Wrapt in Crystal [Mass Market Paperback]

Sharon Shinn (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 1, 2000

the breathtaking conclusion of her Samaria Trilogy in The Alleluia Files, Sharon Shinn, winner of the William C. Crawford Award for Outstanding New Fantasy Writer, delivers a compelling new novel that is at once a murder mystery, a reflection on religion, and a bittersweet romance. When a serial killer begins stalking the priestesses of a planet's two religions, Interfed Agent Cowen Drake must immerse himself in an unfamiliar world of stark spirituality to catch the killer. A world that will trap him between opulence and sacrifice, duty and desire, and between two extraordinary women-one who could become the killer's ultimate victim...

The award-winning author of the Samaria Trilogy draws readers into a world of barren beauty and mystery, where religion lures an elusive killer...

"Shinn can make you see angels." -New York Review of Science Fiction

"The most promising and original writer of fantasy to come along since Robin McKinley." -Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn

"The spellbinding Ms. Shinn writes with elegant imagination and steely grace." -Romantic Times

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Wrapt in Crystal examines religious faith and the nature of love while providing a riveting murder mystery. Shinn's setting is the desert planet Semay, whose culture and language are mostly Spanish, with some French and Italian influences. Here, two orders of priestesses worship the goddess Ava: the Triumphantes, who live in worldly comfort and celebrate her with joy; and the Fideles, who renounce wealth to serve the poor and see her as the comforter of the hungry, the sick, and the sorrowful.

A serial killer is murdering members of both orders alternately, and Semay has asked Interfed, an alliance of federated planets with an elite peacekeeping force called the Moonchildren, for assistance. Cowen Drake, the Moonchild assigned, is under pressure to solve the case quickly, impressing Semay with the benefits of joining Interfed and keeping the priestesses safe. Though he has lost his own faith, Drake sets out to understand the victims, the orders, and the role of religion in Semay. His guides are the powerful, charismatic Jovieve, head of the Triumphantes, and the self-abnegating, dedicated Laura.

Readers will find the characters compelling, the suspense taut, and the developing love story moving. If you enjoyed Shinn's Samaria trilogy, you shouldn't miss this one. --Nona Vero --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The author of the Samaria Trilogy (Archangel, etc.) returns with another story of religious faith crossed by mortal will. The Intergalactic Alliance of Federated Planets has been courting the isolated world of Semay, source of rare and expensive spices, for more than a decadeAso Interfed is eager to assist when Semay asks for help solving a baffling serial murder case. All of the victims were priestesses of two different religions dedicated to the Semay goddess Ava. The sybaritic Triumphantes' teachings are the most popular, drawing rich and influential followers, while the Fideles appeal to stern asceticsAthe two, a Triumphante says, are "as different as night and day. As sun and shadow. As joy and grief." When Lt. Cowen Drake of Interfed's elite Moonchild Forces arrives to investigate the crimes, he knows he's treading delicate diplomatic terrain. In a land where piety can wear such opposing forms, his own irreligious attitude makes him an outsider twice over. Even so, he finds himself drawn to both a Triumphante high priestess and a Fidele "ermana." A possible link between the deaths and the mysterious disappearance of a Triumphante woman five years ago hints at an off-world murderer. And, as Drake tracks down the killer, the case takes on a dangerous personal dimension. Shinn's flair for intriguing settings and sympathetic characters remains strong. Although feminists may cringe a little at the final pages, readers who like old-fashioned romantic endings will not be disappointed.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ace (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441007147
• ISBN-13: 978-0441007141
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Shinn is a journalist who works for a trade magazine. Her first novel, The Shapechanger's Wife, was selected by Locus as the best first fantasy novel of 1995. She has won the William C. Crawford Award for Outstanding New Fantasy Writer, and was twice nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has lived in the Midwest most of her life.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite on the level of Archangel, but good nonetheless. January 10, 2000

By Kevin McCarron

Format:Mass Market Paperback

A suspenseful murder mystery/lovestory. Shinn has created yet another masterpiece. While not quite as good as any of the books in the Samaria trilogy, this book has its share of qualities that should delight anyone who is a fan of Shinn's work. I have found all of her books a great read and always tough to put down once I start reading. Ms. Shinn cannot write books fast enough for me. As soon as I finish one I want to read another. Definitely one of today's great authors. Deserves much more appreciation and fanfare than she gets.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shinn's best book yet April 17, 1999

By Peter F. Delaney

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I stayed up all night to finish this book. Not only does she do action and romance well, but she manages to portray people with very different viewpoints in a sympathetic way. I usually don't like romance much, and I usually like more poetic prose -- but this author makes me feel comfortable and warm, using simple, readable prose to portray likeable characters. The only way I can describe the story is to say it is a science fiction space opera detective romance action novel with strong religious overtones. How's that for a combo?

Our hero is Drake, a pretty standard stereotypical "private dick" character who is the perfect leading man for a romance novel or action story. He's sort of a gentleman space marine with a keen mind and unearthly competence - the kind of guy that doesn't really exist, but that women dream of. Fortunately the women in the book and the plot are interesting enough that rather than be distracted by the uber-detective you will be constantly wondering which of the ladies he's going to end up with, and whodunnit. The book is fun and suprisingly intelligent while seeming very down-to-earth and accessible.

If like her angel stories, you'll like this book, too.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good for weekend reading. December 11, 2000

By Asphalt Jungle Guide

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is the first Sharon Shinn book I've ever read, but I've heard good things about her other books (Archangel, Jovah's Angel) so I decided to give it a try.

I liked the setting, but I do wish some things had been explained in a bit more detail, like the Moonchildren. I especially liked the use of words from "our" languages, altered to reflect the passage of time. It's a detail many "colony of earth" sci-fi writers ignore or bungle.

I can't say the mystery enthralled me, I figured the second biggest mystery about half-way through the book. The "whodunnit" part was weak, but this book is worth reading purely for the philosophy of the Triumphantes.

It's a believable world, and the characters are well-drawn. I don't regret buying it.