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The Cloud Roads

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The Cloud Roads

By: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Christopher Kipiniak
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About this listen

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 Moon 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 his 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.

©2011 Martha Wells (P)2011 Audible, Inc. Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Shifter

Critic reviews

"Martha Wells' books always make me remember why I love to read. In The Cloud Roads, she invents yet another rich and astonishingly detailed setting, where many races and cultures uneasily co-exist in a world constantly threatened by soulless predators. But the vivid world-building and nonstop action really serve as a backdrop for the heart of the novel - the universal human themes of loneliness, loss, and the powerful drive to find somewhere to belong." (Sharon Shinn)
"Wells merrily ignores genre conventions as she spins an exciting adventure around an alien hero who anyone can identify with." (Publishers Weekly)
"Wells... has created a new world of dragonlike shapeshifters and human tribes that could serve as the background for future novels in this exotic setting. Concise storytelling and believable characters make this a good addition to most fantasy collections." (Library Journal)
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Martha Wells’ Three Worlds have the depth and complexity of an Ursula Le Guin domain - the brilliant invention isn’t only for showy effect but a deep insight into otherness and painfully discovering your identity. Moon is a drifter, constantly reinventing himself as one community after another discovers something they can’t accept about his nature. It takes rasping, cynical elder Stone to show him his identity as a Raksura - a shape-shifting, dragonlike creature with a place in a complex hive-like society. But the Raksura are under threat from the hideous, parasitic Fell, and Stone has a mission to bring Moon into his colony in the hope of saving both the drifter and the greater society - if the colony will accept him and if Moon doesn’t leave in disgust. It’s a glittering, fascinating, sometimes shockingly violent world, sometimes with startling altruism and sweetness. Christopher Kipiniak’s warm, gravelly reading suits the characters and the story perfectly.

Dazzling world building, complex and relatable characters, immersive plotting.

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Truth be told, I wasn't sure Cloud Roads would be my thing. However, I'd heard it was good and took a punt on it...and, boy, I'm glad I did. Wells is a master at designing different fantasy peoples and cultures. Their societies and cultures are fully realised and really engaging. That said, the real power of this book is in the characterisation. Vividly drawn and empathetic- I was really rooting for Moon and Jade. All in all, well worth a credit.

One of a kind.

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it was an easy listen. It will be easy to forget. Not worth the membership.

the different races of beings

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Good book and will defiantly read the rest of the series but the beginning was the best bit and the ending was a bit of a let down for me. Best part of it was the world itself but the characters weren’t very memorable especially outside the main cast. Also voice actor was good. Didn’t annoy me so that’s most of the battle. Overall good read would certainly recommend

Good book but not one of my favs

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This was a great, fantastical adventure with a well balanced cast and believable threats to believable and entertaining characters. Hopefully in the sequels Moon can catch a break, I doubt it though😂

Imaginative world building and endearing characters

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