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City of blades
by Robert Jackson Bennett
If you appreciated the intricate world-building of City of Stairs, get ready to dive back in with City of Blades. This book drops you into the desolate, war-scarred city of Voortyashtan, where General Turyin Mulaghesh, an aging, weary soldier, has been sent to investigate a chilling discovery. The reading experience is intensely atmospheric, painting a picture of a broken land haunted by a dead god, with a constant hum of political tension and a gnawing sense of mystery. Mulaghesh is a fantastic lead — sharp, cynical, and deeply human — navigating moral quandaries as she unearths secrets that could unravel everything. It's a suspenseful, gritty ride for anyone who loves their fantasy with a heavy dose of political intrigue, complex characters, and a world that feels lived-in and scarred.
10 Books similar to 'City of blades'
If General Mulaghesh's pragmatic struggle and the deep political intrigue of City of Blades resonated with you, our curated list offers more of that compelling blend. We've sought out stories with equally strong, morally complex female protagonists navigating the brutal realities of war and the weight of empire. You'll find other worlds where the legacy of dead gods shapes current conflicts, and where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred, forcing characters to make impossible choices, just like in Bennett's acclaimed series.
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As the first book in the Divine Cities trilogy, this is the essential starting point for the world of City of Blades. It introduces the complex history of the Continent and the Bulikov gods, establishing the same blend of espionage, theological mystery, and political maneuvering.
Fans of General Turyin Mulaghesh's pragmatic approach to war and politics will appreciate Baru's cold, analytical struggle against an imperial power. Both books feature heavy themes of colonialism, the cost of victory, and the weight of administrative power.
by N.K. Jemisin
This book offers a similarly deep exploration of 'dead' gods and the geological/magical scars left on a world. It matches Bennett's work in its mature tone, high-stakes world-building, and focus on characters who have been hardened by systemic oppression.
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This flintlock fantasy mirrors the military focus of City of Blades, following a female protagonist into a grueling war. It captures the same 'war is hell' atmosphere and the psychological toll of leadership during a conflict involving supernatural elements.
by Richard Swan
This story follows an investigator dealing with the decline of an empire and the fraying of its laws, much like the investigative elements in Bennett's series. It blends procedural mystery with high-stakes political instability and philosophical questions about justice.
Similar to the Divine Cities, this novel features a world where the presence (or return) of gods reshapes human politics and social structures. It utilizes multiple perspectives to build a rich, culturally diverse world filled with looming apocalyptic tension.
Readers who enjoyed the diplomatic intrigue and the 'fish out of water' experience of navigating a foreign, imperial culture in City of Blades will love this space opera. It deals heavily with themes of cultural assimilation and the legacy of dead leaders.
by R.F. Kuang
This book shares the darker, more cynical view of divinity and warfare found in City of Blades. It explores how humans are used as vessels for god-like power and the devastating consequences that follow such a transformation.
If you enjoyed the gritty military perspective and the 'old soldier' archetype of Mulaghesh, this standalone novel offers a similar focus on a hardened female lead. It is a masterclass in character-driven action and the moral gray areas of vengeance.
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