The Book of Koli

By: M. R. Carey

Narrated by: Theo Solomon

"A captivating start to what promises to be an epic post-apocalyptic fable" (Kirkus), The Book of Koli is the unforgettable story of a young boy struggling to find his place in a world where nature itself has turned against humanity.

Everything that lives hates us....

Beyond the walls of the small village of Mythen Rood lies an unrecognizable landscape. A place where overgrown forests are filled with choker trees and deadly seeds that will kill you where you stand. And if they don't get you, one of the dangerous shunned men will.

Koli has lived in Mythen Rood his entire life. He believes the first rule of survival is that you don't venture too far beyond the walls.

He's wrong.

For more from M. R. Carey, check out:

• The Girl with All the Gifts
• Fellside
• The Boy on the Bridge
• Someone like Me

By the same author, writing as Mike Carey:

• The Devil You Know
• Vicious Circle
• Dead Men's Boots
• Thicker Than Water
• The Naming of the Beasts

©2020 M. R. Carey (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A thought-provoking and deeply engaging story...profoundly and doggedly humane." (C. A. Fletcher on The Book of Koli)

"[A] beautiful book. Gripping, engaging, and absolutely worth the time it takes to burrow yourself into its reality. I can't recommend it highly enough." (Seanan McGuire on The Book of Koli)

"The cadence and pacing of [Koli's] voice adds a depth and richness to the strange and malevolent world." (Booklist on The Book of Koli)

Fantastic!

Loved it! Amazing story with a phenomenal reader! I can't wait to read/hear part two!

The intricate descriptions of everything so you could practically see it in your head!

I loved all of it. The prose, the descriptions of the tech and plants and animals. I want more! 3 books surely won’t be enough!

Unique perspective

Very good writing, the story pulls you right in with the writers skills at fleshing out characters and describing scenery. I look forward to the next one, which I just bought with my monthly credit.

I loved this book

The writing and language is wonderful. The story development and the awakening of the innocent Koli is so well told. This story by a master storyteller is read by a masterful reader. One of the best reads/listens I have had recently. Can’t wait for book2!

nice slow epic journey

I like the characters and am looking forward to the next book. the characters are most interesting, and willing to change.

So entertaining!

This is a timely story about the possible future and I feel the main characters fill me with optimism.
The narration is wonderful and I cannot imagine reading the book now without it. The narrator sticks in your head. Enjoy!

As good as the girl with all the gifts

I was not disappointed by this novel and am looking forward to starting the next in the series.
Mr. Solomon read and narrated beautifully.
Thank you

Fun YA Dystopian Story

the voice for the monono character was kinda painful, potentially problematic.

the story was fun, good foundation for future stories. will read the sequels

So well read!

This is a great story that keeps you in a state of wondering of what could be. As well as the story is told the narration is excellent. I have a tendency to find narrators who I enjoy and follow them, Theo Solomon will now be among the one I seek out. Can’t write more… too excited to start the second book!

Slow start to an amazing story

The narrator did a fantastic job of holding my attention. I’m new to science fiction and I’m not sure I would’ve finished this book if I had read the hard copy.

The story takes place in an apocalyptic future outside of London. The frustrating part of this novel, and why I may mot have finished if it weren’t for Audible, is that the author spent seven chapters world-building to describe this futuristic setting. I was bored, but I liked the main character and committed to listening a little longer.

The main character is young, 15 or 16 years old. But it doesn’t feel like a YA novel.

What I do enjoy about the world building is seeing how the narrator, who speaks directly to the reader, is unfamiliar with words and objects of our present (which he refers to as “the days of old”, haha).

A subtle but interesting nuance is that, in this future, while characters have different skin tones, the concept of race doesn’t exist.

I think the author did a fantastic job of writing in a voice of someone who has never been exposed to concepts and objects of present day. For example, the narrator, who lives in a secluded village of about 200 people, has no way to process what a million people would be like.

Eventually, after the first seven boring chapters and a few more slow chapters, I was totally engrossed in the story. So much so, that when the book ended in the middle of a scene and I realized that this book one in a trilogy, I immediately purchased the second book and began listening to pick up where I left off.

I like the main character. I like the Audible narrator as the main character. And once the story picks up speed, I like the story.