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Web Shifters #3
Hidden in Sight
Picco’s Moon was where it all began for Esen-alit-Quar, Youngest of Ersh’s Web. It was here where Ersh, the Oldest, had chosen to make her home; here, too, where Esen received her early training as a shapeshifter and a member of the Web.
When Ersh’s Web was destroyed, Esen and her human friend Paul survived, and together they founded Esen’s Web, a group composed initially of the two of them but one which expanded slowly to include a chosen few selected by Paul. For in their universe there were all too many species ready to destroy Esen, should they discover her true nature.
Still, despite the need for concealment, life had been good to Esen and Paul. They now had well-established identities, a thriving business, and numerous friends. It seemed as though they’d finally created a safe haven for themselves. At least until they received word that someone was mining Picco’s Moon, desecrating Ersh’s Mountain.
Esen and Paul had no choice. They had to go to Picco’s Moon and put a stop to the situation. But before they could even set out, they found themselves under attack on every front. Their carefully built haven gone, and loyal friends suddenly transformed into vengeful enemies, was there anywhere Esen and Paul could run, anyone they could turn to for help, any way to defeat a foe they couldn’t even identify?
When Ersh’s Web was destroyed, Esen and her human friend Paul survived, and together they founded Esen’s Web, a group composed initially of the two of them but one which expanded slowly to include a chosen few selected by Paul. For in their universe there were all too many species ready to destroy Esen, should they discover her true nature.
Still, despite the need for concealment, life had been good to Esen and Paul. They now had well-established identities, a thriving business, and numerous friends. It seemed as though they’d finally created a safe haven for themselves. At least until they received word that someone was mining Picco’s Moon, desecrating Ersh’s Mountain.
Esen and Paul had no choice. They had to go to Picco’s Moon and put a stop to the situation. But before they could even set out, they found themselves under attack on every front. Their carefully built haven gone, and loyal friends suddenly transformed into vengeful enemies, was there anywhere Esen and Paul could run, anyone they could turn to for help, any way to defeat a foe they couldn’t even identify?
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
About the author
Julie E. Czerneda
105 books768 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 21, 2019
More and new aliens, interesting rock-tumblers and aquatic races, populate this particular book. It's almost like these books are more a vehicle for exploring new biologies and ways of thinking driven by biologies than anything else, but no, Esen and Paul are on the run again.
What? Again? Yeah, well, there is a not so subtle vibe of Farscape going on, including old enemies turning into uneasy allies.
A bit more interesting for me, however, is the reintroduction of a long-lost sister, the difficult dynamics there, and the full resolution.
All told, the third in this series was solid, entertaining, and definitely worth the read if you're interested in a mild exploration of possible aliens mixed with adventure.
What? Again? Yeah, well, there is a not so subtle vibe of Farscape going on, including old enemies turning into uneasy allies.
A bit more interesting for me, however, is the reintroduction of a long-lost sister, the difficult dynamics there, and the full resolution.
All told, the third in this series was solid, entertaining, and definitely worth the read if you're interested in a mild exploration of possible aliens mixed with adventure.
November 20, 2025
A great conclusion to the series!
The only bad part about this book is that it ended.
No more Esen adventures.. :/
The only bad part about this book is that it ended.
No more Esen adventures.. :/
January 31, 2009
This book prompted my first and only fan letter to an author. I usually prefer fantasy over science fiction, but Czerneda created such an interesting character (a shape-shifter who takes on fantastic forms), that I immediately wrote her a letter upon finishing this series. Normally, I find the descriptions of Sci-Fi aliens to be stiff and synthetic. Czerneda is able to add layers of detail around her creatures that, while rooted in biology, do not force the biology down your throat. I can’t wait for more of Esen’s world.
November 30, 2018
Czerneda, Julia E. Hidden in Sight. Web Shifters No. 3. DAW, 2003.
Esen, our young but long-lived shape-shifting protagonist, has to decide whether to cut herself off from her human and multi-species connections to hide in safety or figure a way to engage more openly with others and hide in plain sight. Frankly, the story arc of the trilogy ends a little anti-climactically. On the positive side, Czerneda’s ability to create believable, if fantastic, creatures is more apparent than ever, and she does manage to make her readers care about her characters, diverse though they be.
Esen, our young but long-lived shape-shifting protagonist, has to decide whether to cut herself off from her human and multi-species connections to hide in safety or figure a way to engage more openly with others and hide in plain sight. Frankly, the story arc of the trilogy ends a little anti-climactically. On the positive side, Czerneda’s ability to create believable, if fantastic, creatures is more apparent than ever, and she does manage to make her readers care about her characters, diverse though they be.
December 29, 2010
A trilogy by the dependable Ms Czerneda our youthful (500 yer old heroine finds that when you are a near -immortal shape shifting alien. Capable of devouring just about everything up to and including starships it pays to keep a low profile if you don't want people to get excited about you. Amusingly different aliens populate this book. And via the shapeshifter's perspective we get an insiders view of how they think.
January 16, 2009
Excellent close to the trilogy. She manages to tie each story together while writing a totally new story each time. Loose ends are resolved very well and this is a very interesting take on forgiveness and how secrets always tend to come out. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole series and highly recommend!
August 25, 2018
I'm glad to report that fifty years do NOT pass between books two and three! Rather, book three picks up not too long after the events of book two. (Esen may be hundreds of years old but fifty years is a lot to Humans!)
Esen and Paul find out that they are in trouble fairly early when their home is turned into a large-ish bomb crater, they are attacked at their office, and they barely escape with their lives!
I especially enjoyed the new form in this book, the lovely water-breathing Oieta, and their transport a live tame Busfish!
Highly recommended for intense character-driven action! A most satisfying read!
Esen and Paul find out that they are in trouble fairly early when their home is turned into a large-ish bomb crater, they are attacked at their office, and they barely escape with their lives!
I especially enjoyed the new form in this book, the lovely water-breathing Oieta, and their transport a live tame Busfish!
Highly recommended for intense character-driven action! A most satisfying read!
September 18, 2017
A tremendous book. So many twists and turns. Excitement, plus some jerks on the heartstrings. Excellent.
April 22, 2018
A fantastic conclusion to the trilogy.
November 20, 2018
I really liked this whole series a great deal. Unlike other series where the first is the best, this series is great all the way through.
August 8, 2020
Fabulous!
March 23, 2021
Another fantastic book by Czerneda illustrating her dynamism as an author.
June 12, 2021
“Hidden In Sight” is the third volume in the Web Shifter’s Series by Julie E. Czerneda, and the conclusion of the first trilogy of novels. It is indeed a satisfying conclusion to the tale that introduced the readers to Esen-alit-Quar, Esen or Es for short. Esen is a most unique being, thought to be the last of her kind. She is a web-being, a shapeshifter that can assume the forms other beings.
In the previous novels, all the other members of her web of other members of her species, her family, were killed by a rouge web-being. She has formed a new web of trusted humans, and remains hidden from potential enemies who fear the potential of web-beings. In spite of all her caution, a powerful enemy or enemies have discovered her hiding place. These parties destroy her home and threaten her friends, she reacts instinctively, fleeing and hiding which is second nature to a being like her. However, is there any place that is safe enough?
Julie E. Cznereda was a Biologist before she became an author, and this clearly shows in her world-building. There are so many amazing aliens in her works. These well-thought-out beings range from mineral to aquatic, and include interesting human cultures that have diverged from the standard as mankind expanded into a galaxy that was already teeming with life. This is an amazing old-school space opera with a vast scope. It’s also a pretty positive read, where even warlike species evolved from aggressive herd animals can be understood and reasoned with if one can only try to think like they do.
Like the previous two novels, the cover of “Hidden in Sight” was done by the Spanish Artist Luis Royo. This amazing artwork actually faithfully illustrates a scene from the novel! The Web Shifters Series continues in the form of a novella called “The Only Thing to Fear” that connects the story to the Web Shifters Library novels. I look forward to reading it next…
In the previous novels, all the other members of her web of other members of her species, her family, were killed by a rouge web-being. She has formed a new web of trusted humans, and remains hidden from potential enemies who fear the potential of web-beings. In spite of all her caution, a powerful enemy or enemies have discovered her hiding place. These parties destroy her home and threaten her friends, she reacts instinctively, fleeing and hiding which is second nature to a being like her. However, is there any place that is safe enough?
Julie E. Cznereda was a Biologist before she became an author, and this clearly shows in her world-building. There are so many amazing aliens in her works. These well-thought-out beings range from mineral to aquatic, and include interesting human cultures that have diverged from the standard as mankind expanded into a galaxy that was already teeming with life. This is an amazing old-school space opera with a vast scope. It’s also a pretty positive read, where even warlike species evolved from aggressive herd animals can be understood and reasoned with if one can only try to think like they do.
Like the previous two novels, the cover of “Hidden in Sight” was done by the Spanish Artist Luis Royo. This amazing artwork actually faithfully illustrates a scene from the novel! The Web Shifters Series continues in the form of a novella called “The Only Thing to Fear” that connects the story to the Web Shifters Library novels. I look forward to reading it next…
November 4, 2007
Great final installment of the Webshifters trilogy. It's always a pleasure to read books where you really love the protagonist, in this case, Esen-alit-Quar, a shapeshifting web-being who is "young" (and therefore known to be impetuous and hilarious) for her species. Czerneda does a great job dividing the story between Esen's POV and other characters in the story with chapters titled "otherwhere" - this moves the story along well and helps build tension. Admittedly sometimes it gets confusing as the reader tries to keep straight who knows what - but it all works itself out in the end. The love between Esen and Paul is tangible and wonderful. I'll miss these characters now that I've finished the series.
December 7, 2013
This book was an enjoyable read and a wonderful installment to the series. The beginning seemed a little slow for the first chapter, but that was ok since it showcased more intimate details about Esen's web-being lives & Paul's childhood. I loved how the characters developed and the choices they faced. Esen is a funny and strong character. She manages to gain friendship to those who were once enemies, as well as viewed wise yet young creature from her web-being. Such an amazing story with many twists.
February 26, 2012
Outstanding! An excellent conclusion to the series. In this book, we find the lead character Esen has developed, and is more interesting with than ever. It is just fun to spend time with the characters; Esen is funny, capable, and well-intentioned (but sometimes gets into scrapes). Perhaps Czerneda's strongest book to date.
December 30, 2007
3rd in a trilogy-inventive in characters a little banal in plot-I have read the reat of her books so I like her- former biologist so lots of fun with species invention and charcter working out
January 2, 2011
Typical entertaining and thoughful story by Czerneda. She is excellent at crafting alien worlds, cultures, and beings, facilitating her commentary on human foible and folly.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews