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Coalition Rebellion #1
Lord of the Storm
Her every wish is his command.
He lives only to serve her desires.
A warrior. A sex slave from a conquered world.
What will he do to her if she sets him free? Shaylah Graymist, ace fighter pilot for a brutal intergalactic Coalition, is given a slave as a reward for heroism in battle. The incredibly virile slave named Wolf wears a collar which controls him completely, allowing her to make him do anything she wants. Yet Shaylah has an old-fashioned belief in love and refuses to take advantage of him. A tense friendship grows between her and Wolf, along with deep desires he refuses to admit. The Coalition destroyed his people. He won't betray their memory.
When Shaylah returns to battle, Wolf rebels and is sold to a prison colony. She frees him, and together they journey to his home planet. As she learns more about Wolf, she begins to question her loyalty to the Coalition, and the passions between them burn out of control.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1994
39 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read
About the author
Justine Davis
252 books216 followersAuthor biographies are supposed to give you all those statistics, books written, awards won, etc. and I will, I promise...but first let me tell you about this ornery little tomboy (back then, the boys had all the fun...) who was always the one to make up the stories the neighborhood kids would "play". For those who came of age in the computer game era, this is something that was done usually in the backyard, by any number of summer-bored children, with props where appropriate. (Did you know a 55 gallon drum tied to a picnic bench makes a very cool horse?) It wasn't until much later that this tomboy realized two things: A) not everyone made up stories in their heads all the time, and B) in real life, the boys that had already had all the fun now seemed to always be winning.
But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.
Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)
Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.
But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And now, the official stats:
Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN
But I digress. I was born on a farm down in Iowa....well, not quite, but close; Boone, Iowa is in the middle of farm country, but I arrived at a hospital. In a snow storm. Make that a blizzard. My sister tells me she knew my destiny when I was very young, because when I first saw the Disney classic Old Yeller, I was apparently so upset that I promptly went home and rewrote the story. In my version, the dog lived, of course. Should have been a clue.
Possibly in response to that blizzard I was born in, I've been a West Coaster since before I was a year old, and intend to stay that way. I have a history of staying. I started my first full time job right out of school (well, there was a very brief sojourn at a place where they made, among other things, burial vaults, but I prefer not to recall that one...) and stayed for twenty-one years. I've been married to the same wonderful guy for going on two decades now. We lived in our last house for seventeen years. (I won't even mention how many dumpsters we filled moving after that long....)
Readers seem as fascinated by my first career as they are with my writing. My time in law enforcement was many things, exciting, nerve wracking, and irritating, but most importantly never, ever boring. It was fascinating enough that I didn't think about writing seriously for several years. I kept a journal, and wrote long letters, collected quotes, mentally rewrote movies, and still made up those stories in my head, but never dreamed of actually writing for publication. I was having too much fun helping to catch bad guys, and being continually amazed at the situations people get themselves into. And eventually I walked away with a wealth of background and story ideas, and knowing some truly great people who work very hard to keep all of us safe. I'm proud to have been one of them, and I'm very aware that I have had the great good fortune of having had two jobs in my life that I love. Many people don't get even one.
But now that I'm in the delicious position of being able to make a living telling those stories in my head, I promise my readers two things: A) I'm staying--I'll keep writing as long as you keep reading, and B) in my stories, the girl--tomboy or not--always wins!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And now, the official stats:
Justine Dare Davis sold her first book in 1989, and followed that up with the sale of nineteen novels in less than two years. Her first four books were published in 1991, and she saw all reach the finals for either the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award or the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award. She has since won the RITA award four times, along with several Reviewer's Choice awards and three Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. At the 1998 national conference, Justine was inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame, making her one of a very select group of just eight writers. She also had four titles on the Romantic Times "Top 200 of All Time" list. Her sales now total more than 45, and her books have appeared regularly on best seller lists, including the USA Today list. She has been featured in several local newspapers and nationwide by Associated Press, has appeared on CN
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 8, 2015
Ahhhhh! Come here to me, my perfect book! Is Lord of the Storm great literature? Nope. Is it everything I want in a romance novel? Hell yeah. If I had a paper copy of this book instead of e-copy, I bet it'd be dog-eared and kept under my pillow.
