Customer Reviews

Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It takes awhile to create the story of a civilization that exists alongside humans, without their having any knowledge of those within its "Structure." That said, as you begin to read the science fiction trilogy, Oracle's Legacy, by R. B. Holbrook, take the extra time to read or refer to the Glossary at the front of the book and get to know a little about this civilization. Once you have a fairly basic understanding... start reading and enjoy!

First in the trilogy is Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun. The Oracle, who is the leader and most powerful of the structure is of the House of Sun. She is very old and close to death. Already, there are those from other Houses who are gearing up for proposing that the next Oracle be selected from their respective House! An election? Well, not quite. Many of those proposed will be assassinated before they have a chance to be selected!

The structure is made up of seven houses that seek enlightenment by attempting to understand the nature of energy. The type of energy that it uses characterizes each of the houses. For example, the House of Blade embodies physical energy and uses much of it for military purposes, while the House of Stone embodies environmental energy. Many of Stone are engineers, architects or those who work in agriculture.

Although there are only 8 million people in the Structure living amongst the billions of humans, each one is born with certain gifts--gifts that allow them to use or manipulate energy in some particular way and identifies their respective house. Each of the entities strive to reach various levels of enlightenment which requires understanding the balance between all things and how they are connected. As each individual matures, they develop what is called a "seal" that expands across their skin surface, which reveals the type of power they use.

Ollie is the first main character readers will meet. She works under Geo, the oldest brother of a family of the House of Sun. Many have been brought into the home and they become family; specifically they are under the protection of the family and call the head of the home Mama. Many of the children there have the same father, but not all children are of the House of Sun.

Ollie was brought into the home to save her life. In fact, she had died from the abuse she suffered as a child, but was brought back to life. Her twin brother Ellis was traumatized by having Ollie chosen by a sexual predator and now is totally devoted to protecting his sister as much as she is willing to allow. For Ollie has developed into a much-feared, but much-loved woman (depending upon whether she's protecting you or hunting you)!

This review provides an overview of the book; however, once you are into the story, the characters are wonderfully unique and full of surprises to delight readers. Imagine telepathy, extraordinary brilliance, telekinetics, those who can heal using energy, those who can see in the past, present or future.

Then consider the range of actions that could occur as these supernatural individuals strive to win the top position when a new oracle is named! Exciting action like no other awaits you in R. B. Holbrook's Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun! Enter this surreality, only if you dare! If you love Science Fiction, this just may be a must-read for you!

G. A. Bixler

I received this book free in exchange for a review. I totally loved this book, I ate it up. I so fell for the charactors, the author made them so real to me. My favorite was Ollie by far, Granger was interesting to me.

I loved the story and I think R.B. Holbrook has a way to put the story in writing that captivates.

I followed the story dreading when it would end, and will read the other two books. I finished the book at 2 AM as I could not sleep in wondering what would happen.

The thing I do regret with this book is the ending, it leaves you hanging and I know lots of series books do this but without it hanging I still enjoy the book and still like to read on so don't get how the drop of story had to be so extreme.

Would I read it again? Absolutely! I did love the story! I still give it a 5 star for how great it was and how enjoyable it was to read it.

Thanks for the hours of smiles.

Karen

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was a little hesitant to start this book, knowing it was a series of books, and considered science fiction. I quickly got past that, as the book hooks you very quickly. Ollie is an entertaining character, that has you rooting for her to kick butt. She loves her family above all else, but is a tough chick that nobody should mess with. This book has quite a few characters in it, but not so many that you get lost trying to keep track of them all. It gives you enough description and insight to make you love or hate the character, without getting bogged down by the info or taking away from the story. Children of Sun touches on various issues, from relationships and loyalty to your family, to unifying humanity. I was very happily surprised by this book, and couldn't stop reading it. I would definitely recommend this book, and in fact already have to my friends! I will definitely be buying the other books in the series.

I will start by saying that I just finished this book on my kindle and am forcing myself to write the review before downloading book 2. I am riveted by the story, have grown fond of many of these characters and I want to know more!

The main character, Ollie is fiesty, crude, over-the-top, and somehow quite compelling. She is true-blue to family and although she is really messed up, she has her priorities in order. There were times in the book that I found myself skipping head just to find out what she was going to say or do next. The supporting character are just as impressive.

The book has just the right amount of sci-fi mixed in with true to life characters (albeit with powers) and real life experiences (mixed in with a lot of adventure.)

I really enjoyed Children of Sun and hope that the next two live up to this debut book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review...

That being said I will let you know that I cheated and scanned the other reviews that were up before I read the book. I had never actually done that before, and truth be told, I won't be doing it again. From the reviews I originally read, I was anticipating a confusing start to a book that I was praying I'd be able to force myself to read.

I was more than pleasantly surprised to find that even if I had not read the glossary first, I still would have understood the book. It was super easy to follow and very enjoyable! It's a face paced, action packed book that keeps you guessing. I literally did not know what the ending was going to be until the ending came about! I was EXTREMELY pleased with this book and would highly recommend it to EVERYONE. Even people who are not fans of sci-fi or fantasy!

