aestamson's review
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lerossignolargent's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sbisson's review
4.0
Recent Reads: Hidden Sun. Jaine Fenn's planetary romance is a struggle for survival on a hostile world. Islands of shadow home a shattered society, linked by caravan clans. Mysteries unfold as scientist Rhia makes a journey; but can she save her brother? Now to wait for a sequel.
hazel_reads's review
4.0
Rhia is a noblewoman. It is not acceptable for a woman to run her own household. Many of the merchants won't deal with a woman. She is a scientist. She just wants to study the environment and be left alone. With a marriage proposal on the table, Rhia must go on a journey to find her brother, otherwise she may have to accept the proposal.
Rhia is also shadowkin. Shadowkin live in the shadowlands. There are also skykin. They live in the skylands. Skylands are dangerous for shadowkin. They can't be out during the day because the sun will kill them. During the night, there are other unfamiliar dangers to worry about. Rhia must pass through the skylands on her journey to Zekt to find her brother. It's a dangerous journey, but the scientist in Rhia is also excited. She has always wanted to know more about the skykin. This could be her chance to have all of her questions answered. But, her main goal is to find her brother and bring him home. What she doesn't know is that there are others looking for her brother as well.
This book was very interesting. The world is very unusual and fascinating. I loved Rhia's character. She is such a strong and smart woman. I'm interested in reading more from this author.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rhia is also shadowkin. Shadowkin live in the shadowlands. There are also skykin. They live in the skylands. Skylands are dangerous for shadowkin. They can't be out during the day because the sun will kill them. During the night, there are other unfamiliar dangers to worry about. Rhia must pass through the skylands on her journey to Zekt to find her brother. It's a dangerous journey, but the scientist in Rhia is also excited. She has always wanted to know more about the skykin. This could be her chance to have all of her questions answered. But, her main goal is to find her brother and bring him home. What she doesn't know is that there are others looking for her brother as well.
This book was very interesting. The world is very unusual and fascinating. I loved Rhia's character. She is such a strong and smart woman. I'm interested in reading more from this author.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
silelda's review
4.0
*Book provided via NetGalley for an honest review.
This book was an intriguing introduction to an interesting world. It is well written and has some interesting characters and plot developments. The travel from Shen to Zekt provided some insight into the differences between the Shadowlands and the Skylands, the Skylands are on plateaus and are dangerously bright and hot for Shadowkin. And these plateaus and flatlands are in a honeycomb kind of pattern. You never get two Shadowlands or Skylands next to each other.
In order to survive the Skylands, Skykin children must undergo a bonding ceremony and be bonded with what is called an animus. This changes their physical and psychological nature. It gives them a magical talent (i.e. pathfinding) and gives them the kind of scaly skin, muscles and reflexes needed to survive the creatures of the Skylands. And if you have a damaged animus, you have to join the clanless, the lowest caste in the Skylands. The clanless tend to live down to that reputation.
This book wasn't really easy for me to get into. I had problems visualizing the world. I get it, but it was still difficult for me to visualize. I guess I was at odds with myself while reading because Rhia mentioned seeing a building built by the ancients and all I could think of was that this was a post-apocalyptic Earth or space colony and I was waiting for the big reveal. I accidentally made it more difficult on myself to get into the world.
That being said, I still liked the book. It's got an interesting blend of characters and three different, interesting, intersecting story lines. I really felt for Dej. I was encouraged by Rhia's scientific curiosity. I was intrigued by Sadakh's role in everything. I know there is more going on than meets the eye and it's well worth a read.
This book was an intriguing introduction to an interesting world. It is well written and has some interesting characters and plot developments. The travel from Shen to Zekt provided some insight into the differences between the Shadowlands and the Skylands, the Skylands are on plateaus and are dangerously bright and hot for Shadowkin. And these plateaus and flatlands are in a honeycomb kind of pattern. You never get two Shadowlands or Skylands next to each other.
In order to survive the Skylands, Skykin children must undergo a bonding ceremony and be bonded with what is called an animus. This changes their physical and psychological nature. It gives them a magical talent (i.e. pathfinding) and gives them the kind of scaly skin, muscles and reflexes needed to survive the creatures of the Skylands. And if you have a damaged animus, you have to join the clanless, the lowest caste in the Skylands. The clanless tend to live down to that reputation.
This book wasn't really easy for me to get into. I had problems visualizing the world. I get it, but it was still difficult for me to visualize. I guess I was at odds with myself while reading because Rhia mentioned seeing a building built by the ancients and all I could think of was that this was a post-apocalyptic Earth or space colony and I was waiting for the big reveal. I accidentally made it more difficult on myself to get into the world.
That being said, I still liked the book. It's got an interesting blend of characters and three different, interesting, intersecting story lines. I really felt for Dej. I was encouraged by Rhia's scientific curiosity. I was intrigued by Sadakh's role in everything. I know there is more going on than meets the eye and it's well worth a read.
biblioholicbeth's review
3.0
Rhia is...unconventional, to say the least. She is a noble lady - but one who spurns the idea of a conventional marriage, because she knows that a conventional man would not allow his wife to continue with her scientific studies. She is also the acting head of household - as her brother disappeared the night a young lady was murdered. When she hears that her brother has been located, she decides to join the party going to fetch him, figuring she can see to her brother *and* her studies at the same time. When her path crosses with a skyborn who is only half-bonded, one who has no real history other than the one created for her at an orphanage...
Full review at http://vampirebookclub.net/early-review-hidden-sun-by-jaine-fenn-shadowlands-1/t
Full review at http://vampirebookclub.net/early-review-hidden-sun-by-jaine-fenn-shadowlands-1/t
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