City of Stairs
Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
3.9
(202)
Robert Jackson Bennett
HUGO AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • In the first book of an epic fantasy trilogy, master spy Shara Thivani investigates a murder in a mysterious city of dead gods, living assassins, and buried histories, from the nationally bestselling author of The Tainted Cup. “Readers seeking a truly refreshing fantasy milieu should travel to Bulikov, and welcome its conquest.”—N. K. Jemison, The New York TimesWith the gods on its side, the city of Bulikov was once rich beyond measure, using the power of the heavens to reign over the Continent—until a desperate people rose up and did the impossible, killing its divine protectors. Now 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.“A great world, original and unique, with a scent and a texture, a sense of deep, bloody history, and a naturally blended magic living in the stones.”—NPR Don’t miss any of Robert Jackson Bennet’s Divine Cities trilogy:CITY OF STAIRS • CITY OF BLADES • CITY OF MIRACLES
AD
Buy now:
More Details:
Author
Robert Jackson Bennett
Pages
464
Publisher
Random House Worlds
Published Date
2014-09-09
ISBN
080413717X 9780804137171
Community ReviewsSee all
"City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
1/5 ⭐
DNF at Ch 7. 30%
I just wasn't feeling this one, I was kinda bored and there's a lot of description but it doesn't feel like it's saying anything, like a talking head.
Character wise I liked Sigrud and Mulaghesh but not enough to keep reading.
The plot is a little heavy handed and also roundabout.
I picked it back up where I left off... Further thoughts!
Alright! I finished and I still like Sigrud and Mulagesh as my favorite characters but it's nice that the main MC grew such a backbone! My favorite part was midbook with the lake and the warehouse but I can't say I wasn't annoyed at how the warehouse ended up. "
Sarah
"Hat tip to the author because I am not sure I have read an adventure novel where pretty much all the women are 40+. I feel like "strong female lead" seems to always be reserved for girls and young women even when it's not YA. There is a lot of competence **** in this novel and I'm here for it. The antagonists are threatening because they're not bumbling and even when the grey hat protagonist makes me ethically uncomfortable, her sheer aptitude for spycraft still keeps me a little on her side. There are shades of grey and the world building is rich and engaging. I went on to read the sequel and I am enjoying it immensely."
Bridget Anne
"Years ago, the city of Bulikov wielded the powers of the Gods to conquer the world. But after its divine protectors were mysteriously killed, the city's proud history has been erased and censored, progress has left it behind, and it is just another colonial outpost of the world's new geopolitical power. Into this musty, backward city steps Shara Divani. Officially, she’s just another lowly diplomat; unofficially, Shara is one of her country's most accomplished spymasters — dispatched to investigate the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless historian. As Shara pursues the mystery through the ever-shifting physical and political geography of the city, she begins to suspect that the beings who once protected Bulikov may not be as dead as they seem. <br/><br/>I kept getting vibes of China Mieville’s City and the City while I was reading this for some reason -- probably the parallel worlds coexisting in one place. I have to admit, about 3/4s of the way through I started laughing out loud at some of the things being spouted -- it seemed like an indictment against those musty Old Testament rules that make no sense at all anymore, and I just couldn’t stop myself. 10/10, would read again, loved it."
Amanda Ebbutt
