City of Stairs (The Divine Cities)
Robert Jackson Bennett
As the brilliant and exceedingly well read Cosma Shalizi would say – mind candy. A well done fantasy (dare I say “urban” fantasy?) about the goings on in a once great city protected by ancient gods who may or may not be reappearing to save the city from persecution. Like many well done fantasy novels, this one is really a detective story in a weird world. Instead of setting the scene in, say, DC like Pelecanos, Bennet sets the scene in a world of monsters and dying gods. It’s a different feel than urban noir, but a feel I like. I’ll be checking out other of Bennet’s books in the years to come.

Recommended for the enthusiast.