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Search Image
(Web Shifter's Library #1)
by
The first book in the Web Shifter's Library series returns to the adventures of Esen, a shapeshifting alien and member of an ancient yet endangered race, who must navigate the perils of a hostile universe.
Esen's back! And the dear little blob is in trouble again.
Things began so well. She and her Human friend Paul Ragem have opened the doors to their greatest accomplishment ...more
Esen's back! And the dear little blob is in trouble again.
Things began so well. She and her Human friend Paul Ragem have opened the doors to their greatest accomplishment ...more
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Search Image (Web Shifter's Library #1)
May 06, 2018
Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
my-library-catalogue
[4.5/5 stars] Can I fanigirl a minute over a new Esen novel?? 😭😭
I have to say, even though I loved how the first trilogy ended, I had a true booknerd freakout when I heard there was another Esen novel in the works. Czerneda has long been my favorite sci-fi author, and amazing, funny, awkward, compassionate characters like Esen are a big part of why I recommend her books so often.
It’s abundantly clear Czerneda loves this character as much as her fans do. Her writing in Search Image showed so much ...more
I have to say, even though I loved how the first trilogy ended, I had a true booknerd freakout when I heard there was another Esen novel in the works. Czerneda has long been my favorite sci-fi author, and amazing, funny, awkward, compassionate characters like Esen are a big part of why I recommend her books so often.
It’s abundantly clear Czerneda loves this character as much as her fans do. Her writing in Search Image showed so much ...more
Alright, these books are not super deep. They don't make a lot of demands on the reader, and Czerneda does this stylistic thing a lot? That I don't love. Breaking a sentence up into sort of half a question? And then a fragment for the answer. But damn if I don't get so sucked into the plot that I stop caring after a chapter or two. Really the books are a lot like Esen herself: extremely eager, maybe kinda embarrassing, but ultimately hard to resist. And sometimes I just really want a fun book wi
...more
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary:
Paul and Esen (an ancient energy being able to adopt other forms at will) are semi-retired, dedicated to a universal library of knowledge they hope will stop conflict between species before they get out of hand. But even nestled on a quiet planet, the flood of inter-galactic travelers brings
with it trouble out of their past.
Review:
I’m a fan of Julie Czerneda’s writing. I even have a rare (for me) fan fiction piece in one of her anthologies. And the Web Sh ...more
Summary:
Paul and Esen (an ancient energy being able to adopt other forms at will) are semi-retired, dedicated to a universal library of knowledge they hope will stop conflict between species before they get out of hand. But even nestled on a quiet planet, the flood of inter-galactic travelers brings
with it trouble out of their past.
Review:
I’m a fan of Julie Czerneda’s writing. I even have a rare (for me) fan fiction piece in one of her anthologies. And the Web Sh ...more
I 've missed these characters and this world so much. Loved it, and definitely looking forward to the next one.
...more
This is the first Web Shifter book in fifteen years, and as such it has to bring the reader up to speed. The slow, languid pace of the beginning chapters is the main reason I didn't rate it higher. Once the story gets going, it's engaging, but it takes a loooonnnnnnngggg time to get there.
If you're a Czerneda fan, that doesn't matter. Esen-alit-Quar is one of the author's most beloved characters, and for good reason. She's one of the most alien protagonists I've ever read, but her personality f ...more
If you're a Czerneda fan, that doesn't matter. Esen-alit-Quar is one of the author's most beloved characters, and for good reason. She's one of the most alien protagonists I've ever read, but her personality f ...more
Oct 17, 2018
Susan
marked it as tbr-hc
yay, now I have to re-read the original Esen trilogy
Search Image is a spinoff from the Web Shifters series and the story picks up with Esen and Paul managing their dream, a library where all can come and learn as well as share. It was pretty cool how Paul and Esen planned the information exchange to take place, because that is how the library was expected to grow. Others would bring something to share (something that they deemed valuable) and in exchange they would receive the information that they wished to know. Although the library was in its
...more
Yay! The little blue blob is back with more adventures with her small little web of friends and family. I especially enjoy the humor and wit that go into Czerneda's books. A few things toward the end of this didn’t quite make sense to me (and maybe because Czerneda's narrative style is a bit frenetic), but I enjoyed the ride and re-familiarizing myself with old book friends. I’ve forgotten a lot from the original trilogy and need to go back and read those books. I also really need to re-read all
...more
Esen and Paul are back! Paul's family now knows that, after being told of his death 50 years ago, Paul is in fact alive and well and running the new All Species' Library of Linguistics and Culture with Esen. The purpose of the Library is to try to head off misunderstandings between different alien species, especially the kind which lead to inadvertent genocide!
I have really enjoyed the adventures of Esen, the Web being (aka blue teardrop blob). Yes, she is young but that means that she is still ...more
I have really enjoyed the adventures of Esen, the Web being (aka blue teardrop blob). Yes, she is young but that means that she is still ...more
Once I started reading Search Image I could not put it down. I laughed, I cried; I’ll be honest, I hugged and smelled it quite a few times. I couldn’t help myself. I was so happy to have it in my hands. No offense to any other authors, but this was the best book I have read so far this year. It was amazing, and I cannot wait for the next one.
**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more in depth reviews and recommendations on my blog:
https://book ...more
**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more in depth reviews and recommendations on my blog:
https://book ...more
I tried
I just couldn’t get into the book.
Maybe it’s the 15yr old story that is being revisited. Maybe my tastes have changed (I loved the original trilogy).
I don’t know the characters anymore. Add in the multiplicity of aliens - and their names - and the whole thing is a nightmare goulash of wondering what is going on.
For a first book in a new series, this is damn near opaque.
I just couldn’t get into the book.
Maybe it’s the 15yr old story that is being revisited. Maybe my tastes have changed (I loved the original trilogy).
I don’t know the characters anymore. Add in the multiplicity of aliens - and their names - and the whole thing is a nightmare goulash of wondering what is going on.
For a first book in a new series, this is damn near opaque.
A wonderful story. Well done to the author for striking the right balance between the same old helpful Esen that we adore and a story that is new and different from the ones that came before. I can't wait to see what surprises are in store for us in the next book!
...more
Of the 18 or 19 books I own, written or edited by Julie Czerneda, this is the first one I had some difficulty in following. Perhaps it was because it is so long since I read the Web Shifters trilogy and had forgotten some of the characters, perhaps it was the sheer number of characters with difficult to remember names, but here is a piece I couldn't make head or tail of: "Lionel's smile widened. Countless before Evan had succumbed to Paul's unconscious nobility, the warmth he emitted like a smal
...more
It’s been over fifteen years since Julie E. Czerneda had a tale about Esen, the youngest of six web-shifters who can shift to an individual on any species she has records. She and her human friend Paul Ragem have created All Species' Library of Linguistics and Culture on his original home planet. Then an old human friend, Evan Gooseberry arrives with a problem. The Dokeci Na have discovered a new intelligent species, and all their efforts to save them, have made the elf-like beings conditions wo
...more
Czerneda, Julie E. Search Image. Web Shifter’s Library No. 1. Daw, 2018.
Although Search Image proclaims itself to be the first volume of a new series, it is really a close sequel to the original Web Shifter series. Once again, the potentially immortal shape-shifting alien Esen and her ephemeral human pal Paul sort through problems with their families, endeavor to keep Esen’s nature from being revealed as they try to build and protect a multispecies library. Once again, we are introduced to some ...more
Although Search Image proclaims itself to be the first volume of a new series, it is really a close sequel to the original Web Shifter series. Once again, the potentially immortal shape-shifting alien Esen and her ephemeral human pal Paul sort through problems with their families, endeavor to keep Esen’s nature from being revealed as they try to build and protect a multispecies library. Once again, we are introduced to some ...more
It was lovely to read another Esen book; she is such a fun character. I was worried that, so much time having passed since I read the last one, that I would be lost, but there were just enough gentle recaps to reorient myself without bogging down the plot. In fact there were two plots: one resolved at book's end and one that I predict will stretch across the trilogy. I liked the complexity of Skalet's character, and how despite being on the same side as Esen, their tactics were miles apart.
...more
When I discovered that there was another book featuring Esen, I listened to my nostalgic feelings about my encounter with “her” 18 years ago and plunged in without rereading. The story did not flow for me the way I remember, but I have rounded “way up” the 3.25 stars it felt like to 4 based on the insights into important issues. You will have to read the book to find out what they are. I will watch for the next book and may even go back to the earlier trilogy.
Yay! Esen and Paul are back. I reread the original trilogy before this book came out and I loved it as much as the first time around. This novel (with an e novella in between) starts up soon after the last book ends. If you love aliens and adventure and mischievousness and some sadness give this series a try.
First in the new series set in the All Species Library, featuring shape shifting Esen and her beloved human Paul Ragem, celebrating the extraordinary diversity of a galaxy populated by a seemingly infinte number of sentient species.
Interesting characters. The author loves to explore new and fantastic biology. Our heroes are likable, and their friendships sweet. Reminds me a little of a late career Terry Pratchett novel. Witty and light, even when faith things certainly doom. A fun read.
This is a 4 for the hard science fiction fan. There is a lot of world building and explanation that bogs down the narrative at times. Having said that, the characters are great and the plot is good. Recommended for those that like this sort of fiction.
I really wanted to like this book. I usually enjoy novels written by this author but in this case, I could not even "like" or care about the characters. alas. I found it difficult to stay focused on the story.
...more
I received an arc of this book and love Esen! What a great character. Totally recommend this book!
Charming book, fist of a new series, but based on a earlier series. Will have to look it up!
My review is online at http://www.sfrevu.com/php/Review-id.p...
...more
I love Czerneda's work. She knows how to elicit emotional reactions quite well--tears, laughter, outrage. Always fun!
...more
I want to come back to this one.
One of my all time favorite authors! Her aliens with all the amazing and unique details really make them come to life, instead of making them feel like cookie cutters of the same thing.
I LOVED IT!!! It was wonderful! I hadn't read "The Only Thing to Fear" (being ebook only and I don't have a kindle yet), but thankfully it was ok to read without it.
It has been a couple of days and now that the high from the ending has worn off, I have more to say. I love that Evan is attracted to Paul and has feelings for him. I hated it at first. I was fine with it in that I'm happy for gay (or bi or what have you (not just another straight populated universe where I feel little to no rep.)) ...more
It has been a couple of days and now that the high from the ending has worn off, I have more to say. I love that Evan is attracted to Paul and has feelings for him. I hated it at first. I was fine with it in that I'm happy for gay (or bi or what have you (not just another straight populated universe where I feel little to no rep.)) ...more
Nov 26, 2018
Adelas
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
genre-science-fiction,
age-adult
This has become my favorite series. I love spending time with these characters, and the stories are positive and full of insight into how people work.
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For over twenty years, Canadian author/ former biologist Julie E. Czerneda has shared her curiosity about living things through her science fiction, published by DAW Books, NY. Julie’s written fantasy too, the first installments of her Night’s Edge series (DAW) A Turn of Light and A Play of Shadow, winning consecutive Aurora Awards (Canada’s Hugo) for Best English Novel. Having completed her Clan
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Web Shifter's Library
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