This book was massive and took me some time to finish. It may have taken longer cause I wanted to savor every second. This was a beautifully written trilogy. I love Jinn books and this series had so much world building and character development. I felt I could visualize every part of this world. The characters range of personalities and the way the developed on to the page made everything more vivid. I highly recommend this trilogy,

The kind of series that sticks with you and captures your heart. Most authors seem to struggle with writing the final book in a series. Tying up all the loose ends and giving characters satisfying arcs that end in a way that feels right. I am so pleased to say that S.A. Chakraborty did that here. She gave us a wonderful series that has a satisfying end that feels right for these characters. What an amazing series!!!

An immensely beautiful and heart wrenching ending. I love this trilogy and this was a perfect final installment. Nahri developed into the type of heroine I could hardly imagine when I first started City of Brass. The way Chakraborty crafts her characters is truly magical. Dara might have been my favorite part of this final book. His POV was extremely dark, but watching him wade through all the moral and political conflicts was a thing of beauty. He was a tragically flawed character but Chakraborty made me care so deeply for him. 

This was one of the best  series finales I've read in a long time.

Absolutely the best ending for a series I've come across in ages. This was heartbreaking and exciting, and amazing.

Empire of Gold is the perfect end to an enchanting series. In this final installment, we alternate between Nahri, Ali, and Dara’s viewpoints as they each confront personal demons and work to save their beloved city and the lives of everyone they love. Nahri and Ali plot their return to save Daevabad from Manizheh’s rule, while Dara works with Manizheh to capture the city and gain the support of the people. Each character fervently believes they are fighting for what is right, but who will history remember as a savior, and who will be remembered as a monster?

Throughout the Daevabad trilogy, I have been so impressed with Chakraborty’s world building, and this final book went far beyond my expectations. We got to learn each character’s history, see a gorgeous and often ruthless underwater world, and travel to magical lands. The book is long, but there are no words wasted in this story. Every single sentence poignantly builds the world and characters, which adds an extra layer of emotion to the conclusion. 

I have seen criticisms from other readers about the pacing of these novels, and I feel Empire of Gold is faster-paced than the previous two books. The stakes are high and you can feel the tension and fear as the book races towards the final confrontation. At the same time, I really appreciate the quiet, intimate moments in which we see the characters interacting or reflecting on their journeys. These glimpses of the mundane really show how much the characters have endured while still keeping their humanity and hope.

I do feel that some of the plot points were tied up a little too conveniently, but overall I am incredibly happy with this conclusion. The novel is dramatic, lyrical, emotional, and entirely imaginative. I wish I could live in this world forever.

A gorgeous finale to an intricate and imaginative series! The grand magic and politicking of Daevabad continue through to a most satisfying conclusion.

My only quarrels are really with the editor rather than the writer. A few sections went on for longer than my attention span was quite up to, and there were some redundancies that could've been tightened up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a wild ride this series has been. I all but marathoned them when I got  the third from the publisher. I had never heard of the author or the series, and I didn't know very much about the myths.

Like so many others are saying, this is hands down one of the best new fantasy series to come out in the last few years.

Chakraborty writes like an angel. The story she weaves is so complex and satisfying and grogeous.

I'm not a big book crier, but I cried during this. My heart was torn in two. I don't want to leave the world. I don't want the story to end. I'm so glad I was given the privilege of reading it though, I will cherish this series for years to come and I can't wait to see what comes next.

If you're on the fence, read it. If you're not sure you'll like it, read it. Read it. Read it. Read it.

Ugh. THIS SERIES. What a finale. When I picked up The City of Brass years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. And it was a brilliant start to the series. And while I loved the second book, The Kingdom of Copper, it was weighed down in politics and scheming. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but that real action didn’t kick in until the last quarter of the book. 

The Empire of Gold is the perfect mix of them both. Books one and two took a while to kick into gear, but you are IMMEDIATELY in the shit with this one. It was such a well-done series. I highly recommend it to fantasy fans, especially if you’ve been reading solely white fantasy authors and Euro-centric fantasy stories. Pick this up instead.

