Palaces of the Crow

Roll over, George Orwell: This post-apocalyptic dystopia makes Airstrip One look like a summer camp. Nayler's sophomore novel is set in a familiar future world in which totalitarian orders rule, with recognisably Putinesque touches in what's called the (né Russian) Federation, not least an autocratic ruler who's been running the show for decades . . . A richly detailed evocation of a grim future that is, sadly, absolutely believable * Kirkus (starred review), for Where the Axe is Buried *
Nayler's twisting, turning political thriller has spectacular surprises, grounded by realistic, complex characters who are determined to change their world, however hopeless it may seem. A bold, epic SF story and an inspiring tale about taking down all forms of authoritarianism * Booklist (starred review), for Where the Axe is Buried *
An intense, claustrophobic novel . . . a work of first-rate science fiction * Cory Doctorow, for Where the Axe is Buried *
This is an extraordinary science fiction novel that deftly deals with the nature of consciousness -- Jonathan Wright * SFX MAGAZINE *
[A] constantly surprising, moving and thought-provoking novel. -- Lisa Tuttle * GUARDIAN *
A brilliant . . . blend of history and fantasy . . . Nayler's tale is packed with human brutality and the nobility of animals and their complex minds, never descending into sentimentality . . . [an] impressive novel * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *
An impassioned paean to togetherness even in the midst of the chaotic isolation of war and to the power of storytelling to keep memory and hope alive * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review *
Summing up then, despite its different setting, Palaces of the Crow is yet another affecting and effective novel from Ray. It is rather emotional, perhaps his most affecting story to date. Like before, with Ray's previous books, Palaces of the Crow made me sad, it made me angry, and yet made me think. All of this together means that Palaces of the Crow is another book by Ray that hits the ball out of the park for me. Still a must-read author. -- Mark Yon * SFF WORLD *
A story skilfully sown with dramatic surprises . . . [Palaces of the Crow] presents an extraordinary alien intelligence that happens to make its home here on Earth * Sam Sacks, Wall Street Journal *
It shouldn't surprise anyone that the crows come out looking better than their human counterparts in Nayler's latest work of speculative fiction * Colin Dwyer, NPR *
Over the last four years, Ray Nayler has become one of the most consistently fascinating science fiction writers working today * Esquire, Most Anticipated Books of 2026 *
A searing epic about the horrifying costs of war and the terrifying process of sanitising the past to protect the guilty and the complicit; it wraps readers in its intensity from the first page. Highly recommended * Library Journal (starred review) *
Ray Nayler's Palaces of the Crow is an evocative and deeply human portrait of survival and awe along the Eastern European front of WWII * Laura Hubbard, Bookpage (starred review) *