heatherllama's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Somehow I have come to read Martha Wells' previously published books. And each one I find to be nearly unputdownable as it draws me in and tells a compelling story in such a beautifully crafted world and with characters that are diverse and open up the horizon at the same time to more.
This was a treat to read & listen to.
This was a treat to read & listen to.
starrypinksky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
adancewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
3.0
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
City of Bones is a standalone fantasy that Martha Wells first published in 1995. In september the revised and updated version was released with Tor. Martha Wells has quite the list of books that she has written before Murderbot. And I did love her more recent Witch King. However this one didn't quite live up to what I have priorly read of her. Its not a bad book. But it was not memorable.
Khat is hired by warders (magic users) to find a relic in one of the arcane engines that the last ancients left behind. When this expedition goes wrong, he is pulled into a much bigger plot that might take everyone a step back into history.
When a fantasy has a rich history and ancients to be discovered about, that always excites me. And I do think that was one of the better things about this book. The pull, the mystery of that. However this book has quite a slow build and doesn't leave much room at the end for the pay off. Of the actual discovery of ancients. It was: here is one. Now its gone. That was absolutely not enough. I could have dealt with that had this been a series and if we would have had to chance to dive in deeper. But this is a standalone.
Slow builds in fantasy is not unusual. Things have to be set up. Unfortunately I did not care enough about the characters. Khat should have been interesting for who he was and his background, but it didn't move me. I cared even less about the warder. They just were not compelling to me. Not memorable.
Adding on to that, the plot had little surprises. It trudged on in the slow build up where my mind kept yelling; can't you see?
Having said that, I did find the history and the magic/science surrounding the relics and the ancient engines really interesting. It is not a bad book. But because of the above mentioned, just not very memorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, and Violence
racmros's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
indigoriverboat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
daniella's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
leatherboundgremlin's review against another edition
5.0
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for this review.
After reading The Witch King, I was expecting another wild adventure with high fantasy worldbuilding, and this did not disappoint!
City of Bones was originally released in 1995, but recently was re-released with updated text. What I read was a classic quest story with phenomenal storytelling and characters.
The story follows Khat, a backwoods antique dealer hailing from a superhuman race who finds himself in the Waste - a fearsome desert wasteland in the ruins of an old city of the Ancients - at the request of a band of magicians. On his journey, he unveils political turmoil and conspiracies that put the entire civilization in peril.
Wells’ ability to develop such wonderful characters that you empathize with is beyond belief in the best way possible. Like in The Witch King, the protagonists are multi-dimensional and empathetic, making for an excellent fantasy read.
The plot itself keeps you invested throughout, and the worldbuilding is interesting and captivating. Its introduction to the reader is a lot more eased into than The Witch King, so I would definitely recommend for anyone wanting a great high fantasy read that isn’t too overwhelming - its perfect for all readers!
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for this review.
After reading The Witch King, I was expecting another wild adventure with high fantasy worldbuilding, and this did not disappoint!
City of Bones was originally released in 1995, but recently was re-released with updated text. What I read was a classic quest story with phenomenal storytelling and characters.
The story follows Khat, a backwoods antique dealer hailing from a superhuman race who finds himself in the Waste - a fearsome desert wasteland in the ruins of an old city of the Ancients - at the request of a band of magicians. On his journey, he unveils political turmoil and conspiracies that put the entire civilization in peril.
Wells’ ability to develop such wonderful characters that you empathize with is beyond belief in the best way possible. Like in The Witch King, the protagonists are multi-dimensional and empathetic, making for an excellent fantasy read.
The plot itself keeps you invested throughout, and the worldbuilding is interesting and captivating. Its introduction to the reader is a lot more eased into than The Witch King, so I would definitely recommend for anyone wanting a great high fantasy read that isn’t too overwhelming - its perfect for all readers!
micheala's review against another edition
4.5
I'm a sucker for good worldbuilding, and City of Bones did a fantastic job creating an engaging post-apocotolyptic world. And normally, post-apocotolyptic stories aren't really my thing, but I suspect this one worked for me as it's post another fantastical world.
I found the both the society and the ecology to be well explained, giving the reader enough to understand the plot, while also still hinting at all the information that Wells is still holding onto.
The plot starts out more low stakes, but quickly ramps up. It did end up with a satisfactory conclusion, but because I loved the world so much, I did really wish that this had a sequel.
I listened to this on audio, and the narrator did a fantastic job. He was clear, and consistent with the voices that he gave all the characters.
For a book originally published in 1995 I think it holds up well and is worth a read if you enjoy high fantasy.
I found the both the society and the ecology to be well explained, giving the reader enough to understand the plot, while also still hinting at all the information that Wells is still holding onto.
The plot starts out more low stakes, but quickly ramps up. It did end up with a satisfactory conclusion, but because I loved the world so much, I did really wish that this had a sequel.
I listened to this on audio, and the narrator did a fantastic job. He was clear, and consistent with the voices that he gave all the characters.
For a book originally published in 1995 I think it holds up well and is worth a read if you enjoy high fantasy.