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Outlaw Road #1
Sunshield
A lawless wilderness. A polished court. Individual fates, each on a quest to expose a system of corruption.The desolate canyons of Alcoro—and the people desperate enough to hide there—couldn’t be more different from the opulent glass palace and lush forests of Moquoia. But the harsh desert and gleaming court are linked through their past, present, and a history of abductions in the desert to power Moquoia’s quarries and factories, and a bleak, inhumane future built on the sweat and sacrifice of these bond laborers.
But events unfolding in the present could change everything. In the desert, outlaw Lark—known to most as the Sunshield Bandit—has built a name for herself attacking slavers’ wagons and freeing the captives inside. But while she shakes the foundation of Moquoia’s stratified society, she also has to fight to protect her rescuees—and herself—from the unforgiving world around them.
In the Moquoian court, young ambassador Veran hopes to finally make his mark by dismantling the unjust labor system, if he can navigate the strict hierarchy and inexplicable hostility of the prince.
And caught in the middle of it all, Tamsin is trapped within four walls, the epicenter of a secret political coup to overthrow the Moquoian monarchy and perpetuate the age-old system of injustice.
Separated by seas of trees and sand, the outlaw, the diplomat, and the prisoner are more connected than anyone realizes. Their personal fates might just tip the balance of power in the Eastern World—if that very power doesn’t destroy them first.
But events unfolding in the present could change everything. In the desert, outlaw Lark—known to most as the Sunshield Bandit—has built a name for herself attacking slavers’ wagons and freeing the captives inside. But while she shakes the foundation of Moquoia’s stratified society, she also has to fight to protect her rescuees—and herself—from the unforgiving world around them.
In the Moquoian court, young ambassador Veran hopes to finally make his mark by dismantling the unjust labor system, if he can navigate the strict hierarchy and inexplicable hostility of the prince.
And caught in the middle of it all, Tamsin is trapped within four walls, the epicenter of a secret political coup to overthrow the Moquoian monarchy and perpetuate the age-old system of injustice.
Separated by seas of trees and sand, the outlaw, the diplomat, and the prisoner are more connected than anyone realizes. Their personal fates might just tip the balance of power in the Eastern World—if that very power doesn’t destroy them first.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
40 people are currently reading
3209 people want to read
About the author
Emily B. Martin
8 books146 followersPark ranger by summer, stay-at-home mom the rest of the year, I am also a freelance artist and illustrator. An avid hiker and explorer, my experiences as ranger helped inform the character of Mae and the world of WOODWALKER.
When not patrolling places like Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Philmont Scout Ranch, I live in South Carolina with my husband, Will, and two daughters, Lucy and Amelia.
When not patrolling places like Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Philmont Scout Ranch, I live in South Carolina with my husband, Will, and two daughters, Lucy and Amelia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
May 27, 2020
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/25/...
Desolate canyons. A lawless wilderness. Bands of outlaws roaming the frontier and attacking traveling wagons. All this in the publisher’s description for Sunshield should have clued me in to what I was in for, but I was still pleasantly surprised when I started this novel to find a fantasy western. Lark is our protagonist, known to the world as the Sunshield Bandit because of her shining mirrored buckler and the reflected sunlight she uses as a weapon. Her targets are the slave caravans that move across the desert, fueling so much of the human misery and injustice in Alcoro. After killing the slavers and stealing their money, Lark also does her best to return the captives to their rightful homes, but the care of so many people requires a lot of resources—resources that she doesn’t have, and that the dusty plains can’t provide. Lark and her own crew are barely surviving as it is.
Meanwhile, far away in the Moquoian court, things couldn’t be any more different. A shining palace of luxury stands amidst a lush forested land, all built upon the backs of slavery and human trafficking. Veran is a young ambassador who has traveled to Moquoia on a mission of diplomacy to negotiate better labor practices on behalf of his people, but to his dismay finds little cooperation from the nobles, least of all the prince, who even seems visibly upset at his presence for some reason. Whether the monarchy likes it or not, however, great change is on the horizon. As the kingdom comes under attack by a nefarious plot to overthrow the crown, Veran is thrust into a precarious alliance with none other than the Sunshield Bandit herself, the two of them forced to work together to resolve a mysterious abduction.
Sunshield certainly wasn’t bad, but it did suffer from a few issues that made me look up the book and author to see if it was a debut (it is not). Namely it was the uneven pacing that made parts of the story a struggle, especially in the first half where the plot took such a long time to take off or even get interesting. The exhausting amount of exposition slows things down further still, such as the lengthy paragraphs of Lark waxing poetic about her many tattoos, describing and reminiscing over each and every one of them in great detail. While I can certainly appreciate the sentiment, moments such as these were ultimately distracting and unnecessary, given the priority in your intro should be quickly establishing a hook. But unfortunately, I’d say this novel didn’t even pick up in earnest until well into its later sections, when Lark and Veran’s story lines finally converged.
Speaking of which, I found the characters to be interesting and well-written, though perhaps not so unique when you strip away surface-level features. Personality-wise, Lark is your typical rebel female heroine, often too proud to do the most logical and sensible thing even when it would benefit a whole lot more people than herself. Considering how long she’d lived her life independently, having to take care of herself and others under constantly changing circumstances, it is also shocking how incapable she is of flexibility or controlling her own emotions. Then there’s Veran, who is genuinely likeable and sweet, though his naivete makes his chapters at court very difficult to read. Constantly second-guessing and repeatedly beating himself up for his stupid mistakes got old after a while, especially since he just kept stumbling into the same traps without learning a thing. And finally, there’s Tamsin, a third POV who’s perhaps the most frustrating of all because her role doesn’t become significant until close to the end of the book. This made her early sections somewhat tedious, knowing little about her situation at that point other than she is being held captive and treated very poorly. To be honest, I skimmed many of her chapters, and seeing as they were kept deliberately short and vague anyhow, I didn’t feel like I missed much.
Still, my love for fantasy westerns absolutely helped. The world-building was fantastic, and the novel’s setting alone made this venture worth it in my eyes, since I have such a soft spot for frontier wilderness landscapes and tales involving outlaws and rebels. Of course, I still wish I had enjoyed Sunshield a bit more, but certain character flaws coupled with the unbalanced pacing of the story held me back from embracing this one fully. The cliffhanger ending was also a point of aggravation because it drops a major revelation for the characters while doing little to resolve their emotions afterwards, resulting in a conclusion that feels interrupted rather than complete. While I’m still open to the possibility of reading the next book, I think I will need to know that certain issues will be ironed out.
Desolate canyons. A lawless wilderness. Bands of outlaws roaming the frontier and attacking traveling wagons. All this in the publisher’s description for Sunshield should have clued me in to what I was in for, but I was still pleasantly surprised when I started this novel to find a fantasy western. Lark is our protagonist, known to the world as the Sunshield Bandit because of her shining mirrored buckler and the reflected sunlight she uses as a weapon. Her targets are the slave caravans that move across the desert, fueling so much of the human misery and injustice in Alcoro. After killing the slavers and stealing their money, Lark also does her best to return the captives to their rightful homes, but the care of so many people requires a lot of resources—resources that she doesn’t have, and that the dusty plains can’t provide. Lark and her own crew are barely surviving as it is.
Meanwhile, far away in the Moquoian court, things couldn’t be any more different. A shining palace of luxury stands amidst a lush forested land, all built upon the backs of slavery and human trafficking. Veran is a young ambassador who has traveled to Moquoia on a mission of diplomacy to negotiate better labor practices on behalf of his people, but to his dismay finds little cooperation from the nobles, least of all the prince, who even seems visibly upset at his presence for some reason. Whether the monarchy likes it or not, however, great change is on the horizon. As the kingdom comes under attack by a nefarious plot to overthrow the crown, Veran is thrust into a precarious alliance with none other than the Sunshield Bandit herself, the two of them forced to work together to resolve a mysterious abduction.
Sunshield certainly wasn’t bad, but it did suffer from a few issues that made me look up the book and author to see if it was a debut (it is not). Namely it was the uneven pacing that made parts of the story a struggle, especially in the first half where the plot took such a long time to take off or even get interesting. The exhausting amount of exposition slows things down further still, such as the lengthy paragraphs of Lark waxing poetic about her many tattoos, describing and reminiscing over each and every one of them in great detail. While I can certainly appreciate the sentiment, moments such as these were ultimately distracting and unnecessary, given the priority in your intro should be quickly establishing a hook. But unfortunately, I’d say this novel didn’t even pick up in earnest until well into its later sections, when Lark and Veran’s story lines finally converged.
Speaking of which, I found the characters to be interesting and well-written, though perhaps not so unique when you strip away surface-level features. Personality-wise, Lark is your typical rebel female heroine, often too proud to do the most logical and sensible thing even when it would benefit a whole lot more people than herself. Considering how long she’d lived her life independently, having to take care of herself and others under constantly changing circumstances, it is also shocking how incapable she is of flexibility or controlling her own emotions. Then there’s Veran, who is genuinely likeable and sweet, though his naivete makes his chapters at court very difficult to read. Constantly second-guessing and repeatedly beating himself up for his stupid mistakes got old after a while, especially since he just kept stumbling into the same traps without learning a thing. And finally, there’s Tamsin, a third POV who’s perhaps the most frustrating of all because her role doesn’t become significant until close to the end of the book. This made her early sections somewhat tedious, knowing little about her situation at that point other than she is being held captive and treated very poorly. To be honest, I skimmed many of her chapters, and seeing as they were kept deliberately short and vague anyhow, I didn’t feel like I missed much.
Still, my love for fantasy westerns absolutely helped. The world-building was fantastic, and the novel’s setting alone made this venture worth it in my eyes, since I have such a soft spot for frontier wilderness landscapes and tales involving outlaws and rebels. Of course, I still wish I had enjoyed Sunshield a bit more, but certain character flaws coupled with the unbalanced pacing of the story held me back from embracing this one fully. The cliffhanger ending was also a point of aggravation because it drops a major revelation for the characters while doing little to resolve their emotions afterwards, resulting in a conclusion that feels interrupted rather than complete. While I’m still open to the possibility of reading the next book, I think I will need to know that certain issues will be ironed out.
June 29, 2020
It's been so long since I've read a book that kept me up late at night. I've fallen way behind on my reading and writing with everything else that's been going on so it was such a relief to find a fantasy book where I found myself completely immersed, deeply enough to tune out the outside world.
The world of Sunshield is a complicated one, but Emily expertly broke it down into bite sized pieces. We have a world of separate countries on the brink of civil war. Some want to continue the slave trade. Most want to end it. Veran is an Ambassador from one of the "end it" countries. He comes from a wild, outdoorsy country, but because of his epilepsy, his parents think he is more suited for diplomacy.
Veran does not.
Especially since the negotiations with prince Iano seem to be stalled. The prince's top advisor recently died under mysterious circumstances, supposedly killed by an outlaw called the Sunshield Bandit. But Veran knows she didn't do it. In fact, she might be the only one who can help them find out who did.
This was part western, part mystery, all fantasy. Do not pass this one by.
The world of Sunshield is a complicated one, but Emily expertly broke it down into bite sized pieces. We have a world of separate countries on the brink of civil war. Some want to continue the slave trade. Most want to end it. Veran is an Ambassador from one of the "end it" countries. He comes from a wild, outdoorsy country, but because of his epilepsy, his parents think he is more suited for diplomacy.
Veran does not.
Especially since the negotiations with prince Iano seem to be stalled. The prince's top advisor recently died under mysterious circumstances, supposedly killed by an outlaw called the Sunshield Bandit. But Veran knows she didn't do it. In fact, she might be the only one who can help them find out who did.
This was part western, part mystery, all fantasy. Do not pass this one by.
May 21, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
Emily B. Martin brought a fresh, vibrant new fantasy world to life in her Woodwalker trilogy. Now, she digs deeper into her setting with Sunshield, the start of a new series that does not require having read the previous books (though I highly recommend you do!).
This book is that rare entity of the genre: a fantasy western, full of the realistic details that Martin (an experienced park ranger) laces into all of her books. Lark is the titular Sunshield, a bandit committed to raiding the rich and freeing those who were slaved as she was. Then there is Veran, a young man acting as a translator and ambassador in Moquoia, a country that profits from slavery. Veran is committed to stopping the slave trade, but his clumsy efforts at court are undermined by nasty politics that he only gradually comprehends. Then there is Tamsin, a woman of Moquoia who is being held captive in horrendous conditions. The stories and lives of these three people twine together in a narrative that is tense, and at the end, emotional.
The book examines the nature of privilege and slavery in a way that is never preachy, though it can be disturbing at times--as well it should be. There is a lot of depth to this story. A romantic element is gentle and in the early stages in this volume.
The cliffhanger ending makes me incredibly eager to get my hands on the next book. Oh, there are so many feels at the end. I loved getting the chance to revisit this world, and I sincerely hope there are a lot more books to come.
Emily B. Martin brought a fresh, vibrant new fantasy world to life in her Woodwalker trilogy. Now, she digs deeper into her setting with Sunshield, the start of a new series that does not require having read the previous books (though I highly recommend you do!).
This book is that rare entity of the genre: a fantasy western, full of the realistic details that Martin (an experienced park ranger) laces into all of her books. Lark is the titular Sunshield, a bandit committed to raiding the rich and freeing those who were slaved as she was. Then there is Veran, a young man acting as a translator and ambassador in Moquoia, a country that profits from slavery. Veran is committed to stopping the slave trade, but his clumsy efforts at court are undermined by nasty politics that he only gradually comprehends. Then there is Tamsin, a woman of Moquoia who is being held captive in horrendous conditions. The stories and lives of these three people twine together in a narrative that is tense, and at the end, emotional.
The book examines the nature of privilege and slavery in a way that is never preachy, though it can be disturbing at times--as well it should be. There is a lot of depth to this story. A romantic element is gentle and in the early stages in this volume.
The cliffhanger ending makes me incredibly eager to get my hands on the next book. Oh, there are so many feels at the end. I loved getting the chance to revisit this world, and I sincerely hope there are a lot more books to come.
March 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! Full review to come.
Actual rating 4.5
Actual rating 4.5
January 21, 2020
"You act like a person needs to be whole to be considered a person at all."
Sunshield by Emily B. Martin
Publisher's Description:
A lawless wilderness. A polished court. Individual fates, each on a quest to expose a system of corruption.
The desolate canyons of Alcoro—and the people desperate enough to hide there—couldn’t be more different from the opulent glass palace and lush forests of Moquoia. But the harsh desert and gleaming court are linked through their past, present, and future: a history of abductions in the desert to power Moquoia’s quarries and factories, and a bleak, inhumane future built on the sweat and sacrifice of these bond laborers.
But events unfolding in the present could change everything. In the desert, outlaw Lark—known to most as the Sunshield Bandit—has built a name for herself attacking slavers’ wagons and freeing the captives inside. But while she shakes the foundation of Moquoia’s stratified society, she also has to fight to protect her rescuees—and herself—from the unforgiving world around them.
In the Moquoian court, young ambassador Veran hopes to finally make his mark by dismantling the unjust labor system, if he can navigate the strict hierarchy and inexplicable hostility of the prince.
And caught in the middle of it all, Tamsin is trapped within four walls, the epicenter of a secret political coup to overthrow the Moquoian monarchy and perpetuate the age-old system of injustice.
Separated by seas of trees and sand, the outlaw, the diplomat, and the prisoner are more connected than anyone realizes. Their personal fates might just tip the balance of power in the Eastern World—if that very power doesn’t destroy them first.
My thoughts:
When I started Sunshield by Emily B. Martin, I didn't realize I would be reading a book in her Woodwalker universe which I have not read. I don't think my overall enjoyment of the book suffered because of it but I will go back and read those books so I can get more of the backstory.
The glimpse we got of the Woodwalker culture was intriguing. It seems the author drew heavily on her experience as a park ranger in its creation. Some of my favorite places are in the middle of nowhere amid the trees so that speaks heavily to me. It gives me a feeling of comfortable nostalgia. The importance of colors in the Moquoian culture was not something you see as often in fiction so I found that interesting as well. I did find the assignment of a specific color to a person as the equivalence to recieving a title somewhat confusing but that could just be because I didn't read the previous series.
Sunshield rotates between the perspectives of three different characters: Lark, Veran, and Tamsin. I don't always enjoy multiple perspectives. I often find it aggravating and disorienting but I feel Martin did it well. It didn't bother me at all. I found myself getting invested in each character without feeling that one was less developed than the others.
Lark is an outlaw doing what she can to free slaves and protect those in her camp. She is at the very end of her rope trying to keep her crew safe but has a hard time delegating responsibility out of, what I'm assuming, is a fear that she would not be able to assure their safety. In one of her chapters she thinks to herself:
"I’d very much like to collapse and scream, but I don’t have the time."
Veran is a translator, ambassador, and prince who struggles with feeling like he needs to make an impact in whatever way he can. He has a disability and hasn't been allowed to participate in a lot of things that define his people. He feels worthless on multiple occasions and thinks of himself as a "throwaway" prince. One of the quote that stood out for me is when he says (in reference to his family):
"Of the five of us, I’m the only one who hasn’t done anything remotely noteworthy.”
Tamsin is a bright spot in the darkness. She is suffering but is still witty and finds humor in her situation. Her intelligence is palpable and it makes her story especially poignant. The quote I picked out for her is out of context but I am trying to avoid major spoilers:
"...she’s eyeing me with that same wry discernment the artist depicted in her portrait, the gleam of an ashoki who has a truth to tell."
Now on to the theme of the story. I think it's about human trafficking? I'm 90% certain but she raised the subject of so many different humanitarian, social, and environmental issues I perhaps was not as affected as I should be by the main issue. Among the topics addressed are issues like human trafficking, corrupt politics, cultural bias. You also see environmental issues such as the effects of glass buildings on bird populations. The deaths of the birds causes in imbalance in the local ecosystem. We also see women's rights being addressed subtly by not writing any division in the sexes and perhaps even having a matriarchal leaning world. It's addressed less subtly by not shying away from women's menstrual cycles and the hardships that poverty inflict on managing the blood flow. Martin confronts the literary "taboo" subject of periods by talking about it often and in detail. She also addresses the difficulties those with chronic illnesses face in day to day life. She writes about the feelings of worthlessness those with a chronic illness face especially with accomplished family members that you just can't keep up with.
These are all issues that need to be addressed. I agree that we as a society need to better on these issues but I'm finding that by addressing every issue that we need change on in one book the effectiveness is muted. I wish there was a tighter focus on the main issue or issues not a dozen social issues. If she had chosen one or even three to REALLY focus on then I think that may have been more effective for me personally. Sometimes I feel the plot took a backseat to social commentary. Not to a severe degree, mind you, but a slightly distracting one. The other social issues could've been the focus of the sequels to ensure that the subjects she's passionate were each given the platform and voice they deserve. On the other hand, it feels like maybe... just maybe the author is pointing out that our society as a whole has failed on multiple levels. I don't know if this is conscious on her part or it just bleeds out into her writing because these topics are truly important to her. But if the worst I can say about this book is that the author cares TOO much then I hardly see that as a problem that warrants much complaint. I would rather see someone care too much than not at all.
In short, this is a darn good book.
"We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #sunshield
Sunshield by Emily B. Martin
Publisher's Description:
A lawless wilderness. A polished court. Individual fates, each on a quest to expose a system of corruption.
The desolate canyons of Alcoro—and the people desperate enough to hide there—couldn’t be more different from the opulent glass palace and lush forests of Moquoia. But the harsh desert and gleaming court are linked through their past, present, and future: a history of abductions in the desert to power Moquoia’s quarries and factories, and a bleak, inhumane future built on the sweat and sacrifice of these bond laborers.
But events unfolding in the present could change everything. In the desert, outlaw Lark—known to most as the Sunshield Bandit—has built a name for herself attacking slavers’ wagons and freeing the captives inside. But while she shakes the foundation of Moquoia’s stratified society, she also has to fight to protect her rescuees—and herself—from the unforgiving world around them.
In the Moquoian court, young ambassador Veran hopes to finally make his mark by dismantling the unjust labor system, if he can navigate the strict hierarchy and inexplicable hostility of the prince.
And caught in the middle of it all, Tamsin is trapped within four walls, the epicenter of a secret political coup to overthrow the Moquoian monarchy and perpetuate the age-old system of injustice.
Separated by seas of trees and sand, the outlaw, the diplomat, and the prisoner are more connected than anyone realizes. Their personal fates might just tip the balance of power in the Eastern World—if that very power doesn’t destroy them first.
My thoughts:
When I started Sunshield by Emily B. Martin, I didn't realize I would be reading a book in her Woodwalker universe which I have not read. I don't think my overall enjoyment of the book suffered because of it but I will go back and read those books so I can get more of the backstory.
The glimpse we got of the Woodwalker culture was intriguing. It seems the author drew heavily on her experience as a park ranger in its creation. Some of my favorite places are in the middle of nowhere amid the trees so that speaks heavily to me. It gives me a feeling of comfortable nostalgia. The importance of colors in the Moquoian culture was not something you see as often in fiction so I found that interesting as well. I did find the assignment of a specific color to a person as the equivalence to recieving a title somewhat confusing but that could just be because I didn't read the previous series.
Sunshield rotates between the perspectives of three different characters: Lark, Veran, and Tamsin. I don't always enjoy multiple perspectives. I often find it aggravating and disorienting but I feel Martin did it well. It didn't bother me at all. I found myself getting invested in each character without feeling that one was less developed than the others.
Lark is an outlaw doing what she can to free slaves and protect those in her camp. She is at the very end of her rope trying to keep her crew safe but has a hard time delegating responsibility out of, what I'm assuming, is a fear that she would not be able to assure their safety. In one of her chapters she thinks to herself:
"I’d very much like to collapse and scream, but I don’t have the time."
Veran is a translator, ambassador, and prince who struggles with feeling like he needs to make an impact in whatever way he can. He has a disability and hasn't been allowed to participate in a lot of things that define his people. He feels worthless on multiple occasions and thinks of himself as a "throwaway" prince. One of the quote that stood out for me is when he says (in reference to his family):
"Of the five of us, I’m the only one who hasn’t done anything remotely noteworthy.”
Tamsin is a bright spot in the darkness. She is suffering but is still witty and finds humor in her situation. Her intelligence is palpable and it makes her story especially poignant. The quote I picked out for her is out of context but I am trying to avoid major spoilers:
"...she’s eyeing me with that same wry discernment the artist depicted in her portrait, the gleam of an ashoki who has a truth to tell."
Now on to the theme of the story. I think it's about human trafficking? I'm 90% certain but she raised the subject of so many different humanitarian, social, and environmental issues I perhaps was not as affected as I should be by the main issue. Among the topics addressed are issues like human trafficking, corrupt politics, cultural bias. You also see environmental issues such as the effects of glass buildings on bird populations. The deaths of the birds causes in imbalance in the local ecosystem. We also see women's rights being addressed subtly by not writing any division in the sexes and perhaps even having a matriarchal leaning world. It's addressed less subtly by not shying away from women's menstrual cycles and the hardships that poverty inflict on managing the blood flow. Martin confronts the literary "taboo" subject of periods by talking about it often and in detail. She also addresses the difficulties those with chronic illnesses face in day to day life. She writes about the feelings of worthlessness those with a chronic illness face especially with accomplished family members that you just can't keep up with.
These are all issues that need to be addressed. I agree that we as a society need to better on these issues but I'm finding that by addressing every issue that we need change on in one book the effectiveness is muted. I wish there was a tighter focus on the main issue or issues not a dozen social issues. If she had chosen one or even three to REALLY focus on then I think that may have been more effective for me personally. Sometimes I feel the plot took a backseat to social commentary. Not to a severe degree, mind you, but a slightly distracting one. The other social issues could've been the focus of the sequels to ensure that the subjects she's passionate were each given the platform and voice they deserve. On the other hand, it feels like maybe... just maybe the author is pointing out that our society as a whole has failed on multiple levels. I don't know if this is conscious on her part or it just bleeds out into her writing because these topics are truly important to her. But if the worst I can say about this book is that the author cares TOO much then I hardly see that as a problem that warrants much complaint. I would rather see someone care too much than not at all.
In short, this is a darn good book.
"We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #sunshield
May 28, 2020
Rating: 6.0/10
Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of Sunshield for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Sunshield is an enjoyable fantasy western that, for me, took a little too long to find its groove. Having said that, once the storylines began to converge, the plot and pacing picked up speed and lead to a satisfying conclusion.
