BOTTOM LINE: Read it.
Title: City of Stairs
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
ISBN: 9780804137171
No. of Pages: 448
Genre: Fantasy
Origins: Mine. All mine.
Release Date: 9 September 2014
“The city of Bulikov once wielded the powers of the gods to conquer the world, enslaving and brutalizing millions—until its divine protectors were killed. Now Bulikov has become just another colonial outpost of the world’s new geopolitical power, but the surreal landscape of the city itself—first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it—stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy.
Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov’s oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country’s most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem—and that Bulikov’s cruel reign may not yet be over.”
My Thoughts: I first read this one almost two years ago and loved every minute of it. I read it again in anticipation of the sequel to this spectacular fantasy novel and fell in love with it all over again. Bennett’s world is so different and yet familiar, drawing on Slavic, Nordic, and Indian traditions and characteristics. It is intense and creative and everything a fantasy novel should be. Everything I wrote in my original review still stands. If you like fantasy, just do yourself a favor and read it!
I’m ashamed to say that I received this one for Christmas of last year and still haven’t read it! But I guess now would be a good time! It does sound interesting, and reading your original review it sounds like the writing is good, too, which is always a plus!
You should definitely read it! It was one of my favorite books the year it was initially published.
I’m afraid I’ll have to re-read also before the next one! I hate when that happens, but rereading so adds to the story when you have a series.
It is a quick re-read and while not completely necessary, it does help to have that immediate reference to characters and situations. You are going to love the second book!