What do you think?
Rate this book
Web Shifters #1
Beholder's Eye
They are the last survivors of their race beings who live on and communicate through energy, who are capable of assuming the shape of any other species. When their youngest member is assigned to a world considered safe to explore, she is captured by the natives. To escape, she must violate the most important rule of her kind, and reveal the existence of her species to a fellow prisoner—a human being. Now her race is in danger of extinction, for even if the human does not betray her, the Enemy who has long searched for her people may finally discover their location.
Esen-alit-Quar, Esen for short, Es in a hurry or between friends. The dear little blob has only begun her adventures.
Esen-alit-Quar, Esen for short, Es in a hurry or between friends. The dear little blob has only begun her adventures.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
59 people are currently reading
1868 people want to read
About the author
Julie E. Czerneda
101 books754 followersHaving written 25 novels (and counting) published by DAW Books, as well as numerous short stories, and editing several anthologies, in 2022, Julie E. Czerneda was inducted in the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Her science fiction and fantasy combines her training and love of biology with a boundless curiosity and optimism, winning multiple awards. Julie's recent releases include the standalone novel To Each This World, her first collection Imaginings, and A Shift of Time, part of her Night's Edge fantasy series. For more visit czerneda.com Julie is represented by Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency LLC.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
June 3, 2019
I remember reading The Big Idea for Czerneda's latest book on Scalzi's blog (ok, it was 2018) and was intrigued by her idea of an extremely long-lived being. I didn't realize that Czerneda was a biologist, and had grounded her ideas in theories about trade-offs between reproduction and longevity. It turned out the blog was promoting the latest book in the story of Esen, which sent me back to this first book, Beholder's Eye.. Esen is described as a shapeshifter, but in actuality, is a more crystaline-type being whose small group consider themselves a sort of archivists for sapiens. Esen's adventures proved unexpectedly entertaining.
"I'd licked the problem of holding form. And six hundred days later, I'd accomplished the first half of my task: deciphering the molecular structure of the Kraosians. I'd scrounged hair and nail clippings from several hundred different individuals simply by hanging around the rear of barbershops for a couple of months. That information was safely chewed, swallowed, and incorporated into my biochemical memory. I was a success.
I spat out a flea."
Czerneda states she wrote this, her second book, for herself, and with two goals: to show a meaningful friendship and to have fun with the possibility of Esen's abilities.
Mission accomplished.
That it turned into an intriguing mystery and side exploration of some of the creatures of the Fringe of space doesn't hurt either. There were parts where I laughed, parts where I was tense, and there may have even been a moment of sadness, but I'm not telling.
The shapeshifting was used well, and I appreciated the way that Esen 'became' the creature she shifted into, accounting for genetic and biological instincts, such as the herding instinct of the Gunthor. Esen is relatively young, for her species--a mere five-hundred standard--and I thought the narrative voice captured that well. This would work at a new-adult novel, in many ways; it about her first assignment away from her Web, and decisions she must make on her own.
Interestingly, I have to say that it reminded me a great deal of A Memory Called Empire. Completely different technological focus, but very similar thematically. I'll be going on to the next.
"I'd licked the problem of holding form. And six hundred days later, I'd accomplished the first half of my task: deciphering the molecular structure of the Kraosians. I'd scrounged hair and nail clippings from several hundred different individuals simply by hanging around the rear of barbershops for a couple of months. That information was safely chewed, swallowed, and incorporated into my biochemical memory. I was a success.
I spat out a flea."
Czerneda states she wrote this, her second book, for herself, and with two goals: to show a meaningful friendship and to have fun with the possibility of Esen's abilities.
Mission accomplished.
That it turned into an intriguing mystery and side exploration of some of the creatures of the Fringe of space doesn't hurt either. There were parts where I laughed, parts where I was tense, and there may have even been a moment of sadness, but I'm not telling.
The shapeshifting was used well, and I appreciated the way that Esen 'became' the creature she shifted into, accounting for genetic and biological instincts, such as the herding instinct of the Gunthor. Esen is relatively young, for her species--a mere five-hundred standard--and I thought the narrative voice captured that well. This would work at a new-adult novel, in many ways; it about her first assignment away from her Web, and decisions she must make on her own.
Interestingly, I have to say that it reminded me a great deal of A Memory Called Empire. Completely different technological focus, but very similar thematically. I'll be going on to the next.
October 15, 2019
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book at first. Maybe it was the audio version throwing me off, but for such an ancient alien being shapeshifting through one alien form to another, I got the distinct impression of youthful ignorance.
Then again, I suppose that was intentional.
Fortunately for me, things weren't boring. We had a meet-cute and a serial murderer and lots of planets to travel between. I definitely had a better time when the serial murderer was involved, but getting into our youthful hero's biology, it's way of consuming and granting memories, of being a kind of energy being afraid to reveal herself among any kind of sentient life... was rather cool.
I've read a lot of these kinds of SF throughout the years and this one doesn't go far off the track, but the things it does well, it does well. A lot of thought was put into the nature of this alien and it shows. In fact, this is what will draw me back to the series.
Hey, folks, mass conservation is APPLIED here! Wooo!
Then again, I suppose that was intentional.
Fortunately for me, things weren't boring. We had a meet-cute and a serial murderer and lots of planets to travel between. I definitely had a better time when the serial murderer was involved, but getting into our youthful hero's biology, it's way of consuming and granting memories, of being a kind of energy being afraid to reveal herself among any kind of sentient life... was rather cool.
I've read a lot of these kinds of SF throughout the years and this one doesn't go far off the track, but the things it does well, it does well. A lot of thought was put into the nature of this alien and it shows. In fact, this is what will draw me back to the series.
Hey, folks, mass conservation is APPLIED here! Wooo!
January 10, 2015
'THE WEB
United in their natural for they are one, sharing all their memories, experiences, and lives. Apart they are six, the only existing members of their ancient race, a species with the ability to assume any form once they understand its essence.
Their continued survival in a universe filled with races ready to destroy anyone perceived as different is based on the Rules.
And first among those Rules is: Never reveal your true nature to another being.
But when the youngest among them, Esen-ali-Quar, receives her first independent assignment to a world considered safe to explore, she stumbles into a trap no one could have anticipated. Her only means of escape lies in violating the First Rule. She reveals herself to a fellow captive – a human being. While this mistake might not ordinarily prove fatal, the timing of the vent could not be worse. For something new has finally made its way into this Universe, the Enemy of the Web, bringer of death to all forms of life. And the hunt is about to begin! ’
Blurb from the 1998 Daw paperback edition
It’s an excellent page-turner this, which races along from moon to ship to planet at a breakneck pace and is a tale of a shape-shifter, part of a gestalt organism, the only one of its kind in the galaxy, now forced to abandon the rules of her race and reveal the true nature of her species to a human male.
Interestingly, there are no male shapeshifters and this subtly colours the nature and motives of the individual members of the gestalt.
Despite it being well-written and compulsive reading it is flawed by Czerneda’s tendency to create ‘Star Trek’ aliens since the majority of them are humanoid and/or originate on Earth type planets.
We seldom get full descriptions of the alien races and so it is sometimes difficult to visualise what sort of alien our hero Esen has morphed into.
There are some interesting creations such as The Hive World society and the Ganthor, but even these are lessened by other societies such as the Kraosians and the Articans which are stereotypical Star Trek races.
The process of ‘cycling’ is beautifully thought through as is the concept of the ‘Web’ (as the gestalt calls itself) which considers itself to be a memory based depository for the races and cultures of the galaxy, many of whom have been wiped out (often by themselves).
Esen, although the youngest of the gestalt, is around five hundred years old, but is a child in terms of her own race. She is forced to grow up very quickly by both the fact of an Enemy who wishes to destroy all her kind and the discovery of a hidden truth regarding the nature of her own species, while all the time entering into a slowly deepening relationship with Paul Ragem, the human whose life she saves at the start of the novel.
Czerneda undoubtedly has a niche in the popular end of the SF market but is, I feel, capable of far better. This strikes me as competent but very safe novel and I look forward to reading Czerneda when she spreads her wings a little and enters more challenging territory.
It’s enjoyable. It’s not great literature. It asks no great questions and there are certainly no great answers but it is excellent escapism and leaves one wanting more, which is all one can really ask for.
United in their natural for they are one, sharing all their memories, experiences, and lives. Apart they are six, the only existing members of their ancient race, a species with the ability to assume any form once they understand its essence.
Their continued survival in a universe filled with races ready to destroy anyone perceived as different is based on the Rules.
And first among those Rules is: Never reveal your true nature to another being.
But when the youngest among them, Esen-ali-Quar, receives her first independent assignment to a world considered safe to explore, she stumbles into a trap no one could have anticipated. Her only means of escape lies in violating the First Rule. She reveals herself to a fellow captive – a human being. While this mistake might not ordinarily prove fatal, the timing of the vent could not be worse. For something new has finally made its way into this Universe, the Enemy of the Web, bringer of death to all forms of life. And the hunt is about to begin! ’
Blurb from the 1998 Daw paperback edition
It’s an excellent page-turner this, which races along from moon to ship to planet at a breakneck pace and is a tale of a shape-shifter, part of a gestalt organism, the only one of its kind in the galaxy, now forced to abandon the rules of her race and reveal the true nature of her species to a human male.
Interestingly, there are no male shapeshifters and this subtly colours the nature and motives of the individual members of the gestalt.
Despite it being well-written and compulsive reading it is flawed by Czerneda’s tendency to create ‘Star Trek’ aliens since the majority of them are humanoid and/or originate on Earth type planets.
We seldom get full descriptions of the alien races and so it is sometimes difficult to visualise what sort of alien our hero Esen has morphed into.
There are some interesting creations such as The Hive World society and the Ganthor, but even these are lessened by other societies such as the Kraosians and the Articans which are stereotypical Star Trek races.
The process of ‘cycling’ is beautifully thought through as is the concept of the ‘Web’ (as the gestalt calls itself) which considers itself to be a memory based depository for the races and cultures of the galaxy, many of whom have been wiped out (often by themselves).
Esen, although the youngest of the gestalt, is around five hundred years old, but is a child in terms of her own race. She is forced to grow up very quickly by both the fact of an Enemy who wishes to destroy all her kind and the discovery of a hidden truth regarding the nature of her own species, while all the time entering into a slowly deepening relationship with Paul Ragem, the human whose life she saves at the start of the novel.
