City of Stairs

By: Robert Jackson Bennett

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

An atmospheric and intrigue-filled novel of dead gods, buried histories, and a mysterious, protean city- - from one of America's most acclaimed young fantasy writers. The city of Bulikov once wielded the powers of the gods to conquer the world, enslaving and brutalizing millions - until its divine protectors were killed. Now Bulikov has become just another colonial outpost of the world's new geopolitical power, but the surreal landscape of the city itself - first shaped, now shattered, by the thousands of miracles its guardians once worked upon it - stands as a constant, haunting reminder of its former supremacy. Into this broken city steps Shara Thivani. Officially, the unassuming young woman is just another junior diplomat sent by Bulikov's oppressors. Unofficially, she is one of her country's most accomplished spies, dispatched to catch a murderer. But as Shara pursues the killer, she starts to suspect that the beings who ruled this terrible place may not be as dead as they seem - and that Bulikov's cruel reign may not yet be over.

©2014 Robert Jackson Bennett (P)2014 Recorded Books

Everything You Didn't Know You Wanted in Fantasy

I don't know why it took me so long to listen to Robert Jackson Bennett's City of Stairs -- I've loved everything I've read or listened to by him -- particularly the Troupe and American Elsewhere. Whatever the case, I'm glad I got around to it at last. City of Stairs is everything I didn't realize I wanted from fantasy fiction -- espionage, magic, murder, dead gods (and maybe not-so-dead gods), sheer WTF-ery, and even a criticism of cultural appropriation (without losing sight of telling a rollicking a story).

The story unfolds when a diplomat is found murdered in his office in the occupied colonial city of Bullikov. A spy, an aging military general, and a bodyguard come together to investigate not only a murder, but a conspiracy that leads back to the city's brutal origins, when gods once ruled and enslaved humanity. Now, Bullikov is occupied by the forces that killed the gods, and has done their best to confiscate and destroy as much of the city's religious artifacts, books, and arts as they can. As you can imagine, not everyone's happy about the way things are going, and the author does an excellent job of weaving uneasiness and tension into every character's perspective.

One of the things I've always appreciated about Robert Jackson Bennett's books is that they stand alone -- and up until now, he hasn't dabbled in series and trilogies which have come to dominate fantasy and science fiction. This book marks the first in the Divine Cities Trilogy, and maybe that's part of what put me off some. I'm happy to report that while it's the first in a trilogy (or series), and I can imagine some places it might go -- it's a complete story on its own, and doesn't feel like a set-up for whatever is coming next. If this was the end of the story, I would be completely satisfied. As it is, I'm very curious to see where RJB goes next with City of Blades.

Alma Alexander's narration isn't too flashy, but it is perfection. She captures the different characters perfectly. Shara, the protagonist, is a very complex character and Alexander nails her hard edges as well as her vulnerability and since of longing. SIgurd, her bodyguard, is something of a monster, and it's a delight to see him unleashed. But my favorite character was the jaded, sarcastic military general Mulaghesh -- mainly because her dry tone reminds me of my podcasting friend M.K. Hobson.

If agents Mulder and Scully had become spies and were sent to different countries to investigate the deaths and possible resurrection of god, with Hellboy as their assistant and accidentally stumbled over warehouse containing the ark of the covenant -- well, we'd be lucky if it was as good as this book is. City of Stairs is one of the best fantasy books I've listened to in recent memory. Just writing this review makes me want to return to the mysterious streets and alleys of Bullikov on the next train ride.

Different

Slow start, odd ending not sure if I will order the second in this series.

4.5 overall, rounded up to 5

Great, well written, very original Fantasy book.
The narration was ok, but a lot of the voices sounded the same.

Bloody brilliant

Great world building and a plot that rattles along.

Good narration and Alma Cuervo has a voice that is understandable at x2 playback speed.

Bad narrator, good book

Good story but the reader was very distracting. I like this authors other books better; recommend The Tainted Cup. The narrator sounded disengaged and like she didn’t care about the book which may have colored my feelings about it.

Complicated and mesmerizing

This book turned me into a Robert Jackson Bennett fan. It's a great story, well translated into an audiobook - Alma Cuervo's voice captures the Shara Thivani so perfectly. I won't try to explain the plot; suffice to say that City of Stairs is a complicated story of politics, inequality, subjugation, religion, gods and goddesses, love and death and sex; with beautifully rendered, unpredictable characters. I might listen to it again if only to fall in love with Shara Thivani all over again. Can't wait for the next installment!

Really enyoayable

Took some getting used to some of the narrators pauses, but by the end I count her reading as one of my favorites.

A fantasy that in so many ways merges two world

Industrialization of a world that was until-recently built and ruled by Gods and their miracles. When the Saypuri colonies rebelled and killed the Continent's Gods, much of the capital's buildings -- created by the Gods -- vanished and the inhabitants lost much of their infrastructure. As they adjust to concepts of engineering, rather than being gifted all their needs by the Gods, people are torn between embracing the new or wanting to restore the old ways (how it was under the Gods). Tensions are high as Saypur outlaws any mention or recognition of the Gods, and restricts all knowledge of the Continent's history.

When a Saypuri professor sent to study the Divinities and the Continental history is murdered, a Saypuri spy named Shara arrives to the City of Stairs to investigate. Shara soon uncovers many mysteries and plots that go far beyond Dr. Pangyui's murder.

This is a world where magic carpets and cars coexist, and while the magic of the Gods' miracles fades, it still exists, hidden. The world is incredibly interesting, but this book also has some great characters (esp. the main three), and hits some very well-disguised cultural and political themes.

Narration is weird at times -- the narrator gave a character a Bostonian accent for one scene in the final act, but nowhere else -- but overall it is pretty good. The inconsistencies stand out, but are not frequent enough to distract from the story.

A mystery until it takes a crazy right turn

A mystery until it takes a crazy right turn and it only gets better and better. Strong female lead along with fully filled out characters, robust and full of life! Love it! The reader Alma is great too. One of the best female narrators I've heard.

The author loves language, the reader just as much

Would you consider the audio edition of City of Stairs to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! This fabulous reader loves reading this writer. Totally deserves the "performance" characterization

What other book might you compare City of Stairs to and why?

Shadow Country's writing/reading combo is also splendid. Both are unmatched, furst class experiences.

Which character – as performed by Alma Cuervo – was your favorite?

Just one? and I can't spell the names anyway. Shara?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Sigred and monster Oola's valiant struggle to the death