Book: Changing Vision and Hidden in Sight
June 14th 2004
Changing Vision, by Julie E. Czerneda.
This continuation of the Web Shifters trilogy doesn’t let up the moment it starts. It is fifty years after the events of Beholder’s Eye, and Es and Paul have carved out a life for themselves as space merchants.
The main interest in these books is Paul and Es’s relationship, a very complex multilayered entity. Even being together for so long, there are misunderstandings, attempts to keep secrets “for his/her own good” but you know that they share an irrevocable bond that is nothing like romantic love.
Hidden in Plain Sight elaborates on the events of the second novel. As before, the main draw to these books is Es. Esen-alit-quar is a beautifully realised character. Despite being 500 years old, she is still basically a child, and she is so sweet and good as she tries to rationalise her nature and realise her purpose in life. You never lose sight of how alien she is, even when she is trying so hard to be human.
This book is a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and I look forward to seeing what comes next.