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City of Bones

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City of Bones

By: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kyle McCarley
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About this listen

Khat, a member of a humanoid race created by the Ancients to survive in the Waste, and Sagai, his human partner, are relic dealers working on the edge of society, trying to stay one step ahead of the Trade Inspectors and to support Sagai's family. When Khat is hired to find relics believed to be part of one of the Ancients' arcane engines, they are both reluctant to become involved. But the request comes from the Warders, powerful mages who serve Charisat's Elector.

Khat soon discovers that the deadly politics of Charisat's upper tiers aren't the only danger. The relics the Warders want are the key to an Ancient magic of unknown power, and, as all the inhabitants of Charisat know, no one understands the Ancients' magic.

©1995 Martha Wells (P)2013 Tantor Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic

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Critic reviews

"This finely crafted novel expertly combines several genres-SF, fantasy, horror-and, perhaps most impressive of all, even manages to avoid an overly sentimental ending." ( Publishers Weekly Starred Review)
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I if had to categorise the story in one sentence i would call it: "adventorus story in postapocaliptic fantasy world". Well designed and well thought world which is unique enough to be worth of listening too just for it. But martha Wells is always great at writing characters and politics which made that story great listen. I've seen from other reviews that it's getting too complicated to some but i guess it depends how much into fantasy you are to understand some ideas easier, as I've managed to follow the story well enough and english is not even my first language. It's definitely worth listening too. And narrator made great job of voicing characters.

interesting world

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Audiobook narrated by Kyle McCarley
Khat is a krisman, one of a race of engineered humanoids built to survive in the Waste. Separated from his people, by choice, he’s considered less than human by most people, except for his (human) partner, Sagai and Sagai’s family. Khat and Sagai survive by hunting and trading relics (potentially magical) of a previous civilisation. Though wary, Khat is tempted to join an expedition to the Waste organised by the Warders, mages who serve the Elector of Charisat. Khat and Elen, a minor Warder, are the only survivors of that expedition and both get caught up in a deadly game of upper-class politics. Though this is a solidly written, second-world fantasy, it’s not easily comparable with Wells’ brilliant Murderbot books. It’s complex and twisty, but the narration is a bit stodgy.

OK

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This was one of the first Martha Wells books I read, and it remains one of my favourites. It is a standalone novel with a world and a set of characters that don't reappear in any of her other books, but Khat is the same type of protagonist as Moon, or Nicholas Valisarde, or, indeed, Murderbot. I like the way Wells writes outsiders who are not too concerned with trying to fit into societies that look down on them, while still being interesting, likeable, and passionate about things that are important to them. And I like the way she allows them to find friends who are prepared to risk something to save them, when they don't believe they are worth saving.

The city of Charisat is a great setting, and the mythology we get glimpses of is really rather cool.

The narrator does a good job of representing the different characters.

A favourite

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So much about this book bothered me, 8 city tiers like a rotten cake and nothing to describe the purpose. 4 is trade but trade seems to exist in 6 to 3, every level has sewage but 1 released it sewage to help blockages in 8... then chapter 10 came and I couldn't go on.

Lost me in chapter 10

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… deep characters, good plot. And this is a stand alone story. What else can you want? :)

Amazing narration…

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A well conceived world, interesting characters and a twisting plot make this one of the best novels, let alone fantasy novels, I've 'read' in a long time. Great performance by the reader too.

I read a lot of fantasy, this one of the best

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The world-building is phenomenal and I had to pay attention because Ms. Wells absolutely refused to do information dumps and was not repeating herself. Such a big plus and yes, ma’am! The pacing was strong and mystery was genuinely gripping and I loved everything about Khat and his alien self!! The narration was stellar, which was a blessed relief as I have never listened to Kyle McCarley before?!? His characterisation of Khat was very appealing but I absolutely adored his accent and deep timbre for Constantin. In case this helps, the story here is superior to Death of a Necromancer, the plot is way better than Murderbot Diaries and though the world built in Raksura is just a touch more imaginative, it is the characters and the conflict in City of Bones that make it my favourite Martha Wells re-read.

Convinces in Every Way That Matters!

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