In
one or two sentences can you sum up your overall impression of this
book and how you feel about it?I loved the world-building
and basic themes of good versus evil, brotherly love, and the
relationships in the book. This book was believable and credible sci-fi.
What did you think of Mal and Rhain?
Both are characters I love
to read about as they are strong-willed, well-principled, and confident
in themselves. They were initially not trusting and skeptical of each
other. Yet, they were vulnerable and fell for each other as the other
proved themselves to one another. They developed the ultimate ying-yang
relationship.
Since this is your first sci-fi romance, what did you think of it? How did it differ from the contemporary romance and romantic suspense you usually read?
Since it was so different
from what I normally read (such as Hackett’s Norcross series, which is
more my style), I was surprised, even shocked to find out how much I
enjoyed it. The plausibility of the science (or at least belief in the
science fiction) was credible and the world building clever.
What did you think of the alien world setting?
I really enjoyed it and
how it sets up the entire GALACTIC KINGS series. Each planet in their
system was unique. Rhain’s planet, Zhalto, had energy forces that could
be harnessed by some of its inhabitants to varying degrees. The effect
of being on Zhalton for the human heroine, Mal, and how it affected her
and how her powers grew was well done, as was how the enemy beasts, the
hexid, were created and got their power. The battles with the beasts
and how to defend and then kill them was like real life and death
battles that I could get my head around. I loved that there were
classic good and safe regions of Zhalto and also evil and dangerous
regions.
Did you think there was much conflict or tension with Rhain being an alien overlord and Mal being a human? Cultural differences or problems understanding each other?
This book had major
conflict that needed to be resolved, starting with the tension between
father and son, then between the Overload, Rhain, and his doctor and
bodyguard, and of finally with Rhain, being the alien Overload, and
Mal, being human. I felt it was more trust and confusion causing their
initial problems in understanding each other and creating the conflict
but once they understood how the other was affecting them and how being
on Zhalto was effecting Mal, their differences became strengths and
their relationship made each better than they were as individuals.
With Rhain being the Overlord, how do you think Mal matched up to him?
Anna Hackett writes
strong, sell-assured heroines, and Mal is among the best. Mal never
faltered in her decision-making and pursuit of her goals by deferring
to Rhain or anyone else! She was his equal and, in some cases, his
superior. And give her a Zhalton sword and some energy to draw from and
you have a female superhero you have to admire! I loved that she saved
Rhain’s life as often as he saved hers.
What are some of the universal romance tropes or fantasies you noticed in this story?
While Mal did not consider
herself beautiful or anything special, Rhain clearly did, and she felt
the same about Rhain in reverse. I loved the sex scenes, and the amount
of sex. I gave the book 4-flames, which is what I think is the perfect
amount of sex in a book. A lot of hot, bilateral sexual enjoyment and
pleasure giving and taking! I have read a few books that I gave
5-flames, and frankly, it was too much sex that got in the way of a
good romantic suspense story. I need the suspense and the tension as
well. The care and concern they had for each other exploring their
lovemaking combined with their lack of control and thirst to devour
each other sexually was perfectly balanced.
Do you have a favorite scene or moment in the book?
Yes. Having Rhain come to
understand what a human clitoris was and what it provided Mal really
amused me! I kept picturing nubbing the clitoris like a controller
button on an X-box or Playstation controller to ramp Mal up and down
and drive her crazy!
What did you enjoy about this story?
It was believable sci-fi
and great suspense. It surprised me as to how much I enjoyed reading
it. I gave up on sci-fi a long time ago as too many authors used the
sci-fi aspects to easily resolve plot problems or as a substitute for
good plot. But the worlds, the Zhalton people’s characteristics in
harnessing energy, and all the world building was brilliant. And the
human / alien interaction as an evolving relationship to provide a
happy ending was surprisingly plausible.
What's your next read?
View all my reviews
About the author
Anna Hackett: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads - Amazon
About the reviewer
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Yes, that was a great book. I love all her books but the scifi ones are my faves. And as for Brodin in the next book.....wow
ReplyDeleteGill
Lordy, I LOVE Brodin. I posted in Anna's group that I love Brodin more than Vander and some people said "them's fighting words". LOL.
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