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Altehr is a plundered world.
It has been stripped of magelight and all that survives of its once luminous past are the glowing ‘purebloods’, Altehrians whose ancestors never crossbred with the travelers.
The purebloods are a dying race. The breedwatchers cannot find a way to replace their Females and fewer are born every generation.
Bain, a forbidden crossbreed, dared to fall in love with one of the rarest of their kind; a pureblood Female of unimaginable power.
He suffered the ultimate penalty for his transgression.
Soulstripped and cast into the Dark Expanse, Bain found the strength to fight the breedwatcher’s laws and the dictates of the Royal House. He would start a revolution to free his love from the ‘watchers mating decree.
Lyr’ese, the most powerful Female born to their world, fell in love with Bain, the kind young Guard she met amidst the glowing gardens of his Queen’s palace. They shared a few stolen nights during her last unbonded summer; a friendship that, once discovered, would change their lives forever.
Now, years later, they are thrown together again as war erupts within the walls of the very city that started it all.
Unable to trust each other after all they’ve been through, they are forced to work together to uncover a traitor before Lyr’ese is returned to the life she despises, and everything Bain has accomplished for his people is destroyed.
It has been stripped of magelight and all that survives of its once luminous past are the glowing ‘purebloods’, Altehrians whose ancestors never crossbred with the travelers.
The purebloods are a dying race. The breedwatchers cannot find a way to replace their Females and fewer are born every generation.
Bain, a forbidden crossbreed, dared to fall in love with one of the rarest of their kind; a pureblood Female of unimaginable power.
He suffered the ultimate penalty for his transgression.
Soulstripped and cast into the Dark Expanse, Bain found the strength to fight the breedwatcher’s laws and the dictates of the Royal House. He would start a revolution to free his love from the ‘watchers mating decree.
Lyr’ese, the most powerful Female born to their world, fell in love with Bain, the kind young Guard she met amidst the glowing gardens of his Queen’s palace. They shared a few stolen nights during her last unbonded summer; a friendship that, once discovered, would change their lives forever.
Now, years later, they are thrown together again as war erupts within the walls of the very city that started it all.
Unable to trust each other after all they’ve been through, they are forced to work together to uncover a traitor before Lyr’ese is returned to the life she despises, and everything Bain has accomplished for his people is destroyed.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2012
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Roseland
11 books98 followersI was born and raised near Las Vegas, NV and grew up dreaming of rain. I also dreamt of heroes and villains and the women that inspired the best and worst in them.
It seemed like every book I read as a teen was a classic bodice-ripper. Wimpy-virgin-heroine always making bad choices and getting herself in trouble, cue the macho hero, yadda yadda yadda. Those books are what inspired me to write my own stories, not because I loved them, but because I constantly found myself tossing them aside and fuming. I would think of all the ways the story would have been better: if she had just picked up the sword and stabbed the bad guy when she had the chance...
I LOVE writing, and I love the new direction that fiction has taken over the last decade. So many amazing, strong female leads now! And so many new writers that finally have a voice in the indie publishing community.
I was blessed with a wonderful husband who supports my passion for writing and reading, and who really helped me focus my desire to publish my work. When I'm not busy enjoying my daughter and husband, I'm usually developing a new story idea, or sneaking in some time with my favorite authors.
I'm a bit of a hermit, they called it being "shy" when I was a kid, but I love hearing from fans. I also love ferrets, hiking, chili dark chocolate, strong coffee, nursing mamas, and rain.
It seemed like every book I read as a teen was a classic bodice-ripper. Wimpy-virgin-heroine always making bad choices and getting herself in trouble, cue the macho hero, yadda yadda yadda. Those books are what inspired me to write my own stories, not because I loved them, but because I constantly found myself tossing them aside and fuming. I would think of all the ways the story would have been better: if she had just picked up the sword and stabbed the bad guy when she had the chance...
I LOVE writing, and I love the new direction that fiction has taken over the last decade. So many amazing, strong female leads now! And so many new writers that finally have a voice in the indie publishing community.
I was blessed with a wonderful husband who supports my passion for writing and reading, and who really helped me focus my desire to publish my work. When I'm not busy enjoying my daughter and husband, I'm usually developing a new story idea, or sneaking in some time with my favorite authors.
