A boy chases laughter through the city. Followed by a presence he can’t see the boy keys in on laughter, any laughter, and throws himself desperately toward it looking for shelter or a way out. In a land once ruled by miracles the unnamed boy uses the only one he has at hand hoping for it to prove useful just one more time. And when finally hitting a laughter that rings a bit false…
And with this captivating scene City of Miracles begins.
One of the finest fantasy series of the decade is getting its conclusion. And with it some major questions will finally be answered, especially those surrounding Sigrud, a character who always stole the reader’s attention but never was able to get out of the other protagonists’ shadows. But City of Miracles doesn’t lazily ride off into the sunset, oh no. In City of Miracles the action is turned all the way up, all the feels are given at regular doses, and (spoiler alert) there are miracles abound. Yes, questions will be answered. And a whole wide world of questions will be left to wonder about.
This has been a series in which every book felt like it belonged in the same series yet all were very different in tone. City of Stairs had action but was more focused on the mystery and a real sense of wonder. City of Blades somehow ups the mystery and politics. And City of Miracles feels like a summer blockbuster until one looks back and realizes it couldn’t never work without the reader already being invested in the wonder and magic of the world.
This works for and against the narrative in some ways. It is a very different feel than the first two books and it is almost jarring to jump right into the action. Sigrud is a tougher character to follow and relate too than either Shara or Turyin Mulaghesh before him; his near invulnerability compared to their very human nature is not always endearing. And while those all important explanations eventually come I found that I preferred Sigrud when the more diminutive Shara was still the most dangerous person in the scene.
BUT, and this is a big but, those reservations I had eventually were for naught. And it would take major spoilers to explain why but Sigrud’s humanity does start to show, and eventually becomes the key to everything. City of Miracles isn’t necessarily a tear-jerker but the emotions do start to run high. And while the action never really slows it is always action with intelligence; each scene builds on the last and each piece of information Sigrud and his supporting cast learns will be needed to stop the new threat.
What a threat it is too. Villains have not really been present in this series before. The Gods were slaves to their nature; capable of much destruction but just as tied to the people expectations as they were to their own whims. But the new threat is certainly evil. World destroying evil. Yet even this creature, most evil seen in the series, has just enough humanity to make a reader hope for redemption
As a series conclusion City of Miracles was all I could hope for in a series I never wanted to see end. Though City of Stairs has remained my favorite of the trilogy each successive book has added much to the story. Sigrud dominates the page but here both Shara and Mulaghesh (plus some important newish characters) get their own successful conclusions. And I can’t help think I am due for an entire series reread sometime in the very near future.
4 Stars
It sounds like you really enjoyed the series and it’s good that the final book delivered. I hate when a series comes to an end with a whimper. I’m hearing a lot of good things about this series. Great review!
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A final book delivering is so important. This series may be the best thing I have found since blogging. It or Ancillary Justice. Both muy bueno.
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So happy you loved this! I can’t wait to start. I was worried because I read a less than enthusiastic review on another blog that I trust. Sigrud was always my favorite and I’m looking forward to more of him.
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Shara was my favorite but I loved the way she and Sigrud worked together.
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I think I might have the first book in this series, but I’ve lost track of it. Glad you liked the whole series, Nathan.
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If you have it, get to it! I have tried to get my real life friends to read it but thus far without success.
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Book 2 ws my fav 😉
I hope he writes another series set in the future or something
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It could be cool. But if he takes a break I can catch up on his backlog which would be good too.
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You definitely have restored my desire to read this one. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy it as much as you did.
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Me too. I think most people will that are already in love with the series. The tone is a bit different but it still feels like it belongs.
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Great review! I really want to start in on this series.
Thanks for visiting my blog earlier. 🙂
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Start it! Start it now! Right this very minute, drop everything else, and start reading City of Stairs.
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Just started this one today. Been seeing some mixed reviews for this book, but your praise for it has restored my hopes!
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And as always my opinion is the correct one!
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I might have to give this series another shot. I remember liking the first book, but for some reason I never finished it. *shrugs awkwardly* BUT. I’m glad you’re happy with how it ended. 😉
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*gasp* — Never finished it? How, how does that happen? I don’t really understand the concept. =)
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I like to agree that your opinion is the correct one – I haven’t read this one yet but I like to think it will end positively so your review gives me hope for that.
This really is a deceptive series -the books being so different but strongly based in the same world. I really like that. And, I have to confess that I’m keen to read some more of Sigrud.
Lynn 😀
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And as this is all about Sigrud you should be very happy. And thank you for agreeing that my opinion is the right one.
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A series finale that satisfies even the most enthusiastic fan is a win in my books! Now that the series is concluded, I think it’s high time I jump into this one and see what all the fuss is about. Sigrud seems to be everyone’s favourite character!
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Except mine. I am team Shara all the way. And that is after admitting Sigrud is awesome.
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