Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

By: K. J. Parker

Narrated by: Ray Sawyer

K. J. Parker's new novel is the remarkable tale of the siege of a walled city, and the even more remarkable man who had to defend it.

A siege is approaching, and the city has little time to prepare. The people have no food and no weapons, and the enemy has sworn to slaughter them all.

To save the city will take a miracle, but what it has is Orhan. A colonel of engineers, Orhan has far more experience with bridge-building than battles, is a cheat and a liar, and has a serious problem with authority. He is, in other words, perfect for the job.

Sixteen Ways To Defend a Walled City is the story of Orhan, son of Siyyah Doctus Felix Praeclarissimus, and his history of the Great Siege, written down so that the deeds and sufferings of great men may never be forgotten.

Critic reviews

"Full of invention and ingenuity . . . Great fun."—SFX

"Launches a witty adventure series . . . Readers will appreciate the infusion of humor and fun-loving characters into this vivid and sometimes grim fantasy world."—Publishers Weekly

"As with most of Parker's work, there is a mel­ancholy undercurrent that gives the humor weight. As heroes go, Orhan is a reluctant and flawed one . . . . [but] when Orhan works the problem, we can't help but watch."—Locus

“With a steady pacing, solid, lean writing and variety of twists, the novel keeps on surprising the reader."—Fantasy Book Critic

"Parker's acerbic wit and knowledge of human nature are a delight to read as he explores the way conflict is guided, in equal measure, by the brilliance and unerring foolishness of humanity . . . . Thoroughly engaging."—RT Books Reviews on The Two of Swords: Volume One

"[Sharps] is a ripping good adventure yarn, laced with frequent barbed witticisms and ace sword fighting... Parker's settings and characterizations never miss a beat, and the intricate political interplay of intrigue is suspenseful almost to the last page."—Publishers Weekly on Sharps

"This is another splendid offering from K.J. Parker, the (pseudonymous) British fantasist who seems incapable of writing in anything but top form."—Locus on Sharps

"Well-crafted, powerful and downright unmissable"—SFX on The Company

"Brilliant."—Locus on The Engineer Trilogy

"Parker carries the reader on a headlong gallop to the powerful conclusion."—Publishers Weekly on The Company (starred review)

A Pleasant Surprise

I think the story was inventive and clever. Imagine, using engineering and teamwork instead of magic to solve your problems. I would recommend the first book just because of how unique it is.

Great performance

Awesome book and this reader makes the book more lively with such a classic voice

Great setting but self defeatist.

Read Erikson if you want actual military drama.(Malazan book of the Fallen) If you’re engineer, but an actual one I’m not talking software engineer here (y’all are developers with no license), you’ll find some passages relatable. Overall the main character is a sad boy channeling “oh no I don’t wanna be here”. There is plenty anachronisms and don’t even get me started on the narrator who can’t decide on how to pronounce Falstinus or Aichma. Solid 3/5. Could be so much better.