Czerneda undoubtedly has a niche in the popular end of the SF market but is, I feel, capable of far better. This strikes me as competent but very safe novel and I look forward to reading Czerneda when she spreads her wings a little and enters more challenging territory.
It’s enjoyable. It’s not great literature. It asks no great questions and there are certainly no great answers but it is excellent escapism and leaves one wanting more, which is all one can really ask for.
October 26, 2011
I love Julie Czerneda. She's definitely in my top-five list of sci-fi authors (along with, hm, Bujold, Asimov, Clarke, and Miller&Lee? Maybe?). This series is about a shape-shifter, but like any good sci-fi author, Czerneda puts enough limits around her heroine's seeming-super-power that the plot holds your interest. Czerneda is probably the best alien-builder I know, going way beyond your simple humanoid-with-extra-forehead-ridges or humanoid-with-blue-skin. In this series, I loved how her heroine's worldview shifted whenever she shifted shapes, as she took on the characteristics and fears and drives of the creature she was imitating.
December 7, 2011
Characterization and descriptive ability are clearly 4 to 4+ stars, but the pacing unfortunately really drags the book down. Just at the high points, you're inevitably presented with a anthropology lesson on some non-existent alien culture, that's not always relevant, or if it is, is easily inferable from the context (rather than the 10 - 20 pages of textbook in between the story).
Still, the story really is pretty good, and I think the main character is my favorite example of a "strong female character" I've come in contact with so far.
Still, the story really is pretty good, and I think the main character is my favorite example of a "strong female character" I've come in contact with so far.
November 4, 2018
Slow going. I will check out the sequel though.
July 3, 2019
“Death came in along the ecliptic, undetected until it cracked the starship’s hull and began to hunt.” Surely she meant “elliptic.”
Excellent. Czerneda created an alien lifeform which felt both familiar and other. First person narrative draws the reader into the protagonist’s thoughts and crisis.
“I can do this, I thought. I realized, belatedly, that Esch had not doubted me. I had doubted myself.”
In classic fashion, begins well after the start of the story, if not exactly in the middle. Backstory is supplied as needed. Well done.
“There are always those who fear the unknown. And what am I but all of the unknowns rolled into one?”
Plot development proceeds in a predictable arc, with heightening danger and stakes. Satisfying denouement, especially for a series opener.
“It’s a sad and dangerous thing to be alone.”
Excellent. Czerneda created an alien lifeform which felt both familiar and other. First person narrative draws the reader into the protagonist’s thoughts and crisis.
“I can do this, I thought. I realized, belatedly, that Esch had not doubted me. I had doubted myself.”
In classic fashion, begins well after the start of the story, if not exactly in the middle. Backstory is supplied as needed. Well done.
“There are always those who fear the unknown. And what am I but all of the unknowns rolled into one?”
Plot development proceeds in a predictable arc, with heightening danger and stakes. Satisfying denouement, especially for a series opener.
“It’s a sad and dangerous thing to be alone.”
January 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was fun and kept my interest. I did have a really hard time getting into it at first. Also, some of the more intricate details and explanations kinda got a way from me. I’m not sure if they were missing or if my mind wandered...but I didn’t care enough to go back looking for them.
#abookaboutorbyawomaninSTEM
#abookaboutorbyawomaninSTEM
September 7, 2020
My 2001 booklog says
"B-?, unmemorable." and referenced this review: https://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan...
She liked it more than I did.
"B-?, unmemorable." and referenced this review: https://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/susan...
She liked it more than I did.
March 12, 2021
Dear Human
3.5 out of 5
I'm not sure how I'm only discovering Julie Czerneda in 2021. Back in the 90s I was reading Ursula Le Guin, Anne McCaffrey, Kate Elliot, C.S. Friedman and other female sci-fi authors. Ms. Czerneda was not anywhere on my radar.
The Beholder's Eye was a pleasant (albeit mildly flawed) introduction to Ms. Czerneda's writing. I will definitely continue with this series and explore other works of hers.
This was a wildly imaginative first contact/buddy story/space opera. Far, far future - including aliens! The sciencey bits were a bit cludged, but the story was engaging enough to overlook most of it.
The biggest hitch for me was that somehow Christmas survived in the far, far future and was widely celebrated by humanity. No mention of other human religions. There were also more than a few narrative gaps/leaps of faith but I just glossed over them and tried not to over-analyze the plot holes.
Please see my highlights and notes for further thoughts on Beholder's Eye.
3.5 out of 5
I'm not sure how I'm only discovering Julie Czerneda in 2021. Back in the 90s I was reading Ursula Le Guin, Anne McCaffrey, Kate Elliot, C.S. Friedman and other female sci-fi authors. Ms. Czerneda was not anywhere on my radar.
The Beholder's Eye was a pleasant (albeit mildly flawed) introduction to Ms. Czerneda's writing. I will definitely continue with this series and explore other works of hers.
This was a wildly imaginative first contact/buddy story/space opera. Far, far future - including aliens! The sciencey bits were a bit cludged, but the story was engaging enough to overlook most of it.
The biggest hitch for me was that somehow Christmas survived in the far, far future and was widely celebrated by humanity. No mention of other human religions. There were also more than a few narrative gaps/leaps of faith but I just glossed over them and tried not to over-analyze the plot holes.
