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.

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.

Skipped ahead

Really wanted to like this series, but I've skipped ahead on all three books to the end. Mystery is intriguing about the country's political unrest, but the whole Echo thing is not working for me.

If you haven't read the blurb, Echo are beings that are carbon copies of nobility. Doing everything that their person does -- including making love -which is why most people with 3 Echos attempt to pick partners with someone who has 3 Echos -- so everyone has a mate. Honestly I thought that was sort of a bizarre plot device. So supposedly you can't stop your Echo from mimicking your actions . . . but wait. . . you can in book 2 and 3. So why even put this in the book. .

It is not that authors can't build on a theme, but it seems sort of cheating to say this is the premise, and then revise it almost immediately. Although I can see that this wouldn't be a big problem for other people.

The book(s) seemed to move at a snail's pace. Not that I don't appreciate world building. Shinn's Twelve House series is one of my favorite series. Once I start one of those books, I have to read them all because I can't stand to leave the characters. This didn't happen in this series --but to be honest it didn't happen in Elemental Blessing series either. (I love the concept of blessings)

There is too much extraneous information . .and not enough relationship building for me to recommend these books.

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.

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.

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

must read

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

Sharon Shinn rocks!

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

Intriguing plot and compelling characters

Fantastic! Interesting plot and characters, intriguing world to immerse the imagination in, and relatable and appealing characters that draw you into the story.

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!

Disappointed

I’m so disappointed! I love Sharon Shinn and was so exited for this series that I bought extra credits to purchase them. But this just dragged and dragged and after 5hrs I quit. The narrator is annoyingly chirpy and makes Brianna come off like a Mary Sue. And she hardly differentiates the rest of the voices. Maybe this will be better in print where you can go at your own pace...

Dramatic and distressing

There is no HEA - I found some of the events upsetting and the monarchy to be tyrannical and unjust. But the story is well thought out and the novel certainly delivers a dramatic punch.