Shannon Chakraborty

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

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 a devastating battle, Nahri must forge a new path for herself. 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.

The Daevabad Trilogy #2

The Kingdom of Copper

Souhaila

“Are you ready?” Nahri asked when she and Muntadhir were alone. 

He laughed as he strapped a wicked-looking sword to his waist. “Not in the slightest. You?” 

“God, no.” Nahri grabbed another needle-sharp dagger and flipped it into her sleeve. “Let’s go die.”

My vindictive side is screaming obscenities at Ali for stopping him from drinking it🙄

“Is this liquor? Because I want to be completely intoxicated when Abba gets wind that his children are plotting a coup in a fucking closet.” 

“That’s weapons polish,” Ali said quickly.

.” Ali’s voice broke on the word. “I’m tired of everyone in this city feeding on vengeance. I’m tired of teaching our children to hate and fear other children because their parents are our enemies. And I’m sick and tired of acting like the only way to save our people is to cut down all who might oppose us, as if our enemies won’t return the favor the instant power shifts.”

“You don’t stop fighting a war just because you’re losing battles, Alizayd. You change tactics.

Because a lost little girl from Cairo thought she was living in some sort of fairy tale. And because for all her supposed cleverness, she couldn’t see that the dashing hero who saved her was actually its monster.

Zaynab is one of the characters that I hadn't thought I'd love this much. 

With a curse, Zaynab followed. “If I’ve not said it lately, I think I hate you.” 

“You know, for a magical being, you have a terrible sense of adventure,” Nahri replied

Lmao his usual poor timing. Very true indeed 😂

Amira BEN

With his usual poor timing, Ali chose that moment to speak. "Oh, yes," he croaked

Where are guys like him in real life ? 🙃

You have a wife. A beautiful, brilliant wife.

 Though Ali supposed when everything else was offered to you on a silver platter, beautiful, brilliant wives weren't blessings to be cherished.

He closed his eyes. God forgive him, she had looked so beautiful last night. After not seeing her for weeks, Ali had been struck speechless at the sight of her standing in the darkness of that quiet room, dressed in the finery of her ancestors. She'd looked like a legend brought to life, and for the first time, he'd been nervous-truly nervous in her presence, struggling not to stare as she smiled her sharp smile and slid her fingers under her chador. And when she'd touched his face…

Lauren

"They're your roots. They're what make you who you are. That isn't something you should have to cut away."

Linara K.S

Read this in a month and a half and BOIIIIII this was AMAZING. 
Basicaly, we follow Nahri and Ali AND Darayavahoush this time around (yes, he gets a POV strange but necessary) 
The story: 
Without spoiling anything, the story kept on getting better and better because not only did we get to see our characters change and realise how they need to change but the setting and the world-building gets more and more complicated by the page. It's as though teh author had only written a superficial part of the world and was only now showing teh true extent of its lore and complexity. I keep repeating complexe, and complicated, but its true I have no otehr words to describe how wondrefully interwoven the world is to the characters and the principal storyline. It amazes me everytime I think of it. 
The characters: 
The pace: 
What I liked: 
What I hated:

kitty 

S. A. Chakraborty continues the sweeping adventure begun in The City of Brass—"the best adult fantasy I’ve read since The Name of the Wind" (#1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir)—conjuring a world where djinn summon flames with the snap of a finger and waters run deep with old magic; where blood can be dangerous as any spell, and a clever con artist from Cairo will alter the fate of a kingdom. 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 a devastating battle, Nahri must forge a new path for herself. 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.

A Novel

Megan

why must i wait so long for the library to give me the third one omgggg

akynn 

I’ve never encountered a more useless map in my entire life

Ellys MC

I expected this book to have its foot on my neck from page one and I was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! The strongest aspect of this book are its magnificent, dynamic characters. Not only are Nahri, Ali, & Dara so exquisitely crafted with warring motives, powerful emotions, and complex pasts, but the villains are as wonderfully rich in those things as the heroes. You feel just as deeply for Manizheh as you do for Ali. It’s utterly intoxicating, how the characters pulled you down the winding roads of the story. 

