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The Raven Tower

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The Raven Tower

Written by: Ann Leckie
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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About this listen

Shortlisted for the 2020 World Fantasy Award

Gods meddle in the fates of men, men play with the fates of gods, and a pretender must be cast down from the throne in this breathtaking first fantasy novel from Ann Leckie, New York Times best-selling author and winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Awards.

"Absolutely wonderful...utterly brilliant." (The New York Times Book Review)

For centuries, the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by the god known as the Raven. He watches over his territory from atop a tower in the powerful port of Vastai. His will is enacted through the Raven's Lease, a human ruler chosen by the god himself. His magic is sustained via the blood sacrifice that every Lease must offer. And under the Raven's watch, the city flourishes.

But the power of the Raven is weakening. A usurper has claimed the throne. The kingdom borders are tested by invaders who long for the prosperity that Vastai boasts. And they have made their own alliances with other gods.

It is into this unrest that the warrior Eolo - aide to Mawat, the true Lease - arrives. And in seeking to help Mawat reclaim his city, Eolo discovers that the Raven's Tower holds a secret. Its foundations conceal a dark history that has been waiting to reveal itself...and to set in motion a chain of events that could destroy Iraden forever.

"It's a delight to read something so different, so wonderful and strange." (Patrick Rothfuss)

For more Ann Leckie, check out:

  • Ancillary Justice
  • Ancillary Sword
  • Ancillary Mercy
  • Provenance
©2019 Ann Leckie (P)2019 Hachette Audio
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Royalty City Destiny
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What the critics say

"Leckie's tale takes on a mythic, metafictional quality...and the story's elements weave into a stunning conclusion. This impressive piece of craftsmanship cements Leckie's place as a powerful voice in both SF and fantasy." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Sharp, many layered, and, as always for Leckie, deeply intelligent." (Kirkus, starred review)

What listeners say about The Raven Tower

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Loved this book, possibly even more than Ancillary

Anne Leckie has an incredible knack for writing nonhuman characters, and the narrator did a fantastic job giving voice to everyone in the book, human or otherwise. I'm really not sure what I can say about the content that isn't a spoiler, so I'll just leave it at "this is absolutely worth reading or listening to".

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  • Overall
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Beautiful exploration of the complexities of power

I love Ann Leckie's novels because she writes so well about the diverse and dynamic complexities of power relations. In "The Raven Tower", she does this just as well as her science fiction novels. I did not immediately realise the links to Hamlet, but once this was pointed out to me I saw the many ways in which she drew on characters and relations from Hamlet. In particular, I loved the parallels to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Adjoa Andoh is an incredible narrator and has made the many characters almost perfectly distinguishable.She is on my narrators to follow list now!! I would love to see her act...alas I do not live in the UK.

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Amazing and unique plot

Innovative plot with great exploration of the concept of gods. Liked that it did not rehash the standard formula of magic, heroes and impossible quests.

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Not For Me

Made it a couple hours in and had to abandon ship. It felt like the author was trying to lay the groundwork for political intrigue and mystery, but the world (government, gods, etc.) just felt convoluted, and not in an interesting way, and there was absolutely nothing compelling about the characters. I was left with zero desire to learn more about this world or these characters. Adjoa Andoh's narration was great, but even this best narrator couldn't salvage this story for me. I will go to the grave without knowing what became of the usurper on the throne or whatever, and I am perfectly fine with that.

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2 people found this helpful