What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sectors #1
Escape From Zulaire
Andi Markriss hasn’t exactly enjoyed being the houseguest of the planetary high-lord, but her company sent her to represent them at a political wedding. When hotshot Sectors Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane barges in on the night of the biggest social event of the summer, Andi isn’t about to offend her high-ranking host on Deverane’s say-so—no matter how sexy he is, or how much he believes they need to leave now.
Deverane was thinking about how to spend his retirement bonus when HQ assigned him one last mission: rescue a civilian woman stranded on a planet on the verge of civil war. Someone has pulled some serious strings to get her plucked out of the hot zone. Deverane’s never met anyone so hard-headed—or so appealing. Suddenly his mission to protect this one woman has become more than just mere orders.
That mission proves more dangerous than he expected when rebel fighters attack the village and raze it to the ground. Deverane escapes with Andi, and on their hazardous journey through the wilderness, Andi finds herself fighting her uncomfortable attraction to the gallant and courageous captain. But Deverane’s not the type to settle down, and running for one’s life doesn’t leave much time to explore a romance.
Then Andi is captured by the rebel fighters, but Deverane has discovered that Zulaire’s so-called civil war is part of a terrifying alien race’s attempt to subjugate the entire Sector. If he pushes on to the capitol Andi will die. Deverane must decide whether to save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
Deverane was thinking about how to spend his retirement bonus when HQ assigned him one last mission: rescue a civilian woman stranded on a planet on the verge of civil war. Someone has pulled some serious strings to get her plucked out of the hot zone. Deverane’s never met anyone so hard-headed—or so appealing. Suddenly his mission to protect this one woman has become more than just mere orders.
That mission proves more dangerous than he expected when rebel fighters attack the village and raze it to the ground. Deverane escapes with Andi, and on their hazardous journey through the wilderness, Andi finds herself fighting her uncomfortable attraction to the gallant and courageous captain. But Deverane’s not the type to settle down, and running for one’s life doesn’t leave much time to explore a romance.
Then Andi is captured by the rebel fighters, but Deverane has discovered that Zulaire’s so-called civil war is part of a terrifying alien race’s attempt to subjugate the entire Sector. If he pushes on to the capitol Andi will die. Deverane must decide whether to save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2013
65 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Scott
81 books241 followersUSA Today Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
MISC FACTS ABOUT VERONICA
Seven time winner ~ SFR Galaxy Award
Proud recipient ~ NASA Exceptional Service Medal but must hasten to add the honor was not for her romantic fiction!
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – I’ll improve your process (mwahahahaa)!
Elvis Presley’s best friend once serenaded Veronica on a local TV telethon…now that could be a novel…
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
MISC FACTS ABOUT VERONICA
Seven time winner ~ SFR Galaxy Award
Proud recipient ~ NASA Exceptional Service Medal but must hasten to add the honor was not for her romantic fiction!
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – I’ll improve your process (mwahahahaa)!
Elvis Presley’s best friend once serenaded Veronica on a local TV telethon…now that could be a novel…
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 8, 2016
The second book in A Sectors SF Romance series by Veronica Scott. Andi Markriss is sent to a political wedding to represent her company when Special Forces Captain Tom Deverane arrives to rescue her. She sees no danger and demands the rescue be delayed until morning. Only the danger hits faster than anyone anticipated and soon Andi and Tom and others are forced to flee and make their way back to the capital.
Although this is considered part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone with no problem. The heroine was irritating at first but once she realized the danger she stepped up to the plate and played ball. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the other books of this series I have read so far. I have every intention of continuing the series.
Although this is considered part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone with no problem. The heroine was irritating at first but once she realized the danger she stepped up to the plate and played ball. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the other books of this series I have read so far. I have every intention of continuing the series.
February 10, 2014
As with any SFR I wanted to love this. Ended up bailing however, because I found the internal dialogue simply didn't work for me. There was a lot of telling-not-showing going on with it and it simply didn't feel 'right'. I did really like the world and the story itself. Think I'll have to go and read the ending ;-)
February 19, 2022
Returning to Veronica Scott’s The Sectors world for more sci-fi action and romance, I was thrilled that this standalone volume took us to a new planet and culture along with another group of characters and exciting plot.
Andi Markiss is the Loxton representative to a lavish political wedding before the planet high lord’s daughter and her wealthy and socially-connected fiancé. The wedding festivities are taking place at the high lord’s summer home and Andi is putting a smiling face on it when she would rather be many places, but there. Then, a captain of the Sectors Special Forces and his team turn up to extricate her and return her to the safety of the capitol city because political unrest between the two most powerful tribes has broken out and it is unsafe for Sectors citizens to be outside the safety of the city.
Andi is slow to believe Captain Tom Deverane and insists she has to stay until the wedding is over. But, when bombs erupts, beams fire, and the butchery begins, she is one hundred percent supportive of the man’s efforts to get them out and get them to safety. That is, she is terrified, but insists they rescue a few hapless victims along the way even as they garner plenty of intel that points to the fact that the political situation is more complicated than first glance. Someone is maneuvering events from the shadows and planting false evidence to stir up a planetary civil war. Andi’s attraction for the worthy and heroic captain grows even as they work as a group to get to safety and pass on what they know to save lives and bring peace.
Escape to Zulaire is set on a planet far from earth in time and distance, but the whole time I felt it was familiar like it was African geographic setting and tribal culture- just in the future. There was an interesting mystic element added by the Zulaire religion and the secondary character of a spiritual leader whom they rescue and bring along. It turns out that Andi’s need to rescue certain people along the way played a huge role in later events of the story and some characters, Andi included, are more than they seemed at the start.
So, there is intrigue, action, and a romance all as a group desperately makes a mad run across a planet trying to get away from those plotting a coup and get to a place of stability. It was a fast and furious read much like the first book. Again, it is utterly standalone and has a very loose connection as a series book. Those who love exciting and a little spicy sci-fi romance should give this one some attention.
Andi Markiss is the Loxton representative to a lavish political wedding before the planet high lord’s daughter and her wealthy and socially-connected fiancé. The wedding festivities are taking place at the high lord’s summer home and Andi is putting a smiling face on it when she would rather be many places, but there. Then, a captain of the Sectors Special Forces and his team turn up to extricate her and return her to the safety of the capitol city because political unrest between the two most powerful tribes has broken out and it is unsafe for Sectors citizens to be outside the safety of the city.
Andi is slow to believe Captain Tom Deverane and insists she has to stay until the wedding is over. But, when bombs erupts, beams fire, and the butchery begins, she is one hundred percent supportive of the man’s efforts to get them out and get them to safety. That is, she is terrified, but insists they rescue a few hapless victims along the way even as they garner plenty of intel that points to the fact that the political situation is more complicated than first glance. Someone is maneuvering events from the shadows and planting false evidence to stir up a planetary civil war. Andi’s attraction for the worthy and heroic captain grows even as they work as a group to get to safety and pass on what they know to save lives and bring peace.
Escape to Zulaire is set on a planet far from earth in time and distance, but the whole time I felt it was familiar like it was African geographic setting and tribal culture- just in the future. There was an interesting mystic element added by the Zulaire religion and the secondary character of a spiritual leader whom they rescue and bring along. It turns out that Andi’s need to rescue certain people along the way played a huge role in later events of the story and some characters, Andi included, are more than they seemed at the start.
So, there is intrigue, action, and a romance all as a group desperately makes a mad run across a planet trying to get away from those plotting a coup and get to a place of stability. It was a fast and furious read much like the first book. Again, it is utterly standalone and has a very loose connection as a series book. Those who love exciting and a little spicy sci-fi romance should give this one some attention.
May 26, 2017
Although it started a little slow, the narrative picked up speed quickly when the heroine, Andi, found her planetary trading career landed her in the middle of a civil war. The intricacies of the world building and the plot are fascinating and so smoothly integrated into the story that there's never a sense of info dump or a temptation to skim whole passages to get back to the action. Blending in a touch of mysticism and paranormal, this action-packed sci-fi romance edges into space opera, and it's all good.
February 19, 2015
Anthology - part of Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars
Oh my gosh was a great story. I'm not lying in saying I stayed up until 5:30 am because I couldn't put it down. Thank goodness I'm on vacation. I loved the interplay between Tom and Andi. I loved how he would do anything to stay with her. Loved the ending. Great, great book.
Oh my gosh was a great story. I'm not lying in saying I stayed up until 5:30 am because I couldn't put it down. Thank goodness I'm on vacation. I loved the interplay between Tom and Andi. I loved how he would do anything to stay with her. Loved the ending. Great, great book.
February 9, 2015
I found this difficult to read. The frequent thoughts voiced from the POV character threw me out of the scene every time. I was unable to track the actual story as a result. a pity, as what I took on board looked good.
June 6, 2017
This was a fun adventure of a multi-species conflict on a planet with internal and external issues. Add in some mystical elements and a little romance and you've pretty much covered everything.
Not bad, but not great either.
Not bad, but not great either.
February 8, 2018
4 stars.
Another action-packed book. This time around, it's a bit like Saving Private Ryan with a twist. A contingent of Sectors Special Forces led by our hero Tom is diverted to pick up a trade agent (our heroine Andi) left behind by her firm as the planet descent into civil war. But the rebels attacked before they got away and most of the book deals with their perilous journey getting back to the Capital and the Sectors HQ.
At least this time around, the H/h manage some alone time in a monastery whilst our hero is recovering from a fever... Ultra quick recovery though from being sick for days and then waking up for some loving straight away...LOL!
So far, I'm loving this series.
Another action-packed book. This time around, it's a bit like Saving Private Ryan with a twist. A contingent of Sectors Special Forces led by our hero Tom is diverted to pick up a trade agent (our heroine Andi) left behind by her firm as the planet descent into civil war. But the rebels attacked before they got away and most of the book deals with their perilous journey getting back to the Capital and the Sectors HQ.
At least this time around, the H/h manage some alone time in a monastery whilst our hero is recovering from a fever... Ultra quick recovery though from being sick for days and then waking up for some loving straight away...LOL!
So far, I'm loving this series.
January 7, 2019
Eh
Lots of weird words and names that are just thrust upon you. It's not hard .to.follow. It I fo u d myself skipping names.which probably wasn't helpful.. Pretty instalove with some danger, violence and mystery. .
Lots of weird words and names that are just thrust upon you. It's not hard .to.follow. It I fo u d myself skipping names.which probably wasn't helpful.. Pretty instalove with some danger, violence and mystery. .
May 2, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 3.5/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 3.5/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
January 6, 2018
The story was slow to begin but it picked up once the group found the monastery! Good ending! Likable characters! 3.5 stars!
January 5, 2018
Review to come...
I enjoyed reading this. New to me author + engaging story.
I enjoyed reading this. New to me author + engaging story.
September 4, 2013
The novel is told from the perspective of Andi, the main female character. As we get to know Andi before meeting Tom, she's ambitious and smart. Never lucky in love but Andi does what she needs to do for the sake of the company without regard to her own comfort. Scott weaves in Zulaire as it is as much a part of the main character as the story. Zulaire is earth-like in a less populous and yet more advanced way. The people of the planet are rich with ritualism and a stringent class structure that the war aims to topple.
Tom Deverane is a strong character. Alpha male and tough. He has a secret that he shares with Andi early on and Scott writes the childhood trauma with raw and stoic emotion that takes the breath away. Andi spots early on the softness at his core when he allows her to run into a burning building in an attempt to save the children she thought would be there. When he tells us of his past she knows that Tom will only need slight persuasion when next they come upon a chance to save a life, as he'd never leave someone he could save behind. Readers will melt at his brash exterior and soft core. Andi isn't there to be swept off and saved though. What happens when Tom needs her? Will she turn her back or stand by his side? The moment Scott takes in the story for this twist further bond the reader to Tom and Andi. Scott has an affinity for saving others, especially children, in her stories. In the case of Escape From Zulaire, the children saved aren't directly in the care of a main character but they are not forgotten. They must be cared for and brought to safety.
I loved Escape From Zulaire. The novel was an action-packed ride through a dangerous place in a horrible time. Glimmers of good shine through this story. Highly recommend for romance readers and those readers who love a good sci-fi read.
Tom Deverane is a strong character. Alpha male and tough. He has a secret that he shares with Andi early on and Scott writes the childhood trauma with raw and stoic emotion that takes the breath away. Andi spots early on the softness at his core when he allows her to run into a burning building in an attempt to save the children she thought would be there. When he tells us of his past she knows that Tom will only need slight persuasion when next they come upon a chance to save a life, as he'd never leave someone he could save behind. Readers will melt at his brash exterior and soft core. Andi isn't there to be swept off and saved though. What happens when Tom needs her? Will she turn her back or stand by his side? The moment Scott takes in the story for this twist further bond the reader to Tom and Andi. Scott has an affinity for saving others, especially children, in her stories. In the case of Escape From Zulaire, the children saved aren't directly in the care of a main character but they are not forgotten. They must be cared for and brought to safety.
I loved Escape From Zulaire. The novel was an action-packed ride through a dangerous place in a horrible time. Glimmers of good shine through this story. Highly recommend for romance readers and those readers who love a good sci-fi read.
