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The Cloud Roads: Volume One of the Books of the Raksura

by Martha Wells

A shape-shifter seeks a place among his own

Critically Recognized
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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Publishers Weekly starred review

    Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and praised its adventure and alien hero.

  • Series recognition

    2018 Hugo Award for Best Series nominee

    Nominated for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Series.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A shape-shifter seeks a place among his own

Moon has survived by concealing his ability to transform into a winged creature, never knowing much about others like himself. When he is cast out by the river-valley tribe he has tried to join, an encounter with another shape-shifter offers the possibility of belonging—and draws him into a community facing extinction. The opening volume of the Books of the Raksura connects Moon’s search for identity and kinship with a struggle over the survival of his newfound people, whose fate is entangled with his lineage. Its epic-fantasy premise centers on outsiderhood, belonging, and the responsibilities that come with discovering where one comes from.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Fantasy readers interested in invented shape-shifting peoples and communities.
  • Readers who enjoy stories combining a search for belonging with a threat to a people’s survival.
  • Readers seeking the first volume of an epic-fantasy series.

Themes

Identity and belongingKinship and communitySurvivalLineage and responsibility

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Nominated for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Series. "Wells...merrily ignores genre conventions as she spins an exciting adventure around an alien hero who anyone can identify with."--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

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.

Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.
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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.