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Highroad #2
Revolution's Shore
In the second volume of the Highroad trilogy, plucky interstellar adventurer Lily Ransome sets out with a ragtag group to defeat a cruel empire bent on consuming the universe
Lilyaka Hae Ransome grew up on the colonized planet of Unruli. Strong-willed and with a warrior’s spirit, she broke free of her preordained life as part of a privileged mining family, choosing instead to venture into space in search of her missing martial arts instructor and mentor, Heredes. The journey took her into the maw of an explosive revolution where she became involved in an intergalactic rebellion and found love in an unexpected place—as well as true strength within herself. Now, as a tyrannical empire flexes its muscle in the universe, Lily and the charismatic, not-quite-human Hawk must band together with a motley crew of unforgettable characters, engaging in a conflict in which honor, love, and freedom are all at stake.
Revolution’s Shore is the second book of the Highroad trilogy, which begins with A Passage of Stars and concludes with The Price of Ransom.
Lilyaka Hae Ransome grew up on the colonized planet of Unruli. Strong-willed and with a warrior’s spirit, she broke free of her preordained life as part of a privileged mining family, choosing instead to venture into space in search of her missing martial arts instructor and mentor, Heredes. The journey took her into the maw of an explosive revolution where she became involved in an intergalactic rebellion and found love in an unexpected place—as well as true strength within herself. Now, as a tyrannical empire flexes its muscle in the universe, Lily and the charismatic, not-quite-human Hawk must band together with a motley crew of unforgettable characters, engaging in a conflict in which honor, love, and freedom are all at stake.
Revolution’s Shore is the second book of the Highroad trilogy, which begins with A Passage of Stars and concludes with The Price of Ransom.
290 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1990
28 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Kate Elliott
109 books2,905 followersAs a child in rural Oregon, Kate Elliott made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction. She now writes fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction, often with a romantic edge. She currently lives in Hawaii, where she paddles outrigger canoes and spoils her schnauzer.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 7, 2022
Really glad I continued this series as the second installment is so much better than the first! Our protagonist, Lily, begins this by heading to the prison planet Harsh to find Jehane, the ostensible leader of the revolution and to find and free Paisley, the 'tattoo' she befriended in the first book. Then, after 'formally' joining the revolution, start undertaking actions to weaken the government of Reif space (the truncated colonies from the human Legion).
Unlike the first book, where Rasmussen seemed to be in search of a main focus, this is revolution all the way. Now, the revolution is pretty tropy-- a repressed underclass rebelling against an elite that desires them to be kept in check, calling each other comrades and seeking a more representative government for all. Yet, Lily does not trust Jehane, who seems himself as the only leader of the revolution, and is also self-centered to a fault. So, while Lily and company are acting as revolutionaries, it is more for revenge (as Central's government killed her mentor) than ideological reasons. She is right to worry!
Revolution's Shore also is bereft of the pacing issues that plagued the first volume and flows nicely from the get go. Many of the things/characters brought up in the first volume are starting to make sense. I think the biggest problem of this series thus far is how Rasmussen tried to do way too much in the first volume, but really, she was planting seeds that will flower later in the series. The obsession of Hawk with her is also finally explained, although why she would have an affair with him in the first place is largely whitewashed (while not abusive, he is amazingly obsessive!). While I still find the romance aspect a little cheesy, it does make more sense now. Rare to find a second installment in a trilogy that so outclasses the first! In any case, 4 revolutionary stars!!
Unlike the first book, where Rasmussen seemed to be in search of a main focus, this is revolution all the way. Now, the revolution is pretty tropy-- a repressed underclass rebelling against an elite that desires them to be kept in check, calling each other comrades and seeking a more representative government for all. Yet, Lily does not trust Jehane, who seems himself as the only leader of the revolution, and is also self-centered to a fault. So, while Lily and company are acting as revolutionaries, it is more for revenge (as Central's government killed her mentor) than ideological reasons. She is right to worry!
Revolution's Shore also is bereft of the pacing issues that plagued the first volume and flows nicely from the get go. Many of the things/characters brought up in the first volume are starting to make sense. I think the biggest problem of this series thus far is how Rasmussen tried to do way too much in the first volume, but really, she was planting seeds that will flower later in the series. The obsession of Hawk with her is also finally explained, although why she would have an affair with him in the first place is largely whitewashed (while not abusive, he is amazingly obsessive!). While I still find the romance aspect a little cheesy, it does make more sense now. Rare to find a second installment in a trilogy that so outclasses the first! In any case, 4 revolutionary stars!!
