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Ratings & Reviews for

Shadow Sun Seven

Spencer Ellsworth

5 stars

41 (21%)

4 stars

94 (50%)

3 stars

42 (22%)

2 stars

7 (3%)

1 star

3 (1%)

Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Justine

1,132 reviews309 followers

April 6, 2018

A really enjoyable middle book. I feel like Ellsworth has found his feet a bit more in the story and that really showed. It was a longer book than A Red Peace, but a bit more focused. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything wraps up in Memory's Blade.

2018-read

Beth Cato

Author 109 books531 followers

November 26, 2017

The second volume in Ellsworth's fun new space opera series recreates a heist caper with soul-stealing swords, gigantic bugs, and a reluctant saint. I can't wait for the third book!

2017 science

Scott

1,156 reviews106 followers

January 13, 2018

Middle book in this space opera trilogy.

I had the same problems with this book as I did with the first one - for large portions of the book there seems to be absolutely no point to any of it, it's like you're just turning pages and reading words. Nothing seems to move the story forward because there doesn't seem to really be a story.

The last book I rounded up because the last 20% of the book was amazing.
This book I'm rounding down because there just isn't enough story to warrant anything else (and this is a SHORT book).

We still have our Empire and Resistance and Reckoning (you take your pick), we have our heroes and villains, we have fights and battles. But what we really have is a great story outline that didn't really get written all that well.

Good enough for a three star rating but just barely.

We'll see if Ellsworth can bring it together in Book 3.

sci-fi

Jess

551 reviews22 followers

February 20, 2018

Ok, even setting aside the AWESOME title which just has the nicest ring to it, the second book in the Starfire trilogy was fantastic in every way. There was no sophomore slump to be had here, and it left me wanting more.

Likes: uh, like, it all. It's extremely action-packed; the entire novel runs at a breakneck pace, altering viewpoints from our intrepid heroes. I just love them. Each character is trying to make the universe a better place while struggling against their own limitations and inclinations towards selfishness. I was fascinated by the exploration of faith and belief; as always, Ellsworth has an interesting spin on what it means to believe. I highly recommend his short story When Stars are Scattered, only $0.99 on Amazon at the moment and it should give you a good idea of how quickly you will love his characters and how fast you will be invested in their stories. Jaqi is so funny and sweet and awesome. Araskar reminds me of Finn from Star Wars, if Finn had pulled the trigger before he left the rebellion, and if he had a fling with Leia, if Leia had turned to the dark side. I mean, it's so great.

Dislikes: bug guts. LOTS OF BUG GUTS. But I wouldn't let this discourage you from reading it. This novel is described as "gritty" but it's cover blurb, but I have to beg to differ?? It's squishy? Perhaps... chunky?? There are gelatinous sentient aliens who get some kind of cold, so. A fair amount of barfing, and unexplored trope in space travel.

Overall this book is fun, exciting, excruciatingly sad, (Ellsworth better leave Araskar alone, for heaven's sake! Let him rest!), funny, and interesting. If you are a fan of sci-fi I highly recommend it.

action-adventure best-characters binding-cover-love

Sontaranpr

242 reviews2 followers

January 31, 2018

Imagine a heist story where the majority of the action happens on the Celestial station Knowhere from Guardians of the Galaxy. Now instead of a severed head it's an entire giant bug that's being mined for its oxygen reserves while also previously being a prison and now a pit fighting gambling arena. Add in some fluid based lifeforms staffing the place and a huge Necro-guard ("Death") protecting the boss.

Near the end there's a hilarious shout out to "Do you feel lucky punk?" which was worth reading the book all on its own. Book 2 of 3 so you know the drill regarding plot hanging.

Xavi

634 reviews75 followers

January 2, 2018

La saga ha cogido un camino que no me ha convencido, pero al final deja las puertas abiertas hacia el tercer volumen de una forma que me ha interesado. Creo que le daré otra oportunidad, pero este he estado a punto de abandonarlo en la parte central.
https://dreamsofelvex.blogspot.com/20...

llegits-2017

John Purvis

1,145 reviews18 followers

March 31, 2018

"Starfire: Shadow Sun Seven" eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Spencer Ellsworth (http://spencerellsworth.com). Mr. Ellsworth has published seven novels. This is the second book in his "Starfire Trilogy".

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Situations. The story is set in the far future.

Genetic half-breeds between Humans and Jorians have been created, and now they have risen up as rebels. Their forces have just won their revolution. The primary character of this story is Jaqi, a navigator who is trying to just stay off everyone's radar and survive. Araskar is a soldier who was with the Rebels, but is now with Jaqi. Both are half-breeds.

Jaqi, Araskar and a small group are on the run from everyone. They hear about a secret being held in the Shadow Sun Seven penal colony and concoct a wild plan to breach the colony, find the secret and spirit it away. Araaskar died during the story told in the prior book, but Jaqi was apparently able to revive him. Now there are several who consider her a savior foretold of in the bible.

The plan is good and holds together for a while, then everything falls apart. Jaqi and those that followed her to Shadow Sun Seven must fight for their lives.

I enjoyed the 6.5 hours I spent reading this 336 page science fiction tale. This sort of reads OK as a standalone book, but it was a big help that I had read the first volume of the trilogy Starfire: A Red Peace. The action with the various characters gets a little chaotic, though overall I like the characters and the plot. I like the cover art. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

Adam Collings

Author 14 books62 followers

February 20, 2023

Another great installment in this series. This one continues to play with the "chosen one" trope, using Jaqui, a very unlikely, and not quite reluctant chosen one. Are the prophecies real? Is she some kind of "special oogie" as she calls it? The book keeps you guessing, and leaving room for multiple options.
After an exciting rescue mission to a giant space bug turned space mining station, we see the the potential beginnings of their counter-resistance., and a tease of what promises to be an epic mission into the darkness.

I like how this series turns the cliche of the "good" resistance and the "bad" empire on its head. I also like Jaqui as a protagonist, the way she values life, whether it be human, alien, highborn, or low, and protects the kids, who have a price on their heads because they are highborn "bluebloods"

Will definitely be checking out book 3.

Liz (Quirky Cat)

4,156 reviews64 followers

February 24, 2018

I received a copy of Shadow Sun Seven from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Shadow Sun Seven is Spencer Ellsworth’s second book in the Starfire trilogy. This series is perfect for anyone looking for a science fiction read with just a little bit of fantasy thrown into the mix; the cover description calls it a space opera, and while that term didn’t immediately come to mind I certainly can’t argue with it either. Like the last novel, I absolutely loved the cover (Thank goodness for those bright covers – it caught my attention right away!). Fans that enjoyed A Red Peace will appreciate the follow up, meanwhile those that haven’t read it will probably be at least a little bit lost, so please don’t jump right to this one.

Shadow Sun Seven feels very much like the middle of a trilogy – it starts off with the assumption that we’ve read the first novel (seriously, don’t skip it) and concludes knowing we’ll read the third one to find out what happens next. The ending isn’t a cliff hanger, in the “I’m going to go crazy if I don’t see what happens next” sense, but it still laid the groundwork to keep you coming back.
Ellsworth spends a lot of time with character development in this novel. Like the last one, most of the focus is directed towards Jaqi and Araskar. There’s a handful of other characters included as well (the children and Z being the predominant ones from the last book), but they don’t get as much attention or development.
Jaqi has so much on her head right now. As if running a resistance (…against the Resistance) wasn’t enough, many of her followers think she’s a new saint or deity. Talk about pressure. It’s understandable that she’s having a lack of faith crisis here. She’s never had to have anyone rely on her in any way that actually matters, and suddenly there are all these people who are literally willing to die for her. That’d be scary for anyone (anyone that isn’t a sociopath at least). I feel like her lack of immediate belief in her supernatural powers makes her more relatable and human (I know, I know, she isn’t actually human, but you know what I mean). Despite her reservations about herself and her abilities, Jaqi is one of the best people in the group she’s running. She’s determined to do what is right (even if that makes their job so much more difficult that it becomes next to impossible) and so far she’s always stepped up to the job when it was needed of her.
I really enjoyed Araskar’s character arc for this novel. As with the last book, he’s got a lot of ground to improve upon. Last time we saw him as a drug addict trying to make the hard choice between following his leader, or doing what is right. This time he’s a recovering addict (during the roughest part of the transition, no less), he’s made the choice to do the right thing, and yet he’s suffering. He’s haunted by his past, by his actions and actions of his now ex-comrades. Despite all this he’s loyal to a fault to Jaqi – in a way I almost feel like she’s become his replacement drug (an easy connection to spot – both induce music in his mind). While I’m concerned about what this will ultimately mean for Araskar (he’s a walking tragic hero, so I can easily see him giving up his life to save her), I do appreciate the work that’s gone into his character him to this point.
I’m anxious to see how the reunion between Araskar and John Starfire goes. I feel like it’s a safe assumption that this will happen at some point – after all John is aware the Araskar survived and betrayed him (not to mention the whole killing his daughter thing). Between the actions Araskar is taking and the bounty by John on his head…well it’s inevitable. Likely this will happen at the end of the trilogy…but hey, you never know!
Z also got a little bit of character development, though it’s hidden well behind all of his bluster and ranting about blood and honor (get used to that saying). Two major turn of events are thrown at him, both causing his honor and his beliefs to be questions. The first is a choice; complete the mission (which Jaqi, a woman he considers to be sacred, and more, needs completed), or kill the man that slaughtered his people. I’ll admit I don’t really envy his position here; morally he’s in the wrong no matter which option he chooses, at least in theory. After his choice was made, and while accepting the consequences of his actions, Z is forced to learn that something has changed, specifically something about him. This change may or may not make him a pariah of his people, removing his honor and taking away his ability to go home. It’s no surprise after this double whammy that Z needs to take some time and think (I never got the impression that he was a quick thinker to begin with…so…).
You’ve probably noticed that I’ve spent more time talking about the characters than I have about the actual plot. There’s a reason for that. This novel, while absolutely fantastic, is clearly setting up for the third novel, where the heavy impacts will occur. Part of that setup includes insuring that the characters are at a place where they’ll make sense. So it’s only naturally that they’re a major part of this book, in many ways more so than the plot (but don’t worry, there actually is a plot for this book, I promise!).
I absolutely cannot wait for the third novel to be released! It’s so difficult to find a series that fits perfectly into the genre and mood you’re in at that moment, but this series has been perfectly for me lately. Naturally that’s making me a little bit anxious to get my hands on the next one!

For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

2017-reads

Jason Vanhee

Author 13 books23 followers

December 30, 2017

Middle books are often problematic, meant to get you from point A to point B and suffering because they are intended for nothing beyond bridging the start and the end. Not so here. There's so much going on, and so much is seeded for side plots and subnarratives, that it doesn't feel like there's any slack or like it's perfunctory. I am not certain all the side plots will get taken care of, and that's good--a world, a universe, should feel as if bits of it are going on without your main characters being involved. Next and final book in the trilogy comes out in a couple of months, and I am much looking forward to it.

Jared Adams

Author 12 books1 follower

December 12, 2017

“Shadow Sun Seven” is an episode of “Leverage” set in a galaxy far far away. It’s fun, breezy, and full of whiz-bang reversals.

That said, it didn’t resonate with me as much as the first book in the series. It had all the elements of the first book, but the two main characters somehow didn’t feel as deep, and their arcs didn’t seem as dynamic. I think I wanted to see more tension between them, he a soldier used to rigid order and self-sacrifice, her used to taking any advantage or pleasure she can.

There were still some great character moments, like Jaqi struggling with guilt over killing a guard and Araskar grieving his dead lover, but I wanted more of it, which the breakneck pace didn’t allow.

Still excited to read Book 3, but hoping for the added richness that set Book 1 apart from most space operas.

read-2017

bkwurm

462 reviews

June 5, 2018

So Jaqi is now the real Chosen one and Araskar has switched allegiances.

As a source for dense oxygen cells, you would think the location of Shadow Sun Seven would be more generally known. Also, the soulswords and their memory stealing abilities were never explained.

Not a bad read but the villain's choice to keep the heroes alive for entertainment purposes seems just so stereotypically cartoony and done solely for the sake of the plot.

Jorgon

372 reviews6 followers

December 5, 2017

More fun, fun, fun, at breakneck speed; perhaps a little less revelatory than the first volume (a common enough phenomenon), but Ellsworth still manages to surprise and delight. Ridiculous and entirely larger than life--which is the way good space opera should be--with a solid touch of humanity in the midst of all the action.

science-fiction

Jared Abbott

150 reviews22 followers

March 25, 2018

I liked this book better than Red Peace. The characters get a bit more depth, especially Jaqi and Araskar. As a USMC combat veteran, I found their struggles with war and killing very relatable--although, thankfully, I don't retain the memories of slain enemies. I'm looking forward to digging in to the next book.

Donna

266 reviews

July 27, 2018

You know how a middle book in a trilogy can often be dense and long since more of the story is played out and you worry that it might be boring and you won't get to the third one because you will give up? Well, this second book in this set is not like that, at all. It was a fast-moving, adventure packed ride. This author knows how to tell a good story. Highly recommended!!

T.J.

Author 12 books110 followers

December 20, 2017

A continuation of Ellsworth's fast-paced not to mention hilarious space opera. Following Jaqi and Araskar on their next parallel adventures didn't disappoint. There are serious moments of self-reflection and examples of how far a fascist regime can go...and a gunslinger!

sci-fi

Melinda Mitchell

374 reviews6 followers

December 11, 2017

I love this series! Jaqi is an amazing character and I love how she grows in this. The whole book is action-packed, non-stop. Can't wait for the third!

Mark Gardner

Author 21 books51 followers

December 5, 2017

I enjoyed this story. A more detailed review to follow when I've read all three books in the trilogy.

2017

Daniel

15 reviews1 follower

December 26, 2017

Gripping, believable, engaging

One of the greats, in my opinion. Somewhat like my childhood's SciFi, but with a modern twist. Really worthy work.

Matthew

7 reviews

January 18, 2018

Fantastic

Builds on the first novel that was astounding . Can't wait for the third. Keep up the good work Mr. Ellsworth I'm loving it.

Shawn Ridenour

197 reviews4 followers

February 16, 2018

Unfortunately Shadow Sun Seven fell flat. I lost interest in the characters and plot early on and it never regained my attention.

Phil Rossi

Author 15 books122 followers

March 1, 2018

Highly entertaining. I'm glad I stumbled across Mr. Ellsworth on twitter. Definitely delivers on a fun, unique, and entertaining tale blending sci fi with a healthy dollop of mysticism.

Katarina Honeycutt

358 reviews1 follower

March 9, 2018

This book was okay. The middle of the book got a tad boring. Much like the first book everything starts to come together and become interesting in the very last few pages of the book.

Teresa

230 reviews22 followers

April 15, 2018

Yum, yum. Que lastimica que ya sólo quede un libro...

Sheila

455 reviews13 followers

November 27, 2018

This is such an enjoyable read! No slowing down in book 2 of this trilogy. Action-packed & tons of fun, I am hooked on this story & can't wait to read book 3!

sci-fi

Doctor Science

265 reviews16 followers

February 17, 2019

Starts out a very space-operatic heist, ends up with grand politics and morality, though still very operatic. World-building is good, but why *miles* and *feet*, cmon, really?

Nat

916 reviews9 followers

July 19, 2019

I love the cast. It really will appeal to fans of firefly. It really shines in the audible addition.

Rebecca Ellsworth

4 reviews1 follower

August 11, 2019

The second in the trilogy! It's a continuation of an epic save-the-universe story. We get to know the characters better, and then the ending - GAH! I hated waiting for the third one to come out!

Avc

59 reviews

January 13, 2021

Same qualities as book 1. If you did not like that don't read this.
My rating: 4.5
5: Excellent
4: Liked by would not necessarily recommend
3: Read to the end
2: Could not finish
1: Repellent

Penny

1,062 reviews

May 22, 2021

A thriller, and a cliff-hanger ending. On to # 3.

scifi

Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

Ratings & Reviews for

Shadow Sun Seven

Spencer Ellsworth

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