Chapter summaries City of the Plague God Sarwat Chadda

Chapter 44: About the Authors – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Chapter 44 is a metatextual afterword presenting short biographies of the book’s creators. The first profile belongs to Sarwat Chadda, the author of City of the Plague God. The text describes him as a first-generation Muslim immigrant who has spent his life blending his family’s heritage with his British upbringing. After working as an engineer, he turned to writing and published his first novel in 2009. His bibliography includes the Indian mythology–inspired Ash Mistry series and the Shadow Magic trilogy (written under the pen name Joshua Khan). He lives in London with his wife, two daughters, and a cat.

The second profile introduces Rick Riordan, the creator of the Percy Jackson series and the founder of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. The description emphasizes his goal of publishing highly entertaining books by authors from underrepresented cultures, allowing them to tell stories rooted in their own mythology and folklore. The chapter closes with the authors’ social media handles.

Key Events

  • The chapter presents Sarwat Chadda’s background: his immigration story, career change from engineering to writing, and his existing works.
  • It introduces Rick Riordan, his bestselling series, and the mission statement of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.
  • Contact information for both authors is provided at the end.

Character Development

This chapter does not develop any fictional characters from the novel. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the real-life backgrounds of the author and the series editor. For readers, it humanizes the creative team behind the book and contextualizes the story’s cultural influences.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Cultural Integration: Sarwat Chadda’s biography highlights the ongoing process of balancing a heritage from a Muslim immigrant family with life in modern Britain. This theme mirrors the novel’s exploration of identity, where the protagonist Sikandar navigates two worlds.
  • Representation in Publishing: The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is built on the idea that authors from underrepresented backgrounds should write their own mythologies. This chapter reinforces the novel’s implicit message that diverse voices matter.
  • Storytelling as a Bridge: Both authors’ backgrounds illustrate how mythology and adventure stories can connect readers to cultures different from their own.

Why This Chapter Matters

Even though it sits outside the narrative, this chapter serves as an important contextual anchor. It reminds readers that City of the Plague God is part of a larger publishing movement dedicated to authentic representation. For students and book clubs, it provides a starting point for discussing the real-world inspirations behind the novel’s mythology and characters. It also celebrates the author’s journey, showing how personal heritage can fuel creative work.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the stated goal of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint?
The imprint aims to publish highly entertaining books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds, enabling them to tell their own stories based on the mythology, folklore, and culture of their heritage.

2. How does Sarwat Chadda’s personal background influence his writing?
As a first-generation Muslim immigrant, Chadda draws on his family’s heritage and the tension between tradition and his British upbringing. This integration is a recurring theme in his work, including City of the Plague God, which mixes Mesopotamian mythology with contemporary New York City.

3. Why might the author bios be placed at the end of the book rather than the beginning?
Placing the bios as a final chapter allows readers to finish the story first and then learn about the creators. It also emphasizes that the authors’ real-life experiences are a concluding thought—a confirmation of the authenticity behind the fiction.

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