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City of Last Chances

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City of Last Chances

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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About this listen

Arthur C. Clarke winner and Sunday Times bestseller Adrian Tchaikovsky's triumphant return to fantasy with a darkly inventive portrait of a city under occupation and on the verge of revolution.

There has always been a darkness to Ilmar, but never more so than now. The city chafes under the heavy hand of the Palleseen occupation, the choke-hold of its criminal underworld, the boot of its factory owners, the weight of its wretched poor and the burden of its ancient curse.

What will be the spark that lights the conflagration?

Despite the city's refugees, wanderers, murderers, madmen, fanatics and thieves, the catalyst, as always, will be the Anchorwood–that dark grove of trees, that primeval remnant, that portal, when the moon is full, to strange and distant shores.

Ilmar, some say, is the worst place in the world and the gateway to a thousand worse places.

Ilmar, City of Long Shadows.

City of Bad Decisions.

City of Last Chances.

©2022 Adrian Tchaikovsky (P)2022 Head of Zeus Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Crime Paranormal
All stars
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Richly characterised and amazing locations. Honestly had no idea what was happening; rambling plot that I could not follow. Fantastic narrator. It was like it was the 7th in a series. So much world building but I couldn't hold it all together. I still liked it.

No idea what was going on

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I loved this violent tale, partticularly the question of what happens to noble causes and the multitude of big and little gods whom nobody believes in anymore. Very entertaining.

An entertaining, if violent, portrait of abandoned and irrelevant gods.

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Found this rather impenetrable - for some reason I just couldn't get into it. Not something I've had a problem with before with Tchaikovsky. I liked the modular structure of each chapter and great narration, but just didn't click with the overall story flow.

Lost Chance

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aside from the narrator saying donjon 3429 times, fantastic! I didn't understand a lot of it but had fun!

Immersive!

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Narrated well and while at times slow going I wanted to know what will happen next, definitely considering the next book to listen to.

Weird but interesting storyline

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I'm so glad we finally got to meet Helgram's wife, I was a little worried we wouldn't. The story is rambling in a good way, multifaceted and many perspectived to create a satisfying stew of an interesting new fantasy world.

most excellent

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A myriad of interwoven stories but wonderfully weaved so following the threads was interesting not difficult.

Complex but wonderfully done

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I am always impressed by Mr Tchaikovsky's ability to spin engrossing science fiction and fantasy stories. However, I haven't been able to get into his 'epic' long series' ( Final Architecture and Shadows of the Apt). This one read more like a standalone, which was good, but it felt long — covering many characters, not all of whom played significant roles in the story.

Very 'Les Miserable'-esque, The City of Last Chances delves into themes of an occupying force, class struggles and loyalty with a healthy dose of magic. Think of a mashup of Victor Hugo and Terry Pratchett. Because of the large cast of characters, we get to know most of them only superficially, making the story a little disaffecting in parts.

Les Miserables with magic

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great read. Tchaikovsky is a master of concept and character development. lots of ideas covered but never feels rushed

brilliant

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Tchaikovsky's work is always refreshing. No tropes here; it's highly original, detailed and immersive. You need to work a bit to follow the threads, but they come together beautifully and it leaves you with lots of big themes to ponder. Masterful narration made this a joy to experience.

Complex and engrossing

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