The City of Brass (2017) is the spellbinding debut novel by S.A. Chakraborty and the first book in the Daevabad Trilogy, a richly imagined historical fantasy inspired by Islamic mythology and Middle Eastern lore. The story follows Nahri, a cunning con artist in 18th-century Cairo, who accidentally summons Dara, a mysterious djinn warrior, and discovers her own supernatural heritage. Thrust into the hidden world of Daevabad, the legendary brass-walled city of djinn, Nahri navigates deadly political intrigues between magical tribes, oppressive royal decrees, and a simmering rebellion led by Prince Alizayd al Qahtani.
Chakraborty blends adventure, romance, and Islamic scholarship into a vivid tapestry—flying carpets, fiery ifrits, and blood magic collide with themes of colonialism, identity, and power. The book’s lush prose and morally complex characters (especially the antihero Dara) earned it comparisons to The Golem and the Jinni and Game of Thrones.
For similar reads, dive into The Kingdom of Copper (2019), the sequel, or We Hunt the Flame (2019) by Hafsah Faizal for another Islamic-inspired fantasy.
Awards & Buzz:
- Nominated for the World Fantasy Award (2018)
- Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for Best Fantasy (2017)
