The Shuddering City

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Leanne Woodward

In the city of Corcannon, everyone has a secret. Madeleine is planning her wedding to Tivol, but she's really in love with Reese. Jayla has become the guardian of a child named Aussen, but she knows that Aussen possesses a mysterious and dangerous power. Brandon is a temple solider keeping the enigmatic Villette a prisoner in her own home, but finds himself risking everything to keep her safe. Pietro is pretending he's surprised every time the city is wracked by tremors, but he'll do anything to stop the devastation. Even Corcannon itself has a secret. It's built on a lie, and that lie is about to come tumbling down.

©2022 Sharon Shinn (P)2024 Tantor

lovely story and world building

Fantasy world building with a touch of Sci Fi. Strong character development, engrossing story with plenty of slice-of-life elements that Shinn is so good at. Books like these are good for the soul!

Many Character Viewponts

In the beginning, I almost started over just to figure out all the different viewpoint characters. I typically don't like switching viewpoints and felt like the author spent too much time on some and not enough on others. Interesting premise and I enjoy Sharon Shinn's writing, she caught my interest early on and I wanted to hear all the stories but some endings were too rushed for me and some left unresolved. I'd like a sequel if she decides to return to Corcannon.

Mystery and magic

This story follows several characters. On the surface the plots look fairly predictable, but as you go through the story, there are some interesting twists. I thought the narrator did a good job reading the book as well.

Sharon Shinn at her best

I could not have been more delighted to sink back into a new Sharon Shinn novel. I listened in two days, Woodward’s performance was lovely.

In Shuddering City, Shinn created a new world populated with new characters. You follow several of these characters through the course of their adventures, which blends theology and science in typical Sharon Shinn fashion. There are of course mysteries to unravel, motivations to decipher, rich world building, and beautiful chaste romances (yes, plural!).

I confess that I am a Sharon Shinn fan, I have read or listened to every single one of her novels. Her Archangel series was my introduction and it is to date my favorite science-fiction series, followed closely by the fantasy series, the Twelve Houses.

A particular skill of Sharon Shinn is painting vivid pictures, so that you can always visualize every room or landscape you find yourself in. And the characters she created are so individualized, it would be extremely difficult for me to pick a favorite because I loved the narrators of each chapter. There is a delicious twist that I admit I figured out at some point, but I loved seeing it coming and of course being right about it. There were other twists I anticipated, but found myself to be wrong. I honestly could not put it down.

I don’t know if the author reads these reviews, she might not, but I want her to know how much I have always loved her novels, and how I will continue to read everything she writes. She is a marvel to me, so very talented and so very much appreciated.

You don’t have to have read Sharon Shinn before to enjoy this book, but I do recommend going back and listening to her other novels, they are all narrated well and you won’t be sorry. If your favorite character was Jayla, start with Mystic Rider, which features my favorite Shinn character of all, Senneth. If you loved the story surrounding Brandon, Villette, and Aussen, try Archangel, the first featuring the unforgettable world of Samaria, my favorite series. And if you loved Madeleine, as did I, as well as the theology and bracelets, check out Troubled Waters, the first book in the Elemental Blessings series. I just found out a fifth book in that series is coming out this fall and I can’t wait. And yes, I found a little bit of each of my favorite series by Sharon Shinn in this one novel, as I said, Sharon Shinn at her very best. Enjoy!

Amazing standalone

this was a great story with detailed and engaging worldbuilding. i loved all the characters and the mystery that was being uncovered. dont skip this one.

the societycharacters

Multiple complex characters. Some surprises but not totally predictable. Complex blend of societies, Elements of both science fiction and fantasy.

I couldn't finish this book. First time for me

This book was pushing gender ideology by the back door.

It's the first time I have been unable to finish a Sharon Shinn work.

I got 7 hours in, when there was a character who was 'sometimes male, sometimes female'.

That was it for me.

Returning.