AHHH such a beautiful revision of this book!!! i loved every page and got so swept up in the world. i read it ages ago and it was so nice to reread. m

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Warders in the Waste
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Khat
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Delayed
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Fantasy + sci-fi elements (High Fantasy)
3.8/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Alien beings
~ New world & world order
~ Fun & well conceived description of city, currency & social interactions
~ Khat & Constans
~ Well tied-up ending

We’re in Charisat, where there are Warders, circles of unhappiness (living locations), the Kris ppl & arcane machines. Enter Khat, a relic dealer & his companion Sagai, two foreigners who will stumble over the intrigue of the enforcers of the Elector (king) & the great plan the arcane devices created by the ancients was destined to do. BUT only after they have killed a few ppl, incriminated some others, been followed by ghosts that freeze people to death & rip apart their minds & a mad-man who may be saner than anyone assumes.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ Elen 🙄 grow a spine & some confidence - you’ve had the WHOLE book to do so

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

—
🎁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 @𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁.

This story was so engaging. I was Khat, in my mind, living thru him. Khat is one of the main characters. He is different, weird, risk taker, the loveable savior in this story. Martha Wells writes great characters. All of them are so engrained in my mind because she knows how to develop and write fantastic characters. Even the secondary ones are so good, they should all have their own books!

A long epic tale, It’s about a world after something/someone destroyed what we know about earth. No more oceans, water is scarce, the Industrial Revolution is nowhere to be seen. Life is by trade, magic and maybe thievery! Life is hard, the classes or tiers represent the struggle and poverty of it’s people. But family and friendships are still the guiding force. We are introduced to Khat who is strange and his life is as a relic dealer at the lowest tier of life and poverty. The story takes us on a journey of saving this world and the people and lifestyle that is current. Adventures, murders, fights and intrigue. Mystery, artifacts, magical realism, monsters, ghosts and the dead from beyond. What more could we want. Epic.
I couldn’t put it down and wished it didn’t end. I think and hope there will be a sequel. Pick this one up soon! Front of the TBR for sure.

Like many of Wells's other books that I've tried to read after the Murderbot books, this one lacks the same magic. CITY OF BONES is a solid standalone fantasy--the characters are likable, the worldbuilding is detailed, and the pacing is solid. I just didn't fall in love with this book.

Watch out for Martha Wells–I get the feeling she is playing with a different Dungeons and Dragons set than the rest of the world. Rarely has someone in fantasy so consistently impressed me with inventiveness. In City of Bones, she does it again.**

City of Bones is set in the city of Charisat, one of the few major cities remaining after an apocalypse has nearly destroyed humanity. Cities are surrounded by a hostile, desert Waste, and survivors rely on the roads of the Ancients to travel from one city to another. In Charisat, Khat, a krisman, and Sagai, a foreign scholar, are bargaining with a relic trader when they are approached by the entourage of a heavily robed but obviously wealthy individual. The group wants guidance to a nearby Ancient Remnant. Of course, Khat has skills as a local expert in Ancient artifacts–but he is all too aware that a kris, he is also expendable. However, there is a debt he’d like to clear and both the guide money and the wealthy patronage could buy him a way out. When the caravan is attacked by pirates in the Waste outside the city, it sets off a chain of complex events that result in Khat working with the mystery person to ‘collect’ two more relics from inside the city of Charisat. The anonymous aristocrat is revealed early on, so I hesitate to say more at the risk of spoilers, but bone prophecies, thievery, the underground market, the academy, ghost spirits–so many elements make this intriguing.

****************************

2018 update: Yep, still good. I tend to wonder when I read a book and love it, what all is playing into it on the first read? Time? Distraction? You get the picture. This remains extremely good, satisfying, as I recently noted on another review. This is despite a lackluster interest in fantasy in general lately. I think because Wells is so damn smart. Highly competent writing, enough description to answer some questions (which only leads to more) and then follows with a solid plot. This is one of her earliest books, published in 1995. Despite that, it is by no means a sophomore slump, and remains one of my favorites.

Notes from this read: the protagonist, Khat, is quite a bit like the sardonic noble-thief in The Death of the Necromancer. I don't mind. He's a great hero. Two, fight scenes seemed a little weak. Three, it deserves concentration. While the pace initially seems slow, it's because she won't hold your hand later when the plotting escalates. Second read still gave me book-hangover. Fourth, if she ever comes back to this world, I'm there in a flash.

**Wells' release of a 2023 updated version means I have to rework my 2018 review, as GR has inconveniently lumped the two editions together (sigh).