I'm a bit of a hermit, they called it being "shy" when I was a kid, but I love hearing from fans. I also love ferrets, hiking, chili dark chocolate, strong coffee, nursing mamas, and rain.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 26, 2013
“Bain,” book one of Aimee Roseland’s forthcoming multi-book fantasy series, “The Bar’axus Bridge Chronicles,” delivers a literary feast. Whatever you like, it’s probably in here: inter-species romances, magic, love and betrayal, blood-drinking buddies and swordplay, sentient space ships, gates to far worlds, palace intrigues, rebels and mercenaries, muscular heroes and twisted villains, invisible spies, a myriad of names that no one could confidently pronounce out loud, and all orbiting a coming-of-age tale about a charming and fearless female main character.
Ms. Roseland’s ability to catch and hold a reader is splendid. I seldom dip into this type of novel since romance and magic are near the bottom of my “want-to-read” list. Still, if this author is at the helm, I may have to revise my biases. “Bain” is a fun book. It moves quickly, paints vivid word pictures, spins a complex yarn and keeps all the disparate parts in the air while sweeping us into a heart touching romance – or two, or three.
Still, even literary feasts have a few items on the menu that disappoint. So, here are a few for me. The prologue, or whatever it is, that opened the book (“Four years ago…”) was a needless distraction and simply delayed the story. I wish I had skipped it. Next, the extended flashback that explained the personal history between Bain and Lyr’ese came too late in the story for me. Why wouldn’t it work better in a more linear location? I know, I know, these things are absolutely the author’s choice, but I’m just saying…
Action infuses the book and it is well done. Yes, once in awhile the author lost me and I had to go back to make sure I knew who was talking now, who just got hit by a dark’sling, or who just saw what. But not too often. And yes, there were a few trivial irritations with wrong words such as “..died in vein” instead of “vain,” or “taught” where she intended “taut,” or “site” when she meant “sight.” That kind of thing, not over much but a little irksome.
I enjoyed the plot twists as characters developed and true motives blossomed. There were a few moments when I thought the twists became snarls and some of the hidden relationships clanked a bit with convenience. This became more evident during the frenetic, action-filled finale as everything converged into an extended series of resolutions, explanations and cliff hangings. I’m not sure why all the nagging plot points had to be tied up with such sudden abruptness. Things felt rushed. I can’t help but think that the author who penned such a visually fascinating novel could have designed a more graceful way to wrap things up.
Overall, “Bain” is an extremely entertaining book that is well written, addictive, cleverly plotted and worth your time, even if, like me, you don’t usually seek out this type of book.
Ms. Roseland’s ability to catch and hold a reader is splendid. I seldom dip into this type of novel since romance and magic are near the bottom of my “want-to-read” list. Still, if this author is at the helm, I may have to revise my biases. “Bain” is a fun book. It moves quickly, paints vivid word pictures, spins a complex yarn and keeps all the disparate parts in the air while sweeping us into a heart touching romance – or two, or three.
Still, even literary feasts have a few items on the menu that disappoint. So, here are a few for me. The prologue, or whatever it is, that opened the book (“Four years ago…”) was a needless distraction and simply delayed the story. I wish I had skipped it. Next, the extended flashback that explained the personal history between Bain and Lyr’ese came too late in the story for me. Why wouldn’t it work better in a more linear location? I know, I know, these things are absolutely the author’s choice, but I’m just saying…
Action infuses the book and it is well done. Yes, once in awhile the author lost me and I had to go back to make sure I knew who was talking now, who just got hit by a dark’sling, or who just saw what. But not too often. And yes, there were a few trivial irritations with wrong words such as “..died in vein” instead of “vain,” or “taught” where she intended “taut,” or “site” when she meant “sight.” That kind of thing, not over much but a little irksome.
I enjoyed the plot twists as characters developed and true motives blossomed. There were a few moments when I thought the twists became snarls and some of the hidden relationships clanked a bit with convenience. This became more evident during the frenetic, action-filled finale as everything converged into an extended series of resolutions, explanations and cliff hangings. I’m not sure why all the nagging plot points had to be tied up with such sudden abruptness. Things felt rushed. I can’t help but think that the author who penned such a visually fascinating novel could have designed a more graceful way to wrap things up.
Overall, “Bain” is an extremely entertaining book that is well written, addictive, cleverly plotted and worth your time, even if, like me, you don’t usually seek out this type of book.
November 10, 2013
Overall I would characterize the writing in this volume as "adequate". It isn't flowery or overly descriptive. There are places where its redundancy really takes the reader out of the story. Much of the dialog is pedestrian and cavalier nearly to the point of satire. The prose has a tendency to lapse into occasionally tedious narrative. There are a very large number of extremely awkward, confusing, and completely unheralded point-of-view changes and no shortage of sci-fi/fantasy clichés. There are also a few fairly glaring plot holes and I am still not completely clear on the author's distinction between `female' and `Female'.
However, there are also undeniable flashes of brilliance.
The opening sequence, where Princess Lyr'ese is reading out of a text book with her tutor is a creative way to start the book, provide a little background information and yet immediately captures the reader's interest. Also, early in the story, there is some very nice internal dialog where the sad little "Female" characterizes her own loneliness with the metaphor of empty pairs of slippers that I found touching and really emphasized the character's youth and naivety in quite a charming way. Similarly, the youthful flirtation between Bain and the Princess, told in flashback, quite aptly captured all the rash sincerities and crushing insecurities of youth. Later depictions of the "Light Valley" and the alien flora and fauna within really are quite breathtaking and indeed, inspire me to explore this world further in future volumes.
Though certainly not perfect, I ended up enjoying this book for what it was - a light, entertaining sci-fi story which, while breaking no new ground, still had some very creative elements and in the end told a solidly enjoyable tale as long as you don't nitpick the details too much. The author strikes me as having a great deal of unpolished talent and as long as she puts her mind to refining her craft, I would be very interested to read her later efforts as well and chart her growth as a story teller. This debut effort very well could be the beginning of something special for Miss Roseland, but only time will tell.
In the end, if you are looking for a fun sci-fi read with a little action and romance thrown in for good measure, you should consider giving Bain - The Bar'axus Bridge Chronicles a try.
However, there are also undeniable flashes of brilliance.
The opening sequence, where Princess Lyr'ese is reading out of a text book with her tutor is a creative way to start the book, provide a little background information and yet immediately captures the reader's interest. Also, early in the story, there is some very nice internal dialog where the sad little "Female" characterizes her own loneliness with the metaphor of empty pairs of slippers that I found touching and really emphasized the character's youth and naivety in quite a charming way. Similarly, the youthful flirtation between Bain and the Princess, told in flashback, quite aptly captured all the rash sincerities and crushing insecurities of youth. Later depictions of the "Light Valley" and the alien flora and fauna within really are quite breathtaking and indeed, inspire me to explore this world further in future volumes.
Though certainly not perfect, I ended up enjoying this book for what it was - a light, entertaining sci-fi story which, while breaking no new ground, still had some very creative elements and in the end told a solidly enjoyable tale as long as you don't nitpick the details too much. The author strikes me as having a great deal of unpolished talent and as long as she puts her mind to refining her craft, I would be very interested to read her later efforts as well and chart her growth as a story teller. This debut effort very well could be the beginning of something special for Miss Roseland, but only time will tell.
In the end, if you are looking for a fun sci-fi read with a little action and romance thrown in for good measure, you should consider giving Bain - The Bar'axus Bridge Chronicles a try.
July 25, 2015
Full disclosure - I have read all three books in the Bar'axus Bridge Chronicles but this is the only one for which I feel compelled, absolutely compelled to write a review. It. Is. THAT. Good.
The number one praise I have for "Bain" is the rich and amazing world building. This is probably the most unique, imaginative world I have read about in a long, long time. It truly pulls the reader in and makes you want to explore the worlds [not just Dehrtulpa] the author created.
And the characters? I am in LOVE with Bain and Lyr'ese! Each shows strength, courage, loyalty, passion - - - just about every positive trait you could want in an Alpha male and a strong leading lady. I love that there are little - if any tropes in this story. For example, Lyr'ese's father and Prince Jin'chee could have so easily fallen into the mustache twirling villain roles, but the author surprised me with the depth of these characters.
My only minor quibbles with "Bain" are (in no particular order):
* I wish when Bain & Lyr'ese first met, their ages were a little older; to my human, earth mind, they seemed a little young to have formed a "forever" kind of love, but perhaps that's the norm in the Bar'axus world
* The climactic ending could have been stretched out a little more. In fact, I wish the whole story were longer, mainly because I loved it so much, I just didn't want it to end.
Of the three Bar'axus novels, "Bain" had the strongest plot, pacing and characters. It's rare that I read a story that so utterly captivates me and still remains a pleasurable read no matter if it's my first read, or my twentieth. Like I said earlier - It. Is. THAT. Good.
The number one praise I have for "Bain" is the rich and amazing world building. This is probably the most unique, imaginative world I have read about in a long, long time. It truly pulls the reader in and makes you want to explore the worlds [not just Dehrtulpa] the author created.
And the characters? I am in LOVE with Bain and Lyr'ese! Each shows strength, courage, loyalty, passion - - - just about every positive trait you could want in an Alpha male and a strong leading lady. I love that there are little - if any tropes in this story. For example, Lyr'ese's father and Prince Jin'chee could have so easily fallen into the mustache twirling villain roles, but the author surprised me with the depth of these characters.
My only minor quibbles with "Bain" are (in no particular order):
* I wish when Bain & Lyr'ese first met, their ages were a little older; to my human, earth mind, they seemed a little young to have formed a "forever" kind of love, but perhaps that's the norm in the Bar'axus world
* The climactic ending could have been stretched out a little more. In fact, I wish the whole story were longer, mainly because I loved it so much, I just didn't want it to end.
Of the three Bar'axus novels, "Bain" had the strongest plot, pacing and characters. It's rare that I read a story that so utterly captivates me and still remains a pleasurable read no matter if it's my first read, or my twentieth. Like I said earlier - It. Is. THAT. Good.
November 3, 2013
In "Bain" book one of "The Bar’axus Bridge Chronicles,” author Aimee Roseland spins a delicious tale of class-based forbidden love, Heroes, political intrigue, and war. And that's just the beginning! If all of that sounds a bit overwhelming, not to fear, the story is beautifully presented with a myriad of twists and subplots, supported by wonderful and endearing lead characters you will come to know and love.
Now heads up, the book moves fast, but it's a great thrill ride, so hang on and enjoy this vibrant, scenic journey! The narrative is crisp, intelligent, and very thought provoking, yet, despite its "galaxy far away" approach, it remains remarkable relevant to this time and age.
Unfortunately, sometimes the book is a bit too relevant. Despite a complete lack of any references to humanity, the story is peppered with distinctively North American catch-phrases and colloquial expressions. This does nothing to detract from the story; it simply seems a bit odd that such phrases would be part of an alien lexicon. This is a personal quirk, so don’t let it throw you.
I look forward to the next installment of “The Bar’axus Bridge Chronicles,” and the inevitable screen play is seeing coming in the future. It will be my privilege to look up at a marquee and say "Hey, I remember Aimee, from way back when."
-Kevin McDonald Andrews
Now heads up, the book moves fast, but it's a great thrill ride, so hang on and enjoy this vibrant, scenic journey! The narrative is crisp, intelligent, and very thought provoking, yet, despite its "galaxy far away" approach, it remains remarkable relevant to this time and age.
Unfortunately, sometimes the book is a bit too relevant. Despite a complete lack of any references to humanity, the story is peppered with distinctively North American catch-phrases and colloquial expressions. This does nothing to detract from the story; it simply seems a bit odd that such phrases would be part of an alien lexicon. This is a personal quirk, so don’t let it throw you.
I look forward to the next installment of “The Bar’axus Bridge Chronicles,” and the inevitable screen play is seeing coming in the future. It will be my privilege to look up at a marquee and say "Hey, I remember Aimee, from way back when."
-Kevin McDonald Andrews
March 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I found this book as a freebie on Amazon but I would have gladly paid the full price, the story pace flowed naturally, the world building was superb and the characters were very honest and believable. I am always happy when I can find a new author that I want to follow and this is one of them. I can't wait for the next installment to come out.
March 26, 2012
This book was so interesting and very engulfing. The characters were so real to me; their emotions, actions and thought processes were very believable. Overall and wonderful read, I would highly recommend reading it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews