This is a beautiful example of what storytelling should be. I found myself absolutely lost in this world and hated to return to mine. Generally speaking, I don't like stories with a lot of political intrigue, but even the politics were not off-putting in this novel. They are absolutely integral to the choices made by the main characters. I'm not going into the plot because you can get the gist of that from reading the synopsis. I'm going to say I think this series, while not so much traditional fantasy, is great epic fantasy. Well worth the time to read. I'm looking forward to book 3, although I suspect I will be sad to see the trilogy end. ( )

I was so desperate to read this after finishing the first book that I got a digital library copy to start while I waited for my physical copy to come in from expedited shipping. 🤣 SO FRICKIN GOOD. ( )

I liked this quite a bit more than the first, and can't put my finger on it- maybe because the world has been built, we can spend more time on character development, especially with a five year time skip? Various factions have made the city of Daevabad into a powderkeg, and although 2/3rds of our protagonists would like to do go and generate peace, history (and their parents) stand in the way. I'm intrigued to see where it goes based the epilogue- the story is far from over (though magic might be!) ( )

SHAN HOW COULD YOU??

I say this from the bottom of my heart - I love you, your writing, your world, your characters and your brain but I swear on my books you're gonna be the ruin of me.

In my review for The City of Brass (CoB) I spoke about how throughout its Nahri who has sense of certainty. If not so much in her present circumstances, she does have it in her ability to adapt, to turn the situation to her betterment (or at least survival). With the end of CoB, and the betrayals and heartbreaks that came with that ending, she's now cast adrift in a situation she can't fully grasp.

The Kingdom of Copper (KoC) picks up right where CoB left off - Dara is presumed dead by Ali, Ali is outcast and exiled (also presumed dead quite frankly) and Nahri finds herself forced to wed Muntadhir. I couldn't say which was a more heartbreaking reintroduction to the characters - this book is told from three different but at times overlapping viewpoints (Ali, Nahri and Dara).

I was so MAD at Ali at the end of CoB - mad that he let his own fears and weaknesses override the good sense that Nahri saw in him, mad that the events even came to such a deadly conclusion, just so mad. In hindsight though I'm just as mad, if not as heatedly at Dara and yes even Nahri. Dara is in this...circle of actions that he can't seem to turn away from. Not really. When we see him once more in KoC he is implored to just let it go, to just be at peace.

I don't know if he knows how to be at peace. I don't know if its a product of fiery nature or a product of what his masters made of him, but he doesn't seem to know how to just...be.

Nahri...we saw glimpses of the Nahri who could have been; the teasing girl, the mischievous and beautiful lady in CoB. If not for the attack that night. If not for her family's fall. If not, if not, if not. Because of her life she is resilient. Because of the palace of vipers she is thrust into, she becomes canny and jaded.

Meanwhile Ali learns a lesson in humility and good intentions, which I'm glad for because while I felt bad for him - for the fact he betrayed his friend and in turn found himself betrayed - I wanted to him to understand just how badly he had screwed up. LEARN AND DO BETTER ALI.

Dara...my heart was broken after the end of CoB, from grief mainly. My heart shattered after the end of KoC.

Guys...guys. If by some grace of some benevolent deity I survive this trilogy, I'm not sure my emotions will. I want happy fluffy endings. I want everyone to be happy. But I'm more pragmatist then idealist, so I know it won't happen. ( )

Loved this second volume in this series! Chakraborty does a wonderful job of bringing this universe to life. The characters are well rounded and interesting, and the story is never predictable. Now, to wait for installment 3! ( )