I was extremely interested to discover what choices might be made, decades after it was first published. I'm happy to report that I believe the changes worked very well. In a personal nod to my long-term memory, I think I noticed quite a few of those changes, but that's because this has long been one of my go-to stand-alone fantasy novels. I'll note that it is very tailored to the type of fantasy and sci-fi I grew up with; very much what I think of as 'head voice,' and one-person perspective (okay, she sneaks in another, but not often). If you like the fast pace of Murderbot, or a dialogue-based book or multiple narratives, this might not work. Then again, give it a try. She just might help you develop that long, deep attention span because it's hard to pull away.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Tor for an advance reader copy of the 2023 edition.

Thank you so much to the publishers and author for giving me the chance to review this book!

This story reminds me of a mix between Indiana Jones and National Treasure, as these characters search for magical artifacts from an ancient civilization.

I enjoyed reading this but overall felt as though the story was missing something. I struggled to care about the characters and their pursuits. The world-building felt a bit lacking, it was all very surface level in my opinion. Most of the emphasis surrounded the relics and the trade within the city. I would have loved to see a deeper dive into the characters, the history of the city and the krismen. I feel as if this story should have offered so much more but it just didn’t quite get there.

This was my first read by Martha Wells after hearing so many great things about the Murderbot series I had high expectations that just weren’t quite met with this story, unfortunately. I do think that this story would appeal to newcomers to the fantasy and sci-fi genre.

In the beginning I had a hard time getting to into the first 25%. After that thing started to pick up as I got to know the characters and world better. A commentary on class, a hunt for relics (Indians Jones-y?) it was enjoyable, just needed to give myself a chance to become invested in the characters. Looking forward to read more of Martha Wells’ backlist!

Like much of Wells's work, this is a tale of class, gender, and exploitation wrapped up in a thrilling adventure. I had not read the original version, so I can't compare it to this new release. I will say that it's much less spooky than the blurb might lead you to believe. It's an enjoyable book, but lacks the zip and humor that makes Murderbot such an effortless read. Wells's worldbuilding is as inventive and impeccable as always, though.

Another great work by Martha Wells. Terrific worldbuilding and characters. I really enjoyed the relationship between Khat and Sagai - along with Khat's relationships with Sagai's family. While Murderbot is still my favorite of Wells' works (as well as one of my favorite all time works), I find myself impressed by everything Wells writes.

This appears to be a reprint of an earlier book but it feels like typical Martha Wells. Interesting post-apocalyptic worldbuilding, featuring a snarky protagonist more soft hearted and principled than he will admit, who is just trying to get by but gets caught up in larger plans and powers. Includes a cast of interesting supporting characters with found family vibes, and an interesting mystery that holds your attention. I would definitely read about these characters or even just the world itself because it left me wanting more of the history. If you're a fan of Murderbot or the Raksura books you'll enjoy this, and as a stand alone story it wouldn't be a bad place to start reading her works either!

Not exactly what I expected, having mostly been exposed to Martha Wells through her Murderbot series, While this book differs a lot from the Murderbot series and has a lot more fantasy elements and world-building, it was still very enjoyable. The beginning is a bit slow, but it picks up and is bingeable shortly after.

Marth Wells has cemented herself as a must read author for me.

Thank you for this copy!
I always like the worlds that Martha Wells is creating as they are originals and full of mysteries (like this one !). I enjoyed the different characters and especially their specificities which were very well described and creative. I only gave 4 stars as I can't see images when I read a description and I felt there were too much "unuseful" informations sometimes (landscapes descriptions for example). But overall that was a nice journey through a very interesting world!

I loved reading every single page of Martha Well's City of Bones. I'm so glad that the publisher is re-releasing this book with new covers because I honestly was never tempted to pick up her previous work even after reading the Murderbot Diaries. I'm so happy to have gotten the opportunity to read this and definitely think that Martha Wells is a favorite sci-fi author. It's well written with amazing world building. There was never a moment where I felt bored or found the book lagging. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series and will be recommending it to everyone.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I love Ms. Well's world building, she is an absolutely superior sci-fi author, and her characters are SO well developed. I genuinely enjoy every minute I spend in her worlds. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

Martha Wells is one of the best fantasy and sci-fi writers we have today, and I am so happy her work is finally getting the recognition it deserves. This new, author's preferred edition is joined by the upcoming revised editions of the Ile-Rien novels, The Element of Fire and The Death of the Necromancer. These should be automatic pre-orders for fantasy readers. Prepare yourselves for complex world-building with rich storytelling and compelling characters,

In the city of Charisat, there are those just trying to survive the rigid social class structure. There are also those that spend their lives learning about the Ancients, the ones that came before a great cataclysm that turned the world into scattered cities separated by great wastelands full of dangers both natural and created by man. And at the heart of it all is a delicate dance of power plays, magic, mystery, and scholastic desire.

Khat is at the nexus of these overlapping threads. A man that is not regarded as such, is relegated to working the relic trade with his partner Sagai. He ends up being roped into a plot to find and bring in artifacts that may or may not have incredible powers. During the course of his work, he is linked to Elen, a Warder with troubles all her own, and quickly sinks into a deeper mystery than anyone even realizes is going on until it is too late.

What I loved most about this book is the world-building. On every page, I could feel myself in the dusty streets of Charisat or in the vast danger that is the Waste. Everything felt real, lived in. The pacing was slow but never dragged. You are pulled along for the ride, following the tenuous breadcrumbs and wondering if anyone would make it out the victor. The small wins were often immediately overshadowed by crushing defeats. New threads of information were continually meted out, but it never felt like exposition. It all fits into the greater narrative and almost felt as if you could hear this story told over a campfire as if it were someone recalling a history of the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for giving me a digital copy of "City of Bones" by Martha Wells in exchange for an honest review.

I said this with my review of Witch King and I think it's worth saying again for City of Bones.: if you came to this book by way of Wells's sci-fi masterpiece Murderbot series, please be aware that these are very different stories. The subject, the setting, the tone, and the style, are all completely different. If you want Murderbot but in epic fantasy form, you will not find it here. BUT if you want a fascinating fantasy read, go ahead and give this a try.

I enjoyed it very much. When I read the story description, I thought, "it's a fantasy by Martha Wells, with mystery, adventure, and ARCHAEOLOGY?!?" Well, dang. It's like she wrote it just for me.

City of Bones is set mainly in a desert, post-apocalyptic city. Charisat. Thousands of years ago, the land was lush and fertile. A catastrophe occurred, the likes of which present-day people are only just starting to understand. (There is more explanation than that, but explaining it here would be the worst kind of spoiler.) There is a robust and earnest industry devoted to researching, excavating, (looting), and collecting the artifacts left from that long ago age, including enormous stone structures in the desert called Remnants There is a legitimate trade system for the artifacts, and a not-so-legit one.

Our protagonist, Khat, is heavily involved in that industry. He's a kris, a humanoid species that evolved to survive the harsh desert conditions left after the catastrophe. He reads and speaks some of the old languages, and his business partner/best friend/found family is a former academic with equal expertise. Khat has done some shady things to survive, so when he's offered a significant amount of money to take a magic-wielding Warden Elen to examine the nearest Remnant, he takes it, knowing it's likely a setup.

Things predictably go south (even Khat saw that coming) and he's quickly embroiled in a treasure hunt, conspiracy, save-the-world adventure.

Khat is definitely my favorite character. He's loyal and intelligent, but not always terribly ethical,. There's always a kind of pleasure in watching someone do what must be done; his drive is admirable even if not all his actions are strictly "good." He had plenty of chances to withdraw from the big adventure, to run away and disappear; he kept going anyway. The other characters are interesting, but perhaps not as memorable or well developed; this is Khat's story.

The world-building in this story was fantastic. At times, the city of Charisat felt like a character all on its own. Yes, the world-building slowed down the plot at first; there's a lot of learn about this complex place, in terms of history, culture, and geography. The first third is a little slow, but it really gains momentum by the second. All that information is important to understanding the final third of the book, and I was so glad I stuck it out.

All in all, it's a very good fantasy adventure from Martha Wells.

I have enjoyed Martha Well's books, her writing style is fantastic and her world building is superb. This book was so good. I loved the adventure that this book gives and the story line is perfect. I loved this.
I just reviewed City of Bones by Martha Wells. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Kind of slow at the beginning, but the pacing picked up really quickly. I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the outstanding climb-up in the plot. The author did an amazing job at layering different elements, resulting in a complex and fascinating story. The characters were intriguing and compelling, though none of them specially stood out to me. The fight scenes were the best part, in my opinion, with the right amount of tension. I would definitely recommend.

Final rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me a chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This story follows Khat, a black market relics dealer and historian. He is recruited to help find some relics that have the potential to change the magical landscape, if the legends have any truth to them.

This is a fine fantasy book. That's my main takeaway.
The worldbuilding is fine, interesting but not blowing me away. The plot is fine, entertaining without ever surprising me. The characters are fine, well crafted but never really reaching into compelling.

The setting and pacing of this book will appeal to fans of The Fifth Season. There is a similar feeling of historical and looming apocalypse in the setting. The pacing is thoughtful without being too slow, with fight scenes interspersed.

A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel, @ChloeFrizzle, in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tordotcom for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.