So yeah, fantasy western. Haven’t seen many of those in my time as a reviewer (or as a reader for that matter). Martin definitely excels at bringing the reader into her world with some fantastic world-building. You can feel the heat lifting up from the sand and see the desolate canyons in all their… desolation? The characters are also enjoyable on their own right, though they could get frustrating at times. I know not everyone that reads want flawless characters running amok, but there are times when a sense of surroundings and forward thinking are key to engagement.
I enjoy stories about outlaws, and Lark was a very interesting character to follow. How she got to this point in her life, the paths she had to take, etc. but there is a ton of exposition in the early going that almost had me setting the book aside. I’m all for quick hooks in fantasy/sci-fi novels because a majority take up a big chunk of time to get through; thrillers and horror novels can be slow burns because there is always an expectation of the climax being toward the end, with little or no character development.
You also have Tamsin who, to be honest, didn’t have much of a role until about the last 1/4 of the book. A majority of her tale was tidbits thrown in here or there that tended to throw off the pacing of the overarching story, but there is a good payoff if you stick around. Then you have Veran, who I really did enjoy except for his constant backtracking and doddering around.
I actually added this title to my TBR simply based on a chat I had with Teresa Frohock (author of the Los Nefilim series from Harper Voyager) a couple of months ago, not knowing a single thing about it or about the author, Emily B. Martin. I can definitely see why T. was so over the moon about Sunshield and I think I would have been as well had the pacing been a bit more balanced, and the characters been a little less… naive. Something about characters always second-guessing their actions leaves a bit to be desired, though I know we all struggle with indecision from time to time.
Thanks to the publisher and author for an advance reading copy of Sunshield for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Sunshield is an enjoyable fantasy western that, for me, took a little too long to find its groove. Having said that, once the storylines began to converge, the plot and pacing picked up speed and lead to a satisfying conclusion.
So yeah, fantasy western. Haven’t seen many of those in my time as a reviewer (or as a reader for that matter). Martin definitely excels at bringing the reader into her world with some fantastic world-building. You can feel the heat lifting up from the sand and see the desolate canyons in all their… desolation? The characters are also enjoyable on their own right, though they could get frustrating at times. I know not everyone that reads want flawless characters running amok, but there are times when a sense of surroundings and forward thinking are key to engagement.
I enjoy stories about outlaws, and Lark was a very interesting character to follow. How she got to this point in her life, the paths she had to take, etc. but there is a ton of exposition in the early going that almost had me setting the book aside. I’m all for quick hooks in fantasy/sci-fi novels because a majority take up a big chunk of time to get through; thrillers and horror novels can be slow burns because there is always an expectation of the climax being toward the end, with little or no character development.
You also have Tamsin who, to be honest, didn’t have much of a role until about the last 1/4 of the book. A majority of her tale was tidbits thrown in here or there that tended to throw off the pacing of the overarching story, but there is a good payoff if you stick around. Then you have Veran, who I really did enjoy except for his constant backtracking and doddering around.
I actually added this title to my TBR simply based on a chat I had with Teresa Frohock (author of the Los Nefilim series from Harper Voyager) a couple of months ago, not knowing a single thing about it or about the author, Emily B. Martin. I can definitely see why T. was so over the moon about Sunshield and I think I would have been as well had the pacing been a bit more balanced, and the characters been a little less… naive. Something about characters always second-guessing their actions leaves a bit to be desired, though I know we all struggle with indecision from time to time.
September 2, 2020
Sunshield is the first novel in an epic fantasy duology, Outlaw Road with three central POV characters, Prince Veran, an Eastern ambassador from the Silverwood, Tamsin, a woman who has been kidnapped, brutalized, and held prisoner under horrible conditions, and Lark, the famed Sunshield bandit. The story alternates between these three figures and the link between them evolves over the course of this first novel. As the story opens, Veran and his friend Princess Eloise are at the court of Alcoro, to meet with Prince Iano, soon to be crowned king. Veran, Eloise, and we thought Iano, were meeting to discuss the abolition of trafficking children and young adults as slave labor in the Eastern kingdoms. After more than a year of correspondence about the issue, it now seems as if court intrigue has disrupted that plan completely. Veran, an inexperienced young man with little diplomatic skill, but a good heart still hopes to broker change. Surprisingly, he and Iano manage to connect on the idea of finding Lark, to search for a missing member of Iano's court. Lark, an interesting character, was at one time a victim of trafficking herself but she managed to escape. Her life is now a hard scrapple existence as she tries to protect children she has rescued from trafficking rings, earning her reputation as a fierce bandit. Lark doesn't just steal money and goods, she rescues children who have been stolen from their families, including some so young, they don't even know family surname or where their families were from. Finally, Tamsin, as we learn over the course of the novel, seems to have been kidnapped to silence her voice and influence.
One of the things I loved about this world is the presence of characters with disability issues. Lark's chosen sister Rose is an amputee who tells Lark off for regarding her as somehow less able to do her job. And Veran suffers from epilepsy but forges ahead with his brave plans. Thanks to Rose, Lark looks at Veran in a different light when they are thrown together. I also appreciated the role that color and culture play in Alcoro's court. So many hidden meanings and alliances are conveyed by the color of clothes in Alcoro's court. And the shout out for ecology and the effect of harming the bird populations was a delight as well. Martin has created a fascinating world.
The audiobook, narrated by Chelsea Stephens, Lauren Ezzo, and Matthew Frow, is an excellent production that gives a distinct voice and manner to each of the central characters.
I look forward to the final book in Outlaw Road duology, Floodpath: A Novel.
I received a digital and paper review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I loved about this world is the presence of characters with disability issues. Lark's chosen sister Rose is an amputee who tells Lark off for regarding her as somehow less able to do her job. And Veran suffers from epilepsy but forges ahead with his brave plans. Thanks to Rose, Lark looks at Veran in a different light when they are thrown together. I also appreciated the role that color and culture play in Alcoro's court. So many hidden meanings and alliances are conveyed by the color of clothes in Alcoro's court. And the shout out for ecology and the effect of harming the bird populations was a delight as well. Martin has created a fascinating world.
The audiobook, narrated by Chelsea Stephens, Lauren Ezzo, and Matthew Frow, is an excellent production that gives a distinct voice and manner to each of the central characters.
I look forward to the final book in Outlaw Road duology, Floodpath: A Novel.
I received a digital and paper review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2024
I loved the Creatures of Light trilogy so much that I went ahead and bought Sunshield. (Harper Collins was having a sale!)
It's set about 20 or so years after the events of the first trilogy and Outlaw Road will be a duloagy. The conclusion Floodpath comes out in March 2021 and I'm looking forward to it. Sunshield ended on a cliffhanger!
I strongly recommend reading the Woodwalker, Ashes to Fire, and Creatures of Light first. It will help to understand so much of the world. Not just character wise, but understanding the geography, cultures, and politics.
I love seeing the world building continue as it branched out to another land with a different monarchy, culture, and economics.
The story still fits Emily's formula where the characters go on a quest in the wilderness, and this time it was a western fantasy. I found it to be a great page turner.
I really liked the dynamic between Lark and Veran and seeing how that developed and what they learned from each other. I think it was obvious that
I would say the only downside is that I did miss having the old protagonists around. There was Rou and I loved seeing him as an older man. He still had his sense of humor but also the worry of a father.
So for now my binge reading in this world is on pause. I took some good notes and am ready for March 2021.
4.5 out of 5 Bandits.
It's set about 20 or so years after the events of the first trilogy and Outlaw Road will be a duloagy. The conclusion Floodpath comes out in March 2021 and I'm looking forward to it. Sunshield ended on a cliffhanger!
I strongly recommend reading the Woodwalker, Ashes to Fire, and Creatures of Light first. It will help to understand so much of the world. Not just character wise, but understanding the geography, cultures, and politics.
I love seeing the world building continue as it branched out to another land with a different monarchy, culture, and economics.
The story still fits Emily's formula where the characters go on a quest in the wilderness, and this time it was a western fantasy. I found it to be a great page turner.
I really liked the dynamic between Lark and Veran and seeing how that developed and what they learned from each other. I think it was obvious that
I would say the only downside is that I did miss having the old protagonists around. There was Rou and I loved seeing him as an older man. He still had his sense of humor but also the worry of a father.
So for now my binge reading in this world is on pause. I took some good notes and am ready for March 2021.
4.5 out of 5 Bandits.
September 11, 2020
Argh, I should’ve DNF’d this. This put me in such a slump.
