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City of Stairs

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City of Stairs

By: Robert Jackson Bennett
Narrated by: Buffy Davis
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About this listen

You've got to be careful when you're chasing a murderer through Bulikov, for the world is not as it should be in that city. When the gods were destroyed and all worship of them banned by the Polis, reality folded; now stairs lead to nowhere, alleyways have become portals to the past, and criminals disappear into thin air.

The murder of Dr Efrem Pangyui, the Polis diplomat researching the Continent's past, has begun something, and now whispers of an uprising flutter out from invisible corners. Only one woman may be willing to pursue the truth - but it is likely to cost her everything.

©2014 Robert Jackson Bennett (P)2015 WF Howes Ltd Fantasy

Critic Reviews

"A smooth novel of near perfection and the best Epic Fantasy novel I've read this year. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough." (SFF World)

"With nods to Neil Gaiman's slumbering deities, Ursula K. LeGuin's two-faced political schemers and China Miéville's labyrinthine worlds, City Of Stairs is a compulsively readable and thought-provoking tale that confirms the author as one of the genre's most exciting talents." (SciFiNow)

"[Bennett has] said that he hopes that his readers learn something definite about the world from his books; he's succeeded in his aim. A murder mystery, spy thriller, fantasy adventure and philosophical treatise rolled into one. Highly recommended." (Sci-Fi Bulletin)
All stars
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I've been in love with this story ever since I first read it, it has one of the best worlds to escape to. The narrator does a good enough job at reading this masterpiece, however, she does some voices, especially Shara's (the main character's), that are almost unbearable to listen to. i winced every time Shara spoke. sadly, that really affected how much i enjoyed this book.

one of my favourite books

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This is an interesting mix of scifi with a nurder mystery. It is best not to say more - a good read

a scifi with a nice who dunnit

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I enjoyed this a lot. Good world building. I am reminded a bit of Terry Pratchett, though the tone is different. Solid characters.

The reader's voice is distinctive. I found it easy to concentrate on without tuning out, but I'd suggest listening to a sample as I suspect it could be polarising.

World building

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This would have been 5 stars all round, but I feel the narrator really missed the mark with the voice of the protagonist. I eventually got used to it and really enjoyed the story and her other voices. Great listen!

What a story!

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Unfortunately the voice acting on the main character was such a miss I couldn't push through. Probably one to read in text instead.

DNF

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