“Liz Williams may be one of the most sheerly evocative writers working in SF today, and in Nine Layers of Sky she brings the landscape of modern-day Central Asia into sharp focus. Its paradoxes are vividly portrayed, in all their beauty and corresponding ugliness.” From Science Fiction Book Reviews
“It’s rare to find a novel that is lyrical and simultaneously races at a breakneck pace. More than a page turner, Nine Layers of Sky is a breath-taking achievement. It binds myth, reality, and their aching need for each other in new and beautiful, if sometimes brutal ways.” From CurledUp.com
The Blurb:
A former Soviet rocket scientist, Elena Irinovna now cleans office buildings–until she crosses paths with Ilya Muromyets. A remnant of Russia’s glorious and fabled past, Ilya is an eight-hundred-year-old hero turned heroin addict, dreaming of a death that never comes. They are brought together by a strange artifact Elena has found, which offers a glimpse into another dimension, creating a dangerous breach in a world Elena only thought she knew…
Ilya is no stranger to the unexplained. He’s been hired by a mysterious organization to track down the artifact. But nothing prepares him for what it offers–or for a woman like Elena. Fighting their own inner demons as well as those from across the breach, Ilya and Elena embark on a harrowing trip between nations and worlds. And for the first time the man of myth and the woman of science discover that they have a dream to defend–and even die for…
I am ravished by this book in the most delicious sense. It begins like the ocean, lapping inexorably against the shore, but as the tide rises, you are completely swept away, buffeted and far from home. I fell in love with the characters, even as they fell in love with each other.
Masterful. Reading NINE LAYERS OF SKY is like a long sleep, one stitched of other people’s dreams. The prose is dense, but beautiful. The mythos is incomparable. I recommend this book for readers with eclectic tastes or those who love SF/F with a romantic element. Pure romance readers may not adore this as much as I did, even though there is a powerful love story threaded throughout.
You guys know the drill. When I fall in love with a book, I want to tell the world. I loved this book so much that one copy won’t do. I’m giving out FIVE (5) copies of this. If you’d like to try this one, shout it out in comments. You can search inside here and read a sample.
As usual, I’ll wrap this up whenever I feel like it. So get your names in.
I am up for anything new!
Great pimpage.
Oh neat! I actually already have this book, but wanted to chime in and say that indeed, Liz Williams is awesome. I highly recommend her Detective Chen series, as well as Banner of Souls. I have several of her older books waiting for attention on my To Read shelf. :)
Sounds good, count me in!
Sounds like a fabulous book. I’d love for a chance to win a copy :) You’re so kind and generous.
Count me in. The book sounds intriguing!
The mythos seems interesting… Thanks!
Ok. The search inside got me. How can they end there?? I gotta know what happened next.
Ooooh – that sounds good. I’m always up for a change of scenery and a “trip between nations and worlds.” Count me in, please!
Er, I want to put my name in my I can’t find any slots in my computer ;P
I have tried every book that you’ve recommended (that I could find) and you haven’t steered me wrong yet. This looks very good!!!
No way!? I’m a former rocket scientist who now cleans up after people, too! The parallels are uncanny. LOL I’d love to read this book–please include me in your drawing! Great pimping … as usual.
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book until I read the sample…and then it sucked me in.
Now I gotta know what happens!
This book sounds great! Sign me up!
Since I’m a sucker for SF/F and Romance; can’t pass it up… yeah!
Add me!
Sounds like an interesting book!
sounds v interesting – managed to get one of your other recommendations at the library and really enjoyed it, count me in for this one. Thanks.
I’m shouting, I’m shouting!!!! I love getting introduced to new authors and
this book looks fantistic!
Thank you,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
I’d like to try this book.
Count me as interested
Oh! Sounds yummy, please count me in!
Ohhhh got me intrigued – Count me in please- the book sounds unique and interesting
Wow! I love to hear about these must-read books; you haven’t steered me wrong yet.
I’m in!
And I’m wrapping this up now.
[...] She’s recommended Diana Pharaoh Francis’ Bitter Night, and Liz William’s Nine Layers of Sky, both on my TBR, as well as Jeri Smith-Ready and intriguing romances with idiot [...]