• Arm of the Sphinx

  • The Books of Babel, Book 2
  • By: Josiah Bancroft
  • Narrated by: John Banks
  • Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,243 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Arm of the Sphinx  By  cover art

Arm of the Sphinx

By: Josiah Bancroft
Narrated by: John Banks
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Senlin continues his ascent up the tower in the word-of-mouth phenomenon fantasy series about one man's dangerous journey through a labyrinthine world.

"One of my favorite books of all time" (Mark Lawrence on Senlin Ascends)

The Tower of Babel is proving to be as difficult to reenter as it was to break out of. Forced into a life of piracy, Senlin and his eclectic crew are struggling to survive aboard their stolen airship as the hunt to rescue Senlin's lost wife continues.

Hopeless and desolate, they turn to a legend of the Tower, the mysterious Sphinx. But help from the Sphinx never comes cheaply, and as Senlin knows, debts aren't always what they seem in the Tower of Babel. Time is running out, and now Senlin must choose between his friends, his freedom, and his wife.

Does anyone truly escape the Tower?

©2017 Josiah Bancroft (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"More than deserving of advance buzz and initial self-published success, Josiah Bancroft's Senlin Ascends is an early contender for year-end best lists, and a towering achievement in weird fantasy." (B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on Senlin Ascends)

"Bancroft's world continues to teem with explosive energy, and he ranges ably from the transcendent to the vicious in an instant....This volume not only matches but adds to the notable achievements of the first." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"What is remarkable about this novel, quite apart from its rich, allusive prose, is Bancroft's portrayal of Senlin, a good man in a desperate situation, and the way he changes in response to his experiences in his ascent." (The Guardian on Senlin Ascends)

What listeners say about Arm of the Sphinx

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    888
  • 4 Stars
    282
  • 3 Stars
    61
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    916
  • 4 Stars
    166
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    764
  • 4 Stars
    257
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Improvement on the first book

In this volume the author fleshes out the vast of characters a bit more and offers us a more expansive vision of the Senlin universe, leaving me more curious about this world and story than I was when I started. Our heroes finally have compelling missions and are equally smart and flawed, which makes for more varied storytelling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Below the surface resides the truth

But how hard we try to hide it or change it to what we prefer the truth to be. But what we reveal to ourselves and others, is not the truth. Still searching at 65.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • fq
  • 10-04-18

Just as good as the first!

If you enjoyed book 1, this won't disappoint. whether it's the fantastic narration, deep and interesting characters, or the refreshingly inventive and unique premise this series is pure gold, and I cannot wait for book 3!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Much better than the 1st book

the 1st book seemed to be.....too confident at times for Thomas. The elaborate schemes that FG went through to hire an employee ect....

This one seemed much more grounded and was far better as a result.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Book 2 in an entertaining series

Not quite as good as Senlin Ascends but still worthwhile. More time spent on relationships among characters and we get to know the Sphinx. Narration continues to be outstanding.

And you will definitely want to go on to Book 3.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I enjoy the hidden meaning of the tower.

great characters. unique circumstances And challenges. the tower is a fantastic character all its own. the deeper meanings decorate the adventure with pleasing considerations.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

2nd book better than first!

I wasn’t sure about the series but halfway through the second one I was hooked. I hope the third one doesn’t disappoint; I’m really liking the characters now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tremendous performance

Excellent book with a superb narrator. One of the better series in recent years! Looking forward to book 3.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

lukewarm sequel

I adored senlin ascends! however this one, although inventive and has a great addition of characters, just doesn't have the same heart as the first one. wasn't terrible, just disappointing in reference to the first

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An Amazing Sequel

Everything you loved about the first book is expanded and improved here! Can't recommend this series enough. The next book is at the top of my most anticipated books to look forward to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful