Hidden in Sight (Web Shifters #3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julie E. Czerneda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Julie E. Czerneda's acclaimed Web Shifters series continues with the story of Esen-the last survivor of a unique alien race. Able to take on the form of any creature she observes, Esen has long since broken the cardinal rule of her species: noninterference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"HIDDEN IN SIGHT is richly textured, frequently funny and much more complex that it first appears. Julie E. Czerneda takes her world-building seriously yet imbues her characters with a piquant otherness that is endearing." -Romantic Times "Esen is one of the most unique and refreshing sentient beings ever created by an author and it is easy to see why readers will cherish her. After six centuries of life, she is still an innocent who reveres life and regrets that people can't see past the surface of what she is. Paul is the one person who cares for her, as she is, a man who understands her nature and still cares deeply for her. They have a relationship that can only be severed by death. Their adventures together make for a strong outer space science fiction tale." -TheBestReviews.com "The human/alien team is well portrayed once again in this latest space opera, which also includes some interesting and imaginative new races and situations. This one becomes exciting very early and doesn't let up until the last few pages are turning beneath your fingers." -SF Chronicle --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: DAW (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756401399
• ISBN-13: 978-0756401399
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #871,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humor, adventure, colorful aliens and appealing heroine!, May 17, 2003

By 

David Brukman (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden in Sight (Web Shifters #3) (Mass Market Paperback)

HIDDEN is a space opera of the best kind. While stand-alone, the book continues the evolution of Esen from the previous Webshifter novels. Esen, a very young shifter by her race's standards, and her human friend Paul, live in careful disguise to avoid the attention of the curious and the hostile. However, when they are suddenly assailed by hidden enemies, it's clear that their anonimity is no protection, and their subsequent quest to survive and counter their opponents allows the plot to explore both the exotic but fascinating aliens, and Esen's own maturing character.

The author populates her worlds with appealing aliens: they are truly not humans, but are nonetheless three-dimensional despite enormous biological and cultural diversity. The humor is well-woven into the plot, and provides a welcome relief from the tension and danger. And last, and most important, Esen herself, impulsive, well-intentioned, making mistakes and redeeming herself and those around her--a perfect combination of vulnerability and strength.

A delightful coming-of-age story for a three-hundred-year-old adolescent blue blob.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fishy Attack, April 10, 2003

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden in Sight (Web Shifters #3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Hidden in Sight is the third novel in the Web Shifters series, following Changing Vision. In the previous volume, Janet Chase has exposed her predatory intentions and has fled Minas XII. Her co-conspirator, Inspector Logan, is unwise enough to come to Minas XII and learns not to betray a Herd of Ganthor. Rudy Lefebvre has left the Russell III and is contemplating a new future. Project Leader Kearn has been slipped a tip by the Esen Monster and is horrified, confused and gratified. The Kraal have not learned the secret of Web-being flight. Esen has met a new Group of friends and she resumes her life with Paul on Minas XII.

In this novel, Picco's Moon has been invaded by someone who is mining Ersh's mountain and killing Tumblers. The disappearance of a Tumbler is reported and this information is forwarded to data collection equipment at Cameron & Ki Exports. Paul and Esen book passage to Picco's Moon on the Largas ship, Vegas Lass, but another passenger, Hom Wolla, has disappeared in the Dump, delaying the departure. Paul goes to the Dump to fetch the passenger, but doesn't return or communicate in two hours, so Esen goes after both of them. When she enters the bar, a Herd of Ganthor enters behind her and another Herd is before her with a drugged youngster who has been stolen from the other herd; the negotiations between the Herds escalates into a firefight. Then heavily armed and armored troopers enter the bar searching for something and both Herds turn against the newcomers. Esen loses sight of Paul and Wolla, but manages to escape through the lava tunnels to relative safety just before the firefight blows off the roof.

Esen flees to the safety of her home and finds a crater instead; someone has blown up her house. She then flees to the greenhouse over their warehouse and finds Joel Largas there. Paul also appears, but is followed by heavily armed and armored troops. When they fire at Paul, Esen shifts to her Web-form, dumping energy in an explosion. The troopers are gone and Paul is dazed, but otherwise fine. Joel, however, has just met his worst nightmare, a Web-being like Death, and has gone into shock. Paul and Esen sedate him and take him home, then book passage on the first starship leaving Minas XII. Esen has shifted to her Oieta form, something like a giant shrimp, and Paul is also disguised as an Oieta, but has a reaction to the fluid within the suit and removes it. Esen, however, has another problem with her suit: an excess of aldehydes has caused her Oieta-self to become intoxicated, literally poisoned, but still a blissful experience; in other words, Esen is spaced out.

After Paul adjusts her suit controls, the voyage passes quickly and uneventfully. They arrive on Prumbinat and take a Busfish out to the underwater resort. There they learn that the attacks were designed to flush them out and separate them from their allies and they discover the identity of the instigator of these attacks.

Paul Lefebvre is eavesdropping on Michael Cristoffen, assistant to Project Leader Kearn, and witnesses an attack on the Human by Zoltan Duda, a member of Paul's Group, which is reflected back on the attacker by a Kraal anti-assassin shield, killing Duda. Rudy is certain that the death is intentional and so does Project Leader Kearn when he learns of it. Both are also convinced that Cristoffen is receiving guidance from a Kraal source.

This novel is as fast paced as the previous two, but is still mostly about the evolving relationship between Paul and Esen. It has some of the same minor themes, including the Tumbler tendancy to compose, by committee, 500 page messages that no one understands. I am almost certain that the Rand species, a communal intelligence, is a joke and maybe the Cin communal intelligence is another. There is also more about the architectural philosophy of Mixs.

Recommended for Czerneda fans and anyone who enjoys zany adventures with likable persons within a SF setting.

-Arthur W. Jordin

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow !, April 21, 2003

By 

A reader (PQ, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden in Sight (Web Shifters #3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Since I discovered her books a year ago, Julie Czerneda has never disappointed me. I simply love everything she writes! Her books have great stories and even greater characters. One just can't help but fall in love with them. In Hidden in Sight, we reunite with my own favorite character, wonderful Esen-alit-Quar, "Esen for short, Es in a hurry". I won't try to give you a summary of the story (as many others seem to enjoy doing), instead I'll only tell you to treat yourself and read this book (ideally starting with the first of the trilogy, Beholder's Eye, followed by Changing Vision). I can assure you you will enjoy it. It's great SF, with a heart... And the strangest aliens you'll ever see!