City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

The city of Bulikov once wielded the powers of the gods to conquer the world, enslaving and brutalizing millions – until its divine protectors were killed. Now, Bulikov’s history has been censored and erased, its citizens subjugated. But the surreal landscape of the city itself, forever altered by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it, stands as a haunting reminder or its former supremacy.

Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov’s oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country’s most accomplished spies, dispatched – along with her terrifying ‘secretary,’ Sigrud – to solve a murder.

But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem, and that Bulikov’s cruel reign may not be over.

A tale of vast conspiracies, dead gods, and buried histories, City of Stairs, is at once a gripping spy novel and a stunningly original work of fantasy.

What a world Bennett has managed to create! So richly filled with absorbing moments, movements and images. It truly is as much of a character in the book as anyone walking on two legs and I am so glad I made it through the first 50 pages. Initially I found myself stuck wondering what the hype was about but the time taken to set up the world this book takes place in, is vital.

It is a great secret agent tale with some fantastic fight scenes and the character of Sigrud is hard not to immediately love. There has been so many positive reviews for this I am happy to add mine to the pile but don’t feel the need to reveal to much as Bennet does such a good job of that himself. This is my first read from Author and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

This book was sent to me by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.