Empire of Gold was a glorious finish to a wonderful series; not only did Chakraborty tell a fascinating story filled with magic, politics, world-shaking events, and heart-felt relationships, she introduced me to cultures and mythologies I knew little about, something I am grateful for.
Like the best fantasy, the novel reflects the challenges humanity faces on both a global and personal level. Chakraborty doesn't shy away from depicting the horrors of prejudice, occupation, and genocide, but she doesn't wallow in it, either, and there is a strong thread of hope throughout the series. Many of the characters, however good or evil their actions, however naive or cynical they are, want a better world, and this is treated as a laudable goal, not a fantasy. By the end of the book old hates have not been forgiven or forgotten, but there is a path forward to a more peaceful future.
On a smaller scale, one of the things I enjoyed the most was watching Nahri -- orphaned con artist and reluctant heir to a powerful legacy -- face every challenge with her own brand of strength. So many tried to put her in a box, whether as a woman, a Nahid, a shafit, an tool of revenge, but at every step she defied them and out-manipulated them, refusing to let someone else control her fate. I don't recall any other fantasy heroine who was quite so adept at not doing what others wanted, while still honoring her own (evolving) moral code, and that makes her a treat to read.
Lately almost everything I read inspires me to make something. The covers of the U.S. hardcover editions featured gorgeous color combinations which I memorialized in some simple stretchy bracelets:
