Is 'The City Of Brass' Part Of A Series?

Absolutely, 'The City of Brass' does have a sequel—'The Kingdom of Copper', and it's just as spellbinding. S.A. Chakraborty expands the Daevabad trilogy with deeper political intrigue, richer magic, and characters that evolve in unexpected ways. The sequel dives into Nahri's struggles as she navigates her newfound power and the city's volatile factions. The djinn world feels even more vivid, with its history and conflicts unraveling like a meticulously woven tapestry. What I love is how the stakes escalate. The magical systems grow more intricate, and alliances shift like desert sands. Aladdin-esque charm gives way to Game of Thrones-level maneuvering, but with a unique cultural flair. The third book, 'The Empire of Gold', wraps the trilogy in a satisfying crescendo of battles, betrayals, and hard-won redemption. If you adored the first book’s blend of myth and politics, the sequels won’t disappoint.

Totally hooked on the vibes of this book — the author of 'The City of Brass' is S. A. Chakraborty. I picked up the novel because someone in a book club tossed it into a “best fantasy set outside Europe” list, and honestly it quickly became one of those reads I recommended to everyone I knew. S. A. Chakraborty kicked off what’s often called the Daevabad sequence with 'The City of Brass' (published in 2017), and then followed with 'The Kingdom of Copper' and 'The Empire of Gold'. What I loved was how the writing blends political intrigue, djinn lore, and a sense of real place — the worldbuilding feels lived-in, like a city you could get lost in on purpose. If you enjoy layered fantasy and intricate court drama with a strong cultural flavor, Chakraborty’s work nails that groove. I still find myself thinking about the moral grey areas and the messy alliances — the kind of stuff that makes you want to re-read scenes to catch details you missed. If you haven’t tried it, give 'The City of Brass' a shot and maybe grab a friend to debate the characters over coffee afterwards.

When I cracked open 'The City of Brass' I was immediately swept from the dusty, bustling streets of 18th-century Cairo into a world that smelled of spice, old magic, and palace intrigue. The story follows Nahri, a clever con-woman who makes a living by pretending to read cards and perform healings — but she actually does have a strange gift. By a twist of fate she summons a mysterious, dangerous djinn warrior named Dara, who believes himself to be something like a forgotten soldier from a lost past. Their accidental meeting propels Nahri out of Cairo and toward the legendary city at the heart of the story: Daevabad. Daevabad itself is the kind of setting that steals scenes: a layered, ancient metropolis ruled by djinn, full of factions, rituals, and bitter histories. Nahri discovers that she isn’t the person she thought she was; there are bloodlines, old betrayals, and a social caste system that treats some beings — especially those with mixed human and djinn heritage — as second-class. The novel spins a web of political maneuvering, religious fervor, and personal loyalties, and Prince Ali (a young royal whose loyalties are complicated) becomes one of the key perspectives that brings the court’s tensions to life. What I love most is how the plot balances spectacle — djinn battles, magical healing, ancient artifacts — with quieter, human moments: people making hard choices, learning histories that change them, and trying to hold a society together. If you’re into immersive fantasy with a lot of cultural texture and morally gray characters, 'The City of Brass' is pure candy; it hooked me fast and left me hungry for the rest of the trilogy.

Wow, what a ride the ending of 'The City of Brass' is — it doesn’t land like a neat bow so much as a slammed door that echoes. By the final chapters Nahri has been pulled out of her life in Cairo and hauled toward Daevabad, the ancient, glittering city of djinn politics and poisonous court intrigue. She arrives with more questions than explanations: who she really is, what power she holds as a healer, and how much of her life back in Cairo was built on a paper-thin lie. Ali, the prince who’s been following his own conflicted path, is central to that arrival — their uneasy alliance and mutual curiosity about each other set the emotional tone as the book moves toward its climax. The palace scenes are tense without being melodramatic; Chakraborty uses small gestures and whispered history to show how fragile the truce between different communities is. The book closes on several hard-edged reveals about lineage, loyalties, and the cost of belonging, and it leaves you with a stack of moral questions and a clear sense that this is merely the opening move of a much larger conflict. It’s a cliffhanger in spirit — not a cheap twist, but a thematic handover to the next volume, where all the threads are waiting to be tugged. I was left both satisfied by the emotional beats and hungry to see how the messy political fallout will play out next.

The ban on 'The City of Brass' stems from its bold exploration of themes that clash with certain cultural or religious sensitivities. The novel delves into djinn mythology, portraying them as complex beings with free will—a departure from traditional depictions in some belief systems. This reinterpretation has sparked controversy, especially in regions where djinn are strictly viewed as malevolent or subservient entities. The book also critiques power structures and colonialism through its fictional societies, which parallels real-world tensions. Some readers find its unflinching portrayal of rebellion and moral ambiguity unsettling, particularly in conservative communities. The lush, sensual descriptions of the Daevabad court haven’t helped either; they’ve drawn ire for perceived impropriety. Ultimately, it’s the fusion of provocative ideas with rich storytelling that makes the book both celebrated and contentious.

In 'The City of Brass,' the deaths are as brutal as they are pivotal. Nahri’s journey from con artist to royalty is shadowed by loss—Dara, the daeva warrior who protects her, meets a tragic end. His sacrifice shatters her trust in the djinn world’s politics. King Ghassan, the manipulative ruler of Daevabad, falls to his own schemes, poisoned by his ambition. The lesser-known but gut-wrenching death is Muntadhir, Ghassan’s heir, who perishes defending his city, a redemption arc cut short. Even smaller characters like Subha, a human doctor, die in the chaos, underscoring the cost of power struggles. The novel doesn’t shy from killing off major players, making each death a turning point that reshapes alliances and the city’s fate.

Nahri's transformation in 'The City of Brass' is a riveting journey from cunning survivor to reluctant leader. Initially, she’s a con artist in Cairo, relying on street-smarts and a sharp tongue to scrape by, unaware of her true heritage. The moment she accidentally summons Dara, a djinn warrior, her life fractures. Thrust into the magical world of Daevabad, she grapples with her identity as a Nahid—a lineage of healers with immense power. Her skepticism clashes with the weight of legacy, forcing her to confront her fears. By the book’s end, Nahri isn’t just adapting; she’s evolving. The lavish cruelty of Daevabad’s politics hardens her, but her compassion lingers. She learns to wield her healing gifts, not just as tools, but as responsibilities. Her relationship with Ali and Dara becomes a mirror—reflecting her torn loyalties between duty and desire. The climax reveals her resilience: she chooses to stay and fight for a city that both reveres and rejects her. It’s a metamorphosis from self-preservation to self-determination, raw and utterly compelling.

As someone who loves diving into audiobooks during commutes or travels, I totally get the need for offline access. 'The City of Brass' by S.A. Chakraborty is a fantastic fantasy novel, and yes, you can download it offline through platforms like Audible, Google Play Books, or Libby. Audible, for instance, lets you download audiobooks directly to your device if you're a member. Just find the book in your library, tap the download button, and you're set for offline listening. Google Play Books works similarly—purchase or rent the audiobook, then download it for offline use. Libby, which connects to your local library, also allows downloads if your library has the title. Just remember to check storage space and download quality settings to avoid surprises!