The Owling (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 2) [Paperback]

Robert Elmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

This is the story of Oriannon, a very human-looking girl with an extraordinary gift: the ability to record what she sees and experiences like the hard drive of a computer. When the mysterious Jesmet, thought to be a Magician in the Old Order, begins to connect with Oriannon, he is banished to Corista's Shadowside. On another planet, the new faith of its first Believers is tested in the shadow of evil In book two, readers can contemplate how biblical truths translate in another world. The planet of Corista has been thrown off its axis, and the bright side has been plunged into perpetual darkness. Are the Owling people of Shadowside to blame? With both sides of the planet in chaos, the world becomes even more confusing for 15-year-old Oriannon when her former music mentor Jesmet miraculously returns from the dead and promises his followers a special power called the Wind. But his is not the only offer of hope. Sola, Corista's charismatic head of Security, proposes the 'ultimate solution' for peace, and she recruits Oriannon to help her carry out a seemingly perfect plan. But Oriannon's closest friends are skeptical and try to convince her that the plan involves evil acts against the Owling. Should Oriannon trust the feelings of her friends? Will she embrace Sola's solution as the answer to the world's dilemma? Or will she believe the promise of an Owling holy man before she can no longer discern between light and darkness?

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The Shadowside Trilogy is intended for a teen audience, but middle-graders who like fantasy, science fiction, or allegory will enjoy this series. It's hard to find fantasy and science fiction we can trust, but there are no worries with either Trion Rising or The Owling. It's a creative 'What if?' trip into another world.' -- The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

(The Old Schoolhouse Magazine )

From the Back Cover

This is the story of Oriannon, a very human-looking girl with an extraordinary gift: the ability to record what she sees and experiences like the hard drive of a computer. When the mysterious Jesmet, thought to be a Magician in the Old Order, begins to connect with Oriannon, he is banished to Corista's Shadowside. On another planet, the new faith of its first Believers is tested in the shadow of evil In book two, readers can contemplate how biblical truths translate in another world. The planet of Corista has been thrown off its axis, and the bright side has been plunged into perpetual darkness. Are the Owling people of Shadowside to blame? With both sides of the planet in chaos, the world becomes even more confusing for 15-year-old Oriannon when her former music mentor Jesmet miraculously returns from the dead and promises his followers a special power called the Wind. But his is not the only offer of hope. Sola, Corista's charismatic head of Security, proposes the 'ultimate solution' for peace, and she recruits Oriannon to help her carry out a seemingly perfect plan. But Oriannon's closest friends are skeptical and try to convince her that the plan involves evil acts against the Owling. Should Oriannon trust the feelings of her friends? Will she embrace Sola's solution as the answer to the world's dilemma? Or will she believe the promise of an Owling holy man before she can no longer discern between light and darkness? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310714222
• ISBN-13: 978-0310714224
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,923,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Teens Saving The World Again, June 19, 2009

By 

Chandra Lynn "Chandra Lynn" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Owling (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

Few authors have the ability to cross not only genres but also age levels the way Robert Elmer does. Whether he is writing a tender love story, a young person's high adventure, or another world drama his talent for story telling is unmatched. The Owling, book two in the Shadowside Trilogy is entertaining and thought- provoking.

When fifteen-year old Oriannon Hightower witnessed the death of her mentor, Jesmet, she thought her world was falling apart. His return to life made her life completely baffling. And, when she thought things could get no more complicated, Jesmet returns and promises his followers some sort of special power called the Numa. As Oriannon waits for this unexplained power a new source of hope comes into her life. Sola, the new head of security on planet Corista, proposes the Ultimate Solution for peace. Oriannon is seduced by Sola's power and promises. Is the mysterious holy man or the new charismatic security leader the one to follow? Oriannon must work with her friend Markus to find the real answers, but will they be in time to save their loved ones and friends?

The second book in the trilogy does not disappoint. It picks up almost immediately where the first book left off and the action doesn't stop. Readers will meet new characters and old friends. And, as with any book Robert Elmer writes, readers will find themselves drawn into the story and challenged by the message. I recommend this book for anyone, not only young adults. My twelve year old son loves this series also.

4.0 out of 5 stars A fitting sequel that stands on its own., January 12, 2009

By 

Novel Teen (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Owling (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

Review by Jill Williamson

Orionna Hightower's shuttle, bound for her hometown of Corista, is hijacked and flown to a nearby way station. Before Orionna can figure out what happened, an Owling scribe begs her to protect a special Pilot Stone. She takes the stone, but a probe comes looking, and the scribe disappears before all her questions are answered. Orionna hurries back to the shuttle, is rushed aboard, and barely manages to sit down before the shuttle takes off and the way station is obliterated in a sudden blast of light.

Orionna can't believe anyone would destroy a station before evacuating all the people. Over the next few days, she notices a lot of drastic changes in Corista. Her father, an Assembly Elder, is distant and refuses to tell Orionna what is going on. She visits him at work and meets his new advisor, Sola Minnik. At first Orionna is dazzled by the powerful woman who claims to want to help the Owlings. Sola asks Orionna to help, but Orionna's friends are skeptical. She struggles to discover the truth about what is going on in Corista, even if it means risking her own life.

The Owling is the second book in the Shadowside Trilogy by Robert Elmer. This book was a fitting sequel, but stood very well on its own. Orionna and her friends are truly heroic as they search for truth. Even if they get a bit sidetracked at times, their inner goal is to do what's right. I like the way Elmer portrays the media in this book. The idea that people shouldn't always believe everything they see on the news, but seek out the truth for themselves. The Owling is a fun read that could spark some great discussions about trust, faith, and standing up for others. Make sure you read the first book in the series, Trion Rising (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 1).

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, December 7, 2008

By 

Kasey Heinly (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Owling (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 2) (Paperback)

When Oriannon's shuttle home is hijacked and forced to land on a small way station, a mysterious Owling gives her an powerful stone that only she can keep safe. Oriannon accepts the stone and returns home, but more bizarre things are happening. Security destroys the space station and news reports give a false account of what happened. But that's only the beginning. Her father, a powerful Assembly elder, begins acting strange. Their home is searched without reason. But out of this chaos, a new voice rises. Sola, the new Head of Security, promises an Ultimate Solution for peace. Her enthusiasm and apparent openness make Oriannon feel like she's found a sister she never had. But something in Sola's big plan just doesn't add up. Can Oriannon and her friends discover the truth before it's too late?

To be honest-- I've never read a sci-fi novel before, so this was a whole new experience for me! But I so enjoyed this book. The story is engaging, and the sci-fi part adds to the tale without distracting from it or burdening the reader with too many techie details. The allegorical references were woven seamlessly into the story and added more depth.

I had not read the first Shadowside book before picking this one up, and I still understood the story very easily. Though now I'm anxious to read the first one!