The Sundered
Contents:
Since I feel the responsibility that comes with being a tour host is great, I was really picky in choosing the book's and authors that I would want to represent so personally. Once I saw the synopsis for The Sundered, I knew that this was the book to break me out of my touring shell. I was wildly interested in the plot and could hardly hold myself back to wait to read it closer to tour. Even I've been a part of several book touring sites for a while now yet this is the first tour I signed up for.
Even though my expectations were so high along with my excitement levels for this book, I was not disappointed. We jump into the story right away which initially led to a bit of confusion. Thankfully the world and it's customs are explained thoroughly starting almost right away. The mystery along the way is enough to keep anyone interested, but we also get action, suspense, a little romance, and betrayal. And of course let us not forget the ethical questions that are on the shoulders of our main character. The characters didn't pop out of this book for me, except for a few.
I liked our main character Harry, but The Sundered Ones he traveled with overshadowed him. I became much more interested in the storyline than I did in Harry. I did like him though, and that was enough for me. The Sundered Ones that we get to know are so compelling and I loved Harry's conversations with them.
The Sundered
The little clues that were given always brought something to light while also causing us to have more questions. I felt like I was alongside Harry, trying to figure everything out and what the solution could be. The ending of the book was a real shocker and a scary Usually an ending like this would be my favorite part of the book, but not this time. Instead I loved the questions that this book made me ask myself and the revelations that I've had to make about what the human race is capable of.
If this book interests you at all, do not pass it up! In all honesty, I have never read a science fiction novel quite like this one.
The Sundered
The typical science fiction fantasy that I have been drawn to in recent years, often have a reluctant hero who goes on a mission of self-discovery and at the same time rids the land of some evil and tyrannical figure. This process of purging the evil entity takes place through the use of magic, the use of technology or some combination of the two. The setting is often a dystopian, earth-like planet. The Sundered follow In all honesty, I have never read a science fiction novel quite like this one.
The Sundered follows the same pattern. You have Harry Iskinder the reluctant hero who stumbles into a journey of self-discovery, when he inadvertently claims the mind of a first-tier Sundered One. The Sundered Ones are a race of sentient beings that reside on the planet and posses a number of extraordinary abilities.
As such, humans go around claiming the minds of Sundered Ones and enslaving them in order to survive. The story is told soley from the point of view of the protagonist, who manages to claim the mind of first-tiered Sundered One, whose abilities exceed that of all other Sundered Ones.
According to the protagonist's knowledge, the Hope will be a panacea used to rid the world of the Dark Water and allow humanity to thrive once again. Along the way, Harry Iskinder grapples with difficult issues having to do with what is morally right, what it means to belong to a group and possibly most importantly what it means to be human, where humanity extends beyond interactions with fellow humans.
The day is saved but not by the hero. He does get the girl but then he loses her shortly afterwards and everything else he holds dear. He picks up the necessary valuable lesson, required to bring about change in the world around him, unfortunately his learning is only consolidated at a time when it is least effective. What I like about the book is that deals with matter of humanity other than how we treat our fellow humans but how we interact with other being with intelligence. Throughout the story, Harry Iskinder and the other humans treat the Sundered Ones as mere tools in a characteristically inhumane fashion.
Which is an interesting behavior since we often claim we are better than our fellow animals because of our range of emotional ability. Take the protagonist for example, he is an arrogant, self-serving entitled young man, whose singular focus is on the artifact described as the Hope. Throughout the journey, he is repeatedly given the opportunity to redeem himself to show that his ability to care about the general welfare of those around him extends beyond whether they are human or not. Rather he obdurately refuses to see beyond his bigoted view of the world until the very end.
Anyway, in the end it was a deeply satisfying novel for me. The only significant drawback was the narration in the first person. However, after the first few pages I got used to the flow. I would have liked to know in greater depth what happened to the protagonist, but I suppose Ruthanne Reid chose to leave that up to our imagination. The ending is indeed dark, but I suspect it is the authors cautionary tale to us. That is, if we choose to arrogantly declare ourselves to be the ultimate goal of the evolutionary process then we should behave as such. The world has changed. No longer are there huge land masses but instead landfall, some big enough to house cities, others just tufts of earth.
The water has changed. The population has changed.
Mankind now has slaves: These are The Sundered, claimed by human masters. Harry Iskinder is a scavenger, criss-cross The world has changed. Harry Iskinder is a scavenger, criss-crossing the globe in a paddle boat along with his followers, known as travelers, collecting what they can to sell at the major cities.
He is also searching for the Hope of Humanity, a secret object he believes will turn the Earth back to how it used to be and save mankind. Humans claim their Sundered Ones by telekinesis, and when Harry ensnares a first-tier Sundered it becomes the start of a journey that will lead him once more around the globe, this time in a life-and-death dash to discover the Hope first, and save the human race. A review of this book, The Sundered, by Ruthanne Reid, would probably need to be about a thousand words long to do the book justice.
It was humorous, serious, and compelling. The connection between them, especially the mind struggles between Harry and Aakesh, are extremely entertaining. Just for the record, first-tier Sundered are awesome with incredible skills and powers, whereas the fifth-tier beings are lightweight and vulnerable, and usually die quickly using a Sundered too much wastes them and eventually kills them. The characters are engaging, particularly Harry with whom the reader obviously spends all their time.
Aakesh reminded me occasionally of one of those blue dudes from Avatar although Aakesh is ebony-skinned , and Gorish reminded me of Gollum. There were one or two small errors, but these are easily overlooked.
I've got a bad habit Before I read a book, I have to look at the first and the very last word in it. If they catch me, the book I'm reading gets all my attention. Well, I didn't had the chance to look at the final word of "The Sundered" until I got to its conclusion. The first sentence and the plot caught me first. Once I've started reading I couldn't stop. The water is black, the world is damaged, led by people who needs the help of another I've got a bad habit The water is black, the world is damaged, led by people who needs the help of another kind to survive.
The main character, Harry Iskinder, is looking for the Hope, the only thing that could bring the earth back to the way it was. No more afraid of the water, no more need of the Sundered. But when he finds a first - tier he starts questioning the world he knows. Whose the real enemy?
What is he fighting for? What's the right thing to do? Harry is just human, he grows so much during the story but he just knows "what is wrong", still unsure about what's right. I think the way the author describes Harry's fears and thoughts is just perfect because it makes us understand the complexity of the human mind without getting dull. The distopian novel has never been so upsetting but still simple to read and understand. It reminds us of all the cruelties of the human being and his need to gain control over others, to claim what's around him.
The bottom line is that there will always be a claimer and someone claimed, in wrong ways with power or right ones with mercy and love. I guess this novel totally claimed me in the best way ever.
I wasn't expecting this. Earth's water has turned black and flooded everything. That's a good thing. There's very little land to grow food on. There's very little land period. Cities are built on what little land there is. In the black water live creatures called "The Sundered" I wasn't expecting this. In the black water live creatures called "The Sundered". They provide food, keep things working, heal and repair.
Harry comes from a line of people who maintain a map that provides clues to the Hope of Humanity, something that gives humans control over the Sundered. Good story and plot. This is a book I'll re-read. This is one of the most entertaining and original books I've read this year. I'm saying nothing about the plot, there's just too much happening and so many mysteries; the ultimate fun is discovering for yourself as the book progresses. The characters were well and appropriately written. I'm really looking forward to the second book. What a brilliantly told story!
The book needs some editing but the concept was unique, the telling of the story well done, the characters interesting, and the world-building was great. I honestly wasn't expecting to enjoy this book so much. And the ending was poetic. I'll be seeking out more books by this author. As a 73 YO who has been a fan of science fiction since reading "Moon Ahead" back in the early 50's I would rate "The Sundered" as a winner and hope that there's more to come from Ruthanne.
Aug 12, Maxine rated it it was amazing. A curious tale, which redefined SciFi for me. It's so hard to review this amazing book without giving anything away- so here's some vague reasons why The Sundered gets my 5 stars It's not your regular SciFi, the focus isn't techie wow, it's story and character development which makes it so hugely relatable.
I cared about them. I needed to know their story. There is heart-twisting slavery and dehumanisation de-Sunderedisation? There's starkly contrasting goodness and heroism from the unlikeliest sources, too. It's well paced, with a rhythm that rises and falls and builds to a peak you don't anticipate. No predictable resolution here- and when it DOES come, you have emotions to process. Because it's not so clear cut any more. This book made me hate myself for being a human! It's very easy to see the scenes as Ruthanne describes them- such evocative world building is rare and refreshing!
It demands prequels and sequels. Please give this book a chance and let it redefine SciFi for you too: Dec 07, Elmax rated it it was amazing. The narration is what I enjoyed the most. This is a first-person narration through which we can truly picture everything. We are in the narrator's mind, we see through his eyes and we think like him.
This felt like Harry the narrator and MC was relatable - all confused and pressured. And through this and the amazing narration, I became attached to most characters really quickly. The plot was nicely constructed and held enough for me to hold my breath and fear. I was as involved in the story, totally submerged. The ending, especially, was so beautiful and I am at a loss for words to really express how much it moved me.
I loved this book and highly recommend it. I really enjoyed this book. I also took the time to check out some of the lower reviews on this book to see what they may have been complaining about. While I do agree with some of their complaints, some of the others I think were nit-picky and were about items that I believe could be in such a world as the one outlined in the story.
The book could use a little bit better editing in parts. Harry did handle the heir-bearing all business like at first which was a bit off putting even for me but th I really enjoyed this book. Harry did handle the heir-bearing all business like at first which was a bit off putting even for me but the more I thought about it, in the world he lives in and given his role that has been passed down generations why wouldn't he?
He has been taught all of his life that the search for hope is pretty much all that matters whether he finds it or someone else such as his heir does. Given some of the events that happens up until then and what he was about to go and do I could see why he would be concerned about the longevity of own life. Not to mention his credibility. Yeah, Harry was annoying at times but what 19 year old boy isn't? Hell, what human isn't?
The Sundered eBook by Andy Mangels, Michael A. Martin | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
The slang didn't bother me at all. Especially after finding out you find out in the end. I loved the twist in the story and how it unfolded, I don't want to give too much away. Apr 23, Brian Greiner rated it liked it. This is a well-written book, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the other books in the series.
The world-building aspect of the writing is excellent. The physical world plays as big a role in the story as the characters in this book, and it is nicely fleshed out. The characters are believable, and the story plays out nicely as an adventure with mysteries to solve. What didn't I like? For one thing, I couldn't see how it fitted in with the first three books of the series I read them in order This is a well-written book, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the other books in the series.
For one thing, I couldn't see how it fitted in with the first three books of the series I read them in order. For me, no matter how well-written a book is, if it is part of a series then I need to see how the pieces fit together. For another, to my mind the writing lacked the sparkle of the other books. That's not to say that the other books didn't have their grim aspects, but the writing had a joy that infused the work even during the darker parts of the story.
On the other hand, perhaps I was simply thrown off by the different style of writing. It certainly struck me as a very different sort of book than the others. Overall, this is a well-written book that should appeal to anyone looking for an SF adventure story. I found this book to be very different from similar books that I've read. I won't ruin the ending. Let me just say that you are definitely in for a surprise! I highly recommend it, and I'm looking forward to reading books by this author.
To live on the Earth, where even water is hostile and deadly is doomy. Despite that situation the people are supposed to sail across it, well, for the ones who are looking for the Hope its inevitable. Harry Iskinder and his Travelers are one of these. And maybe the only one. It does not mater if you have turned full age or you are almost dead. Nor Harry had a choice, he WAS the choice itself. Greenie, who will have to gain a respect of bunch of Travelers and meantime will find out if he is capable to claim the Sundered One to serve him. Iskinder is fated to believe in Hope, in something uncertain and questioning by many.
Some people laugh down at him and some of them wriggle their head only, but he has a map and he has a faith that deadly surroundings, spoiled cities and dying earth can be saved. He did not expect the complications and he certainly did not expect that besides the Hope he will have to find himself and what it is not so liquet. Harry is young and strange at the same time.
He has conscience which is wasted at the Sundered Ones, the race living amongst us. But in every single being, no matter how they look like, he sees piece of himself, humanity and the right for good handling, not misusing. It is kinda amiable from the leader. The thing that the story is completely told by his point of view was then inevitable, more less. Although at first you could miss the mind-blowing descriptions of prompt ambient or even whole world or the things which only narrator could know.
And Harry definitely was not the case. We have lived his peregrination, his doubts, his desperate effort to acquire and apply the pomposity in front of his Travelers. He could not manage that despite the arrival of an claimed Aakesh — dangerous, crazy, clever — the highest tier Soundered One. But at that point the story has started sparkling and has gained a absorbing and eery character. Indeed, Aakesh is the only one.
Actually, it is not a pity. After reading I have to admit that if it is written another way it definitely would damage the whole sonance. Harry is developing and destroying the inner walls. It is inept, but most certainly funny, charming and in purpose. This is the way how to make a kookie twosome what is always a catch. In a conditional society always is. Later there is a moment when Iskinder find out a meaning of his path. He stands before a hard decision which cannot be imagined by anybody alive: The paradox is that the people are depened on the Sundered Ones and there is a weak bond of compulsory symbiosis.
Maybe this state makes the story more interesting in order to the final impact could resound. From all of this come out a big thing. Re-awareness of how a people are arrogant, priggish That image is the most visible in my head. Individualism, which devour the unit.
Allan and the Sundered Veil
Non-humanity of people who show off the rights for everything and their foolishness re-fuse everything to re-create on their own harmed image. He tastes the betrayal of his own people, he experiences the world, where there is not one, two but more ways how to live. Also the good one. Unconditional by nothing and anything. It involves both choice and direction. It is, in fact, largely self-created. The visionary part of story is already here and that is the scary part. Whether it ends like in The Sundered is still in our hands - un fortunately. But if we do not destroy the comfortable wall, the happy end is out of our sight.
And we are not lonely for this way Dec 07, Parker Goodreau added it. I was promised a dark fantasy alien hot mess, and The Sundered delivered. With compelling character dynamics and fascinating world-building, this story creates a tense and immersive atmosphere. Everything builds beautifully without becoming overly complicated. I like the idea of a protagonist who makes mistakes while also clearly trying his best, whose goals are clear but distressingly separate from his dreams. While Harry struggles to figure out what to do with the strange circumstances and que I was promised a dark fantasy alien hot mess, and The Sundered delivered.
While Harry struggles to figure out what to do with the strange circumstances and questions presented to him, you can see the heart that makes him capable of his task. Without spoiling anything, I found the ending very satisfying, and I particularly appreciated the bonus material.
The journey could be frustrating at times, as it most definitely was for the characters. It's interesting to see the relationships develop as Harry and the Sundered danced around the idea of trusting one another, just as much as was necessary. This has definitely piqued my interest in the other books of the Among the Mythos series. Dec 15, Jacqueline rated it it was amazing Shelves: Really interesting premise, great twist at the end too.
A week or so later, it arrived. I read the blurb, then put the book down, thinking it sounded interesting. You guessed it—I loved it. It grabbed me from page one and held me until the wonderful end. The story takes place on a world flooded with black water that is deadly to humans. People share this world with the Sundered, magical creatures humans have enslaved.
The Sundered are dying out, but since there is no arable land and they are the only ones who can go into the water, they are the ones that produce food. Once the Sundered are all gone, the humans will eventually die out. Harry Iskinder is a salvager who paddles around in a small skiff looking for the Hope of humanity, a possibly mythical object that he hopes will save humans from extinction. No one knows what exactly it is or what it does, but Harry discovers that finding it will give him a choice; either the Sundered survive and humanity ends, or humanity lives for a while but the Sundered are wiped out.
The story is written in a snappy way that immediately drew this reader in. Harry is trying to live up to his family heritage of the ones who search for the Hope. Did the Sundered allow himself to be caught? And if so, why? Or does Harry simply have more power than he thought?
Either way, Aakesh, his first tier Sundered is an extraordinary being and the conversations between him and Harry are brilliant. I loved Gorish, the cute little Sundered. His simple ways were endearing and his love and loyalty for Harry, more than anything else, made me empathise with the Sundered. Aakesh was drawn so well, I could almost feel this incredibly powerful, noble and mysterious character. Other than these two, the only other character we really got to know or needed to know was Harry, who quickly became out of his depth.
All in all an excellent book that I highly recommend to anyone who likes science fiction or fantasy. In this post-apocalyptic story, humankind finds itself consistently threatened by the same thing that is most critical to their survival -- water. The black water can kill a human on contact, and it's the only water left. For the Sundered Ones, however, the water holds no danger, and this and their other unique abilities has led to humans devising a way to mentally "leash" and enslave them.
However the Sundered Ones can be "used up," and when that happens they die. And now even this resource is In this post-apocalyptic story, humankind finds itself consistently threatened by the same thing that is most critical to their survival -- water. And now even this resource is dying out. So it is that Harry, like generations of his family before him, searches for the Hope of Humanity, a mythical artifact which supposedly has the power to fix the planet, returning it to the state before the water turned black and perilous.
Along his quest, he hears contradictory accounts of the Hope's abilities and consequeces, and he soon finds himself with moral dilemmas on the order of genocide. Reading about Harry wrestling with these issues was thought-provoking. When it comes down to matters of survival, drastic times call for drastic measures.
But when it seems everything must be black or white with no hope of compromise Besides causing me to wax philosophical, I found Harry to be a likable protagonist and found the plot engaging. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book; my only issues were with a somewhat rushed ending, which I'll elaborate on below as my discussion contains spoilers.
I can't decide if I hated the ending or loved it. I can't decide if it was fair or right or just or not. Trill -- Unjoined; Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Mission: Section 31 -- Rogue; Star Trek: His most recent novels include Enterprise: The Needs of the Many. He lives with his wife, Jenny, and their two sons in Portland, Oregon.
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