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City in Chains
A gritty new epic fantasy by New York Times bestselling and Hugo-winning author, Harry Turtledove.
A conquered city. A growing resistance. A war for their freedom.
For three long years, the militant Chleuh have occupied the Kingdom of Quimper and its great capital, Lutesse. Times are hard since they won the war. There’s not much food or fuel — the Chleuh take anything that isn’t nailed down.
People in Lutesse have terrible choices to make. Do they go along with the Chleuh and try to make the best of a bad situation? Or do they try to fight back, hoping the occupation can’t last forever?
Take Malk Malkovici, junkman extraordinaire. He’s a foreigner in Lutesse, and one who follows the wrong gods. If he doesn’t make himself useful to the Chleuh, he’s a dead man. If he makes himself too useful and the occupiers lose the war, the resistance will have its revenge. It’s a fine line to walk.
Or Guisa Sachry, an actor who craves the attention of an audience to feel alive. But the Chleuh control the theaters the same way they control all the other arts. If he’s going to appear at all, he has to accommodate himself to them. And the longer the war goes on, the deeper in he gets.
It can't go on like this forever. Battle-dragons fly over Lutesse. Resistance rises.
Liberation may not be far away. . . .
CITY IN CHAINS is a new military epic fantasy by Harry Turtledove, the NYT bestselling and Hugo-winning author of Worldwar. Set in a city reminiscent of occupied Paris during World War II, join a trapped people as they turn to magic to try to make life tolerable among occupation by a Gestapo-like force.
A conquered city. A growing resistance. A war for their freedom.
For three long years, the militant Chleuh have occupied the Kingdom of Quimper and its great capital, Lutesse. Times are hard since they won the war. There’s not much food or fuel — the Chleuh take anything that isn’t nailed down.
People in Lutesse have terrible choices to make. Do they go along with the Chleuh and try to make the best of a bad situation? Or do they try to fight back, hoping the occupation can’t last forever?
Take Malk Malkovici, junkman extraordinaire. He’s a foreigner in Lutesse, and one who follows the wrong gods. If he doesn’t make himself useful to the Chleuh, he’s a dead man. If he makes himself too useful and the occupiers lose the war, the resistance will have its revenge. It’s a fine line to walk.
Or Guisa Sachry, an actor who craves the attention of an audience to feel alive. But the Chleuh control the theaters the same way they control all the other arts. If he’s going to appear at all, he has to accommodate himself to them. And the longer the war goes on, the deeper in he gets.
It can't go on like this forever. Battle-dragons fly over Lutesse. Resistance rises.
Liberation may not be far away. . . .
CITY IN CHAINS is a new military epic fantasy by Harry Turtledove, the NYT bestselling and Hugo-winning author of Worldwar. Set in a city reminiscent of occupied Paris during World War II, join a trapped people as they turn to magic to try to make life tolerable among occupation by a Gestapo-like force.
- GenresFantasyAlternate History
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2025
171 people are currently reading
1796 people want to read
About the author
Harry Turtledove
566 books1,978 followersDr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 23, 2025
This is my first book by Mr. Turtledove. I’ve heard of him as a fantasy alternate history author with plenty of street cred. Entering this story with little more preamble than that, I was utterly delighted! Turtledove has a charming and unique style of characterization that keeps the tongue pressed to the cheek and snorts and chuckles at the ready. The alternate history elements repeated in context enough that I kept the new nations straight while seeing how this story focused on the characters. He doesn’t make life easy on any of them, and I loved following along.
I, myself, have found new characters in a familiar land with a magical twist, and I loved it. The peril of the playwright with a sordid habit or two endeared me in the end as I saw so much of myself in him. I too must not give up despite what others think. The playwright inspired me to be better in many ways, including having gratitude for what I have instead of fretting for what I don’t.
I highly recommend adding the audiobook. Peter Berkrot’s narration was top notch as usual. He adds a whimsical tone that fits so well with this adventure and the lively characters. Truly a magnificent performance!
I expect to read many more of Mr Turtledove’s stories after this. City of Chains was a sweet drink that quenched my thirst for new characters and a magical story. Cheers!
