River of Silver

River of Silver is a companion book to the Daevabad trilogy with a number of short stories from alternative perspectives (or alternate versions of the novel) that didn't make sense to include in the main trilogy. I don't think it makes any sense to read if you haven't finished the trilogy, but it's a nice side piece to the series to flesh out the world without diluting the (already long) trilogy.

And while I wanted to set them in a fully realized world among a rich constellation of friends and family, lovers and enemies, all with their own histories, quirks, and agendas, I did decide early on that this particular story would focus on Nahri and Ali, and later Dara.

I have a great affection for my side characters, however, and a firm belief that writing things out is the most organic way to let stories grow and breathe.

It's interesting to read this perspective from the author after my own previous comments of "wanting to see more from the side characters". This series did an exceptional job of having all of its characters feel very fleshed out and real (even if you don't see what they're up to off page). Part of the reason for that clearly is that SA Chakraborty took the time to write these stories even if they didn't make it into the book at the end.

I won't list everything, but I think my favorite stories here are: * Jamshid and Muntadhir!!! * a better conclusion to the Nahri/Ali romance plot * perspectives from Manizheh and Ghassan that give their characters a little more depth than the series has room for

*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book. 

THE RIVER OF SILVER is a group of stories arranged alongside and between the main books of the Daevabad trilogy, showing hidden moments with characters you know and (maybe) love already.

To me, the best way to read this would be to read the stories alongside the main trilogy, in the order indicated at the start of each chapter. Because most of these stories were originally drafted as part of the writing process for the other books, they contribute to but are unable to alter the emotional landscape and general trajectory of the series. They work well as companion stories to the trilogy, but are unable to stand on their own for someone who hasn’t read the other books. There are some excellent sections relating to events before the main trilogy featuring characters not seen before, and I enjoyed. This book is absolutely worth reading if you want more of Jamshid and Muntadhir, singly and together. Many of the stories touch on the arc of their relationship, and for me the highlight of the book is a story featuring both of them which takes place near (or perhaps slightly after) the end of EMPIRE OF GOLD. Anyone hoping also or instead for more of Nahri, Ali, or Dara shouldn’t be disappointed either. 

CW for cursing (brief), sexual content (brief), grief (graphic), xenophobia, pregnancy (backstory), sexual harassment, sexual assault (brief), panic attacks, alcohol, fire/fire injury, blood (graphic), gore (brief), torture, body horror, violence (graphic), torture, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, suicidal thoughts (brief), genocide (backstory), self harm, suicide attempt (backstory), parental death (backstory), death (graphic).