I didn’t know until after halfway in that this book takes place in the same world as another of the author’s series. Partially explains why I felt the world building was lacking so much and I was just confused a majority of the time. But the worse sin was that I couldn’t stand the characters, especially Lark. Well Veran was alright and Tamsin was barely there. But Lark was just SO obnoxious. I didn’t understand her at all. I didn’t like the writing or setting. I need to give up on desert/western fantasies at this point. I just don’t like them. The writing was first person present, which I’m already not a fan of, but then add on multiple pov’s of first person present tense and it’s even worse. Sad to say I will not be reading the sequel and I won’t ever know how this plot ends, but I’m okay with that.
I didn’t know until after halfway in that this book takes place in the same world as another of the author’s series. Partially explains why I felt the world building was lacking so much and I was just confused a majority of the time. But the worse sin was that I couldn’t stand the characters, especially Lark. Well Veran was alright and Tamsin was barely there. But Lark was just SO obnoxious. I didn’t understand her at all. I didn’t like the writing or setting. I need to give up on desert/western fantasies at this point. I just don’t like them. The writing was first person present, which I’m already not a fan of, but then add on multiple pov’s of first person present tense and it’s even worse. Sad to say I will not be reading the sequel and I won’t ever know how this plot ends, but I’m okay with that.
May 6, 2020
I did enjoy the story but was disappointed with the end of the book. No resolution for any of the characters and we are left hanging wondering the outcome. It seems like the author intends to write episodes ???
April 17, 2020
Both the cover and the description drew me to Sunshield. I was not disappointed.
I discovered upon finishing this book that it's set in Emily B. Martin's Woodwalker universe. Having not read any of those books was no problem - you don't need to have read them to enjoy this book. That said, I'm looking forward to going back to explore them.
Thanks to my general distraction in April 2020, it took me a little while to get into the story. The book is told from 3 points of view, which means you're going back and forth between characters who aren't connected to each other yet. Each character's voice is relatively different from the others', which is great; no getting confused when you start a new chapter here.
Things really picked up for me about a third to halfway through the book, once Veran discovers more political intrigue and it's clear that the characters' stories are going to intertwine. At that point, I started reading past my bedtime again.
I liked all the characters and felt that they were well developed. Despite being a prince/ambassador, Veran was rather inept at just about everything; I kept wondering, what the heck is he doing here? His lack of luck suits the plot, but surprised me until I learned more about him later on. We do not see as much of Tasmin, but her descriptions are lush; I hope we hear more from her voice in the sequel. Perhaps because of my strong impressions from the other characters, Lark's voice drew me in the least. I really look forward to seeing what happens to her in the sequel, though.
Some things in this book are subtly foreshadowed; they surprised me but made sense in retrospect. Other things (like Lark's history) are pretty much there for the reader to intuit.
I loved the cliffhanger ending.
Other great things about this book:
It's part of a duology - a refreshing change of pace from all those trilogies or open series out there.
No overt romance here, although it is hinted at
Realistic political consequences
I received a copy of this book for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I discovered upon finishing this book that it's set in Emily B. Martin's Woodwalker universe. Having not read any of those books was no problem - you don't need to have read them to enjoy this book. That said, I'm looking forward to going back to explore them.
Thanks to my general distraction in April 2020, it took me a little while to get into the story. The book is told from 3 points of view, which means you're going back and forth between characters who aren't connected to each other yet. Each character's voice is relatively different from the others', which is great; no getting confused when you start a new chapter here.
Things really picked up for me about a third to halfway through the book, once Veran discovers more political intrigue and it's clear that the characters' stories are going to intertwine. At that point, I started reading past my bedtime again.
I liked all the characters and felt that they were well developed. Despite being a prince/ambassador, Veran was rather inept at just about everything; I kept wondering, what the heck is he doing here? His lack of luck suits the plot, but surprised me until I learned more about him later on. We do not see as much of Tasmin, but her descriptions are lush; I hope we hear more from her voice in the sequel. Perhaps because of my strong impressions from the other characters, Lark's voice drew me in the least. I really look forward to seeing what happens to her in the sequel, though.
Some things in this book are subtly foreshadowed; they surprised me but made sense in retrospect. Other things (like Lark's history) are pretty much there for the reader to intuit.
I loved the cliffhanger ending.
Other great things about this book:
It's part of a duology - a refreshing change of pace from all those trilogies or open series out there.
No overt romance here, although it is hinted at
Realistic political consequences
I received a copy of this book for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2022
4.5 stars! I loved this clean, adventure fantasy. It continues building the world set up in Woodwalker series.
Lark is an outlaw that rescues children from slavers and hides out in the desert with her family of orphans and escapees. I loved her character! There are kidnapped princesses, swashbuckling stagecoach fights, and court intrigue. I also loved the deeper themes of stewardship, belonging, class distinction/poverty, and being a voice for change.
I love how the author brings the natural world into her books helping the reader see the wonder in bat colonies and redwood forests.
Can’t wait to read the second one in the series. They are available at the Davis county library system.
Lark is an outlaw that rescues children from slavers and hides out in the desert with her family of orphans and escapees. I loved her character! There are kidnapped princesses, swashbuckling stagecoach fights, and court intrigue. I also loved the deeper themes of stewardship, belonging, class distinction/poverty, and being a voice for change.
I love how the author brings the natural world into her books helping the reader see the wonder in bat colonies and redwood forests.
Can’t wait to read the second one in the series. They are available at the Davis county library system.
October 13, 2020
3.5 stars
Slow start. Interesting enough that I will be reading book 2.
Slow start. Interesting enough that I will be reading book 2.
May 1, 2022
I don’t know. I did like it. Some parts had issues. I usually like multiple points of view but the set up here was confusing. My biggest issue was that it builds on the woodwalker world and I just don’t remember that book well enough to get the references.
January 8, 2025
A western/fantasy that starts slowly but gets exciting at the end, with some twists. Three narrators read the audiobook.
May 30, 2020
3.5 stars
It took me a little while to get invested, but I wound up enjoying this fantasy novel.
The story is told from the perspectives of three different characters. One of them is Lark, a former bondservant (a slave in all but name) turned outlaw who robs stagecoaches to support herself and other escapees. Veran is an ambassador to the court of Moquoia who hopes to negotiate an end to their bond-servant labor system and the trade in abducted children that feeds it. And Tamsin is an abductee being held by a mysterious enemy who is using her as part of a plot against Moquoian government. At first, it’s unclear how their narratives will intersect, but eventually all of them come together as the action unfolds.
I had some trouble getting engaged in the book at the beginning. Early on, a lot of the action centers around Lark, who is my least favorite of the three main characters. She’s a plucky young woman engaged in a lopsided fight for survival against more powerful forces, which isn’t exactly an uncommon figure in fantasy novels. The setting of her part of the story is less common, though—a desert reminiscent of the Old West, where cowboys fight with swords, shields, and crossbows—which I appreciated.
What really kept me going with the story was the other two characters. Veran is in some ways also a standard fantasy character—a young prince who wants to prove his worth to those who might doubt him. However, I was intrigued by why exactly he feels such a desperate need to achieve something in his diplomatic mission to Moquoia. (Although it’s hinted at, it takes a while for the reason to be revealed.) Tamsin is the most interesting of the three, but I can’t say much about why without spoilers. Let’s just say she has a unique role in Moquoian politics.
So, I kept reading, and mostly I liked what I read. However, at the very end of the novel a secret was revealed that kind of disappointed me. It was just so predictable for the author to go that direction, I was hoping she would resist the temptation and surprise me. But nope.
The novel ends with all the important characters on the road. It’s more a halt in the action than an actual conclusion to the story, so there’s at least one more book coming. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it, because I do want to find out what happens next.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
It took me a little while to get invested, but I wound up enjoying this fantasy novel.
The story is told from the perspectives of three different characters. One of them is Lark, a former bondservant (a slave in all but name) turned outlaw who robs stagecoaches to support herself and other escapees. Veran is an ambassador to the court of Moquoia who hopes to negotiate an end to their bond-servant labor system and the trade in abducted children that feeds it. And Tamsin is an abductee being held by a mysterious enemy who is using her as part of a plot against Moquoian government. At first, it’s unclear how their narratives will intersect, but eventually all of them come together as the action unfolds.
