Rating: 
Summary: Top reason to have a book series
Review: "Hidden in Sight" is a disappointment. It does not live up to the promise of the first two books in the series, "Beholder's Eye" and "Changing Visions," and it brought back someone I was hoping was safely dead from the first book -- Skalet.Skalet is not a likable person by any means. She does lots of things for the wrong reasons, and never did understand Esen. To have _her_ be the last surviving member of the original six (aside from Esen) made me feel cheated. And I really didn't like her being in this book. Since she's such an integral part of the book, that might explain why I mostly didn't like it. The ending is rather hopeful, I guess, but it was a trial and a struggle to get there. And, frankly, I put the book down for a good week and a half before I went back to it, and had no trouble finishing the thing, with no need to re-read anything for greater clarity. Note that my husband has a dissenting view; his point is that, as an author, if you can delineate your world so well that it sticks in the reader's brain, especially if you don't like one of the characters, you're doing your job. :) At any rate, because I dislike Skalet so very much, and because I don't like how she interacts with Esen (she pushes her around, as older siblings often do), I had a very hard time getting through this novel. I still like Esen and Paul, and their relationship; I liked most of the other people in this book, even the flawed Kearn who's _still_ trying to rehabilitate himself. But as I did not like Skalet, it made it harder to buy into the premise of this book. As for how to rate the whole series, I'd give the series four stars. It's a good series, and other folks might not hate Skalet as much as I do. ;-) And I really like the premise (it's extremely original and well done), and hope that Ms. Czerneda will write more books in this universe (hopefully without Skalet, or with a reformed Skalet that isn't as repulsive). Barb Caffrey
Rating: 
Summary: Not anywhere near as strong as the first two books
Review: "Hidden in Sight" is a disappointment. It does not live up to the promise of the first two books in the series, "Beholder's Eye" and "Changing Visions," and it brought back someone I was hoping was safely dead from the first book -- Skalet. Skalet is not a likable person by any means. She does lots of things for the wrong reasons, and never did understand Esen. To have _her_ be the last surviving member of the original six (aside from Esen) made me feel cheated. And I really didn't like her being in this book. Since she's such an integral part of the book, that might explain why I mostly didn't like it. The ending is rather hopeful, I guess, but it was a trial and a struggle to get there. And, frankly, I put the book down for a good week and a half before I went back to it, and had no trouble finishing the thing, with no need to re-read anything for greater clarity. Note that my husband has a dissenting view; his point is that, as an author, if you can delineate your world so well that it sticks in the reader's brain, especially if you don't like one of the characters, you're doing your job. :) At any rate, because I dislike Skalet so very much, and because I don't like how she interacts with Esen (she pushes her around, as older siblings often do), I had a very hard time getting through this novel. I still like Esen and Paul, and their relationship; I liked most of the other people in this book, even the flawed Kearn who's _still_ trying to rehabilitate himself. But as I did not like Skalet, it made it harder to buy into the premise of this book. As for how to rate the whole series, I'd give the series four stars. It's a good series, and other folks might not hate Skalet as much as I do. ;-) And I really like the premise (it's extremely original and well done), and hope that Ms. Czerneda will write more books in this universe (hopefully without Skalet, or with a reformed Skalet that isn't as repulsive). Barb Caffrey
Rating:
Summary: Even more fun than the first two!
Review: A suspenseful conclusion to the saga of Esen, one of the most fully-realized extraterrestrial characters in SF! Czerneda has a real gift for writing about aliens -- and about humans, for that matter! One word of warning: If you haven't read Beholder's Eye and Changing Vision, the first two books in this series, read them first. This book can stand on its own but you'll enjoy it more in its proper sequence.
Rating:
Summary: Even more fun than the first two!
Review: A suspenseful conclusion to the saga of Esen, one of the most fully-realized extraterrestrial characters in SF! Czerneda has a real gift for writing about aliens -- and about humans, for that matter! One word of warning: If you haven't read Beholder's Eye and Changing Vision, the first two books in this series, read them first. This book can stand on its own but you'll enjoy it more in its proper sequence.
Rating:
Summary: A Fishy Attack
Review: Hidden in Sight is the third novel in the Web Shifters series, following Changing Vision. In the previous volume, Janet Chase has exposed her predatory intentions and has fled Minas XII. Her co-conspirator, Inspector Logan, is unwise enough to come to Minas XII and learns not to betray a Herd of Ganthor. Rudy Lefebvre has left the Russell III and is contemplating a new future. Project Leader Kearn has been slipped a tip by the Esen Monster and is horrified, confused and gratified. The Kraal have not learned the secret of Web-being flight. Esen has met a new Group of friends and she resumes her life with Paul on Minas XII. In this novel, Picco's Moon has been invaded by someone who is mining Ersh's mountain and killing Tumblers. The disappearance of a Tumbler is reported and this information is forwarded to data collection equipment at Cameron & Ki Exports. Paul and Esen book passage to Picco's Moon on the Largas ship, Vegas Lass, but another passenger, Hom Wolla, has disappeared in the Dump, delaying the departure. Paul goes to the Dump to fetch the passenger, but doesn't return or communicate in two hours, so Esen goes after both of them. When she enters the bar, a Herd of Ganthor enters behind her and another Herd is before her with a drugged youngster who has been stolen from the other herd; the negotiations between the Herds escalates into a firefight. Then heavily armed and armored troopers enter the bar searching for something and both Herds turn against the newcomers. Esen loses sight of Paul and Wolla, but manages to escape through the lava tunnels to relative safety just before the firefight blows off the roof. Esen flees to the safety of her home and finds a crater instead; someone has blown up her house. She then flees to the greenhouse over their warehouse and finds Joel Largas there. Paul also appears, but is followed by heavily armed and armored troops. When they fire at Paul, Esen shifts to her Web-form, dumping energy in an explosion. The troopers are gone and Paul is dazed, but otherwise fine. Joel, however, has just met his worst nightmare, a Web-being like Death, and has gone into shock. Paul and Esen sedate him and take him home, then book passage on the first starship leaving Minas XII. Esen has shifted to her Oieta form, something like a giant shrimp, and Paul is also disguised as an Oieta, but has a reaction to the fluid within the suit and removes it. Esen, however, has another problem with her suit: an excess of aldehydes has caused her Oieta-self to become intoxicated, literally poisoned, but still a blissful experience; in other words, Esen is spaced out. This novel is as fast paced as the previous two, but is still mostly about the evolving relationship between Paul and Esen. It has some of the same minor themes, including the Tumbler tendancy to compose, by committee, 500 page messages that no one understands. I am almost certain that the Rand species, a communal intelligence, is a joke and maybe the Cin communal intelligence is another. There is also more about the architectural philosophy of Mixs. Recommended for Czerneda fans and anyone who enjoys zany adventures with likable persons within a SF setting.
Rating:
Summary: Another awesome book by Julie Czerneda
Review: Hidden in Sight was one of those books that I picked up to read at 8pm one night, put it down at midnight only because I had to go to work the next day. I read it every spare moment I could through the day until I finished it that night. Just like I did with Beholders Eye and Changing Vision. The story of Essen and Paul is just as riveting and enjoyable as the first two and the new characters just add to the depth of the novel.
Do yourself a favor and read Hidden in Sight. I agree with the other reviewers you should also read Beholders Eye and Changing Vision to give you background. Actually, just read anything that Julie Czerneda has written you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Humor, adventure, colorful aliens and appealing heroine!
Review: HIDDEN is a space opera of the best kind. While stand-alone, the book continues the evolution of Esen from the previous Webshifter novels. Esen, a very young shifter by her race's standards, and her human friend Paul, live in careful disguise to avoid the attention of the curious and the hostile. However, when they are suddenly assailed by hidden enemies, it's clear that their anonimity is no protection, and their subsequent quest to survive and counter their opponents allows the plot to explore both the exotic but fascinating aliens, and Esen's own maturing character. The author populates her worlds with appealing aliens: they are truly not humans, but are nonetheless three-dimensional despite enormous biological and cultural diversity. The humor is well-woven into the plot, and provides a welcome relief from the tension and danger. And last, and most important, Esen herself, impulsive, well-intentioned, making mistakes and redeeming herself and those around her--a perfect combination of vulnerability and strength. A delightful coming-of-age story for a three-hundred-year-old adolescent blue blob.
Rating:
Summary: Humor, adventure, colorful aliens and appealing heroine!
Review: HIDDEN is a space opera of the best kind. While stand-alone, the book continues the evolution of Esen from the previous Webshifter novels. Esen, a very young shifter by her race's standards, and her human friend Paul, live in careful disguise to avoid the attention of the curious and the hostile. However, when they are suddenly assailed by hidden enemies, it's clear that their anonimity is no protection, and their subsequent quest to survive and counter their opponents allows the plot to explore both the exotic but fascinating aliens, and Esen's own maturing character. The author populates her worlds with appealing aliens: they are truly not humans, but are nonetheless three-dimensional despite enormous biological and cultural diversity. The humor is well-woven into the plot, and provides a welcome relief from the tension and danger. And last, and most important, Esen herself, impulsive, well-intentioned, making mistakes and redeeming herself and those around her--a perfect combination of vulnerability and strength. A delightful coming-of-age story for a three-hundred-year-old adolescent blue blob.
Rating:
Summary: strong outer space science fiction tale
Review: Humanity has colonized the stars and co-exists with many special humanoids as well as other sentient races but no species will tolerate the existence of a Web-being. They are near immortal shape-shifters that can eat intelligent life and turn living matter into more of their own essence. A mindless Web-being called Death destroyed a whole world and many of the inhabitants on it. Essen, the only Web-being in the vicinity of Minos XII, is a gentle, caring soul whose web was destroyed by Death. She and her human, Paul Cameron have made a life for themselves on Minos XII, working in exports until a friend finds out Essen's true nature and tries to kill them. They escape to a waterworld planet where they learn Skalen, the only surviving member of Essen's former web, has out-maneuvered them. She makes her presence known because she needs them to go with her to Picco's Moon, the place where they were born to avert an interstellar war and so that the two-web beings can settle their differences once and for all. Essen is one of the most unique and refreshing sentient beings ever created by an author and it is easy to see why readers will cherish her. After six centuries of life, she is still an innocent who reveres life and regrets that people can't see past the surface of what she is. Pail is the one person who cares for her, as she is, a man who understands her nature and still cares deeply for her. They have a relationship that can only be severed by death. Their adventures together make for a strong outer space science fiction tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: strong outer space science fiction tale
Review: Humanity has colonized the stars and co-exists with many special humanoids as well as other sentient races but no species will tolerate the existence of a Web-being. They are near immortal shape-shifters that can eat intelligent life and turn living matter into more of their own essence. A mindless Web-being called Death destroyed a whole world and many of the inhabitants on it. Essen, the only Web-being in the vicinity of Minos XII, is a gentle, caring soul whose web was destroyed by Death. She and her human, Paul Cameron have made a life for themselves on Minos XII, working in exports until a friend finds out Essen's true nature and tries to kill them. They escape to a waterworld planet where they learn Skalen, the only surviving member of Essen's former web, has out-maneuvered them. She makes her presence known because she needs them to go with her to Picco's Moon, the place where they were born to avert an interstellar war and so that the two-web beings can settle their differences once and for all. Essen is one of the most unique and refreshing sentient beings ever created by an author and it is easy to see why readers will cherish her. After six centuries of life, she is still an innocent who reveres life and regrets that people can't see past the surface of what she is. Pail is the one person who cares for her, as she is, a man who understands her nature and still cares deeply for her. They have a relationship that can only be severed by death. Their adventures together make for a strong outer space science fiction tale. Harriet Klausner
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