The Cloud Roads
Ratings63
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings63
Average rating3.9
Now available in mass market paperback, The Cloud Roads is the first in the Hugo Award-nominated Books of the Raksura series, from New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries). Moon has spent his life hiding what he is: a shape-shifter able to transform himself into a winged creature of flight. An orphan with only vague memories of his own kind, Moon tries to fit in among the tribes of his river valley, with mixed success. Just as he is once again cast out by his adopted tribe, he discovers a shape-shifter like himself—someone who seems to know exactly what he is, who promises that Moon will be welcomed into the shape-shifter community. What this stranger doesn't tell Moon is that his presence will tip the balance of power, that his extraordinary lineage is crucial to the colony's survival, and that his people face extinction at the hands of the dreaded Fell! Now Moon must overcome a lifetime of conditioning in order to save himself . . . and his newfound kin.
Featured Prompt
3,690 booksWhen you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
Reviews with the most likes.
Ultimately good, although there did seem to be a number of points where it appeared the story was approaching a conclusion only for me to glance at the progress bar and realise there were still large chunks of the book remaining.
This series was rated even higher than Murderbot so I had high hopes from it I guess. What does come across very clearly is that Martha excels at world building and first book of Raksura surely does not disappoint in this regards. But for me it misses the emotional spectrum completely. You never really develop a relationship with moon and so the whole book feels like a third party narrative of fact. Given its highly rated maybe not my cup of tea
Sometimes you can learn a lot about a person by comparing themes across their works. Wells loves to write books about protagonists who are different and slowly come to find their place within a group. They have morally ambiguous pasts, about which they feel guilt. Her settings are expansive and luscious with rich world-building. Her villains have mind-control powers. It gives you a sense, right?
This was a very solid epic fantasy. I'm not in love yet, but I wasn't in love with murderbot by the end of the first book either. I'm interested to see what happens next.
Featured Series
4 primary books10 released booksThe Books of the Raksura is a 11-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2011 with contributions by C.L. Werner and Martha Wells.
Books
7 booksIf you enjoyed this book, then our algorithm says you may also enjoy these.
