The Hidden Worlds

The Hidden Worlds #1

by Kristin Landon

"After the Earth was destroyed by ruthless machine intelligences, humanity was saved by a hereditary guild of jump pilots, who now control all travel and communication among the Hidden Worlds-and whose power nineteen-year-old Linnea may topple."

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Paperback

First published June 26, 2007

About the author

(From "About the Author" on her website)
A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Kristin Landon has been reading science fiction since the age of seven, when she discovered H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds in the school library. Love of SF led to a love of science, and she earned a degree in chemistry and worked as a research lab technician for a number of years, before following her talent for writing and editing into a new career in technical publishing. In addition to her novel writing, she works as a freelance copyeditor of medical, scientific, and technical books.

Reviews

[Brownbetty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't notice anywhere on the cover the warning that this book was the first in a series, and it doesn't really resolve at the end, so I feel I should have been warned. Take ye note.

Speaking of the cover, while perfectly nice, it appears to be the cover for some other book-- a book I would have been interested in reading, albeit probably a more generic, less ambitious one than this proved to be. Linnea, the protagonist, not only doesn't pick up a gun at any point in the book, she's probably the least likely of any person in the book to do so.

I'm not quite certain what I think of this book. Linnea, the protagonist, is extremely passive by my standards, although she's a rebel within her culture. She does sort of need to get rescued a lot, but I can't really blame either her or the author, because her learned helplessness is sort of the point

I'd like to give the author points for a culture in which male homosexuality is normative, and presenting it very matter-of-factly, but then again, I sort of feel there should be points taken away for the rapyness of the main villain. And on the gripping hand, if one is to have a rapy villain, he's done well, and the rape is sordid and horrible rather than exciting and dramatic.

The writing is clear and interesting, the characters are distinct, and the world-building is good enough you don't notice it happening. So there you go. Make of that what you will.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest. I don't know what to make of this book. At first it was slow going and then it was very fragmented and finally when the action happened, the main characters were too damaged for me to really be happy about the outcome. This book has a lot of darkness surrounding it and any time there was something even remotely good, it was snatched back into the pit of despair. The writing itself was good but the story...well, this book is a 3.48. For those expecting something like Linnea Sinclair's novels (after all, she does endorse this book) - beware. This is a much grimmer and stark story.

Iain is a Pilot Master - the son of an exalted line- and a man of privilege, rank and ideal. His father for most of the first half of the book seems to treat him with outward disrespect and loathing. Iain is a pawn in a game that was started long before he was born by his father and his Uncle. His cousin Rafael - a disgusting character - is a player in this game and Iain's rival and enemy. Until a decision comes down that forever changes the playing field bringing power into the corrupted hands of his uncle and cousin.

The book actually opens up with Linnea who was born on one of the poorer worlds of the Hidden Worlds and whom Fridric (the leader on Nexus and Iain's uncle) is trying to destroy. It seems that there is a secret on Satandru that could destroy not only his way of life but the myth surrounding the Hidden Worlds. Something that would make all more equal instead of distinguished by family line and the ability to pilot a ship. A gift that supposedly only those born to the Line (descendants of the great explorer and savior of Earth once the Cold Minds - mysterious nanobots that take over organic life through bodily fluid) can have.

Yes, the Cold Minds also remind me of the Replicators on Stargate.

Anyway, with the mystery between the worlds, someone had set something up in that any future descendants would need to meet. Why? I'm not entirely sure, perhaps to take back what it is that was lost to the Line?

The heroine, Linnea never married on her home world and due to the contract ending (in order for her world to continue, there is a contract that needs to be signed between both worlds that would allow trade et al. but that is controlled by Fridric)and the recent tragedy, she and her sister and her nephews and nieces are sent to Middlehaven, another place that will soon be obsolete. She signs a contract to save her sister, her home and to give her some purpose. This is anathema to her people and she is soon outcast. When she meet Iain, she is in the role of servant but a bond quickly forms between the two lost and damaged souls that may have had the chance to blossom if not for the rapid advances in the game set up by Iain's forebearers.

There was a lot of darkness in this book that I was not expecting. Allusions to rape was one that I was not expecting at all. The relationship between Iain and his cousin - Rafael, was twisted, cruel and horrible. Rafael is an awful character and one who deserves to die a quick painful death by the hands of Iain and Linnea, whom he also drugged, raped and tried to murder.

There is also Torture and some of it was a little unnecessary but I suppose, somehow, it served the purpose of establishing both Fridric (the absolute ruler on Nexus and Iain's uncle) and Rafael and the crushing grip they have over the hidden worlds - but still, there was too much hero and heroine "whomping" to make sense. At the end of the book both Iain and Linnea, though tasked to save the galaxy are emotionally wounded and damaged - two victims who are afraid to cling to each other but at the same time realize that there is the hope of pure love between them. It's devastating to read.

I liked this book but the overall theme of darkness was hard for me to grasp. Linnea and Iain are young and at times seem like frightened children who are forced to save a system that has damaged and failed them. Those character traits are expected and understandable and I can't imagine how one would heal from what they both have been through. I guess that's what the next book is for. I will keep reading because I like the characters and I want them to be happy, the horrible government on Nexus to be overthrown, for Linnea to be reunited with Marra (happily) and for the Hidden Worlds to be thrown in a state of equilibrium instead of unbalance. Also, like Iain and Linnea, I need closure in regards to Rafael.

[SubterraneanCatalyst · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars means "I Liked it":

MINOR SPOILERS

This book is well written but the major issue I take with it is the management of expectations. Writing is nicely done. But the tone of the story is sort of disorienting and if you're walking into this book expecting light and fluffy space romance DO NOT EVEN BOTHER. And now that I've perused some other reviews of this book I see that I did not suffer alone in my expectations about what kind of book I was getting into. As I commented while reading this- the cover art- the female model alone looks more Mass Effect/Shepard-ish vs the peasant village girl Linnea is. Repeatedly there are descriptions of how coarse her clothing is and how self conscious she feels vs the Pilot Masters she is surrounded by on Nexus. I know that often a book cover is misleading- sometimes fans will pitch a fit because the cover model has the wrong kind of hair, or the models are wearing clothing that doesn't work with the story or something but trust me, this cover does this story NO justice. It's a disservice to the work unfortunately.

I felt disoriented during this entire read because my expectations were not in line with what happened in the story at all. This is a grim dystopia. Sure there are planets within the "Hidden Worlds" that are living the high life, they have plenty of commerce, population and a hearty contract with the ruling Pilot Masters (that determine where wealth happens anyway). But when anyone can expect their planet to die a horrible zombie grey goo death without any protection or prevention it's a harsh world is it not? When your two main characters, the heroine and the hero are struggling through torture, rapes, absolute and complete subjugation, seriously authoritative governments and familial arrangements- it is even surprising that this book provides an HFN. I was amazed at that! I had a tough time finishing, I have a tough time when the protagonist is suffering and suffering and suffering and I do not see the possible light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like screaming to the author GIVE THEM A BREAK FFS!

I want to give this a higher rating because the writing has some truly beautiful moments but overall I have a hard time liking and enjoying an absolutely oppressive depressing book. I do. This is just part of my enjoyment when I read- I don't want to walk away depressed. I can handle violence, serious topics, wars, but there are different ways to handle tone, consequence and the readers ability to hope. I think so at least. I can say that within this universe, The Hidden Worlds universe, everything pretty much makes sense according to its internal logic and proceeds as it would and should given the circumstances. That doesn't make it anymore fun for me to read though :\.

Bottom Line:
Some beautiful writing, I enjoyed that, far too dystopian and dark for me and it barely eked out an HFN. The cover should not look like pulpy fiction space opera action funz because it simply aint.

[Nirkatze · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover rather seems like it belongs to a different book. Pretty though. Book worlds & societies were interesting, though it didn't go down that path as much as I would've liked.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting concept and characters, but seems rushed and often veers off. I think she's learning her craft; we need more about the Cold Minds, and I can't help but wonder why the character doesn't want to become a pilot at the end! Major frustrations. Maybe we'll learn more in a sequel?

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy this writer. She's in my writing group.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with a unique plot. Very entertaining, although there seemed too long drawn out parts, then really rushed sections.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely review any genre outside the paranormal, but I am going to make an exception with the The Hidden Worlds trilogy by Kristin Landon. I had seen positive references to it on a few other blog sites. Looked quite interesting. I thought I would read it when I needed a break from all things paranormal. At the time there was no thought to writing a review. That changed when, for no reason I can explain, the publisher sent me a copy of The Dark Reaches (Book 3), the final installment in the series. First thing was to buy The Cold Minds (Book 2), and The Hidden Worlds (Book 1). To understand and enjoy Landon's work the books should be read in order.

The stories mesh together so tightly that I won't even attempt to review each one lest any spoilers pop up. Here is the bare outline.


Alien machines called the Cold Minds have invaded Earth and its solar system. They kill swiftly and without mercy. Much of humanity manages to escape by taking all available ships through other space, a dimension that allows travel through great galactic distances. The heroes are the jump pilots. They are the only ones who can safely maneuver other space. In this way most of humanity escapes. They now live in colonies on the Hidden Worlds.

Ian sen Paolo is one of the elite. He is a jump pilot who lives with those of his kind on the planet Nexus. It is assumed that the members of this exclusive male group are the only ones capable of piloting a ship. The ruling council allows only certain of their pilots to procreate. Only sons are born to them, and the women who bear the children are carefully selected and well paid. They are surrogate mothers who will never see their children again. Pilots consider themselves superior to other humans and, because of their unique gift, that's how they are treated.


Linnea Kiaho comes from one of the poor outer planets. In a desperate move to get money for her family she travels to Nexus carrying with her a secret that could destroy the privileged position of Ian's family, and perhaps the exclusive status of all jump pilots. When she first arrives on Nexus Linnea works as Ian's servant. He is the typically arrogant pilot, but then his world suddenly collapses. Linnea, who knows his secret, is caught with him in the same trap. Out of necessity they learn to lean on each other and from this their love does develop - not easily and not smoothly. There are no hearts and flowers for their romance.

Landon's powerful writing puts you deep into the mind of each character. The reader experiences their joy or pain as if each moment reader and character are one. Landon's imagination has created a vivid universe with gritty realism. Life can be very harsh either because of the physical surroundings or the brutal political power games. The story is so gripping and the characters so lifelike that reading becomes almost an addiction. You desperately want to know what happens next; yet you don't want the story to end.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

“After the Earth was destroyed by ruthless machine intelligences known as the Cold Minds, the remnants of the human race sought refuge on far-flung planets. Humanity was saved by a hereditary guild of jump pilots who now control all travel and communication among the Hidden Worlds…” Linnea Kiaho, the heroine, a 19-year-old from the poorest planet in the system, indentures herself to one of the pilots in order to save her world. Iain sen Paolo is her unwilling master. Together they uncover a plot that will topple the power of the jump pilots. But in the distance, the Cold Minds have discovered the Hidden Worlds.

This was a book full of promise. The characters are very well developed and believable. The settings unique, beautifully described, rich in detail. The story-line intriguing. So with all these good aspects, why the low score? Because of pacing.

In simple terms, pacing is how fast or slow a book reads. The best books have pacing that is somewhat like a stair case – you go up a step in tension, then even out a little to give the reader a break, then ramp it up again, then even out, then up more and so on. This book was so slow it was like reading a textbook. There was no spark, no fast paced action, no compelling reason to keep turning the pages. So much time was spent on developing the characters and creating the worlds that what little action there was, was buried in details. In other words – boring.

Add that to the realization that this is probably book one of a series, though it doesn’t say that anywhere on the book. Too many ends are left hanging loose. It doesn’t end so much as just peters out. I was left dangling. Unfortunately, because of the way this read, I know I won’t read any more of them.

All that being said, if you like books that spend a lot of quality time building the universe, books that take you back to an earlier time in science fiction writing where exploration of politics, loyalty, and deceit are tantamount, then by all means pick this one up. But if you’re looking for a fast read for entertainment complete in one book, look elsewhere.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I originally picked up this book I thought it was a sci-fi romance. I didn't realize that really it was a science fiction novel, with some romance that had a cover (that while pretty) didn't accurately portray the contents at all.

Linnea is a feisty heroine with a plan that may or may not be the stupidest idea she's ever had. Really depends on your viewpoint. She wants to save her planet at all costs--even that of her family ties and respect. Iain is rather the opposite--he'd give up his family pretty quickly all told (some of them are...disturbing to say the least.).

When I first read the book I didn't have any problems with how it was written--its more or less a two part story in one novel. The first part is Linnea's daring plan, making an ally of Iain and uncovering a lot she really shouldn't have. The second part is the consequences (for them both) of uncovering that terrible secret. On a second (or third I forget which this is) read through it felt a little more disparate.

Then also Landon has homosexual relationship between men as the norm for Iain's society--its almost as expected of a man to take a male lover as a female lover. Women are more or less ornaments in his world, used for breeding purposes to create better pilots. Unfortunately the Pilot-Master society is ruthless and it leads to the disturbing person that is Iain's cousin, Rafael who uses sexual abuse against both Linnea and Iain.

I don't think this is necessarily a novel for people who don't like a whole lot of dark in their reading--the end is...less than hopeful for a variety of reasons. The 'evil' of the series in general (The Cold Minds) turned my stomach a bit. Even still I recommend this to fans of suspenseful science fiction books.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm marking this one did not finish. First off, I really wanted to read the book on the cover. I picked this book off the shelf on the library based on the cover alone. You've got heroine in black urban combat type gear with a gun. You've got a guy in an obvious pilot suit with a gun sort of Battlestar Galactica-ish.

This was not the story I started reading. I tried to give it a chance. I know something happened on Earth and everyone fled and now generations later there are worlds in hiding from something called Cold Minds. First, I think they are aliens but no they are machine. This is supposed to be a great political book but as the two leads are clueless about the politics - I the reader am also clueless. I am 118 pages into this book and all I know is that there is a secret about a family. Also these Cold Mind things are back. So is this a political book about family secrets or about aliens or both? It'm too frustrated and bored to try and figure it all out.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the two main characters but there could have been more done to develope them ... there is empathy but sometimes the reader is left feeling dissatisified with their behavior... they are sometimes clear sometimes blurry.

Liinnea is tortured then she just starts talking and acting like nothing is happening. Months pass in the course of one sentence and the impact of the time period is not communicated well.

Are we supposed to think that ahe is in shock? She switchs loyalty to who ever has control (except for Rapheal).. eg after she is dropped on the wrong planet.

Who else caught the mention of bright blue in the eyes of people taken by 'cold minds' and the change in Raphael towards his father - looking him in the eye with 'bright blue eyes'.

Cold minds have taken him and they helped him get to his ship to escape the destruction of the planet .... wonder why

[Shara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, political, romantic, SF-lite book. The review criticized that not all of Landon's settings received the same kind of treatment as those did on Santandru, but overall, the settings aren't as important as the story, the intrigue, and the characters, which Landon handles wonderfully. I think fans of Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire series will enjoy this, if only as a quick read. I know I did. I'm looking forward to the sequel. [return][return]For a full review, which may or may not include spoilers, just click here: http://calico-reaction.livejournal.co...

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has one of the best covers I have seen in a long time. The story idea is very good. It is a shame her editor did not do her job. The first one third of the book is back story and should have been worked in later. That meant that the rest of the book was rushed. There was no build up to the relationship between the two main characters. Hope someone edits the next one. This could have been a really strong story with good editing.

[Susan Macatee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to Kristin Landon's sci-fi universe of the Hidden Worlds! Although primarily scif-fi, it did include a satifying romance. I've already downloaded two more books in this series into my new NOOK.

[Lonerhino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow moving. Frustrating read. Takes too long to resolve issues. Worth skimming.

[Elizabeth]

TBR

[Dan Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice space opera. Nothing fantastic.

[Slynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

nms

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon preorder

[Karen Desmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

2

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Suzie Hunt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good idea, but poorly executed. The pace drags and the two main characters are not interesting.

[Stefan McElvain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, sets the scene for follow on books. The hero seems wooden to begin with, gets better further into the story.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Worlds - Kristin Landon
Hidden Worlds, Book 1; SF; 8/10