City of Blades: Book 2 of the Divine Cities trilogy (Divine Cities, #2)

by Robert Jackson Bennett

A triumphant return to the world of City of Stairs.
 
A generation ago, the city of Voortyashtan was the stronghold of the god of war and death, the birthplace of fearsome supernatural sentinels who killed and subjugated millions.
 
Now, the city’s god is dead. The city itself lies in ruins. And to its new military occupiers, the once-powerful capital is a wasteland of sectarian violence and bloody uprisings.
 
So it makes perfect sense that General Turyin Mulaghesh— foul-mouthed hero of the battle of Bulikov, rumored war criminal, ally of an embattled Prime Minister—has been exiled there to count down the days until she can draw her pension and be forgotten.  
 
At least, it makes the perfect cover story.
 
The truth is that the general has been pressed into service one last time, dispatched to investigate a discovery with the potential to change the world--or destroy it.
 
The trouble is that this old soldier isn't sure she's still got what it takes to be the hero. 

— Amazon 2016 Best Books of the Year: Mystery & Thrillers

• ISBN10: 0553419714
• ISBN13: 9780553419719
• Publish Date: 26 January 2016 (first published 7 January 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Del Rey Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 496
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780553419719

Reviews

[ross91]

If it had 100 pages less it would have been a 5* read.
Still, I found this book really great, entertaining and very well written.
Bulikov is still my favorite city, but Voortyashtan felt real and divine as well.
I wish there was more Shara!

[KitsuneBae]

Dear Author,

Thank you for stepping up your game. I hope to whoever-divinity-who-is-still-alive-on-the-upcoming-books to grant Mulaghesh a long long life to become Prime Minister and kick the asses of those who need kicking.

But Bennett, why did you do that to Signe? I just want for Sigrud to be happy. T_T

[Charli G.]

City of Blades started out as a book I didn't think I'd be able to get into. At first it just didn't seem to be that interesting. I'm glad I stuck it out because if I hadn't, I'd have missed one of the best books I've read in the last year!

The second book in a series that began with City of Stairs, City of Blades can easily stand on its own. I had no issues with understanding what was going on. There is enough of the backstory to allow the reader to know what is going on and what happened in the past to make the story clear.

This book is kind of like a fantasy version of a mystery thriller. There is a bit of a whodunit in City of Blades as well as a fair bit of action. The world woven here is much like our own world but not quite. Many of our own conveniences exist here - electricity, weaponry, etc. - but the world is most definitely not the world as we know it. In this world, Divinities existed but were able to be destroyed, along with their miracles, an interesting concept.

I love Mulaghesh. Her character is what I feel is the consummate solider. She serves and she feels that those who do not serve are unworthy of the title of soldier. I'm also quite fond of Sigrund. I can't really say why, I just like him a lot.

This book is great for anyone looking for a new breed of fantasy book to get into.

**I received a copy of this book for free from First to Read in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.