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  • City of Bones

  • Written by: Martha Wells
  • Narrated by: Kyle McCarley
  • Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (12 ratings)

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City of Bones

Written by: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kyle McCarley
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Publisher's Summary

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

What the critics say

"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)

What listeners say about City of Bones

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

a bit on the confusing side

I'm a fan of Martha after reading the murder bot series. This one just felt not fully realized. Maybe I missed things, but** Spoiler**. The creature/ghost who's motivation for wanting everything dead was simply its nature? but it could also plot things and manipulate characters? Why did this creature need this ritual to be done if the way was already open? What was the point of this catalyst creating a barrier if instead they just don't do the ritual... and if this builder at the end knew a way out, why didn't he already use it. Why was it the city of Bones if burning bones was what seemed pointless to the plot. This book just didn't make sense.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great atmosphere and world-building

Kyle McCarley is a pleasure to listen to if you enjoy a narrator who does multiple voices and puts a lot of emotion into their performance. The world-building was interesting: a little Indiana Jones (the scenes of the city remind me of the Indy films when they visit places like Morocco and thr Middle East), a little old timey sci-fi, and some magic for good measure. This book sci-fantasy and it manages the mix in interesting ways. We find out it's a post-apocalyptic world threatened by the usual politics and an enemy so old it has become legend. While the action in this book is good, it's probably going to appeal most to readers who love world-building and character driven story. It is stand alone, though, so it's not going to scratch the itch of someone who wants the world-building of a long series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Martha Wells has true talent

The thing about Martha’s writing is that she isn’t knocking out the number of words to get a book. Her characters come alive in a story that is hard to put down. Kyle McCarley’s narration is excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story

Well worth listening to; possibly one of the most interesting fantasy novels I’ve read recently.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Literal Muzak

17 Chapters in and Martha Wells has failed to engage this reader.

I sense a screenwriter not a novelist.

Pass on Season 2

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