February 28, 2014
This book is the sequel to A Passage of Stars. Like the first book, this one follows the story of Lily Ransome. There are really two plots going on in this book. The main one is Lily joining up in the Jehane Revolution, and the side-plot is her love story/romance with Hawk/Kyosti. Now I have nothing but love for the main plot. It was a little slow to pick up, again, but when it got good, it got GOOD. The author is amazing at writing space battles and fight scenes, and every time I would just get caught up in them and go racing through the pages.
The secondary plot, however, is the one I have issues with. I have nothing wrong with a good love story, but in this case it felt like the author gave the love interest really shitty personality traits and then tried to "excuse" them. To explain, we're going to have to go into spoilers.
Aside for the bit with the secondary plot that I didn't like, though, this book was pretty good and I definitely enjoyed it! Some of the plot is a little predictable for me, but it's done well enough that I don't mind too much. Looking forward to reading the third book, hopefully with less time in between because it was hard to jump into this book after waiting too long in between.
The secondary plot, however, is the one I have issues with. I have nothing wrong with a good love story, but in this case it felt like the author gave the love interest really shitty personality traits and then tried to "excuse" them. To explain, we're going to have to go into spoilers.
Aside for the bit with the secondary plot that I didn't like, though, this book was pretty good and I definitely enjoyed it! Some of the plot is a little predictable for me, but it's done well enough that I don't mind too much. Looking forward to reading the third book, hopefully with less time in between because it was hard to jump into this book after waiting too long in between.
May 3, 2015
I felt that this second book was so much better than the first book - this was less sweeping big picture, more tightly focused. I think her writing works much better for me when I get to know the characters better.
May 19, 2025
I have to agree with a review by author Judith Tarr, 'Rassmussen has real depth and a richness of imagination' I am not sure I agree with Tarr that Rasmussen's sense of plot and character is reminiscent of early C.J. Cherryh. But! She's very good, particularly so, in this second book of the trilogy.
Unlike the first book, where Rasmussen seemed to be in search of a main focus, this is revolution all the way. Revolution's Shore also is bereft of the pacing issues in the first volume and her book flows nicely from the get go. Many of the things/characters brought up in the first volume start making sense. I think the biggest problem of this series thus far is how Rasmussen tried to do too much in the first volume.
The obsession of Hawk with her is also finally explained, although why have that relationship in the first place is largely whitewashed (while not abusive to her personally, he is genetically obsessive and murderous with anybody else even going near her sexually). While I still find the romance aspect a little cheesy, it does make more sense now.
Rare to find a second installment in a trilogy that so outclasses the first! Aside from the secondary romance plot that I didn't enjoy (a bit dark and claustrophobic for me), this book was really good one structurally and for me a most enjoyable read. Some of the plot was predictable but not annoyingly so. Well worth four stars.
I do agree with Tarr's comment: 'I look forward to the next installment in the Highroad Trilogy.’
Unlike the first book, where Rasmussen seemed to be in search of a main focus, this is revolution all the way. Revolution's Shore also is bereft of the pacing issues in the first volume and her book flows nicely from the get go. Many of the things/characters brought up in the first volume start making sense. I think the biggest problem of this series thus far is how Rasmussen tried to do too much in the first volume.
The obsession of Hawk with her is also finally explained, although why have that relationship in the first place is largely whitewashed (while not abusive to her personally, he is genetically obsessive and murderous with anybody else even going near her sexually). While I still find the romance aspect a little cheesy, it does make more sense now.
Rare to find a second installment in a trilogy that so outclasses the first! Aside from the secondary romance plot that I didn't enjoy (a bit dark and claustrophobic for me), this book was really good one structurally and for me a most enjoyable read. Some of the plot was predictable but not annoyingly so. Well worth four stars.
I do agree with Tarr's comment: 'I look forward to the next installment in the Highroad Trilogy.’
September 26, 2020
The middle volume of the Highroad trilogy teases out more of the history of Reft space as the Jehanist revolution creeps toward ultimate triumph. Lily Heredes (nee Ransome)is again front and centre of the fight. Her bravery though does not prevent her from missing critical clues about the true nature of the Alexander the Great avatar who heads the rebellion.
The pace is page turning and the clues are artfully strewn for the reader to decipher. It is no surprise that Kate Elliott has become a brilliant writer as her career has progressed. And she does have a predilection for that very flawed classical hero, Alexander the Great!
The pace is page turning and the clues are artfully strewn for the reader to decipher. It is no surprise that Kate Elliott has become a brilliant writer as her career has progressed. And she does have a predilection for that very flawed classical hero, Alexander the Great!
