Trion Rising (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

Robert Elmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2008

What would it be like if Jesus had come to another planet? Oriannon is living the good life on the bright side of Corista, a small planet circling three suns. But things get crazy for the teen when a new music teacher arrives at her school with strange songs and even stranger ideas. Soon Oriannon is pressured to spy on her teacher, Jesmet, by using her powers to record everything she sees and hears. Could Jesmet really be a faithbreaker, like Oriannon's friend Margus says? She's not so sure, but her life is turned upside-down when she loses her way on the dark side of the planet and is taken in by an odd, cliff-dwelling people. And when her new friends face a deadly threat, can the once self-centered Oriannon follow her heart. . . and save half the planet? Program Summary Field: Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside's inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth---and to help avert the war that is sure to follow.

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

What would it be like if Jesus had come to another planet? Oriannon is living the good life on the bright side of Corista, a small planet circling three suns. But things get crazy for the teen when a new music teacher arrives at her school with strange songs and even stranger ideas. Soon Oriannon is pressured to spy on her teacher, Jesmet, by using her powers to record everything she sees and hears. Could Jesmet really be a faithbreaker, like Oriannon's friend Margus says? She's not so sure, but her life is turned upside-down when she loses her way on the dark side of the planet and is taken in by an odd, cliff-dwelling people. And when her new friends face a deadly threat, can the once self-centered Oriannon follow her heart. . . and save half the planet? Program Summary Field: Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside’s inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow. --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: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310714214
• ISBN-13: 978-0310714217
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Sci-fi, Action, and a Creative Retelling of the Gospel Story, August 7, 2008

By 

Jake Chism (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trion Rising (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Oriannon Hightower loves her life on the bright side of the planet Corsita. Her father's place on the ruling council has granted her a life of luxury, not to mention the recognition that comes with her special ability to remember everything with stark clarity. Soon a new teacher named Jesmet arrives at her school carrying a mysterious and charming air about him as he reveals hidden truths to Oriannon and her friends. The powers that be are quick to dub Jesmet a faithbreaker and they banish him to the dark side of the planet, known as Shadowside. Oriannon suddenly feels compelled to follow Jesmet to Shadowside and the truth she discovers there will shatter everything she has been led to believe. The clock is ticking and Oriannon must find a way to clear Jesmet's name and save the innocent people of Shadowside from imminent destruction.

Trion Rising is a fun beginning to Robert Elmer's Shadowside Trilogy. Elmer graces the reader with tons of sci-fi elements that give this story a fresh and unique feel throughout. There's also plenty of action to go around as Oriannon and her friends consistently find ways to get themselves involved in mischievous activities.

Besides the sci-fi and action, Elmer has also brought us a creative retelling of the gospel story. Fans young and old alike will be challenged by the spiritual themes found here. Elements of hope, sacrifice, and redemption are clearly on display here and never seem forced or manufactured. Trion Rising is a young adult novel, but I would highly recommend it to readers of all ages who love sci-fi tales laced with strong spiritual truth.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brave New World, December 13, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Trion Rising (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Robert Elmer is a truly talented author, equally comfortable with tender adult fiction and creative youth science fiction. Trion Rising is the first book in The Shadowside Trilogy, his latest youth science fiction. With the same creative flair as The Pilgrim's Progress and Hind's Feet on High Places, Elmer's allegorical world will attract all ages.

Oriannon Hightower lives a comfortable life on the bright side of Corista. She only questions the rules and standards when she and her friend Margus are talking. When her father forbids her to remain friends with the boy because he isn't in their Class, Oriannon begins to question a little more. Then Jesmet comes to the school to teach music. His music, songs, and ideas are strange, beautiful, and dangerous. They go against everything she has ever been taught. But somehow they make sense. When she dares to stand up against the leadership of Corista, she finds herself running for her life and lost on the dark side of the planet. There she meets the people she was always told were animals and discovers a love that dwells in the heart and guides and protects even when disaster threatens. Oriannon must choose between tradition and what she knows is true of the cliff-dwelling people to save an entire nation and maybe her mentor, Jesmet.

Robert Elmer created a new world, new civilizations, new and old situations and brought the age-old battle between tradition and change into the story. Then, he added a special man who knew the heart of people to show them love and life. Sound familiar? This book is a great read. It will captivate youth who long for science fiction, fantasy worlds, and unique characters. And bring truth into the heart of the readers as they travel the journey with Oriannon, Margus, and Jesmet. I highly recommend it and am now eager to start book two in the trilogy, The Owling.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lev-scooters, ear buds, and stun batons!, August 29, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Trion Rising (The Shadowside Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Trion Rising is the first book in Robert Elmer's Shadowside trilogy. Oriannon Hightower of the Nyssa Clan is daughter to an elite member of Corista's ruling assembly. As such, she's always obeyed her father and the Codex, which is Elmer's Bible for his fictional world. But when a new music teacher, Master Jesmet, arrives and teaches them a new way to look at things, the assembly panics, banishing the so-called Faithbreaker for his law-breaking ways.

Oriannon follows Master Jesmet to Shadowside and meets the Owling people who live there. She's always been taught nothing but animals live on the dark side of Corista, where the city's water supply comes from, but now that she knows the Owling people, she must do all she can to stop the assembly from destroying the Owlings.

I enjoyed the unique analogies Elmer uses to tell this tale. Corista's modern conveniences make the story of Jesus easier to relate to for teens growing up in a world closer resembling one with reporters, lev-scooters, ear buds, and stun batons. Oriannon is a relatable character who makes a lot of good choices but is big enough to ask for forgiveness when she makes wrong ones.

Recommended.

Be sure to check out the sequel The Owling (Shadowside Trilogy, The).