Shadow of the Knife (Celaeno, Book 1) [Paperback]

Jane Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2008

Militia rookie Ellen Mittal is well aware that the world cannot be reduced to simple questions of black and white, but she has no idea of just how complex and dangerous her life is about to become. The most vicious gang in the Homelands, led by the infamous Butcher, is extending its operations to Roadsend. By her oath as a member of the Militia, Ellen is sworn to uphold the rule of law, no matter what the cost to herself. But as the body count starts to rise, Ellen finds her task made all the harder by a wall of silence from ordinary citizens, a commanding officer with her head in the sand, and the attentions of an attractive young farmer who is probably not who she claims to be. Ellen must work out who to trust, because if she gets it wrong she might easily lose her heart, or her life.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bold Strokes Books (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602820082
• ISBN-13: 978-1602820081
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best yet., March 29, 2008

By 

bogdogz (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow of the Knife (Celaeno, Book 1) (Paperback)

Warning, this is not a happy, feel good book. But I loved it anyway. The writing was tight and grabbed you and pulled you into the action. It's a gritty book that keeps you thinking, long after the last page has been turned, about the price we pay for honour and for the choices we make in our lives. I really love it when our lesbian writers find that they have more to tell than a simple, sweet romance. Jane Fletcher is growing with each book she writes. I can hardly wait for the next one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Welcome Addition to the Series, June 13, 2008

By 

Reading Junkie (United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadow of the Knife (Celaeno, Book 1) (Paperback)

Jane Fletcher's latest addition to the Celaeno series is very welcome indeed. If you've read the series, you're familiar with the fact that this society is entirely female. Most of you are familiar that the society as split into two factions, one of them being "the heretics," and most of the previous novels have dealt with that particular group of women.

This book, however, focuses on the other group.

It takes place earlier than any of the other books written so far. It details the story of Ellen, a Militiawoman, just finishing her probationary period. She learns of a group of thieves, the Knives, who are led by the Butcher. She works with the Rangers to gather information on the thieves, and during her investigation, meets and falls head over heels for Hal, a woman who claims to be a local farmer.

Is Hal who she claims to be? That's for you to determine. And, like the other reviewers have stated, this is not a happy book. This is an edgy book focusing on loyalty, thievery, vengeance, and family.

Fletcher balanced things out very well. Her writing gets better and better. In fact, after finishing this book at 2:00 A.M., I dug out one of her earlier Celaeno novels, "The Walls of Westernfront." Why? In "Shadow of the Knife," we briefly meet a young Ash O'Neil, a character featured more prominently in the "Walls" novel. I needed to touch base with Ash again.

Great character development, emotional depth, erotic scenes, and divided loyalties make for an exciting read. Buy this one...you won't regret it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally Builds to A Full Climax, June 9, 2011

By 

Red Haircrow: Author, Reviewer, Publisher (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow of the Knife (Celaeno, Book 1) (Paperback)

Although I'd read books by Jane Fletcher before, I initially had difficulty getting into this novel. Granted, it was the fifth book released in the Celaeno series but it actually takes place earlier in the timeline, so it's a "prequel" of sorts. I usually don't have a problem accepting new ideas, scenes and storylines, and didn't with "Shadow of the Knife". In fact, I actually like being "dropped" into a new world and have to figure things out as I go. Don't be put-off by the series numbers however, for each are stated as being capable of "standing alone."

One thing I really appreciate about Jane Fletcher's writing is the level of professionalism and attention to detail which keeps the plot focused. No random scenes or occurrences are simply inserted for effect, nor are emotions too extreme to accept. Sometimes there are aspects of the characters I might find personally exasperating, or a facet of the romantic scenes which I question, but I respect the writer's vision.

The pace is progressive, balanced, with no real lags in action and a very fine climax after a clear build-up in action. I found main character, Ellen Mittal believable in the face of the escalating violence and deceptions, though I found her love interest, Hal, more compelling. I liked the intrigue of a kind of anti-hero, and the thought-provoking ending would certainly inspire readers to read the other books in the series. I eventually found "Shadow of the Knife" to be well-worth the read.

From the review/interview site, Flying With Red Haircrow [...]