December 4, 2017
Love Lily, love Kyosti.
The series is a totally captivating space opera. A coming of age story, Lily accepts the mantel of leadership of her ragtag band. She’s off to save her friends and the universe.
The series is a totally captivating space opera. A coming of age story, Lily accepts the mantel of leadership of her ragtag band. She’s off to save her friends and the universe.
August 19, 2024
really good continuation of the story
I love how the characters were expanded upon in this book. The surprise ending was perfect as well. Love it.
I love how the characters were expanded upon in this book. The surprise ending was perfect as well. Love it.
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October 23, 2025Mass market paperback
December 19, 2022
Most of us, when we are teens discovering the wider world around us and wanting so, so desperately to be part of it, to join our collective consciousness with the greater zeitgeist … to be part of a movement, to share ideas and expound faiths .. I think we are both fortunate when our parents see the 16 year old and know that we’re not ready, and what a shame it is that brilliant young minds, as yet unfettered and unpolluted by the grindstone of life, are not in charge of the world. It could be stellar. But then, I’ve seen Trade Chat in World of Warcraft and know what an ugly thing it would be to unleash that upon an unsuspecting world.
When we first met Lily, she was the young woman who wanted nothing more than to be off-planet. By the end of this book … hooo boy, she’s seen some shit. go. down. She has a lover with a death imperative for anyone whose ever shared her affections, she has a strong sense of right and wrong. She joins up with a group of revolutionaries because she’s witnessed the corruption of the central government, and she works hard to make herself into a good believer in the cause. The problem arises when the cause doesn’t believe in her, setting aside the murderous lover … with whom they have no issue beyond giving him the side-eye.
We follow our girl as she discovers “same shit, different pile” and learns one of those lessons that tends to remove the high polish off life’s gemstones. It’s a wild ride, buckle up.
When we first met Lily, she was the young woman who wanted nothing more than to be off-planet. By the end of this book … hooo boy, she’s seen some shit. go. down. She has a lover with a death imperative for anyone whose ever shared her affections, she has a strong sense of right and wrong. She joins up with a group of revolutionaries because she’s witnessed the corruption of the central government, and she works hard to make herself into a good believer in the cause. The problem arises when the cause doesn’t believe in her, setting aside the murderous lover … with whom they have no issue beyond giving him the side-eye.
We follow our girl as she discovers “same shit, different pile” and learns one of those lessons that tends to remove the high polish off life’s gemstones. It’s a wild ride, buckle up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2015
This is the sequel to A Passage of Stars. I really enjoyed this - finished it and immediately bought the third in the trilogy. Action, intrigue, aliens, old wars, and lost ships. What's not to love?
Lily found her Sensei, Master Heredes, and lost him again. Now she joins the Revolution and Jehane for revenge and to find friends who were taken from her.
She discovers more of the mysteries of Hawk, and their relationship. She discovers truly good people, and people to whom expediency is the only way they know.
She finds friends, loses others, and has the kind of adventures you like to read about, but maybe wouldn't want to live through with her.
May you live in interesting times, indeed!
Lily found her Sensei, Master Heredes, and lost him again. Now she joins the Revolution and Jehane for revenge and to find friends who were taken from her.
She discovers more of the mysteries of Hawk, and their relationship. She discovers truly good people, and people to whom expediency is the only way they know.
She finds friends, loses others, and has the kind of adventures you like to read about, but maybe wouldn't want to live through with her.
May you live in interesting times, indeed!
July 25, 2016
Omg so good. I find Lily to be frustrating at times but honestly, real people aren't perfect and if they were, we'd cry foul and Mary Sue.
So good. So exciting.
I meant to mention in the previous review, but The League (and Elliott) really knows their Biblical and literary history. It's interesting to see those allusions lost entirely on Lily.
So good. So exciting.
I meant to mention in the previous review, but The League (and Elliott) really knows their Biblical and literary history. It's interesting to see those allusions lost entirely on Lily.
August 17, 2015
I liked this one better than the first, so I'm glad a long wait for holds at the library lead to me checking out the ebook. I am a big fan of stories about teams coalescing and leaders getting into their leadership groove, so I think that is the main reason this scored highly with me.
December 10, 2012
Absolutely marvelous, but you must read book one first.
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January 12, 2016IAWTC. I ALSO ENJOYED KATE ELLIOTT'S OLD HIGHROAD TRILOGY, THOUGH THE LOVE INTEREST WAS VERY LOL KATE ELLIOTT.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews