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5.0 out of 5 stars
2nd book in the Oracles Legacy Trilogy, a brilliant mixture of sci fi and comtemporary storytelling, August 19, 2011
This is the second book in the Oracles Legacy Trilogy, the first Children of Sun (Oracle's Legacy) focuses on the family and how Ollie's behaviour and temperament affects them all. The second book starts where the first ended, with Ollie's death. Except she isn't dead, she has been kidnapped. The first half of the book is an in depth description of how the power elements and the Structure works, which in turn helps us to understand the destiny of Ollie, her brothers Bones and Ellis and of course her lover Granger. There are quite a few surprises in store for the reader. I am really enjoying the combination of sci fi with a grand mixture of characters, which is written in way that reminds me of great comtemporary stories. The writer has created people that the reader can relate to, without thinking "no that is way beyong the realms of reality", instead it has recognizable elements about family or sibling relationships that most people will smile or grimace at. Again another great read and I am looking forward to reading the third book. Dawn of Illumination (Oracle's Legacy). I highly recommend this author.
Shadows of Fate (Oracle's Legacy)
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Suspense and Comic Relief, May 31, 2011
Oracle's Legacy: Shadows of Fate is the follow-up novel to Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun and is the authors second book. The story continues from where Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun left off. Tightly woven, the story of Ollie Mason and her family continues to hold the reader spellbound as the plot thickens and draws nearer to the climax.
Sometimes it's hard to put a finger on why I like or dislike a book. Oracle's Legacy is a series like that. I've enjoyed reading all three volumes... The characters are developed enough that I either like or dislike them as is supposed to be... and some characters, while not necessarily on the side of good, are still interesting enough that I like them too. The story is a mix of suspenseful scenes with some comic relief, all serving to move the plot along to where book two transitions easily into the third volume of the epic.
Caviat: Lots of violence, yet not unnecessarily violent, given the context of the story. Recommended to readers of epic fantasy who do not mind a fair amount of violence in the book, but should be read following Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun.
Oracle's Legacy: Shadows of Fate was provided to me free by the author in exchange for this review. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragon Views, LibraryThing, Amazon.com and wherever else deemed appropriate for this book's content.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Imaginative and fun, December 21, 2009
It is the second volume in a trilogy of books that transcends the tag of science fiction. The book picks right up where Volume I (Children of Sun) left off. Shadows of Fate begins slowly recapping the last pieces of the first book. A familiar and friendly face appears to us from the start with the Oracle Bethea. She's being held an apparent willing prisoner in a penthouse owned by the Head of Flame Arthur Clifton. The structure that we've been given bits and pieces of until now is beginning to crumble. The battle is underway between the many forces that welcome this collapse and those that do not. Ollie, the character of focus in the first volume, and her family will be caught in the middle of the impending chaos.
Holbrook has created a world that is familiar and at the same time unique. It is a world filled with power and energy. The powers that reside in the people who populate this world are as fascinating as the storylines. For every killer, there are healers. We are given soul possessors, mind benders, flame throwers, seers, and the mysterious shadow dwellers that appear more prominently in Oracle's Legacy: Shadows of Fate Volume 2. There is major power in almost every character we meet, but it never gets old. Most likely because the great contrast in that they all have major weakness to equal those powers.
The second book is a lot of info (a product of being the middle of three books) but that never diminishes the flow or enjoyment. There is so much that needs to be explained or set up for the third novel. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Shadows of Fate is being able to be there and see how the relationships and people in the story grow. While Ollie is still clearly a huge piece of the story, we get to see more of her family and surrounding characters. Relationships are built and the action is different from that of Oracle's Legacy: Children of Sun Volume I.
The action is often unexpected and enthralling. Holbrook weaves an intense tale of power, secrecy and fate. The world is vivid and entertaining but the characters are the main power here. Each and every one of them from the frail yet powerful Bones to his brilliant brother Ellis and stubborn and stern Ollie are wonderfully created. Volume II is just as fast paced and action packed as the first. While it is possible for Shadows of Fate to stand on its own as a novel, reading the first book beforehand adds to the enjoyment. Both books are detail filled and imaginative.
James Evans Remick II
Reviewer for Book Pleasures
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