This is a perfect final book in the Daevabad Trilogy. Full of action, adventure, and the quest to restore balance, Chakraborty does a phenomenal job tying up the threads of the series. I could barely put this book down and when it ended I just felt unbelievably at peace with the ending, a feat that rarely happens with trilogies. 

Concept// 8/10
Arc of Characters// 8/10
Writing Style// 9/10
Plot & Pacing//8/10
Intrigue// 9/10
Logic & Lore// 8/10
Enjoyment// 10/10

A great quest filled with magic. A realm of loss and redemption. A queen determined to rule and conquer is pitted against a resourceful, sometimes funny magical con , who must restore her power to gain back control. A true odyssey. With unforgettable characters. Happy reading

What a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy! I loved how the story was able to tie together all of the characters and their storylines into a satisfying conclusion. The world-building for the whole series has been great, and I loved learning more about Arabian cultures, food, and fashion. I won't give out any spoilers, but I really appreciated how Dara's ending was handled. He didn't necessarily get his HEA, but it seemed fitting for the character development we've seen from the beginning. Ali's journey through the Marid world was an interesting twist, and I'm still torn on how I feel about its addition. On one side it built out his journey in terms of how he viewed Dijin and Marid culture, but some aspects of it seemed more contrived to advance the story. Overall it was a great conclusion to a well build trilogy.

If you got hooked on Chakraborty's Deavabad series like I did, you'll definitely want to check this one out. It opens with Nahri and Ali inexplicably on the edge of the Nile near Cairo. It follows Nahri, Ali, and Dara as they scheme, quest, and fight for their vision of the best future for Daevabad, the daevas, the djinn, and the shafit. 

Manizheh commits some truly atrocious acts in order to steal and maintain power, and Dara needs to reconcile his service to his beloved Nahids with the actions his current Nahid is taking to consolidate power. In the meantime, he's her weapon - and on the opposite side of the war, facing Nahri, Ali, and their allies. We get a taste of the rest of the magical world of the daeva, djinn, and marid as Nahri and Ali make their way back to Daevabad. Ali learns more about his heritage, as does Nahri - and they both undergo some trials to win their path back to their city and their goal of uniting all the magical peoples of Daevabad. 

This installment is narrated by Nahri, Dara, and Ali, which no doubt contributed to its length, and some uneven pacing. There were a few times I put it down, not eager to pick it back up again, but I am glad I stuck with it. The last third is especially exciting and I wouldn't have missed the resolution for anything. 

Recommended for fans of the Daevabad series.

A fitting end to a long journey! This trilogy probably has near 2000 words in it and yet it felt surprisingly well-paced, with characters you really learn to care for over the course of three books. Love the world of Daevabad and all of its mythology. Excited to see what Chakraborty does next!

I'll be honest and admit that I was hesitant to start this story. As anxious and excited as I was to read it, I almost didn't want to because I didn't want this incredible trilogy to end. Alas here we are. I picked up this book, with the highest of hopes and the greatest of expectations. I was not disappointed. The cliff hanger ending of The Kingdom of Copper left me with no clue of how this story would begin or end. I had my hopes because I have a love/hate relationship with all of these characters but in the end I wanted to see Nahri and Ali defeat her mother. But I was completely torn with Dara and his complicated history and the way it affects his present. Needless to say I made my way through this book and the ending was extremely satisfying and not at all what I expected. Does it have to end? All good stories must. I'm extremely happy that in this last book of the trilogy nothing was lacking. The storytelling, world building and character development were still incredible. The journey to the end is one I am glad I was able to take part in. Chakraborty can tell a story and she did that with this trilogy.

Chakraborty's beloved characters and magical world of Daevabad has come to an end, in this mesmerizing and heart wrenching conclusion of The Daevabad trilogy.

