Customer Reviews

Shadow of the Knife (Celaeno, Book 1)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
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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.

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.

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 [...]

START OF BACK COVER TEXT - 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. - END OF BACK COVER TEXT

Anyone who has had the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful series is lucky. At least, this reader counts herself as such. Fletcher is an extremely talented author who has created a woman-only world that survives, sometimes in spite of itself.

Here she introduces Ellen Mittal. Ellen is a rookie in the Milita, meaning she hasn't had all the training needed to work alone. Of course, Ellen is a typical, restless youngster who doesn't understand why this is, but has a healthy respect of authority. Even though she thinks her commanding officer is unstable, Ellen follows orders at face value. As the tale unfolds though, Ellen begins to question that authority and turns to the Guards for guidance to deal with the deadly Butcher and her gang.

Ellen works with the Guards to take down the Butcher. In the meantime, she gambles with her heart. It is not until the last few pages that the reader is enlightened as to the true character of Ellen's love interest. Fletcher keeps you guessing until the last possible minute.

Note -- My only complaint is that I don't really know what the series order is. As far as I can tell, the series order is - `The Walls of Westernfort' then `Rangers at Roadsend' then `The Temple at Landfall' (originally published as `The World Celaeno Chose') then `Dynasty of Rogues' and finally `Shadow of the Knife.' The books open in the years 553, 533, 536, 561, and 519, respectively. [The first three listed were the first three published, in that order.] Except that the Amazon.com main heading says `Shadow' is Book 1 of the series (as it would seem to be based on the year in which it opens, but is not indicated anywhere in the book), these books are not numbered, nor are they chronological. That said, I have read the first three (in the order above) already and they all seem to be stand-alone stories. Each is enhanced by background information gained from each additional read, but they seem to be enjoyable when read in any order.

Bottom Line - Even if you think you might not like this kind of book, go grab a copy and give it a chance. I was not expecting to enjoy this series, but I can't seem to put it down. I'm even trying to read more slowly to make it last. Great author, great read!

Yes. Latest one in Jane Fletcher's Celaeno series, and so far the best I've read.

Chronologically it takes place before the others, but it's the latest one she's written.

It's a really gripping tale of intrigue and crime, taking place in the town of Roadsend. The evil fought in this novel comes in the shape of Mad Butcher and her Knives, a gang of thieves and murderers who already terrorized another town and are now expanding their business to Roadsend. The main character is a young Militia woman still on probation who gets tangled up in a web of lies and deceit that's very well written. We learn a lot about her and her family and thus more about the life on this planet.

What tickled me most was that romance was not the main aspect of this story. It's not entirely without, but you also don't know after the reading the first pages that the characters featured so far are going to end up together at the end of the book.

I'm a bit hesitant to read the remaining two books I have left, as according to the back blurb they're heavy on the romance again (I thought Fletcher dealt well with the story-telling in the previous books I've read, but they were a wee bit too centered on romance for my taste, especially when comparing them to this one). But if this latest is a promise of more to come in this series I'm really looking forward to it.

I enjoyed this novel so much I went back and re-read the other four books in this series.

This story is set before the other novels in the Celaeno series and it is not necessary to have read any of the previous novels, but it totally entertaining if you have, as some of the characters in this novel are also in the other novels.

Really enjoyed the suspense and intrigue carried through the entire book. The characters are in-depth, the setting is fascinating and dialogue keeps you turning the pages. Tremendously interesting ending.

Don't miss the other books in this series

The Rangers at Roadsend
The Temple at Landfall
The Walls at Westernfort
Dynasty of Rogues

From the publisher's website - 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.

Another action packed sci-fi adventure/romance in the Celaeno series, a 2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist.

This is a delightful continuation of the Celaeno series. There is a lot of action and turmoil throughout the entire book. I have yet to finish it, so I won't spoil it for you. I was very pleased to see Jane return to this increadibly ritch world she created to do another story. By far, this is one of my favorite series and I can't wait to see it continue.