Echo in Onyx

Uncommon Echoes, Book 1

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Emily Bauer

Length: 15 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

A murder and a masquerade.

Brianna loves her new job as maid to Lady Marguerite. Like many high nobles, Marguerite is attended by echoes, silent creatures who look exactly like her and move in perfect synchronicity. News soon comes that Marguerite has been invited to the royal city as a potential bride for the crown prince. Brianna is delighted to accompany Marguerite to the city - and perhaps get a chance to continue her own flirtation with Nico, one of the king’s inquisitors.  

Then, disaster strikes on the road when they come under attack. The brutal assault forces Marguerite and Brianna to concoct a desperate plan. Their subterfuge just might work - but only if Brianna can keep Nico from learning the truth. And only if Marguerite can give up her own secret, doomed romance.  

And all that's at stake - is the very future of the kingdom.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase Echo in Onyx, you’ll also find in your Audible Library a map which will help you explore the world of the Uncommon Echoes series.

©2019 Sharon Shinn (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

loved it

Can't wait to read book 2 Echos in Emeralds, this one really good, hope the next one is just as good if not better.

Love the world, this wasn't the story for it

I love the world, but something about this story was "off" for me. I am a huge Sharon Shinn fan, and she never disappoints with unique places and themes. but I personally saw Margurite's secret coming from miles away, and I think the relationship between Niko and Breanna could have been developed more. There were a few moments I thought he was too nice or forgiving where there might really have been conflict.

I also really notice a few "Shinn-isms" or phrases she loves to use. "Spread her/his hands" and "dribble" are used a lot to the point where I noticed it.

Not an author's choice I assume, but I did not like the voice performance at all. She was a poor choice here because her enthusiasm doesn't always match with the seriousness of the book, and she made Breanna seem more immature than I would likely have read on my own.

Can't wait for the other two books, but I'm not sure this is my favorite.

must read

everything I hope for in a book... amazing... loved it all three books... must read!

Classic Shinn, and that's a wonderful thing!

I've read nearly all of Shinn's work, and this doesn't disappoint in the least. The worldbuilding is so detailed I feel like I'm there. The characters are intriguing and intricate, and the storytelling is in classic Shinn style, a light touch, but with layers of meaning. The performance is excellent. Many hours of great listening in this trilogy!

Not her best.

The idea of the echos just didn't pan out. There were too many contradictions and unanswered questions about them. I also HATED the ending. At the end a great wrong is done and there is a conversation that made it sound as though the women of the kingdom were going to stand up protest the wrong and then nothing came of it. It was twist that is introduced as a possible resolution to this wrong and them it's never mentioned again. I feel like it was a real missed opportunity to show what a strong group of women could do if they banded together for what was right and instead, then ending is resolved with magic. Very unsatisfactory

A Dangerous Masquerade

Even though I haven't read many fantasies, this one caught me at once by the collar. I was immediately drawn into this fairy tale world, a place full of quirks and intrigue. Brianna, the main character, is a young woman setting out from home to make her way in the world. She can't foresee the complexities and obstacles that will soon confront her as she takes a job working among the noblesse in Camarria. She also doesn't know that she'll soon be involved in a dangerous masquerade. Narrator Emily Bauer does a great job in capturing this young girl's spirit with her youthful voice, who at times can be innocent and other times fierce and feisty. Sharon Shinn leads us into a most unexpected, mesmerizing world where nobles are shadowed by doubles or triples. One might is often left guessing who is whom and who is the real nobleman or woman and who is playing a game. With murder, mystery, love, intrigue, and clever dialogue, I found myself totally captivated by the story and unable to figure out how this tale could ever be resolved. Now I can't wait to start on the next one.

loved it

I loved this story. I found the echoes a fresh character style and can wait to start on book 2

A solid story.

It was a fun romp and I liked the characters, but it was very easy to see where the plot was headed.

A great start to a new Shinn series

Sharon Shinn writes serious comfort fantasy - and this one doesn't let down. The echoes are a very interesting concept and as always her characterization very well done. This one reads more like her Twelve Houses series with a lot of political drama. I am so excited that these three were released together so I don't have to wait for the next book. As far as the narrator - at first I thought I would hate her - I really don't care for high pitched very girly voices - but once the story started I thought she did a good job.

Sharon Shinn rocks!

Loved this book, as I do all her books. Especially the World of Samaria and the "angels ".