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Lost Colony #3
Shield's Lady
Sarianna was a cool, confident businesswoman, an outcast from the East determined to regain her rightful status. Gryph was an intense mercenary respected and feared throughout the opulent cities and savage frontiers of the West. But from the moment they met, fate made them one. Was it their destiny to be bound to a force that both captivated and frightened them?
341 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
August 8, 2017
I'm not sure what I found more annoying in this book: the heroine or the heroine. Let me explain. The hero was a pure, unadulterated 100% jerk, so no saving grace. Women are chattel and vessels, nothing more. What they want, what they desire is insignificant. (The "wedding" night scene is both hilarious and horrific.)
The only way to "save him" (as a character) is teaching him a lesson. Possibly a very hard one. Unfortunately, the heroine wasn't up to par with the task. You need a kick-ass warrior or an alpha bitch for this.
She's a three year old toddler with a temper tantrum. In theory she has a brain, in actual story, I've never seen it. She is supposed to be this "Vulcanian" woman (think of Spock), but she is never really portrayed as such. She can do nothing (except accounting, it seems, or being his vessel both physically and mentally). What it is really worse in my book is the caving. I felt no reason why she fell for this guy. In 2 pages she moves from looking for a contraceptive to dreaming his baby. (Literally a couple of pages, by the way.)
Half-book, there was a moment (see before) when I was sorely tempted to throw it away. And at the end of the day, this story has a very old fashioned view of women. And I do not like it at all.
My real regret? This story has so much potential as a real sci-fi, that it boggles my mind as such an interesting world and ideas have been ruined by a stupid romance.
The only way to "save him" (as a character) is teaching him a lesson. Possibly a very hard one. Unfortunately, the heroine wasn't up to par with the task. You need a kick-ass warrior or an alpha bitch for this.
She's a three year old toddler with a temper tantrum. In theory she has a brain, in actual story, I've never seen it. She is supposed to be this "Vulcanian" woman (think of Spock), but she is never really portrayed as such. She can do nothing (except accounting, it seems, or being his vessel both physically and mentally). What it is really worse in my book is the caving. I felt no reason why she fell for this guy. In 2 pages she moves from looking for a contraceptive to dreaming his baby. (Literally a couple of pages, by the way.)
Half-book, there was a moment (see before) when I was sorely tempted to throw it away. And at the end of the day, this story has a very old fashioned view of women. And I do not like it at all.
My real regret? This story has so much potential as a real sci-fi, that it boggles my mind as such an interesting world and ideas have been ruined by a stupid romance.
July 22, 2013
Written (and read) years ago by Jayne Ann Krentz / Amanda Glass, this paranormal erotic suspense involves humans on another world. The mild plot twist added some interest but did not require any real thought. Brain candy!
I liked the simplistic but plausible world Krentz built. Some more recent paranormal authors create more complicated worlds, but then do not deliver on the premise, contradicting their own creation to drive the plot. Not so in this case. Paranormal aspects include telepathy.
Characters: The main characters are likable enough, including the little scarlet-toed lizard. (Trust JAK to write a wee beastie into the plot.) Gryph Chassyn is a Shield, able to mentally control potentially dangerous crystal. He realizes fairly soon that Sariana might be the special "shield mate" he's been hoping to find. He's an alpha, chauvinistic and bossy, protective and passionate. Sariana is a little mouthy and irritating, making assumptions, hearing what she wants to hear. But can you blame her, dealing with Mr. He-Man? The villains were actually believable and somewhat textured, not cartoon figures.
Setting and Plot: To redeem her reputation as a shrewd businesswoman, she came to the city of Serendipity on the "wild" Western continent, leaving her distinguished family in Rendezvous, a city on the more "civilized" Eastern continent. Sariana needs Gryph to find her client's stolen crystal cutter, essential to their trade as jewelers. Off they go to reclaim the cutter, journeying into canyons by river, stopping en route at Little Chance for provisions...and running into several chancy situations.
Gryph and Sariana get a happy ever after, of course. They are not seen again in any sequels.
Quibble: Something bugged me in the final chapter: WHY continue to associate with that one particular shady character?
I liked the simplistic but plausible world Krentz built. Some more recent paranormal authors create more complicated worlds, but then do not deliver on the premise, contradicting their own creation to drive the plot. Not so in this case. Paranormal aspects include telepathy.
Characters: The main characters are likable enough, including the little scarlet-toed lizard. (Trust JAK to write a wee beastie into the plot.) Gryph Chassyn is a Shield, able to mentally control potentially dangerous crystal. He realizes fairly soon that Sariana might be the special "shield mate" he's been hoping to find. He's an alpha, chauvinistic and bossy, protective and passionate. Sariana is a little mouthy and irritating, making assumptions, hearing what she wants to hear. But can you blame her, dealing with Mr. He-Man? The villains were actually believable and somewhat textured, not cartoon figures.
Setting and Plot: To redeem her reputation as a shrewd businesswoman, she came to the city of Serendipity on the "wild" Western continent, leaving her distinguished family in Rendezvous, a city on the more "civilized" Eastern continent. Sariana needs Gryph to find her client's stolen crystal cutter, essential to their trade as jewelers. Off they go to reclaim the cutter, journeying into canyons by river, stopping en route at Little Chance for provisions...and running into several chancy situations.
Gryph and Sariana get a happy ever after, of course. They are not seen again in any sequels.
Quibble: Something bugged me in the final chapter: WHY continue to associate with that one particular shady character?
May 25, 2011
SFR Reading Challenge 2011
The Lost Colony trilogy by Jayne Ann Krentz are some of her best work, imo. The writing is strong, the details and characters well-developed, and the romances satisfying. My favorite of the three is the first, Sweet Starfire, but I've enjoyed all three. (The second book is Crystal Flame). the books do not have to be read in order.
