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Adalta #3
Falling
The final book in the Adalta trilogy by award-winning author Sherrill Nilson.
Young Guardian Daryl Me'Vere is the leader of Restal Quadrant at war against an ancient alien--and his brother. A fierce fighter and a brilliant strategist, others have confidence in him that he doesn't. He cannot, will not believe his brother--the last of his family--is willingly in league with the alien creature that seeks to destroy, not just his quadrant, but the entire planet of Adalta. Daryl cannot give up his hope that his brother is a victim he will be able to rescue.
Cedar Evans is Director of Bio-Systems on the failing, falling space ship above the planet which discovered the lost colony from a devastated Earth. When she arrives on planet, she is overcome by the magic of Adalta and her unique 'talent.' Which seems to be throwing up at the strange smells that she knows are emotions only she can identify--and manipulate. Can she learn to use this rare talent to help Daryl in his fight to save the planet and his brother?
Will the combined forces of the humans on the planet and the fierce, hawk-headed flying horses called Karda win this battle with the alien Itza Larrak and its vicious half-mechanical creatures?
Will they be in time to stop it from constructing its planet-wide antenna to contact others of its kind--parasitic beings who will destroy Adalta?
Young Guardian Daryl Me'Vere is the leader of Restal Quadrant at war against an ancient alien--and his brother. A fierce fighter and a brilliant strategist, others have confidence in him that he doesn't. He cannot, will not believe his brother--the last of his family--is willingly in league with the alien creature that seeks to destroy, not just his quadrant, but the entire planet of Adalta. Daryl cannot give up his hope that his brother is a victim he will be able to rescue.
Cedar Evans is Director of Bio-Systems on the failing, falling space ship above the planet which discovered the lost colony from a devastated Earth. When she arrives on planet, she is overcome by the magic of Adalta and her unique 'talent.' Which seems to be throwing up at the strange smells that she knows are emotions only she can identify--and manipulate. Can she learn to use this rare talent to help Daryl in his fight to save the planet and his brother?
Will the combined forces of the humans on the planet and the fierce, hawk-headed flying horses called Karda win this battle with the alien Itza Larrak and its vicious half-mechanical creatures?
Will they be in time to stop it from constructing its planet-wide antenna to contact others of its kind--parasitic beings who will destroy Adalta?
- GenresFantasy
447 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2019
33 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Sherrill Nilson
4 books16 followersSherrill Nilson used to raise horses. Now she writes about flying horses—with hawk heads and wicked talons. Author of the Adalta Series, she’s been a cattle rancher, horse breeder, environmentalist, mother of three, traveler to exotic places–even a tarot card reader. She lived in Santa Fe and Ruidoso, NM, San Francisco, and Austin after leaving the hills of Eastern Oklahoma and her ranch. Now she’s back in Tulsa where she started.
She has a Ph.D. in East-West Psychology, and her studies opened her to the world of ancient myth and story. Writing all those many papers and her dissertation suited her. She loves science fiction and fantasy and is a prolific reader. One day she put down the book she just finished and thought, “I’m going to run out of books to read. I love imagined worlds. Why don’t I create my own? One I’d like to fly away to.” So she took a leap of faith and embarked on writing Karda and Hunter–the first two books in the Adalta series. She’s now working on Falling, the third book, and lurking in the back of her mind is another series about the trees deciding whether or not to leave earth. She is also working on a series of short stories telling the Epic of Gilgamesh from a woman’s perspective.
She lives, writes, and reads SciFi/fantasy (and occasionally poetry) in Tulsa, Oklahoma—back where she started as the oldest of seven kids, (don’t ask to drive) three of whom are writers.
She doesn’t have a dog, a cat, or even a bird, but she does have an old Volvo convertible and loves to drive around in her sunglasses with the wind blowing her hair. It’s how she gets her vitamin D.
You can reach her through SherrillNilson.com or email her at sherrill.nilson@gmail.com. She would like to hear from you because she wants to know what you think about her work. She says it makes her a better writer––and makes her write faster.
She has a Ph.D. in East-West Psychology, and her studies opened her to the world of ancient myth and story. Writing all those many papers and her dissertation suited her. She loves science fiction and fantasy and is a prolific reader. One day she put down the book she just finished and thought, “I’m going to run out of books to read. I love imagined worlds. Why don’t I create my own? One I’d like to fly away to.” So she took a leap of faith and embarked on writing Karda and Hunter–the first two books in the Adalta series. She’s now working on Falling, the third book, and lurking in the back of her mind is another series about the trees deciding whether or not to leave earth. She is also working on a series of short stories telling the Epic of Gilgamesh from a woman’s perspective.
She lives, writes, and reads SciFi/fantasy (and occasionally poetry) in Tulsa, Oklahoma—back where she started as the oldest of seven kids, (don’t ask to drive) three of whom are writers.
She doesn’t have a dog, a cat, or even a bird, but she does have an old Volvo convertible and loves to drive around in her sunglasses with the wind blowing her hair. It’s how she gets her vitamin D.
You can reach her through SherrillNilson.com or email her at sherrill.nilson@gmail.com. She would like to hear from you because she wants to know what you think about her work. She says it makes her a better writer––and makes her write faster.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 25, 2020
Wonderful series
Great series full of well developed characters. Really loved the Karda. Plot was fast paced and multilayered. Enjoyable read that was hard to put down
Great series full of well developed characters. Really loved the Karda. Plot was fast paced and multilayered. Enjoyable read that was hard to put down
June 1, 2020
The Ark ship is failing fast, the Itza Larrak is relentlessly attacking Restal quadrant with its urbat (dog-metal monsters), Readen is planning to take Restal Prime back from Daryl, and somehow the humans and Karda of Adalta will have to defeat the evil that threatens to kill Adalta. But the Larrak is gaining in strength, and it will take all Restal Guardian Daryl, the new arrival Cedar from the Ark ship, as well as the four reborn of legend – the Kern (Galen), the Austringer (Tessa), and Marta and Altan – and a plethora of allies old and new have to outmaneuver and defeat the Larrak and Readen.
Cedar, Director of Bio-Systems, has been telling the ship captain and other Directors that the ship is failing, but because of her youth they don’t take her seriously enough. Only by the arrival of her predecessor, Glenn Voigt, and his appointment as ambassador to the planet will she get to go to Adalta as a tagalong and babysitter/scapegoat for the irascible man if he needs it. This is only her second time on a planet, her first time being when she was six years old and quite traumatic, as she lost both her father and her leg (and almost/kind of her mother) on that trip. As ambassadors/emissaries, they are also to see about arranging for the inhabitants of the Ark ship to settle on Adalta if indeed the ship is failing like Cedar claims.
Meanwhile, on Adalta, winter is ending and so is the reprieve from the Itza Larrak’s urbat attacks around his of the Circle of Disorder in Restal. Daryl and his troops are spread thin, even with the help Altan and Marta bring from Toldar and the invaluable aid of Tessa, Kishar and Galen. They will need much more help from all across Adalta if they are stop the Larrak advancing and completing his interplanetary communications network to call out to more of his kind to come help destroy Adalta. But Daryl isn’t just fighting the urbat and the Larrak: Readen is free in his hold, and still has supporters surrounding him for his rebellion against talent rule. Though Daryl still believes Readen a victim of the Itza Larrak – still needs to believe it – those surrounding him know better and act and inform accordingly. In addition to that, Daryl also has the invaluable aid and loyalty of spies like Krager, as well as a few more he doesn’t know about directly between being deeply undercover and new additions to the stage.
At a hefty nearly 450 pages, there is a lot going on in this final installment to the Adalta trilogy. There are battles and maneuvers to wage and plan, spies and messengers to relay information, as well as a number of additional players to the stage. Some of these players we’ve met before, such as Jenna Me’Nowyk, Mireia, and Cael, while others are new, such as Becca, Turin, and Mi’hiru Dalys. Familiar or new, each has a role to play, and in the case of the former, they often get additional depth to their characterization and/or reveal more about how something on Adalta works. And each of these players is needed if they are to save the planet from destruction. Getting to meet them, know them, see how they interact and the roles they play offers a rich tapestry of just how complex waging a war can be, not just in the cost of troops and civilians but also in the personal costs involved. There is so much going on that time ends up being rather fluid – I swear it seems like over half of Adalta’s 432 day year must be planting season, and then suddenly it is winter again – and days and tendays pass in a blur of nearly wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey-ness. Once you sort of ignore mentions of how time passes, and just take it as events passing, it works much better to keep things straight.
To avoid unintentional spoilers, I will say simply that I adored the course of events for Readen (if you want a sort-of spoiler, it’s under the spoiler cut in favorite quotes) and the complexity and nuances of how his story plays out. I’m a sucker for internal struggles and what happens when one’s mind seems to be turning against itself or to be invaded by “outside” thoughts. I felt that Marta and Altan, stars of the first book, took a decidedly supporting, almost background role (even more so than in Hunter), while Galen and Tessa, stars of the second book, were definitely riding shotgun to the main players/arcs of Cedar, Daryl, Krager and Readen. Getting to see another side of Jenna Me’Nowyk was imminently satisfying, and her little sister ChiChi was a delight. While Daryl is still my favorite male character in this series with his complicated arc, Krager comes in a very close second. Very close. Seeing ship inhabitants gain and manage their newfound talent, like Glenn, Assam, and Dalys, makes me hope that Ms. Nilson will do more stories on Adalta with some of the newcomers and how they adapt to life on Adalta with talent and a decided lack of the technology they have known all their lives. Assam and Glenn were awesome teasers for how some of that might shake out. As much of a “crotchety old man” as Glenn is, there is something really endearing about him to me, hence why he stars in the second of my favorite quotes below.
The way that Cedar learns about her talent, in addition to her excellent skills at being an “intuitive systems thinker” and her attitude, determination, and sense of humor, make her a very cool person to get to know. I may or may not still be envious of who she ends up with. Because yes, there are some new couples to make in this book. Though since there is a war going on, it is complicated, to say the least, and the romance factor is decidedly in the wings. It’s there, but not overwhelmingly so, and done with a gentle yet steady hand. For a war story, that’s what I like to see – romance and love don’t just disappear in times of war and terror, and indeed they often provide the strength people need to get through such trying and difficult, deadly times. It becomes the unseen lifeline of sanity, of hope, the web that invisibly holds things together even when everything else seems to be falling apart and will help form the structure of rebuilding after the war is over.
Man, now I have to try and tie up this review after that wonderful end to a paragraph, if I do say so myself. I was riveted to the story, to the characters, to see how things were going to work out, what the costs were going to be, and enjoyed the moments of levity and jokes which made the occasional yet well-warranted appearance. Just like love, humor also serves as a lifeline in times of war and struggle, and I will refrain from telling you to which book series I’m making a callout to with this statement because I want Adalta and Falling to stand tall all on its own.
In the interest of transparency, I did provide assistance to Ms. Nilson in the final stages before publication and was compensated for my work. I was a fan first, after reading the first two books, and still am a fan and would love to see more people discover Adalta.
A couple favorite quotes, though there were quite a few lines which struck me, I just forgot to mark them, so involved was I in reading:
[Cedar asked,] “Is this a spruce tree, Glenn?”
“Yup.”
“How do you know? […] It’s needles are dropping. Is it dying?”
“Does that in spring.”
“How do you know?”
[Glenn] shoved his hands in his pockets and turned his head away. “Can’t not know, Cedar.” – page 289
Cedar, Director of Bio-Systems, has been telling the ship captain and other Directors that the ship is failing, but because of her youth they don’t take her seriously enough. Only by the arrival of her predecessor, Glenn Voigt, and his appointment as ambassador to the planet will she get to go to Adalta as a tagalong and babysitter/scapegoat for the irascible man if he needs it. This is only her second time on a planet, her first time being when she was six years old and quite traumatic, as she lost both her father and her leg (and almost/kind of her mother) on that trip. As ambassadors/emissaries, they are also to see about arranging for the inhabitants of the Ark ship to settle on Adalta if indeed the ship is failing like Cedar claims.
Meanwhile, on Adalta, winter is ending and so is the reprieve from the Itza Larrak’s urbat attacks around his of the Circle of Disorder in Restal. Daryl and his troops are spread thin, even with the help Altan and Marta bring from Toldar and the invaluable aid of Tessa, Kishar and Galen. They will need much more help from all across Adalta if they are stop the Larrak advancing and completing his interplanetary communications network to call out to more of his kind to come help destroy Adalta. But Daryl isn’t just fighting the urbat and the Larrak: Readen is free in his hold, and still has supporters surrounding him for his rebellion against talent rule. Though Daryl still believes Readen a victim of the Itza Larrak – still needs to believe it – those surrounding him know better and act and inform accordingly. In addition to that, Daryl also has the invaluable aid and loyalty of spies like Krager, as well as a few more he doesn’t know about directly between being deeply undercover and new additions to the stage.
At a hefty nearly 450 pages, there is a lot going on in this final installment to the Adalta trilogy. There are battles and maneuvers to wage and plan, spies and messengers to relay information, as well as a number of additional players to the stage. Some of these players we’ve met before, such as Jenna Me’Nowyk, Mireia, and Cael, while others are new, such as Becca, Turin, and Mi’hiru Dalys. Familiar or new, each has a role to play, and in the case of the former, they often get additional depth to their characterization and/or reveal more about how something on Adalta works. And each of these players is needed if they are to save the planet from destruction. Getting to meet them, know them, see how they interact and the roles they play offers a rich tapestry of just how complex waging a war can be, not just in the cost of troops and civilians but also in the personal costs involved. There is so much going on that time ends up being rather fluid – I swear it seems like over half of Adalta’s 432 day year must be planting season, and then suddenly it is winter again – and days and tendays pass in a blur of nearly wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey-ness. Once you sort of ignore mentions of how time passes, and just take it as events passing, it works much better to keep things straight.
