The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Michelle West (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Sun Sword | Publication Date: August 1, 1999

In the Essalieyan Empire, Jewel, of House Terafin, has been having visions which are about to send her into the heart of enemy territory with only her domicis Avander to watch her back. Behind her she leaves a House on the brink of a bloody dynastic war--a house to which she is the unoffical heir. Before her lies the Dominion, home to the clans which are the sworn enemies of all who dwell in the Empire. But far more deadly than the clans are those with whom they have formed an unholy alliance--the demons of the Shining court!

Praise for Michelle West:

"Non-stop excitement...spellbinding reading...a mesmerizing work."-- Romantic Times, for The Uncrowned King

"A fine example of epic fantasy."-- Science Fiction Chronicle, for The Uncrowned King

"This is going to be another great series...one well worth the wait."-- Science Fiction Site, for The Broken Crown

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: DAW (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886778379
• ISBN-13: 978-0886778378
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where are Valedan & Kiriel?, June 15, 2000

By 

"mabro" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

While 'The Shining Court' isn't as good as 'The Uncrowned King' it is still a very good read. I think that the reason I liked 'Uncrowned King' better was because it incorporated storylines from both the Empire and the Dominion at the same time. 'Shining Court' is based almost solely in the Dominion. But my biggest gripe is the fact that Valedan and Kiriel don't appear even once in this book. On the positive side you get to learn more about the Firstborn, Isladar (IMO, far and away the coolest bad guy) and the Avandar/Warlord thing is great. It seems that the Warlord has lived forever but they say he's not immortal. I'm thinking, and hoping, that he's the 4th Sleeper that rode with Moorelas. If you've read the previous Hunter and Sun Sword books this is definitely a must read. Oh, and even though this was supposed to be a trilogy there IS going to be a fourth volume. I emailed Ms West's publisher to ask just that question and they replied that the 4th Sun Sword book will be published in April of 2001.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Does not move the story along, March 28, 2000

By 

E. J. Lewis (TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed the first books, especially the Uncrowned King, but was very disappointed in this latest offering. Not only does it introduce a whole host of new characters, it ignores some of those that were so painstakingly created in the last two books. With the series already at 5 books (counting Hunters Oath and Hunters Death), I would like to see this series move toward some type of conclusion, rather than see it turn into the perpetual ring that some recent, well acclaimed series have become. It is a very well written book for the most part, and very enjoyable, but it seems like we are on the road to 10 or more books! Can we finish this in one or two more, PLEASE?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable read, August 24, 2004

By 

Xenochick (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shining Court (The Sun Sword, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

As always, I'm left with nothing but words of praise for West's works. Aside from her beautiful and unique writing style, her characters have been developed to the point where she can enter whole new emotional levels between each other. I found this most significant between Jewel and the Terafin, and Diora and Sendari. I confess, with this book was complete, as usual, I was running through tissues, simply because of the emotion that West is able to capture between her characters. It requires true talent to create a cast with that much depth that can rival most literary works that I'm familiar with (considering I'm an English major...).

The plot, as usual, is phenomenal. However, this book takes the story in a whole new direction with the conspiracy behind the masks at the Festival of the Moon and the drama that occurs particularly with Jewel and Diora as the story unfolds. I was at first indifferent to the appearance of the Voyani, but I found their inclusion as a critical element to the plot very well done on West's part. Now, while I was critical of their existence, I confess that I am a Voyani fan (laughs). I also confess that if you are a Valedan fan, you will find this book lacking severely... that was my initial problem with the book, because it felt awkward to have my two of my favorite Sun Sword characters absent for the most part, if not completely (Valedan and Devon ATerafin), but the only other thing I can say about characters, without truly spoiling any of the plot, is that if you haven't already fallen in love with Sendari, or sense compassion, understanding or some kind of emotion for him, you *will* before this book is over.

Overall, the book is a much different turn from the first two, so readers might be hesitant to open it up, but it's like breaking away the outer surface of a rock and finding a beautiful glistening gift from the earth burried deep inside. I recommend it for all fantasy readers, and especially for anyone who is just as addicted to Michelle West as myself!