June 26, 2017
Really unsure how - or rather why - I stuck this one out. I think the word that best sums up how I feel about it is 'dull'.
Story is entirely from female lead POV. I don't feel like we got to know the male lead at all - which made it even more inexplicable for the two of them to fall so irrevocably in love in about ten minutes.
A few really irritating typos too - I know every book is going to contain one or two, and I can forgive someone tucking something in to their 'vast pocket' (I'm pretty sure that should have been 'vest'). But spelling the name of the antagonist wrong is just sloppy. And as for things that even a basic spell-checker would pick up, seriously, how did the non-existent word 'quiscient' get in there? From context it was clearly meant to be 'quiescent', but it just makes it look like you can't be bothered to check what you're putting out there. Which means I won't be bothering with any other book in the series (at least this one was free!)
Story is entirely from female lead POV. I don't feel like we got to know the male lead at all - which made it even more inexplicable for the two of them to fall so irrevocably in love in about ten minutes.
A few really irritating typos too - I know every book is going to contain one or two, and I can forgive someone tucking something in to their 'vast pocket' (I'm pretty sure that should have been 'vest'). But spelling the name of the antagonist wrong is just sloppy. And as for things that even a basic spell-checker would pick up, seriously, how did the non-existent word 'quiscient' get in there? From context it was clearly meant to be 'quiescent', but it just makes it look like you can't be bothered to check what you're putting out there. Which means I won't be bothering with any other book in the series (at least this one was free!)
August 6, 2016
Initial thoughts: This was an original story with a very likeable heroine. However, I'm not sure where the addition of space deer (my description) made everything okay. It seemed totally random and didn't really fit in with the rest of the story. Maybe a longer length would have been able to better help me to "get" it.
I also wish there had been more story from Tom's perspective; it would have helped me to better connect to his character.
I also wish there had been more story from Tom's perspective; it would have helped me to better connect to his character.
November 2, 2018
2 1/2
I bumped it up because it had a pretty decent story. My issue was that there was a silent self talk in 1st person POV from the female character that was jarring since all the rest was 3rd person dual POV. Perhaps it was to distinguish between talking and thoughts in the audio? Still the audio was pretty bad for me too because the male voice narrates everything, feelings, actions, and all male voice while the female narrator narrates the female voices and the thoughts. So the guy says her feelings, 'she became hot, and the female I wonder if he likes me. This was even more jarring so I went to reading it and actually started kind of enjoying it. I still didn't like the 1st person self talk but... the story flowed better for me.
Even with going to the print read, I still didn't love it. The relationship felt forced, or too fast, yet it took forever to get there. I didn't see what he saw in her as he was trying to save her and she pretty much wanted to disbelieve everything he said. I felt she was a bit silly and naive. When they are finally together it felt like insta love in a war zone. Not very good for a romance. Still the overall storyline is good. Was hard to decide between 2 and 3.
I bumped it up because it had a pretty decent story. My issue was that there was a silent self talk in 1st person POV from the female character that was jarring since all the rest was 3rd person dual POV. Perhaps it was to distinguish between talking and thoughts in the audio? Still the audio was pretty bad for me too because the male voice narrates everything, feelings, actions, and all male voice while the female narrator narrates the female voices and the thoughts. So the guy says her feelings, 'she became hot, and the female I wonder if he likes me. This was even more jarring so I went to reading it and actually started kind of enjoying it. I still didn't like the 1st person self talk but... the story flowed better for me.
Even with going to the print read, I still didn't love it. The relationship felt forced, or too fast, yet it took forever to get there. I didn't see what he saw in her as he was trying to save her and she pretty much wanted to disbelieve everything he said. I felt she was a bit silly and naive. When they are finally together it felt like insta love in a war zone. Not very good for a romance. Still the overall storyline is good. Was hard to decide between 2 and 3.
December 4, 2021
Andi Markriss is attending a wedding of the planetary leader’s daughter and representing her influential company when Captain Tom Deverane and his group of Sectors soldiers arrive to escort her to the capital. She doesn’t believe the claims of a civil uprising on the planet but is proved wrong the next day when, during the party to celebrate the wedding, family and guests are attacked and the place is set on fire. Andi manages to save two of the leader’s children, and then agrees to go with Tom and his remaining men, which involves a dangerous trek across a wilderness full of death and destruction, mostly on foot. As Andi and Tom work together to keep everyone safe and moving in the right direction, they realize they are fighting a deep attraction. Romance has to wait until they are safe, but that doesn’t stop a few stolen moments between the two. I enjoyed the story and liked that Andi was helping fight, not just a passive bystander during all the action.
