{"product_id":"hidden-sun-isbn-9780857668011","title":"Hidden Sun","description":"\u003cb\u003eAn eccentric noblewoman scientist's journey into a hostile environment will change her world forever, in this enthralling fantasy novel.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRhia Harlyn is a noble in Shen, one of the dozens of shadowlands which separate the bright, alien skyland. She has a missing brother, an unwanted marriage proposal and an interest in science considered unbecoming in her gender. Her brother's disappearance coincided with a violent unsolved murder, and Rhia impulsively joins the search party headed into the skyland - a place whose dangers and wonders have long fascinated her. The dangerous journey brings her into conflict with a young rebel stuck between the worlds of shadow and light, and a charismatic cult leader who believes he can defeat death itself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFile Under:\u003c\/i\u003e Fantasy [ Secret Science | Iron Age | Caravan of Courage | Into the Light ]\u003cp\u003e“A fascinating and finely written exploration of the human and the alien.”\u003cbr\u003e– \u003cb\u003eAdrian Tchaikovsky\u003c\/b\u003e, Arthur C Clarke Award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eChildren of Time\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Intriguing world building and complex cultures are a Jaine Fenn specialty, and \u003ci\u003eHidden Sun\u003c\/i\u003e takes these elements to the next level. Fenn fans will enjoy this one!”\u003cbr\u003e– \u003cb\u003ePatrice Sarath\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Sisters Mederos\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Brilliantly written; an excellent book that I struggled to put down. \u003ci\u003eHidden Sun\u003c\/i\u003e draws you into a strange and evocative world, both alien and oddly familiar. Compelling characters, intrigue and weird science there are few authors capable of writing science fantasy this well.”\u003cbr\u003e– \u003cb\u003eGavin G Smith\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eAge of Scorpio\u003c\/i\u003e and the Bastard Legion series\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Extraordinary world-building, with a hardcore, violent poetry to the writing. Jaine Fenn continues to be a star of new fantasy.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e– Paul Cornell\u003c\/b\u003e, author of the Lychford novellas\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“An exciting tale of adventure set in a complex and unusual world, filled with strong characters and strange phenomena.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e– Liz Williams\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Highly recommended.\"\u003cbr\u003e– Jacey Bedford\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“An intriguing introduction to an interesting world.”\u003cbr\u003e– Purple Owl Reviews\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eHidden Sun\u003c\/i\u003e is worth reading. It’s interesting and is a good start to what I hope will be a great series. There are so many great possibilities.”\u003cbr\u003e– Vampire Book Club\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eHidden Sun\u003c\/i\u003e is a book which offers a believable and intriguing world in which to journey with the characters.”\u003cbr\u003e– Strange Alliances\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A welcome return to novel writing by a talented author.”\u003cbr\u003e– SF Brum Group\u003c\/p\u003ePraise for Jaine Fenn\u003cp\u003e“Fenn is at her best when describing the lives of strong women up against it, and excels at fast action thrillers.”\u003cbr\u003e– The Guardian\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A vivid and unusual world, populated by an interesting array of characters”\u003cbr\u003e– The Times\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Jaine Fenn opens a window on a fascinating and vivid science fictional world… It's an energetic space opera, an interesting and entertaining entry in an old genre.”\u003cbr\u003e– Strange Horizons\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Fenn manages to put her own stamp on some familiar genre elements, enough to make this a genuinely promising debut”\u003cbr\u003e– Locus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Both plotting and characterisation are handled deftly, while Fenn's world-building of exotic locales is equally impressive... you should read Jaine Fenn – she's bloody ace.”\u003cbr\u003e– SFX Magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Tense and fast-paced.”\u003cbr\u003e– The Telegraph\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Highly recommended, they’re beautiful in emotion along with the action-fueled pace you’d expect from someone like Chuck Wendig.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e– British Fantasy Society\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Readable yet intellectually sophisticated,\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e–BFSA\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJAINE FENN studied linguistics and astronomy before becoming a full time writer. Her first book, \u003ci\u003ePrinciples of Angels\u003c\/i\u003e, started the Hidden Empire series of character-driven space opera novels. She won the BSFA Shorter Fiction Award, and now divides her time between original fiction, teaching creative writing, and writing for tabletop and video games. She lives in Devon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ejainefenn.com\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003efacebook.com\/JaineFenn\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003etwitter.com\/JaineFenn\u003c\/i\u003eChapter 1\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Rhia looked up, and listened. Distant chanting drifted in through the study window but the house itself was silent. Probably just one of the cats, knocking something over downstairs.\u003cbr\u003e She pulled the lamp closer and bent over her workbench again. The second lens was a tight fit but she mustn’t force it. A smear on the inner surface of the glass now would be damned hard to clean off later. Her motions slow and careful, she eased the lens into the cradle of leather straps.\u003cbr\u003e The lens dropped into place, and there it was: her sightglass, complete. The tube of dowelling and waxed paper was only the length of her forearm, but it was the culmination of many years’ work.\u003cbr\u003e Time to test her invention. Smiling to herself, she straightened and looked over at the wooden ladder leading up to the observation platform. One advantage of the drought: the sky would be clear. Both Moons were up, so she could start with them. She unclipped the sightglass from the vice.\u003cbr\u003e A sound outside: heavy footsteps thundering up the wooden stairs. Her head snapped round. Surely the servants were not back yet–\u003cbr\u003e “This way!”\u003cbr\u003e Not the servants. And coming closer. She grabbed the sightglass and ducked down behind her workbench.\u003cbr\u003e The study door flew open.\u003cbr\u003e Peering through the workbench’s legs, Rhia saw a heavy build and stained street-clothes; from here only the lower half of the man’s face was visible. A stranger. A stranger in her house. “In here,” he called over his shoulder. The light from his horn-fronted lantern showed a crooked nose, no doubt broken in a fight.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia’s breathing deafened her. Surely he must hear that. She must stay calm. Stay calm, and hide until help comes. But no help would come. Everyone was at the rain-vigil.\u003cbr\u003e A second man entered. He was shorter, so Rhia had a full view of him from her hiding place. His long face reminded her of a horse – no, with those close-together eyes more like a donkey. Both men had large packs on their backs. \u003ci\u003eThieves!\u003c\/i\u003e Lower city thieves, taking advantage of noble houses left empty by the extended restday devotions.\u003cbr\u003e The two men looked around, getting their bearings. Broken-nose swept papers off a shelf near the door – Rhia winced as the stack of celestial tables cascaded to the floor – and put his lantern down.\u003cbr\u003e Why come this far up the hill, why risk robbing a house so close to the palace? Rhia had a ridiculous vision of shadowy hordes of ne’er-do-wells creeping through the upper city, targeting every townhouse.\u003cbr\u003e “You sure no one’s here?” said the donkey-faced man. He gestured towards the workbench. Rhia’s heart jumped. “They’ve left a lamp lit.”\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose shrugged. “For the vigil?” He scratched his chin. “Or maybe she just does that. Meant to be pretty kooky, this Countess Harlyn.”\u003cbr\u003e This was no random criminality. They knew whose house they had invaded. This was about Etyan, and the girl. About what her foolish brother had done. Might have done.\u003cbr\u003e This, after three months of uncertainty, was retribution.\u003cbr\u003e No. Stay calm. Stay hidden. Remember to breathe.\u003ci\u003e Quietly.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Let’s see what we’ve got then,” said Broken-nose.\u003cbr\u003e He ambled over to her sandclock on its little table, staring at it like he’d never seen one before. Which he probably hadn’t. Seeing him in profile Rhia realised the pack on his back already had something in it, a small but heavy item. Stolen from downstairs, no doubt.\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face wandered over to her desk, and began picking up papers. Rhia hoped his hands were cleaner than they looked.\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose called to his companion. “Any luck?”\u003cbr\u003e “Nah.” Donkey-face stabbed the papers with a bony finger. “We need to start looking in drawers and cupboards.”\u003cbr\u003e So, they were here for something specific. Maybe this wasn’t about Etyan after all. The thought raised her spirits, and anger challenged the fear.\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose was surveying the cabinets and shelves around the walls. “There’re books and shit like that all over the place.”\u003cbr\u003e “It won’t be \u003ci\u003ebooks\u003c\/i\u003e.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eWhat won’t be? What are you after, damn you?!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face turned and joined his companion in a silent appraisal of the packed study. Then he paused. “Aha,” he said.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia followed his gaze. \u003ci\u003eNo! No no no no no. Not that.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face strode over to the heavy ironwood chest beside the door.\u003cbr\u003e Even as Rhia straightened, her mind was screaming at her to \u003ci\u003eStay calm! Stay hidden!\u003c\/i\u003e Striding out, lamp in one hand, sightglass in the other, she remembered the moment she had turned on the worst of the childhood bullies. He’d been amazed and run off. Same thing now. Show them you mean business.\u003cbr\u003e “Get. Out. Of. My. House.”\u003cbr\u003e Each word was loaded with righteous fury. Donkey-face turned. He did look amazed, Rhia was pleased to note. The fact that she wore men’s clothing and didn’t have her mask on probably helped here.\u003cbr\u003e “Now!” she added, in case he hadn’t got the message.\u003cbr\u003e Movement off to one side. Oh yes: there were \u003ci\u003etwo\u003c\/i\u003e of them.\u003cbr\u003e But she had the fury now. When the man lunged at her from the left she lashed out without looking, without thought.\u003cbr\u003e The blow connected; she’d hit him with the object held in that hand.\u003ci\u003e The sightglass!\u003c\/i\u003e Dowling snapped, leather flapped. The lens flew free.\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose staggered back with an oath. The crash as he hit the table hurt her ears. Sandclock, table and intruder went down. Broken-nose’s cry of surprise became one of pain.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia didn’t see him fall. She was concentrating on holding Donkey-face’s gaze, trying to drive him off by force of will. She had started this. She had to finish it.\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face’s left eye was watery, a little red. Even from here she could smell him: fresh ale and stale sweat. He broke her gaze, his attention flicking to the lamp in her hand. She’d grabbed it half thinking to use it as a weapon, but doubted it would be much use against such types.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia glanced down. Yes, the man had a knife on his belt. Yes, his hand was creeping towards it. She must be mad. These men were criminals. But she couldn’t back down. Speaking with slow care she said, “If you lay so much as a finger on me, my cousin the duke will hunt you down and have you skinned alive.”\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face said nothing, but his hand paused. His gaze twitched between her hand and her face. To her left, Broken-nose groaned and began to move. “I mean it,” added Rhia when the silence stretched. Donkey-face’s odour gave way to a new and more pleasant smell, a sharp-sweet scent she knew but couldn’t place.\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face looked across at his companion and shook his head, \u003ci\u003eNo\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e That’s \u003ci\u003eNo\u003c\/i\u003e as in \u003ci\u003eDon’t attack her\u003c\/i\u003e, Rhia decided. But logic said they would. Why not, two armed men against one woman? Sometimes she hated logic.\u003cbr\u003e Out the corner of her eye, Rhia saw Broken-nose climbing to his feet. Blood dripped from his torn cheek.\u003cbr\u003e She went back to staring down Donkey-face. \u003ci\u003eRun away, damn you! \u003c\/i\u003eShe wasn’t sure how much longer her nerve, or her legs, would hold out.\u003cbr\u003e Then she realised what the smell was.\u003cbr\u003e Risking breaking Donkey-face’s gaze, she looked over at Broken-nose. His filthy breeches had new stains on them. His backpack hung flaccid, and dripped into the redolent puddle he now stood in.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia dropped the tangle of doweling, leather and waxed paper in her left hand, trying not to wince as the remains of her sightglass hit the floor. Her gaze flicked between the two intruders.\u003cbr\u003e They met her eyes. No one spoke.\u003cbr\u003e Still staring at the two men, she transferred the lamp from her right hand to her left, the side next to Broken-nose. Then she smiled. At least she hoped the expression she pulled her face into would pass for a smile.\u003cbr\u003e The three of them stood there, frozen. Rhia’s guts had gone watery and her knees wanted to knock together. She ordered her body to tense up, to not move, not show weakness. Except for breathing. She had to keep doing that.\u003cbr\u003e Finally, Donkey-face nodded at his companion. Rhia tensed. Donkey-face said, “Not worth the risk.”\u003cbr\u003e “But–”\u003cbr\u003e “No.” Donkey-face cut him off. “Not worth it.” He gestured at Rhia’s left hand.\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose grunted as realisation dawned. He was soaked in lamp-oil and the crazy noblewoman held a naked flame. The man paled under the blood and grime. He looked to his friend, then lurched into motion, and limped over to him.\u003cbr\u003e “Go now,” said Rhia. The command came out as a whisper. She tried to find the anger, hoping the pair believed her sanity had cracked. Because if she did throw the lamp at Broken-nose, none of them would get out of here unscathed. “Go!”\u003cbr\u003e Donkey-face turned, pulling at Broken-nose’s arm.\u003cbr\u003e “Go on!” she cried, louder now. “Get out!”\u003cbr\u003e Broken-nose turned and staggered after his companion.\u003cbr\u003e Rhia stood, unmoving, lamp still raised. Two sets of footsteps sounded on the stairs: one swift and light, the other heavier, slower. Both going away.\u003cbr\u003e When silence returned she placed the lamp on the workbench. Her stomach was trying to claw its way up her throat. She swallowed hard once, twice, until the urge to vomit passed.\u003cbr\u003e Then she walked across her study, leaned out the window and shouted for the militia at the top of her voice.","brand":"Angry Robot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304860733669,"sku":"NP9780857668011","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780857668011.jpg?v=1767729020","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/hidden-sun-isbn-9780857668011","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}