Hello friends! I am back with a book review post for your today. I’ve mentioned before, this May I could not finish a single book and unfortunately, this beauty was the victim of my reading slump. It was phenomenal, it was amazing in every possible way and I truly feel ashamed for not being able to read this book as it deserved, but sometimes these things happen, right?
City of Stairs is a high fantasy book, there is almost nothing in regards to romance but when it comes to this genre and its subgenres you do not really expect much of it while reading. City of Stairs is the first book of a trilogy, and it has done a great job as a first book, with a great world-build, a thrilling murder mystery, intelligent characters and perfect descriptions of cities. Many books in high fantasy are set in the Medieval era, yet the modern-ish setting of this book was fresh air for me.
I do not want to spoil anything so I will do my best to keep everything loose because I truly think that you should read this book! The world we have in this series is quite magnificent. There are divine beings, referred to as Gods (lol), however, these Gods are pretty different from what we are used to seeing. They did not remind me of Ancient gods or modern religions, instead, they were something in between. Their powers were incredibly original, they have driven by emotions, not an element or all-in-one sort of power; each god was good and bad, had their own ways and it was possible to kill them. The word God doesn’t seem too fitting for these beings. Gods were killed in a war, by someone named Kaj and until the last pages of the book, everything we learn about this story is twisted.
Our main characters are Shara and Sigrud, and though the story mainly revolves around them, the book is very rich in terms of side characters, very good ones indeed. Everyone you came across in the book had a touch to the plot, they were well-thought and well-written. Shara is an incredible, intelligent and strong woman and when she is given the interrogation of an important person’s death, she finds herself in deep mysteries. Gods and their powers still linger in the cities. Her past is following her, and on every page, she learns so much about the history after the war. The setting is equally perfect in the book, Bulikov, with its old Russian vibes and Saypur with its Middle East vibes. The cities are very detailed, you can imagine them in every sentence, it almost feels like staring at a photo.
Furthermore, the exploration of themes such as colonialism, cultural clashes, and the consequences of power adds depth and thought-provoking layers to the story. Through the interactions between the characters and the exploration of different belief systems and cultural perspectives, “City of Stairs” invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature, the consequences of historical events, and the influence of power dynamics on society.
In conclusion, “City of Stairs” is a remarkable high fantasy novel that combines intricate world-building, a captivating murder mystery, and well-crafted characters. With its unique portrayal of divine beings, richly detailed settings, and thought-provoking themes, this book stands out as a must-read for fans of the genre. I highly suggest you to read it!
Luster of Books 