Customer Reviews

Choosing Deceit: Shun-Ur Book I

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In CHOOSING DECEIT: Shun-Ur Book I, S. R. Sarai has created a world, although different by epic proportions, which is very similar to the world we know, about the constant battle between good and evil. Within the world of the Sanjin are the Mei, a race created by the Creator to be guardians. Their lives are typified by years of study and sacrifice that charge them to protect mankind from the evil Kaar. After two thousand years of being success, they are now hearing about the Proclaimer; someone whom they fear will lead man away from righteousness. Also, one of their own, La-Hye Cha Dun-Sir (Lae), claims he has been called by the Creator to end the battle with Kaar.

Lae, who is living under his father's shadow, must travel west to prepare for the last battle that will end all the suffering and plundering by Kaar and his followers. His journey into the unknown will include his best friend and several others. Along the way, Lae stands up to much scrutiny and danger, and at the same time, his love interest, Shila, takes on an equally harrowing task of her own.

Sarai spins a wonderful tale as she constructs this world where their belief system is gives birth to similarities in Christianity. Readers will be able to see the distinct patterns of good versus evil. The characters are unforgettable in this saga as Sarai devotes ample time with each. The attention to detail with the characters and the plots are outstanding. However, there are too many characters to track and some of the sub plots get lost in the overall story. I am looking forward to the second book in this series, as it is my hope that some of these stories will be reconciled.

Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

"Choosing Deceit" delivers! I started this book, unsure of what to expect, and found it surprisingly good. It held my interest and had me reading long after I planned to stop for the evening. The book kept me riveted because the author has developed language and concepts which present a whole world of concepts and characters - honorable, loathsome, fear inspiring, good, bad and indifferent. The characters engage the reader making one want to see them succeed or fail because they really matter. In other words, it is a world - fully developed - a world both similar to and different from any we know, but utterly fascinating. I especially like the way various sub-stories are woven into the main story - making a fully developed world. The author writes that this is book one of a series, I hope book 2 will be out soon, because I want to start it immediately. A fine work.

I really like this book! I have always been a fan of Fantasy and Sci-fi and this book is one of the best. It has a great story line that follows the Mae, a mythical people who are the protectors of humanity. The Mae of Sanjin are cool because, although humanoid and not technically human, they are a dark-skinned people of many shades and have hair and features of varying types, like Black and Native American peoples. Personally, I think that's great. Most fantasy books also have mythical protectorates of humanity, but rarely if ever do they look like dark-skinned people! Lae is the perfect hero, rebellious, flawed, and instantly lovable. Shila, his best friend, is the perfect female character - strong, beautiful, and feminine to the utmost. I also like the use of language in this book.

S.R. Sarai develops the storyline and her characters well and you really feel as if you know them. This book can be "deep" at points, different form your standard run-of-the mill fantasy book, but still kept me riveted, scared at times, and always entertained. Reading about the Mae and their lives and adventures in and outside of Sanjin was an emotional rollercoaster. I know that there has obviously got to be a sequel. I can't wait!