Summary
The Earth has been invaded by the Illyri, a beautiful, civilized, yet ruthless alien race. Humanity has been conquered, but still fights the invaders. The Resistance grows stronger, for it is the young people of Earth who are best equipped to battle the Illyri.
Syl Hellais, conceived among the stars, is the oldest alien child on Earth, the first to reach sixteen years of age. Her father rules the planet. Her future us assured. And Syl has hidden gifts, powers that even she does yet fully understand.
But all is not as it seems. The Illyri are at war among themselves, and the sinister Nairene Sisterhood has arrived on Earth, hungry for new blood. When Syl helps a young Resistance fighter to escape execution, she finds herself sentenced to death, pursued by her own kind, and risks breaking the greatest taboo of her race by falling in love with a human.
Now the hunter has become the hunted, and the predator become prey.
And as Syl id about to learn, the real invasion has not yet begun...
Review
This was just what I had expected; fast plot and action, a totally original story line about alien invasion that gripped me from the very first page (this has got to be the first book about alien invasion that I have read and it didn't fail to amaze me). The characters where all very distinct from one another. Despite the war and hatred between the Illyri's and the humans, the main characters - Syl, Ani both first Illyri's to be born on earth, Paul and Steven Kerr your average everyday human brothers - show that not all are consumed by hatred for the conquest of their world, but will the sheer fact of Paul and Steven being part of the Resistance - a human run organisation that rebels against the rules set by the Illyri government - change the possible revolution of integration between Illyr and humans? And will Syl change Paul's perspective on all Illyri?
Syl Hellais is a 16 year old first earth born Illyri and one to believe that humans can be trusted and quite interesting but still hasn't quite grasped the true meaning of humans and after her encounter with Paul, it's all about to change. Syl and Ani are inseparable being born after Syl by a mere couple of days, they are practically twins. Their relationship was very interesting to read, both helping one another out, especially when it comes to keeping the secret of Syl sneaking out on her birthday, only to be caught in a bomb blast being saved by none other than Paul and Steven. The conflict between the Illyr and humans has left them to have literally the same amount of casualties or even kept as hostages, and Syl hits the top list of hostages being the daughter of Governor Andrus. Yup!!
This novel takes a lot of twists and turns, some mainly anticipated and some taking me totally by surprise. Supporting characters have also made a lot of impact on the success of this book; Meia the Governors spy-mistress, Just Joe a Highlander, Syrene the Archmage of the Sisterhood (one creepy and overly confident witch) Vena and Sedulus both top of the Securitats (both hated by all and annoying Illyri) and many more. Each had a distinct role to play, and none where seen as just another character but as "the" character, seen as their own person when it was about them.
Though there where many great things about this novel, there where also parts that really started to get on my nerves. At first the vivid description and background of the other world, Earth, Scotland, Edinburgh etc where all very interesting to read about, even I learnt a few things about England and I live in England. But after a while possibly 55% of this novel was all description, I know this book is in third person and I absolutely LOVE third person but I've read previous books written in this style and compared to this books, this had more detail than actual speech, which really annoyed me because I really enjoyed reading this novel. Despite that the research of each area was amazing, the concept of using facts and adding fiction to it was used very delicately here which just made it more realistic. Another part of not having enough was the chemistry to read about between Syl and Paul really wish there was more, but the parts in the novel about them where totally awesome to read especially the awkward conversations and situations they where put in.
Both John and Jennifer have done an amazing job bringing this fast paced novel. With the revealing of Illyri having powers but who is it that the Archmage Syrene had sensed; Syl or Ani? And why is the Sisterhood on Earth? And what fate is in place for fugitives on the run from Consul Grandus - the one who's taken everything from Governor Andrus - and the Corps who only listen to the Consul and the Military who's only loyalty is to the Governor? The ending was spectacular, expecting something but getting something completely different, I was left teetering on the edge of my chair, literally. This novel brings you a stunning first book in a Chronicles, fast paced story line, finding your first true love, but most of all finding out the truth behind the missing pieces in a puzzle and Syl, Ani, Paul and Steven are right in the middle of the crossfire.
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