Arm of the Sphinx (Books of Babel Series #2)

by Josiah Bancroft

Overview

Senlin continues his ascent up the tower in the word-of-mouth phenomenon fantasy series about one man's dangerous journey through a labyrinthine world.

"One of my favorite books of all time" — Mark Lawrence on Senlin Ascends
The Tower of Babel is proving to be as difficult to reenter as it was to break out of. Forced into a life of piracy, Senlin and his eclectic crew are struggling to survive aboard their stolen airship as the hunt to rescue Senlin's lost wife continues.

Hopeless and desolate, they turn to a legend of the Tower, the mysterious Sphinx. But help from the Sphinx never comes cheaply, and as Senlin knows, debts aren't always what they seem in the Tower of Babel.

Time is running out, and now Senlin must choose between his friends, his freedom, and his wife.

Does anyone truly escape the Tower?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316517959
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	03/13/2018
Series:	Books of Babel Series , #2
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	133,668
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Josiah Bancroft is the author of five novels, a collection of short fiction, and numerous poems. His books have been translated into eight languages. Before settling down to write fantasy full-time, he was a college instructor, rock musician, and aspiring comic book artist. When he’s not writing, he enjoys strumming a variety of stringed instruments, drawing with a growing cache of imperfect pens, and cooking without a recipe. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Sharon, their daughter, Maddie, and their two rabbits, Mabel and Chaplin.

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/26/2018
Bancroft’s brilliant second installment in the Books of Babel, following Senlin Ascends, continues Thomas Senlin’s desperate quest to reunite with his wife, Marya, whom he lost in the crowd at the base of the unknowably high and teemingly crowded Tower of Babel. Now the captain of a ragtag pirate airship, Senlin (using the name Mudd) must find some way into the aristocratic and well-armed ringdom of Pelphia, where the latest rumors indicate Marya is. But Senlin is a wanted criminal, fewer and fewer ports are open to his crew, and his first mate owes a mysterious debt to the Sphinx, a creature of myth and whisper whose marks are stamped all over the Tower. Bancroft’s world continues to teem with explosive energy, and he ranges ably from the transcendent to the vicious in an instant. The unchecked splendor of the scenery is balanced by the complicated, sympathetic characters, and the plot maintains a steady stream of surprises without ever wearying. This volume not only matches but adds to the notable achievements of the first. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"It's rare to find a modern book that feels like a timeless classic. I'm wildly in love with this book."—Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising on Senlin Ascends

"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."—Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Circe

"The "Books of Babel" are something you hope to see perhaps once a decade - future classics, which may be remembered long after the series concludes."—Los Angeles Times on The Hod King

"Wonderfully unique and superbly well written. I loved every page."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld on Senlin Ascends

"Bancroft's world continues to teem with explosive energy, and he ranges ably from the transcendent to the vicious in an instant . . . . This volume not only matches but adds to the notable achievements of the first."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"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 two or three days later."
—Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns on Senlin Ascends

"Senlin is a man worth rooting for, and his strengthening resolve and character is as marvelous and sprawling as the tower he climbs."—The Washington Post on Senlin Ascends

"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."—The Guardian on Senlin Ascends

"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."
—Django Wexler, author of The Thousand Names on Senlin Ascends

"Senlin Ascends is an adventure rife with character, voice and beauty-a well-polished knife drawn out slowly."—Sam Sykes, author of The City Stained Red on Senlin Ascends

"Senlin Ascends is a unique masterpiece. A brilliant debut. Highly recommended!"—Michael R. Fletcher, author of Beyond Redemption on Senlin Ascends

"With deceptive simplicity Bancroft brings this gothic place and its denizens to a colourful life...I loved it!"—Adrian Selby, author of Snakewood on Senlin Ascends

"This is fantasy storytelling of a high order."—The Toronto Star on Senlin Ascends

"More than deserving of advance buzz and initial self-published success, Josiah Bancroft's Senlin Ascends is an early contender for year-end best lists, and a towering achievement in weird fantasy."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on Senlin Ascends

"Ticks along with the tight precision and artistry of a well-wound watch."—Kirkus on Senlin Ascends

From the Publisher