June 12, 2017
I really did like this book. Andi Markriss was a houseguest of the planetary high-lord but her company sent her to represent them at a political wedding. There she meets up with Captain Tom Deverane of special forces. He has been sent to get her off planet as there is about to be an uprising and she needs to get off planet to be safe. Well, now the fun begins as they end up going on the run from some pretty bad people. There is a lot of warfare in this book but it is good, it adds to the plot. Very interesting characters. There is a part of a mythological race of people and animals which Tom Deverane does not believe in at all, but Andi does and it makes for interesting conversations. Would recommend.
September 1, 2017
3.5
Pros: I thought this was a fun action adventure and romance on another planet. I especially loved how well the secondary characters were developed, and I immediately felt immersed in the setting and culture from the very first chapter. The heroine was a nice mixture of tough and vulnerable, and the hero was easy to fall in love with.
Cons: This book could have used one more pass in edits to tighten it up and fix some of the typos. I wish the Mawreg threat had been explained better and that the Betang (another alien race) had been mentioned before suddenly showing up toward the end of the book. The hero's life-threatening fever also didn't seem to have any reason to be in there and struck me as strange, but maybe that's just me.
Overall, I enjoyed this book.
Pros: I thought this was a fun action adventure and romance on another planet. I especially loved how well the secondary characters were developed, and I immediately felt immersed in the setting and culture from the very first chapter. The heroine was a nice mixture of tough and vulnerable, and the hero was easy to fall in love with.
Cons: This book could have used one more pass in edits to tighten it up and fix some of the typos. I wish the Mawreg threat had been explained better and that the Betang (another alien race) had been mentioned before suddenly showing up toward the end of the book. The hero's life-threatening fever also didn't seem to have any reason to be in there and struck me as strange, but maybe that's just me.
Overall, I enjoyed this book.
August 26, 2017
Romance and Sci-Fi
This book is quite the adventure and I enjoyed every bit of it. The sci-fi adventure includes many twists and turns as the hero and heroine journey on an escape across a planet. The hero is an alpha yet gentle military commander who has the heroine's feather ruffled at first before melting her heart and making her swoon for him. My first book by this author and I'm definitely interested in reading more. I found this free in Amazon and thought I'd take a chance on a new to me author and a little different genre - I'm glad I did.
This book is quite the adventure and I enjoyed every bit of it. The sci-fi adventure includes many twists and turns as the hero and heroine journey on an escape across a planet. The hero is an alpha yet gentle military commander who has the heroine's feather ruffled at first before melting her heart and making her swoon for him. My first book by this author and I'm definitely interested in reading more. I found this free in Amazon and thought I'd take a chance on a new to me author and a little different genre - I'm glad I did.
June 21, 2019
A group of Sectors soldiers are sent to rescue Andi, a business woman who has been living with the family of the president for some reason that I can't remember. A civil war (later discovered to have been agitated by alien influences) is breaking out and it isn't safe for anyone to stay on the planet. The novel follows Andi's escape and her romance with Captain Tom. Nothing too outlandish or crazy, but an easy read.
May 22, 2017
Review
This is a great story I really loved how exciting it was all the way through. It has a wonderful love story and an interesting group of supporting characters. It really deserves the rating I gave it.
This is a great story I really loved how exciting it was all the way through. It has a wonderful love story and an interesting group of supporting characters. It really deserves the rating I gave it.
December 2, 2018
Exciting Read!
This was a very exciting and captivating story. Have read others randomly before I read this one lol. A proven fact they can be read individually. Hahahahaha excited to read more
This was a very exciting and captivating story. Have read others randomly before I read this one lol. A proven fact they can be read individually. Hahahahaha excited to read more
Read
March 17, 2021Good, though not as good as her Badari books. Also not as straight forward as it seemed it might be. It reminded me of M. M. Kaye's book Shadow on the Moon, though with not as much background on the characters or life before the Uprising.
March 24, 2022
LOVE AND WAR
Escape from Zulaire has it all. Old animosities. Manipulation by the alien Betang, inciting hatred and war among the clans of Zulaire. Hot romance that is off the charts. Constant action dotted with lots of surprises and twists.
Captivating read. Highly recommend.
Escape from Zulaire has it all. Old animosities. Manipulation by the alien Betang, inciting hatred and war among the clans of Zulaire. Hot romance that is off the charts. Constant action dotted with lots of surprises and twists.
Captivating read. Highly recommend.
May 25, 2017
A STORY WORTH READING
A fantastic storyline and unforgettable characters, make this first book very intriguing. Thank you for a very enjoyable story, WRITE ON, Danny Scott.
A fantastic storyline and unforgettable characters, make this first book very intriguing. Thank you for a very enjoyable story, WRITE ON, Danny Scott.
Want to read
March 13, 2023Purch Amazon May 22, 2017
July 29, 2015
I greatly enjoyed the setting for this story. The planet Zulaire and its people resembled modern India in several aspects, including dress, religion, mannerisms and caste system. The caste system, and the mythology/history surrounding it, was a neat part of the story, and also acted as the center of conflict which moved the story events forward. The world building was exceptional and was the main reason I enjoyed reading the book.
Zulaire finds itself caught up in a caste-system rebellion, but there are a few twists to the normal reasons for an uprising. I won't go into this, because these twists are part of what made the story enjoyable for me. In the middle of the conflict is the main character, Andi, who works for a trading company. She loves Zulaire, even though she is treated as an outsider by most, and finds herself smack-dab in the middle of the war-zone when conflict breaks out. Tom, a member of the elite special forces, is sent to pick her up before the conflict breaks out, but things don't go according to plan.
Andi, as a character, is strong and well-rounded. Tom is a bit alpha, but as a soldier, he has his reasons. He also has a tragic story and his own personal hang-ups which add to both the story and the building relationship between him and Andi. Although I never got a good feel for their relationship or any warm-fuzzies, I could understand how the trying circumstances and their personalities would bring them together.
There is a lot going on in this novel. Andi finds herself in one dangerous situation after another, with only a few lulls for her, and the reader, to catch a breath. This hurry-up and heavy-action pacing left me a little wanting in the character / relationship development department, but I can certainly say there wasn't a single dull moment.
The story is told via Andi's point of view throughout the entire novel. The only problem I had with Andi's POV was her constant talking to herself. I don't mind internal dialogue (usually noted by a tense shift and italics), but Andi internally commented on everything in just about every paragraph. Most of the time, it felt like unnecessary side commentary or used to point out the obvious to the reader. I found it a bit tiresome and it took me out of the story. This was my main reason for giving four stars instead of five.
All in all, this is a recommended read with exceptional world building, an adventurous story and good science fiction.
I was provided a copy by the author with the request for honest feedback.
Zulaire finds itself caught up in a caste-system rebellion, but there are a few twists to the normal reasons for an uprising. I won't go into this, because these twists are part of what made the story enjoyable for me. In the middle of the conflict is the main character, Andi, who works for a trading company. She loves Zulaire, even though she is treated as an outsider by most, and finds herself smack-dab in the middle of the war-zone when conflict breaks out. Tom, a member of the elite special forces, is sent to pick her up before the conflict breaks out, but things don't go according to plan.
Andi, as a character, is strong and well-rounded. Tom is a bit alpha, but as a soldier, he has his reasons. He also has a tragic story and his own personal hang-ups which add to both the story and the building relationship between him and Andi. Although I never got a good feel for their relationship or any warm-fuzzies, I could understand how the trying circumstances and their personalities would bring them together.
There is a lot going on in this novel. Andi finds herself in one dangerous situation after another, with only a few lulls for her, and the reader, to catch a breath. This hurry-up and heavy-action pacing left me a little wanting in the character / relationship development department, but I can certainly say there wasn't a single dull moment.
The story is told via Andi's point of view throughout the entire novel. The only problem I had with Andi's POV was her constant talking to herself. I don't mind internal dialogue (usually noted by a tense shift and italics), but Andi internally commented on everything in just about every paragraph. Most of the time, it felt like unnecessary side commentary or used to point out the obvious to the reader. I found it a bit tiresome and it took me out of the story. This was my main reason for giving four stars instead of five.
All in all, this is a recommended read with exceptional world building, an adventurous story and good science fiction.
I was provided a copy by the author with the request for honest feedback.
February 22, 2017
I quite enjoyed this - it had a "fantasy escape quest" kind of feel to it, bundled along with the "anything sufficiently advanced is magic". It worked for me though :)
I found the sexytimes a little jarring here, and would have preferred a fade to black kind of approach. But on the whole, an enjoyable read and I think I'd pick up others by Scott
I found the sexytimes a little jarring here, and would have preferred a fade to black kind of approach. But on the whole, an enjoyable read and I think I'd pick up others by Scott
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews