Arm of the Sphinx

By: Josiah Bancroft

Narrated by: John Banks

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?

Critic reviews

"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

Tremendous performance

Excellent book with a superb narrator. One of the better series in recent years! Looking forward to book 3.

Still climbing !

Hang on, this journey is epic. The narration is by far right up there as one of the best. The story is compelling and the characters I fell in love with in Senlin Ascends continue to be the companions I want to spend time with. I am IN the Tower now, can't or wont leave until, they do, if they ever do. Delicious story.

Much better than the 1st book

the 1st book seemed to be.....too confident at times for Thomas. The elaborate schemes that FG went through to hire an employee ect....

This one seemed much more grounded and was far better as a result.

Fun book even better narration.

I like to read the books and then listen to the audio books, but with this one it was difficult to stay away from the narration.

Very well done!

Below the surface resides the truth

But how hard we try to hide it or change it to what we prefer the truth to be. But what we reveal to ourselves and others, is not the truth. Still searching at 65.