Happy Reading =}

I received a free copy of this book for my review. I really liked it. It intertwined the sci-fi elements with just the right amount of alternate reality without becoming too complex or needing a dictionary on the side. The main character Ollie is feisty, dangerous, mysterious and weirdly captivating all at the same time. Her complicated family ties and her need to separate her own and their identities from their real personas by creating nicknames for each person she has emotion for, is both psychologically interesting and fun to read. The world she lives in is controlled by seven houses (Sun, River...) and overseen by the Oracle. When everyone realises it is time for the next Oracle to be chosen, fighting and intrigue amongst the houses is the least of Ollie's worries, because she is smack bang in the middle of it all. The story reminded me of some of the action packed fantasy/supernatural books I read, which is probably why I liked it so much. The only thing I felt could have been done slightly better,was when the the reader gets to Ollie's big scene at the end (not going to say too much in case I reveal any details) the writer seems to get lost. It is only in the last chapter or so, but it seemed confusing and didn't gel with the rest, as if the writer was in a hurry to get to the closing few pages, because they held a big surprise. Other than that it was a great read, so much so that I have to buy the next because now I need to know what happens next. I highly recommend this author. Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy)

As a first time reader of Holbrook, I was unsure what to expect in her story. What I found was an enthralling world filled with initial mystery, a solid plot, and it left me wanting even more.

The book is written in first person, from the viewpoints of multiple different characters, each with his/her own inputs and thoughts, each with a little more knowledge than the last character. Every character that had a first person narrative held different information for the reader to piece together. There could have been more of an emotional shift between certain characters, but overall, this aspect of the story was quite believable.

Characters in this book also evolved as the book went on. While some narrators were a bit flat, many of them were quite well rounded and deep. Every page brought something into the story for consideration by the reader. I relish this constructive technique in a story in combination with withholding information, which builds suspense and increases the desire to finish the story.

Overall, it is a well-constructed fantasy, which is well worth the price of admission, with lots of interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict, suspense, and a strong female lead. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Sci-Fi/Fantasy, especially readers who enjoy author C.S. Friedman, writer of Black Sun Rising: The Coldfire Trilogy #1

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it. If I had known there was a glossary and had read it, I would have liked this book from the start. As it was, with all the nicknames and unusual family relationships, I was completely confused for the first quarter of the book. After that, it had a great story line, varied and interesting characters, was high on action and family values. I will purchase the next book because I have to know what happens next!

Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun is the first book of a three part series. The story is fast-paced from the get go and very enjoyable. You won't be able to put this book down!

In this novel, there is a group of humans with other worldly abilities who belong to "the structure". The key to progressing your abilities is through enlightenment. Within the structure there are several houses, including Sun, Breath, Blade and others - each with their own specialty of powers. The more enlightened, the higher the power.

Ollie is our main character. She's a tough talking, candy loving, intrepid entrepreneur working within the structure's underground. She is continaually tormented by her haunted past. Her jobs are dirty and often her attitude is just as bad. She does not fear and she does not regret. While she may not care for her own well being, her family is her whole world. She will keep them safe.

The structure is failing. The Oracle is dying and will soon be replaced. The Oracle position is the highest and most powerful in the structure. Houses and ambitious individuals within them are vying to become her replacement. Ollie becomes hunted. Rivals for the next Oracle position know that she is key to their success. She must, and will, protect her family with any means necessary.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy reader. The story is unique, sometimes dark and inspiring. The second I finished my complimentary review copy of this first book, I purchased the second installment. Oracle's Legacy is amazing trilogy that I am very pleased to have found.

This was my very first contact with this author and frankly I was a bit apprehensive as to what I was getting myself into. I had never heard of this book before and the title felt odd. Children of sun instead of "the" sun. I took a chance "what the heck can't be THAT bad!" Folks I was never so wrong!!! It was a BLAST!!!!

You've all skimmed the other reviews probably and so I need not resume for the nth time what it is about. What I liked most is how coherent the world felt as I read along. In the beginning the reader might feel lost, thrust into a world that truly had no introduction whatsoever! But like all journeys of discovery the road feels like one of illumination. From the darkness of ignorance and into the light of supreme knowledge. Even the writing style feels evolved near the end compared to the beginning. Don't believe me? Read the prologue and then go to the last 10 pages.

The story flows adequately. The writer seems to employ, by chance or by design, a method of presenting an intriguing element and leaving both time and advancement through the story lift the veil on what is going on. Some of the most crucial questions at the very first pages only get answered almost at the very last. Even the characters are in the dark, as they should be in a world resembling out own. They feel human and often, caricatures, to a fault for some! But they are all rather lovable and even the bad guys can be cool.

What I mostly would've wanted to change is the pacing; the down times can be annoying and make the reader feel like skipping ahead. It felt like the story cut scenes of a video game that you want to press start to skip so you can get back into the action. And about that.... Xenogears anyone? I'm not going to say what this is about as I want to not spoil any part of the story for anyone, but after the first few pages that is EXACTLY the word that popped into my head!

All in all, I had absolute fun reading this. Best so far since I read the first Game of Thrones. I highly recommend it to fans of science fiction, videogames and fantasy. Try it people and read it `til the very end!

I received this copy of the book free, for the purpose of this review. And I am off to purchase the sequels! I just can't wait to see what comes next for the people of the Structure!!!