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  • The Empire of Gold: A Novel

  • The Daevabad Trilogy, Book 3
  • Written by: S. A. Chakraborty
  • Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
  • Length: 28 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (116 ratings)

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The Empire of Gold: A Novel

Written by: S. A. Chakraborty
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
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Publisher's Summary

"No series since George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire has quite captured both palace intrigue and the way that tribal infighting and war hurt the vulnerable the most." (Paste Magazine)

The final chapter in the best-selling, critically acclaimed Daevabad Trilogy, in which a con-woman and an idealistic djinn prince join forces to save a magical kingdom from a devastating civil war.

Daevabad has fallen.

After a brutal conquest stripped the city of its magic, Nahid leader Banu Manizheh and her resurrected commander, Dara, must try to repair their fraying alliance and stabilize a fractious, warring people. 

But the bloodletting and loss of his beloved Nahri have unleashed the worst demons of Dara's dark past. To vanquish them, he must face some ugly truths about his history and put himself at the mercy of those he once considered enemies.

Having narrowly escaped their murderous families and Daevabad's deadly politics, Nahri and Ali, now safe in Cairo, face difficult choices of their own. While Nahri finds peace in the old rhythms and familiar comforts of her human home, she is haunted by the knowledge that the loved ones she left behind and the people who considered her a savior are at the mercy of a new tyrant. Ali, too, cannot help but look back, and is determined to return to rescue his city and the family that remains. Seeking support in his mother’s homeland, he discovers that his connection to the marid goes far deeper than expected and threatens not only his relationship with Nahri, but his very faith. 

As peace grows more elusive and old players return, Nahri, Ali, and Dara come to understand that in order to remake the world, they may need to fight those they once loved...and take a stand for those they once hurt.

©2020 S. A. Chakraborty (P)2020 HarperAudio

Featured Article: The Best Fantasy Audiobook Series

From grim worlds of gritty war and betrayal to light-hearted stories of romance, adventure, and magic, fantasy has it all. It’s the genre to listen to for a little escapism and a lot of enjoyment. And it’s one that is constantly updated with new names, new voices, and new stories to explore.

What listeners love about The Empire of Gold: A Novel

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing final instalment to a great trilogy

I am just said it’s over!! What a treat. I loved this trilogy. Amazing characters in a diverse world with such a good story.

I love how Chakraborty is able to make you relate, hate, love and just feel a lot for her characters and their unravelings. Not often you can feel sympathy for war criminals.


***Spoilers below****

My only thought is that I wished there was more info on the Pyris. They felt a bit thrown in at the end there. Wish there was more ties to them and their part in the first book. Just felt a bit hollow.

Also to all the Dara shippers- what?! Like no!!! Haha I am sooooo thrilled that Nahri and Ali begin a romance. I love Dara’s intense character but as a romantic partner- he’s awful c‘mon! Possessive, racist, violent, and blindly loyal even at signs of pure wickedness. Was so happy when Nahri fell out of love with him. He was a great addition to the story but Ali at his core is kind, thoughtful, and good man since his first scene. Also wish there was a bit more on their story at the end but looks like it’s left to make us all happy!

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Wonderful trilogy

I couldn’t stop listening! From the first book, to the last - I highly recommend this series.

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Excellent! Whole trilogy is well worth it!

Fantastically written, excellent audio. Story line is engaging and exciting. Characters are well developed and the narration is ver well done.

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This book stole my heart

Got so attached to each of the characters by this book… it was really hard to say goodbye. Loved each character’s ending!

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great trilogy

seeing things come together was riveting and emotional. teared up at a couple points. good books

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Beautifully written

It’s been a long while since I’ve read a series that ended so perfectly. Amazing trilogy, a story that will stay with me for a lifetime.

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The best end to a series I've ever read

I wouldn't change a single thing. A perfect and glorious end to a new favorite series.

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Such a good finish

The third book does a great job tying everything together. I really enjoyed this series it’s really such an interesting journey it brings you along. Love the characters even the ones that frustrated me time and time again, the magic is consistent and makes sense for the story the writer is talented at making so much information easy to follow and yeah I’m sad it’s over but glad I read it!

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One of my favorites

I love the world. The ending was satisfying and I’m looking forward to more in this world one day!

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fantastic!

This whole series has become my favourite trilogy of all time. Original plot lines are hard to come by these days but Chakraborty was able to weave a rich web of history and mythology that was honestly incredible. The third book had me bawling, and no book has ever done that to me. I will be buying these in hard copy so I can read them again and again.

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  • 🎧AudiobookFiend
  • 2020-07-04

Ecumenical. Exquisite. Exemplary.

Once in a lifetime we are graced by an author who writes as naturally as we breath. Who can cross borders and boundaries through the merely stoke of own. S. A. Chakraborty is such an author.

⚖️ Plot: Being the final installment of the trilogy, I was expecting one big twist. Instead, we enjoyed a plethora of them, all seamlessly woven in and timed to perfection. And talking about giving us closure, we were gifted not with one epilogue but an entire Part of the book of what ensues after the inciting event.

🗺 World: I cannot impress upon you enough how enchanting the world of Daevabad is... You don’t only get one set of mythical beings but entire tribes of Daeva, Djinn, Ifrits, Marids, Shedu and Peris. I can confidently say that you have never read anything like it your life!

💑 Characters: As with her encapsulating story, Chakraborty never gives us anything cliche or sappy. From Dara to Nahri to Ali, each gets their just deserves and yet the characters and readers are empowered to imagine their futures as they would wish from there on out. I could not have asked for a better end to this sensational trilogy.

9 people found this helpful

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  • Judy M. Baker
  • 2021-08-08

Disappointed Fan

After reading the first two books in this trilogy I was anxious and excited to begin the Empire of Gold.

I persevered for more than half of the book and gave up. The joy and magic of the first two intriguing books was lost in anger and mean behavior by the characters which was uncharacteristic. The relationships between the characters no longer seem to hold together. I became disinterested.

Maybe it was a desire to get lost in the fantasy that propelled my interest in the previous books and the lack of magic in the last book that destroyed my commitment to completing the book. I rarely abandon books partway through. After the beautiful language and complexity of the first two Books, this one seemed redundant and as I said mean spirited. I hope for future novels of the caliber of the first two from this author.

I was disappointed and sorry to say goodbye to all of the wonderful characters after struggling with them for two long stories.

5 people found this helpful

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  • Alexandra
  • 2020-12-19

91 hours to get my heart broken

The story was written very well. Narrator did a great job. I do feel some injustice for my favorite character. The past three books tell a story of suffering and redemption. He was given power he never wanted when all he desired was connection. His fate at the end left me in tears. I know the world is cruel and unfair but I wanted a happy ending for for this character and I felt he was robbed.

I found all the princes unlikable which is an unpopular opinion. They felt like entitled rich kids who end up getting everything they want. I guess that's how the world works?

I love the main female character. She is head strong and made the best choices she could. I love her story. Fantastic character development and unique.

5 people found this helpful

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  • HappyatHeart
  • 2021-01-20

A fantastic finish to the trilogy!

The Empire of Gold picks up where the second book left off and tells its story from the PoVs of Nahri, Ali, and Dara. There are enough reminders that even if it’s been a hot minute since you read the second book you’ll understand what’s happening here.
I loved the first two books and the third does not disappoint. It is filled with action, intrigue, and Nahri’s cleverness. All plot points are resolved and questions answered. I would read anything else Shannon Chakraborty cares to write!
Soneela Nankani does a terrific job of voicing these characters. There was never a point at which I confused two people; everyone had a unique voice and I thought she did both men and women well.
I loved these books so much that I bought the hardbacks for a friend. How about a movie and a graphic novel? I’d devour those, too!

4 people found this helpful

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  • Mike
  • 2020-11-24

Twilight, but the choices are Hitler or a nice boy who is also nice to you

Oh man. I couldn’t put this book down, but I really couldn’t stand how the main character lines constantly for her love from the first book who is established to A. Basically be a total hitler, and B. Is resurrected and decides to LEARN NOTHING and be hitler again. But she’s all “I can see him as a true sensitive soul”. No, he’s hitler.

As I said, I marched through this book like a soldier, and there was a lot of world building I loved. I also love that it’s high fantasy written by a woman with woman characters who exist outside of their relationships with men... kind of. The characters all had pretty much the same voice so it was hard to tell. Everyone was Jos Whedon sarcastic and quippy, and boy did it grind my gears.

The world building is great and despite the narrative flaws I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading it.

This book gets a “Respect yourself, Girl”/5

3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • CC
  • 2020-11-04

Great series for your Bookclub

I’ve been recommending this series to all my girlfriends.

4.5/5 - Pure 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The fires burned so brightly for this series, there isn’t any oxygen left in the room. Whew.

ME: I like to read/listen to multiple books at a time.
THIS STORY: I’m an exception.

3 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-07-22

Great book

I enjoyed this book overall. The narrator did an awesome job. It definitely makes a difference when you listen to a book. I would definitely recommend this series.

3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • handwaver
  • 2020-10-31

1/4 of this book needed to be edited out

First, Soneela Nankani did a fantastic job of narration. The shifts in characters from male to female, Daeva, Djinn and Marid were all handled flawlessly The story itself had some great moments, some very interesting intrigue etc. however it was far too “angsty” - waaayy too much internal guilt, moaning, complaining, and whining from several characters. I really could see 25% of this book chopped away by a good editor. Towards the end, after the climax, I thought the dénouement was excessively long. I enjoyed parts of the book, but really I was kind of relieved when it was over

2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 2023-05-31

Even the narrator couldn't save it this time.

The previous books all came dangerously close to devolving into some twilight-style drama fueled y.a. nonsense, this one crossed waaay over that line. Whole swathes of this book are just repeat scenes of "we want each other, but we must not". I think the only reason I finished this one was for the trilogy wrap up.
Main character is supposed to be a clever, scrappy grifter with a heart of gold (they tell you so repeatedly). Her thoughts and actions read like she's totally dense and she's constantly being acerbic or downright shitty to everyone who tries to help. Thoroughly unlikable, hope we've heard the last of Nahri.
All that to say, this book reads like amateur fan fiction, where the author wishes every guy (all of which happen to be the buff, gorgeous, and tender-hearted bad boy type) falls in love with her crappy attitude and secret beauty instantly.
Decent conclusion to the main story arcs, but honestly, I wish I had the hours I spent on this series back.

1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Daniele Peca
  • 2022-12-24

Way overlong, weak story

i struggled to finish this one. Some scenes would drag on forever, the story is like a meal with a lot of spices, but not much to chew on

1 person found this helpful