To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
Buy new:
$23.00
FREE delivery Saturday, January 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$23.00
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, January 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Wednesday, January 22. Order within 58 mins.
In Stock
$$23.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$23.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$20.70
Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. See less
FREE delivery January 29 - February 4. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$23.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$23.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by GreatBookDealz.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Etched City: A Novel Paperback – November 23, 2004

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 221 ratings

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$23.00","priceAmount":23.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"23","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Yy1E8wwRUAIFQT870robqItK8%2BkTNN%2BKbYqvIy%2FAf%2FY3jvj8gJHck9GxahqFbbcd0%2FjPK2imzarWgo1cWzq2rSGBDvlUjuHB6rbcHyJ%2FWEM5jTcReq7nRyhASkMebrHnKgl0eto6TYY%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$20.70","priceAmount":20.70,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"20","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"70","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Yy1E8wwRUAIFQT870robqItK8%2BkTNN%2BKBKw%2BzdxM9Z79UXfsSSbogsRZyVFmJXV3EjzAhXmZ0s3nQFIXgPPXtg%2FI9XjVQtyOPsggAZyekQrbHsiNc4L%2BenoanKXgbv4rGcVcJAeN0%2BtwaU6js5pS%2BfYorVaNbHCNqhSi%2FKwKMYF6gmdrlu5oF5ohVXieCIEG","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

“Combine equal parts of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series and Chine Miéville’s Perdido Street Station, throw in a dash of Aubrey BeardsleyandJ.K. Huysmans, and you’ll get some idea of this disturbing, decadent first novel.”—Publishers Weekly

Gwynn and Raule are rebels on the run, with little in common except being on the losing side of a hard-fought war. Gwynn is a gunslinger from the north, a loner, a survivor . . . a killer. Raule is a wandering surgeon, a healer who still believes in just—and lost—causes. Bound by a desire to escape the ghosts of the past, together they flee to the teeming city of Ashamoil, where Raule plies her trade among the desperate and destitute, and Gwynn becomes bodyguard and assassin for the household of a corrupt magnate. There, in the saving and taking of lives, they find themselves immersed in a world where art infects life, dream and waking fuse, and splendid and frightening miracles begin to bloom . . .

“The plot, with its stories-within-stories and its offhand descriptions of wonders and prodigies, brings to mind the works of Italo Calvino and Jorge Luis Borges.”—Locus
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Frequently bought together

This item: The Etched City: A Novel
$23.00
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jan 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$14.59
Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 24
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$14.19
Get it as soon as Friday, Jan 24
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Treatment
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Combine equal parts of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series and Chine Miéville’s Perdido Street Station, throw in a dash of Aubrey BeardsleyandJ.K. Huysmans, and you’ll get some idea of this disturbing, decadent first novel.”Publishers Weekly

“The plot, with its stories-within-stories and its offhand descriptions of wonders and prodigies, brings to mind the works of Italo Calvino and Jorge Luis Borges.”
Locus

From the Inside Flap

Gwynn and Raule are rebels on the run, with little in common except being on the losing side of a hard-fought war. Gwynn is a gunslinger from the north, a loner, a survivor . . . a killer. Raule is a wandering surgeon, a healer who still believes in just--and lost--causes. Bound by a desire to escape the ghosts of the past, together they flee to the teeming city of Ashamoil, where Raule plies her trade among the desperate and destitute, and Gwynn becomes bodyguard and assassin for the household of a corrupt magnate. There, in the saving and taking of lives, they find themselves immersed in a world where art infects life, dream and waking fuse, and splendid and frightening miracles begin to bloom . . .

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Worlds (November 23, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0553382918
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553382914
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.23 x 0.83 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 221 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
K. J. Bishop
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
221 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the characters vivid and complex. They describe the book as compelling and enjoyable. The imagery is described as beautiful and evocative. Readers praise the writing style as riveting and smooth. The plot is considered thought-provoking, philosophical, and inspiring. However, opinions differ on the plot - some find it intriguing and surreal, while others consider it disjointed and wishy-washy.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention "Character depth"12 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the vivid and complex characters. They find the settings engaging and fun to follow. The author's skill in drawing characters, especially minor ones, is appreciated.

"...The characters are deep, complex and their interactions are simply some of the best dialogues I have ever read, watched or played...." Read more

"...It makes for a really fascinating and fun to follow character, but it also means I was constantly feeling disappointed in him because I wanted him..." Read more

"...The characters are pretty complex and well developed, too. If you're into that sort of thing, this is the book for you, no doubt about it...." Read more

"...didn't really seem to go anywhere from there and the two main characters had little interaction...." Read more

15 customers mention "Enjoyment"13 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging with character development throughout. Many describe it as a good first novel that deals with experiences like sights, smells, and so on.

"...inspiring, surreal, poetic, dark, harrowing, delicate, beautiful, entertaining...." Read more

"...Suffice to say that they all add up to something big and strange and wonderful, even if they don't make sense in the larger context...." Read more

"...moments I found ironically and/or genuinely humorous, and it was a fun ride, but over all I can't say I recommend it." Read more

"...Lovely folks the both of them. Really. All in all, a good first novel that would have benefitted from better pacing at the beginning...." Read more

12 customers mention "Visual quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the visual quality of the book. They find the world enigmatically beautiful and vivid. The imagery is striking and evocative, making bizarre things tangible and real. The fantasy is subtle and unnerving, but it's thought-provoking.

"I fell in love with this book. Philosophical, metaphorical, mystic, alluring, intriguing, inspiring, surreal, poetic, dark, harrowing, delicate,..." Read more

"...He is a Bad Guy. He's also fashionable and polite and way, way, wayyyy too easy to like...." Read more

"...Jeffrey Thomas's 'Punktown', K.J. Bishop has created a world so surrealistically beautiful and yet so sordidly vile that I can't wait for her to..." Read more

"...It is beautiful to the point of astonishment. This is, basically, the fastest way to get a top review from me...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style riveting and smooth. They appreciate the lyrical weaving of details and memorable characters. The tales are written with a distinct literary style that readers love. Readers enjoy the imagery and vibe of the book. They mention the dialogues are some of the best they've read.

"I fell in love with this book. Philosophical, metaphorical, mystic, alluring, intriguing, inspiring, surreal, poetic, dark, harrowing, delicate,..." Read more

"...describes the heat and the rain and the mosquito is so visceral and evocative, I loved it...." Read more

"...fleshed, even though some completely lack in any emotion, her use of prose is riveting and yet smooth, and her imagination vividly wonderful...." Read more

"...Recommended for lovers of language and strong characters. *** ½" Read more

4 customers mention "Thought provoking"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and intriguing. They describe it as philosophical, metaphorical, and mystic, opening doors of perception. Readers enjoy the delight of discovery and savory voyeurism into struggle.

"I fell in love with this book. Philosophical, metaphorical, mystic, alluring, intriguing, inspiring, surreal, poetic, dark, harrowing, delicate,..." Read more

"...There is a great deal of philosophizing, interspersed with murdering, lovemaking, drinking, and throwing open the doors of perception...." Read more

"I've read it multiple times and each one is a delight of discovery and savory voyeurism into struggle. Enjoyable if you like Jordan, feist, modisett" Read more

"Strange, weird and thought provoking..." Read more

17 customers mention "Plot"10 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the plot. Some find it intriguing, inspiring, surreal, poetic, and dark. They describe the world as imaginative, detailed, and magical. Others feel the plot is disjointed, with a wishy-washy epilogue. While some readers appreciate the amazing confrontations, others feel the book lacks action and is not an action-packed dark fantasy.

"...It makes for a really fascinating and fun to follow character, but it also means I was constantly feeling disappointed in him because I wanted him..." Read more

"...My verdict: It's bizarre, it's trippy, it has some moments I found ironically and/or genuinely humorous, and it was a fun ride, but over all I can't..." Read more

"...'The Etched City' is a dark fantasy, finding this treat was like finding a rich, overripe plum hanging heavy from a decaying branch, one that I..." Read more

"...through which characters travel, and an inventive, detailed, magical world...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2020
    I fell in love with this book. Philosophical, metaphorical, mystic, alluring, intriguing, inspiring, surreal, poetic, dark, harrowing, delicate, beautiful, entertaining.

    It's not an action packed dark fantasy, even if there are some amazing confrontations, this is a slow-paced gaze at two fundamentally opposite characters, their daily struggles and minds. This novel blew my mind. I don't know how to describe it, I simply have no complains, perhaps because I had no expectations and no knowledge of the author and I just embraced it as what it is.

    The characters are deep, complex and their interactions are simply some of the best dialogues I have ever read, watched or played.

    Below I paste a simple paragraph, it's not a spoiler nor is it even one of my favorite parts, but I just love the vibe of this book and every chapter has so many interesting passages and conversations that showcase said vibe.

    《 From a pouch on his gun belt, he freed one of the spare loaded cylinders he customarily kept handy. He slipped three bullets out and placed them on the table. “If your burdens are too heavy, there is the solution,” he said. “Were we in a less public place, I could do more to help you. As it is . . .” He shrugged—“That is the most charity I can spare.” 》

    Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018
    You can file this one away under 'books told from the bad guy's point of view,' because our hero, Gwynn, hoo boy. He is a Bad Guy. He's also fashionable and polite and way, way, wayyyy too easy to like. I don't often get too philosophical in why I like what I like when I'm reading, but this book really had me questioning my morals. What does it say about me that even after the many awful things Gwynn does, I still couldn't help but root for him to win?

    He's just so refreshing, in a way. He lives by a simple code; either everything is forgivable, or nothing is. Either is doesn't matter how heinous your actions because you can still be forgiven, or you'll never be forgiven for your minor transgressions so why stop at just minor ones? Basically the dude just does what's most practical and best for him without a moment's guilt. It makes for a really fascinating and fun to follow character, but it also means I was constantly feeling disappointed in him because I wanted him to do the right thing and he so rarely did. There's a hint of character growth for him by the end, but when I say hint I really do just mean a hint. He sure was entertaining though.

    Which is handy, because the plot of the Etched City is not so easy to follow, mostly because it doesn't really have one. You could almost call it a slice of life? The setting is amazing. It's this decaying city built between a river and a jungle, and the way the author describes the heat and the rain and the mosquito is so visceral and evocative, I loved it. Much of the book is just Gwynn working for his awful slave trader boss, doing nasty henchmen things to people, leaving a trail of innocent and not so innocent corpses behind. He also meets and falls into a relationship with a women who may or not be a literal sphynx? At about the sixty percent mark the book seems to realise that it's supposed to have a plot and makes a half-hearted attempt at it, but it quickly goes back to multi-page debates about the existence of God and the like.

    There is a second POV character, who at first seems is going to be the main character but she quickly fades away almost entirely. I'm not entirely sure why she was even included, but then I'm not sure why a lot of the things in this book were included. Like the dude with the flower growing out of his belly button? Even for a new weird book, this book gets weird. Suffice to say that they all add up to something big and strange and wonderful, even if they don't make sense in the larger context.

    If you read books for the characters and the prose I think you should give this one a shot. If you're someone in the game just for the plot, this one might frustrate you. It's definitely more concerned with ruminating on ideas and describing jungle riverboat rides than with any kind of standard plot arc, but sometimes such deviations can be fun, no?
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2011
    The jacket blurb of this book describes it as a combination of Stephen King's Dark Tower series and China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. I'm a big fan of both, so I knew I had to buy it. Upon reading it, however, I was rather disappointed. The reason I loved The Dark Tower and Perdido Street Station was because they took place in unique fantasy worlds, and discovering what made those worlds unique was a joy. The Etched City takes place in a fictional setting, yes, but aside from the bizzare, unbelievable events that start to happen with increasing frequency later in the book (part of the plot, you see) there's hardly anything "fantastic" about it. Aside from the made up names and the "romantic" (that's a better description, I think) occurences, it might as well just take place in the plain old Wild West. Basically, you have no fantasy races, no magic (well, hardly any), no cool creatures, and no fantastic technology. Fans of Perdido Street Station and The Dark Tower are likely to disappointed.

    That is not to say that The Etched City is not without merit. The imagery and symbolism is some of the richest and deepest that I've ever seen; THE richest and deepest in any "fantasy" novel I've ever read. The characters are pretty complex and well developed, too. If you're into that sort of thing, this is the book for you, no doubt about it.

    A few more nitpicks (or perhaps, serious issues not as damning as the "not very fantastic" one): The plot is quite disjointed. As I was reading it, I was wondering when this wierd desert-city dream quest would congeal into something resembling a cohesive narrative, and it doesn't, really. I felt more that it had several small plots in sequence rather than one big overarching one. Another nitpick: Perhaps I'm spoiled by Perdido Street Station, but I didn't really feel Ashamoil like a living, breathing city like I did with New Crobuzon. Mieville would make little asides about daily life in the city, or little tidbits of its history. The Parliament and militia were major players in Perdido Street Station, but the government of Ashamoil gets hardly any mention. My last problem with it is probably the smallest: The blurb talks about both Gwynn and Raule, bound together in the saving and taking of lives and what not, but it's not really about them, it's about Gwynn. Gwynn gets far more attention than Raule, and while I bemoan the lost potential for more thorough juxtaposition, that decision may be for the best. After all, a gunslinger thug's life is probably more exciting than that of a doctor.

    My verdict: It's bizarre, it's trippy, it has some moments I found ironically and/or genuinely humorous, and it was a fun ride, but over all I can't say I recommend it.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Annika Howells
    4.0 out of 5 stars An intoxicating fever dream of a book
    Reviewed in Australia on March 30, 2015
    This is a weird book, but I mean that in the nicest of ways. The pace is slow, the plot minimal. It paints a beautiful picture of a strange world full of odd characters. I found it quite reminiscent of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels. It does have flaws - Sometimes the pace was a little too stagnant, and I felt one of the main characters ended up pushed to the side too often. However, I have to commend KJ Bishop for creating something so unexpected and unique. We need more interesting stories like this.
  • mjs
    3.0 out of 5 stars plotless, but still good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2008
    the etched city is a book almost entirely without plot and there is no connecting thread, character's motivations are often unconvincing. somehow though this is still a great book, the type i could not put down and i finished it in three days. that is due to the superb writing skills of bishop.

    fans of china mieville will enjoy this work, inferior though it is, because of gothic grossness that marks both writer's books. the etched city has it all; action, love, gore, intensity and wonderful concepts. the problem is that it's more of an "adventures of" book than anything else. you don't feel that there's any resolution at the end, the lives of the protagonists don't really affect the world they live in much and not even their own lives much either

    despite the critism it's still a good read, something light and easy, ideal for when you just want to absorb a book rather than struggling to make sense of it
  • Alter Cuca
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best out there!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2013
    This is a must for the sci-fi enthusiasts. The amazing city jungles and convoluted characters are so delicately portrayed that you won't stop reading this until you reach the back cover. What makes it more amazing is that the author actually draws too, and to see, after reading the book, the portray of the main character and find out that beautifully drawn picture in your head has a real-life tween it's just amazing. I really enjoyed the book, it has created a perfect little world I can rover into from time to time.