The Cloud Roads | Martha Wells

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

Accolades & Praise

• Award Nomination: The Books of the Raksura series was officially nominated for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Series.
• Publishers Weekly, Starred Review: “Wells...merrily ignores genre conventions as she spins an exciting adventure around an alien hero who anyone can identify with.”

Extended Synopsis

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. When he meets Stone, another member of his own kind known as a Raksura, Moon's life changes forever as he is introduced to a royal court and a vibrant community of his own people, discovering a sense of belonging just as a devastating threat menaces their fragile world.

About the Author

Martha Wells is the acclaimed author of the Hugo Award-nominated Books of the Raksura series. With a talent for deeply imaginative world-building, she consistently delights readers with her exploration of non-human cultures, intricate mysteries, and thrilling adventures.

Reader Targeting

• Lovers of highly original fantasy with unique, non-human protagonist perspectives.
• Readers who enjoy epic world-building combined with intimate character arcs of belonging and found family.
• Enthusiasts of Hugo Award-nominated series and shape-shifter lore.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the start of the series?
Yes, The Cloud Roads is Volume One of the Books of the Raksura series.

What exactly is Moon?
Moon is a shape-shifter known as a Raksura, a species capable of transforming into winged, predatory beasts.

Who are the main antagonists in the story?
The primary threat to the Raksura colony is a dread species known as the Fell.

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