- Paperback: 356 pages
- Publisher: Lulu.com (December 2007)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1435705459
- ISBN-13: 978-1435705456
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 499 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #460,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Wells's second novel (after The Element of Fire) is a delight: an SF adventure with complex characters, archeological puzzles, a dash of mental magic and a lot of fast-paced action. Khat and his partner, Sagai, make their living finding relics that survived the destruction of the Ancients and selling them to the highest bidders. Khat is a Krisman (a bioengineered human whose race was designed for the grueling desert environment most of his world has become), which places him even lower on the social scale than his foreign-born partner. The two are coerced into working with the Patrician Warder, Elen, who is searching out a specific relic for her mentor, the Master Warder. Warders have certain mental powers, although overusing these powers can cause them to go mad. The Master Warder believes that this particular relic will enhance his powers without causing insanity, but Khat and Elen discover that there is a terrible price to be paid for using the artifact, one that may bring about the final destruction of their already ailing planet. 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.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Wells' second novel is a reasonably original postholocaust fantasy. The holocaust in this case caused the sea to dry up and left a good number of relics of the ancient days. There has grown up a trade in the latter, and as in all times and climes, archaeology attracts criminals, pretenders, and well-meaning amateurs as well as strict professionals. Mix those kinds of characters up in palace intrigue with mad or at least obsessive wizards, beautiful maidens, and a hunt for the Secret of the Remnant, and you have the makings of a decent adventure tale with an Arabian Nights flavor that Wells has the technical skill, as well as the verve and wit, to bring off quite nicely. Roland Green
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Had potential,
By
This review is from: City of Bones (Paperback)
I thought the world built by Martha Wells in this book had potential. There was an interesting magic system, history, setting... but I felt the book didn`t take advantage of these things.The characters didn`t grab me unfortunately, and the plot didn`t feel very unique.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Archaeological mystery,
By Cynthia Cooper "Cyn" (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: City of Bones (Mass Market Paperback)
I usually can't read fantasy, because I can't suspend my disbelief enough to accept what I'm being told. Elves, magic, dragons, all that's fine; what I can't believe are the ridiculous societies and implausible politics that too many fantasy authors fall back on.I loved City of Bones because it presented me with a society that worked coherently, drew sensible conclusions from the information presented to the reader, and provided an archaeological mystery which the reader can try to solve right along with the characters (which is a HUGE plus in ANY novel, as Ellery Queen readers can attest). Perhaps I overintellectualize, but the point remains that I'm definitely going to look for Wells' other books now. That's the only recommendation that really matters in the end.
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you've not read it, give it a try. Well worth it!,
By A Customer
This review is from: City Of Bones (Hardcover)
Martha Wells is a great writer because she has the talent for great dialogue and world building (or I should say city building). In "Death of the Necromancer" she gives her Vienne a real mood, as if you are walking along a dark Victorian street. And in "Wheel of the Infinite" she gives Duvalpore an Oriental and Medieval feel. With this book, she makes Charisat feel like a Medieval Sultanate. The more I read her works, the more I am impressed. I must add that getting into her stories are a lot of fun because they leave you guessing where it's going next. She is definitely a fantasy author worth checking into.
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