As for my complaints, they mostly stayed the same — world building slides sideways when it comes to incorporating other cultures, though the religious themes were a little more balanced, which I appreciated. The plot had a lot of predictable moments. Also, ugh, LOVE TRIANGLES. 

Sharanya Sharma

I expected this book to have its foot on my neck from page one and I was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! The strongest aspect of this book are its magnificent, dynamic characters. Not only are Nahri, Ali, & Dara so exquisitely crafted with warring motives, powerful emotions, and complex pasts, but the villains are as wonderfully rich in those things as the heroes. You feel just as deeply for Manizheh as you do for Ali. It’s utterly intoxicating, how the characters pulled you down the winding roads of the story. 

As for my complaints, they mostly stayed the same — world building slides sideways when it comes to incorporating other cultures, though the religious themes were a little more balanced, which I appreciated. The plot had a lot of predictable moments. Also, ugh, LOVE TRIANGLES. 

Can’t wait to see how it concludes!!

A second book that felt like a second book. I love a headstrong woman for sure, and I like always when someone who gets dumped into a new place where they don't know anything doesn't just fly off like they can just make up all the rules and disregard everyone's advice or warnings which is something I have always liked about this series... that there isn't as much of that as in a lot of other fantasy books of this kind. Good world-building and we get more of that. With most things there were parts I liked and didn't like about the relationships especially between women... but we don't get everything we want. I immediately went into book 3 because I didn't feel like I wanted to let this one sit and the end wasn't gonna do for me at all as a wait and see so, prepare for that. 

Apiecalypse Jen

I totally get what everyone was saying now about this series. The second book was even better than the first. The political scheming, the character growth, twists, turns, heartache, etc. was all there. It’s so well written that even after reading 100 pages in one sitting I wanted to keep going. Rich culture and history, you can tell Chakraborty cares deeply about the customs of the Middle East. These characters are flawed, and in their quest to do what they think is right, they make mistakes with sometimes grave consequences. I also loved this realistic passage of time. It might seem inconsequential, but I honestly think it was vital for this story. I cannot wait to finish this trilogy!

Katie Allard

SO STRESSFUL. Game of thrones level political intrigue and fear 

Savannah Lowe

Hope Gamble

Fantastic second installment of one of my favorite new series! That ending has me wanting the third book already!

these books are so good. I can’t wait to read the next one. 

Alissa 

More political than the 1st in its series, but a great complimentary 2nd. 

Set 5 years after the 1st book, Nahri is trapped in Davabad by king Gussan. She is forced to play in his political games between the tribes, his sons, and Queen. Never fully recovering from the loss of Dara, but trying her best to move on and find her rightful place with the Davea. 

Compared to book 1, the author's writing has matured. The flow of conversations between characters is much smoother. There seems to be more detail. She really does capture the feel of sibling rivalry betwwn Ali and his brother and sister. The pacing, however, is slower and I think that has more so to do with the switch of focus of palace life for Nahri. 

The action doesn't really come in until about 70% in where all bits of set up tie together. Had some reveals of threads opened in the first, some revelations of its own, and set up for the next. 

Overall made for a different, but solid read. An excellent continuation of the series. 

Ariel Johnson

More political than the 1st in its series, but a great complimentary 2nd. 

Set 5 years after the 1st book, Nahri is trapped in Davabad by king Gussan. She is forced to play in his political games between the tribes, his sons, and Queen. Never fully recovering from the loss of Dara, but trying her best to move on and find her rightful place with the Davea. 

Compared to book 1, the author's writing has matured. The flow of conversations between characters is much smoother. There seems to be more detail. She really does capture the feel of sibling rivalry betwwn Ali and his brother and sister. The pacing, however, is slower and I think that has more so to do with the switch of focus of palace life for Nahri. 

The action doesn't really come in until about 70% in where all bits of set up tie together. Had some reveals of threads opened in the first, some revelations of its own, and set up for the next. 

Overall made for a different, but solid read. An excellent continuation of the series. 

It started with a slight middle book syndrome, during the first 17 chapters or so. Not so page turning at first.

And then after that it was just insane events upon insane events. 

The politicking in this book is sooo interesting and that’s the main strength of this book if we don’t count the awesome cast of the book. Each of them so interesting in their own way. 