I had some trouble getting engaged in the book at the beginning. Early on, a lot of the action centers around Lark, who is my least favorite of the three main characters. She’s a plucky young woman engaged in a lopsided fight for survival against more powerful forces, which isn’t exactly an uncommon figure in fantasy novels. The setting of her part of the story is less common, though—a desert reminiscent of the Old West, where cowboys fight with swords, shields, and crossbows—which I appreciated.
What really kept me going with the story was the other two characters. Veran is in some ways also a standard fantasy character—a young prince who wants to prove his worth to those who might doubt him. However, I was intrigued by why exactly he feels such a desperate need to achieve something in his diplomatic mission to Moquoia. (Although it’s hinted at, it takes a while for the reason to be revealed.) Tamsin is the most interesting of the three, but I can’t say much about why without spoilers. Let’s just say she has a unique role in Moquoian politics.
So, I kept reading, and mostly I liked what I read. However, at the very end of the novel a secret was revealed that kind of disappointed me. It was just so predictable for the author to go that direction, I was hoping she would resist the temptation and surprise me. But nope.
The novel ends with all the important characters on the road. It’s more a halt in the action than an actual conclusion to the story, so there’s at least one more book coming. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it, because I do want to find out what happens next.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
October 12, 2021
Overall, I’m going to rate this book 3.5/5*. I found myself going back and forth a lot on my feelings with this book. Particularly with how I felt about the main characters. The story is told from 3 different main character POVs in turn. Typically this isn’t a preferred type of book for me, but I actually thought it worked well for this one. Tamsin, one of the main characters, was hands down my favorite character, despite her POV being a bit boring at times (compared to the other two anyway). She was a really sweet, kind, considerate character and I immediately liked her. Veran (another POV character) was also a very likable character but I was incredibly frustrated with him throughout the majority of the first half of the book (while they’re in court). He was constantly repeating his thoughts and making the same mistakes over and over and it for extremely repetitive and frustrating. I had to put the book down a few times because of it. After he leaves the court and meets up with Lark his POV flowed much better and was altogether more enjoyable. Overall, I still really liked his character. Lastly, there’s Lark. Her stubbornness and unerring unwillingness to consider any other options than what she believed best was enraging. Although her intentions were good, I couldn’t get over how naive she is despite the extremely rough life she’s lived. I struggled more with her character than any other. Easily my favorite thing about the book was hearing about all the different countries and learning more about them. The author did an excellent job at describing them and making it really easy to picture the places. I was really excited when I learned she already has written books that go into more depth on some of these places and fully intend on reading them. This is the first in a series and despite the problems I had with some of the characters, I will still read the next book when it comes out.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2020
I hugely enjoyed reading this novel of contrasting settings and adventures. A bandit girl, a useless prince sent off to be a failed diplomat; their fates are tied by the plight of a seer who has been abducted to exert pressure on her royal lover.
From a glass palace constructed by people who claim to love nature but really just like the look of it, and use work carried out by slaves, to a vagabond girl who freed herself from slavery and now helps others survive in a rugged high desert, we see plenty of characters and environments. Have fun.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
From a glass palace constructed by people who claim to love nature but really just like the look of it, and use work carried out by slaves, to a vagabond girl who freed herself from slavery and now helps others survive in a rugged high desert, we see plenty of characters and environments. Have fun.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
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July 17, 2020The podcast with Emily Martin is up at the New Books Network in Fantasy https://bit.ly/2ZCZkqp.
A frustrated prince out to make a name for himself, a mysterious young woman who goes by the name of the Sunshield Bandit, and a prisoner named Tamsin—Emily B. Martin lets us get to know each character in alternating POVs, while still keeping the eventual connections hidden. Martin makes you empathize with her characters, creating the rare plot-driven book where you still feel like you’re following the travails of people who could be your friends.
The Sunshield bandit is fiercely protective of her cobbled-together family, a group of escaped bond servants and slaves like herself. Along with her loyal coydog, Rat, and her friends, she subsists in the harsh desert from the gleanings of her stagecoach robberies. Since she’s constantly rescuing more enslaved children, some of them sick, her supplies don’t go far. She’s often hungry, feels guilty about not being able to help more, and has a huge chip on her shoulder.
Tamsin’s problem is obvious. She’s been thrown into a stone cell, had her tongue mutilated and her hair shorn, and is looking for a way to let rescuers know where she is. It turns out Tamsin is very dear to someone in a high-placed position.
Veran, the Prince of the Silverwood Mountains, seems to have fewer challenges than the other two. On duty as a translator for the ambassador of a neighboring country, Veran has come to the nation of Moquoia as part of the Eastern countries’ effort to stop indentured servitude. At first, his biggest problem is the blisters the shoes of Moquoian court leave on his feet. Soon though, Veran and his companions from the East, the Ambassador and his daughter, encounter suspicion in the Moquoian court, and become the target of serious accusations. When the Ambassador’s daughter gets sick with a mosquito-borne disease, it looks like their diplomatic mission might be over.
Unless Veran takes a big chance and reaches out to the Sunshield bandit for help with the one thing that might convince the Moquoian prince to cooperate.
A frustrated prince out to make a name for himself, a mysterious young woman who goes by the name of the Sunshield Bandit, and a prisoner named Tamsin—Emily B. Martin lets us get to know each character in alternating POVs, while still keeping the eventual connections hidden. Martin makes you empathize with her characters, creating the rare plot-driven book where you still feel like you’re following the travails of people who could be your friends.
The Sunshield bandit is fiercely protective of her cobbled-together family, a group of escaped bond servants and slaves like herself. Along with her loyal coydog, Rat, and her friends, she subsists in the harsh desert from the gleanings of her stagecoach robberies. Since she’s constantly rescuing more enslaved children, some of them sick, her supplies don’t go far. She’s often hungry, feels guilty about not being able to help more, and has a huge chip on her shoulder.
Tamsin’s problem is obvious. She’s been thrown into a stone cell, had her tongue mutilated and her hair shorn, and is looking for a way to let rescuers know where she is. It turns out Tamsin is very dear to someone in a high-placed position.
Veran, the Prince of the Silverwood Mountains, seems to have fewer challenges than the other two. On duty as a translator for the ambassador of a neighboring country, Veran has come to the nation of Moquoia as part of the Eastern countries’ effort to stop indentured servitude. At first, his biggest problem is the blisters the shoes of Moquoian court leave on his feet. Soon though, Veran and his companions from the East, the Ambassador and his daughter, encounter suspicion in the Moquoian court, and become the target of serious accusations. When the Ambassador’s daughter gets sick with a mosquito-borne disease, it looks like their diplomatic mission might be over.
Unless Veran takes a big chance and reaches out to the Sunshield bandit for help with the one thing that might convince the Moquoian prince to cooperate.
April 24, 2021
A fantasy book without magic! Who could have thunk. I joke. This book is actually really good - outlaws, politics, slave trade - all the things for an intriguing plot.
Veran is an ambassador trying to help get a peace agreement together between his country and Moquoia. In that, he's hoping to stop the slavery that has been secretly (and some not so secretly) going on.
The Sunshield bandit, an escaped slave who has now made her name thieving on the trade roads, crosses her path with Veran. Together they are going to try and save Tamsin, a truth speaker to Moquoia's king. It's like Twitter for the people - she says it as she sees it, and has been saying something's that some political parties are not liking, and have decided to remove her. Oh ya.
The characters were really flushed out, strong, interesting and surprising. They have quite the histories under their belts, and it was really interesting to learn about them.
The world building was really cool too. It's like a western, but magical (without any actual magic). It just felt like a fairy tale, almost like Robin Hood retelling. The politics were really interesting too, especially when all the gritty information on the slavery is slapped in Veran's face. You know it's there, but noone wants to talk about it, until they do.
The only reason I give this one star less, was because of a slow beginning. It really took some time to make things interesting and moving. It was really setting everything up about the world and characters, and all the intrigue for the next book. But now, I just can't wait to read the second part of this duology.
Veran is an ambassador trying to help get a peace agreement together between his country and Moquoia. In that, he's hoping to stop the slavery that has been secretly (and some not so secretly) going on.
The Sunshield bandit, an escaped slave who has now made her name thieving on the trade roads, crosses her path with Veran. Together they are going to try and save Tamsin, a truth speaker to Moquoia's king. It's like Twitter for the people - she says it as she sees it, and has been saying something's that some political parties are not liking, and have decided to remove her. Oh ya.
The characters were really flushed out, strong, interesting and surprising. They have quite the histories under their belts, and it was really interesting to learn about them.
The world building was really cool too. It's like a western, but magical (without any actual magic). It just felt like a fairy tale, almost like Robin Hood retelling. The politics were really interesting too, especially when all the gritty information on the slavery is slapped in Veran's face. You know it's there, but noone wants to talk about it, until they do.
The only reason I give this one star less, was because of a slow beginning. It really took some time to make things interesting and moving. It was really setting everything up about the world and characters, and all the intrigue for the next book. But now, I just can't wait to read the second part of this duology.
August 4, 2025
This book started off as a 2-2.5 and ended up being a 3.5, almost a 4-star. A slow start with some characters I didn't feel too sure about turned into a fast-paced ending where I really felt like I'd connected with the characters.
I liked Lark's story and setting pretty early on, and the more you hear her thoughts and see the desperation of her group the better it gets. I appreciated her stubbornness and courage, and though there was a twist or two I might have seen coming, I'd be lying if I said they weren't twists I wanted to see happen.
Tamsin's story is really two stories in one. I think the suffering of captivity and horrible situation she is in is really well written and I felt quite invested in seeing her rescued. Towards the end we really see her personality shine, but just when you really start to see her potential is when the story ends.
Veran is the biggest surprise for me, as I was not invested in or completely understanding him until at least halfway thru his story. I struggle with stories where teens are political players, and didn't really have a good sense of Veran's motivations or background. His choice to take a desperate chance at something and the resulting adventure is the best thing he could have done, and suddenly I see him in new ways and start wanting to see him succeed.
Without spoilers, I will say that the book ends very abruptly which is frustrating, but certainly inspires me to pick up the second book soon. I'm hoping for it to pick up right where this story leaves off, and keep showing me genuine emotion and struggle as these characters fight to survive and make things right.
I liked Lark's story and setting pretty early on, and the more you hear her thoughts and see the desperation of her group the better it gets. I appreciated her stubbornness and courage, and though there was a twist or two I might have seen coming, I'd be lying if I said they weren't twists I wanted to see happen.
Tamsin's story is really two stories in one. I think the suffering of captivity and horrible situation she is in is really well written and I felt quite invested in seeing her rescued. Towards the end we really see her personality shine, but just when you really start to see her potential is when the story ends.
Veran is the biggest surprise for me, as I was not invested in or completely understanding him until at least halfway thru his story. I struggle with stories where teens are political players, and didn't really have a good sense of Veran's motivations or background. His choice to take a desperate chance at something and the resulting adventure is the best thing he could have done, and suddenly I see him in new ways and start wanting to see him succeed.
Without spoilers, I will say that the book ends very abruptly which is frustrating, but certainly inspires me to pick up the second book soon. I'm hoping for it to pick up right where this story leaves off, and keep showing me genuine emotion and struggle as these characters fight to survive and make things right.
June 8, 2020
I was so excited when I found out Emily B. Martin was going to write new books in the Creatures of Light world! This is set about 20 years after that series about the next generation, including the kids of our favorite heroes.
Martin's books all have such a strong sense of place in the physical world, in this case the desert. I can definitely tell she used her park ranger survival knowledge in the descriptions. This story builds on the themes of environmentalism and how we're all connected, both to each other and the natural world. There are major issues of slavery, bonded labor, and poverty in Moquoia, as well as the slave trade/abduction in Alcoro.
This book has three main characters/narrators and the story is told in alternating chapters. Mae's son Veran is an ambassador, along with Rou and his and Mona's daughter Eloise, in Moquoia, trying to prove himself in midst a large extended family of trailblazers. Some of my favorite moments were Veran channelling his mother or thinking how she would handle certain situations. (I certainly hope we get to see Mae and Mona be mama-bears in the next book!)
I saw some of the reveals and twists coming, but that didn't mean the book was any less interesting and engaging. Martin has such good world-building of these different countries and cultures and how they interact. For example, the Moquoian people experience the spiritual "light" in rainbows which results in their relationship with color.
I really enjoy Martin's writing and recommend this series. I can't wait to read the next book!
Martin's books all have such a strong sense of place in the physical world, in this case the desert. I can definitely tell she used her park ranger survival knowledge in the descriptions. This story builds on the themes of environmentalism and how we're all connected, both to each other and the natural world. There are major issues of slavery, bonded labor, and poverty in Moquoia, as well as the slave trade/abduction in Alcoro.
This book has three main characters/narrators and the story is told in alternating chapters. Mae's son Veran is an ambassador, along with Rou and his and Mona's daughter Eloise, in Moquoia, trying to prove himself in midst a large extended family of trailblazers. Some of my favorite moments were Veran channelling his mother or thinking how she would handle certain situations. (I certainly hope we get to see Mae and Mona be mama-bears in the next book!)
I saw some of the reveals and twists coming, but that didn't mean the book was any less interesting and engaging. Martin has such good world-building of these different countries and cultures and how they interact. For example, the Moquoian people experience the spiritual "light" in rainbows which results in their relationship with color.
I really enjoy Martin's writing and recommend this series. I can't wait to read the next book!
February 19, 2022
I can't even explain why I enjoyed this so much. Truly I did not know anything about it when I picked it up, I just checked it out because Emily B Martin makes very pretty Queen's Thief art on tumblr. I didn't even read the entire synopsis blurb before I started it.
Okay, maybe I liked it because the last thing I read before it was all try-hard and edgy and gratuitously violent and 600 soulless pages long, and this, though I had some issues with it, at the very least, felt genuine.
The pacing is the most troublesome part -- it takes quite a while to get going, and to get a sense of who the characters are. I honestly neither liked nor disliked them for the first half of the book because I just didn't feel like I had a sense of who they were. The plot was interesting enough to hook me in, but the best part about it is the setting. It was SO different from the stereotypical vaguely-British setting of so many fantasy books... I loved it. About halfway through, the plot got much more fun as well. I stayed up until 1 am reading it last night and then spent all day today with it until it was finished. And now I remember this is the only book by Emily B Martin my library has. (I'm not frustrated by that. Not at all.) So I'm off to track down part 2 as quickly as possible.
I was a little disappointed that the big end reveal was the most predictable option -- the rest of the book was fairly unique -- but I honestly don't mind predictable, and I enjoyed so much of the rest of the story that I just don't care. It was lovely and I'm delighted by it.
Okay, maybe I liked it because the last thing I read before it was all try-hard and edgy and gratuitously violent and 600 soulless pages long, and this, though I had some issues with it, at the very least, felt genuine.
The pacing is the most troublesome part -- it takes quite a while to get going, and to get a sense of who the characters are. I honestly neither liked nor disliked them for the first half of the book because I just didn't feel like I had a sense of who they were. The plot was interesting enough to hook me in, but the best part about it is the setting. It was SO different from the stereotypical vaguely-British setting of so many fantasy books... I loved it. About halfway through, the plot got much more fun as well. I stayed up until 1 am reading it last night and then spent all day today with it until it was finished. And now I remember this is the only book by Emily B Martin my library has. (I'm not frustrated by that. Not at all.) So I'm off to track down part 2 as quickly as possible.
I was a little disappointed that the big end reveal was the most predictable option -- the rest of the book was fairly unique -- but I honestly don't mind predictable, and I enjoyed so much of the rest of the story that I just don't care. It was lovely and I'm delighted by it.
July 16, 2022
I found the beginning a slow and a little hard to get into at first. While needed to establish the world and settings it felt like a little too much exposition with nothing really happening. Despite that I did enjoy the worldbuilding offered and really got a sense of the different countries and courts where our characters exist. Martin does a really great job of laying out not only how these countries and places work but how they interact with each one and how different cultures influence or are completely foreign to each other. I also found that once the point of view stories start intersecting the story really picks up and I found it hard to put down.
The characters and their relationships feel realistic and I like the discussion on privilege, bond slavery and the reality of while wanting to help and make things better from a position of privilege it doesn't necessarily mean anything if your existence and place is complicit in the system that created the issue in the first place. Lark, Veran and Tamisin as our narrators all have distinct voices and personalities and were never boring or felt unrealistic for their circumstances and actions. Even the overarching mystery of Lark's identity and origins feels earned and well done. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the conclusion! I might even pick up Martin's other series that appears to be set in the same universe. It was fun, entertaining read all around!
The characters and their relationships feel realistic and I like the discussion on privilege, bond slavery and the reality of while wanting to help and make things better from a position of privilege it doesn't necessarily mean anything if your existence and place is complicit in the system that created the issue in the first place. Lark, Veran and Tamisin as our narrators all have distinct voices and personalities and were never boring or felt unrealistic for their circumstances and actions. Even the overarching mystery of Lark's identity and origins feels earned and well done. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the conclusion! I might even pick up Martin's other series that appears to be set in the same universe. It was fun, entertaining read all around!
August 28, 2021
I was fortunate enough to win a free copy of this book in a giveaway.
Wow, this book really does have it all! You've got your bandits, you've got your courtroom intrigue, you've got your kidnappings and mystery. I enjoyed it so much!
Sunshield bounces between three different perspectives. Lark is the Sunshield Bandit, tipping over caravans carrying people who are being forced into slavery. She has little memory of her own childhood and tasks herself with keeping her small band of misfits safe out in the desert. Veran is on an alliance mission with his friend Eloise and her father, Rou. Acting as translator, Veran is tasked with helping solidify an alliance with the kingdom of Moquia. And then there's Tamsin, someone who is being held captive in awful conditions.
I fell in love with all of the characters, particularly the dynamic between Lark and Veran, which I don't want to get into too much because it doesn't happen until the latter half of the book. I will say they do well calling each other out on their bs, but as a reader it's easy to see where each of them is coming from and neither of them is really wrong.
The book ends with an exciting turn of events that will make you immediately look for book two. I'm certainly excited to read the conclusion of this duology!
Wow, this book really does have it all! You've got your bandits, you've got your courtroom intrigue, you've got your kidnappings and mystery. I enjoyed it so much!
Sunshield bounces between three different perspectives. Lark is the Sunshield Bandit, tipping over caravans carrying people who are being forced into slavery. She has little memory of her own childhood and tasks herself with keeping her small band of misfits safe out in the desert. Veran is on an alliance mission with his friend Eloise and her father, Rou. Acting as translator, Veran is tasked with helping solidify an alliance with the kingdom of Moquia. And then there's Tamsin, someone who is being held captive in awful conditions.
I fell in love with all of the characters, particularly the dynamic between Lark and Veran, which I don't want to get into too much because it doesn't happen until the latter half of the book. I will say they do well calling each other out on their bs, but as a reader it's easy to see where each of them is coming from and neither of them is really wrong.
The book ends with an exciting turn of events that will make you immediately look for book two. I'm certainly excited to read the conclusion of this duology!
September 21, 2021
This book is an eye catcher, from it's cover to the excerpt on the back I feel it does a great job at getting you interested before you read. This book is technically a part of the "Creatures of Light" universe also by Emily B. Martin, and the events of Sunshield take place approximately 20 years after the events in the trilogy. While reading the trilogy that this book stems from provides more context and depth, it is not necessary to understand or enjoy this book without reading them. This book is number 1 of 2 in a duology and I have to say it does a great job at setting up the second book, it ends with a cliffhanger that definitely leaves you wanting more! I love the settings for this book, however I may be a bit biased because I generally love lawless desert settings regardless of the context, I enjoy the aesthetic heavily. This story is told from multiple perspectives which keeps the tone and energy fresh, I also enjoy hearing from the other characters on a more personal level rather than from a third person perspective. The worldbuilding within Emily's novels is wonderful and you can tell that much thought and effort has been put into it. This book does have a slow build, it may feel a bit hard to get through at first but I can say it is definitely worth it. If you have enjoyed Emily's other novels, I can say you will definitely enjoy Sunshield.
June 8, 2020
Five star cliffhanger! This is a great read! All the delights of an entirely new perspective (the Wild West, or East, or something). You can sink your teeth into this narrative. I love being taken to somewhere new, with a whole set of unexpected challenges and no easy fix. It's not like magic is cropping up in the desert and solving all the problems. We have bandits, we have rustlers, we have empires and slave rescues. Nature is thwarted and she fights back, big time. Realism reigns. There are seizures and ethnicity questions. Periods are bloody and messy. This is a gritty read.
I mostly loved the characters. They felt real, full and largely compelling. I almost never knew where we were going or how the challenges would be overcome. Yay for dumping the Fantasy tropes with a little bit of style!
But a cliffhanger? Why? Read it when the rest of the series comes out. It'll be worth your trouble then. I'll probably join you because I will have forgotten why I cared. I hope the publishers aren't pushing for a series of cliffhangers. The characters should be compelling enough that we readers read through the series just because we care about how each of their stories ends. I'd love to see each installment satisfy on its own merits. Good read though!
I mostly loved the characters. They felt real, full and largely compelling. I almost never knew where we were going or how the challenges would be overcome. Yay for dumping the Fantasy tropes with a little bit of style!
But a cliffhanger? Why? Read it when the rest of the series comes out. It'll be worth your trouble then. I'll probably join you because I will have forgotten why I cared. I hope the publishers aren't pushing for a series of cliffhangers. The characters should be compelling enough that we readers read through the series just because we care about how each of their stories ends. I'd love to see each installment satisfy on its own merits. Good read though!
October 6, 2020
Pleasant surprise on the "new releases" shelf at the lobal library, which I could visit with an appointment, so I spent more time looking at anything with an interesting spine! It's the sort of pleasurable discovery that you with you'd found when the series is already published, so I'm happy to hear Martin's prior series is part of the same world. That said, Martin does a good job of making the seemingly unrelated characters sympathetic and their eventual intersections fun and dramatic as well. You've got the fourth son of a royal family trying to find some way to contribute as he's coming of age while on a diplomatic mission across his continent with more adept and accomplished partners. He connects with the young heir who turns out to have serious problems of his own. There's a kidnapping victim, just trying to eke out some variety while being held captive in a storeroom. And, last but not least, there's a highway bandit with a continent-wide reputation but more scruples than you might imagine at first. There are big issues at stake, from bondage/slavery to proper forest management and everything in between.
March 28, 2025
This was such an interesting story, and I must say that it made me more interested in learning more about the next book even if it wasn’t my favorite.
I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with this book. It was interesting with a cool storyline and some good action scenes. I think the problem with this book lays solely with my personal dislike of westerns. This story was a Fantasy Western – a fantasy novel with a western like setting. There are fictional kingdoms with world-building, but the story mainly takes place in a Wild West type part.
This was interesting but I think it made it a bit boring for me just because I don’t really like Westerns. I don’t know what it is about Westerns, but I’ve never really been a fan of them and for some reason putting it in a fantasy world only made it somewhat more interesting for me to read. Despite that I am actually pretty interested in reading book 2 and seeing how this will go on from here. The spicy rating was a level 1.
Overall, I would rate this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Not bad but just not necessarily my cup of tea.
I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with this book. It was interesting with a cool storyline and some good action scenes. I think the problem with this book lays solely with my personal dislike of westerns. This story was a Fantasy Western – a fantasy novel with a western like setting. There are fictional kingdoms with world-building, but the story mainly takes place in a Wild West type part.
This was interesting but I think it made it a bit boring for me just because I don’t really like Westerns. I don’t know what it is about Westerns, but I’ve never really been a fan of them and for some reason putting it in a fantasy world only made it somewhat more interesting for me to read. Despite that I am actually pretty interested in reading book 2 and seeing how this will go on from here. The spicy rating was a level 1.
Overall, I would rate this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Not bad but just not necessarily my cup of tea.
May 25, 2020
From the author of the Creatures of Light series comes a new YA novel set in that same fantasy world. The story alternates points of view between Lark aka the Sunshield bandit, Veran and Tamsin though most of the story is told through the eyes of Lark and Veran. Desperate to save a failing diplomatic mission, Veran enlists the help of Lark in finding the kidnapped Tamsin. I loved these characters so much! Lark has had a hardscrabble life, she’s tough, resourceful, and has a big heart. Veran has grown up privileged, but is determined to make something of himself. We get just a peek into what makes Tamsin tick, but know she’s strong having worked her way up from humble beginnings to become a powerful and influential figure in Moquoian society. It’s a real page turner with an engaging plot filled with action and intrigue. I liked the surprise ending and hope there will be a follow-up book detailing what happens next to these wonderful characters. 4.25 stars
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