Shadowed by Wings

This book was an excellent read. I could barely put it down, it was the same with the first book too. She has created a very consistent and entertaing world. I can't wait for the next book.

Whatever flaws TBV had, are not found in Shadowed by Wings, its much more polished, much less graphic in its portrayal of violence (so if thats what you're looking for, you will be disappointed!!), the flow of the action/adventure more well-paced, and the story unfolds with some answers, particularly concerning the politics of Malacar. From SFRevu, Review of 'Touched by Venom' by Gayle Surrette:"Zarq .. doesn't observe or ask questions about what goes on around her. As the clan and her family are torn apart she simply watches with all the innocence of a young child. For most of this book, Zarq steps back from taking responsibility for her own life and lets passion, revenge, and anger rule her choices......I found myself ...to really want to sit Zarq down and let her have it, with her aloofness and stubbornness." I agree with this portrayal of Zarq the whiny child in TBV - but that child has grown and mostly gone by the end of 'Shadowed by Wings', Zarq at 17/18 is a much wiser, mature young woman, her character far more fully developed than in TBV, as we witness the birth of a political revolutionary leader, where the Personal is indeed the Political. A much more satisfying ending than TBV too.... the final installment can't be published quick enough for me!

Seventeen years old Zarq believes it is her destiny as the Skykeeper's Daughter to become a dragonmaster. However, the Keepers of the Dragon Temple reject her request; insisting no woman has ever been or shall be a dragonmaster. She is warned to drop her pursuit or face dire consequences though she endures an abusive apprenticeship including rape and mutilation by the Dragonmaster of Clutch Re headed by Overlord Waikar Re Kratt. While her peers treat her with contempt, Zarq searches for allegedly lost ancient documents that will prove a woman could be a Dragonmaster. If she succeeds in finding the document she would still face certain death of heresy or worse cold turkey withdrawal from dragon venom that's she is addicted to while they lock her away. Adding to her pressure is her late mother's dragon demands she search for her missing sister, Waivia, instead of completing an apprenticeship that will at the end still not achieve her dream of becoming one with the dragons. This is not for everyone as Janine Cross is vividly descriptive with the trials and tribulations that assault the young heroine as she bucks the enforced order of the Taliban like Dragon Temple. Definitely not for a weak stomach with scenes of rape, genital and other bodily mutilations, and sexual slavery that make Zarq's dragon venom addiction, forced prostitution and even bestiality, seem mild. Well written, SHADOWED FOR WINGS is a violent XXX fantasy saga that provides a radically different look at a dragon based society than the heroic thread eaters of Pern.