“I’m coming back, Nahri,” he promised. “You’re my Banu Nahida. This is my city.” His expression was defiant. “Nothing will keep me from either of you” - S.A. Chakraborty, The City of Brass

The vivid writing instantly transported me back to the magical world of Daevabad. No longer in Daevabad, Nahri and Ali journey across the Nile to Cairo to Ta Nytry. This stirred up some bittersweet memories and reunions from The City of Brass for me. Dara, powerful but yet powerless, brought back from the dead multiple times by now, to be Manizheh's weapon. This was such an emotional read, to experience the grief and loss the main characters went through. To see them struggle and not lose themselves to despair and guilt. Be prepared and have some tissues nearby. 

Over the years, Nahri and Ali's relationship have evolved from tolerance to friendship to attraction. If you were to ask me if I saw this coming in The City of Brass I would have told you no, not going to happen. While the romance never stole the spotlight, it was brewing, and both had to deal with external (Muntadhir, duty, loyalty) internal (guilt, inability to let oneself love) obstacles and uncertainty. It's a slow burn romance that leads to something special and long-lasting. 

Throughout, I kept wondering where the story would take me. The plotting and scheming is so large-scaled, that the revelation that this has been in the making for a very long time was so good! Finally, no longer left in the dark, our characters heritage and pasts come to light, exciting twists and betrayals. Under Manizheh attempt to rule, it is pure chaos and bloodshed. Daevabad, an ancient magical city now in ruins, and the main characters who must find a way to unite and end it all. 

Nahri, Ali and Dara, all come out of this in their own way, and left me completely satisfied. It has been an emotional and enchanting journey, and it saddens me that it has come to an end. I will miss this world very much.

S.A. Chakraborty managed to create a concluding novel that brings so much new history and lore to her world, and yet manages to perfectly wrap up the story she had began to tell in The City of Brass.

In this book, the stakes are raised tenfold. The throne of Daevabad is at stake and the lives of every person in the city are in the balance. And it was glorious!

S.A. Chakraborty is a master at writing political intrigue as the members of the different djinn and Daeva quarters interact, and yet, that was also one of her greatest weaknesses in previous novels, in my own opinion. In The City of Brass, there were times where it felt like the plot was halted at times for politics and for characters to learn and understand what was going on. This might not have been a problem for many who like stories that focus more on such topics, but for me personally, I found that the story could drag.

This was fixed, to an extent, in The Kingdom of Copper but the balance between action and politics was entirely perfect in The Empire of Gold. There was so much happening, so much is revealed, so many plans and schemes and they flowed seamlessly in a way that made the passage of those 800 pages fly by.

As always, my favorite part of any book is the characters.  Nahri and Ali were great. I admit, I never really loved Ali until this book. I thought him alright in book one. I liked him in book two. But boy, does Ali shine in this novel. He was just to precious for this world. Nahri too was as always an interesting character and I really enjoyed watching her journey after having her world come crashing down so many times.

Then there was Dara. I had to devote a section to him alone. He got the most development, I think. He is such a tragic character, his story such a devastating tale of enslavement, loneliness, and bloodshed. He could have been so much more than the dreaded Scourge if his world had allowed it. 

All the other characters were equally wonderful. I've always liked Hatset, Ali's mother, for her fierce love and protectiveness toward her children. In fact, I've always liked all of Ali's family (minus his murderous father). Zaynab and Muntadhir play minor roles but strong roles. And all the characters meet along the way are just as interesting and likable.

Overall, I am so happy to have seen this trilogy gets such a conclusion. I recommend this series to anyone who likes a good political heavy fantasy with interesting characters and creative worldbuilding.

I am highly looking forward to whatever S.A. Chakraborty writes next!

I wound up finding it quite difficult figuring out what to write out of a genuine worry of spoiling anything for fellow fans of the Daevabad trilogy who have gotten just as invested in this unique world and the journeys of Nahri, Ali, and the many other characters that they have grown to love, hate, or feel hopelessly torn over. However, I at least feel that I can say this with the utmost enthusiastic praise - S.A. Chakraborty brings her magnificent trilogy to the most epic and satisfactory end that one could possibly hope for.

Spoiler warning: please note that The Empire of Gold is the third book in a trilogy. Since I pretty much have to discuss where some characters are when the book begins, there will be spoilers for The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper. I would recommend completing the entire Daevabad trilogy before reading this review, but then again, not your mom.

The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty
The Empire of Gold is the third book in the historical fantasy trilogy titled The Daevabad Trilogy. The Daevabad Trilogy centers on the city of Daevabad and the factions who wish to rule it. Our way into Daevabad was Nahri, former professional con-woman from 18th century Cairo. Nahri has healing powers that she discovers are inherited from her Nahid family. Early in The City of Brass, she meets/kinda resurrects Dara (short for Darayavahoush), a legendary, terrifying djinn warrior. They go to the legendary city of Daevabad, where six djinn tribes once ruled. There, they meet a number of political characters, most notably Aliyazad (Ali), second son of the king, our third point-of-view character. The three of them clash throughout the first and second books, in ways best described by the books themselves.

S.A. Chakraborty - The Empire of GoldS.A. Chakraborty – The Empire of Gold
As The Empire of Gold opens, Daevabad is rocked by the violent regime change that closed The Kingdom of Copper. Nahri has accidentally brought herself and Ali back to Cairo and, considering the state Daevabad was in when they left, she thinks they might be better off if they stayed. However, both Ali and Nahri feel like they can’t leave Daevabad to its new leaders, especially since they suspect they accidentally turned off magic in Daevabad on the way out.

Speaking of Daevabad, Nahri and Ali suspected correctly: magic is gone. Dara and his new Nahid leader, Nahri’s exiled mother Baru Manizeh, try to pick up the pieces and control Daevabad. However, Baru Manizeh’s tactics aren’t what one would expect from a famous healer, and Dara is torn between the leader and the people.

Plot Development
The Empire of Gold was a well-written and paced book. Even though a lot happens, this installment did not remotely feel like it contained 700+ pages. It doesn’t even feel like it’s overstuffed. I read it, in a few sittings, in just three days. It makes sense why it seems like this book moves rapidly. The situation in and around Daevabad rapidly shifts, and the plot shifts with it without making it seem over-dramatic. 

It feels like I’m not saying a lot about the plot. That’s because it feels inappropriate to discuss major plot developments that would be spoilers for the earlier books. I recommend you start this trilogy from the beginning and read pretty much straight through. You won’t regret it.

Conclusion – The Empire of Gold gives The Daevabad Trilogy a Solid Landing
The Empire of Gold is an excellent ending to an excellent trilogy. It’s action-packed, and the story shifts in ways that aren’t quite twists, but can still surprise. The ending feels completely earned, without being too gleeful or too devastating. If Chakraborty really wanted, she could go back to Daevabad and write more about the world after the chaos. There’s possibly a door or two open left for her to do that. However, if she never does, the series will not suffer. 

I received this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Are you going to read The Empire of Gold? Has this review convinced you to pick up The Daevabad Trilogy?

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It isn't easy to end a series well, especially one with such an epic scope, but Chakraborty nailed it with The Empire of Gold. Full of adventure, intrigue, danger, unexpected twists, mythological beings, well-developed villains, and romantic angst, this book offers a fantastic continuing story and perfectly bittersweet ending.

Every book in this series has been 5 stars for me and it really deserves to get more attention. Inspired by Islamic history and mythology, brought to life with complex characters you want to root for or love to hate, this is a brilliant series and the conclusion does not disappoint. Find out what happens to Nahri, Ali, and Dara as they interact with forces beyond themselves and make impossible choices. Do be aware that there is quite a lot of violence among other things, so check content warnings if you need them. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, HarperCollins, and Harper Voyager for this advanced copy. This is no way impacts my review as all thoughts and opinions are my own.

S.A. Chakraborty did it again! Sometimes I find conclusions to not be worth the build up, but oh boy did Empire of Gold deliver!!! We follow Nahri as she finally confronts the mother that abandoned her, Ali as he confronts the prejudices he grew up with, and Dara as he battles with who he was when last the Nahids were in power now that they have risen again. We get pulled from page one through action, progress, and heart break as our favorite Daevabadis discover who they truly are and figure out what they are willing to give up for the city and the people they love.