To avoid unintentional spoilers, I will say simply that I adored the course of events for Readen (if you want a sort-of spoiler, it’s under the spoiler cut in favorite quotes) and the complexity and nuances of how his story plays out. I’m a sucker for internal struggles and what happens when one’s mind seems to be turning against itself or to be invaded by “outside” thoughts. I felt that Marta and Altan, stars of the first book, took a decidedly supporting, almost background role (even more so than in Hunter), while Galen and Tessa, stars of the second book, were definitely riding shotgun to the main players/arcs of Cedar, Daryl, Krager and Readen. Getting to see another side of Jenna Me’Nowyk was imminently satisfying, and her little sister ChiChi was a delight. While Daryl is still my favorite male character in this series with his complicated arc, Krager comes in a very close second. Very close. Seeing ship inhabitants gain and manage their newfound talent, like Glenn, Assam, and Dalys, makes me hope that Ms. Nilson will do more stories on Adalta with some of the newcomers and how they adapt to life on Adalta with talent and a decided lack of the technology they have known all their lives. Assam and Glenn were awesome teasers for how some of that might shake out. As much of a “crotchety old man” as Glenn is, there is something really endearing about him to me, hence why he stars in the second of my favorite quotes below.
The way that Cedar learns about her talent, in addition to her excellent skills at being an “intuitive systems thinker” and her attitude, determination, and sense of humor, make her a very cool person to get to know. I may or may not still be envious of who she ends up with. Because yes, there are some new couples to make in this book. Though since there is a war going on, it is complicated, to say the least, and the romance factor is decidedly in the wings. It’s there, but not overwhelmingly so, and done with a gentle yet steady hand. For a war story, that’s what I like to see – romance and love don’t just disappear in times of war and terror, and indeed they often provide the strength people need to get through such trying and difficult, deadly times. It becomes the unseen lifeline of sanity, of hope, the web that invisibly holds things together even when everything else seems to be falling apart and will help form the structure of rebuilding after the war is over.
Man, now I have to try and tie up this review after that wonderful end to a paragraph, if I do say so myself. I was riveted to the story, to the characters, to see how things were going to work out, what the costs were going to be, and enjoyed the moments of levity and jokes which made the occasional yet well-warranted appearance. Just like love, humor also serves as a lifeline in times of war and struggle, and I will refrain from telling you to which book series I’m making a callout to with this statement because I want Adalta and Falling to stand tall all on its own.
In the interest of transparency, I did provide assistance to Ms. Nilson in the final stages before publication and was compensated for my work. I was a fan first, after reading the first two books, and still am a fan and would love to see more people discover Adalta.
A couple favorite quotes, though there were quite a few lines which struck me, I just forgot to mark them, so involved was I in reading:
[Cedar asked,] “Is this a spruce tree, Glenn?”
“Yup.”
“How do you know? […] It’s needles are dropping. Is it dying?”
“Does that in spring.”
“How do you know?”
[Glenn] shoved his hands in his pockets and turned his head away. “Can’t not know, Cedar.” – page 289
September 8, 2021
Superb series
Had this series sitting in my kindle for ages. Decided to try the first one in a quiet Sunday afternoon. Couldn't put them down. Wonderful storytelling. I lived the struggles with the characters. I loved the bonds the Karda have with their riders. I've laughed and cried with them throughout the books. The bonds of friendship that were forged grew stronger as they struggled to help Adalta remain free. Plenty of action. Lots of love found during the difficult times. These books tell of hope that never dies. Totally recommend these books
Had this series sitting in my kindle for ages. Decided to try the first one in a quiet Sunday afternoon. Couldn't put them down. Wonderful storytelling. I lived the struggles with the characters. I loved the bonds the Karda have with their riders. I've laughed and cried with them throughout the books. The bonds of friendship that were forged grew stronger as they struggled to help Adalta remain free. Plenty of action. Lots of love found during the difficult times. These books tell of hope that never dies. Totally recommend these books
September 27, 2022
excellent
This was a fantasy I didn’t think I would enjoy but ended up captivated. The writer has incredible talent and imagination. She hasn’t used hot sex scenes to sell the story and it wasn’t needed. The story takes you on trip that is full of love, hope, sadness, joy and an adventure that I could never imagine. Well written and very vivid story telling. Keep it up Sherrill you have a gift.
This was a fantasy I didn’t think I would enjoy but ended up captivated. The writer has incredible talent and imagination. She hasn’t used hot sex scenes to sell the story and it wasn’t needed. The story takes you on trip that is full of love, hope, sadness, joy and an adventure that I could never imagine. Well written and very vivid story telling. Keep it up Sherrill you have a gift.
August 16, 2020
The best romantic fantasy
I started this series because it was compared to the dragons of Pern, one of my.favorites. This trilogy was very different, however. Much more adult, I soon found myself completely engrossed,and missing a lot of sleep! I laughed at the antics of the Karda, and cried and despaired as well.
I started this series because it was compared to the dragons of Pern, one of my.favorites. This trilogy was very different, however. Much more adult, I soon found myself completely engrossed,and missing a lot of sleep! I laughed at the antics of the Karda, and cried and despaired as well.
December 30, 2021
Wow, what a ride,
I read all three books not wanting the adventure to end but still happy at the end. It was a satisfying ending. This is definitely on a par with Anne McCaffrey. A world with real characters where the reader can feel as if they are there with them.
Thank you Sherrill.
I read all three books not wanting the adventure to end but still happy at the end. It was a satisfying ending. This is definitely on a par with Anne McCaffrey. A world with real characters where the reader can feel as if they are there with them.
Thank you Sherrill.
June 12, 2022
Highly recommend
This is an great conclusion to an excellent series. Unique characters and a tight overarching plot. The reason for four stars instead of five is that I thought the editing was rather sloppy in places, i.e. words missing and wrong character names. However, these minor glitches are not enough to prevent you from enjoying a great tale.
This is an great conclusion to an excellent series. Unique characters and a tight overarching plot. The reason for four stars instead of five is that I thought the editing was rather sloppy in places, i.e. words missing and wrong character names. However, these minor glitches are not enough to prevent you from enjoying a great tale.
May 19, 2020
Mystical creatures, magic, another world and an Alien!
This series (must read in order) was awesome. Very impressed with this story! If you like M. Lackey you'll love this Series
This series (must read in order) was awesome. Very impressed with this story! If you like M. Lackey you'll love this Series
September 14, 2020
Wonderful story! I have loved everyone of these books! My only regret is that they ended! I hope the author plans to revisit the world in the future! I will gladly join in the journey! Excellent read!
October 4, 2020
Best read in a very long time!!!
The world of Adalta was crafted beautifully. Characters dug into your heart! As good as Robin Hobb or Anne McCaffrey at building a world you want to lose yourself in!
The world of Adalta was crafted beautifully. Characters dug into your heart! As good as Robin Hobb or Anne McCaffrey at building a world you want to lose yourself in!
July 12, 2021
Long read
These books were not the usual fast reads. They take thought. Keeping the names straight and the humans separate from the Karda
was a challenge but well worth it in the end.
These books were not the usual fast reads. They take thought. Keeping the names straight and the humans separate from the Karda
was a challenge but well worth it in the end.
July 14, 2025
Sci-Fi; Fantasy; Trilogy: It's been 500 years since humans departed earth in various space ships to find a new planet to inhabit. Adalta is a magical planet where humans become bonded to it and everyone is gifted with a magical power. Author has created a very interesting way of combining Sci-Fi & Fantasy.
May 24, 2020
So great
Such a wonderfully written series i hope she writes many more I hope you write of the ship citizens too
Such a wonderfully written series i hope she writes many more I hope you write of the ship citizens too
January 31, 2021
Falling
I loved the third book best of all. Getting to know everyone so much better, learning more about Adalta and the Karda I will miss everyone now the story has finished
I loved the third book best of all. Getting to know everyone so much better, learning more about Adalta and the Karda I will miss everyone now the story has finished
January 15, 2022
great series!
On par with Anne Mccaffrey! Great well developed characters good world building! Love it! Can’t wait for her next series!
On par with Anne Mccaffrey! Great well developed characters good world building! Love it! Can’t wait for her next series!
March 10, 2022
A good conclusion to the series. The characters were more in-depth throughout this book, and their strengths and weaknesses combined to bring the evil they were battling to an end.
April 13, 2022
So good
This third volume brings us to the conclusion of the Adalta trilogy but I hope it does not bring us to an end of visits to Adalta.
This third volume brings us to the conclusion of the Adalta trilogy but I hope it does not bring us to an end of visits to Adalta.
November 20, 2022
Enjoyed the series!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews