Shatter (Children of Man Series #1)

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Shatter (Children of Man Series #1) (eBook) Pub. Date: 6/24/2010 Publisher: Elizabeth Mock, via Smashwords
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Shatter (Children of Man Series #1) Pub. Date: 5/3/2010 Publisher: CreateSpace

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Overview

Less than a year ago, Faela Durante, a Tereskan mind healer, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son. When her journey collides with two strangers, she must choose between trusting those around her or endangering her mission.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781451598773
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication date: 5/3/2010
Pages: 446
Series: Children of Man Series, #1
Product dimensions: 8.50 (w) x 5.50 (h) x 0.99 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4

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4 Star

(87)

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(36)

2 Star

(9)

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(16)

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niksnookki

Posted October 12, 2010

Great Read!

I have to admit that when I downloaded this ebook I was just trying to get a few books added to my library on my nook and was not expecting anything great. After reading the first page I had to force myself to keep putting it down to get my work done or even sleep. I was expecting it to be the run of the mill "sci-fi" or mundane "mythical" jargan that is hard to follow. I was so plesantly surprised that none of that was true. The characters are rivoting and draw the reader into their sorrow, pain, confusion, joy and happiness. It is very much worth downloading and reading. I am so ready for the next book to come out and will buy it, if it is not also offered as a free ebook.

30 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Jensin

Posted July 21, 2010

Fantastic.

Terrific read. I just wish that the second book was out.

16 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
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jinxtopaz

Posted December 6, 2010

more from this reviewer

Unexpected gem

when I downloaded this book free, I was just trying out my new Nook. But I got a wonderful surprise. The book is really good! I am now waiting for the next in the series of what I am sure is a up and coming bestselling author. Bravo!

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted June 2, 2010

Shatter

I really enjoyed this book!
It has a lot of different threads, which draw together to form a tightly woven narrative with a rich mythology--leaving the author room to expand on in some prequels...
There is a complex magic system which is handled very well. This is one of the points I look for when reading fantasy (obviously...), because if it's done poorly the suspension of disbelief can fall through.
Moreover, it helps to take a look at the maps which come with the book, as the w...more I really enjoyed this book!
It has a lot of different threads, which draw together to form a tightly woven narrative with a rich mythology--leaving the author room to expand on in some prequels...
There is a complex magic system which is handled very well. This is one of the points I look for when reading fantasy (obviously...), because if it's done poorly the suspension of disbelief can fall through.
Moreover, it helps to take a look at the maps which come with the book, as the world is a key element, as this also has the elements of a travel narrative--akin to LOTR, as places are key to the story. The places here have distinct, well-constructed atmospheres. Plus, I LOVE pub names...
One of the things I particularly enjoyed is the dialogue. Each of her characters has a distinct voice which lends more credibility to the dialogue--I can hear their voices clearly, aided through the syntax and the diction.
All the technicalities aside, I was drawn in by the characters and really connected with them, particularly due to their interactions and relationships.
The book ends with desperation, with heartbreak, but it really fits with one of the major themes of the novel, which is brokenness. Each of the main characters, in some way, is broken, and I figure *crosses fingers* that the trilogy is about redemption.
Anyway, pick this up and enjoy!

9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Bookworm259

Posted January 5, 2011

Complex new world created by this author

I downloaded this book at the suggestion of a friend. When I began reading it I was having some difficulty keeping up with the world the author was creating. I stuck with it though and was very happy that I did. I ended up not wanting to put it down. I'm looking forward to the next..esecially now that I've got all the characters and new vocabulary figured out!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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LoyalReader

Posted May 9, 2011

Excited to read more from Ms. Mock!

I like the pacing of the book, the characters are interesting, the story is smartly presented. I like how the characters reveal their world to the reader without it being dumbed down or just bunch of info vomit. This world clearly was highly developed and has boundaries that the writer is adhering to.

This is a must read from a new and growing author. I will read more of this for sure.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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deesy58

Posted January 6, 2012

Poorly Written

This author needs an editor. The book has too many spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. Sentence structure is generally poor, and descriptions are often inappropriate or inadequate. Apparently, the author believes that the past tense of the word "lead" is spelled "lead," like the heavy metal, rather than the proper spelling "led."

The book ends very abruptly, making no attempt whatsoever to make the book into a relatively complete story. Even though this book is part of a series (#1 of the Children of Man series), one would expect a less ragged ending to the story line. Amateurish is the most accurate description of this NOOK e-book.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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E-Morris

Posted June 22, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Engaging story left me wanting more

I just finished reading Shatter and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out. I found myself very engaged with the lives of the characters and immersed in the world that Elizabeth Mock created. The events that unfold throughout the story feel very real and unforced, and the writing felt so visually clear that I could easily see the scenery, smell the food, and hear the squeals coming from Mireya. I laughed out loud several times, and even found myself crying toward the end. I also thought the magic was fairly understandable... almost logical, which is abnormal in my findings in the fantasy genre.

Ms. Mock's characters feel very real and mutli-dimensional. All of her characters stay true to themselves, while still being able to grow and evolve as the storyline progresses. I was surprised by her ability to have such a large main character pool, and yet still make each person feel clearly defined with their own mannerisms and voices. Even the more secondary characters (anyone who is outside the main travelling party) feel well fleshed out and not two-dimensional.

Unfortunately, Shatter ends at a definite cliff hanger so this isn't a book that can be easily read as a stand alone. Hopefully, the sequel will be out soon. Until then, I have Shatter in between my David Eddings and my Mercedes Lackey / James Mallory books, since I find Ms. Mock's writing and world to most fit into that feel. Considering I grew up with my father reading Eddings to me, and how I in turn introduced him to the Obsidian trilogy, the fact that Ms. Mock's Shatter sits next to those series shows my high expectations and love for this debut novel.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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jesshine

Posted October 9, 2011

Decent idea but poor execution

I'm writing this from my nook, so please excuse any typos. This book has a decent idea and a couple characters worth caring about, but was clearly very poorly edited if it was edited at all. It felt like this was a first draft...and if it was a first draft I would have had far fewer issues with this book. I don't understand how it was publishd as it is. The writing was amaturish at best...grammar mistakes, run on sentences, unnecessay commas all over the place...VERY distracting and difficult to get past. I kept reading because I thought there was probably going to be a good story hidden in there somewhere if I got far enough along, and there was. However at more than 1000 pages, it took far too long to get there, then cut off before anyhing was really resolved. This book should have been about half the length, and that says a lot comimg from me because I tend to love long books. Most of the book was confusing and unnecessary. I think she thought she was keeping the reader in suspense by not explaining the rules of this world and what the people were really doing until about 500 pages in, but really it just makes it less likey that most readers will hang in there to get to the story. She clearly loves unecessary words and details...e.g., her foot sank into the lush, green, soft carpet. Really? No one cares how soft the carpet is, when it doesn't have any relevance to the story. Those kinds of details were great and much appreciated when they helped progress the story, but otherwise just made me roll my eyes. The characters' dialogue often seemed far too contemporary and didn't feel authentic given the circumstances and how they were supposedly feeling (lots of silly sarcastic joking around, even for characters who supposedly rarely smile)...not to mention a lot of side conversations that didn't make sense given the context. For example, why would she need to make the main character (who at that time was suppoesedly consumed with worry and who had just learned some major revelations) be talking about the "merits of braised beef" with another character? Also, given the length of the book, there is really very little action, and when things do take place they feel a bit contrived...such as when a 'good guy' goes spying, he just happens to overhear the villian disclosing his entire plot? We're told all through the book that the main character's gray eyes are a big deal...so significant that its caused her to leave her child behind to go on a quest, and other characters indicate that theyve never seen someone with gray eyes and don't even think its possible....but then, by the end of the book nearly HALF of the characters have gray eyes! Doesn't make much sense...is it really that unusual in this world for simeone to make a big mistake and repent? So I know that was a lot of negative feedback, but the idea for the story was worth reading. I liked the idea of a world where magic is common, and where white magic has been shattered into different colors...interesting idea. I also like the characters of Faela and Kade. I just wished everything was better written and the characters were better fleshed out and their dialogue made more sense. I am curious to see what happens in the next book...but I truly hope that she hires a good editor to help her out before the next one comes out.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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SMarinko

Posted May 26, 2010

Shatter

When I begin reading a book, I can usually tell within the first few chapters whether or not I will like the book, and it comes down to this: Do I care enough about the characters to keep reading?

