This made me so happy!! The Daevabad trilogy is one of my favorite series of all time, and this collection of short stories gave these characters even more life and added another layer to this world. The stories are in chronological order with blurbs to describe where they fit within the series. Getting to jump back into the world of Daevabad with my favorite characters was like coming home, and we also got to see some new and interesting POVs. I LOVED getting to see more of Muntadhir and Jamshid! Sometimes I don’t like short stories written after a series, but I think this collection only enhances the original story. And the last chapter is absolutely to die for! I couldn’t have imagined it better if I’d tried!! If you liked the original trilogy, you need to read this.

Thank you to HarperVoyager and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this eARC!

In a collection of short stories, deleted scenes, and excerpts, Chakraborty returns readers to the world of Daevabad. Complete with chapter-specific notes on relation to The Daevabad Trilogy timeline and spoiler warnings, this book expands on characters known and unknown in a wonderful way.

This felt like the homegoing that I very desperately wanted. While there are moments of tension and chaos and hurt, the overall tone of this book is much lighter and optimistic than the original trilogy. Seeing all of my beloved characters again was incredible, and the perspectives of characters we only heard reference to made me so happy! I will absolutely be going through and marking these scenes in my trilogy books for a tandem read on my next pass through the series. If you enjoyed The Daevabad Trilogy, you will absolutely love River of Silver.

Thank you to S. A. Chakraborty, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings: violence, suicide, self harm, sexual violence, genocide

I'm a huge fan of the Daevabad trilogy and to be able to read the extended stories of some side characters were a dream. River of Silver provided an understanding of each character's perspective and their relationships between each other. It made me feel like I was going behind the scenes, leafing through a memory book. Getting an in-depth personal look with each character and how they came to be. This book answers most of the questions, we all been asking and were waiting for. It's a must read to wrap up the Daevabad trilogy.

It was so lovely to be back in the world of Daevabad and I enjoyed this extended peek at some of the side characters and their stories. I especially loved the chapters from Ali, Nahri, and her mom. The writing in this series is always a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of author S. A. Chakraborty and the Daevabad trilogy. Despite the inherent personality flaws of each character borne of their station and past traumas, and the struggles over ideology and rule of the kingdom, the stories are woven in such a way that the reader is routing for the success of each. At the end of Empire of Gold (book 3) I was left wanting more of the characters, and the author delivers quite nicely.

River of Silver provides a peak into the happenings between the 3 novels, side stories that further enhance the reader’s understanding of the perspective of each character. The trilogy contains great detail of the lives of each character and their relationships that have with each other. This book was a welcome addition that leaves me wishing this wasn’t just a trilogy. I have become invested in where these characters go next, how unlikely matches come together and what lies ahead for Daevabad. I would whole heartedly welcome another addition to this repertoire of captivating stories set in a world of fantasy unlike any other book I have read before.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
5/5
I’m a huge Daevabad fan, I’ve read the series about four times (and I can’t wait to reread again!) so I was so excited to come back to this world and revisit my favourite characters. When I got the notification that I was accepted for this ARC I screamed because Audiobooks are sooo hard for me to read.
The River of Silver was everything I could’ve asked for. I had already read the Daevabad short stories that S.A. posted on her website, and despite some stories being the same it is still worth it because some of those have been modified or more content was added. This book is so fun and the new insight it gives us to characters like Manizheh, Hatset and Duriya were absolutely fantastic. Hatset’s story was so interesting meanwhile Duriya’s was so cute and heartbreaking, knowing what happens to her and Rustam later on.
Even though I wished we had seen more scenes of Nahri, Ali, Muntadhir, Zaynab, Jamshid and Aqisa together I was so happy with what we got. I was so happy to read about them again and see what happens to my favourite characters after The Empire of Gold, and it didn’t disappoint. Despite The River of Silver being much shorter than the other three books, I was still laughing and crying, it has honestly become my favourite read of this year! If you’re a Daevabad fan you will love this collection of short stories, it’s 100% worth it.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC, so excited for its release and the day I can finally have this in a physical copy!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an early e-reader copy of this book!

So I did listen to this while reading along, and it only enhanced my journey with these stories. I will say that you definitely need to have read the trilogy before these, and that will not be a chore for you because those books are dripping in gold. Without giving too many things away, I believe these truly add to the history, the enrichment and the characters in the main stories.

I just love this world and this author so much.

This was the perfect ending to the Daevabad trilogy. I just finished The Empire of Gold and was so sad to leave these characters and their world. The River of Silver brings you back to some behind-the-scenes action that occurred during the series, as well as scenes that happened either before or after. I really liked getting the perspectives of side characters like Jamshid and Manizheh, but I think my favorite part was the last short story about Nahri and Ali, a year or two after the end of The Empire of Gold. Getting a little bit of closure about Dara was also really nice.

Reading this felt like leafing through an old photo album. It felt like floating down a river of memories. Like coming back to a place you once called home. It was pure nostalgia.
I absolutely loved being back into the vivid world of Daevabad that I had missed so much. These extra chapters were like missing puzzle pieces that warmed you up from the inside. I loved reading these extra pieces of background, especially from my faves Jamshid, Muntadhir, Ali, and Nahri. It was the extra we’d all been asking for and was delivered in Chakraborty’s signature lyrical writing. A must-read for all Daevabad fans!

Huge fan of the original trilogy so I loved this compilation of short stories that revolve around the characters at different time periods. It's like revisiting an old friend.

Is there anything better than an author returning to your favorite series and giving you MORE CONTENT on all of your favorite (ok except ONE PERSON notably) characters? In some hands, this could go horribly wrong. In SA Chakraborty’s , the storytelling is impeccable and the characters get more depth.

When other authors try to do this, sometimes they end up altering beloved characters for shock value or to demonstrate range. Chakraborty simply deepens the knowledge we already have of all of our favorites, giving us more context for their relationships and decisions. These truly do feel like the outtakes of her books with content she had to cut but that she wrote or at least outlined for all of these characters.

I’m forever in love with this series and these characters forever. #Jamdhirforever

I really enjoyed this book! The Daevabad Trilogy is one of my favorite series and getting to go back to this magical world was so exciting! I loved getting all these little back stores to characters we didn’t get before or know much about! This world is so magical and interesting..I would love to read anything that takes place in Daevabad! I can’t wait to read more books from S. A. Chakraborty!

4.5 stars
What a heart-warming, pleasant experience. 🥲 These characters live in my head rent free every single day and it was beautiful to get more time with them. I loved reading all the new POVs, especially Jamshid and Muntadhir 🥺 They have my entire heart.
If you loved the original trilogy, you will love this addition. It felt like coming home and a warm hug. LOVED.
Thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!

reading this book was like coming home, in the best way possible. these characters, this world, every single thing about this series, it all means the world to me. i am so happy that i was approved for the river of silver arc, and that i was finally able to revisit the characters of one of my favorite book series to date.

this book is essentially a collection of short stories that take place throughout different periods of time before the city of brass, during the main part of the series, and after the empire of gold. we gain insight about beloved characters, and get a deeper understanding of the fundamental aspects of not only this rich world, but different situations the characters found themselves in. i really couldn’t stop smiling the entire time i read this. my favorite chapters were those of alizayd and nahri. both of these characters are some of my favorites ever, and the last chapter together with their happy ending made me cry tears of joy. this was such a wonderful addition to the daevabad world, and i look forward to other people reading it so they too can partake in the joy of this series. 5/5 stars.

thank you so much to both netgalley & avon and harper voyager for a digital e-arc in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was a thrill to be back in Daevabad with all the City of Brass characters. Loved every story and the alternate epilogue too!! Can’t wait to have a physical copy of this collection of stories. Nahri, Ali, and Dara will also have a special place of my heart. Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reading these short stories and deleted scenes is making me want to reread the entire series. It's so unbelievably good to be back in the world of Daevabad again.

I do wish these little intallments had been released as novellas alongside the main books - I think it would have had more of an impact in terms of plot. Because I already know how the series plays out, the brief reveals don't really do much for me.

But as far as the characters go, these short check-ins and additional moments make my heart so happy. Honestly, these characters are some of the most well-written, most developed individuals I have ever read. I have such a fondness for all of them and it truly was a delight to read about them again.

So lucky for you readers who haven't read this series yet because you now have a companion book to give you supplemental insight along the way! I'm jealous!

Coming back to the world of Daevabad was like meeting an old friend after a few years a part, especially after the chaos of the last few years. Some of the stories unveil deeper political maneuvering; some make your heart bleed; some even reveal the start to something new. Simply, I'm in love with it all and then some.

Manizheh (Story 1)
I don't know if I can ever fully forgive her character and be empathetic to her actions, but this story is the closest that I've ever come. Manizheh's love is just as loud as her pain, and I think that's the tragedy of her arc in this story. Getting deeper insight from her own perspective is definitely a unique experience. Also, it's heartwarming and heartbreaking to see some of my favorite characters as children.

Duriya (Story 2)
Tears. Just straight tears is how I would describe this story. My favorite of the short stories by far, and I will die on my hill that Duriya should get a novel all to herself. I want to know the ins and outs to her journey, and I want to cry my heart out just like I did in these few pages. It was beautiful and tragic— similar to Manizheh's but for a different reason. I think what I took away from this story was that even the darkest lives and times can have the brightest of moments, even if they don't last long.

Hatset (Story 3)
Hatset's POV was one that I hoped most for. I loved getting to see her pre-Zaynab/Ali, and it was so fun to watch her and Ghassan spar with their cunning and fresh vows... even if we know how their story together ends. She's always been one of my favorite characters throughout this series (her running to Ali in The Kingdom of Copper (TKOC) broke meeee), and it was a joy to read this and hope. Plus, Hatset's dad not giving a singular crap about his sass to Ghassan was one of the funniest things I read in this collection. It goes to show where Hatset got her mouth as well as Zaynab.

Muntadhir (Story 4)
Probably one of the stories that didn't stick with me as hard, but it was still wonderful to read. Muntadhir and Jamshid meeting for the first time just hits different! Particularly how joyful Jamshid is to serve his prince. I've always loved their connection and love for one another, so to get more backstory into their love story was beautiful.

Jamshid (Story 5)
I think between Muntadhir and Jamshid... my favorite POV to read from is Jamshid, especially in their relationship. This short story in particular tugged on my heartstrings once Jamshid helped Muntadhir at the end. I'm a sucker for vulnerability, so to see these two a year later after the previous story and the progression of their relationship, it was perfect. A slow burn built off of friendship and small moments always sells me the most for a love story. Let me ignore the pain of The City of Brass (TCOB) during this moment because I won't be able to handle it!

Dara (Story 6)
I think it was a smart move for Dara to not have a POV in TCOB because his internal monologue would've definitely set me against him sooner than his actions did. Nahri makes him far more palatable. This story was certainly interesting to read about, and it made me smile to see Nahri in her element still on their journey to Daevabad. It'll make Dara/Nahri (Nara? Dahri? idk lol) shippers go nuts, but it made me nostalgically sad for my first time reading TCOB where I was wholly innocent of all impending pain.

Jamshid (Story 7)
This story was a top favorite because of the background knowledge revealed for the final big act of TCOB. Jamshid is such a key player, and to see him experience everything from carrying Ali's ass with Muntadhir to Dara's gloating amongst Daevas and finally the aftermath of the fight, leading them to head for the river to save Ali and Nahri... It's such a bittersweet, powerful story. Jamshid's guilt stricken, yet he knows his duty to his emir and lover... and we know how TCOB ends.

Ali (Story 8)
Not my favorite but very fun to see a fuller extent to Ali's banishment adventures and his water abilities.

The Scout (Story 9)
I looked at the Table of Contents throughout my reading, and this story always stuck out to me because I was curious who this scout was... and then once the story began, I knew what was coming. In many ways, I really wish this could have been within the actual books, but I also understand why it couldn't because of reveals and such. Shannon was stretching our angst and curiosity, and this moment would have taken away from that. BUT this was a great story, definitely memorable. I was enthralled the entire time even when I wanted to choke out the djinn who was with the narrator. This story will certainly be exciting for readers, and as always, I'll never turn down the chance to explore other reaches of Daevalands. *Hint* *Hint* to Shannon to expand further!!

