For years Soren has endured torture as his captors leeched his very essence, a unique hormone then sold as a sexual narcotic in the shadow trade. Now he has been freed from slavery by a beautiful warrior woman with radiant blue eyes.
After years in bondage, Soren's hormones are so unbalanced that he will die if he does not mate with a woman. Can Cyani be the woman he needs to survive, or will this forbidden bond destroy them?
Comment: I got this book I don't remember when or why but after looking at the blurb again, suddenly it seemed promising and I added it to this month's reading list.
This book tells the story of distant alien worlds and in particular Cyani's story. Cyani is a warrior paying a debt by doing missions for her home planet. There's only one mission left before a life of solitude and silence awaits her as a celibate member of a sisterhood. During her last mission, she rescues a slave and she recognizes his species as intensely sensual.
Soren is finally rescued after years as a slave, and his captors have been stealing his essence, his hormones to sell in the black markets. After his rescue, it takes time to recover and his hormones aren't balanced so his attraction for Cyani is understandable...but after some time it becomes more than that and even his life is on the line.
I really enjoyed this story. I only thin the romance could have been a bit more passionate or intense but that can be explained by the protagonists themselves.
The world the author created is fascinating there are many planets, each one with different inhabitants and cultures and ways of living and acting.
Cyani was born in a world ruled by a sisterhood that dismissed anyone who isn't highborn, something we understand much better during the book. Cyani is a warrior and she is close to go home and be alone. Deep down she doesn't want that but she feels is her duty and her penitence, also things we know more about as the story moves along. She is a brave woman and with a sense of honor very great. I think she was a little bit too pragmatic at times and I could see why it was difficult to empathize with her some times but overall, she was sweet and memorable.
Soren has been a slave for reasons we only dcover by the end of the book. He only wants to go home, in his planet people have personal gardens which are an extension of themselves, sort of. He thinks if nothing else he wants to die in his garden. His species are very peculiar and he needs to form a life bond with a mate. Only Cyani is available at first and he would like to keep her, but if there's one thing he understands is the power of choice, since his was stolen for so long. I found him intriguing and surprising and wanted to know more about him and his species and his way of life. His thoughts and actions show a man who respects and cherishes people and things and his character is the best. I think he could have been a bit more assertive in his behavior, usually women are portrayed more alike this, so in a way despite being pleased with his sweet and cute nature I also wanted a bit more decision making too.
The two of them were cute together and in the end I liked how their HEA happened and how everything turned out because if there's one thing we learn, their personalities mesh very well and are suited.
We learn quite a few things about the world, the other planets, the workings of things...it's refreshing and imaginative and I have to say I'm curious to read the second book, hopefully I will get it soon.
I think anyone who liked sci fi romance will appreciate this book for the tenderness, the novelty, the imagination and scenarios created and the clash of cultures when we balancing duty and love.
Grade: 8/10
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