I, myself, have found new characters in a familiar land with a magical twist, and I loved it. The peril of the playwright with a sordid habit or two endeared me in the end as I saw so much of myself in him. I too must not give up despite what others think. The playwright inspired me to be better in many ways, including having gratitude for what I have instead of fretting for what I don’t.
I highly recommend adding the audiobook. Peter Berkrot’s narration was top notch as usual. He adds a whimsical tone that fits so well with this adventure and the lively characters. Truly a magnificent performance!
I expect to read many more of Mr Turtledove’s stories after this. City of Chains was a sweet drink that quenched my thirst for new characters and a magical story. Cheers!
August 15, 2025
I hate DNF'ing books but this one wasn't compelling enough for me to stay awake
July 7, 2025
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway!
Unfortunately, I was not much of a fan of this book. I didn’t like the characters and none of them really had any personality at all. They felt very empty the whole time, even in the moments where they *did* show their bits of personality. The only one who did seem to have any personality was Sachry, the actor.
At the beginning, a lot of place and people names are thrown at you. It did make it very difficult for me to keep track of a lot of them, but keep in mind that I’m not great with remembering names! So that might be a personal problem of mine.
Point of view changes mid chapter, so that might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
A whole lot of nothing happens. It almost seems as if interesting plot hooks ARE happening, but the main characters completely avoid them altogether. An example is when a dragon crashes into the building across the street from Malk’s home. They save the rider, stow him away overnight, hand him over to someone in the morning, and that was the end of that. They spoke about the worries and what MIGHT happen while it was going on, but nothing happens. Ever. And that part takes up just a few pages of the book. Most of the book follows after really mundane day-to-day life, which is not my thing. I much prefer action. There’s also mentions of raids and “bombings” by the dragons and riders constantly, but we never actually see any of it. People go into basements to hide, that one dragon lands on top of that building, and that’s it. Honestly, I’m not sure what the point of the raids is when there’s so little impact to the story.
Each problem is also immediately fixed within a few pages, aside from one reoccurring conflict in Sachry’s storyline, though nothing seems to come out of it in the end, and when it does, Sachry ignores the problem for the most part. That being said, every type of conflict in the story seems to not actually be conflict considering it’s all immediately fixed without lasting impact.
Nothing actually really happens until 60% of the way into the book, according to my Kindle. Up until then, and even after, is mostly just mundane daily life.
Overall, I was just not a fan, unfortunately. It’s described as a “gritty new epic fantasy” but it feels like anything but. The fantasy element is so low that it’s practically non existent, and I’m not sure why there’s even mention of dragons when the story could have been told exactly the same way if they just weren’t present. The story just does not compare to how interesting the summary makes it seem.
Unfortunately, I was not much of a fan of this book. I didn’t like the characters and none of them really had any personality at all. They felt very empty the whole time, even in the moments where they *did* show their bits of personality. The only one who did seem to have any personality was Sachry, the actor.
At the beginning, a lot of place and people names are thrown at you. It did make it very difficult for me to keep track of a lot of them, but keep in mind that I’m not great with remembering names! So that might be a personal problem of mine.
Point of view changes mid chapter, so that might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
A whole lot of nothing happens. It almost seems as if interesting plot hooks ARE happening, but the main characters completely avoid them altogether. An example is when a dragon crashes into the building across the street from Malk’s home. They save the rider, stow him away overnight, hand him over to someone in the morning, and that was the end of that. They spoke about the worries and what MIGHT happen while it was going on, but nothing happens. Ever. And that part takes up just a few pages of the book. Most of the book follows after really mundane day-to-day life, which is not my thing. I much prefer action. There’s also mentions of raids and “bombings” by the dragons and riders constantly, but we never actually see any of it. People go into basements to hide, that one dragon lands on top of that building, and that’s it. Honestly, I’m not sure what the point of the raids is when there’s so little impact to the story.
Each problem is also immediately fixed within a few pages, aside from one reoccurring conflict in Sachry’s storyline, though nothing seems to come out of it in the end, and when it does, Sachry ignores the problem for the most part. That being said, every type of conflict in the story seems to not actually be conflict considering it’s all immediately fixed without lasting impact.
Nothing actually really happens until 60% of the way into the book, according to my Kindle. Up until then, and even after, is mostly just mundane daily life.
Overall, I was just not a fan, unfortunately. It’s described as a “gritty new epic fantasy” but it feels like anything but. The fantasy element is so low that it’s practically non existent, and I’m not sure why there’s even mention of dragons when the story could have been told exactly the same way if they just weren’t present. The story just does not compare to how interesting the summary makes it seem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2025
Looking for a poorly written story? Don't read this- there is no story. Dropped into the middle of a world with plenty of potential for engaging storytelling only to hear about the mundane daily lives of two men. One of them basically a sock full of Jewish stereotypes, the other a self-centered misogynist actor, and neither with enough personality to create any decent character development. Somehow, the people they interacted with were vastly more interesting. Lastly, the dialogue appeared to be written by a smart toaster. All the punctuation was there, but no heart at all. I don't know how this author has been published repeatedly if this is what they deliver. Don't waste your time or money on this snorefest.
August 6, 2025
This was a thinly veiled reconstruction of Paris during WWII. The setting is realistic, the society familiar, the trials and tribulations of the ordinary folk (on all sides) relevant and relatable - the author did his usual excellent job of recasting this historical time into fantastical language, making history more relevant for the modern generation. I enjoyed the history as much as I enjoyed the story, and I plan to get more of this author's work into my personal library.
July 25, 2025
Memorable Characters
Well-written and sympathetic transposition of Occupied Paris to a fantasy landscape in which two very different people are forced to make their own accommodation with the invading power. Despite the distancing of the situation's re-invention as fantasy, Turtledove endows his protagonists with real depth and sympathy for their predicament. An excellent read.
Well-written and sympathetic transposition of Occupied Paris to a fantasy landscape in which two very different people are forced to make their own accommodation with the invading power. Despite the distancing of the situation's re-invention as fantasy, Turtledove endows his protagonists with real depth and sympathy for their predicament. An excellent read.
August 4, 2025
I'm more a fan of Turtledove's alternate histories than fantasies, but this is both, and another in a string of dozens of excellent books he's written.
Interesting characters, somewhat-surprising plots (this is set in an alternate Paris during WW2, so you kinda can guess,) great dialogue and exposition. A really fun read that went too fast.
Interesting characters, somewhat-surprising plots (this is set in an alternate Paris during WW2, so you kinda can guess,) great dialogue and exposition. A really fun read that went too fast.
September 5, 2025
While this is a total fantasy, dragons and magic oh my. It's really a story of occupied Paris during World War 2 and what happened after Paris/Lutesse was liberated. An interesting look at wartime collaboration, a topic rarely covered, a decent read.
September 8, 2025
Enjoyable Read!!
I enjoyed this story. Well-paced with realistic characters. Reminded me very much of the World at War series. You know it’s fantasy, but you can picture Paris, 1944 with no problems. Would be interesting to see other stories in this universe.
I enjoyed this story. Well-paced with realistic characters. Reminded me very much of the World at War series. You know it’s fantasy, but you can picture Paris, 1944 with no problems. Would be interesting to see other stories in this universe.
May 20, 2025
just so so
A lot of typos. It doesn’t appear that it was edited very well.
The outcome was predictable, not a typical Harry Turtledove book.
A lot of typos. It doesn’t appear that it was edited very well.
The outcome was predictable, not a typical Harry Turtledove book.
June 25, 2025
Never disappoints
Once more we get a story that has characters that have depth and empathy. This is worth the read in all categories.
Once more we get a story that has characters that have depth and empathy. This is worth the read in all categories.
July 31, 2025
Great characters and story that parallels the French occupation of WW2! Ending is a little anticlimactic and would liked to have seen more of the fantasy elements as part of the action.
January 10, 2026
3.5
Pretty unique book, I enjoyed most of it
Pretty unique book, I enjoyed most of it
May 23, 2025
Excellent world building. Even though this is fantasy it felt like a real city with real events. The story in the city was engaging with interesting characters. Overall, it was very well done.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews