The City of Stairs

A murder investigation in the city of Bulikov brings intelligence operative Shara Thivani to investigate the death of a historian. The once-mighty city, previously home to powerful Divinities who were killed in war, now lies in ruins with much of its history erased. Shara must navigate a complex political landscape where mention of the Divine is forbidden, yet signs of their lingering influence remain. She works alongside her "secretary" Sigrud, a fighter with his own mysterious past, to uncover the truth behind the historian's death and its connection to Bulikov's supernatural history. The story combines elements of espionage, fantasy, and political intrigue in a setting where reality itself has been altered by the death of gods. The world-building draws from Eastern European architecture and Cold War dynamics, creating a unique backdrop for this genre-crossing narrative. The novel explores themes of colonialism, cultural erasure, and the way societies process collective trauma. Through its fantasy elements, it raises questions about power, belief, and how civilizations choose to remember or forget their past.

Readers highlight the unique worldbuilding, complex theology, and political intrigue. The protagonist Shara receives praise for being a mature, competent female character who relies on intelligence rather than physical combat. Many reviews note the fresh take on fantasy tropes and the noir detective story elements. Positive reviews focus on: - Detailed, non-Western fantasy setting - Smart handling of colonialism themes - Strong character relationships - Mix of mystery and supernatural elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Dense exposition and world-building early on - Some find the ending unsatisfying - Occasional confusion about the magic system Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Reader quote: "Like a fantasy version of a John le Carré novel - spies, politics, and old gods wrapped in a murder mystery."

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🏛️ Robert Jackson Bennett wrote City of Stairs while working a full-time job in medical software, crafting the novel during his lunch breaks and early mornings. 🗺️ The city of Bulikov was inspired by both Prague and St. Petersburg, with its architecture and atmosphere drawing heavily from Eastern European cultural influences. ⚔️ The book's unique blend of spy thriller and fantasy grew from Bennett's desire to explore what would happen if a colonized nation had once been home to actual gods. 📚 Though City of Stairs is the first book in The Divine Cities trilogy, Bennett initially conceived it as a standalone novel and only later expanded it into a series. 🎭 The character of Sigrud je Harkvaldsson was partially inspired by the author's fascination with Norse mythology and Scandinavian noir fiction.