Book Review: Risen

Risen

By:  Laura Jennings

Publish Date:  April 28, 2011

Format:  eBook, 73pgs

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  2nd in Highsong series; 1st Book ~ Highsong

Recommendation:  If you enjoy ocean reads and a connection with whales & dolphins, yes. A little science blended in as well.

Synopsis:
Nearly two years after surviving the incident on Ptaal, the unique psychic abilities of Harp Hess and his dolphin companion Sia have captured the attention of the Ninth Democracy. Isolated from his mother and trained at a secret facility to battle the alien threat of the Viciss, Harp is reluctantly on route to his first real battle.

But an ambush leaves Harp and Sia stranded, in the company of a ragtag militia desperate to save a doomed planet. As Harp struggles to form an uneasy alliance, Sia realizes this time, their greatest enemy may come from within ...

First Sentence:
The Akos in hyperspace streaked the stars.

Purchase At:
Amazon

**I read this book for an honest review from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Harp and Sia are on the ship Arkos, taken away from his mother by the Ninth Democracy to be trained and tested. The Viciss are becoming more aggressive, attacking the ships Harp is on. They know Harp is there and he's the biggest threat to them, before the Risen species. Once again Harps ship is attacked, but he's already on his way out in an escape pod, as he feels a prisoner here. He's heading toward an unifested planet they recently passed, however the Viciss are all around and Harp's pod is pulled off path to Kaimana - a planet that is to have no human life and the Viciss nesting. Harp finds there are humans that are left, and Risen.

Sia's and Harp's relationship has grown. They both need each other to accomplish things they come across. Sia also is Harp's guardian against a Viciss Onesong attack, to help keep his mind stable. But their friendship will be put to the tests they would not have thought would come. Sia will have to face that another Risen can help Harp, and it's okay to have support. Sia can't do it all alone and there will be times when her and Harp are separated. A good growing lesson for both on this world.

I feel Laura's writing has improved from the first book to this one. I seem to have a better understanding of the Highsong of the Risen. It's easily explained here and we see it in action once again. Actually, we learn there are different songs that can be sung. It's neat to see the variety of Highsong between the Risen species depending on the water mammal using it.

Harp has warned those that he finds on this planet what he is capable of, but they don't believe a young blind boy. There is trouble brewing with the Viciss and one that will betray them all... Maybe Harp can help them, but who does he trust?

Things are growing deeper in this world. The Viciss are aware of Harp now and after him. Nice growth in the world and the Risen.

Very much enjoyed this second book. The ending is complete, but I feel there is more to come. The war with the Viciss is not over, and now that they are aware of Harp and his ability, it's just starting for Harp. I look forward to reading more of Harp and his aquatic mammal support.

Book Review: Highsong

Highsong

By:  Laura Jennings

Publish Date:  April 28, 2011

Format:  eBook, 73pgs

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st in Highsong series

Recommendation:  You enjoy short soft science fiction reads? This one is for you. With dolphins, Orcas, and a powerful enemy on a new planet.

Synopsis:
Sia is a Risen, a genetically engineered, sapient, and psychic dolphin on board a science-ship sent to check the stability of a terraformed planet, Ptaal, that lost contact with the Ninth Democracy 300 years before.

Also on board is her human friend, Harp, the result of an illegal experiment that attempted to make a psychic human.

Both of them look forward to their first mission, because none of the alien Viciss show signs of targeting Ptaal.

Sia and Harp are wrong.

Because the Viciss aren’t coming.

They’ve already arrived.

First Sentence:
The Trellia had a song all its own.

Purchase At:
Amazon

**I read this book for an honest review from the author.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Harp and Sia are aboard Trellia heading to Ptaal to research the planet the Democracy has lost touch with over three hundred years ago. They are part of a crew that is to confirm the ecological stability and that there are no Viciss, the dark and dangerous enemy to humans and all kinds. When they arrive Ptaal, things are not as they thought. Sia, being a Data Scout dolphin and keeps all the data, is evacuated from the ship to try and save the data. Harp, a blind genius boy who has his own psychic abilities due to an illegal testing, is left on the ship and has to find a way to fend off the enemy to save what's left of his mothers crew. The Highsong is hard for both to reach, but is the only way to stop the enemy...even if it means their own lives.

A story of inner and physical obstacles that must be beaten. Harp and Sia are different yet very much the same. Both are stubborn. Harp is a young blind boy that was found by Captain Cait Hess. She adopted him and he's been trying to control the test that was done to him. He now has a ring around his head that tells when he's close to having a fit, when his mindsong becomes strong, and could kill him with the fluctuation of it. The Orca Highsonger and warrior helps him get through these episodes. Sia is a Data Scout who surveys and retrieves data, also helps with Harp's fits, but she's not as strong as her teacher Locuxu yet.

I found this to be light in science fiction. Harp has Braille generators on his wrists and the halo anchored to his head. There is talk of the planet Ptaal that was terraformed. Even the breathing ring apparatus the dolphins wear. But the science is light when it comes to it. Easy to understand. There is talk of Highsong, mindsong, and Onesong in the book. You learn as you go what they are. But in general they are psychic songs that are sung that the Risen can hear and use.

I am very much an ocean lover, particularly dolphins and orcas. So for me it was neat to see a way was found to communicate with them. It is neat that through this Highsong and socorder to see them speak to humans.

There is danger here, both internal and external. Internal for Harp and Sia, external for them and the rest of the crew and inhabitants of the planet. This is an interesting start to a new idea with psychic and song communication. I'm curious to learn more.