The Kingdom of Copper

A Novel

By: S. A. Chakraborty

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 23 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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" (number-one New York Times best-selling 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.

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.

©2019 Shannon Chakraborty (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Wow! what just happened.

I am not sure what I am feeling after this. The story was amazing. And i never thought the second book could be so much better! Now to wait for the third...... READ THIS BOOK!!! That's all you need to know. Amazing.

probably my favorite fantasy series right now

awesome book, great performance, can't recommend this it enough, probably my favorite fantasy series right now

Great!

the narrator is wonderful. can tell who is speaking based on the voices she does

Magical

I listened to the story and it was as enchanting as the first. I truly can't wait to hear the final book

Compelling Tale & Excellent Narration

It is such a pleasure to hear an epic fantasy tale set in a world without the typical Tolkien based mythology.

Evocative and detailed world building, complex characters, exciting adventures all written for an adult ( I mean grown not naughty) reader.

Also , since this is a review for the sequel, I should point out that the second book was an actual book! All too often it is clear that the following books in a fantasy series are more about a paycheck than anything else. That was not the case here and the second book had it’s own story to tell and also moved the larger plot forward. That said It would be tough to follow if you have not read the first fairly recently.

The reader was excellent, I will be looking for other works she narrates.

loooved it

I loved it. After hearing the podcast interview at the last book, I know I'm not going to get what I want, but its a great book nonetheless.

Are you serious?

The story was very logical, thus it was easy to predict where the plot was going. Yet, it was the writer's talent in building a lush world with very loveable and relatable characters that kept me intrigued. The very end was surprising...which is great because now, I am interested in the third book.

What gets me is that the City of Daevas could have been half way saved by love -a marriage between the Emir and the Banu Nahid- if their society were different.

stellar

This series is absolutely wonderful, havent wanted to get out of my car so I can keep listening! I cant wait for June!

Very absorbing first book in a fantasy trilogy

The first book in the Daevabad fantasy trilogy inspired by Middle-Eastern folklore.

Nahri is a young street hustler. She poses as a soothsayer and a healer who can summon and banish spirits. But it’s all just for show; she doesn’t believe it. She lives in 18th century Cairo which has been invaded by the Franks who fight Turks over the ownership of Egypt whose people they despise. She’s an orphan; her parents died when she was young, leaving nothing. She speaks many languages and dreams of being a real doctor.

But when she performs a mock-summoning, something very strange happens: she summons a real daeva, a powerful spirit. That act also brings strange and strong enemies who can even summon the dead. Nahri is forced to trust Dara, the daeva, who is furious at her and put her down all the time. But Dara also says that he knows what Nahri is, so she’s intrigued almost despite herself. However, Dara says that the only place were Nahri can be safe is Daevabad, the city of the daeva. Despite her protests, he essentially kidnaps her, and takes her to a wild flying carpet ride.

The other POV character is Prince Alizayd, or Ali. He’s the younger son of Daevabad’s king. He’s also a djinn, a magical being, like all his family and most of the people who live in the city and country. He’s lived and grown up in the military and so has lived quite a sheltered life. He’s aware, of course, of the injustices in the city and has tried to help in his own way. The shafits are people who are half-human and the djinn oppress them mercilessly: they can’t leave but they also can’t work. Ali is trying to help them but because of his family, he must conceal himself. But then things go terribly wrong and in the end, Ali is summoned to live in the palace.

This is a very ambitious work with very complex world-building. The history of this world is woven with history, especially Islamic history. The djinns are divided into lots of fractions and races, which complicated the reading. Apparently, the print book has a glossary but they audio doesn’t. The writer also uses occasional Arabic words for clothing. This isn’t a book you can just breeze through. However, this also means that much of the book is spent exploring these cultures and tensions.

Ali and Nahri are very distinct from each other; one might call them even opposites at the start. Ali is a very religious young man and a dutiful son to the king. He’s lived almost monastic life and scorns the pleasures his station would give him. Nahri has lived on the street almost all her life. She hasn’t had anything that Ali takes for granted. Yet, they’re both bright, curious people. They’re also loyal and want good for other people. Nahri is a very pragmatic person while Ali is an idealist.

Dara is a very interesting character. He’s very old and has spent centuries as a slave, so his outlook is quite different from the others.

For the most part, I enjoyed the book and the complexities of the djinns. However, I didn’t care for the start of a romance because I didn’t see at all (except that as a case of Stockholm syndrome). For me, there was also the disconnect between Islamic religion being younger than some of the characters who are supposedly following it. The stories about Djinn are also older than that religion. Devas are divine, other-worldly beings from Hinduism and Buddhism.

The ending leaves everything wide open. I already have the second book.

Extremely entertaining and interesting

Wow no sophomore slump here. I actually enjoyed it more than the first one. Love the use of Middle Eastern mythology. The narrator was also great.