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tessisreading2's review
3.0
A little too much telling, rather than showing; the background is incredibly complex and there are a lot of characters with silly fantasy names. However, there was a good grounding in the key plot points, and while the description made it sound like one of those fantasy novels with a thin veneer of science fiction applied, in fact the fantasy and science fiction elements were well-balanced. The romance is handled - well - like a romance novel, which may put off some non-romance readers; there is also a lot of non-romance plot and not much space devoted to the development of the romance, which may put off some romance readers. The characterizations were fairly superficial and the villains were ultra-villainy. The book ends on an explicit cliffhanger. While I enjoyed it, I hate cliffhangers and the thin characterization meant that I don't feel compelled to find out what happens next, so I probably won't be reading the sequel.
nemerith's review
4.0
Areg Sebi, a young and decorated war hero has spoken out too loud against the current government.
Our story begins when Etana, a lowly laundry maiden, finds herself watching him being flogged quite brutally. She refuses to believe the story that he is a traitor, but is powerless to help. Or is she... when the date is set for the next public flogging a week later, Etana vow to find a way to save the man she admires.
My take on the book:
I have to say, I was really pleasantly surprised by the book! :)
World-building was good, scenes and environments were detailed enough for the imagination to have some leeway and fill in the blanks.
While this is a sci-fi (honestly not my usual cup of tea), there wasn't that much sci-fi going on, being pretty focussed on the story between Etana and Areg. We had some cyborgs, spaceships and other planets, but more in a setting of the stage for the coming books kind of way.
Character development was decent. Etana, a lowly menial, rises up to save the man she first admires and later falls in love with. Areg, a disillusioned war veteran, has seen his fair share of suffering and carries the guilt of fallen comrades. He slowly but surely returns to life thanks to Etana's caring.
The book itself is well written with no (noticeable) errors. And yes, this romance story contains sex (if that is important to you.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all I liked it! Likeable characters that felt real, the romance was slow, steady and bittersweet. This were not just 2 people fated to be together and that was that, no, throughout the story you feel that the author has thought things through and wanted to capture this story between them as good as possible.
Our story begins when Etana, a lowly laundry maiden, finds herself watching him being flogged quite brutally. She refuses to believe the story that he is a traitor, but is powerless to help. Or is she... when the date is set for the next public flogging a week later, Etana vow to find a way to save the man she admires.
My take on the book:
I have to say, I was really pleasantly surprised by the book! :)
World-building was good, scenes and environments were detailed enough for the imagination to have some leeway and fill in the blanks.
While this is a sci-fi (honestly not my usual cup of tea), there wasn't that much sci-fi going on, being pretty focussed on the story between Etana and Areg. We had some cyborgs, spaceships and other planets, but more in a setting of the stage for the coming books kind of way.
Character development was decent. Etana, a lowly menial, rises up to save the man she first admires and later falls in love with. Areg, a disillusioned war veteran, has seen his fair share of suffering and carries the guilt of fallen comrades. He slowly but surely returns to life thanks to Etana's caring.
The book itself is well written with no (noticeable) errors. And yes, this romance story contains sex (if that is important to you.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all I liked it! Likeable characters that felt real, the romance was slow, steady and bittersweet. This were not just 2 people fated to be together and that was that, no, throughout the story you feel that the author has thought things through and wanted to capture this story between them as good as possible.
married2agamer's review
3.0
I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was an okay book. It wasn't really my cup of tea though and I struggled to read the whole book.
brennaj76's review
2.0
Meh. It was very wordy. Lots of different characters & storylines. Not many romantic scenes, but they read like a bodice ripper. Just kind of meh.
elylibrarysec's review
4.0
Etana Tidryn is both sad and mad about the turn of events. She’s a great advocate for what she believes in. She’s also a very brave woman who wants more out of her life than what the government says. Areg Sebi is a man who has had to endure a lot for what he believes in - something that has gone on throughout history.
This is a story that shows that injustice can occur anywhere. You may think that you have a right to express your thoughts. The powers that be will always have something to say or do about that. But don’t that stifle your voice. As you can see, there’s a lot more going on than what’s between our main characters. But that can happen when an author is creating a world and the people in it.
When an author writes science fiction/paranormal the sky’s the limit. The possibilities of what this author can do is without end. It comes with a lot of pressure because the author has to create something that doesn’t exist. As readers we tend to compare things to what we know and see but here that’s not possible. And yet that’s not to say that I didn’t do that here. It made me think of the social injustice in our own history. And your mind can soar as to what may be possible outside our little planet.
Some readers may give up on an author because her book just has a lot going on. But this one is the beginning of what is coming next. I want to see where this author is going to lead her readers. Plus anything that has me sitting with my feet up with a blanket to keep me warm can’t be all bad. Then to find that the author left me hanging… Good thing the wait isn’t too long to see what comes after the cliffhanger.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This is a story that shows that injustice can occur anywhere. You may think that you have a right to express your thoughts. The powers that be will always have something to say or do about that. But don’t that stifle your voice. As you can see, there’s a lot more going on than what’s between our main characters. But that can happen when an author is creating a world and the people in it.
When an author writes science fiction/paranormal the sky’s the limit. The possibilities of what this author can do is without end. It comes with a lot of pressure because the author has to create something that doesn’t exist. As readers we tend to compare things to what we know and see but here that’s not possible. And yet that’s not to say that I didn’t do that here. It made me think of the social injustice in our own history. And your mind can soar as to what may be possible outside our little planet.
Some readers may give up on an author because her book just has a lot going on. But this one is the beginning of what is coming next. I want to see where this author is going to lead her readers. Plus anything that has me sitting with my feet up with a blanket to keep me warm can’t be all bad. Then to find that the author left me hanging… Good thing the wait isn’t too long to see what comes after the cliffhanger.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
wanderfca69's review
5.0
A hero deemed a traitor. A laundress fated to always be a laundress. A world where the temporary leader is willing to do anything to claim the world as his own forever. Even someone about to die is entitled to a miracle. Agen, the hero and Etana, the laundress fate is woven together in this remarkable story. There are lots of heart stopping moments in this book. It weaves a net and pulls you into the story. I am looking forward to reading the next story and recommend this one to anyone who likes a good love story that has a lot of challenges.
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