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In Her Name: Redemption #1-3
In Her Name: Omnibus
This novel contains the complete text of Empire, Confederation, and Final Battle.
The galaxy is at war. The Confederation of Humanity is a democracy fracturing under the strain of nearly a century of war with alien invaders, the warriors of the Kreelan Empire. Humanoids with blue skin, fangs and fingers that end in razor sharp talons, they have technology that is millennia beyond that of the Confederation, yet they seek out close combat with sword and claw, fighting and dying to honor their god-like Empress. For the Confederation, there is no negotiation, there is no surrender. There is only the fierce struggle to survive.
On an embattled world, young Reza Gard finds himself face to face with Tesh-Dar, the greatest of the Empire’s warriors. Born to a race whose recorded history spans half a million years, Tesh-Dar – a warrior priestess – is endowed with powers that are supernatural to human eyes. To Reza, a boy whose parents she has just slain, she is a monster. Holding him off the ground, face to face, she is slowly strangling him when he lashes out with his dead father’s knife, cutting her face across the left eye. Surprised and impressed with this young human animal, she bestows upon him a matching wound, a trophy of sorts, and inexplicably lets him live.
Orphaned and alone, Reza is sent to the planet Hallmark. Supposedly a safe haven for war orphans, in reality it is little more than a slave labor planet. Toiling in grain fields under a burning sun, Reza leads a ragtag band of orphans doing the best they can to survive. But again, Tesh-Dar intervenes in his life. Leading an attack against Hallmark, she has been sent by her Empress on a special mission: to gather human children and return them to the Empire as part of an experiment to see if they have souls. Reza, along with thousands of others, is captured, with Hallmark left behind in flaming ruin. He awakens to the silver-flecked feline eyes of Esah-Zhurah, a young warrior tasked with teaching him the language and customs of her people. At first beaten and caged, Reza gradually earns her grudging respect. Over the years that follow he not only survives, but thrives as he learns the warrior ways of the Empire, becoming both more and less than human. As the relationship between the two young warriors deepens, Tesh-Dar and the Empress wonder if Reza may be the One foretold in an ancient prophecy, who will redeem the Kreelan race from an ancient blood curse.
As Reza’s final challenge looms, Esah-Zhurah performs an ancient blood ritual that binds them together in body and spirit. For the first time the Bloodsong, the tie that binds every Kreelan soul to the Empress, echoes in his veins, at last making him one with the Children of the Empress. But his acceptance of the Kreelan Way leaves him with a dreadful choice: he must either make war against the humans, or – if he refuses – leave the Empire and Esah-Zhurah behind forever. The path he takes leads him toward a destiny set in motion millennia before, with the fate of both races hanging in the balance…
The galaxy is at war. The Confederation of Humanity is a democracy fracturing under the strain of nearly a century of war with alien invaders, the warriors of the Kreelan Empire. Humanoids with blue skin, fangs and fingers that end in razor sharp talons, they have technology that is millennia beyond that of the Confederation, yet they seek out close combat with sword and claw, fighting and dying to honor their god-like Empress. For the Confederation, there is no negotiation, there is no surrender. There is only the fierce struggle to survive.
On an embattled world, young Reza Gard finds himself face to face with Tesh-Dar, the greatest of the Empire’s warriors. Born to a race whose recorded history spans half a million years, Tesh-Dar – a warrior priestess – is endowed with powers that are supernatural to human eyes. To Reza, a boy whose parents she has just slain, she is a monster. Holding him off the ground, face to face, she is slowly strangling him when he lashes out with his dead father’s knife, cutting her face across the left eye. Surprised and impressed with this young human animal, she bestows upon him a matching wound, a trophy of sorts, and inexplicably lets him live.
Orphaned and alone, Reza is sent to the planet Hallmark. Supposedly a safe haven for war orphans, in reality it is little more than a slave labor planet. Toiling in grain fields under a burning sun, Reza leads a ragtag band of orphans doing the best they can to survive. But again, Tesh-Dar intervenes in his life. Leading an attack against Hallmark, she has been sent by her Empress on a special mission: to gather human children and return them to the Empire as part of an experiment to see if they have souls. Reza, along with thousands of others, is captured, with Hallmark left behind in flaming ruin. He awakens to the silver-flecked feline eyes of Esah-Zhurah, a young warrior tasked with teaching him the language and customs of her people. At first beaten and caged, Reza gradually earns her grudging respect. Over the years that follow he not only survives, but thrives as he learns the warrior ways of the Empire, becoming both more and less than human. As the relationship between the two young warriors deepens, Tesh-Dar and the Empress wonder if Reza may be the One foretold in an ancient prophecy, who will redeem the Kreelan race from an ancient blood curse.
As Reza’s final challenge looms, Esah-Zhurah performs an ancient blood ritual that binds them together in body and spirit. For the first time the Bloodsong, the tie that binds every Kreelan soul to the Empress, echoes in his veins, at last making him one with the Children of the Empress. But his acceptance of the Kreelan Way leaves him with a dreadful choice: he must either make war against the humans, or – if he refuses – leave the Empire and Esah-Zhurah behind forever. The path he takes leads him toward a destiny set in motion millennia before, with the fate of both races hanging in the balance…
669 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
117 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Hicks
30 books1,496 followersBorn in 1963, Michael Hicks grew up in the age of the Apollo program and spent his youth glued to the television watching the original Star Trek series and other science fiction movies, which continues to be a source of entertainment and inspiration. Having spent the majority of his life as a voracious reader, he has been heavily influenced by writers ranging from Robert Heinlein to David Weber, and many in between. Having finally retired from government service, Michael and his lovely wife, along with their Siberan cat, Nina, are enjoying life as expats in France.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 23, 2014
In Her Name is a mixture of military space opera and epic fantasy that works very well.
I bought the book after the author brought it to my attention after a chance online encounter - the 4 chapters excerpt on the author' site below decided me quickly that I want to read it and I recommend anyone interested in it to check them out and decide for themselves.
Structurally the book is split in several parts that follow the main character Reza Gard from a very young boy in a middle of a brutal war with terrifying alien invaders to the fulfillment of his extraordinary destiny years later.
The roughly 6 main parts are quite distinct in character, ranging from plucky exploited orphans fighting back against their corrupt "guardians" to epic fantasy with prophecies, blood curses, spirits, coming of age as an warrior in a society that practices combat as sport to hard core military sf, political and military space opera and much more
It seems an odd mixture and the transitions are disconcerting for a while - you think you have it figured out and suddenly there is a left turn in the book - but it works for two main reasons.
First - the author style is very engaging - even emotional if you want - which makes you keep turning page after page to find out what happens next and lets you live the book.
Second - the main character Reza Gard human by birth, alien by upbringing, who struggles to straddle two mutually incompatible societies, a scientific, more or less democratic and individualistic human one, and a fantasy like - if you want in the sense of sufficiently superior technology will seem like magic - which is communal, blood bonded, hierarchic, based on honor and place.
While the main villains are a bit cartoonish, most secondary characters are very well drawn and the style of the book, the intensity of Reza's struggles to allow both societies to survive somehow despite their mutual incompatibility make this an excellent book and a big positive surprise for me.
The ending is very well done bringing together all the threads of the novel and the seemingly insoluble problem of co-existence finds a fitting resolution.
Highly, highly recommended
Link for excerpt:
http://www.kreelanwarrior.com/
I bought the book after the author brought it to my attention after a chance online encounter - the 4 chapters excerpt on the author' site below decided me quickly that I want to read it and I recommend anyone interested in it to check them out and decide for themselves.
Structurally the book is split in several parts that follow the main character Reza Gard from a very young boy in a middle of a brutal war with terrifying alien invaders to the fulfillment of his extraordinary destiny years later.
The roughly 6 main parts are quite distinct in character, ranging from plucky exploited orphans fighting back against their corrupt "guardians" to epic fantasy with prophecies, blood curses, spirits, coming of age as an warrior in a society that practices combat as sport to hard core military sf, political and military space opera and much more
It seems an odd mixture and the transitions are disconcerting for a while - you think you have it figured out and suddenly there is a left turn in the book - but it works for two main reasons.
First - the author style is very engaging - even emotional if you want - which makes you keep turning page after page to find out what happens next and lets you live the book.
Second - the main character Reza Gard human by birth, alien by upbringing, who struggles to straddle two mutually incompatible societies, a scientific, more or less democratic and individualistic human one, and a fantasy like - if you want in the sense of sufficiently superior technology will seem like magic - which is communal, blood bonded, hierarchic, based on honor and place.
While the main villains are a bit cartoonish, most secondary characters are very well drawn and the style of the book, the intensity of Reza's struggles to allow both societies to survive somehow despite their mutual incompatibility make this an excellent book and a big positive surprise for me.
The ending is very well done bringing together all the threads of the novel and the seemingly insoluble problem of co-existence finds a fitting resolution.
Highly, highly recommended
Link for excerpt:
http://www.kreelanwarrior.com/
December 13, 2011
Violent fantasy meets tepid science fiction.
The plot reminds me of James Cameron's Avatar.
The aliens remind me of the Klingons from Star Trek.
The whole book is way too violence-obsessed for my taste.
I was greatly disappointed by the lack of science in this supposed science fiction novel.
I mean, the author could have at least hinted at some of the alien technology, instead of hiding behind Clarke's third law:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, which is total bullshit, if you ask me.
Good writing and compelling characters made up for these drawbacks, however.
The plot reminds me of James Cameron's Avatar.
The aliens remind me of the Klingons from Star Trek.
The whole book is way too violence-obsessed for my taste.
I was greatly disappointed by the lack of science in this supposed science fiction novel.
I mean, the author could have at least hinted at some of the alien technology, instead of hiding behind Clarke's third law:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, which is total bullshit, if you ask me.
Good writing and compelling characters made up for these drawbacks, however.
March 6, 2012
I didn't actually read this all the way through. I got it for free on Amazon after reading all of the great reviews, but now I'm sure they were all hired by the author to write raving reviews. Put simply, this book broke every rule in creative writing that I have ever learned and was one stumbling cliche after another. The writing was elementary and awful. Truly AWFUL.
December 1, 2014
This trilogy was AWESOME! Enough said.
August 21, 2012
Ficção científica, acção, romance, amizade, honra... mas também o pior da humanidade sob forma dos vilões. Sim, num livro onde uma espécie extra-terrestre parece inicialmente, no primeiro livro, ser terrível e insensível ao sofrimento, as personagens mais execráveis, mais odiosas, são humanas.
Reza Gard é a personagem condutora do livro. Vamos seguindo a sua vida e evolução deste o planete onde vê os pais morrerem às mãos de uma guerreira Kreelan ao planeta orfanato onde é acolhido, e depois pelo mundo dos Kreelan, regressando finalmente à Confederação Humana.
Pelo caminho, muitas emoções, enredos, intrigas, mas também histórias de amizade e amor. As personagens estão bem construídas, apesar de me parecer que os vilões estão exagerados na sua maldade, sem qualquer característica redentora.
A história é interessante, em muitas fases viciante. Algumas tornam-se pouco credíveis, pelas tais características dadas a certas personagens.
No conjunto, bem escrito e construído, interessante e emocionante, uma triologia que gostei muito de ler e me deixa curiosa para ler a seguinte, que curiosamente se passa antes desta, à la starwars.
Reza Gard é a personagem condutora do livro. Vamos seguindo a sua vida e evolução deste o planete onde vê os pais morrerem às mãos de uma guerreira Kreelan ao planeta orfanato onde é acolhido, e depois pelo mundo dos Kreelan, regressando finalmente à Confederação Humana.
Pelo caminho, muitas emoções, enredos, intrigas, mas também histórias de amizade e amor. As personagens estão bem construídas, apesar de me parecer que os vilões estão exagerados na sua maldade, sem qualquer característica redentora.
A história é interessante, em muitas fases viciante. Algumas tornam-se pouco credíveis, pelas tais características dadas a certas personagens.
No conjunto, bem escrito e construído, interessante e emocionante, uma triologia que gostei muito de ler e me deixa curiosa para ler a seguinte, que curiosamente se passa antes desta, à la starwars.
August 12, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. It has a lot of elements that I thought I would love, prior to actually reading it. Story is very good, but its execution is far from even borderline. There are some ok characters, but most are pretty two dimensional, villains are all evil-lordish, good guys are all epitome of virtue, and high-powered to boot. Not very smart, though, they always fall into very simple plots that would shame any half-smart villain out there. Dialogues are uninspired and there are clishes all around. Sometimes it was pretty painful to read nonsense. And the saddest thing is, the book held so much promise - I really liked first book, even with all its faults in writing, the description of Reza's childhood on the Empress Moon was beautiful. But the somewhat wavery writing of the first book slid downwards in the second, and in third hit the rock bottom. For the first book, this omnibus gets three stars. Such a shame.
July 5, 2011
This book was entertaining but it didn't keep my attention the whole time. It wasn't a bad book just not my type of book I guess.
The book follows the male protagonist from boy to man as he struggles with the dangerous obstacles in his life. I got all the way up to 90% and stopped reading. I just didn't care what would happen next.
Again it wasn't bad. It was extremly well written. I loved the descriptions for everything.
The alien race was all female which was pretty cool.
There was some good sexual tension and then a great sex scene.
But in the end, the book just didn't grab me.
The book follows the male protagonist from boy to man as he struggles with the dangerous obstacles in his life. I got all the way up to 90% and stopped reading. I just didn't care what would happen next.
Again it wasn't bad. It was extremly well written. I loved the descriptions for everything.
The alien race was all female which was pretty cool.
There was some good sexual tension and then a great sex scene.
But in the end, the book just didn't grab me.
April 12, 2010
I know everyone says the same thing about a great book, it was so good I couldn't put it down. Well this was so good I resented having to put it down. For those of you who love epic fantasy sci/fi, especially Dune or Avatar fans, then you absolutely must read this book.
Long after I stopped reading about the world of the Kreelan warriors and the characters Hicks has created I am still thinking about them. He brought this world to life for me and I think you would enjoy visiting it.
Long after I stopped reading about the world of the Kreelan warriors and the characters Hicks has created I am still thinking about them. He brought this world to life for me and I think you would enjoy visiting it.
June 8, 2013
I actually soared through the first book . . . it was good popcorn reading, a cinematic telling of human adjusting within an alien race and then becoming an ambassador of sorts. But now, faced with two books about warring, to complete the trilogy, I guess I'm done. It's springtime and there are other themes I'd rather immerse myself in.
December 30, 2012
Spent the last days of 2012 devouring all three books of Redemption. I laughed, gasped in joy or horror, read whilst gnawing my fingers in anticipation, shed a tear... All the reactions one should have to a great story. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Love on an epic scale, Warfare. Spirituality. Includes these and more.
April 22, 2011
Loved it :)
Read
August 3, 2011This is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read, and I've read a lot of them. I highly recommend it to any one that enjoys this genre. As I said, it is one of the best.
February 27, 2012
The characters in the first book were a bit weak to me, but in books 2 an 3 became so flat and predictable (absolutely zero depth) that the story lost interest. Too bad since the idea was good.
June 13, 2012
I can't finish this one. I tried. Maybe, I'll try again if I run out of reading material, but probably not. I don't want to waste any more time reviewing it. I'm not going to rate it.
March 11, 2009
I liked the book. I've always been fond of the idea of humanity versus the superior alien.
March 14, 2019
Let me say at the outset that I found this very enjoyable. I read through it in its entirety in about a day and a half, and while I was reading it, thoroughly enjoyed it. I did feel some disappointment as Reza rejoined civilization; however, I usually feel that way in books where the main character lives apart from society, then rejoins it partway through the book. I thought it was just me.
Once I finished, and the excitement faded a little, though, I realized that some of it wasn't me. The human antagonists were so one-dimensional, it's impossible to consider them as credible characters. What emphasized this is that many characters in the book do willlingly support the antagonists (at one point, one of the secondary characters notes how many people are genuinely - not coerced into - cheering for of the the antagonists, who has been an absolute monster throughout). Yes, people have different sides that they show, but we never see the other side of the antagonists, so they appear very one dimensional. The fact that much of the population supports them without seeing much reason for this support makes the population look like idiots (no real-world political jokes here)
The other issue that really started bothering me afterwards is the Kreelan themselves. We get to know them through Reza Gard, and the author clearly does not want us to consider them evil by the end of the book. However, they began a war of aggression against humanity, and have continued it for a century. At one point, there is a mention that they have exterminated other sentient species. Trying to avoid spoilers, they end the war because they developed other priorities, not because they regretted their actions or learned that they were wrong. In fact, they actually did some of the things that the protagonists were aghast at the human antagonists for attempting to do. They are Bad Guys (OK, Girls). Yet they're portrayed very sympathetically. It's lampshaded a little with some of Reza's human friends, but neither Reza nor the author seems to hold them accountable for their crimes. Reza's devotion to the Kreelan feels much less like a true conversion, and more like Stockholm Syndrome.
I haven't yet read the prequel. I understand that Mr. Hicks may get more into the Kreelan's motivations there. Still, the fact that in an entire trilogy, the Kreelan's genocide isn't addressed makes it one of those things that keep coming back and bothering me after I read it. Given their lack of remorse, it also makes me wonder if they won't continue the same pattern wherever they went at the end of the book.
In summary, if I had written this in mid-read or immediately upon finishing, it probably would have been 4 stars. Having had some time to think about it, there are some issues that keep irritating me that knock it down - authors should love their characters, but it almost feels like Reza wasn't the only one with Stockholm Syndrome.
Once I finished, and the excitement faded a little, though, I realized that some of it wasn't me. The human antagonists were so one-dimensional, it's impossible to consider them as credible characters. What emphasized this is that many characters in the book do willlingly support the antagonists (at one point, one of the secondary characters notes how many people are genuinely - not coerced into - cheering for of the the antagonists, who has been an absolute monster throughout). Yes, people have different sides that they show, but we never see the other side of the antagonists, so they appear very one dimensional. The fact that much of the population supports them without seeing much reason for this support makes the population look like idiots (no real-world political jokes here)
The other issue that really started bothering me afterwards is the Kreelan themselves. We get to know them through Reza Gard, and the author clearly does not want us to consider them evil by the end of the book. However, they began a war of aggression against humanity, and have continued it for a century. At one point, there is a mention that they have exterminated other sentient species. Trying to avoid spoilers, they end the war because they developed other priorities, not because they regretted their actions or learned that they were wrong. In fact, they actually did some of the things that the protagonists were aghast at the human antagonists for attempting to do. They are Bad Guys (OK, Girls). Yet they're portrayed very sympathetically. It's lampshaded a little with some of Reza's human friends, but neither Reza nor the author seems to hold them accountable for their crimes. Reza's devotion to the Kreelan feels much less like a true conversion, and more like Stockholm Syndrome.
I haven't yet read the prequel. I understand that Mr. Hicks may get more into the Kreelan's motivations there. Still, the fact that in an entire trilogy, the Kreelan's genocide isn't addressed makes it one of those things that keep coming back and bothering me after I read it. Given their lack of remorse, it also makes me wonder if they won't continue the same pattern wherever they went at the end of the book.
In summary, if I had written this in mid-read or immediately upon finishing, it probably would have been 4 stars. Having had some time to think about it, there are some issues that keep irritating me that knock it down - authors should love their characters, but it almost feels like Reza wasn't the only one with Stockholm Syndrome.
August 22, 2019
While this logging is as an omnibus, technically it's the last book of three in this part of the series (technically books 4-6). It doesn't leave with a cliff hanger, but of course you want more and gratefully there is another amnibus after this, but first... Left me finish first series (books 2-3 I havent read).
September 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this trilogy (in one book). It brought everything to a satisfying ending. There may be more books, but I'm iffy if I"m going to read them. Who am I kidding I probably will, but I'll be taking a break to read others.
September 3, 2008
In Her Name is an ambitious novel by Michael R. Hicks. In its 667 pages, it has it all and then some. Set in the future (a long ways away in the future), it features an epic battle between good and evil, human and alien. Reza Gard is at the center of the action.
When we first meet him, he is a small child. A soon-to-be orphaned child. The Kreelans (the blue-skinned violence-loving aliens) are attacking. He witnesses much, but is ultimately spared by one of the warriors (all warriors are female, by the way) Tesh-Dar. This brief encounter has an impact on them both physically and emotionally. (Though it's much more emotional for Tesh-Dar).
When we next meet Reza, he is an orphan, one of many thousands orphaned who are "being taken care of " by the government. They're given the bare necessities, but are forced to work in the fields all day and subjected to some tormenting off-hours if they're unfortunate. Here Reza meets an older girl (more than a few years older), Nicole. The two become fast friends (with a hint of much more should Fate allow) after he rescues her from near-rape. But these months of happiness won't last long. First, the two are separated when Nicole comes of age and leaves to study at school. Then Fate steps in to prevent their future reunion...
Around the age of 12, Reza's planet--Hallmark, the planet for orphans--is attacked from space. The Kreelans for some reason or another have decided to conduct an experiment. They want to watch these human children; learn more about these humans, their society, their nature, etc. Reza is one of the children kidnapped by the aliens before that planet is destroyed. (Reza along with every other human on the planet is presumed dead.) The experiment is to see if humans have souls. If humans are merely animals. Or if perhaps they're more than that. If their blood can be made to "sing" like the Kreelans' own.
Reza is a child prisoner without much hope, it's true, but he's ever-determined and very spirited. He proves more than a handful for his guard, Esah-Zhurah. But his grit and fiery nature prove to be a little endearing. With the support of Esah-Zhurah and Tesh-Dar, he's allowed to live. Not only is his life granted for the duration at least, but he's allowed to join with the Kreelans in their training. Esah-Zhurah becomes his tresh--his trainer and partner. Reza from that day forward is to be raised Kreelan. Taught their ways, their language, their culture, their values, their skills on the battle field. He is to become one with them.
We don't learn much about this process, we've got the fast forwarded version of it all, but we do see Reza as a young man in his early twenties face his first true challenges. (That makes it seem like his training was nothing; it wasn't. It was a miracle to most that he even survived his training, his battles, etc.) The Empress of the Kreelan Empire is tiring of the experiment, and time is limited. Reza has proved an amusing experiment to some, but all good things must come to an end, right. Well, Reza's made a few friends--including Esah-Zhurah--who aren't quite willing to let his life end thusly. Who are willing to risk their own lives to prove that this human at least has a soul, a worthy soul at that.
I won't divulge too much more than that. But it's an intriguing story. The novel has quite a few strengths, but it's not without its weaknesses either. The plot is complex--very complex--and the cast of characters is lengthy. The span of the novel covers several decades. At times we're part of the action, but in other places we get brief hints of what has occurred in all those missing years. There are places I wanted more, and places I wanted less. The basic story was good; the amount of details was rich. I most enjoyed studying this alien culture--rich in mythology, religion, politics, etc--and the evolution of the relationship between Reza and Esah-Zhurah.
The novel introduces many characters. It was always introducing new characters. And at times it was difficult to follow. Let me clarify, it wasn't that it was confusing. It was that it took a bit of patience on the part of the reader in remembering who was who and what their role was and how they fit into the bigger picture. There were a few characters that you weren't quite sure how they fit in, but sure enough, they'd reappear later on and contribute to the action. Nicole, for example, is one of the major characters introduced (or reintroduced) in the second half of the novel along with Jodi and Eustus. Most of the villains, most of the "bad guys" are humans in this book. And it's always interesting to see how authors can craftily get human readers cheering for the aliens.
Complex and complete is how I'd describe the novel. I'm not one to pick fault at a novel for language, violence, sex, etc. Especially seeing how the audience for this one is adult and assumed mature enough to handle anything and everything. But I thought I'd mention it here since I review books for children on this site as well. This one isn't for kiddies as it has graphic sex and violence and "colorful" language.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
When we first meet him, he is a small child. A soon-to-be orphaned child. The Kreelans (the blue-skinned violence-loving aliens) are attacking. He witnesses much, but is ultimately spared by one of the warriors (all warriors are female, by the way) Tesh-Dar. This brief encounter has an impact on them both physically and emotionally. (Though it's much more emotional for Tesh-Dar).
When we next meet Reza, he is an orphan, one of many thousands orphaned who are "being taken care of " by the government. They're given the bare necessities, but are forced to work in the fields all day and subjected to some tormenting off-hours if they're unfortunate. Here Reza meets an older girl (more than a few years older), Nicole. The two become fast friends (with a hint of much more should Fate allow) after he rescues her from near-rape. But these months of happiness won't last long. First, the two are separated when Nicole comes of age and leaves to study at school. Then Fate steps in to prevent their future reunion...
Around the age of 12, Reza's planet--Hallmark, the planet for orphans--is attacked from space. The Kreelans for some reason or another have decided to conduct an experiment. They want to watch these human children; learn more about these humans, their society, their nature, etc. Reza is one of the children kidnapped by the aliens before that planet is destroyed. (Reza along with every other human on the planet is presumed dead.) The experiment is to see if humans have souls. If humans are merely animals. Or if perhaps they're more than that. If their blood can be made to "sing" like the Kreelans' own.
Reza is a child prisoner without much hope, it's true, but he's ever-determined and very spirited. He proves more than a handful for his guard, Esah-Zhurah. But his grit and fiery nature prove to be a little endearing. With the support of Esah-Zhurah and Tesh-Dar, he's allowed to live. Not only is his life granted for the duration at least, but he's allowed to join with the Kreelans in their training. Esah-Zhurah becomes his tresh--his trainer and partner. Reza from that day forward is to be raised Kreelan. Taught their ways, their language, their culture, their values, their skills on the battle field. He is to become one with them.
We don't learn much about this process, we've got the fast forwarded version of it all, but we do see Reza as a young man in his early twenties face his first true challenges. (That makes it seem like his training was nothing; it wasn't. It was a miracle to most that he even survived his training, his battles, etc.) The Empress of the Kreelan Empire is tiring of the experiment, and time is limited. Reza has proved an amusing experiment to some, but all good things must come to an end, right. Well, Reza's made a few friends--including Esah-Zhurah--who aren't quite willing to let his life end thusly. Who are willing to risk their own lives to prove that this human at least has a soul, a worthy soul at that.
I won't divulge too much more than that. But it's an intriguing story. The novel has quite a few strengths, but it's not without its weaknesses either. The plot is complex--very complex--and the cast of characters is lengthy. The span of the novel covers several decades. At times we're part of the action, but in other places we get brief hints of what has occurred in all those missing years. There are places I wanted more, and places I wanted less. The basic story was good; the amount of details was rich. I most enjoyed studying this alien culture--rich in mythology, religion, politics, etc--and the evolution of the relationship between Reza and Esah-Zhurah.
The novel introduces many characters. It was always introducing new characters. And at times it was difficult to follow. Let me clarify, it wasn't that it was confusing. It was that it took a bit of patience on the part of the reader in remembering who was who and what their role was and how they fit into the bigger picture. There were a few characters that you weren't quite sure how they fit in, but sure enough, they'd reappear later on and contribute to the action. Nicole, for example, is one of the major characters introduced (or reintroduced) in the second half of the novel along with Jodi and Eustus. Most of the villains, most of the "bad guys" are humans in this book. And it's always interesting to see how authors can craftily get human readers cheering for the aliens.
Complex and complete is how I'd describe the novel. I'm not one to pick fault at a novel for language, violence, sex, etc. Especially seeing how the audience for this one is adult and assumed mature enough to handle anything and everything. But I thought I'd mention it here since I review books for children on this site as well. This one isn't for kiddies as it has graphic sex and violence and "colorful" language.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
January 11, 2018
In My Own Way I Follow "The Way"
September 4, 2018
I absolutely loved it, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I wept in a few places towards and at the end. I also bought every other book set in this universe on the strength of this trilogy.
December 26, 2020
From start to finish, this sci-fi trilogy was a page turner. I enjoyed it so much, I read it twice.
July 25, 2011
One of my good friends, a literate, book-reading friend, says he likes his movies tightly edited and concise, but he prefers his books by the pound. If that friend enjoys the occasional science fiction/fantasy adventure as well, then do I have a book for him! Michael R. Hicks' In Her Name is a monster of a paperback and an absolute steal for the price. (It's also available in Amazon's Kindle edition at a budget price.) I estimate In Her Name to be at least two pounds of solid entertainment.
For those who might be a little shaky on genre distinctions, science fiction involves devices like faster-than-light travel, exotic weaponry, alien species, and all the sorts of Star Wars features that most of us are familiar with. Fantasy adds the elements of spiritualism, magic, mysterious powers, and suchlike.
In Her Name features a galaxy-wide war of vast dimensions between humans and a race of reptilian warrior bipeds who are ferocious and merciless fighters. (Think of Whorf, the Klingon, or the samurai warriors of Japan.) One of these warriors notices a human child survivor during the aftermath of a battle which human forces lose. For whatever reason, the warrior remembers this child, and it is later kidnapped from an orphanage and enrolled in warrior training on the alien world (to see if it has a soul, actually). The child thrives after a difficult start, becoming completely acculturated to the alien society. Eventually, however, the child, Reza Gard, cannot stay with the alien race and must return to human society, where he likewise thrives...up to a point. After all, who would trust a person who has gone over to an enemy no one understands?
The galactic war builds to a final conclusion, where Reza finds his fate is to be the culmination of the fate of his people--but which people?
I won't spoil the tale with further details, and in a book this size there are many. The basic outline is not a new one. Anyone at all familiar with Joseph Campbell's seminal study of mythology, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, will recognize the story of the person who sacrifices himself to save his people. (Indeed, even Christianity embodies this pattern.) In Her Name adds the notion of two peoples, however, one being non-human, and does it with meticulous and convincing veracity.
That was what I liked best about the book: the author's complete and convincing rendering of a non-human culture, to the point that the reader comes to understand and respect it, even honor it--even root for it! That is no mean feat of imagination, and it makes what could have been a purple-prose space opera into a delightful recreation.
Another feature that makes the book a great read is the style in which it is written: it is clear, elegant, and serves the story. When one is describing, let's say, the code of an alien warrior race or the feelings of attraction of a human for one of the saurians, it would be easy for the prose to become an overwrought, technicolor mishmash of hyperbole. But Mr. Hicks has a sure hand with this. Even when describing something totally fantastic, it is done so smoothly and gracefully that one accepts it at face value: the willing suspension of disbelief is alive and well in this novel.
A third positive feature that absolutely needs to be mentioned is the immaculate editing. The text reads as cleanly as any you will find, better, in fact, than most traditionally-published efforts.
The bottom line is that In Her Name is highly recommended to those who love the sci-fi/fantasy genres, or are even tempted to try them. There is little profanity but some gore, so perhaps the very young might hold off (though the movies they see are far, far worse). The most difficult thing a young reader is likely to find with this book would be holding it off the ground.
For those who might be a little shaky on genre distinctions, science fiction involves devices like faster-than-light travel, exotic weaponry, alien species, and all the sorts of Star Wars features that most of us are familiar with. Fantasy adds the elements of spiritualism, magic, mysterious powers, and suchlike.
In Her Name features a galaxy-wide war of vast dimensions between humans and a race of reptilian warrior bipeds who are ferocious and merciless fighters. (Think of Whorf, the Klingon, or the samurai warriors of Japan.) One of these warriors notices a human child survivor during the aftermath of a battle which human forces lose. For whatever reason, the warrior remembers this child, and it is later kidnapped from an orphanage and enrolled in warrior training on the alien world (to see if it has a soul, actually). The child thrives after a difficult start, becoming completely acculturated to the alien society. Eventually, however, the child, Reza Gard, cannot stay with the alien race and must return to human society, where he likewise thrives...up to a point. After all, who would trust a person who has gone over to an enemy no one understands?
The galactic war builds to a final conclusion, where Reza finds his fate is to be the culmination of the fate of his people--but which people?
I won't spoil the tale with further details, and in a book this size there are many. The basic outline is not a new one. Anyone at all familiar with Joseph Campbell's seminal study of mythology, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, will recognize the story of the person who sacrifices himself to save his people. (Indeed, even Christianity embodies this pattern.) In Her Name adds the notion of two peoples, however, one being non-human, and does it with meticulous and convincing veracity.
That was what I liked best about the book: the author's complete and convincing rendering of a non-human culture, to the point that the reader comes to understand and respect it, even honor it--even root for it! That is no mean feat of imagination, and it makes what could have been a purple-prose space opera into a delightful recreation.
Another feature that makes the book a great read is the style in which it is written: it is clear, elegant, and serves the story. When one is describing, let's say, the code of an alien warrior race or the feelings of attraction of a human for one of the saurians, it would be easy for the prose to become an overwrought, technicolor mishmash of hyperbole. But Mr. Hicks has a sure hand with this. Even when describing something totally fantastic, it is done so smoothly and gracefully that one accepts it at face value: the willing suspension of disbelief is alive and well in this novel.
A third positive feature that absolutely needs to be mentioned is the immaculate editing. The text reads as cleanly as any you will find, better, in fact, than most traditionally-published efforts.
The bottom line is that In Her Name is highly recommended to those who love the sci-fi/fantasy genres, or are even tempted to try them. There is little profanity but some gore, so perhaps the very young might hold off (though the movies they see are far, far worse). The most difficult thing a young reader is likely to find with this book would be holding it off the ground.
February 19, 2011
Book 1 (Empire): 09/30/2010 to 02/01/2011
Book 2 (Confederation): 02/01/2011 to 02/09/2011
Book 3 (Final Battle): 02/09/2011 to 02/15/2011
It took me so long to finish Book 1 because I only 'read' it when I had my hands full (literally) and 'read' via my Kindle's text-to-speech feature. When I went on vacation 2 weeks ago, I decided to give it the attention it deserves and started reading it properly.
I didn't like how Book 1 ended because the scenes leading to it didn't seem to have concluded the way it should have. But then, I couldn't help thinking what would happen next after the unexpected ending, so I started reading Book 2 right away - I didn't have high expectations because of my earlier disappointment, but I got hooked right away. It was a bigger hook than Book 1.
I've heard it mentioned that some indie books look professionally written and edited. This is one such book. I can't help thinking how much intelligence and creativity it took to write these books - that's how impressed I was.
One of my favorite aspects of the story-telling is how one segment is shown from different vantage points, providing very good coverage, like the author thought of everything, making each segment fully drawn.
The characters are also fully developed, which let the readers get to know each of them, and have feelings for each of them, both good or bad.
There was some violence, common to scenes in war stories, but there's a particularly violent scene in Book 3 toward the end that made me cringe (just a warning).
I am not a sci-fi book reader, and as a first sci-fi read, I couldn't have picked a better book. There were some terminologies (sci-fi and military-sounding) that I couldn't picture, but I rode with it and I didn't get lost.
It felt like one big book (instead of 3) because the endings of Books 1 and 2 were abrupt, like there should be another scene to continue the story. They didn't feel like endings. It worked for me since I have the Omnibus edition so I could continue reading, but I wonder how people who bought separate books felt about it.
After finishing Book 3, I wanted to start over again, because I didn't want to let go yet (and I didn't read Book 1 properly). That's how much I got attached to the story. There are 2 prequels that I'm sure to get.
PS, Kindle edition issue: Some French characters (letters) didn't translate well on my Kindle. These are few and the words were still deciperable, so it's minor.
Book 2 (Confederation): 02/01/2011 to 02/09/2011
Book 3 (Final Battle): 02/09/2011 to 02/15/2011
It took me so long to finish Book 1 because I only 'read' it when I had my hands full (literally) and 'read' via my Kindle's text-to-speech feature. When I went on vacation 2 weeks ago, I decided to give it the attention it deserves and started reading it properly.
I didn't like how Book 1 ended because the scenes leading to it didn't seem to have concluded the way it should have. But then, I couldn't help thinking what would happen next after the unexpected ending, so I started reading Book 2 right away - I didn't have high expectations because of my earlier disappointment, but I got hooked right away. It was a bigger hook than Book 1.
I've heard it mentioned that some indie books look professionally written and edited. This is one such book. I can't help thinking how much intelligence and creativity it took to write these books - that's how impressed I was.
One of my favorite aspects of the story-telling is how one segment is shown from different vantage points, providing very good coverage, like the author thought of everything, making each segment fully drawn.
The characters are also fully developed, which let the readers get to know each of them, and have feelings for each of them, both good or bad.
There was some violence, common to scenes in war stories, but there's a particularly violent scene in Book 3 toward the end that made me cringe (just a warning).
I am not a sci-fi book reader, and as a first sci-fi read, I couldn't have picked a better book. There were some terminologies (sci-fi and military-sounding) that I couldn't picture, but I rode with it and I didn't get lost.
It felt like one big book (instead of 3) because the endings of Books 1 and 2 were abrupt, like there should be another scene to continue the story. They didn't feel like endings. It worked for me since I have the Omnibus edition so I could continue reading, but I wonder how people who bought separate books felt about it.
After finishing Book 3, I wanted to start over again, because I didn't want to let go yet (and I didn't read Book 1 properly). That's how much I got attached to the story. There are 2 prequels that I'm sure to get.
PS, Kindle edition issue: Some French characters (letters) didn't translate well on my Kindle. These are few and the words were still deciperable, so it's minor.
December 21, 2012
It had been a long time since I read science fiction, but I decided to expand my reading to new genres and picked up Empire (In Her Name: Redemption, #1) by Michael R. Hicks. I found it to be a wonderful blend of epic fantasy and sci fi.
So read it, loved it, and immediately bought Confederation, and Final Battle.
Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not necessarily ready to help or support one another, and having fierce differences of opinion.
Humans were not sure they were the only sentient species in the universe and had not given up looking.
I love the characters, which Michael Hicks is a master at creating, a massive number of them as the series progressed, and some wonderful key players such Ichiro Sato.
But the best characters in the series were among the Kreelans, a society whose ideals were so foreign that it was easy to hate them. And yet, the author managed, at a point, to gain my understanding for them and even empathy. Imagine a society of female warriors, whose lives were totally dedicated to battle. And they were so skilled at war that there was no one left anywhere to conquer - they have taken on every sentient society they found and annihilated them.
To die in battle was the ultimate glory to the Empress. So they fought and were happy to die in her name. Until they found the humans, they had the problem of having no more wars to win. So this war-like society was excited to have a new game of war to play with what they felt were somewhat worthy opponents. Even though the humans were Neanderthals when it came to technology. Nor did they have their powerful magical skills. So the Kreelans had to use ancient technology to even the odds. Because if the win was easy, it was not honorable.
You ask, were there only females in this strange society? Well, no. But to tell you about that would be a spoiler.
So we had a clash of two completely different societies - the Kreelans who had terrible powers, and who did not find killing immoral, and the humans who found killing abhorrent but a necessary evil of war - a war in which they were powerless to win.
I was riveted to the entire exciting series.
So read it, loved it, and immediately bought Confederation, and Final Battle.
Michael Hicks created the world of Earth after it had taken to space, having built far-flung, loose colonies that behaved similar to our own nations here on Earth - mistrusting, not necessarily ready to help or support one another, and having fierce differences of opinion.
Humans were not sure they were the only sentient species in the universe and had not given up looking.
I love the characters, which Michael Hicks is a master at creating, a massive number of them as the series progressed, and some wonderful key players such Ichiro Sato.
But the best characters in the series were among the Kreelans, a society whose ideals were so foreign that it was easy to hate them. And yet, the author managed, at a point, to gain my understanding for them and even empathy. Imagine a society of female warriors, whose lives were totally dedicated to battle. And they were so skilled at war that there was no one left anywhere to conquer - they have taken on every sentient society they found and annihilated them.
To die in battle was the ultimate glory to the Empress. So they fought and were happy to die in her name. Until they found the humans, they had the problem of having no more wars to win. So this war-like society was excited to have a new game of war to play with what they felt were somewhat worthy opponents. Even though the humans were Neanderthals when it came to technology. Nor did they have their powerful magical skills. So the Kreelans had to use ancient technology to even the odds. Because if the win was easy, it was not honorable.
You ask, were there only females in this strange society? Well, no. But to tell you about that would be a spoiler.
So we had a clash of two completely different societies - the Kreelans who had terrible powers, and who did not find killing immoral, and the humans who found killing abhorrent but a necessary evil of war - a war in which they were powerless to win.
I was riveted to the entire exciting series.
September 15, 2011
I think the best single word I can come up with the describe this book is mesmerizing. It wooed and captured me under its spell until I was so absorbed that my own life faded into the background. This is always the case with the books I love the most, and results in me sifting through by libraries looking for something relatively boring or previously read to give me time to decompress.
On Amazon, this book is described as a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. It IS all those things, plus mystery and thriller and drama, but it is all those things, in their truest form, intertwined so masterfully as to be so much more than the sum of its parts. Hicks navigates through different worlds, cultures, characters, and scenes with seamless ease and grace. His prose is both complex and effortless, engaging your mind and heart and sweeping them along with those of his characters. To my own tastes, the story was so well balanced as to approach perfection.
I know everyone doesn't share the same tastes, but I can't believe these books haven't caught like wildfire among the sci-fi/fantasy readership. Hicks manages to combine space-faring and advanced alien warfare with sword and sorcerer fantasy, but that's been done before, what he manages to do so well is make it seem natural. (On a side note, I love the obvious influence Star Trek had on his work; it's obvious, but still such a organic part of the world building) He was also able to build the character development of a lifetime, do an amazing job, while also balancing a huge cadre of other cast members and their stories, do it in less than 700 pages, and without making the reader feel they missed anything.
I won't go into every strength I feel this book possessed, as that would be a very long review, and as with most books that I love, I'm not sure that I could really pin down the elements that really speak to me. Every book has weaknesses, but in the immediate wake left by this story upon my being, I cannot perceive of any. What I am left feeling I can only describe as shock and awe.
On Amazon, this book is described as a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. It IS all those things, plus mystery and thriller and drama, but it is all those things, in their truest form, intertwined so masterfully as to be so much more than the sum of its parts. Hicks navigates through different worlds, cultures, characters, and scenes with seamless ease and grace. His prose is both complex and effortless, engaging your mind and heart and sweeping them along with those of his characters. To my own tastes, the story was so well balanced as to approach perfection.
I know everyone doesn't share the same tastes, but I can't believe these books haven't caught like wildfire among the sci-fi/fantasy readership. Hicks manages to combine space-faring and advanced alien warfare with sword and sorcerer fantasy, but that's been done before, what he manages to do so well is make it seem natural. (On a side note, I love the obvious influence Star Trek had on his work; it's obvious, but still such a organic part of the world building) He was also able to build the character development of a lifetime, do an amazing job, while also balancing a huge cadre of other cast members and their stories, do it in less than 700 pages, and without making the reader feel they missed anything.
I won't go into every strength I feel this book possessed, as that would be a very long review, and as with most books that I love, I'm not sure that I could really pin down the elements that really speak to me. Every book has weaknesses, but in the immediate wake left by this story upon my being, I cannot perceive of any. What I am left feeling I can only describe as shock and awe.
May 1, 2012
The Omnibus edition contains the first three novels of the In Her Name science fiction & fantasy saga including: Empire, Confederation, and Final Battle.
Empire: Reza Gard, a recently orphaned human is captured and taken to the Kreelan homeworld - the Empire - to live and train as one of them. In a "buddy" system they call the "Tresh", he is partnered with a young Kreelan trainee warrior whom he hates - yet depends on for his very existance. Over the years Reza's relationship with his tresh evolves and soon they cannot do without one another...
Confederation: Reza has been banished from the Kreelan Empire and returns to the human Confederation. Reunited with his childhood sweetheart, he begins training as a Confederation Marine. Excelling in the training due to his history with the Kreelan, it does not take long for him to be a target - a pawn - for those with hidden agenda. Sent to the Planet Erlang to prevent civil war, he is soon branded a traitor. When some kind of Kreelan summoning device is accidently set off, a battle looms in which he expects to die....
Final Battle: Reza awakens in hospital several months after he was severely wounded on Erlang. Charged for high treason, murdering the President, he escapes from captivity (with the help of friends) and flees to the Planet Erlang - but it turns out to be an elaborate trap. However, for unknown reasons, the Kreelan seem to have lost their will to fight and the Confederation decide it is time to end the Kreelan battle once and for all - by sending the entire Confederate fleet to eliminate their foes in the heart of the Kreelan Empire. Reza, a prisoner in one of the ships, is sent with...
Three excellent books which had me reading at every free moment.
Empire: Reza Gard, a recently orphaned human is captured and taken to the Kreelan homeworld - the Empire - to live and train as one of them. In a "buddy" system they call the "Tresh", he is partnered with a young Kreelan trainee warrior whom he hates - yet depends on for his very existance. Over the years Reza's relationship with his tresh evolves and soon they cannot do without one another...
Confederation: Reza has been banished from the Kreelan Empire and returns to the human Confederation. Reunited with his childhood sweetheart, he begins training as a Confederation Marine. Excelling in the training due to his history with the Kreelan, it does not take long for him to be a target - a pawn - for those with hidden agenda. Sent to the Planet Erlang to prevent civil war, he is soon branded a traitor. When some kind of Kreelan summoning device is accidently set off, a battle looms in which he expects to die....
Final Battle: Reza awakens in hospital several months after he was severely wounded on Erlang. Charged for high treason, murdering the President, he escapes from captivity (with the help of friends) and flees to the Planet Erlang - but it turns out to be an elaborate trap. However, for unknown reasons, the Kreelan seem to have lost their will to fight and the Confederation decide it is time to end the Kreelan battle once and for all - by sending the entire Confederate fleet to eliminate their foes in the heart of the Kreelan Empire. Reza, a prisoner in one of the ships, is sent with...
Three excellent books which had me reading at every free moment.
April 3, 2014
This being 3 separate books combined, I'll review each:
Empire(4 stars)
By far my favorite of the the three books. Reza's early life in the orphanage and the relationships built there made me care about the character. His imprisonment, test and training by the Kreelans kept my attention. And a fairly good death for the protaganist which is ruined with a magical "nope, he's saved".
Confederation(3 stars)
Also very good. Great start which introduces new characters and the return of Reza was pretty badass. We are shown that the Kreelans may be violent, but humans treat each other as bad or worse. Story ends with a magnificent hero's death. Seriously, it was brilliantly delivered and I was affected by it. This brilliance was RUINED by another magical resurrection.
Goddamit Hicks, quit ruining your brilliant deaths!
Final Battle(2 stars)
My least favorite of the three and an unsatisfying end to the series. Reza is hardly even a character in this book which made me even more annoyed with the non-death in the previous book. The big reveal of Thorella's identity was too easy and seemed forced. Then out of nowhere, a favorite character is brutally, repeatedly gang raped. This came out of nowhere and didn't fit with the narrative of the overall story.
You may be wondering how it all ends, well, me too!! It makes almost no sense and is just another magical way for the author to escape the corner he's painted himself into. Not a terrible book, but not particularly good either.
Empire(4 stars)
By far my favorite of the the three books. Reza's early life in the orphanage and the relationships built there made me care about the character. His imprisonment, test and training by the Kreelans kept my attention. And a fairly good death for the protaganist which is ruined with a magical "nope, he's saved".
Confederation(3 stars)
Also very good. Great start which introduces new characters and the return of Reza was pretty badass. We are shown that the Kreelans may be violent, but humans treat each other as bad or worse. Story ends with a magnificent hero's death. Seriously, it was brilliantly delivered and I was affected by it. This brilliance was RUINED by another magical resurrection.
Goddamit Hicks, quit ruining your brilliant deaths!
Final Battle(2 stars)
My least favorite of the three and an unsatisfying end to the series. Reza is hardly even a character in this book which made me even more annoyed with the non-death in the previous book. The big reveal of Thorella's identity was too easy and seemed forced. Then out of nowhere, a favorite character is brutally, repeatedly gang raped. This came out of nowhere and didn't fit with the narrative of the overall story.
You may be wondering how it all ends, well, me too!! It makes almost no sense and is just another magical way for the author to escape the corner he's painted himself into. Not a terrible book, but not particularly good either.
October 22, 2014
Long story to get lost in
this review is on the entire In Her Name series. I read the books in the reverse order in which they were written stating with First Contact and ending with Final Battle. The two sets were like night and day. The first trilogy, The Last War, is all fights and war. The second trilogy, Redemption, is more of a space version of Romeo and Juliet. The Last War describes in wonderful detail the beginning of the Kreelan-Human war stating with the first contact by the survey ship Aurora. Redemption is set 100 years after those events. Redemption follows Reza Gard, a human orphan, who is taken prisoner and raised in the Kreelan manner to see if his blood will sing. He falls in love with Esah-Zhura who is the empires next empress. I found the first trilogy to be superior to the second. it was much more action packed and kept my attention much better. It would receive 10 stars out of 5 if possible. Redemption was much more love lost and love regained for my taste. The story line for Redemption was also a lot less believable as well. right when Reza and best friend Jodi need a ship, bam, Jodi gets left one in a will from a girl whom she has not seen in ages and has less than one half a chapter written about her. a little too contrived and forced action. The Final Battle was fraught with such forced plot devices. However, the rest of the books were much more fluidly written. If it had not been for the change in writing for the final book the entire series would have gotten 5 stars from me. Redemption would get 4 out of 5 stars.
this review is on the entire In Her Name series. I read the books in the reverse order in which they were written stating with First Contact and ending with Final Battle. The two sets were like night and day. The first trilogy, The Last War, is all fights and war. The second trilogy, Redemption, is more of a space version of Romeo and Juliet. The Last War describes in wonderful detail the beginning of the Kreelan-Human war stating with the first contact by the survey ship Aurora. Redemption is set 100 years after those events. Redemption follows Reza Gard, a human orphan, who is taken prisoner and raised in the Kreelan manner to see if his blood will sing. He falls in love with Esah-Zhura who is the empires next empress. I found the first trilogy to be superior to the second. it was much more action packed and kept my attention much better. It would receive 10 stars out of 5 if possible. Redemption was much more love lost and love regained for my taste. The story line for Redemption was also a lot less believable as well. right when Reza and best friend Jodi need a ship, bam, Jodi gets left one in a will from a girl whom she has not seen in ages and has less than one half a chapter written about her. a little too contrived and forced action. The Final Battle was fraught with such forced plot devices. However, the rest of the books were much more fluidly written. If it had not been for the change in writing for the final book the entire series would have gotten 5 stars from me. Redemption would get 4 out of 5 stars.
April 26, 2012
I purchased this book on a whim. It was, and may still be, offered for free on Kindle Books. The Ominbus Edition contains all three books in the trilogy: Empire, Confederation and the Final Battle.
I LOVED EMPIRE! I was quickly sucked into the story of Reza, a boy that grows up in a world of Human vs. Kreelan war. He has an orphan, that only has a few ties to the human world. One being his fried Nicole. He is then kidnapped by the Kreelans and forced to live among them into adulthood. Once I got over the similarities to Avatar (Blue, long braids, tribal), the story captured me quickly. Reza is bound to a young Kreelan warrior, Esah-Zhurah. His change, from human boy, to Kreelan warrior is amazing. I fell in love with the world, the people, and these two characters. Yet, I found myself wondering if he would find Nicole again, and if he would ever be human again...
I am currently in the middle of Confederation, the second book in the trilogy. I will update this when I finish.
UPDATE:
I've read the whole trilogy now, and I did love it. I knocked it down to four stars because the second book was a little too disjointed. Reading all three books, I realized it had to tie in the first and third book, but it didn't flow as well as the first one.
All-in-all, I would recommend the books. I've just started reading the prequel trilogy. Hopefully, it will be just as good!
I LOVED EMPIRE! I was quickly sucked into the story of Reza, a boy that grows up in a world of Human vs. Kreelan war. He has an orphan, that only has a few ties to the human world. One being his fried Nicole. He is then kidnapped by the Kreelans and forced to live among them into adulthood. Once I got over the similarities to Avatar (Blue, long braids, tribal), the story captured me quickly. Reza is bound to a young Kreelan warrior, Esah-Zhurah. His change, from human boy, to Kreelan warrior is amazing. I fell in love with the world, the people, and these two characters. Yet, I found myself wondering if he would find Nicole again, and if he would ever be human again...
I am currently in the middle of Confederation, the second book in the trilogy. I will update this when I finish.
UPDATE:
I've read the whole trilogy now, and I did love it. I knocked it down to four stars because the second book was a little too disjointed. Reading all three books, I realized it had to tie in the first and third book, but it didn't flow as well as the first one.
All-in-all, I would recommend the books. I've just started reading the prequel trilogy. Hopefully, it will be just as good!
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