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Nuetierra Chronicles #1
Skein of Fates
Nuetierra. An alien world where twin moons light the night and massive air-breathing jellyfish float through the violet skies trolling for prey. Nue Bayona. A gaslit, steam-powered city caught between the iron fist of a despot and the bloody fist of a terrorist... Four hundred years have passed since The Great War toppled the technologically advanced colonial civilization created by refugees fleeing a dying planet. Since its fall, the descendants of the survivors have gradually rebuilt a new society on the bones of the old. Deanna Hernaan, daughter of Eduard, the former Alcalde of Nue Bayona, spends much of her time caring for her mentally damaged younger sister, Ceilia. Six years ago, her stepmother Lourdessa led a brutal political coup against their father. With the consent of the city’s elite, Lourdessa rules through patronage and oppression while Deanna’s father languishes in prison. The common citizens chafe beneath Lourdessa’s yoke and yearn for their lost democracy. Many in Nue Bayona support a resistance movement led by the mysterious figure known only as Faustin, despite the fact his violent tactics have left innocent people dead. Threatened by Deanna’s popularity, Lourdessa jealously arranges for her assassination. But the attempt fails and Deanna escapes from the city. Cast adrift in a hostile wilderness and near death, she is rescued by a band of diminutive hunters, members of a mysterious race she knows only from history books—the Tiqui. Recovering in their distant village, Deanna meets a remarkable woman—the Tiqui chieftess Yellow Bird. The chieftess possesses the shamanic gift of foresight. Her visions have revealed that a girl of the tall folk would one day come, a girl whose fate is inextricably linked to that of the Tiqui. When Deanna’s safe haven is destroyed in a night of horrific violence, she must make a leave the Tiqui for a life of exile, or dare to embrace her destiny by embarking on the road to revolution. Dangerous and uncertain, disaster or salvation waits at its end—for both Tiqui and tall folk alike. Skein of Fates is the first book in the Nuetierra Chronicles.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2021
About the author
Leslie Ann Moore
7 books233 followersEver since I can remember, I've been a storyteller. Characters constantly walk onto the stage of my mind, introduce themselves, and talk to me about their lives. I also see snippets of scenes, hear pieces of dialogue, even smell particular scents--it's like watching chunks of wild, amazing movies play in my head. Some of those bits eventually begin making sense, and that's when I start the writing process in earnest.
Some might call me crazy! Others of you out there know exactly what I'm talking about because it happens to you, too.
I'm that rare creature--an actual Los Angeles native. I have a big, warm loving family and a small, loving circle of friends. I'm a hardcore fantasy and sci-fi geek, and I wear my geekhood proudly! I'm also a political junkie and a trivia fan.
I've travelled extensively around the world and I practice the ancient and beautiful art of bellydance.
Be open-minded, non-judgmental, and loving and we can connect.
Some might call me crazy! Others of you out there know exactly what I'm talking about because it happens to you, too.
I'm that rare creature--an actual Los Angeles native. I have a big, warm loving family and a small, loving circle of friends. I'm a hardcore fantasy and sci-fi geek, and I wear my geekhood proudly! I'm also a political junkie and a trivia fan.
I've travelled extensively around the world and I practice the ancient and beautiful art of bellydance.
Be open-minded, non-judgmental, and loving and we can connect.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 29, 2021
Skein of Fates is a lavishly-detailed scifi following a power struggle on a colony world that is currently trying to claw its way out of steam era tech after nearly wiping itself out once before. The story pits one city-state's would-be dictator against a resistance made up of its working poor.
While the story of the power struggle itself is somewhat predictable, the alien world it takes place in is lovely. The fauna are especially well done, integrated into every part of daily life in this world. I'm particularly fond of the sky jellies, which make for both interesting transportation and dangerous wilderness threat.
The villain is a bit cartoonishly caricatured, which normally I would ding a story for. Some folks love that, of course. It's not usually my thing. However, in light of recent years, the particular style of narcissism shown here is more believable than it might once have been.
