Search Image
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4.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
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 are ready to celebrate the first anniversary of their greatest accomplishment, the All Species' Library of Linguistics and Culture, by welcoming his family back. He hopes. Having mourned his supposed death years ago, understandably, feelings are bent.
Instead, they’ve unexpected guests, starting with an old acquaintance. Paul's father has gone missing under dire circumstances.
Before he can convince Esen to help him search, a friend shows up to use the Library. A crisis on Dokeci Na is about to explode into violence. To stop it, Evan Gooseberry needs answers. Unfortunately, the artifact he brought in trade holds its own distracting secret. A touch of very familiar blue. Web-flesh.
The race is on. Paul, to find his father. Esen, to search for a mysterious legacy while helping Evan avert an extinction. What none of them realize is the price of success will be the most terrible choice of all.
Customer Reviews
Strong Start to the Web Shifter’s Library Series
“Search Image” is the first volume in the Web Shifter’s Library Series by Julie E. Czerneda, and the beginning of the second trilogy of novels. The Web Shifters Trilogy proceeds it in the series. These books feature Esen-alit-Quar, Esen or Es for short. Esen is a most unique being, thought to be one of the last of her kind. She is a web-being, a shapeshifter that can assume the forms of other beings.
In the Web Shifter’s Library Series, Esen and het human partner Paul Ragem have recently founded the All Species’ Library of Linguistics and Culture on Botharis (Paul’s backwater home planet). This institution aims to help various alien species understand each other (and sometimes themselves) to prevent tragedies that can occur when misunderstandings happen. Esen has a unique perspective on these matters since she can become any type of alien herself, so long as she can assimilate some of their genetic material. The Diplomat Evan Gooseberry seeks assistance from this institution to save a nearly extinct species nicknamed “Elves” that has just been inadvertently transplanted to an occupied alien planet, Dokeci-Na.
Julie E. Czerneda was a Biologist before she became an author, and this clearly shows in her world-building. There are so many amazing aliens in her works. These well-thought-out beings range from mineral to aquatic, and include interesting human cultures that have diverged from the standard as mankind expanded into a galaxy that was already teeming with life. This is an amazing old-school space opera with a vast scope. It’s also a pretty positive read, where even carnivorous giant crab-like species can be understood and reasoned with if one can only try to think like they do.
The cover art was done by the artist Matt Stawicki. This amazing artwork actually faithfully illustrates a scene from the novel! The Web Shifters Library Series continues with the next novel called “Mirage.” I’ve already put it on my “Want to Read” List.