Please see my highlights and notes for further thoughts on Beholder's Eye.
January 24, 2017
Confession: I don't usually read Sci-Fi.
This was such a great book, and once I got past the awkwardness of reading something that deals in the realm of things that are hard to imagine, I really began to enjoy it. Some books stretch our imagination, this books knocks your imagination out of the park. :) I was having to try to envision things that I had never conceived before, and I have to confess, it was really fun.
I loved the characters. It was, at times, on the edge of your seat excitement- with some great plot twists and an ending that doesn't disappoint.
So, if you are like me and avoid certain genres like, say, Sci-Fi- give this one a try.
This was such a great book, and once I got past the awkwardness of reading something that deals in the realm of things that are hard to imagine, I really began to enjoy it. Some books stretch our imagination, this books knocks your imagination out of the park. :) I was having to try to envision things that I had never conceived before, and I have to confess, it was really fun.
I loved the characters. It was, at times, on the edge of your seat excitement- with some great plot twists and an ending that doesn't disappoint.
So, if you are like me and avoid certain genres like, say, Sci-Fi- give this one a try.
August 21, 2018
The young Web-form alien was too curious for its own good. Then it meets a Human first contact specialist who decides to become its friend.
Esen (the young Web-form alien) was on assignment to observe the culture of the humanoids on this planet. Paul Ragem (the Human) was part of a Human first contact team trying to make a peaceful contact with this same culture.
Things do not go as planned. Instead, adventure ensues.
I really enjoy books with shapeshifting characters and books that explore the consequences (especially unintended) of one's actions. Needless to say, young Esen has a lot to learn!
Highly recommended for character-driven action and insights into other cultures!
Esen (the young Web-form alien) was on assignment to observe the culture of the humanoids on this planet. Paul Ragem (the Human) was part of a Human first contact team trying to make a peaceful contact with this same culture.
Things do not go as planned. Instead, adventure ensues.
I really enjoy books with shapeshifting characters and books that explore the consequences (especially unintended) of one's actions. Needless to say, young Esen has a lot to learn!
Highly recommended for character-driven action and insights into other cultures!
May 10, 2023
DNF at 30%. Maybe this would be ok if you actually read it but in the audible version the narrator makes this sound like a YA novel and totally killed the vibe. I couldn't stay engaged to save my life.
January 18, 2012
The world-building and alien race is interesting. But I got a hundred pages in and just... didn't care. Good enough generic sf but lacked any kind of spark or depth.
March 27, 2018
Easily one of my favorite books so far this year.
October 29, 2018
This is good solid stuff. Each book in the series is better than the previous one.
Great characters, good world building and good strong plots.
Great characters, good world building and good strong plots.
March 2, 2022
This book was exactly what I wanted: imaginative, compelling science fiction with likable characters and a strong friendship. Spoilers ahead. Happily, this is the first book in a trilogy, and I will proceed straight to book two.
Four out of five shifting stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Four out of five shifting stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
May 14, 2021
I have been trying to read more science fiction by female authors, and after a quick Google search recommended Julie Czerneda I couldn't wait to pick up one of her books. I read the synopsis of Beholder's Eye and was immediately intrigued by the story and the main character. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves the genre, the authors story telling is next level and the numerous alien species she creates are incredibly diverse and fleshed out, I never felt like they were thrown in for no reason or just to be like "wow cool scary aliens". She tackles a story full of love, loss, and struggle with ease and made it so hard to put down the book. I can't wait to read the next in the series, I absolutely love the relationship that was formed between the main characters and can't wait to see more.
January 24, 2022
At the high school I attended, there were a few English teachers. But two in particular stood out and formed an interesting dichotomy.
One was fairly open-minded when it came to what students could read for their reports and essays. The other staunchly refused to let any student read genre fiction for any work in her courses. She dismissed it all as childish and immature. And, I think she has a pretty good point there.
How often, even before the YA publishing boom of the 2000s that has carried that label through to today, are the protagonists in genre fiction children or teens who do dumb stuff but save the day/the world/their home anyway? If there is one trope that no genre fiction seems to be complete without it’s the coming of age story. And I think that my anti-genre fiction English teacher was acutely aware of that, but also blinded by her loathing of it. Because there are definitely stories that blur that line between genre and literary fiction.
Now, Beholder’s Eye isn’t likely to win Julie E. Czerneda the Nobel Prize for literature. But it is a fantastic example of a literary treatment of a genre fiction coming of age story. The main character, Esen, is the youngest of a small species of shapeshifting aliens who study the species of the universe to store and preserve their cultures before they die out entirely. She is off on her first mission when the book starts and by book’s end she’s cultivated the internal resources to go off on her own and start her own branch of her species after dealing with a universe-ending threat. But, being a shapeshifter whose default shape is never really explained clearly, her age hardly matters (until one of the more poignant little events at the book’s end).
That no doubt sounds wonderful! It certainly intrigued me enough to read this book when I only knew the half of the story given in the blurb on the back of the book!
But the catch is that, for some strange reason, the story begins in the present, jumps back to the past for almost a hundred pages, and then returns to the present and carries forward. Not being a book about time travel, this structural choice disoriented me when I started reading. But the idea of Esen’s species and the other species and worlds that Czerneda sketched intrigued me enough to keep me reading.
Perhaps, though, since I’ve read far more fantasy than sci-fi and have noticed that individuals working for themselves or as representatives of a greater cause seems to be a bit more of a fantasy trope than a general sci-fi one, I also kept on with this book because Esen herself presents a very interesting character to watch. I mean, being a rookie is a really relatable trait, and add onto that her preference for wits over strength and she becomes very interesting as she slips out of pinch after pinch thanks to a keen sense of observation and her scattered knowledge of the universe. It’s all the more interesting when the story’s main human character Paul Ragem joins her.
Both of these figures play off of each other excellently. And the friendship that buds between them expresses a lot of hope and brightness around positive relationships formed between very different beings. Yes, themes of friendship and diversity are definitely present here. So much so that I might’ve dropped a few tears onto the final few pages of this one if I hadn’t been careful about keeping the book away from the splash zone.
But ultimately, despite the worlds Czerneda takes us to (a planet of anthropomorphic bees that’s run like a hive, or a world with an ever-changing theocracy that is on the verge of total collapse) and the aliens we encounter along the way (a matriarchal and Minotaur-like species of mercenaries, or the completely tactile-focused Ket), the flash and bang of this book is in these universe-building elements rather than where the story ends up. As much as it’s a book about friendship and learning about how it plays into maturing, it’s also very much a book that’s more about the journey than the destination. And, when the climax comes, there is no earth-shattering kaboom as might be expected for space-faring sci-fi but more of a strategic zap instead.
After all the mentions of Confederation this and spaceship blaster tech that and questions of how to even destroy members of Esen’s species, her method for dealing with a great (if largely mysterious and unknown to most but her and maybe a dozen humans) threat to the whole universe involves no such thing. Hers is a clever solution, but I found it unsatisfying. After writing about so many jams and close calls, Esen’s final plan A works without a hitch (except for some short term hurt feelings), and the universe is saved, and she is able to go off on her own. The book’s final pages still do the character work to wring out a few tears and sniffles and that final little blush after a good book’s been read, but the plot itself seems to lack another great genre trope: the final flashy showdown.
Despite this lack, I still recommend this book to anyone looking to bring some Canadian sci-fi onto their reading list, or anyone looking for great examples of how to quickly build out various worlds. It’s a fun read after those first hundred pages and the last few deliver a few hits to the feels, but in the end it’s like a peanut butter cup where the ratio is off: I came away with so much more of the literary taste of velvety dark chocolate on my tongue than that of satisfyingly dense peanut butter.
But perhaps this was just a warm up for the rest of the Web Shifters trilogy and I will find better balances in the other two books. 3.5 stars.
One was fairly open-minded when it came to what students could read for their reports and essays. The other staunchly refused to let any student read genre fiction for any work in her courses. She dismissed it all as childish and immature. And, I think she has a pretty good point there.
How often, even before the YA publishing boom of the 2000s that has carried that label through to today, are the protagonists in genre fiction children or teens who do dumb stuff but save the day/the world/their home anyway? If there is one trope that no genre fiction seems to be complete without it’s the coming of age story. And I think that my anti-genre fiction English teacher was acutely aware of that, but also blinded by her loathing of it. Because there are definitely stories that blur that line between genre and literary fiction.
Now, Beholder’s Eye isn’t likely to win Julie E. Czerneda the Nobel Prize for literature. But it is a fantastic example of a literary treatment of a genre fiction coming of age story. The main character, Esen, is the youngest of a small species of shapeshifting aliens who study the species of the universe to store and preserve their cultures before they die out entirely. She is off on her first mission when the book starts and by book’s end she’s cultivated the internal resources to go off on her own and start her own branch of her species after dealing with a universe-ending threat. But, being a shapeshifter whose default shape is never really explained clearly, her age hardly matters (until one of the more poignant little events at the book’s end).
That no doubt sounds wonderful! It certainly intrigued me enough to read this book when I only knew the half of the story given in the blurb on the back of the book!
But the catch is that, for some strange reason, the story begins in the present, jumps back to the past for almost a hundred pages, and then returns to the present and carries forward. Not being a book about time travel, this structural choice disoriented me when I started reading. But the idea of Esen’s species and the other species and worlds that Czerneda sketched intrigued me enough to keep me reading.
Perhaps, though, since I’ve read far more fantasy than sci-fi and have noticed that individuals working for themselves or as representatives of a greater cause seems to be a bit more of a fantasy trope than a general sci-fi one, I also kept on with this book because Esen herself presents a very interesting character to watch. I mean, being a rookie is a really relatable trait, and add onto that her preference for wits over strength and she becomes very interesting as she slips out of pinch after pinch thanks to a keen sense of observation and her scattered knowledge of the universe. It’s all the more interesting when the story’s main human character Paul Ragem joins her.
Both of these figures play off of each other excellently. And the friendship that buds between them expresses a lot of hope and brightness around positive relationships formed between very different beings. Yes, themes of friendship and diversity are definitely present here. So much so that I might’ve dropped a few tears onto the final few pages of this one if I hadn’t been careful about keeping the book away from the splash zone.
But ultimately, despite the worlds Czerneda takes us to (a planet of anthropomorphic bees that’s run like a hive, or a world with an ever-changing theocracy that is on the verge of total collapse) and the aliens we encounter along the way (a matriarchal and Minotaur-like species of mercenaries, or the completely tactile-focused Ket), the flash and bang of this book is in these universe-building elements rather than where the story ends up. As much as it’s a book about friendship and learning about how it plays into maturing, it’s also very much a book that’s more about the journey than the destination. And, when the climax comes, there is no earth-shattering kaboom as might be expected for space-faring sci-fi but more of a strategic zap instead.
After all the mentions of Confederation this and spaceship blaster tech that and questions of how to even destroy members of Esen’s species, her method for dealing with a great (if largely mysterious and unknown to most but her and maybe a dozen humans) threat to the whole universe involves no such thing. Hers is a clever solution, but I found it unsatisfying. After writing about so many jams and close calls, Esen’s final plan A works without a hitch (except for some short term hurt feelings), and the universe is saved, and she is able to go off on her own. The book’s final pages still do the character work to wring out a few tears and sniffles and that final little blush after a good book’s been read, but the plot itself seems to lack another great genre trope: the final flashy showdown.
Despite this lack, I still recommend this book to anyone looking to bring some Canadian sci-fi onto their reading list, or anyone looking for great examples of how to quickly build out various worlds. It’s a fun read after those first hundred pages and the last few deliver a few hits to the feels, but in the end it’s like a peanut butter cup where the ratio is off: I came away with so much more of the literary taste of velvety dark chocolate on my tongue than that of satisfyingly dense peanut butter.
But perhaps this was just a warm up for the rest of the Web Shifters trilogy and I will find better balances in the other two books. 3.5 stars.
January 15, 2025
Pleasantly surprised at how good this ended up being. Another diamond in the sci-fi rough.
The world-building and… biology-building? was phenomenal. Engaging. Characters relatable. Protagonist, flawed but very likeable.
The tech was just the right amount of vague to be cool and plausible. The scope was impressive and the writing style was very approachable, easy to digest yet thoughtful. To me, this kind of puts it up there with the bigger, well known sci-fi novels and authors.
yeah, yeah… if it’s so good why did it take a month for you to finish this then??
A busy, chaotic month and year end for me, which, sadly, just happened to line up with when I decided to start this book.
Book 10/10
Life 3/10
The world-building and… biology-building? was phenomenal. Engaging. Characters relatable. Protagonist, flawed but very likeable.
The tech was just the right amount of vague to be cool and plausible. The scope was impressive and the writing style was very approachable, easy to digest yet thoughtful. To me, this kind of puts it up there with the bigger, well known sci-fi novels and authors.
yeah, yeah… if it’s so good why did it take a month for you to finish this then??
A busy, chaotic month and year end for me, which, sadly, just happened to line up with when I decided to start this book.
Book 10/10
Life 3/10
March 26, 2013
This was very disappointing. I've read other books by this author which were much better. The biggest let down was the character for me. Though this was written in the late 90's, it reads much like the post-twilight books (but with way too much description). It's your standard, dumb girl syndrome. It could have worked if it was a rebellious streak or something out of the character's hands, but it was not written this way. It simply went - Don't reveal yourself.... "Oh no, I have revealed myself. Even though its the one thing I should never ever ever do."
That just makes me think a character is stupid. It was a book written around the idea of -doing- what you're told not to do. It should have been about the problem of what -happens- when you do what you're told not to do. If there had been a better reason for her cycling through and showing her true form, that would have been a lot more believable/enjoyable. This was simple a retarded alien, how she messes up, repeatedly, makes more stupid choices etc. Why would I want to read about a stupid character? Hence, I only read 23%.
That just makes me think a character is stupid. It was a book written around the idea of -doing- what you're told not to do. It should have been about the problem of what -happens- when you do what you're told not to do. If there had been a better reason for her cycling through and showing her true form, that would have been a lot more believable/enjoyable. This was simple a retarded alien, how she messes up, repeatedly, makes more stupid choices etc. Why would I want to read about a stupid character? Hence, I only read 23%.
October 16, 2017
Well, this was different. The first Czerneda book I have read and I liked it. This is labeled science fiction, but I would say "space fantasy" or science fantasy. I guess that is a moot point because nowadays these lines blur. Anyway, it was good and it felt like fantasy.
The protagonist is a shape-shifter, a being that can alter not only its shape, but almost become a member of that new race of being. This is where Czerneda really shines. Her descriptions of all the alien life forms and how they think and act are put on display and show her talent as a writer of imaginative fiction. Very well done.
And the story is exciting as the troubled protagonist and her kin are chased through the universe by some being intent on feeding especially on them, but on other life forms as well.
I am happy that I have found another author I really like.
The protagonist is a shape-shifter, a being that can alter not only its shape, but almost become a member of that new race of being. This is where Czerneda really shines. Her descriptions of all the alien life forms and how they think and act are put on display and show her talent as a writer of imaginative fiction. Very well done.
And the story is exciting as the troubled protagonist and her kin are chased through the universe by some being intent on feeding especially on them, but on other life forms as well.
I am happy that I have found another author I really like.
February 4, 2021
I'm still torn between four and three stars for this one. Czerneda always has such a deft hand at creating alien cultures, but the ending almost killed it for me. As always, this rating is subject to change since it is a trilogy and I judge trilogies by their merits as individual novels, as well as a whole series.
February 21, 2019
At first I didn't like it very much. It was a bit slow starting, and these confusing interludes thrown in seemed to be trying to create tension but not really working.
But as I got further in, I saw how they made sense, and the story was stronger than I had thought. It was just a slow burn.
The coolest thing about it was all the different kinds of aliens. The main character shapeshifts into many of them, and we learn not only what they look like, but how they perceive the world and what their cultures are like.
But as I got further in, I saw how they made sense, and the story was stronger than I had thought. It was just a slow burn.
The coolest thing about it was all the different kinds of aliens. The main character shapeshifts into many of them, and we learn not only what they look like, but how they perceive the world and what their cultures are like.
March 17, 2021
In Beholder’s Eye, Julie Czerneda explores the possibilities of consciousness in varying shapes and forms. From pig-like creatures who communicate by clicking their hooves and by emoting smells to canid-like beings, to large cat-like beings, to a puddle of goo, Czerneda explores the diversity of bodily possibilities and envisions their impact on consciousness and culture. She examines the impact of herd mentalities on sentient life forms, and the pull of herd instinct along with conscious thought, and envisions possibilities for sensory differences and the intellectual possibilities that come from sensory diversity. As always, communication is key to Czerneda’s narratives and she explores cross-species interactions and cross-pollination of ideas within different environments.
Beholder’s Eye focusses on the narrative of Esen-alit-Quar, a member of an extremely rare shape-shifting species in a universe that doesn’t believe that there are shape-shifters. Esen can take on the form of any sentient being and Czerneda uses this ability of her character to bring the audience into multiple different possibilities for consciousness and it’s relationship to the body. Czerneda often has a fascination with ecosystems and the diversity of life, so a creature that shifts into multiple shapes allows for her to take the reader through an examination of what consciousness could mean as well as allowing us to imagine the way that different bodily forms and ecosystems could produce different cultures.
Esen-alit-Quar is not only the perfect figure for examining the relationship between body and culture because of her ability to shape-shift, but also because of her species imperative to preserve the memories of sentient beings and sample their cultures. She is the ultimate anthropologist, able to not just study a culture from the outside, but shift her body to examine it as an insider.
With Beholder’s Eye, Czerneda not only creates a fun galaxy-spanning science fiction story, she creates speculative anthropology, bringing her readers into an exploration of cultures, bodies, and potentialities.
Beholder’s Eye focusses on the narrative of Esen-alit-Quar, a member of an extremely rare shape-shifting species in a universe that doesn’t believe that there are shape-shifters. Esen can take on the form of any sentient being and Czerneda uses this ability of her character to bring the audience into multiple different possibilities for consciousness and it’s relationship to the body. Czerneda often has a fascination with ecosystems and the diversity of life, so a creature that shifts into multiple shapes allows for her to take the reader through an examination of what consciousness could mean as well as allowing us to imagine the way that different bodily forms and ecosystems could produce different cultures.
Esen-alit-Quar is not only the perfect figure for examining the relationship between body and culture because of her ability to shape-shift, but also because of her species imperative to preserve the memories of sentient beings and sample their cultures. She is the ultimate anthropologist, able to not just study a culture from the outside, but shift her body to examine it as an insider.
With Beholder’s Eye, Czerneda not only creates a fun galaxy-spanning science fiction story, she creates speculative anthropology, bringing her readers into an exploration of cultures, bodies, and potentialities.
July 23, 2020
I don't have strong feelings about this book but it was a good read.
I like that the protagonist was in a lot of "fish out of water" scenarios but wasn't at Arthur Dent levels of ignorance; that would have gotten annoying quickly. As it is she knows a lot of generalities but often lacks specifics. It's also nice that her disguises weren't constantly failing; too often I can recall plots where a protagonist seemingly has this amazing ability that never actually works, but Esh's does.
Ragem seemed a little bit forced to me in places, and I felt myself empathizing with Esh's annoyance of him on occasion. He was almost at the level of stereotype, where he's a man that thinks he's capable of solving all of the problems and he knows best, and I feel like it worked too often for him. I would have liked to see him get a little bit of a reality check on occasion. Theoretically that happened but if so it happened off screen.
I will say that the reviews I saw were a little misleading in that I expected more humor where there wasn't much present, to my mind. There was a little bit of banter, but very little levity or jokes that were truly amusing. There wasn't even really a comic relief character at any point.
Describing most of the rest of the character interactions that I appreciated or disliked would get spoiler-y but in general I liked the way most things worked out, enough so that I'm picking up the next book in the series.
I like that the protagonist was in a lot of "fish out of water" scenarios but wasn't at Arthur Dent levels of ignorance; that would have gotten annoying quickly. As it is she knows a lot of generalities but often lacks specifics. It's also nice that her disguises weren't constantly failing; too often I can recall plots where a protagonist seemingly has this amazing ability that never actually works, but Esh's does.
Ragem seemed a little bit forced to me in places, and I felt myself empathizing with Esh's annoyance of him on occasion. He was almost at the level of stereotype, where he's a man that thinks he's capable of solving all of the problems and he knows best, and I feel like it worked too often for him. I would have liked to see him get a little bit of a reality check on occasion. Theoretically that happened but if so it happened off screen.
I will say that the reviews I saw were a little misleading in that I expected more humor where there wasn't much present, to my mind. There was a little bit of banter, but very little levity or jokes that were truly amusing. There wasn't even really a comic relief character at any point.
Describing most of the rest of the character interactions that I appreciated or disliked would get spoiler-y but in general I liked the way most things worked out, enough so that I'm picking up the next book in the series.
February 20, 2019
Esen-alit-Quar is the youngest member of the Web of Ersh, a shapeshifter who will live for eons, and whose goal is to remember the civilisations and species that will intersect her path in that time. She's sent on her first solo mission which goes wrong, and she finds herself on the run, yet also drawn into another Web, one of friendship.
I did enjoy this book, but I'm afraid it didn't grip me enough to make me want to seek out the sequels. I can't quite pin down what made me go 'meh' about it, though. Esen is a likeable protagonist, and Paul also a decent person and fleshed out well enough to be a good character. They get into a number of scrapes and Esen's shapeshifting abilities are well-defined, as is the mystery behind the Web. Perhaps it's the antagonist, which, because of its very nature, could never really be much of a character, but I'd have liked to have seen more about it, and perhaps from its point of view. On the other hand, maybe I should just chalk this one down to not being in the right mood when I read it.
The universe is definitely wide in scope and is worthy of exploring further. The human Confederation, the Fringe, not to mention Paul's old crew are all interesting in their own right. Hmm, maybe I've just talked myself into looking out for the sequels after all?
I did enjoy this book, but I'm afraid it didn't grip me enough to make me want to seek out the sequels. I can't quite pin down what made me go 'meh' about it, though. Esen is a likeable protagonist, and Paul also a decent person and fleshed out well enough to be a good character. They get into a number of scrapes and Esen's shapeshifting abilities are well-defined, as is the mystery behind the Web. Perhaps it's the antagonist, which, because of its very nature, could never really be much of a character, but I'd have liked to have seen more about it, and perhaps from its point of view. On the other hand, maybe I should just chalk this one down to not being in the right mood when I read it.
The universe is definitely wide in scope and is worthy of exploring further. The human Confederation, the Fringe, not to mention Paul's old crew are all interesting in their own right. Hmm, maybe I've just talked myself into looking out for the sequels after all?
February 13, 2023
Beholder’s Eye by Julie E. Czerneda is a coming-of-age SCIFI story even though the individual coming of age is 600 years old. The story follows Esen, the youngest of a small species of shapeshifting aliens who study the species of the universe to store and preserve their cultures before they die out entirely.
In her studies, Esen encounters other species including mankind, and discovers that there is an alien entity the book refers to as “death” preying on the universe and seeking Esen’s kind. The book is okay but not great. The author created an interesting universe, but I struggled to remain interested.
I felt the story had some pacing issues with long periods of little going on. I do not think it helped that I really did not like the narration by Luci Christian Bell. Her reading was not bad, but she possesses a very young voice, and I found the narration struggled when relating to different characters other than Esen. Finally, I felt like the plot dragged on and never really felt connected to the story. I really had to push my way through the book to finish it. Overall, a tolerable read, but not very enjoyable, and not going to pursue others in the series.
In her studies, Esen encounters other species including mankind, and discovers that there is an alien entity the book refers to as “death” preying on the universe and seeking Esen’s kind. The book is okay but not great. The author created an interesting universe, but I struggled to remain interested.
I felt the story had some pacing issues with long periods of little going on. I do not think it helped that I really did not like the narration by Luci Christian Bell. Her reading was not bad, but she possesses a very young voice, and I found the narration struggled when relating to different characters other than Esen. Finally, I felt like the plot dragged on and never really felt connected to the story. I really had to push my way through the book to finish it. Overall, a tolerable read, but not very enjoyable, and not going to pursue others in the series.
January 4, 2023
What I liked about this book: The main character is a shape-shifter and the author did a really great job of showing how differently she experienced life depending on which type of being she was emulating. When she's a dog-like creature, she has a superior sense of smell. When she's a being with extremely sensitive hands, that being has less of a sense of taste and tends to touch things and people in order to feel different textures. Each being also has its own cultural ways of doing things; some are more solitary, others seek the security of a herd, etc. For the reader, it's like experiencing what it would be like to live as many different beings, and very well done.
Unfortunately, the plot didn't hold my interest and the reader of the audiobook just wasn't at all up to the task of differentiating the voices of the wonderfully diverse iterations the main character went through. I wish I had read the book, I might have enjoyed it more.
Unfortunately, the plot didn't hold my interest and the reader of the audiobook just wasn't at all up to the task of differentiating the voices of the wonderfully diverse iterations the main character went through. I wish I had read the book, I might have enjoyed it more.
May 20, 2019
Space opera with aliens and humans mixing in different interstellar arrangements featuring a web-form that is an adept mimic of any species. The youngest interation is sent on it's first mission just as an enemy appears from intergalactic space and it gets a new assignment to alert the rest of it's kind and track the enemy. In so doing, it makes it's first friend and learns about the connections between it's kind and the foe. Read this in 2019, but it seems dated even though only about 20 years old. Some nice moments as the young web-being Esen learns about itself, it's race's history, and how to interact as a friend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews