Motus

By: P. A. Kramer

Narrated by: Nikola Hamilton

For centuries, the people of Motus have tunneled through the rock in search of the resources they needed to survive. Until Corun, armed with his late father’s pickaxe, uncovers an unfamiliar ore in the underground city’s path.

Far from the riches he hoped for, an appraiser identifies the ore as slag from the furnace, rock long ago stripped of its useful water and oxygen. It can only mean one thing.

They’ve been moving in circles.

Faced with the prospect of retracing their steps or descending to more inhospitable depths, the city’s laborers go on strike. Corun, inspired by an outspoken Ascensionist, believes their only hope lies on the rumored Surface. But to get there, they will have to contend with cold rock, thin air, and a jaded board member impeding their progress at every turn. And what they find will test their wits and resolve and make them question everything they were ever told.

Reminiscent of Wool and City of Ember, with an adult, hard sci-fi twist, MOTUS explores the travails and triumphs of a people determined to carve an existence out of cold and unforgiving stone.

©2025 Philip A. Kramer (P)2025 Philip A. Kramer

Loved this book.

This sci fi adenture grabs you from the start. Loved the characters and the story. i really hope there is a second book or a prequel.

really enjoyed

really liked this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but it ended up being a great listen. The characters were easy to connect with, the narrator did an excellent job bringing the story to life, and the plot kept me interested all the way through. I especially appreciated the ending—it didn’t go the way I expected, but it wrapped things up in a satisfying and memorable way. Overall, a strong and enjoyable audiobook.

Description that makes you feel like you are there!

Great story line and the what if this was real! Love the characters and their ups and downs. This is a little Hunger games/Bridgeton mix without the trash. Good read for a girl or guy. Plot is great and then the cliffhanger at the end. I just need more of this book. I hope to see a series of this.

Exciting and Enjoyable

Well thought out, unique and plausible hard science fiction. One of the best I've read this year.

Science in all angles

A must listen/ read for any fan of the Wool series and Martian. I really loved the whole premise of a society surviving underground using the resources they have while still struggling with the human condition of class and power. I personally thought the science was great, showing that the primitive tools and workings are truly the foundation of how far we have come as a species and how much we can create. While the ending did feel a little rushed it also left me thrilled with the discovery and excited for the characters future!