I was surprised when reading reviews for this book that so many readers had a problem with Gryph's attitude toward Sariana. Many seemed to feel he was a jerk to her. My reaction to the couple was just the opposite. I was on the verge of getting frustrated with Sariana because she was so manipulative and obtuse. In reality, however, both characters acted in realistic ways given their backgrounds and their understanding of events. This is the story of two cultures clashing as much as anything, and Krentz does an excellent job with these characters. She builds their actions, thoughts and words firmly on the foundation of who they are and where they've come from. Each one has a limited understanding of the others worldview and motivations. Gryph and Sariana both come to understand the other slowly, and as they do they come to appreciate each other. Gryph is apologetic for his high-handedness, and Sariana comes to understand what has motivated him and how she fits into that.
Unfortunate the book falters just a bit at the end, but it's minor, and overall this is an excellent sci-fi/fantasy and an excellent romance.
The Lost Colony trilogy by Jayne Ann Krentz are some of her best work, imo. The writing is strong, the details and characters well-developed, and the romances satisfying. My favorite of the three is the first, Sweet Starfire, but I've enjoyed all three. (The second book is Crystal Flame). the books do not have to be read in order.
I was surprised when reading reviews for this book that so many readers had a problem with Gryph's attitude toward Sariana. Many seemed to feel he was a jerk to her. My reaction to the couple was just the opposite. I was on the verge of getting frustrated with Sariana because she was so manipulative and obtuse. In reality, however, both characters acted in realistic ways given their backgrounds and their understanding of events. This is the story of two cultures clashing as much as anything, and Krentz does an excellent job with these characters. She builds their actions, thoughts and words firmly on the foundation of who they are and where they've come from. Each one has a limited understanding of the others worldview and motivations. Gryph and Sariana both come to understand the other slowly, and as they do they come to appreciate each other. Gryph is apologetic for his high-handedness, and Sariana comes to understand what has motivated him and how she fits into that.
Unfortunate the book falters just a bit at the end, but it's minor, and overall this is an excellent sci-fi/fantasy and an excellent romance.
February 20, 2023
One of my favorites in this genre (published 1989), this futuristic romance is one of Ms. Krentz's best - along with Orchid, Zinnia, and Amaryllis. It has great characters. Gryph Chassyn is a Shield with very primitive, simplistic responses in most areas of life, and Sariana Dayne is a talkative, aggressive businesswoman from the conservative East trying to adjust to the flamboyant West of the planet Windarra. Her usual humorous and prickly dialogue, a well-developed plot, and lots of interesting supporting characters only add to the reader's enjoyment. Although I have read as many authors who have written in this genre as I can find, I still consider it peculiarly the province of Ms. Krentz (writing as Jayne Castle), perhaps because she does it best, with the possible exception of Anne McCaffery's Restoree, another personal favorite. I hope that some day Ms. Krentz will come back to Windarra and write another wonderful book about it. Specifically I'd like to know how it goes if a Shield heads east to find a bride among the unsuspecting Eastern portion of Windarra. That could make for another excellent book. There is also the possibility of a book about a much older Keri needing a Shield's favor returned, as promised by Gryph.
December 15, 2011
I almost gave up on this book. Sariana drove me bananas. She would say black was white just to disagree with Gryph. I don't mind a little of that but this book skated the edge.
Sariana is from the business, logical eastern provinces and moves to the western free thinking, artistic provinces to prove herself after she is not accepted in business college for being too much of a free thinker. She works for an influential family who is about to lose everything when a historical item their family has always been in charge of is stolen. She hires a Shield, the class that finds and punishes wrongdoers. The Shield's are also psychic and each Shield only has one mate who is linked to them. Sariana to her horror is that woman. Marriage consists of opening his fanny pack, or whatever they called it. That's when Sariana goes crazy with the denial, even stuff that's happening at that exact moment. Finally she comes to her senses, but it's the worst "A ha!" moment I've read. I thought, "That's it, that's what makes you finally believe him?" Whatever! I have the 2nd book in this series, but I'm not for sure that I'll read it. This was listed as one of the top 100 sci-fi romances and I have no idea why. It's good but not that good.
Sariana is from the business, logical eastern provinces and moves to the western free thinking, artistic provinces to prove herself after she is not accepted in business college for being too much of a free thinker. She works for an influential family who is about to lose everything when a historical item their family has always been in charge of is stolen. She hires a Shield, the class that finds and punishes wrongdoers. The Shield's are also psychic and each Shield only has one mate who is linked to them. Sariana to her horror is that woman. Marriage consists of opening his fanny pack, or whatever they called it. That's when Sariana goes crazy with the denial, even stuff that's happening at that exact moment. Finally she comes to her senses, but it's the worst "A ha!" moment I've read. I thought, "That's it, that's what makes you finally believe him?" Whatever! I have the 2nd book in this series, but I'm not for sure that I'll read it. This was listed as one of the top 100 sci-fi romances and I have no idea why. It's good but not that good.
March 8, 2010
If you're into futuristics (and a fan of Amanda Quick—this is one of her pen names), then you'll love this one. The hero is sexy and there's a mystical subplot that really touched me.
July 22, 2022
This is the lowest rating I've ever given a book by Jayne Ann Krentz. This is also the first book of hers that I had to skim read because I just couldn't stand the romance or the hero or heroine. The beginning started off okay, but after the whole forced marriage thing, it all just started going downhill.
I probably could have just dropped the book without a rating like I did with Gambler's Woman, but I had hope that the story would get better.
Nonetheless, this is an older work by JAK, of which I'm extremely glad isn't the first of her works I've read. I still prefer and love her newer works where the heroes are more respectful of their ladies and the heroines are less stupid in matters of love.
I probably could have just dropped the book without a rating like I did with Gambler's Woman, but I had hope that the story would get better.
Nonetheless, this is an older work by JAK, of which I'm extremely glad isn't the first of her works I've read. I still prefer and love her newer works where the heroes are more respectful of their ladies and the heroines are less stupid in matters of love.
January 28, 2024
There’s something a bit nostalgic about this book, as I remember first reading it about 30 years ago and it had been a favorite of mine at the time. Like many romance books written that long ago, it feels a bit dated yet the inventiveness of the futuristic world and story remains strong. I used to be obsessed with this author’s books but after having read so many by her, she clearly has a formula in her writing style and this is the same here. The heroine is always small, feisty, talkative, usually a brunette and there’s something about her that is “extra special”. Sariana was fine but I definitely had moments where I was like, enough already. Overall I enjoyed the reread, and especially for the fact this book was first written in the 80s, it holds up pretty well. 4 stars.
October 5, 2012
Thankfully this was a $2 purchase.
The Shield in question ignores three messages requesting a meeting to discuss hiring him -- and she then arranges to drug, kidnap -- when that doesn't work -- she also steals his weapon kit (?) while he's still groggy -- with a plan to extort his cooperation -- and she thinks this is a reasonable business tactic? Is she insane or merely a sociopath?
Even worse -- she's just a business manager for a 'clan' of she is 'fond' of but considers flighty? Um ...excuse me -- who created this horrendous plan to start with?
And then the hero? Seriously? There is a difference between alpha male & an ass. I'm a few chapters in & I'm hoping 'rocks fall & everybody dies'.
The Shield in question ignores three messages requesting a meeting to discuss hiring him -- and she then arranges to drug, kidnap -- when that doesn't work -- she also steals his weapon kit (?) while he's still groggy -- with a plan to extort his cooperation -- and she thinks this is a reasonable business tactic? Is she insane or merely a sociopath?
Even worse -- she's just a business manager for a 'clan' of she is 'fond' of but considers flighty? Um ...excuse me -- who created this horrendous plan to start with?
And then the hero? Seriously? There is a difference between alpha male & an ass. I'm a few chapters in & I'm hoping 'rocks fall & everybody dies'.
August 17, 2014
The man who knows what, and more to the point - who - he wants is just what I like in my romance books. And a nervous about it - or rather him - but not a missish sort of heroine is just so much Krentz style. This book was exactly what I like in her writing.
November 18, 2012
Kindle edition of a vintage Krentz futuristic/sf romance,
This Kindle edition has multiple editing problems, including missing quotation and punctuation marks, and missing paragraph separations. However, there are no typos or spelling problems.
It is several hundred years since two space ships sent forth from Earth to found colonies on the planet Windarra crash landed on separate sections of the planet. Many lives were lost due to a huge explosion caused by a destructive form of light. One ship landed on an eastern continent and the other landed on a western continent, the survivors of each ship assuming the other ship was totally lost. The western group was saved by a mysterious group of humans called Shields who were able to work the source of the dangerous light, a crystal called prisma. The eastern group managed to survive without any help. The western group consisted of artists and inventors, and the eastern group contained business and accounting types. (If you are familiar with Myers-Briggs personality typing, the eastern group are ISTJ and the western group are ENFP.) The easterners evolved into a very formal, emotionally stifled society big on rules, and employing arranged marriages among clans/classes. The westerners evolved into a very colorful, emotional, expressive society with rules of their own, but less rigorously enforced. One particular rule was the contract between the westerners and the Shields.
The Shields have paid a price for their ability to work prisma. They are sterile except with a "Shieldmate," a special woman with whom they can form a type of psychic bond, called "linking," and even then they can only have sons. The contract with the western colonists allowed the Shields to seek a mate within the whole of the western society. They have no such contract with the eastern society. Unfortunately for the Shields, they have spent generations living on the rough frontier fighting bandits, and few western families want their daughters to unite with a Shield to go live far away in a very harsh setting.
It has only been a few years since the eastern and western contingents discovered each other. Sariana, the heroine, is from the eastern continent. She failed her entrance exams for university study and her pre-ordained track for her life was derailed in disgrace. Her fiance for an arranged marriage dumped her, and she has come to live among the westerners to try to restore her reputation and enable herself to reapply to the university for a career as a financial manager. At the start of the story, she has been working in that capacity for the flamboyant Avylyn clan, who are creators of flashy jewelery, but her entire success hangs in the balance if she cannot recover a stolen piece of crucial Avylyn artistic equipment, a prisma cutter.
All attempts to recover the stolen article fail and Sariana devises a desperate scheme. She has one of the clan drop a light hypnotic drug into the drink of a Shield, Gryph Chassyn, to put him in a more compliant mood so he will agree to help the Avylyns recover their prisma cutter. Unfortunately, the drug knocks out Gryph, and when he wakes up, the extremely confident Sariana realizes the "cure" for her problem may be worse than the "disease." Gryph is an incredibly sexy warrior who arouses emotions and desires in practical Sariana that she never knew she was capable of, and a single night of passion with Gryph leads to complications she never dreamed were possible.
I'm a big fan of Krentz. I've read almost everything she's ever written. My favorites are her paranormal romances, in particular her Harmony futuristics. It was a real treat to run across this book, which somehow I had missed. No doubt because it was originally published under the pseudonym, Amanda Glass, in June, 1989, under the Lovestruck imprint of Warner Books. It is considered the third book in the "Lost Colony" series (Crystal Flame published in 1986 is No. 1, and Sweet Starfire also published in 1986 is No. 2). In my own opinion, these books are not nearly as linked together as the Harmony books in terms of the worldbuilding, and they can definitely be read as stand-alone novels. This book has a completely resolved ending without any kind of cliffhanger.
Krentz began her career as a romance writer in 1979 and she has published over 120 novels. When this was written, she had been publishing about 10 years. This is a classic Krentz romance with a strong hero and a feisty heroine who is more than a match for him. One of Krentz's continual themes is the hero and heroine working together as a team to solve a mystery and overcome a dangerous villain. It is a formula that works extremely well for romantic suspense and never fails to entertain. However, by saying that, I don't mean to imply that Krentz is a "hack" or writes in a "formulaic" way. Rather, she allows the hero and heroine to uncover each other's true character, one of strong, sacrificial integrity, under circumstances of extreme adversity.
There are scenes of strong sensuality in this novel, but nothing very graphic. Krentz focuses on emotion more than sex for its own sake. The romantic conflict of two people from very different worlds finding a common ground to come together is extremely well done.
The worldbuilding in this novel is quite intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the society of the colorful, emotive westerners. The descriptions of their clothing and accessories, architecture, interior design, and inventions was fascinating and a lot of fun.
Fans of Krentz will not want to miss this novel, and fans of paranormal, and especially futuristic romance will enjoy it as well.
This Kindle edition has multiple editing problems, including missing quotation and punctuation marks, and missing paragraph separations. However, there are no typos or spelling problems.
It is several hundred years since two space ships sent forth from Earth to found colonies on the planet Windarra crash landed on separate sections of the planet. Many lives were lost due to a huge explosion caused by a destructive form of light. One ship landed on an eastern continent and the other landed on a western continent, the survivors of each ship assuming the other ship was totally lost. The western group was saved by a mysterious group of humans called Shields who were able to work the source of the dangerous light, a crystal called prisma. The eastern group managed to survive without any help. The western group consisted of artists and inventors, and the eastern group contained business and accounting types. (If you are familiar with Myers-Briggs personality typing, the eastern group are ISTJ and the western group are ENFP.) The easterners evolved into a very formal, emotionally stifled society big on rules, and employing arranged marriages among clans/classes. The westerners evolved into a very colorful, emotional, expressive society with rules of their own, but less rigorously enforced. One particular rule was the contract between the westerners and the Shields.
The Shields have paid a price for their ability to work prisma. They are sterile except with a "Shieldmate," a special woman with whom they can form a type of psychic bond, called "linking," and even then they can only have sons. The contract with the western colonists allowed the Shields to seek a mate within the whole of the western society. They have no such contract with the eastern society. Unfortunately for the Shields, they have spent generations living on the rough frontier fighting bandits, and few western families want their daughters to unite with a Shield to go live far away in a very harsh setting.
It has only been a few years since the eastern and western contingents discovered each other. Sariana, the heroine, is from the eastern continent. She failed her entrance exams for university study and her pre-ordained track for her life was derailed in disgrace. Her fiance for an arranged marriage dumped her, and she has come to live among the westerners to try to restore her reputation and enable herself to reapply to the university for a career as a financial manager. At the start of the story, she has been working in that capacity for the flamboyant Avylyn clan, who are creators of flashy jewelery, but her entire success hangs in the balance if she cannot recover a stolen piece of crucial Avylyn artistic equipment, a prisma cutter.
All attempts to recover the stolen article fail and Sariana devises a desperate scheme. She has one of the clan drop a light hypnotic drug into the drink of a Shield, Gryph Chassyn, to put him in a more compliant mood so he will agree to help the Avylyns recover their prisma cutter. Unfortunately, the drug knocks out Gryph, and when he wakes up, the extremely confident Sariana realizes the "cure" for her problem may be worse than the "disease." Gryph is an incredibly sexy warrior who arouses emotions and desires in practical Sariana that she never knew she was capable of, and a single night of passion with Gryph leads to complications she never dreamed were possible.
I'm a big fan of Krentz. I've read almost everything she's ever written. My favorites are her paranormal romances, in particular her Harmony futuristics. It was a real treat to run across this book, which somehow I had missed. No doubt because it was originally published under the pseudonym, Amanda Glass, in June, 1989, under the Lovestruck imprint of Warner Books. It is considered the third book in the "Lost Colony" series (Crystal Flame published in 1986 is No. 1, and Sweet Starfire also published in 1986 is No. 2). In my own opinion, these books are not nearly as linked together as the Harmony books in terms of the worldbuilding, and they can definitely be read as stand-alone novels. This book has a completely resolved ending without any kind of cliffhanger.
Krentz began her career as a romance writer in 1979 and she has published over 120 novels. When this was written, she had been publishing about 10 years. This is a classic Krentz romance with a strong hero and a feisty heroine who is more than a match for him. One of Krentz's continual themes is the hero and heroine working together as a team to solve a mystery and overcome a dangerous villain. It is a formula that works extremely well for romantic suspense and never fails to entertain. However, by saying that, I don't mean to imply that Krentz is a "hack" or writes in a "formulaic" way. Rather, she allows the hero and heroine to uncover each other's true character, one of strong, sacrificial integrity, under circumstances of extreme adversity.
There are scenes of strong sensuality in this novel, but nothing very graphic. Krentz focuses on emotion more than sex for its own sake. The romantic conflict of two people from very different worlds finding a common ground to come together is extremely well done.
The worldbuilding in this novel is quite intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the society of the colorful, emotive westerners. The descriptions of their clothing and accessories, architecture, interior design, and inventions was fascinating and a lot of fun.
