities the marid-the unpredictable water spirits-have gifted him. But in doing so, he threatens to unearth a terrible secret his family has long kept buried.

And as a new century approaches and the djinn gather within Daevabad’s towering brass walls for celebrations, a threat brews unseen in the desolate north. It’s a force that would bring a storm of fire straight to the city’s gates . . . and one that seeks the aid of a warrior trapped between worlds, torn between a violent duty he can never escape and a peace he fears he will never deserve.

Return to Daevabad in the spellbinding sequel to THE CITY OF BRASS.

MY REVIEW

This is the 2nd book in The Daevabad Trilogy and I would say that yes you do need to read this trilogy in order. It is quite complex as there is magic, tribes, politics, religions and various other things that were laid out so well in the first book.

There are quite a few characters in this trilogy and the author does make them quite distinctive. Especially in their beliefs, mannerisms and lifestyles. I am going to pick out just a few of the main ones, Nahri is a healer and also a political pawn, married to the Kings son, she is supposed to be seen and not heard, do as she is told and bear an heir for her husband. Dara is a djinn and has been alive for centuries, although has died a couple of times. Hs is being manipulated, but for what ends? Ali, he is brother-in-law of Nahri, has been exiled but has plans.

The author has created a magical world that is hidden from the world that we live in, there are mentions of it and especially as this is where Nahri originally comes from. Now that Nahri is in Daevabad she tries to do what is best, she heals the sick, but not all those who are sick will receive her help. Politics and beliefs are something that is one of the key topics throughout this book, it is what the wars, the assassinations and the power struggles are all about.

There is however something stirring, the author builds up a wonderful tense sense of foreboding. Quite when and how this will come about is tantalising on the edge of conversations from different sides and camps. I really enjoy this almost teasing air and it adds to the addictiveness of this amazing story.

This book continues the story that started with the first book, it elaborates and expands, it fills in more history and it is made evermore intriguing. I liked how the author used social structures within the city, its suburbs and the surrounding countryside. Pitting one tribe against another and also trying to find compromises while all the while having this ever-present sense of fate looming.

While this is a complex story, as there are many sides, perspectives and characters, the author does keep everything under control so well. I admit that initially, it took me a while to get back up to speed with this second book as it has been quite a while since I read the first. Gradually though things started to come back to me and it wasn’t long before I was back in full swing and following this action-packed adventure.

The story is one about power, ruling, control and rule. It has demons, magic, healers, and other unmentionable creatures from the deep. I adored this book as much as I did the first one. It is a fantasy novel that I would definitely recommend, and I am looking forward to the final instalment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S. A. Chakraborty is the author of the critically acclaimed and internationally best-selling The Daevabad Trilogy. Her work has been nominated for the Locus, World Fantasy, Crawford, and Astounding awards. When not buried in books about thirteen-century con artists and Abbasid political intrigue, she enjoys hiking, knitting, and re-creating unnecessarily complicated medieval meals. You can find her online at www.sachakraborty.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @SAChakrabooks, where she likes to talk about history, politics, and Islamic art. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and an ever-increasing number of cats.

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