The Empire of Gold (The Daevabad Trilogy) by S.A Chakraborty

Synopsis

Daevabad has fallen.

After a brutal conquest stripped the city of its magic, Nahid leader Banu Manizheh and her resurrected commander, Dara, must try to repair their fraying alliance and stabilize a fractious, warring people.

But the death of his people and loss of his beloved Nahri have unleashed the worst demons of Dara’s dark past. To vanquish them, he must face some ugly truths about his history and put himself at the mercy of those he once considered enemies.

Having narrowly escaped their murderous families and Daevabad’s deadly politics, Nahri and Ali, now safe in Cairo, face difficult choices of their own. Though Nahri is finding peace in the rhythms of her old home, she is haunted by the knowledge that the loved ones she left behind and the people who considered her a savior, are at the mercy of a new tyrant.

Ali, too, cannot help but look back, and is determined to return to rescue his city and the family that remains.

As peace grows more elusive and old players return, Nahri, Ali, and Dara come to understand that in order to remake the world, they may need to fight those they once loved…and take a stand for those they once hurt.

Review

The Empire of Gold is the third book in S.A Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy, and what an amazing final book it is. Daevabad is now under the control of Banu Manizheh, Nahri’s mother, and Dara, her Daeva whose old powers have returned. Fractions are warring, there is civil unrest and the magic has disappeared. Nahri and Prince Ali find themselves in nineteenth century Cairo, Nahri’s old home, having to fend for themselves with no magic and no means to support themsleves, until Nahri’s old friend Yaqub takes them in. But Nahri and Ali want to get back to Daevabad, help those left behind against her tyrannical mother and Dara. As they start their journey back they have both have to face harsh realities about themselves, as they both learn more about their past. This is actioned packed fantasy at it’s best and a fitting end to the trilogy.

I can’t believe I have finally read the last book in this amazing trilogy; I read this over Christmas. I have raved about how good these books are and I was so excited to read the last instalment, but as I was reading I realised that there would be no more Ali, Nahri, Dara and Daevabad, that this was it and I almost didn’t want to finish it. S.A Chakraborty writes such a rich and wonderful world based on middle east folklore, detailed and full of wonder that drew me in. These books are like a fairytale for adults, with the young orphan who goes from rags to riches and falls in love with the wrong man, the young prince trying to take a stand against his family, a love triangle and ultimately good versus evil. There are also morals in these books about racism, sexuality, acceptance and prejudice that mirror our own society. Add to this the amazing six tribes that make up this world, and their use of the elements as their power this really is a fascinating world.

It’s always good to go back to familiar characters, to see how they have grown and changed over the books. Nahri, found herself living by her wits in nineteenth century Cairo, a place facing it’s own troubles due to wars and changing occupation, to the wonderous city of Daevabad, as a Banu Nahri, a descendant of the origional rulers. Seeing her back in Cairo, back to her hustling ways she seems to relish being back, to a quieter life with no expectations, she comes to life but soon realises that she cannot stay there, she has responsibilities. Ali on the other hand is at a loss in the real world, especially has he has no magic, there roles being very much reversed now. Ali faces a lot of challenges in his quest to return home, secrets are revealed that change his life and put him in danger. I love Ali’s journey in this book, having to accept his new history, and ultimately willing to sacrifice his life to save those in the city of Daevabad. Dara has always been a character where good and bad seem to flow through his veins; he has killed thousands over the centuries, but has always wanted to hide that from Nahri whom he loves, and through her we see a softer side. Dara is now controlled by Banu Manizheh, the new ruler of Daevabad but starts to question her actions, and gets a conscience of the atrocities carried out. Dara has a difficult choice to make, as to which side he really wants to be on. All three must battle their own deamons in the battle for Daevabad. There are so many brilliant and well imagined other characters that add colour to the plot; Shedu, a winged lion, a half crocodile half man, and Simurgh scaled fire birds.

The Empire of Gold is an amazing book, and a brilliant end to this fantastic trilogy; I guess you realise by now I love this series. It is fast paced, has colourful and origional characters, and one of the most rich and detailed fantasy worlds I have come across. My only complaint is that I have finished the book and there will be no more adventures in Daevabad, I really feel bereft. I am fairly new to this genre and highly recommend this trilogy if you are looking to dip your toe into the fantasy genre, or if you are a seasoned fantasy reader but haven’t read these books yet. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what S.A Chakraborty writes next.

If you missed my previous reviews of The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper you can read them here. The City of Brass by S.A Chakraborty: Shelf Indulgence.. The Kingdom Of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy Book 2) by S.A Chakraborty: Shelf-Indulgence.