§Author· 3 books
S. A. Chakraborty
Also known as Shannon Chakraborty, Shannon Ali Chakraborty, Shannon A. Chakraborty, S. Chakraborty
Building expansive fantasy worlds grounded in Middle Eastern history and Islamic folklore, speculative fiction has been enriched by detailed historical research and complex political dynamics. Shannon Chakraborty, writing under the pen name S. A. Chakraborty, earned widespread recognition with her debut novel The City of Brass, which launched The Daevabad Trilogy. Her work combines intricate worldbuilding with historical adventure, drawing readers into rich setting-driven narratives.
Career & Background
Born on December 7, 1985, in New Jersey, Chakraborty studied international relations and Middle Eastern history at American University. She later moved to Brooklyn, New York, working in healthcare at a medical office while pursuing writing. During this time, she joined the Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers group and began drafting early stories set in the magical world that evolved into her debut novel, The City of Brass, published in 2017.
The critical and commercial reception of The City of Brass established her presence in historical fantasy, earning nominations for honors such as the Crawford Award, Compton Crook Award, Locus Award, World Fantasy Award, and British Fantasy Award. She completed The Daevabad Trilogy with The Kingdom of Copper and The Empire of Gold. She later moved to Queens, New York, and expanded her fantasy catalog with The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, setting an ocean-spanning adventure across the medieval Indian Ocean.
Writing Style & Themes
Chakraborty's writing relies heavily on rigorous historical grounding, blending medieval Middle Eastern lore and Islamic history with high-stakes political intrigue. Her narratives explore themes of perseverance, political conflict, morality, and hope in complex multi-layered societies. Rather than relying on standard European fantasy tropes, her work emphasizes regional folklore, oceanic seafaring history, and intricate magic systems rooted in cultural mythology.
Major Works
- The City of Brass — Published in 2017, this debut novel introduces a con artist in 18th-century Cairo who inadvertently summons a djinn warrior, leading her to the hidden magical city of Daevabad.
- The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi — A high-seas historical fantasy novel following a legendary retired pirate captain drawn back into one final quest across the medieval Indian Ocean to rescue a kidnapped daughter and track down magical artifacts.
- From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back — An anthology featuring short speculative fiction contributions set within the Star Wars universe, expanding on background characters and side narratives.
§All Books
The City of Brass
S. A. Chakraborty, 2017
446 ratings
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
S. A. Chakraborty, 2023
301 ratings
From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
S. A. Chakraborty, 2017
44 ratings