Series: Book 1 in the Shadows of the Apt series
Rating: ***
Tags: EN-Fantasy, Lang:en
Summary
On
a world populated by human-insect and human-arachnid creatures,
each type of kinden has special powers and aptitudes. The
otherwise average Stenwold Maker, a Beetle kinden, is caught up
in extraordinary times, full of violence and impending war with
the Wasps. He takes it upon himself to create a small cadre of
resistance fighters before it is too late. Unfortunately,
he’s considered a crackpot, those in power ignore. But he
spins his web and becomes a spymaster, doing his best to
prepare for the onslaught he anticipates. Each person selected
for his group has a tale, and Tchaikovsky develops each slowly,
drawing the reader into the lives of each and hinting that
there is more to discover. There is a continual sense of
urgency and danger, yet there is also time for love and
friendship. The story is quickly paced, more than keeps
one’s interest, and leaves one looking forward to the
next book of Shadows of the Apt to learn more about the
characters and how the conflict develops. --Rebecca
Gerber
