Errant Dreams Reviews
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Archive for the ‘Science Fiction’ Category

“Beyond the Rain,” Jess Granger

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Pros: Very strong romance storyline; better-thought-out SF elements than some similar novels
Cons: SF world is flamboyantly operatic
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book (uncorrected proof) courtesy of Penguin Group.
Expected publication date: 8/4/2009.

 

Captain Cyani is one of the Azralen Elite, the ruling sisterhood of her planet. She’s also an extremely capable warrior on her last mission before retiring—she must rescue captured soldiers from slavers. Of course, her carefully-laid mission plans go awry when her furry scout companion Vicca discovers, and insists on helping, one extra slave. A slave who belongs to a race Cyani isn’t familiar with, and who’s been horribly abused by his captors.

Soren is Byralen, a member of a highly reclusive race. The males of his species produce a powerful hormone that allows them to bond intensely with their chosen mates, but that hormone is highly prized as a narcotic. The slavers have been using Soren to produce their drugs for years, and his body chemistry is completely thrown as a result. If he doesn’t find a mate soon and restore the balance, he’ll die. If he doesn’t return to his own world, he’ll die. Cyani is determined to make sure he gets there and lives, but she doesn’t know all that it’ll take to succeed in her new mission. Not only is Soren on borrowed time, but he doesn’t know how to find his home planet, and Cyani’s own people will soon be working against her…

 
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“Other Earths,” Gevers & Lake

Monday, April 6th, 2009

Pros: Fascinating concepts; some strong and unusual stories
Cons: Some stories stronger on concept than execution; the usual variable quality in an anthology
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Guardian,” Angela Knight

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Pros: Wonderful time-traveling action/adventure with plenty of sizzling romance!
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“Coyote’s Mate,” Lora Leigh

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Pros: Interesting plot & characters
Cons: For a somewhat limited audience; annoying & foolish leads
Rating: 3 out of 5

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“Agents of Artifice,” Ari Marmell

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Pros: Complex and fascinating world and plot
Cons: Character(s) needed to be a little more sympathetic; story really didn’t need to be told out of order
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Loyalty in Death,” J.D. Robb

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Pros: Character development; tear-jerker moments; twisted plot
Cons: The maniacal bad guys
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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“Conspiracy in Death,” J.D. Robb

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Pros: New characters; plenty of character development; somewhat different plot this time
Cons: Even more melodramatic than usual
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Holiday in Death,” J.D. Robb

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Pros: Plenty of character development and serial killer goodness—exactly what fans are looking for
Cons: Not too hard to figure out the bad guy; particularly brutal sexual crimes; I wanted more follow-through on the gifts
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Ringworld,” by Larry Niven

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Pros: Classic of science fiction; interesting world-building
Cons: Pacing; somewhat flat characters
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Magic to the Bone,” Devon Monk

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Pros: WOW!
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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