Name: City of Stairs
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Number of Pages: 464 in Paperback
Published: September 9th 2014
by Broadway Books
Genre: Fantasy, Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery
“Years ago, the city of Bulikov wielded the powers of the Gods to conquer the world. But after its divine protectors were mysteriously killed, the conqueror has become the conquered; the city’s proud history has been erased and censored, progress has left it behind, and it is just another colonial outpost of the world’s new geopolitical power. Into this musty, backward city steps Shara Divani. Officially, the quiet mousy woman is just another lowly diplomat sent by Bulikov’s oppressors. Unofficially, Shara is one of her country’s most accomplished spymasters-dispatched to investigate the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless historian. As Shara pursues the mystery through the ever-shifting physical and political geography of the city, she begins to suspect that the beings who once protected Bulikov may not be as dead as they seem-and that her own abilities might be touched by the divine as well.”
This is not a book review if you’re thinking it is. Book Confession. Yeah. Sort of. I just made it up for the sole purpose of explaining why I’ll have a new book to read. I’ve been reading for God knows when and this is the first time. First. Time. That I haven’t finished a book and not wanting to continue reading it. I must admit that I set aside Shatter Me after reading a couple of chapters, but I’m really finding time to pick it up again, but this? I tried, but failed. This. Is. Not. For. Me. I felt the need to explain why though since a lot of readers loved this. I feel like a villain, but still, I don’t want to go back reading this. I don’t normally read Adult books, but this book pulled me right into it because of the good reviews, book cover and the blurb. Yeah. The book cover is gorgeous. The reviews were promising. To be honest, I’ve mistakenly assumed the blurb for something else and yeah, that’s my fault.
It’s a political war between nations. One being stripped of its right to study or acquire information about their own history and past. Actually all the complications started there. Blended with some “fantasy” and mystery about a murder of a certain professor. The plot got a little exciting and then nothing. It spun around a verify confusing story. I can’t even read this aloud in front of a crowd because the characters’ names are so bizarre. They have Vasily Yaroslav, Turyin Mulaghesh, Troonyi, Efrem Pangyui and a lot more complicated names I can’t even pronounce. I tried engaging myself as the story went from confusing to a much rather annoying chain of events. I also tried to read as fast as I can so I can finish it at least, but every time I try.. I fell asleep after a couple of sentences. So I decided I can’t read it anymore. I realized I have so many books lined up to read to waste time on this. Sorry. From there, I can’t apparently rate this to be fair since I didn’t finish the book.
I’m not saying that I can’t recommend this for the mere fact that I didn’t enjoy it though. It could be good for you. It’s just not for me. 😦
EverythingNyze 
I think a book confession is such a brilliant way to handle DNFs. I feel like you want to talk about them, but also feel guilty because you couldn’t finish – don’t feel bad though. All books aren’t for all folks, and you gave it a good try. I don’t think it would be for me either based on your comments. It wasn’t even be on my radar honestly.
I was hoping it was good since the reviews were quite impressive, but yeah not for me.