Having just finished ‘The Veil of Truth’, the second book in the series, I stand wholeheartedly by those words. This brilliant space opera series really is a gift that keeps on giving.
Following directly from the action and story of of ‘Shiva XIV’, this book is once again woven from highly original and engaging stories in which the characters find themselves in a web of conflicted love, loyalties and ambitions that develop and unfold as the they pursue justice and discover truths about themselves that are not always either welcome or pleasant.
Shanti’s magic envelopes the reader, not just in the magical realism that is blended so beautifully with the sci-fi elements of this book, but also in her writing itself. The reader is swept along, easily visualising the worlds and characters that are central to the story. The worlds are intricate and complex, each with individual qualities that make it unique from the others. Shanti then plays these worlds off against one another, adding to the personal stories of the characters so that the reader truly understands that there is much more at stake than the fates of individuals.
Shanti really is a very gifted storyteller who takes the reader on a new and often surprising journey. The plot lines are well developed and strong, woven so skilfully together that the reader doesn’t always realise how intricately and significantly the characters’ stories contribute to one another.
‘The Veil of Truth’ by Lyra Shanti gets a lovely Golden Acorn.
It’s available on Amazon, with the rest of this amazing series and some excellent short stories that also take place in the Shiva XIV universe.
