The City of Brass

Synopsis

Discover this spellbinding debut from S.A. Chakraborty.

'An extravagant feast of a book - spicy and bloody, dizzyingly magical, and still, somehow, utterly believable' Laini Taylor, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author

Among the bustling markets of eighteenth century Cairo, the city's outcasts eke out a living swindling rich Ottoman nobles and foreign invaders alike.

But alongside this new world the old stories linger. Tales of djinn and spirits. Of cities hidden among the swirling sands of the desert, full of enchantment, desire and riches. Where magic pours down every street, hanging in the air like dust.

Many wish their lives could be filled with such wonder, but not Nahri. She knows the trades she uses to get by are just tricks and sleights of hand: there's nothing magical about them. She only wishes to one day leave Cairo, but as the saying goes…

Be careful what you wish for.

Summary

Chapter 1: The City of Brass Unbound

* Farah, a skilled treasure hunter in Cairo, stumbles upon a hidden portal to the mythical Arabian city of Brass.
* Drawn by curiosity and the potential for treasure, she ventures inside, discovering a bustling metropolis with towering brass walls and exotic creatures.
* Example: Farah encounters a mysterious stranger named Davood, who claims to have been imprisoned in Brass for centuries.

Chapter 2: The Veiled Prince

* Farah befriends Ali, a charming young thief who serves as her guide through Brass.
* She learns that the city is ruled by a ruthless prince named Dara, who possesses a powerful magical artifact called the Shield of Suleiman.
* Example: Ali reveals that Dara has imprisoned his father, a renowned sorcerer, and is using his magic for his own sinister purposes.

Chapter 3: The Djinn in the Bottle

* Farah and Ali cross paths with a powerful djinn named Razia, who is trapped in a brass bottle.
* Razia agrees to help them in exchange for her freedom, providing them with valuable information and magical support.
* Example: Razia uses her magic to create an illusion, allowing Farah and Ali to infiltrate Dara's palace undetected.

Chapter 4: The Thief in the City of Brass

* Farah and Ali team up with a cunning thief named Ahmed, who has a deep understanding of the city's secret passages and hidden treasures.
* They work together to locate the Shield of Suleiman, knowing that it holds the key to defeating Dara.
* Example: Ahmed leads Farah and Ali to a hidden vault, where they uncover a series of ancient scrolls that contain the secrets of the shield.

Chapter 5: The Battle of Brass

* Farah, Ali, Ahmed, and Razia confront Dara, who unleashes his full powers to defend the Shield of Suleiman.
* A fierce battle ensues, with Farah using her wits and the djinn's magic to outsmart Dara and seize the shield.
* Example: Farah traps Dara in a magical circle, using Razia's illusions to confuse and disorient him.

Chapter 6: The Liberation of Brass

* With the Shield of Suleiman in their possession, Farah and her allies break Dara's control over the city.
* They free Dara's father and the other prisoners, restoring hope to the people of Brass.
* Example: Ali leads a rebellion against Dara's guards, rallying the citizens of Brass to their cause.

Chapter 7: The Gate of Shadows

* Farah discovers that the portal to Brass is not just a gateway to the city but also a passage to other realms.
* Accompanied by Ali and Ahmed, she steps through the gate, ready to embark on new adventures in unknown worlds.
* Example: Farah and her companions enter a realm of darkness, where they encounter strange creatures and face unforeseen dangers.