Echo in Onyx

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I've been a major Sharon Shinn fan since 1996's [b:Archangel 97961 Archangel (Samaria, #1) Sharon Shinn https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388606676l/97961.SY75.jpg 3102308], so what could be better than the simultaneous release of three Sharon Shinn books? Sadly, I found it a chore to read Echoes in Onyx, and I'm not sure if I will read the remaining 2 books in the Uncommon Echoes series. There's nothing wrong with the story, but it's not especially compelling. Other than the echoes, there's nothing to distinguish the setting or the plot from other fantasy worlds that use different gods and country names, but basically the same society and class system. Everything is spelled out and the reader doesn't have to put much effort into figuring it out. There were two engaging action scenes, but most of the book seemed to plod along. Although I admired Brianna's extreme competence, I found her to be lacking in complexity or depth. Marguerite was more intriguing to me but since the narration is from Brianna's first person POV, we don't get much insight into Marguerite's inner thoughts. Nico is a bland hero who, frankly, does very little to help Brianna when things look darkest. While I like the fact that she doesn't require rescuing, I would have appreciated it if Nico at least tried to figure out a way to save the day.Maybe my tastes have changed in the past 20 years or maybe Shinn can't quite approach the height of her Samaria series that posed such fascinating philosophical and theological questions within beautiful love stories. I think Echo in Onyx might appeal more to YA age readers but for this adult it was less than fully satisfying.