Senlin Ascends
- Author Josiah Bancroft
- Narrator John Banks
- Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
- Publish Date 18 January 2018
- Run Time 14 hours and 14 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Fantasy, Historical fantasy, Science fiction: steampunk.
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What to expect
'Gracefully written, deliriously imaginative, action-packed, warm, witty and thought-provoking' Madeline Miller, author of Circe
'One of my favourite books of all time' - Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns
'I'm wildly in love with this book' - Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising
DISCOVER THE EXTRAORDINARY DEBUT THAT HAS GOT EVERYONE TALKING
Mild-mannered headmaster, Thomas Senlin prefers his adventures to be safely contained within the pages of a book. So when he loses his new bride shortly after embarking on the honeymoon of their dreams, he is ill-prepared for the trouble that follows.
To find her, Senlin must enter the Tower of Babel - a world of geniuses and tyrants, of menace and wonder, of unusual animals and mysterious machines. And if he hopes to ever see his wife again, he will have to do more than just survive . . . this quiet man of letters must become a man of action.
'Brilliant' - Publishers Weekly
'I loved it' - Django Wexler
'An engrossing intoxicating delight' - Forbidden Planet
'An extraordinary debut that is well worthy of the hype. A beautifully written, highly engaging page-turning masterpiece' - Fantasy Book Review
'Thomas Senlin is the most unlikely yet likeable hero since a certain hobbit rushed out of Bag End leaving his second breakfast half-finished and entirely unwashed-up' - Fantasy Faction
'One of my favourite books of all time' - Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns
'I'm wildly in love with this book' - Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising
DISCOVER THE EXTRAORDINARY DEBUT THAT HAS GOT EVERYONE TALKING
Mild-mannered headmaster, Thomas Senlin prefers his adventures to be safely contained within the pages of a book. So when he loses his new bride shortly after embarking on the honeymoon of their dreams, he is ill-prepared for the trouble that follows.
To find her, Senlin must enter the Tower of Babel - a world of geniuses and tyrants, of menace and wonder, of unusual animals and mysterious machines. And if he hopes to ever see his wife again, he will have to do more than just survive . . . this quiet man of letters must become a man of action.
'Brilliant' - Publishers Weekly
'I loved it' - Django Wexler
'An engrossing intoxicating delight' - Forbidden Planet
'An extraordinary debut that is well worthy of the hype. A beautifully written, highly engaging page-turning masterpiece' - Fantasy Book Review
'Thomas Senlin is the most unlikely yet likeable hero since a certain hobbit rushed out of Bag End leaving his second breakfast half-finished and entirely unwashed-up' - Fantasy Faction
Critics Review
Josiah Bancroft is a magician. His books are that rare alchemy: gracefully written, deliriously imaginative, action-packed, warm, witty and thought-provoking. I can't wait for more
It's rare to find a modern book that feels like a timeless classic. I'm wildly in love with this book
Senlin Ascends is one of the best reads I've had in ages . . . I was dragged in and didn't escape until I'd finished . . . So many lines made me deeply jealous. Clever, literary, insightful lines that cut to the quick of the matter. The story is compelling. It unfolds and unfolds. Because the characters are excellently drawn, I cared very much about where it was all going. The imagination is unbound and intriguing . . . I hope it finds the audience it deserves
Wonderfully unique and superbly well written. I loved every page
An extraordinary debut that is well worthy of the hype. A beautifully written, highly engaging page-turning masterpiece
Brilliant debut fantasy . . . this novel goes off like a firework and suggests even greater things in the author's future
Senlin Ascends crosses the everyday strangeness and lyrical prose of Borges and Gogol with all the action and adventure of high fantasy. I loved it, and grabbed the next one as soon as I turned the last page
An impressive display of imagination and humour . . . we have no reservations about recommending it
A terrific, free-ranging fantasy that ranges from Kafkaesque horror to heist thriller . . . This book is bonkers, entertaining, clever and - quite possibly - unique
Senlin Ascends was a fantastic read, and felt truly unique. I will most definitely be reading the rest of Bancroft's work
What is remarkable about this novel, quite apart from its rich, allusive prose, is Bancroft's portrayal of Senlin, a good man in a desperate situation, and the way he changes in response to his experiences in his ascent
An engrossing, intoxicating delight - I can't wait to climb higher
I LOVED this book. It is one of the most imaginative, beautifully done novels I have read in a long time. Incredibly hard to stop reading once you start, you just fall into this world the author has created, following along with Thomas as he searches desperately for his wife, ascending upwards through this vivid, insane and exceptionally described landscape
This really is quite a remarkable book. The characters are truly memorable and I found the plot utterly engrossing. I don't think I can properly express how much I enjoyed this experience. My advice, buy the book and just dive on in. Be prepared for the trip of a lifetime, I can guarantee you are going to be entertained
The tower is a fresh, imaginative tapestry of diverse, colourful locales, and it successfully conveys a sense of energy and corruption in one word after another. This is a roaring, virile place, crackling with life . . . it's a cracking read - there's betrayals, firm friendships, battles, banter, and even true love. It's a charming, fascinating piece, and I highly recommend it.
Rich detail and intelligent prose that is absolutely chock-full of character pulled me into the story . . . Absolutely a book to read, to own, and to love. Couldn't recommend it more.
This is an exceedingly rich book. A depth of imagination married with a poetic turn of phrase and an engaging cast of characters conspire to deliver an epic story soaring high above the clouds . . . Thomas Senlin himself is the most unlikely yet likeable hero since a certain hobbit rushed out of Bag End leaving his second breakfast half-finished and entirely unwashed-up
The world building in this book is phenomenal . . . Senlin Ascends starts off with a bang, and it never slows down. With its breathtaking pace, this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers. It has adventure, intrigue, action, fantasy, Steampunk elements, and mystery all wrapped around a story of a man coming to grips with the fact that nothing is as he expected
I absolutely loved this book, and can't wait to see what challenges Senlin faces in the sequel
A towering achievement
Bancroft succeeds amazingly in creating a baffling world that offers little tenderness or hope, but in which the pursuit of instinct and love, dedication and shared sacrifice can overcome barriers . . . . The reader will find much to applaud
Senlin Ascends is an adventure rife with character, voice and beauty - a well-polished knife drawn out slowly
I absolutely adored it. The world is amazing, the characters are well thought out and interesting, and it wraps these aspects together with a great plot, and some really good prose
Creative world-building and memorable characters . . . Senlin is a man worth rooting for, and his strengthening resolve and character is as marvelous and sprawling as the tower he climbs
What a spectacular debut it is . . . a fabulously gripping start to a series. Senlin is a likable character and the Tower is a fascinating setting: I can't wait to return for the second instalment
a fascinating, chewy read, full of wonders; battles, monsters, cowardice, redemption and hope. The start of a trilogy, this is one you'll not want to miss
Just as mesmerizing, exciting, and fun as all the reviewers say it is . . . I'm excited to see where Bancroft can take this concept. What starts as a simple rescue, quickly becomes one of the most captivating mysteries I have ever read and a beautiful journey of self discovery. I highly recommend you check out this new entrant into the fantasy scene, and I don't see the buzz surrounding it dying down anytime soon
This is the kind of book that sticks with you, and I haven't read anything quite like it before . . . I would give this book the highest recommendation
Delightfully quirky world-building . . . Event-packed and thoroughly readable
With deceptive simplicity Bancroft brings this gothic place and its denizens to a colourful life . . . I loved it!
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