Also, Ali ! Ugh 🤌🏼 the most misunderstood character ever I will never say this enough 😂😂 a sweet cinnamon roll, loyal though very clumsy and impulsive. He has all my heart, he deserves some happiness although he still has quite some growing to do

It started with a slight middle book syndrome, during the first 17 chapters or so. Not so page turning at first.

And then after that it was just insane events upon insane events. 

The politicking in this book is sooo interesting and that’s the main strength of this book if we don’t count the awesome cast of the book. Each of them so interesting in their own way. 

Also, Ali ! Ugh 🤌🏼 the most misunderstood character ever I will never say this enough 😂😂 a sweet cinnamon roll, loyal though very clumsy and impulsive. He has all my heart, he deserves some happiness although he still has quite some growing to do

Prashanth Srivatsa

Brilliant! This series is getting better and better.

Sally Salinas

Cheri McElroy

Nahari, Ali, Dara, and more are back in this continuation of the Davebad trilogy. The story moved more quickly to me than the first book did and I was on the edge of my seat to see how the politics of the djinn would play out. The only negative I have is waiting for the final book of the trilogy. A definite 4.5 star read.

Yasser Yahia

A much better book compared to the first one ... I am happy that I continued with the series and now I am looking forward to start the 3rd book

Pamela Fitzhugh 

** spoiler alert **
           Sometimes books in a series get worse but this one got better. At the beginning I’m not going to lie I was bored. It skipped five years and you’re left to put the pieces together of what happened then throughout two thirds of the book is months of planning that I felt was unnecessary to an extent. The writing is beautiful which helps, but I found myself wanting to skip over the parts that were just fillers. The ending was wow, completely not what I thought at all. I had no idea that would happen at all. I knew that they would win in the end but not for Ali to have the seal. I thought Nahri would take it but the fact her mom said she was shafit like what. It’s just a lot to take in and I’m glad I have the third one with me. Because after that ending and them being in her hometown instead of Daevabad was a lot to take in. Then their magic disappeared too. The ending was the most interesting part and it is well worth all the boring pieces to get there.

Megan Lowe

I liked this book, and I like this series.
I do think the various titles, and tribes, and positions are confusing, as they were in the first book. It would be helpful if the glossary and all that were in the front of the book, not the end.
I also wasn’t a fan of the pacing of this book. It was so slow for what I would say is 60% of it. I’m not entirely sure it was entirely necessary to build everything up for that long.
But, I did like muntadhir and jamshid and am looking forward to the final book.

Catarina Silva

5 freaking stars

Holy crap, this was wild! This was book was just amazing, with the perfect amount of angst, action, sadness and mistery.

I had anxiety the whole way through this book, I just fell more in love with the characters and I was worried about everyone. I can't say much without spoiling but I still love Nahri with everything I have and freaking hate Ghassan. 

However, everyone made awful decisions here and I can't wait to know what's going to happen in the next book. This really is how you write a sequel.

Marisa Petri

Jillian Clare

Is it even possible to like the sequel even better than the first?? Kingdom of Copper just made it happen! Such a strong follow-up to City of Brass. Full review to come soon!

Aditi

Not much of an improvement from the first one. The characters are all annoying in different ways. There's a five year leap and none of them have changed or matured at all. They're supposed to be the smartest, the most skilled but of course we can't have that because how would the plot move along if they never fail. It got tiring to see them praise themselves in their heads when they're being tricked in actuality. 

The writing almost got worse in this one. They use all the modern terms and slang and it kept taking me out of the story. 

The only parts I enjoyed were when they were having stupid fights trying to hurt each other with words. I wasn't on anyone's side really, all of them are dumb so all of them being brought down a peg or two was fun to see. The plot wasn't all that interesting, the plot twists weren't surprising and the reactions that the characters have don't impact the plot in any way (because they don't have any reactions to life altering news). But again, the ending has me intrigued so I guess I will be finishing this series after all. 

I listened to the audiobook and the pronunciations are abominable. Doesn't affect my rating of the book but I think it's worth mentioning.

Zahia Saeed 

World building? ✨✨✨✨✨
Characters? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Plot? ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

The Kingdom of Copper The Daevabad Trilogy #2

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