Books like City of Stairs (The Divine Cities Book 1) by Robert Jackson Bennett
Bulikov, once a city ruled by divine powers that conquered the world, now lies under colonial rule, its curiously shattered landscape a haunting reminder of its former glory. Shara Thivani—officially a junior diplomat, unofficially a skilled spy—enters the city to investigate a murder. As she delves deeper, she questions whether the gods that once governed Bulikov are truly dead and whether the city’s brutal reign could still be continuing.
First publish date: 2014
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Authors: Robert Jackson Bennett
★
★
★
★
★
3.5 (2 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for City of Stairs (The Divine Cities Book 1) by Robert Jackson Bennett are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to City of Stairs (The Divine Cities Book 1) (16 similar books)
Inspector Tyador Borlú journeys from Besźel to Ul Qoma to investigate the murder of a woman, navigating two distinct cities that both share one physical space yet have separate identities.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In the grim, alchemical city of New Crobuzon, scientist Isaac Underwood faces a half-bird, half-human Garuda and a ravenous caterpillar that threatens the entire metropolis.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A junior diplomat‑turned-spy navigates the ruined, god‑shaped city of Bulikov, hunting a murderer while uncovering that its former divine rulers may still loom over its shattered streets.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In a mid‑future dystopian world, a young clairvoyant named Paige rebels against a powerful security force and is captured by an otherworldly race that turns her into a supernatural fighter.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Young detective Herculeah Jones partners with her mother, a private investigator, to unravel a chilling mystery that tests their courage and wit.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A Texas teacher becomes entangled in a murder investigation, blending mystery with a look into small‑town school life. The novel explores the challenges faced by women teachers and the hidden tensions within a tight‑knit community as the investigation unfolds.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A Texas Ranger and a group of paranormal investigators solve a case of murder and disappearance in San Antonio.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A town clerk's investigation of a murder that could clear a political scandal.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A campus policewoman leads a murder investigation, navigating procedural steps and unraveling clues in a university setting.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Two unlikely friends—a Jewish golem and a fiery jinn—navigate 19th‑century New York, confronting destiny and the limits of their powers.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
In 1878 Santa Fe, thirteen‑year‑old Lizzy Enders, left after her mother’s death, must navigate life as the lone non‑Catholic student at a convent school while playing a role in an event many label a miracle.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
A Biblical scholar uncovers a mysterious letter from Jesus, leading him on a thrilling hunt to find the lost scroll that could change the world.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
This book is about two children, a brother and sister, who are cruel to some ants under their back steps. The ants shrink the children down to ant size, and the children have to live with the ants as part of the colony. Lots of information about ants; a great introduction to ant behavior. The book also has a great moral focus; reverence for life, respect for all creatures, walking in another's shoes, do unto others...etc. I loved, loved, loved this book as a child; I was fascinated with the science I was exposed to, and enchanted (and a little scared) by the idea of being the size of an ant.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
The Fifth Season by N.K. JemisinThe City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
The Mountain of Black Glass by Thana Redeira
The Factory Witches of Lowell by Catherine French
Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!