Nahri (Story 10)
When I realized that TKOC has skipped ahead in time, I originally felt like I'd lost a crucial part of Nahri's journey. We didn't get to see Nahri marry or Nahri and Muntahir even try to pretend in those early years to be a married couple. Normalcy had already settled by the time we got to see them, so it was a real treat to have this story— not only because Nahri still thwarts the Qahtani's in her own way but her and Muntahir have a moment together. Dubious consent is an undertone to the whole conversation because neither wanted to marry the other, but this story was something I have been craving from that period of time because it makes them so real with their unhappiness. Their brutal truth to one another just felt monumental. Makes me love them both even more as characters.

Ali (Story 11)
ALL RISE THE NAHRI/ALI SHIPPERS. My favorite moments for romance are the small ones. They don't have to be screaming at one another about their love to strike me in the heart, and to be honest, Ali and Nahri have never been that way. They love each other quietly but in such a profound way of yearning and hope. Both have scars that are visible, and it's okay that their relationship isn't moving fast because the other needs time too. One of my only issues with the original trilogy (and this is me being selfish) is that I wanted more Ali and Nahri moments, but after rereading and growing older, I realized their moments are like pearls— sacred and rare. Thank you, Shannon for giving us a treat of their slow kindling of love.

Zaynab (Story 12)
One of the elements to the Daevabad trilogy that stuck out to me the most the first time I read it was the deep love the Qahtani siblings have for one another. Zaynab was always the center of it because she keeps them stable, so it was heartbreaking to read her perspective post-Manizheh invasion of Daevabad. I teared up when she heard the news that Ali may have been enslaved, and it broke my heart when she realized Muntadhir was captured. She's always been my number one side character throughout this trilogy, and I loved being in her head. I desperately hope Shannon is writing a book about her adventures. She would be an incredible protagonist, and this story reveals that. She's alone with none of her loved ones to back her up, but Zaynab refuses to give up on her brothers or her people in Daevabad— bringing the Daevas, djinn, and shafit together to fight for their right to live.

Muntadhir (Story 13)
Not me crying like a baby about Muntadhir and Jamshid starting to heal their flaws, secrets, and pain in their relationship post-win. I want a book just for them too! Also, getting to see Jamshid in his healer mode for an extended period of time is not something I knew I needed as deeply as now.

Alternative Epilogue to The Empire of Gold (Story 14)
A sucker punch of a surprise! This alternative epilogue is not what I was expecting at all. I don't want to say much because I think knowing nothing is the perfect way to experience it.

Nahri (Story 15)
Post TEOG via roughly a year and a half. Again, go in knowing nothing because this is pure fluff and heart warming!

Thank you to Harper Voyager for allowing me to review this short story collection for my favorite trilogy early!

While this book does include the cute, sappy, after-the-trilogy stories that can be fun to read, it also adds in extra details before and between books. Though these stories aren't necessary to enjoy the trilogy, it was so nice having puzzle pieces fall into place regarding secondary characters and villains regarding things mentioned in the trilogy, or even stuff that wasn't but just helps build onto their characters.

Flawlessly written, great extra stories with the magic of the Daeva and Djinn, I cannot recommend this story enough to fans. It is definitely a must-read.

Returning to the world of S.A. Chakraborty's Daevabad Trilogy, this collection of short stories follows the perspectives of some of the main characters in the series and takes place during various points over the course of the three books and beyond. Readers will quickly be swept back up into the magical realm of djinn as they eagerly consume these glimpses into fan-favorite characters lives, with one post-Empire of Gold story which exemplifies the richness of detail and character that the series uses to pull on the audience's heartstrings serving as a true treat for those desperately wanting more from this world. Fans of the series will be delighted with this entry and reminded of what drew them to it in the first place.

The River of Silver is an excellent addition to Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy, providing a delightful return to Daevabad, its inhabitants, and its expansive history. We are offered stories from the past and future, as well as alternative POVs during major book events and peeks into the characters’ lives during the time jumps present in the series. This is a must-read for any fan of the series - returning to this story felt like coming home and reminded me just how much I adore these characters and this rich, fascinating world. If nothing else, this is worth the read just to get to see the soft, tender development of my favorite pairing in the series. I am constantly amazed at how S.A. Chakraborty is able to put me through the emotional wringer, and she’s done it yet again with this collection of stories.