City of Bones | Martha Wells

City of Bones: Updated and Revised Edition

Accolades & Praise

• Author's Preferred Text: This updated and revised edition presents the definitive version of Martha Wells' classic fantasy novel.
• From a Master of the Genre: A foundational work from the acclaimed creator of the beloved Murderbot Diaries.

Extended Synopsis

Before Martha Wells captured the hearts of millions with her Murderbot series, there was Khat, Sagai, and Elen, and a city risen out of death and decay. The city of Charisat, a tiered monolith of the Ancients’ design, sits on the edge of the vast, toxic desert known as the Waste.

Khat, a member of a modified humanoid race created by the Ancients to survive in the Waste, and Sagai, his human partner, are relic dealers working in the bottom tiers of society, constantly trying to stay one step ahead of the Trade Inspectors. When Khat is hired by the all-powerful Warders to find relics believed to be part of one of the Ancients' arcane engines, he and his party begin unravelling the mysteries of an age-old technology.

This they expected. However, they soon find themselves acting as the last line of defense between the suffering masses of Charisat and a fanatical cult bent on unleashing an evil upon the city with an undying thirst for bone. Drawn into a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the fragile order of the walled city, Khat must confront long-buried secrets of the ancient past.

About the Author

Martha Wells is a critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy. Best known for her phenomenally popular Murderbot Diaries, she has built a massive global readership through her intricate world-building and character-driven storytelling.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of epic and post-apocalyptic fantasy featuring complex, layered world-building.
• Readers who enjoy stories about relic hunters, ancient technology, and high-stakes conspiracies.
• Devoted followers of Martha Wells eager to read her earlier, definitive works.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this edition different from the original?
This 2023 release is an updated and revised edition, representing Martha Wells' preferred text for the novel.

What kind of setting does City of Bones have?
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, primarily in Charisat, a tiered, walled monolith bordering a vast and toxic wasteland.

Is this book part of the Murderbot series?
No, City of Bones is a standalone epic fantasy novel with its own unique world and characters, written before the Murderbot Diaries.

Bust-Down Books: More Than a Bookstore