'The Cloud Roads' by Martha Wells follows the journey of Moon, a shape-shifter who doesn't know his true identity and has been wandering alone among different cultures. When he is discovered by his own people, the Raksura, he is thrust into a conflict that could determine the fate of his entire species. The book is praised for its creative world-building, complex characters, and engaging storyline that blends adventure with themes of identity and belonging. The writing style is described as a mix of action-packed scenes and detailed descriptions that bring the fantastical world of the Three Realms to life.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and non-human, with the protagonist engaging in a journey of self-discovery, and secondary characters adding depth, though some may feel less distinct.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is highly descriptive and immersive, gradually revealing the unique world and cultures without overwhelming the reader.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around an orphan protagonist who discovers his identity and must navigate his place in a complex society while facing an ancient threat.

Setting:

Set in a vividly constructed world known as the Three Worlds, filled with unique landscapes, cultures, and species.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with slower sections for world-building contrasting with quicker action scenes, which sometimes lack depth.

The day started out normal enough. Moon had been hunting alone as usual, following the vargit, the big flightless birds common to this river valley. He had killed one for himself, then taken a nap on ...

Notes:

The Cloud Roads is set in an exotic world with unique species and landscapes that include floating islands, deserts, and forests.

The protagonist, Moon, is a Raksura, a shape-shifting species that can transform into both a humanoid and a winged form.

None of the characters in the story are human; instead, they belong to various fantastical races with their own cultures.

The story revolves around Moon's journey of self-discovery as he seeks his kind and navigates the complexities of Raksura society.

The Raksura have a bee-like social structure, with distinct roles including queens, consorts, and warriors.

The main antagonist is the Fell, a predatory aerial race that poses a threat to Moon's people and their way of life.

Martha Wells employs a slow world-building technique, gradually revealing the history, culture, and customs of the Raksura without long exposition dumps.

The novel explores themes of belonging, identity, and community as Moon, who has spent his life as an outsider, strives to find acceptance among his compatriots.

Moon's character is portrayed as naturally suspicious and shy, yet determined to learn and adapt to his new environment and people.

The book features intricate gender dynamics, flipping traditional tropes as it portrays a matriarchal society where female queens hold power.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence and trauma, including the protagonist’s past experiences and the predatory nature of antagonistic factions.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance in The Cloud Roads, presented in a subplot involving Moon and Jade, alongside other interpersonal relationships.

From The Publisher:

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 he 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 the shape-shifter 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.

Ratings (29)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (13)
Liked It (6)
It Was OK (6)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (72):

Read It (30)
Want To Read (32)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (8)

2 comment(s)

Pallavi

Loved It

5 months

****4.0****

"The Cloud Roads" is a fantasy novel written by Martha Wells and first of the series. It has a fairly straight forward and predictable plot. We follow "Moon" who was orphaned in his childhood and is a 'Raksura'. Raksuras are a shapeshifting creature with scaly skin and claws and have a complex social system with mentors, hunters, warriors, consorts, queen etc. While Moon is trying to find his identity, he is asked to join the "Indigo Cloud Court" of Raksuras where he tries to feel at home while falling in love and learning the ways of Raksura. We also get introduced to the enemies of Raksura, who are similar to them and called "Fell".

A fast-paced fantasy novel with an imaginative world building and engaging story line.

Happy Reading!!!

lulareviewla

Did Not Like

8 months

I adored Martha Wells's

Murderbot Diaries and was curious to see what some of her other projects were like, which led to me picking up

The Cloud Roads. I don't know if it's because this series is some of her earlier work, but I think it might be better for me to stick to reading her sci-fi over her fantasy.

The strong characterization and voice that's so prominent in Murderbot were absent in this book, and instead, we followed the gruff, flat, unlikable main character, Moon. Okay, unlikable may be a stretch, but there was never a moment in this story where I felt particularly connected or sympathetic towards him, despite some of the dismal situations he found himself in. His relationships (romantic and platonic) were devoid of any development or memorable insight, and his final pairing with Jade was neither surprising nor gratifying.

Props where they're due — the worldbuilding of this story was as strong as any epic fantasy I've read, and learning about the different races, cultures, and people groups across the lands was fascinating. I've never read a series that followed a species like the Raksura, and I wish I had enjoyed my time a bit more.

Obviously, I won't be continuing the series, but I also don't intend to throw the towel in on any of Wells's work outside of Murderbot. I only hope I'll have more luck in future forays.

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The Cloud Roads

Martha Wells

Book 1 in the series:The Books of the Raksura