The language is also dense, which at times is amazing. When the environmental detail is working, it's REALLY working beautifully. However, it can also stumble into being difficult to track depending on the type of reader you are, and how much RAM your particular brain came installed with (mine's on the low side, unfortunately). Overuse of five dollar words in irregular sentence structures—very long irregular sentence structures at that—can often times leave you rereading the same sentence repeatedly, as it seems to lose its own thread somewhere in the middle. Thankfully, this seems to be more of an issue at the beginning. Once the author hits their stride, the sentences flow much better and it becomes quite the captivating read.
All in all, I'd recommend this book. And I'd especially recommend it if you're craving a read about an alien world.
While the story of the power struggle itself is somewhat predictable, the alien world it takes place in is lovely. The fauna are especially well done, integrated into every part of daily life in this world. I'm particularly fond of the sky jellies, which make for both interesting transportation and dangerous wilderness threat.
The villain is a bit cartoonishly caricatured, which normally I would ding a story for. Some folks love that, of course. It's not usually my thing. However, in light of recent years, the particular style of narcissism shown here is more believable than it might once have been.
The language is also dense, which at times is amazing. When the environmental detail is working, it's REALLY working beautifully. However, it can also stumble into being difficult to track depending on the type of reader you are, and how much RAM your particular brain came installed with (mine's on the low side, unfortunately). Overuse of five dollar words in irregular sentence structures—very long irregular sentence structures at that—can often times leave you rereading the same sentence repeatedly, as it seems to lose its own thread somewhere in the middle. Thankfully, this seems to be more of an issue at the beginning. Once the author hits their stride, the sentences flow much better and it becomes quite the captivating read.
All in all, I'd recommend this book. And I'd especially recommend it if you're craving a read about an alien world.
June 14, 2021
Skein of Fates was a super cool read because although it takes place on another planet and future time period, I consider it a Snow White retelling. Deanna is a young girl when we first meet her and right away, we're thrown into the violent coup her step-mother led against her father. He's imprisoned and although Deanna wants to make her step-mom pay, she knows that to so so would put her younger sister at risk. It isn't until Deanna's death is ordered and she must flee to The Wilds that she realizes how deep the rebellion against her step-mother runs and how terribly the Tiqui people have been treated.
Overall, Skein of Fates is a very enjoyable, fact-paced read. There's lots of action, likeable characters, awful characters (I'm looking at you, Lourdessa and Alehan!), and excitement. It's also very well-written and flawlessly edited! I definitely recommend you check it out!
*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.*
Overall, Skein of Fates is a very enjoyable, fact-paced read. There's lots of action, likeable characters, awful characters (I'm looking at you, Lourdessa and Alehan!), and excitement. It's also very well-written and flawlessly edited! I definitely recommend you check it out!
*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.*
July 12, 2022
This book ended up being way more than I expected, which was a sci-fi retelling of Snow White. Based on that, I wasn't expecting the rich and detailed world-building or the fairly complex plot within a plot about the fight for democracy in this futuristic world, a colony of earth that brought its politics with it and where the rich and the powerful still build their kingdoms on the backs of the oppressed. While the two villains are evil almost to the point of caricature, they're still the ones that you love to hate and it was almost fun to imagine punching them in the face or blowing off their heads. I loved the Tiqui and what the author did with them. Their value of family and community and the way their society was structured made me want to visit and I loved reading about Deanna getting to know them. For the most part, the pacing of the book was well done and there was a nice mix of action, intrigue, and relationship stuff and I never found myself being bored.
The only thing I wish is that there weren't so many threads left unanswered. For example, the book opens with a priest looking for old tech for the church, but other than referring to their finds and what ended up happening a couple of times, we don't really know what happened to them after. For Deanna's part, things are left somewhat chaotic, but you do get an indication of what she will be doing next. But we really are left hanging. I know that this is only the first in a series, but I don't know how long the series will be (based on the first book, I would think that a trilogy may be able to address everything) and I also don't know how long we will have to wait for the next book. That said, I will be anxiously waiting for the next book.
