The follow-up to Harmony, from [ a bright star in the outer space galaxy of science fiction.[?("Midwest Book Review") The world of Harmony, along with its close-knit colony planets, has been isolated from the rest of the universe for many generations. Now, Harmony's High Priestess Sissy and Confederated Star System Agent Jake have traveled to space station Labyrinthe VII, otherwise known as The First Contact Caf, where they hope to establish diplomatic relations between the Harmonic Empire and the wider universe. But when an alien ship crashes into the Harmony Diplomatic Wing of Labyrinthe VII, the precarious balance Sissy and Jake have established begins to dissolve.
Readers who enjoy the first in this series, Harmony, are sure to like this follow-up that carries forward the adventures of young Sissy, High Priestess of Harmony, and Jake, the commander of First Contact Cafe, a space station that attracts a number of wildly diverging alien types.
The story centers around a mystery as two mysterious alien visitors throw the station into chaos, and Sissy and Jake have to solve the mystery, save the station, and maneuver around ambitious people from their respective home planets who do not necessarily have good intentions.
I openly admit that I am a book-aholic. Reading can open the mind, provide an escape, liven the heart, and so much more. Sometimes when I read a book I zip right through it, but other times, as was with Enigma by C.F. Bentley, my reading slows as I become entrenched in the lives of the characters. I consider a book powerful when it can bring a tear to my eye, whether in sadness or joy, because a good book is not just about how well it is written but whether a reader connects to the characters and world the author has created. Both Enigma and Harmony, the first in the series, achieved this effect leaving my heart and soul filled to the brim.
Enigma has everything, from military conquest, spies and murder to diverse alien cultures and societies built on slavery and religious extremism. Central to the story are the CSS, the Harmonites and the Marils; who are all fighting not only to survive but to retain their uniqueness and connection to their culture. Ironically, all three are more alike than they know.
Lora Sissy, guiada por una profecía, viaja hasta una terminal espacial. En este escenario, hay un misterioso asesino, una media-angel media-desquisiada por torturas, varias especies intergalácticas novedosas, un ser arácnido que boicotea la nave desde las sombras, Patty (la ex jefa espía de Jack), un tratado de paz entre dos razas (Harmony y CSS), y un Jefe Sacerdote empecinado en que las cosas se hagan a su modo. Adicionar una pizca de romance entre Sissy y Jack, su guardaespalda, actual Jefe máximo de la nave. Me encanta que Lord Gregory Muy interesante combinación de ciencia ficción y religión basada en el concepto musical de "Harmonía"
First off I never read the first book Harmony so I only have snatches of past history of Jake and Sissy. But seeing she is a priestess and he is the commander of the space station, I can already see problems with their relationship. Then of course a ship crashes into the station and the aliens are found dead. There are two stowaways that will help and hinder why the ship crashed. Plus Jake and Sissy are trying to negotiate a treaty between the CSS and Harmony the planet. All kinds of problems happen. Will everything work out in the end?
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book (at multiple times through the book, I was thinking of quitting, but kept deciding to give it another chance and kept going) - not sure if it was because I had not read the 1st book in the series due to which it took me a while to understand the premise or this is not a genre I enjoy. By the end of the book I did start liking some of the characters, Sissy & Jake definitely and even Mac. But I don't think I'll return to read another book in this series.
This is a sequel to Harmony. As with Harmony, it's not afraid to have religion and the prophetic mixed in the story as real, instead of how many books approach religion.
It had many things going at once, which I like. Occasionally I was frustrated by the "you're not suppose to notice I lift something out that will turn up later." But overall, not a bad read.
Part two of a series. It could be read separately but, especially towards the end, you wonder what has taken place in part one. It had been a long time since I had read SF. I liked the book very much. Weird beings, even one with tentacles. But still ‘human’ feelings everywhere: love (a very important part), greed, power, jealousy, fear, ruthlessness. For everyone who likes SF: do read the book.
I read and loved Harmony & I couldn't wait to read it's sequel Enigma. Unfortunately I just couldn't get unto it. The plot seemed sooo convoluted & just dragged on. I got a good third of the way into this book & gave up
This is the second book in the series. The characters continue to evolve and the political machinations are fun to read about. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a great entry level book to the SciFi genre.
Action, mystery, love and the race to find wholeness and holiness make this a fast paced excellent page turner. I look forward to reading more books in this series.