The characters in "Shatter", and especially their interactions with each other, are very realistic and drew me in. Once I got to know the characters, I was anxious to find out more about them, see more of their interactions, and even see some of them meet painful ends.

In addition to such deep and memorable characters, the world of "Shatter" is a character in of itself. "Shatter" contains a system of magic that quickly makes sense and is fun to see in action. The geography of the world is also well fleshed out, and it makes traveling with the characters feel like a trip through real landscapes instead of the generic fantasy terrain prevalent in many of the books where I didn't make it to chapter three.

I would recommend "Shatter" to any of my friends that are fans of fantasy fiction.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted March 7, 2012

Avidfantasyreader

Very interesting. 1103 pages, im supprised it is free. Definintly would pay for this book. Cant wait for the next 2

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Jensin

Posted July 20, 2010

A must have.

This was an amazing book that I could not put down. The characters were intriguing and surprisingly real. I can't wait for the second to come out.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted May 14, 2012

Superb

I never expected to find this book so unbelievable that I could not put it down! Bravo to the author and I can't wait to read the next book!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted April 17, 2012

Awesome read!!!

Kind of slow in some parts, but that just adds to the character of the book. Easily one of the best book ive read so far this year, and cant WAIT to read the next book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted February 20, 2012

Loved It!!!!

This is a great series start. I felt the author did a great job introducing a lot of characters and found myself investing a piece of me with each of them. The author successfully wove varied story lines into a well thought out book. I cannot wait to read the next book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 22, 2012

Awesome

Such a good book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 18, 2012

Great read, just pulls you in.

Great book, pulls you in the further you read. Cannot wait to read the next one!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 6, 2012

Great new world!

The first book out from this new author shows freshness and originality in a world very similar to ours (makes it easy to follow the characters) and yet very different (colors of magic that have been shattered from their one true clarity!). The characters were very distinct and held their personal individuality throughout the book, along with providing their own separate abilities and importantance to the plot. The only negative I could see was that it was clear as I neared the end of the book that I would have to wait for any real answeres to ANY questions. I hope Ms. Mock will close a few loose ends in the next book so it doesn't feel as though no answers at all will be arriving to each of the characters' individual problems until the final book. All-in-all a riveting book that leaves you waiting to learn more about what's really happening in this new world; both with the characters, the growth of their abilities, and in what they'll be able to accomplish (or not) for their world. I found myself wishing I had more chapters to read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted January 5, 2012

Shatter launches an interesting new series.

The plot grabs the reader and the characters have depth. Humor, sadness and a quest knits the story together. There are a number of characters to keep track of which is sometimes a challenge, but the storyline keeps you turning the page. The only real criticism is the way magic is depicted because it seems a bit forced. Enjoyable read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted December 28, 2011

one word AMAZING!!!!

This book is so good you will have to read it through the night it has just about anything you could possibly want in a book.Once you get this book you will be begging for more and get the second book.The third is yet to come but as soon as it hits the stores it will be sold out!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Shatter (Children of Man Series #1)

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Overview

All Available Formats + Editions

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Book

Overview

Product Details

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

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Your Recommendations:

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Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Great Read!

Fantastic.

Unexpected gem

Shatter

Complex new world created by this author

Excited to read more from Ms. Mock!

Poorly Written

Engaging story left me wanting more

Decent idea but poor execution

Shatter

Avidfantasyreader

A must have.

Superb

Awesome read!!!

Loved It!!!!

Awesome

Great read, just pulls you in.

Great new world!

Shatter launches an interesting new series.

one word AMAZING!!!!