From the first chapter of Thunderer - available here.

Reviews & Praise

"Gilman creates a rich stew of allusions, from quasi-Dickensian workhouses (and one woman reminiscent of Madame DeFarge, here a devotee of the Spider god) to a Peter Pan made street-tough, in "interesting times" that evoke elements of Revolutionary France, the Sixties, and a world transformed by something like new technologies and armaments — though initiated by a god, rather than human ingenuity.

If Jack's quest seems too messianic for your taste, Arjun and his associates can counter that with their endeavors, while the Captain becomes something of a tragic villain. The various plot threads lead to a powerful series of denouements that could serve as both endings and beginnings, extending beyond the city and deep into its heart. Whether or not Gilman returns to some of his surviving characters in future work, I don't think we're in danger of any cookie-cutter sequels from this talented new fantasist."

-- Faren Miller, Locus

"Cities figure in a large number of fantasies of all types, with urban fantasies actually set in cities real or imaginary. But there is a relatively short list of speculative novels that are extravagant celebrations, excavations, and explorations of particular cities, novels in which cities transcend mere setting and become full-blown characters in their own right. Delany’s Bellona, Miéville’s New Crobuzon, Harrison’s Viriconium, VanderMeer’s Ambergris, Peake’s Gormenghast, Leiber’s Lankhmar, and Moorcock’s inexhaustible iterations of London spring immediately to mind. To this exclusive list can now be added Ararat, the god-infested metropolis that dominates Felix Gilman’s towering first novel, Thunderer.

Gilman exuberantly plunders sources literary, historical, and mythological in bringing his protean labyrinth of a city to life, and the mysterious act of creation by which the imaginary is made real, and the real imaginary, becomes one of the novel’s main themes. . . This masterly first novel is as stunning and unexpected as a thunderclap out of a clear blue sky... [C]haracters are fleshed out with an economy and depth that is positively Dickensian. Looming over them all, containing them, permeating them, perhaps even manipulating them in mysterious ways, and yet shaped by them in ways equally mysterious, is Ararat, which may well prove to be an enduring contribution to the literature of the fantastic."
-- Paul Witcover, Realms of Fantasy.

"The book features scores of finely fleshed-out and fascinating players. . . Gilman carries the day with panache and boldness and ingenuity. His city of Ararat is textured so richly and feelingly that its palpability is never in doubt from the very first page. . . Ararat shares an ambiance with Ambergris and New Crobozun and other places “beyond the fields we know,” but it remains its own construction. I was reminded at times, in fact, of the whimsical flavor of Mark Helprin’s great Winter’s Tale. In any case, what Gilman has achieved here is something exotic and Borgesian, a novel that never stumbles or disappoints."
--Paul Di Filippo, Sci Fi Weekly

"Gilman debuts with a sprawling Victorian-style fantasy . . . Memorably imaginative, with intriguing characters and flashes of genuine originality: impressive and highly promising."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Gilman's literary antecedents are intriguingly diverse. Ararat itself fuses elements of Renaissance Venice and Victor Hugo's Paris. Arjun's search leads at times into gaslight-era SF à la Jules Verne, at others into distinctly Poe-like horror, while a secondary plot transforms street youth Jack into a hybrid of Peter Pan and Dickens's Artful Dodger. Impressively, the whole remains essentially coherent. . . strongly conveyed atmosphere and intriguing characters make this a distinctive debut."
--Publishers Weekly

"I would be very surprised indeed if this debut novel was not a strong contender for an award this year. It has all the qualities that should make it appeal to the majority of fantasy readers -- magic, a quest, a hint of coming of age, villains and heroes, exotic landscapes -- and most of the things that appeal to readers who prefer something out of the ordinary. The setting is unusual -- a possibly infinite city, a labyrinth so intricate that no one has ever been able to draw a useful map -- filled with clever imaginative details. The prose is well above average, the characters interesting, and the details of the plot extraordinary. . . . [T]his is almost certainly going to be one of the half dozen most important fantasies of the year, and Gilman is likely to be mentioned alongside China Mieville, Neil Gaiman, Mary Gentle, and writers of similar stature."
--Don D'Amassa, Critical Mass

"“[W]hat an interesting concoction Mr. Gilman has conjured up! . . . [I]f you give the book a chance, you’ll discover more than just a living, breathing world full of marvelous and horrific wonders at every turn; a plot that is at once familiar, yet unpredictable and entertaining; and characters that dramatically evolve right up to the novel’s triumphant finish. What Thunderer offers is an experience that’s not quite like any other fantasy novel out there, and for those that take the plunge, I think you’ll agree with me that Felix Gilman’s first novel deserves to be included in the debate for Best Fantasy Debut of the Year. . .”
--Fantasy Book Critic

"Thunderer is certainly a colorful debut from Felix Gilman. Even Gilman's opening pages show a deep imagination at work. . . Thunderer reaches a conclusion that urges the reader toward the next book of this series."
-- Kansas City Star

“Gilman’s first novel, most likely the beginning of a series, creates powerful images of a city as complex as Dickens’s London; citizens’ dreams and nightmares blend in complex patterns that hint at secrets buried deep within the city’s heart. Most libraries should consider adding this tale of broken gods and damaged heroes to their fantasy collections.”
--Library Journal

". . .a journey that clearly demands sequels. Considering that Gilman is far above average for a first novelist, this is not bad news."
--Booklist

"Gilman's a skilled writer for a first-time novelist. His prose is evocative but not overwrought. He manages a big cast of characters well, and one of the most present and important is the city of Ararat. Gilman lives in New York, so one is inclined to Ararat with this in mind. If you like your cities and their stories to combine magic and technology with a grimy façade, then 'Thunderer' is your book. Happily, Gilman lavishes the same care on all his cast. . . . Thunderer takes more cues from Dickens than Tolkien. That's why you should be reading it; that's why it should be in your queue."
--Rick Kleffel, The Agony Column

"As much as I read, it is still a rare treat to discover a book with enough power to make me forget the mundane world around me, completely transporting my mind from the here and now: “Thunderer” is one of those books.

The setting, an enormous city called Ararat haunted by innumerable gods who constantly warp both the city and its inhabitants, absolutely comes to life in Gilman’s beautiful, nuanced prose. The author isn’t afraid to spend time and linger in his descriptions of the city, and still knows how to keep an entertaining story going with this tale of gods, thieves, soldiers and pilgrims.

I love “Thunderer,” and cannot stop recommending it to friends."

-- Matt Staggs, Enter The Octopus

"Gilman has invented a vividly imaginative world and is rightly compared to Dickens for the rich and varied characters he has created. . . When the book shines, it really shines. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction."
-- Decatur Daily

"Felix Gilman is threatening to kill a kitten at the end of the week unless at least four people write to say good things about his book. Fortunately, his book, Thunderer, is very good indeed, and I'm happy to help save the kitten's life. . ."

Terry Weyna, Reading the Leaves

"Look, don't get me wrong -- the cover's pretty and all, but looking at it, you wouldn't know this novel was different and very cool. I mean, you might know that from the cover, but you might not. But it is fresh and different -- and you should preorder and check it out now. Felix Gilman's a great writer."
--Jeff VanderMeer, author of City of Saints and Madmen and Shriek

"Amazing -- a satisfying and incredible sprawling, urban, Dickensian fantasy that sucks you into its gritty streets and never lets go until you've turned its last corner."
--Tobias Buckell, author of Ragamuffin

"THUNDERER is an entrancing work of prose--a subtle mix of magic realism and epic fantasy, with the beauty of the former and the worldbuilding of the latter. Recommended for any who want to sit back for a spell and just dream."
--Brandon Sanderson, author of Mistborn

"In a kaleidoscopic city continually transformed by divine powers, tragedy, romance and conflict collide, creating a world of literary magic. With Felix Gilman as their guide, readers who open this book will plunge into the shifting streets of a dazzling debut novel. His lyrical, wildly imaginative voice maps the unmappable in this haunting tale."
--Drew Bowling, author of Tower of Shadows

"Gilman takes his readers on a journey through a world of deep and wondrous impossibilities where marvels lurk around every corner. His infinite city and the lives of its people quickly become an irresistible compulsion -- I imagine an evening where Dickens, Miyazaki, and Jules Verne sat down to dream up a metropolis and its wrangling multitudes. Thunderer will leave you wide eyed, breathless and hoping for more."
--David Keck, author of In the Eye of Heaven