Available Formats
The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice
By (Author) Catherynne Valente
2
Random House USA Inc
Bantam Books Inc
15th January 2008
United States
General
Fiction
FIC
Winner of Mythopoeic Award 2008
Paperback
528
Width 156mm, Height 234mm, Spine 35mm
788g
Catherynne M. Valente enchanted readers with her spellbinding In the Night Garden. Now she continues to weave her storytelling magic in the next book of Orphan's Tales-an epic of the fantastic and the exotic, the monstrous and mysterious, that will transport you far away from the everyday. . . . Her name and origins are unknown, but the endless tales inked upon this orphan's eyelids weave a spell over all who listen to her read her secret history. And who can resist the stories she tells From the Lake of the Dead and the City of Marrow to the artists who remain behind in a ghost city of spice, here are stories of hedgehog warriors and winged skeletons, loyal leopards and sparrow calligraphers. Nothing is too fantastic, anything can happen, but you'll never guess what comes next in these intimately linked adventures of firebirds and djinn, singing manticores, mutilated unicorns, and women made entirely of glass and gears. Graced with the magical illustrations of Michael Kaluta, In the Cities of Coins and Spice is a book of dreams and wonders unlike any you've ever encountered. Open it anywhere and you will fall under its spell. For here the story never ends and the magic is only beginning. . . .
Astonishing work! Valentes endless invention and mythic range are breathtaking. Its as if shes gone night-wandering, and plucked a hundred distant cultures out of the air to deliver their stories to us.Ellen Kushner, author of Thomas the Rhymer
Weaves layer upon layer of marvels...a treat for all who love puzzle stories.Carol Berg, author of the Bridge of DArnath series
A fairy tale lovers wildest dream come true.... Valente has created a thought-provoking storytelling tour de force.Publishers Weekly
Catherynne M. Valente was born in the Pacific Northwest, grew up in California, and now lives in Ohio with her two dogs. This is her fifth novel.