Industry Reviews
"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 "Like a blend of Kafka's The Castle and Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast, Josiah Bancroft's ambitious first chapter in his The Books of Babel series is an impressive display of imagination and humor."--SciFiNow on Senlin Ascends "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 "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 "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 "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 "This is fantasy storytelling of a high order."--The Toronto Star 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 "Ticks along with the tight precision and artistry of a well-wound watch."--Kirkus 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 "Brilliant debut fantasy . . . This novel goes off like a firework and suggests even greater things in the author's future."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review on Senlin Ascends "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."--Fantasy Faction on Senlin Ascends "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."
--San Francisco Book Review on Senlin Ascends "Senlin Ascends is a unique masterpiece. A brilliant debut. Highly recommended!"--Michael R. Fletcher, author of Beyond Redemption 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 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 "A great fantasy!"--Portland Book Review on Senlin Ascends "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. If he sustains the tone of quirky menace in his planned sequel, the reader will find much to applaud."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review on Senlin Ascends