I love that I went in thinking this would be a simple retelling of Snow White, but it ended up being so much more with a wildly imaginative world. I would recommend this to those who enjoy retellings with a sci-fi/steampunk aspect.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The only thing I wish is that there weren't so many threads left unanswered. For example, the book opens with a priest looking for old tech for the church, but other than referring to their finds and what ended up happening a couple of times, we don't really know what happened to them after. For Deanna's part, things are left somewhat chaotic, but you do get an indication of what she will be doing next. But we really are left hanging. I know that this is only the first in a series, but I don't know how long the series will be (based on the first book, I would think that a trilogy may be able to address everything) and I also don't know how long we will have to wait for the next book. That said, I will be anxiously waiting for the next book.
I love that I went in thinking this would be a simple retelling of Snow White, but it ended up being so much more with a wildly imaginative world. I would recommend this to those who enjoy retellings with a sci-fi/steampunk aspect.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 16, 2021
Hello,
Faith Evans, Charlaine Harris, Dresden Files fan here. Not to give credentials, just to explain I am new to the steampunk Sci Fi genre. So I am thrilled my first intro was through Leslie Ann Moore, as I devoured her first trilogy (Griffin's Daughter).
First, and based on my previous experience with the author, let me express how amazed I am at the tremendous growth one can witness in Moore's writing. One cannot help see it, feel it, and root for it. It's like watching a plant grow, bloom, and blossom. But that's not why you may be reading this review.
In "Skein of Fates", I was very happy to once again come across what seems to have become a few of Moore's trademarks: a delicate blending of cultures (as an immigrant myself, I appreciate the small details in customs, dress, and language), and the ever present social/racial subjects, this time taking several and new aspects, showing how multifaceted those issues are.
I am trying not to use any spoilers, so I will remain vague in my opinions of the characters and story. But I will add that Moore has a talent for piquing my interest in secondary characters. While each character is developed enough for a first volume, there is the tantalizing promise of more that you can almost taste (the character of Celia, for example). And Deanna, the main protagonist is almost bland in most of the book. She is unaware of matters that do not touch or affect her life. She isn't unpleasant, petulant, or spoilt. She seems to just exist, until her awakening begins. That too is something that whet my appetite for more.
I realize this isn't as helpful as it could be, but I really don't want to spoil anything. In short, this is a steampunk sci fi version of Snow White, with a touch of "Shannarra Chronicles" (our future is their past), with indigenous, class societal acknowledgment (which really hit home, given the recent discovery of indigenous children's graves in residential schools), and a heroine full of short comings (a nice change from super women one cannot really relate to), but equally full of promise.
I docked one star, because I know the next installment will be even better, knowing the author's capacity for growth, progress, and evolution.
Faith Evans, Charlaine Harris, Dresden Files fan here. Not to give credentials, just to explain I am new to the steampunk Sci Fi genre. So I am thrilled my first intro was through Leslie Ann Moore, as I devoured her first trilogy (Griffin's Daughter).
First, and based on my previous experience with the author, let me express how amazed I am at the tremendous growth one can witness in Moore's writing. One cannot help see it, feel it, and root for it. It's like watching a plant grow, bloom, and blossom. But that's not why you may be reading this review.
In "Skein of Fates", I was very happy to once again come across what seems to have become a few of Moore's trademarks: a delicate blending of cultures (as an immigrant myself, I appreciate the small details in customs, dress, and language), and the ever present social/racial subjects, this time taking several and new aspects, showing how multifaceted those issues are.
I am trying not to use any spoilers, so I will remain vague in my opinions of the characters and story. But I will add that Moore has a talent for piquing my interest in secondary characters. While each character is developed enough for a first volume, there is the tantalizing promise of more that you can almost taste (the character of Celia, for example). And Deanna, the main protagonist is almost bland in most of the book. She is unaware of matters that do not touch or affect her life. She isn't unpleasant, petulant, or spoilt. She seems to just exist, until her awakening begins. That too is something that whet my appetite for more.
I realize this isn't as helpful as it could be, but I really don't want to spoil anything. In short, this is a steampunk sci fi version of Snow White, with a touch of "Shannarra Chronicles" (our future is their past), with indigenous, class societal acknowledgment (which really hit home, given the recent discovery of indigenous children's graves in residential schools), and a heroine full of short comings (a nice change from super women one cannot really relate to), but equally full of promise.
I docked one star, because I know the next installment will be even better, knowing the author's capacity for growth, progress, and evolution.
June 30, 2021
Full disclosure: I received this novel as an ARC.
This book is unlike any fantasy novel I've read previously with its blending of fantasy and sci fi with Spanish and Native American aesthetic and parallels. The book takes place in the far future, where colonists have left Earth to settle the world of Nuetierra, an alien planet featuring a violet sky and unique flora and fauna. After a devastating war, technology was knocked down a few pegs, though ancient artifacts remain. This book features elements common in both fantasy and sci fi stories.
As a fan of dense worldbuilding, I was pleased by the level of detail put into everything ranging from the amazing description of jungles, ruins, and villages, to the examination of social structures and economics. Readers who are unfamiliar with Spanish terms or who struggle remembering new words may struggle with some of this intense worldbuilding, but for me, this was exquisite.
The characters are delightful, and as a fan of villains, I especially loved the vibes of the main antagonist, Lourdessa. She is a powerful and intimidating woman, ruling the city of Nue Bayona with an iron fist and diamond-studded dress. Fashionable and ferocious, she was enjoyable every time she was on the page.
This book is unlike any fantasy novel I've read previously with its blending of fantasy and sci fi with Spanish and Native American aesthetic and parallels. The book takes place in the far future, where colonists have left Earth to settle the world of Nuetierra, an alien planet featuring a violet sky and unique flora and fauna. After a devastating war, technology was knocked down a few pegs, though ancient artifacts remain. This book features elements common in both fantasy and sci fi stories.
As a fan of dense worldbuilding, I was pleased by the level of detail put into everything ranging from the amazing description of jungles, ruins, and villages, to the examination of social structures and economics. Readers who are unfamiliar with Spanish terms or who struggle remembering new words may struggle with some of this intense worldbuilding, but for me, this was exquisite.
The characters are delightful, and as a fan of villains, I especially loved the vibes of the main antagonist, Lourdessa. She is a powerful and intimidating woman, ruling the city of Nue Bayona with an iron fist and diamond-studded dress. Fashionable and ferocious, she was enjoyable every time she was on the page.
September 2, 2021
This is an incredible start to what promises to be an intriguing series. I was most captivated by the imaginative world that still feels familiar and relatable even while introducing exotic elements like giant flying jellyfish, which are an interesting spin on the dirigibles that are so prevalent in the steampunk genre. I hope they make a return appearance in future books. The wide cast of deftly drawn characters brings unique viewpoints to the power struggle that lies at the heart of the story, as well as imparting a fuller understanding of its implications for this harshly stratified society. It was satisfying to experience the action and consequences through the eyes of several important players -- heroes and villains -- throughout the novel. I can't wait to see how the story evolves in future books.
March 12, 2022
Amazing world, intriguing premise and one to return to
What a fun and creative world this is! The writer immediately gives you a dose of great sci fi—things pulled from the world we know but given an evolution that makes perfect sense.
The set up of the government, geography and social patterns of the cultures (because there are several!) feel lived in and real. You get the sensation this world has been around a while.
And through all this excellent worldbuilding, we have characters we emphasize with and want to see succeed from the very first page. You despise the villain and route for the MC while also learning there’s much more to the world than you or even the characters know.
I look forward to coming back.
What a fun and creative world this is! The writer immediately gives you a dose of great sci fi—things pulled from the world we know but given an evolution that makes perfect sense.
The set up of the government, geography and social patterns of the cultures (because there are several!) feel lived in and real. You get the sensation this world has been around a while.
And through all this excellent worldbuilding, we have characters we emphasize with and want to see succeed from the very first page. You despise the villain and route for the MC while also learning there’s much more to the world than you or even the characters know.
I look forward to coming back.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews