City of Blades: Book 2 of the Divine Cities trilogy

WORLD FANTASY AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • In a half-drowned city left ruined by the death of its gods, a grizzled general investigates a discovery that could upend the world—the second book of an epic fantasy trilogy from the nationally bestselling author of The Tainted Cup.

“Beautiful and satisfying . . . City of Blades takes everything that’s great about City of Stairs, and doubles it. Not only is it a rip-roaring study of epic fantasy, heroism, and godhood, but Bennett also explores warfare, the idea of service, disability, belief, morality, and more.”—Book Riot

A generation ago, the city of Voortyashtan was the stronghold of the god of war and death. Now, the city’s god is dead and the city lies in ruins. And to its new military occupiers, the once-powerful capital is a wasteland of sectarian violence and bloody uprisings.

This backwater posting is where General Turyin Malaghesh—foul-mouthed hero of the battle of Bulikov, rumored war criminal, ally of an embattled Prime Minister—is being put out to pasture. At least, that’s the cover story. The truth is that the general has been pressed into service one last time, dispatched to investigate a discovery only she's qualified to make sense of, one with the potential to change the world . . . or destroy it.

Don’t miss any of Robert Jackson Bennet’s Divine Cities trilogy:
CITY OF STAIRS • CITY OF BLADES • CITY OF MIRACLES

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Published Jan 26, 2016

496 pages

Average rating: 10

4 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Luke
Feb 21, 2026
10/10 stars
Liked this one even more than the first. The thoughts on war and the purpose of a soldier from the perspective of a grizzled general who just wants to retire but has one last assignment was particularly well done.

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