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Stellar Eclipse #1

Cloudless Rain

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Murder is no unusual phenomenon in Marina Delta, a fact former investigators Baltan and Eureka know all too well. But when Eureka brings home a wounded child bearing the mark of an infamous serial killer they put behind bars fifteen years ago, it's clear that this is no ordinary crime.

Baltan thought his days as a detective were done, and taking on the case will mean dealing with a demon they both would rather leave behind. However, with a bloodthirsty cult mobilizing again, a child with no past in their custody, and only days to stop the most devastating tragedy of their time, taking action is their only choice.

Caught between family, duty, life, and death, Baltan and Eureka will have to decide what they're willing to sacrifice—and who they're willing to sacrifice for.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2013

2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

Avalon A. Roselin

6 books46 followers

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Vikkie.
520 reviews36 followers
January 19, 2020
I absolutely adore this author, I am yet to be disappointed by the books written and I honestly feel that it is an absolute pleasure to read and review these books.
This is my third read by this author and I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite. This is a book that I picked out for reading whilst I was sat around. I had no idea I would devour it as quickly as I did.
I normally wouldn’t go for a fantasy style book but I know this is an author who doesn’t fail to disappoint. This book definitely didn’t. I have absolutely loved it and without a doubt have to rate it a five star book.
I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store for us. I am definitely a fan.
Profile Image for Elana.
Author 10 books120 followers
July 30, 2019
This unique mash-up of fantasy and mystery is a refreshing take on both genres. I'm usually firmly entrenched in the traditional fantasy genre, so this was a great change of pace and breath of fresh air.

The story follows retired investigators Baltan and Eureka, ex-partners and current roommates, as they get entangled in a new murder case. The case has eerie similarities to their first case 15 years ago, when they faced their most dangerous foe: a child killer named Selkess. It all starts when Eureka brings home an unconscious, orphaned Azure child - the same child implicated in the current murder case, in fact - and from there they must struggle to piece the clues together to prevent yet another tragedy.

The book starts out slow, easing the reader into Balkan and Eureka's somewhat dreary retired lives, but takes off once the Azure child, Azzie, awakens. Azzie has been a victim of both physical and emotional abuse all his young life, so he isn't sure he can trust his new caregivers at first; but seeing him learn to trust Eureka and Baltan is heartwarming, and he comes a long way in his arc throughout the book.

There were points where I wished we could see more of the world and learn more about its disparate cultures and lore, but I assume we'll see more of that as the series progresses. The world felt large and fleshed-out, but I felt we only saw a small sliver of it in this installment. Some of my favorite parts of the story came when we learned about the world's religions and read the story of Kreor, a fallen godling who was driven mad by his quest to record and understand the passage of time. Another great moment was when we catch a glimpse of the world's magic - it is subtle, to be sure, but solidly there. I'm a sucker for magic, so I loved that segment.

The characters were sympathetic and well-balanced, and their efforts to stay a step ahead of Selkess made me want to keep reading to find out what happens next. Highly recommended for fantasy fans who want to get away from the more tired tropes of the genre and try something new and fresh!
105 reviews
December 12, 2019
Okay. Where to begin. You know that feeling of coming home that you experience when you read your favourites for the first time like percy Jackson or Harry Potter. Where you feel strangely like you wanna cry because there's just an engrained magicalness to it all, that was this book for me and I loved it for this. Also, all the feels.
Profile Image for K. E. Koontz.
8 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2022
I actually read the sequel to this book first through a fun twist of fate, and then came back around to finish where I should have started. I actually read this book late last year, and then found it and re-read it a few weeks ago. It's absolutely the sort of book that's even more fun to read the second time around because you catch on to so many of the little hints and bits of foreshadowing and can go 'oh i know what that means!' A real treat!
Profile Image for E.S..
Author 21 books105 followers
September 27, 2019
Okay, so I'll be frank - I went into Cloudless Rain not sure if I would like it. Usually stories with a mix of humans and non-human creatures are a bit "iffy" for me at the start, but am I GLAD I picked this one up!

Avalon writes compelling, heartwarming and unique characters. Of the four main characters - Baltan, Eureka, Azzie, and Lleuwellyn (and yes I had to look up spelling his name...woops) - I found myself rooting for ALL of them. I wanted Baltan to be happy, Eureka to accept who he was to Azzie, to protect Azzie, and to hug Lleuwellyn. It's rare for me to be so attached to so many characters, but in this case, I loved them all.

The story is a fast read, but enjoyable all the same. I only wish there was more! I can't wait for the sequel!
Profile Image for Nightwillow.
4 reviews
November 18, 2019
I just read this book last month and I loved it. I don’t even usually read mystery books, but I really enjoyed this one. A lot of books either have really good characters and an okay plot, or vise versa. This book had both good characters and a good plot. I really found myself caring about each character and their story. They’re all so well written I can’t even pick a favorite. The story was darker than I’m used to, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who’s overly sensitive to subjects such as abuse or self harm, but for anyone who doesn’t mind those kinds of things in fiction, read this book. You won’t regret it
Profile Image for Briana Morgan.
Author 26 books337 followers
November 6, 2019
After reading Roselin’s ALICE, I was eager to get my hands on more of her work. STELLAR ECLIPSE: CLOUDLESS RAIN is a phenomenal read that combines fantasy and mystery for a wild, gripping read you won’t want to put down. This book also uses the found family trope, which is one of my all-time favorite tropes in fiction. Roselin has put a great deal of effort into worldbuilding in this story, and it shows. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read with compelling characters and a rich, descriptive setting, check out this book.
Profile Image for Mia.
107 reviews
May 6, 2019
This was an immersive story with a well defined world that kept throwing new things at you. The action was well paced and the plot keeps you wondering what will happen next. I loved the characters, each unique and bringing a wonderful quality to the story. I want to know as much as I can about the world as possible. And I also want Baltan to be as happy as possible. And Azzie. Anyway, I loved it!
Profile Image for Sarah Bauer.
446 reviews7 followers
February 12, 2020
Book Theme Song: Follow Me by Muse

I really enjoyed seeing the main protagonists grow closer together and become a family. All of them are complex and endearing. I especially like how Baltan and Eureka settle their disagreements like mature adults. You'd be surprised how rare that is in stories. The world the story takes place in is well developed, and the protagonists often have to navigate cultural conflicts. I like that not all members of a race share the same culture. The main villain is definitely unsettling and I like how unpredictable and baffling his actions are at times, even if I'm still a bit confused about his motives by the end of the book. But since this is a series, I get the feeling some questions will be answered later.
If you like found family stories and mystery, you'll probably like this book.
It does get intense though so heads up if you're sensitive to violence and child abuse.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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