Troubled Waters

Elemental Blessings, Book 1

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The author of the Twelve Hours series welcomes readers to a new fantasy world, where the elements rule.

Zoe Ardelay receives astonishing and unwelcome news: she has been chosen to become the king's fifth wife. Forced to go to the royal city, she manages to slip away and hide on the shores of the mighty river.

It's there that Zoe realizes she is a coru prime, ruled by the elemental sign of water. She must return to the palace, not as an unwilling bride for the king, but a woman with power in her own right. But as Zoe unlocks more of the mysteries of her blood - and the secrets of the royal family - she must decide how to use her great power to rise above the deceptions and intrigue of the royal court.

©2010 Sharon Shinn (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This entertaining and suspenseful story is full of lively characters, and the intriguing new system of magic and politics provides plenty of potential for sequels." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Filled with vivid characters, beautiful scenery, sweet friendships, surprising destinies, political intrigue, mystery, a slow satisfying romance, and an interesting take on personality types, Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn is a book that just feels good." ( Fantasy Literature)

Very good romantic fantasy

I'm going to say the "bad" first - why does the narrator pronounce the name "Zoe" - the main character - as ZO? It's Zo-ee and always has been, whether it's spelled Zoe or Zoey. Hearing Zo Zo Zo throughout the book is really frustrating.

That said, the narrator does a great job, I enjoyed listening to this very much.

You can't miss with Shinn and Van Dyck

Sharon Shinn has a gift for creating worlds and characters that you actually miss once you've finished the book.
Jennifer Van Dyke is one of the best narators I've listened to. Shinn and Van Dyck are a perfect combination.

A fantasy, not a romance

As my title suggests, I feel that this is a fantasy novel, with only minor romantic elements. Shinn's world-building is truly phenomenal, on a par with Sanderson and Novik. Romances - and, really, any other genre of fiction except sf - do not have that level of care put into them. It is no more a romance than the first novel in the Vorkosigan saga.

I do agree with at least one other reviewer that certain aspects felt unfinished. Although the arc of the protagonist was satisfactorily concluded, the fate of some secondary characters was left up in the air.

Nevertheless, I am sufficiently impressed with the author's skill in world-building and storytelling that I am eager to read more in this service.

fabulous overall

I really enjoyed the entire story, even when I didn't always understand things. The author could have helped with this by explaining what a quintile is and many other things.. but it's definitely a good read.

A good story hobbled by an awkward performance

I enjoyed the story. It is more character than plot driven, which is uncommon for me. Regardless, it kept my attention. The world building is particularly intriguing.

Really pleasant

Zoe Ardelay and her father, once the king???s closest advisor, have been in exile for ten years. After her father dies, the king???s new advisor, Darien Serlast, shows up in Zoe???s village to escort her back to court because she???s been chosen to be the king???s fifth wife. At first Zoe is numb with grief and shock, but by the time they reach the capital city her ???water??? personality asserts itself and she begins to flow around the obstacles in her way ??? obstacles such as Darien himself, a man of ???wood??? who???s strong, stubborn, and immovable.

Filled with vivid characters, beautiful scenery, sweet friendships, surprising destinies, political intrigue, mystery, a slow satisfying romance, and an interesting take on personality types, Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn is a book that just feels good. I listened to the audio version produced by Audible Frontiers and read by Jennifer Van Dyck. It was 14 hours long, but I enjoyed it so much that I finished it over a weekend, which kind of annoyed my family. I even considered trying to extract myself from a couple of social engagements so I could spend time with Zoe instead.

Troubled Waters is definitely a romance ??? and some of the verbal sparring felt a bit contrived, as if set up just to create that tension ??? yet mostly the romance brews in the background as Zoe navigates her way through her changed world. Some readers won???t believe in the romance, and others might feel that things work out too easily for Zoe, but I enjoyed this low-stress novel. It features a strong and likable heroine, a love-interest who???s my kind of guy, a diverse supporting cast, a leisurely pace, and it focuses on a variety of human relationships. It is likely to appeal mostly to women.

Troubled Waters can be read as a satisfying stand-alone story, but there may be more books to come. If so, I???ll definitely be picking them up. Meanwhile, I???ll be trying out some more novels by Sharon Shinn.

Not the best Shinn

Goopy romance is good! Shinn's Angelica series is about as goopy as it gets, so I loved it! Shinn can do non-goopy stuff, too -- her Twelve Houses series is more straightforward adventure, but equally well done. Troubled Waters can't seem to decide if it wants to be adventure or goopy... and ultimately falls a bit short on either side. Shinn fans will not be disappointed, but newcomers may be...
Not particularly recommended

A long-time favorite.

I enjoyed listening to what was a favorite story. It is a good production and I'm sure I'll listen to it again.

Terrific

I really enjoyed this book. The world that she built was very interesting. I liked the heroine very much. The romance was a bit muted for my taste and kind of crammed into the end, not completely satisfactorily. I will definitely read the next book in the series. The reader was wonderful. She really enhance the book.

Enticing world

An extended adult fairy tale replete with credible, strong characters, a thoughtful and intriguing philosophical sensibility, and a strong storyline. Very satisfying.