Fans of Krentz will not want to miss this novel, and fans of paranormal, and especially futuristic romance will enjoy it as well.
June 12, 2020
This isn't really a series book, but rather a standalone futuristic romantic suspense novel set on another planet. I've read it several times now, in both the original paperback and in e-book format (since the print is TINY in the paperback) and it keeps me turning pages every single time. I rather wish there had been a sequel. I'd have liked to know what happened after a few years with the heroine in charge of shield society.
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November 12, 2019O.k love all of your books? But I would love 💘to
Read more books on shield men and our new
Babe girl 👧shield and other on the why and how and where did the ship
People go and when are they coming back do not leave us hanging margaret😕
Read more books on shield men and our new
Babe girl 👧shield and other on the why and how and where did the ship
People go and when are they coming back do not leave us hanging margaret😕
November 7, 2023
Vintage Jayne Ann Krentz, early paranormal. Love! Love! Love!
Delightful. (I can't believe that the 1980s readers didn't appreciate this so it killed JAK's career. But we got Amanda Quick out of it…)
Delightful. (I can't believe that the 1980s readers didn't appreciate this so it killed JAK's career. But we got Amanda Quick out of it…)
April 9, 2017
I really liked the setting of this book. The futuristic yet in some ways primitive society on an alien planet made for some interesting reading. All of the detail about the differences in the two main towns founded by the two colonization ships that got separated during landing and both thought the other had perished was fascinating and a good foundation for a story. I even liked the back story of the Shields and how their skills and past services allowed them special privileges when looking for a mate. All unique and interesting.
Unfortunately, almost everything else about the story was irritating, particularly the hero and heroine. Sariana was a whiny, annoying princess who frequently displayed Too Stupid To Live behavior. Gryph was arrogant, domineering, manipulative and he frequently insulted his "Shield Mate". They weren't likable as individuals and even less likable as a couple.
The entire relationship is based on a trick. Sariana is from the other continent and doesn't know anything about Shields and how they operate. She's a 30-something virgin because she was too busy going to school and building a career to make time for romance. So when Gryph enters her life she's attracted to him and decides he's as good a person as any to finally give her virginity to. Gryph, on the other hand, has marked her as his Shield Mate; a woman who resonates on the right psychic frequency with him and can thus bear him children. He knows that she's completely unaware that, in the eyes of the law, sleeping with him is akin to an iron-clad marriage ceremony and he deliberately keeps that information from her so that he can bind her to him against her will. Then he and everyone around them act like he was totally within his rights to do this and that Sariana is just acting like a spoiled child when she gets upset.
Right after forcing this marriage-by-fraud, Gryph whisks the high maintenance city-girl, Sariana out into the wilderness. He more or less keeps her under lock and key to prevent her from running away from him, which she does whenever she can but always manages to get herself in trouble and needing to be rescued. I would have sympathized with Sariana completely for this criminally unfair turn her life had taken but she was just SUCH a whiny brat the whole time that it made me dislike her. She complained about virtually everything and was completely useless in every situation that came up. Shortly before the final climax of the story, Gryph leaves her at their campsite while he goes to scout the bad guys' camp. Sariana is given expressed instructions to go for help if Gryph doesn't return by a certain time and sure enough, he gets caught and imprisoned. Then, despite Sariana having demonstrated again and again that she has absolutely no skills in the areas of fighting, tracking or surviving in the wilderness, she decides to ignore Gryph's instructions to go get help and instead blunders straight into the bad guys' camp so she can get captured as well. Oh, but that's after she crashes their only means of transportation and loses all their supplies, all the while complaining about how it's not her fault she can't drive. The stupid boat must be broken or something. Right.
Gryph then takes every opportunity to belittle Sariana for being a complete idiot. There's a bit where he's trapped behind a locked door and is trying to talk her through picking the lock, something she's never in her life done before, and he calls her names and says that a child could have done it by now when she doesn't get it right in what he considers a reasonable amount of time. And her big role in the final battle is to stand still and think of nothing while Gryph sends his psychic ability through her like a piece of crystal to save the day.
In short, Sariana was useless and annoying, and Gryph was abusive and nearly criminal in the way he bound her to him against her will. The only time they actually seemed like a couple who liked each other was when they were having sex. Other than that they got along like two wet cats in a pillowcase.
Unfortunately, almost everything else about the story was irritating, particularly the hero and heroine. Sariana was a whiny, annoying princess who frequently displayed Too Stupid To Live behavior. Gryph was arrogant, domineering, manipulative and he frequently insulted his "Shield Mate". They weren't likable as individuals and even less likable as a couple.
The entire relationship is based on a trick. Sariana is from the other continent and doesn't know anything about Shields and how they operate. She's a 30-something virgin because she was too busy going to school and building a career to make time for romance. So when Gryph enters her life she's attracted to him and decides he's as good a person as any to finally give her virginity to. Gryph, on the other hand, has marked her as his Shield Mate; a woman who resonates on the right psychic frequency with him and can thus bear him children. He knows that she's completely unaware that, in the eyes of the law, sleeping with him is akin to an iron-clad marriage ceremony and he deliberately keeps that information from her so that he can bind her to him against her will. Then he and everyone around them act like he was totally within his rights to do this and that Sariana is just acting like a spoiled child when she gets upset.
Right after forcing this marriage-by-fraud, Gryph whisks the high maintenance city-girl, Sariana out into the wilderness. He more or less keeps her under lock and key to prevent her from running away from him, which she does whenever she can but always manages to get herself in trouble and needing to be rescued. I would have sympathized with Sariana completely for this criminally unfair turn her life had taken but she was just SUCH a whiny brat the whole time that it made me dislike her. She complained about virtually everything and was completely useless in every situation that came up. Shortly before the final climax of the story, Gryph leaves her at their campsite while he goes to scout the bad guys' camp. Sariana is given expressed instructions to go for help if Gryph doesn't return by a certain time and sure enough, he gets caught and imprisoned. Then, despite Sariana having demonstrated again and again that she has absolutely no skills in the areas of fighting, tracking or surviving in the wilderness, she decides to ignore Gryph's instructions to go get help and instead blunders straight into the bad guys' camp so she can get captured as well. Oh, but that's after she crashes their only means of transportation and loses all their supplies, all the while complaining about how it's not her fault she can't drive. The stupid boat must be broken or something. Right.
Gryph then takes every opportunity to belittle Sariana for being a complete idiot. There's a bit where he's trapped behind a locked door and is trying to talk her through picking the lock, something she's never in her life done before, and he calls her names and says that a child could have done it by now when she doesn't get it right in what he considers a reasonable amount of time. And her big role in the final battle is to stand still and think of nothing while Gryph sends his psychic ability through her like a piece of crystal to save the day.
In short, Sariana was useless and annoying, and Gryph was abusive and nearly criminal in the way he bound her to him against her will. The only time they actually seemed like a couple who liked each other was when they were having sex. Other than that they got along like two wet cats in a pillowcase.
October 8, 2012
I got Jayne Ann Krentz’s newsletter and saw where Shield’s Lady was offered as an ebook for 1.99. I had read the other two Lost Colony books Sweet Starfire and Crystal Flame. I even have a combined hardcopy of the two books but had never read Shield’s Lady so I purchased and read. All three were written in the 1980’s so are early example’s of Krentz’s futuristic writing. For me they are not as good as the St. Helen’s books and those are not as good as the Harmony/Ghost Hunter books. That said they are worth reading and do let you see Krentz’s progression as a writer.
Shield’s Lady was the last of the Lost Colony series and for me it is the best. In this colony there were two colony ships and they crashed on separate continents on the planet Windarra. Both groups thought that everyone on the other ship perished. They have just recently rediscovered each other. Both groups are developed in very different manners.
Sariana Dayne is from the eastern continent where lives are very structured and in Sariana’s mind much more civilized. She has moved to the western continent and although she does not realize it at first she fits much better on the western continent where life if full of surprises.
Gryph Chassyn is a Shield. Shields are surrounded by mystery and legends. There are not Shields on the eastern continent so this is Sariana’s first contact with a Shield. Sariana does not believe in legends. When the two end up working together sparks fly. Shields have special powers that help protect the people of the planet. One thing that is unique about them is the fact they have to find their Shield Mate to every have children and then they only have male children. Sariana is Gryph’s Shield Mate. Not that she believes that.
The set up here is great. There is a lot of tension between Gryph and Sariana. She refuses to believe the part about Shield Mates. Gryph never askes, he orders. Sariana never follows orders. A prisma cutter has been stolen and Sariana needs Gryph to find it. What develops is much more than a theft. The theft is part of a dangerous plot that only Gryph and Sariana can stop.
Shield’s Lady was a quick fun read. If you like Jayne Ann Krentz’s futuristic stories pick this on up and find out about one of the Lost Colonies.
Shield’s Lady was the last of the Lost Colony series and for me it is the best. In this colony there were two colony ships and they crashed on separate continents on the planet Windarra. Both groups thought that everyone on the other ship perished. They have just recently rediscovered each other. Both groups are developed in very different manners.
Sariana Dayne is from the eastern continent where lives are very structured and in Sariana’s mind much more civilized. She has moved to the western continent and although she does not realize it at first she fits much better on the western continent where life if full of surprises.
Gryph Chassyn is a Shield. Shields are surrounded by mystery and legends. There are not Shields on the eastern continent so this is Sariana’s first contact with a Shield. Sariana does not believe in legends. When the two end up working together sparks fly. Shields have special powers that help protect the people of the planet. One thing that is unique about them is the fact they have to find their Shield Mate to every have children and then they only have male children. Sariana is Gryph’s Shield Mate. Not that she believes that.
The set up here is great. There is a lot of tension between Gryph and Sariana. She refuses to believe the part about Shield Mates. Gryph never askes, he orders. Sariana never follows orders. A prisma cutter has been stolen and Sariana needs Gryph to find it. What develops is much more than a theft. The theft is part of a dangerous plot that only Gryph and Sariana can stop.
Shield’s Lady was a quick fun read. If you like Jayne Ann Krentz’s futuristic stories pick this on up and find out about one of the Lost Colonies.
August 4, 2010
I had a copy of the original book, now out of print. I foolishly gave my battered copy away. I picked up the CD version at a book sale and had hours of pleasure listening in the car. That said, it reads better than listens. The narrator is great but I find early Krentz, this one written as Amanda Glass, are better read.
Shields are a social class of men on a planet called Windarra. They have the ability to father only males and have difficulty finding women to marry. Raising males who's primary function is chasing bandits doesn't seem to have much appeal to the women of Serendipity the more frivolous western province. Enter Sariana Dayne, a wash-out from the business-oriented eastern colony of Rendzevous who hopes to return home after proving her business sense in the West. She starts by kidnapping Shield Gryph Chassyn who she needs to find a stolen Prisma Cutter. "Why didn't you just ask?" he wants to know.
Gryph knows a Shield Mate when he sees one and her fate is sealed. She is a talker and that she does, talks, talks, talks. And stubborn, so she defies and defies and misunderstands all through their risky and dangerous search for the prisma. He doesn't intend to let her out of his sight. Ms. Krentz is great at this type of banter, which is one of my favorite points about her Amanda Quick novels.
Sariana might fight the attraction and Gryph might be frustrated by her business-like attitude but both know it is a lost cause. She is the first shield mate from the East and that offers an unexpected but delightful surprise for all.
Shields are a social class of men on a planet called Windarra. They have the ability to father only males and have difficulty finding women to marry. Raising males who's primary function is chasing bandits doesn't seem to have much appeal to the women of Serendipity the more frivolous western province. Enter Sariana Dayne, a wash-out from the business-oriented eastern colony of Rendzevous who hopes to return home after proving her business sense in the West. She starts by kidnapping Shield Gryph Chassyn who she needs to find a stolen Prisma Cutter. "Why didn't you just ask?" he wants to know.
Gryph knows a Shield Mate when he sees one and her fate is sealed. She is a talker and that she does, talks, talks, talks. And stubborn, so she defies and defies and misunderstands all through their risky and dangerous search for the prisma. He doesn't intend to let her out of his sight. Ms. Krentz is great at this type of banter, which is one of my favorite points about her Amanda Quick novels.
Sariana might fight the attraction and Gryph might be frustrated by her business-like attitude but both know it is a lost cause. She is the first shield mate from the East and that offers an unexpected but delightful surprise for all.
February 26, 2016
I really enjoyed learning about the Western part of the world with Sariana as she fled there to escape after failing to be accepted at the University in the East. Since the two sides had only recently been re-introduced, she isn't familiar with a lot of the customs. This is a problem when a Shield takes an interest in her. Learning about Shields and where they actually came from was interesting as was the hunt for a new crystal ship. Gryph and Sariana were a great match.
This was a re-read
This was a re-read
April 25, 2010
I've always loved this book. A pretty good sci fi romance and better than some of the more recent sci fi romances of Ms. Krentz, which seem to be blurring together recently. This was a much clearer and crisper story. The history of the colonists was clearly told as was their development over the last couple of hundred years. Gryph is very alpha which is annoying at times and I just want Sariana to bop him upside the head. Sariana is a strong resorceful heroine and stands up to him. I just want her to win more often against his hardheadedness. I definitly enjoy books where the hero and heroine share a mental bond of some sort and that was happily fulfilled here.
April 2, 2013
OH GOD HOW CAN I GET THE TIME BACK THAT I SPENT READING THIS!
If this wasn't for a course, I would have never passed chapter 2. It was a bunch of fluff. Granted, this apparently is one of the earlier examples of the Alpha male and concept of possession. I can see why people may have been excited about it in 1996. However, this book sadly did not stand the test of time.
It sucked big ole elphant balls!
And I'm not suppose to say that as a writer or author (karma and such), but I don't know how reel my mouth in.
....
If this wasn't for a course, I would have never passed chapter 2. It was a bunch of fluff. Granted, this apparently is one of the earlier examples of the Alpha male and concept of possession. I can see why people may have been excited about it in 1996. However, this book sadly did not stand the test of time.
It sucked big ole elphant balls!
And I'm not suppose to say that as a writer or author (karma and such), but I don't know how reel my mouth in.
....
July 26, 2011
I keep 2 copies--the original 1989 signed and a re-issue reading copy. Yes the heroine is prickly but she has never thought of love and passion in or out of marriage. Think of a Vulcan-like personality confronted with passion. She's not ready to give in and lose her autonomy. Ms. Krentz stated years ago that there wouldn't be a sequel, unfortunately. In some ways, it would be difficult to top the chemistry in this book.
January 16, 2016
It took me too long to finish this book , I ended up skimming the last half of the book. I am a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz's books but this one didn't work out for me. I wasn't very wowed by the setting and the atmosphere. I can see the creativity there but I just didn't like it.
Overall the plot wasn't very interesting and the characters weren't appealing , it was an okay read but I wouldn't want to read it again.
Overall the plot wasn't very interesting and the characters weren't appealing , it was an okay read but I wouldn't want to read it again.
January 4, 2022
I've always liked this story set on another planet. JAK presents a plausible other world with interesting social conventions and adds a paranormal layer to the relationship between the reluctant heroine and the Shield who must have her for his ShieldMate.
2019 - always great fun to revisit these early books!
2019 - always great fun to revisit these early books!
January 26, 2017
What a source of the warm fuzzies! I have an urge to mark it as an old favorite, even though I just read it for the first time. Vintage Jayne Ann Krentz, early paranormal. Love! Love! Love! This is going to be a comfort read of many, many rereads…
March 12, 2011
If we could only take 10 books to a desert island for the rest of my life, this would be one of the books I would take. I read this when it first came out and more than 20 years later I still read it when I'm in the mood for a good stoty.
July 6, 2024
Rated way lower on reread but imma leave the five because I was entertained. FYI the consent issues in this were a doozy.
June 16, 2016
LB
A wonderful story filled with great characters. Her characters are alway unique but true to life. I could barely put it down.
A wonderful story filled with great characters. Her characters are alway unique but true to life. I could barely put it down.
February 2, 2023
Loved this book, kept me captivated till the end. Now I see its part of a series so guess I'll have to read the others too!
January 22, 2024
This science fiction romance written in 1989 was an entertaining story with Krentz's strong, independent characters. Sariana Dayne has fled her home to the flamboyant West when she was chosen for an elite academic academy. She is sure that if she can right the finances of the Avylyn clan of jewelers, her reapplication will be successful.
Unfortunately, in order to right their fortunes, she needs to recover a prisma cutter which has been stolen. To do so, she wants to hire a Shield named Gryph Chassyn who doesn't seem interested in the job. Her plans to drug him and kidnap him so that she can make her business proposal doesn't work out the way she would like.
Gryph has come to the city to look for a bride. He isn't interested in a job, but he becomes very interested in Sariana. He believes that she has the qualities that make a good Shield's mate and that she would be able to give him a son. She isn't interested and, in fact, isn't at all sure she believes any of the legends she's heard about Shields since she arrived in the West. She wouldn't mind having an affair with him though.
He tricks her into marriage with him during their night of passion. And when his informer is killed after telling him the cutter was taken by a rogue Shield, Gryph and Sariana embark on a journey to find the missing cutter and the rogue Shield.
They also discover that the rogue has found an intact prisma ship filled with weapons and being insane is determined to use the weapons in his quest to conquer the planet. Gryph and Sariana have to find a way to work together to defeat the rogue which they manage and to chart a whole new path for Gryph's social class under the guidance of Sariana who uses her knowledge gained in her education in the East to assist.
This is science fiction lite. It takes place on another planet which was settled some unnamed period of time earlier. The two ships sent to settle were separated when attacked by unknown enemies. One ship was assisted by the Shields who were part of an earlier migration. The Shields managed to carve out a role for themselves and their descendants in the rigid social structure that came along with the colonists. The book's main strengths come in the interesting characters especially Gryph and Sariana and the romance they have.
It was a fun story.
Unfortunately, in order to right their fortunes, she needs to recover a prisma cutter which has been stolen. To do so, she wants to hire a Shield named Gryph Chassyn who doesn't seem interested in the job. Her plans to drug him and kidnap him so that she can make her business proposal doesn't work out the way she would like.
Gryph has come to the city to look for a bride. He isn't interested in a job, but he becomes very interested in Sariana. He believes that she has the qualities that make a good Shield's mate and that she would be able to give him a son. She isn't interested and, in fact, isn't at all sure she believes any of the legends she's heard about Shields since she arrived in the West. She wouldn't mind having an affair with him though.
He tricks her into marriage with him during their night of passion. And when his informer is killed after telling him the cutter was taken by a rogue Shield, Gryph and Sariana embark on a journey to find the missing cutter and the rogue Shield.
They also discover that the rogue has found an intact prisma ship filled with weapons and being insane is determined to use the weapons in his quest to conquer the planet. Gryph and Sariana have to find a way to work together to defeat the rogue which they manage and to chart a whole new path for Gryph's social class under the guidance of Sariana who uses her knowledge gained in her education in the East to assist.
This is science fiction lite. It takes place on another planet which was settled some unnamed period of time earlier. The two ships sent to settle were separated when attacked by unknown enemies. One ship was assisted by the Shields who were part of an earlier migration. The Shields managed to carve out a role for themselves and their descendants in the rigid social structure that came along with the colonists. The book's main strengths come in the interesting characters especially Gryph and Sariana and the romance they have.
It was a fun story.
February 23, 2020
I have NEVER given Jayne Ann Krentz or any of her pen names such a low review before and I'm absolutely appalled by how much I disliked this book because it has NEVER happened before.
So, I didn't like this book for one reason and one reason alone. The male lead.
Krentz has written very many domineering and commanding men before, and for the most part I can forgive them because it comes from a place of caring that they just don't know how to show. But Gryph... Gryph is a monster. He tricks his potential mate into mating with him, tricks her into marrying him and then has the absolute nerve to be surprised when she doesn't want to stay with him. He is mean, he is cruel, and honestly... sometimes he's got a more than heavy rape-y vibe. He spends almost a full two pages trying to convince Sariana, his now Shieldmate, that her success as a woman is dependent on giving him a son, and that he's the best prospect at her EVER becoming successful in anyway, again... as a son-bearer. He constantly calls her a possession, to her face and to others. And his main interest in her isn't love, but as breeding stock. Who doesn't want that full package right there? *insert eyeroll*
I was surprised when Sariana decided she was in love with him, because up until then she had been denying they were married. It just came out of no where. One minute she's trying to run from him and the next she's in love. Sounds a lot more like Stolkholm to me.
I honestly don't know what happened. The other two books in the series were absolutely wonderful and I've never had a problem with any of Krentz's books before. I hope to never come across another male lead like that. I'm thinking I'm safe, though, because this is an older book and I haven't seen a terrible lead like that in any of her newer stuff. Hopefully she learned her lesson and never writes a man like this again. Well... as the good guy anyway.
So, I didn't like this book for one reason and one reason alone. The male lead.
Krentz has written very many domineering and commanding men before, and for the most part I can forgive them because it comes from a place of caring that they just don't know how to show. But Gryph... Gryph is a monster. He tricks his potential mate into mating with him, tricks her into marrying him and then has the absolute nerve to be surprised when she doesn't want to stay with him. He is mean, he is cruel, and honestly... sometimes he's got a more than heavy rape-y vibe. He spends almost a full two pages trying to convince Sariana, his now Shieldmate, that her success as a woman is dependent on giving him a son, and that he's the best prospect at her EVER becoming successful in anyway, again... as a son-bearer. He constantly calls her a possession, to her face and to others. And his main interest in her isn't love, but as breeding stock. Who doesn't want that full package right there? *insert eyeroll*
I was surprised when Sariana decided she was in love with him, because up until then she had been denying they were married. It just came out of no where. One minute she's trying to run from him and the next she's in love. Sounds a lot more like Stolkholm to me.
I honestly don't know what happened. The other two books in the series were absolutely wonderful and I've never had a problem with any of Krentz's books before. I hope to never come across another male lead like that. I'm thinking I'm safe, though, because this is an older book and I haven't seen a terrible lead like that in any of her newer stuff. Hopefully she learned her lesson and never writes a man like this again. Well... as the good guy anyway.
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