Stunning!
From the cover to the characters, to the world, to the politics, to the story; City of Brass is just incredibly stunning.
The word ive been using most for CoB is rich. The Middle Eastern/North African inspired world just leaps off the page both in the 18th Century lands you start in and the magical world you end up.
The magic, the clothing, the traditions; everything just had a quality about it that couldnt be denied. It felt so real and i’d be very concerned if anyone had an issue being transported into this world of vibrant colours and sounds and emotions.

The MC Nahri is a con artist on the streets of Cairo with some very special gifts that she doesnt understand. Enter stage left the handsome magical warrior Dara who whisks Nahri away to Daevabad; the city of her real people and when she can possibly get some answers about her heritage and her powers.

Ali is the Prince of Daevabad, a second son destined to protect and serve his older brother while enforcing restrictive yet traditional laws against inferior citizens that he doesnt agree with.

Insert tension, drama, a huge amount of politics and social injustice alongside some ancient genie magic and you might be able to guise what CoB is about!

An admittedly slow start with a ton of information to get your head around which is why it lacks a star, but once you pass that, its all systems go.

If this is one of those books thats been on your shelf forever, then take it down and get involved and pick your allegiance: Daeva, Djinn or Nahid?