The city of a hundred rows. 1, City of dreams and nightmare

Review ''Adventures in a nightmare citadel - a story that hits the ground running and doesn't let up.'' - Liz Williams ''Born story-teller Ian Whates takes us on a gripping, terrifying trip-of-a-lifetime, through the heights and depths of the exotically grim city of Thaiburley, in this excellent fantasy thriller.'' - Tanith Lee ''[It] grabs you pretty much from the first page... Highly recommended.'' - Fantasy Book Critic ''City of Dreams & Nightmare is a brilliantly executed novel, perfectly paced, beautifully described and a true joy to read.'' - _ScienceFictionandFantasy.co.uk _ Praise for Chris Roberson: ''...satisfying, well observed and entertaining.'' - The Guardian (reviewing ''The Gift of Joy'') ''As a collection, 'The Gift Of Joy' is certainly worth taking the time to enjoy.'' - SF Crowsnest , (reviewing ''The Gift of Joy'') Product Description THEY CALL IT ''THE CITY OF A HUNDRED ROWS''. City of Dreams & Nightmare is the first in a series of novels set in one of the most extraordinary fantasy settings since Gormenghast - the ancient vertical city of Thaiburley. From its towering palatial heights to the dregs who dwell in The City Below, this is a vast, multi-tiered metropolis, and demons are said to dwell in the Upper Heights... Having witnessed a murder in a part of the city he should never have been in, street thief Tom has to run for his life. Down through the vast city he is pursued by sky-borne assassins, sinister Kite Guards, and agents of a darker force intent on destabilising the whole city. Accused of the crime, he must use all of his knowledge of this ancient city to flee a certain death; his only ally is Kat, a renegade like him, but she has secrets of her own... File Under: Fantasy [ Towering City | Ancient Secrets | Murder Most Foul | Kite Guard! ] They call it the City of a Hundred Rows. The ancient city of Thaiburley is a vast, multi-tiered metropolis, where the poor live in the City Below and demons are said to dwell in the Upper Heights. Having witnessed a murder in a part of the city he should never have been in, Tom, a lowly street-nick, has to run for his life through the City Below, Thaiburleys unsavoury basement world. Accused of committing the murder himself, he is pursued by sky-borne assassins, Kite Guards, and agents of a darker force intent on destabilising the whole city. His only ally is Kat, a renegade like him, but she proves to have secrets of her own... Source: back cover "From its towering palatial heights to the dregs who dwell in the city below, it's an incredible creation. When Tom, a teenage street thief from the depths, ventures into the uppermost levels to impress a girl, the last thing he expects to do is witness a murder."--Publisher's description