Case Study: The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

Introduction

2024/12/29

Case studies are almost like my review of a book I recently read and is fresh in memory. Some of it will be impressions and other more elaborated, however it will be reviewed through the lens of a writer. Such that what I liked, learned and would avoid doing in my writing (as a personal preference not because there is anything wrong with it).

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR THE ACTUAL BOOK!

---

Setting, theme and tone

• Historical focus (clear from author interest)
• Middle Eastern (and exotic from my cultural perspective)
• Desert landscapes and royal living
• Fanaticism, racism and classism vs. Loyalty, love and belonging
• Beliefs and duty vs. Family and friends
• Court and political intrigue towards end of book
• Smart setup of plot twist
• Not very violent in terms of what characters experience first hand (but rather from retellings of others). Thematically appropriate.
• Dual PoC
• Very minor romance

---

Well done aspects

• Illustrating both the wonder and limitations of tradition
• Illustrating both the humanity and brutality of both 'sides'
• Descriptions generally flowed well into the story, minor exposition dumps
• Great banter and discussions between characters (some could be a bit lengthy). Little bit too much exposition on historical aspect of dialogue, but the story retelling made it more digestible
• Enjoyed the female lead; great setup of her seeming 'older' than she was 'on paper/per recollection'. More fluid perspective due to backstory component. Would be interesting to see how the 'past life' memories/recollections would contribute to this in later books.
• Great juxtaposition with between male lead: A younger, more 'military' perspective. Would like to see how the 'I am now my enemy' develops for this character.
• How the world views the lead cast of characters (i.e., outside opinion and how it affects them).
• Hook, line and sinker at end of book will make me read the rest of the series

---

Could be improved aspects

• Romance a little fast tracked given how limited it was, however the restraint and 'holding back part' did make sense in the cultural/societal context
• 'Muddy middle' syndrome; slow and drawn out mid section
• Battles sometimes hard to follow due to the use of cultural specific and/or fantasy specific terms

---

Lessons learned

• Something that Bookfox (on youtube) put very succinctly 'Descriptions should be illustrative rather than exhaustive.' and 'Great descriptions make us feel emotion'. It should contribute to the plot, world building, theme and/or characterisation
• 'Warring factions' where you're left with not knowing which 'faction' to root for.
• Great amount of sympathy and conflict created in reader in terms of the lead cast of characters' past and present atrocities versus their redeeming qualities.
• How to show history instead of tell?
• Depicting character prejudice vs experiencing the jarring opposing/nuanced reality
• Flying carpets! LOL
• 'I saw what you did there' Wink wink

The rest of the series deals with the same thematic elements and was well worth the read.