City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett (2014)

In a city where gods were once real — and were killed — a spy investigates a murder that could awaken divine power again. Bennett’s blend of espionage, theology, and fantasy worldbuilding is fresh and cinematic. The plot moves like a thriller but carries the weight of myth. It’s clever, politically charged, and thrillingly original, proving that fantasy can be as smart as it is spectacular.

Rating: 4.5/5