So, what does it have that hits all my kinks?
1. Space opera/scifi setting. Scifi/space opera romances are pretty much the rarest subgenre out there. I have no idea why, as cyborgs, spaceship pilots and aliens are a lot more fun than yet another blood-sucker or cravat wearer.
2. Heroine who is a fighter space ship pilot. YES PLS.
3. Eeeeeeeeevil intergalactic empire versus a perfect utopian world. (even if Trios made me think of Futurama's neutrals :P)
4. A ton (and I do mean a TON) of angst, hurt/comfort, PTSD and sloooooow fixing of hero (by heroine and otherwise). Mmmmm, come to mama!
5. Hero being rescued by heroine. And I don't mean 'she saves his bitter manly soul through her ladylike love' (though that also happens) but she saves him by breaking him out of prison and helping him lead a rebellion type stuff.
6. Hero being a tormented, mind-controlled sex slave wandering around in a skimpy loincloth. I am sorry, I am sorry, but the heart likes what it likes. He suffers so prettily and heroine is so good at rescuing him and restoring his pride and heart to him (with one glaring exception which was WTF but I handwaved because she grew up in a weird slave-owning place with no concept of consent and she learns from her...episode. Or maybe because I was enjoying the book too much to protest).
The second book in this series, with a skypirate (!!!!) hero and heroine who is a slave-owning former friend of heroine from the first book is objectively better. But it doesn't have green-eyed blonde royal heroes who tried to cut their own hand to escape slavery and wear a control collar, so it's not as good for meeeeeeee.
This review is brought to you by my brain high on the awesomeness of this book.
So, what does it have that hits all my kinks?
1. Space opera/scifi setting. Scifi/space opera romances are pretty much the rarest subgenre out there. I have no idea why, as cyborgs, spaceship pilots and aliens are a lot more fun than yet another blood-sucker or cravat wearer.
2. Heroine who is a fighter space ship pilot. YES PLS.
3. Eeeeeeeeevil intergalactic empire versus a perfect utopian world. (even if Trios made me think of Futurama's neutrals :P)
4. A ton (and I do mean a TON) of angst, hurt/comfort, PTSD and sloooooow fixing of hero (by heroine and otherwise). Mmmmm, come to mama!
5. Hero being rescued by heroine. And I don't mean 'she saves his bitter manly soul through her ladylike love' (though that also happens) but she saves him by breaking him out of prison and helping him lead a rebellion type stuff.
6. Hero being a tormented, mind-controlled sex slave wandering around in a skimpy loincloth. I am sorry, I am sorry, but the heart likes what it likes. He suffers so prettily and heroine is so good at rescuing him and restoring his pride and heart to him (with one glaring exception which was WTF but I handwaved because she grew up in a weird slave-owning place with no concept of consent and she learns from her...episode. Or maybe because I was enjoying the book too much to protest).
The second book in this series, with a skypirate (!!!!) hero and heroine who is a slave-owning former friend of heroine from the first book is objectively better. But it doesn't have green-eyed blonde royal heroes who tried to cut their own hand to escape slavery and wear a control collar, so it's not as good for meeeeeeee.
This review is brought to you by my brain high on the awesomeness of this book.
November 20, 2015
The only bad thing about this book is that ugly cover!!!
April 14, 2020
"Heroine" rapes the hero through use of a hypnotism device embedded in his SLAVE COLLAR! But it's okay because she was really afraid she'd never know what it felt like to bone him as it was her last night where he lives.
No, really. Does Davis think that's an okay motivation for rape? You just have to want to know what they're like in the sack? It's disgusting.
It was also a confusing addition because it added absolutely nothing to the plot. Perhaps it was added because the author wants to promote rape culture? Because this does promote it.
Victims of rape (particularly those made vulnerable by alcohol, drugs, or being asleep -like the hero was in this book) may read this, see the "heroine" go on to have a romantic relationship with her victim and be punished in no way, and think that society will not judge or punish their rapist.
Perpetrators or rape, or those who will go on to rape may read this, see a rapist "justify" her actions, go unpunished, and have a hea with her victim, and assume that having sex with someone when they are so incapacitated that they cannot consent to sex, and assume that it is no issue to have sex with someone through deception or through them BEING ASLEEP!!
Authors have a responsibility in their writing. This is dangerous. This is wrong. This is not romance.
No, really. Does Davis think that's an okay motivation for rape? You just have to want to know what they're like in the sack? It's disgusting.
It was also a confusing addition because it added absolutely nothing to the plot. Perhaps it was added because the author wants to promote rape culture? Because this does promote it.
Victims of rape (particularly those made vulnerable by alcohol, drugs, or being asleep -like the hero was in this book) may read this, see the "heroine" go on to have a romantic relationship with her victim and be punished in no way, and think that society will not judge or punish their rapist.
Perpetrators or rape, or those who will go on to rape may read this, see a rapist "justify" her actions, go unpunished, and have a hea with her victim, and assume that having sex with someone when they are so incapacitated that they cannot consent to sex, and assume that it is no issue to have sex with someone through deception or through them BEING ASLEEP!!
Authors have a responsibility in their writing. This is dangerous. This is wrong. This is not romance.
November 8, 2021
If you like a good swashbuckling, futuristic, space opera, romance, with a kickass fighter pilot/captain female main character, and a warrior sex slave, this book is for you!
The premise might sound a little cheesy, but the overall story is done really well. It's about questioning one's own beliefs, and being brave enough to look yourself in the mirror and realize maybe you've made some wrong choices along the way. It's about not giving up despite the insurmountable odds against you. It is also a beautiful redemption story, with two very likable main characters, and an excellent movie-like hea.
The premise might sound a little cheesy, but the overall story is done really well. It's about questioning one's own beliefs, and being brave enough to look yourself in the mirror and realize maybe you've made some wrong choices along the way. It's about not giving up despite the insurmountable odds against you. It is also a beautiful redemption story, with two very likable main characters, and an excellent movie-like hea.
March 13, 2018
DNF
At the very beginning of their acquaintance she did something unforgivable, something soul crushing, something that would normally kill any trust he could ever have in her.
And then she makes one crude and hurting comment after another, one stupid decision after another and again and again she makes decisions for him she has no right to make without even talking with him about it.
She never really explains herself, not her feelings, not her decisions and not her reasons, at least not early or sufficient enough. And again and again she betrays his trust.
But the whole time she plays the victim whenever he questions her motives or doesn’t blindly trust her.
It’s always the same. She does something wrong and then, if he is even a bit distant or wary, she gets prickly and acts as if she is the victim of such great injustice and he is heartless.
She is a self-righteous hypocrite who is just wallowing in self-pity, always thinking about her own misery and who is way too demanding.
I think there are things that are really unforgivable and what she did in the beginning is one of those things. It was very hard to like her after this and for the most part I didn’t succeed.
It could have been so very good, if it weren’t for this one major mistake she did that I just couldn’t forget or let go and all the irritating aftereffect.
I liked the rest of the story idea; I liked the world building; I liked a lot about it; but I hated her.
At the very beginning of their acquaintance she did something unforgivable, something soul crushing, something that would normally kill any trust he could ever have in her.
And then she makes one crude and hurting comment after another, one stupid decision after another and again and again she makes decisions for him she has no right to make without even talking with him about it.
She never really explains herself, not her feelings, not her decisions and not her reasons, at least not early or sufficient enough. And again and again she betrays his trust.
Someone who tried to do what she thought was right… and ended up doing everything wrong.
But the whole time she plays the victim whenever he questions her motives or doesn’t blindly trust her.
It’s always the same. She does something wrong and then, if he is even a bit distant or wary, she gets prickly and acts as if she is the victim of such great injustice and he is heartless.
She is a self-righteous hypocrite who is just wallowing in self-pity, always thinking about her own misery and who is way too demanding.
“You do that well, Captain. You don’t believe in slavery, just fight for the system that enforces it. You didn’t kill the last of my people, just helped the man who will.”
I think there are things that are really unforgivable and what she did in the beginning is one of those things. It was very hard to like her after this and for the most part I didn’t succeed.
It could have been so very good, if it weren’t for this one major mistake she did that I just couldn’t forget or let go and all the irritating aftereffect.
I liked the rest of the story idea; I liked the world building; I liked a lot about it; but I hated her.
August 27, 2018
So I decided a 4 Stars rating!
This is the story of a complicated relationship between two people who find each other in very different social circumstances. A Sci-Fi Romance that you will enjoy and find yourself punched by a myriad of emotions. Some made me uncomfortable but others redeemed the characters and won my heart.
Shaylah Graymist, ace fighter pilot for a brutal intergalactic Coalition.
She is rewarded a slave for her heroism in battle and finds herself drawn yet disturbed by her gift.
A warrior. A sex slave from a conquered world.
The incredibly beautiful slave Wolf wears a collar which controls him completely, allowing her to make him do anything she wants and erase any memory he has if she wills it. Yet Shaylah refuses to take advantage of him and forms a tense friendship that will bring feelings she's not sure she can handle. Her attraction and growing love for him might push her to a point she might regret in all the ways you can imagine.
When it came to finishing this book I had no issue. The writing flowed nicely and the story was captivating at all times. The plot is predictable but in a way, you will enjoy despite its obvious crumb path.
The read was fulfilling and a little frustrating when it came to the characters.
The MC's have this tense relationship throughout the whole book that might throw you off. But given the circumstances and backgrounds of these MC's, I found myself forced to understand their flaws and survive their hardships.
The way they relate to each other and the mutual mistakes, make it so tangible that might make you uncomfortable and all fuzzy inside at the same time. It's definitely a read that provokes mixed emotions. I have to say, they are well-done characters and far away from perfect.
The heroine, above all, finds herself in a moment that breaks the rules that she morally believed in. And she does something that I find disturbing, despite the fact that it's because of her passionate feelings for the hero. It is what it is, I will not say, but I love that the MC recognizes it as something awful and a mistake in a society where it's considered something normal.
It is as beautiful, as it is disturbing and complex. And I loved that about it. Love is not simple nor is it perfect. And the way MC's evolve and learn from each other makes all the trials and patience worth every minute.
The pace is wonderful and the world building is enough to paint the picture and place yourself in a world were humans actions are questionable. So it was a fresh take on Sci-Fi tropes in these genres that offer the usual plates to make aliens evil or powerful conquerors.
Usually, humans are enslaved, invaded, abducted, etc. By the terrible and very advanced alien races... So this doesn't happen here and it certainly has no issue with portraying how humans advanced technologically and the contrast of their moral regression in the society of the Coalition. A tyrannical group of people if you ask me...
Yet the main thing I like that shines in this books is how politics and war drive people to do nasty things. Any race, including humans of course. DUH!
AMAZING TWIST OF EVENTS!
The cover does not do this book any justice, so ignore it.
You will find passion and explicit sex that I enjoyed thoroughly... It is erotic, as it is romantic and heartbreaking. HEA ending. BE CALM PLEASE!
I totally recommend this book but be warned it is not a light read. For me, it turned out to be an amazing exploration of feelings and humanity. It's not a read for just any romance reader if the subjects of rape, social injustice, and psychological trauma disturb you. So move along if you can't handle that... The beauty is how the characters overcome these things so it was definitely worth my time!
This is the story of a complicated relationship between two people who find each other in very different social circumstances. A Sci-Fi Romance that you will enjoy and find yourself punched by a myriad of emotions. Some made me uncomfortable but others redeemed the characters and won my heart.
Shaylah Graymist, ace fighter pilot for a brutal intergalactic Coalition.
She is rewarded a slave for her heroism in battle and finds herself drawn yet disturbed by her gift.
A warrior. A sex slave from a conquered world.
The incredibly beautiful slave Wolf wears a collar which controls him completely, allowing her to make him do anything she wants and erase any memory he has if she wills it. Yet Shaylah refuses to take advantage of him and forms a tense friendship that will bring feelings she's not sure she can handle. Her attraction and growing love for him might push her to a point she might regret in all the ways you can imagine.
When it came to finishing this book I had no issue. The writing flowed nicely and the story was captivating at all times. The plot is predictable but in a way, you will enjoy despite its obvious crumb path.
The read was fulfilling and a little frustrating when it came to the characters.
The MC's have this tense relationship throughout the whole book that might throw you off. But given the circumstances and backgrounds of these MC's, I found myself forced to understand their flaws and survive their hardships.
The way they relate to each other and the mutual mistakes, make it so tangible that might make you uncomfortable and all fuzzy inside at the same time. It's definitely a read that provokes mixed emotions. I have to say, they are well-done characters and far away from perfect.
The heroine, above all, finds herself in a moment that breaks the rules that she morally believed in. And she does something that I find disturbing, despite the fact that it's because of her passionate feelings for the hero. It is what it is, I will not say, but I love that the MC recognizes it as something awful and a mistake in a society where it's considered something normal.
It is as beautiful, as it is disturbing and complex. And I loved that about it. Love is not simple nor is it perfect. And the way MC's evolve and learn from each other makes all the trials and patience worth every minute.
The pace is wonderful and the world building is enough to paint the picture and place yourself in a world were humans actions are questionable. So it was a fresh take on Sci-Fi tropes in these genres that offer the usual plates to make aliens evil or powerful conquerors.
Usually, humans are enslaved, invaded, abducted, etc. By the terrible and very advanced alien races... So this doesn't happen here and it certainly has no issue with portraying how humans advanced technologically and the contrast of their moral regression in the society of the Coalition. A tyrannical group of people if you ask me...
Yet the main thing I like that shines in this books is how politics and war drive people to do nasty things. Any race, including humans of course. DUH!
AMAZING TWIST OF EVENTS!
The cover does not do this book any justice, so ignore it.
You will find passion and explicit sex that I enjoyed thoroughly... It is erotic, as it is romantic and heartbreaking. HEA ending. BE CALM PLEASE!
I totally recommend this book but be warned it is not a light read. For me, it turned out to be an amazing exploration of feelings and humanity. It's not a read for just any romance reader if the subjects of rape, social injustice, and psychological trauma disturb you. So move along if you can't handle that... The beauty is how the characters overcome these things so it was definitely worth my time!
August 31, 2020
This one is hard to review. The h is an odd mix of strong and weepy. The H was like 3 different levels of tortured asshole. That sounds gross. Why did I say that? I'm literally passing out right now so I'm gonna have to try this review again later.
November 5, 2021
It's been a while but I seem to be on a SciFi kick lately and can't seen to get enough of them. Since this is one of my favourite of them all, of course it needed another reread.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I don’t’ know how many times I’ve read this over the years. I’m thinking it’s close to double digits. When I switched from print books to ebooks this is one I always kept an eye out, hoping it would come out as an ebook and when I saw that it had I scooped it right up. I have a review already written somewhere and if I find it, I’ll post it. In the meantime I’ll just do a mini review.
This is a Sci-Fi romance and one of my very favourites. Shayla Graymist is an excellent pilot, respected by all. She is up for some R & R after her latest assignment and she heads to the compound of a friend of hers. While she is a pilot for the evil coalition, a Very Evil Empire that has no problems wiping out entire planets to get what they want, Shayla isn’t really isn’t into politics, she just loves to fly.
But she is confronted by the evils of her world when she is served by a slave from the planet Trios, a planet she had a special fondness for before it was destroyed. When she sees how badly “Wolf” the Triotian slave is being treated, she keeps him with her, at least until her leave is up and she’s sent on her next mission. When it’s up and she heads back hoping to see Wolf again, she discovers his life took a drastic turn for the worse and she is determined to rescue him – at ANY cost.
This is Sci-Fi romance at it’s finest IMO. It’s a tiny bit campy but there is a good story. A great heroine and a great hero who has suffered great loss.
After multiple readings the only thing I wish is that some of the story could have been told from Wolf’s POV. The entire book is from Shayla’s and since he’s a kind of larger than life hero, it would have been nice to get into Wolf’s head a bit.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I don’t’ know how many times I’ve read this over the years. I’m thinking it’s close to double digits. When I switched from print books to ebooks this is one I always kept an eye out, hoping it would come out as an ebook and when I saw that it had I scooped it right up. I have a review already written somewhere and if I find it, I’ll post it. In the meantime I’ll just do a mini review.
This is a Sci-Fi romance and one of my very favourites. Shayla Graymist is an excellent pilot, respected by all. She is up for some R & R after her latest assignment and she heads to the compound of a friend of hers. While she is a pilot for the evil coalition, a Very Evil Empire that has no problems wiping out entire planets to get what they want, Shayla isn’t really isn’t into politics, she just loves to fly.
But she is confronted by the evils of her world when she is served by a slave from the planet Trios, a planet she had a special fondness for before it was destroyed. When she sees how badly “Wolf” the Triotian slave is being treated, she keeps him with her, at least until her leave is up and she’s sent on her next mission. When it’s up and she heads back hoping to see Wolf again, she discovers his life took a drastic turn for the worse and she is determined to rescue him – at ANY cost.
This is Sci-Fi romance at it’s finest IMO. It’s a tiny bit campy but there is a good story. A great heroine and a great hero who has suffered great loss.
After multiple readings the only thing I wish is that some of the story could have been told from Wolf’s POV. The entire book is from Shayla’s and since he’s a kind of larger than life hero, it would have been nice to get into Wolf’s head a bit.
June 25, 2024
Second Reading:
Okay, I'm DNFing on page 158. It feels slow. It's just not hitting the way it did the first time. I'll let the 4 star rating stand though. Maybe it's just me.
PREVIOUSLY:
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Sure, the synopsis sounded intriguing, but secretly I expected this book would let me down simply because of the genre. But I was invested from the beginning.
Lord of the Storm wasn't perfect, and it was even corny at times, but I loved the lead characters. It was such an interesting dynamic between Shaylah and Wolf. Sometimes Shaylah's insipid dialogue made me wince a little, but overall she was a competent female character. She was a pilot! A captain! She had a career!
The author was really good at holding information back and delivered plot twists skillfully. The ending made me feel all mushy inside.
I really hope the publisher decides to release The Skypirate as well, because I would love to read it.
Okay, I'm DNFing on page 158. It feels slow. It's just not hitting the way it did the first time. I'll let the 4 star rating stand though. Maybe it's just me.
PREVIOUSLY:
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Sure, the synopsis sounded intriguing, but secretly I expected this book would let me down simply because of the genre. But I was invested from the beginning.
Lord of the Storm wasn't perfect, and it was even corny at times, but I loved the lead characters. It was such an interesting dynamic between Shaylah and Wolf. Sometimes Shaylah's insipid dialogue made me wince a little, but overall she was a competent female character. She was a pilot! A captain! She had a career!
The author was really good at holding information back and delivered plot twists skillfully. The ending made me feel all mushy inside.
I really hope the publisher decides to release The Skypirate as well, because I would love to read it.
October 18, 2021
I can't stand books that say the female MC is this strong, badass warrior only to have the reader's experience of her be a cry-baby, love-sick puppy. I also have a strong aversion to the use of the word "engorged" which this book used multiple times. The sex scenes were just not sexy to me. So yeah, there was a lot that bothered me about this book. All that being said, I never had a moment that I thought to DNF it, so I guess I liked the Sci-Fi backstory.
*** 1.5 stars
*** 1.5 stars
March 8, 2023
I hated this book with a burning passion I rarely feel. Most books I give 1 star to are like well that should have made it past Wattpad or more likely I just get bored.
The way this book handled the concept of rape and slavery disgusted me
The way this book handled the concept of rape and slavery disgusted me
August 19, 2024
Lord Of The Storm was the first book I had ever tried out from Justine Davis and it certainly won't be my last. I was swept away by this story and I couldn't believe how much I fell in love with it. It really shocked me especially considering its been a while that I have had this sitting in my kindle.
Lord Of The Storm is the first book of the series. It features our two main characters Shayla and Dare. Shayla is a captain of a ship of the coalition. She is good at what she does. She feels a connection to one world that was the Coalition's greatest sins and abominations. Shayla's parents were bonded at Trios, and even though everyone else she knows mocks her, she still believe in love and bonding with one person for life. When she is given leave, she visits a friend. But what she doesn't expect, is that her friend would hand over a slave, a man that is regal and is so beautiful. The last thing she wants to do is accept the gift from her friend, since she doesn't approve of slavery at all. But when he is punished over her ignorance, she takes him in. Shayla shows Dare that not all coalition officers are cruel. They spend a week together, being honest with each other and Shayla showing Dare to be himself. Dare was taken away from his home and believes he is the only one left alive from the beautiful and honorable world and forced into slavery, the kind of slavery he can never escape from. Its been five years and Shayla shows Dare how to fight back in the only way he knows how to. When Shayla leaves on a mission she is called away on, she learns upon her return that Dare has been sold in one of the worst places. She goes to rescue him and to return back to his home.
What a incredibly written romance this story turned out to be!! I loved seeing these two together. Both character were fantastic and well written. I just loved Shayla, she is a heroine you can relate with. What was most endearing about her character, was how she treated Dare from the beginning. It was quite heartbreaking at times seeing the way Dare had been downridden and beaten over the years. But with Shayla, he comes alive. The world building was amazing, with seeing how strong people were to fight against tyranny that the Coalition is. I couldn't get enough of the plot and seeing how it was full of surprises and sweeps the reader off their feet!! If you like sci fi romance or want to try one out...LORD OF THE STORM is a MUST READ!!! Its passionate, adventure packed and thrills you from head to toe! A HEART-WRENCHING ROMANCE
Lord Of The Storm is the first book of the series. It features our two main characters Shayla and Dare. Shayla is a captain of a ship of the coalition. She is good at what she does. She feels a connection to one world that was the Coalition's greatest sins and abominations. Shayla's parents were bonded at Trios, and even though everyone else she knows mocks her, she still believe in love and bonding with one person for life. When she is given leave, she visits a friend. But what she doesn't expect, is that her friend would hand over a slave, a man that is regal and is so beautiful. The last thing she wants to do is accept the gift from her friend, since she doesn't approve of slavery at all. But when he is punished over her ignorance, she takes him in. Shayla shows Dare that not all coalition officers are cruel. They spend a week together, being honest with each other and Shayla showing Dare to be himself. Dare was taken away from his home and believes he is the only one left alive from the beautiful and honorable world and forced into slavery, the kind of slavery he can never escape from. Its been five years and Shayla shows Dare how to fight back in the only way he knows how to. When Shayla leaves on a mission she is called away on, she learns upon her return that Dare has been sold in one of the worst places. She goes to rescue him and to return back to his home.
What a incredibly written romance this story turned out to be!! I loved seeing these two together. Both character were fantastic and well written. I just loved Shayla, she is a heroine you can relate with. What was most endearing about her character, was how she treated Dare from the beginning. It was quite heartbreaking at times seeing the way Dare had been downridden and beaten over the years. But with Shayla, he comes alive. The world building was amazing, with seeing how strong people were to fight against tyranny that the Coalition is. I couldn't get enough of the plot and seeing how it was full of surprises and sweeps the reader off their feet!! If you like sci fi romance or want to try one out...LORD OF THE STORM is a MUST READ!!! Its passionate, adventure packed and thrills you from head to toe! A HEART-WRENCHING ROMANCE
February 3, 2018
3 ***
I bought this book in August '14. It would get buried deep in the dark recesses of my kindle then I'd do a clean out and I'd move the book forward. I've been juggling this book for years. The first thing I realized, the title has _nothing_ to do with the story, neither does the cover image. The next thing is that it reads just like a HQ. I looked the author up this morning and sure enough she writes HQs. That's not necessarily a bad thing. We all know what we're getting when we read a HQ. I wasn't expecting a HQ story.
Shaylah is a Captain in the Coalition (think evil Empire from Star Wars). Slavery is a common and slaves are collared with a device that is implanted into their brain to control their bodies and minds. It can also issue pain. The slave's owner carries a remote to control the slave. Shaylah has always had problems with some of the Coalitions practices but she wants to fly so she looks the other way. While visiting a friend on leave she encounters a slave named Wolf. Wolf is one of the few survivors from Coalition conquered Trios. Shaylah becomes enamored with Wolf and walks a fine line between duty and trying to rescue him.
For the majority of the book Shaylah and Wolf navigate one misunderstanding to another. They resolve one issue, have sex then are back to being wary of each other. It got old. Eventually they make their way back to Wolf's home world of Trios and wouldn't you know, he's a prince! Gah!!!!
I bought this book in August '14. It would get buried deep in the dark recesses of my kindle then I'd do a clean out and I'd move the book forward. I've been juggling this book for years. The first thing I realized, the title has _nothing_ to do with the story, neither does the cover image. The next thing is that it reads just like a HQ. I looked the author up this morning and sure enough she writes HQs. That's not necessarily a bad thing. We all know what we're getting when we read a HQ. I wasn't expecting a HQ story.
Shaylah is a Captain in the Coalition (think evil Empire from Star Wars). Slavery is a common and slaves are collared with a device that is implanted into their brain to control their bodies and minds. It can also issue pain. The slave's owner carries a remote to control the slave. Shaylah has always had problems with some of the Coalitions practices but she wants to fly so she looks the other way. While visiting a friend on leave she encounters a slave named Wolf. Wolf is one of the few survivors from Coalition conquered Trios. Shaylah becomes enamored with Wolf and walks a fine line between duty and trying to rescue him.
For the majority of the book Shaylah and Wolf navigate one misunderstanding to another. They resolve one issue, have sex then are back to being wary of each other. It got old. Eventually they make their way back to Wolf's home world of Trios and wouldn't you know, he's a prince! Gah!!!!
December 28, 2017
DNF @ 75%
This was an okay read. However, with the blurb and the cover, I had envisioned something different, something more on the line of both the hero and the heroine kicking ass in an adventure. Instead, we have the heroine as a doormat for the hero's "tortured soul" to push down the heroine's actions. And the hero is a disappointment with all his angst. All he does is complain and complain and complain and so on.
So instead of an adventure with two kickass main characters, most of the story is spent in the bedroom with the hero and heroine having sex, regretting it, arguing, and rinse and repeat...
Pretty decent erotic scenes though but I needed more story, more adventure, more kick ass, and less arguing/complaining by the hero.
October 31, 2010
Setting: futuristic, space, planets, slaves wear collars used to control their minds and bodies
Heroine: Shaylah Graymist – dark haired, young Captain / fighter pilot in the Coalition
Hero: Wolf (Darian) – blonde hair & golden skin, a sex slave from the planet Trios, believed to be the last of his race, just a few years older than the heroine
Villain: the Coalition – responsible for destroying Triosian people and enslaving Wolf
Highlights: A page-turner, quick read, original story line with the hero as the victim/slave, believable tension between hero and heroine that pulls on your heart strings.
Heroine: Shaylah Graymist – dark haired, young Captain / fighter pilot in the Coalition
Hero: Wolf (Darian) – blonde hair & golden skin, a sex slave from the planet Trios, believed to be the last of his race, just a few years older than the heroine
Villain: the Coalition – responsible for destroying Triosian people and enslaving Wolf
Highlights: A page-turner, quick read, original story line with the hero as the victim/slave, believable tension between hero and heroine that pulls on your heart strings.
November 24, 2022
I had a few issues with some things that happen in the story but taking into account that this book was published 28 years ago, i just let it get past.
But the sad truth is that after a while the back and forth distrust between Wolf and Shaylah was getting old and I got frustrated because the story felt like going in circles for far too long and then the ending was (rushed) but good.
The book kept me entertained while it reminded me a bit of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but make it smutty and kind of romantic.
But the sad truth is that after a while the back and forth distrust between Wolf and Shaylah was getting old and I got frustrated because the story felt like going in circles for far too long and then the ending was (rushed) but good.
The book kept me entertained while it reminded me a bit of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but make it smutty and kind of romantic.
March 22, 2016
Writing was okay, no real problems there. Plot was alright too, although I thought they should have brought in the rebellion thing earlier. The slave-or-not plotline got a bit draggy after a while. I liked that Shaylah retained most of her agency even after Wolf was revealed as the King of not-Earth and leader of the rebellion and became the unattainable beloved wild lion or whatever.
But there's one thing I cannot let go of. She freaking raped him, then consciously kept vital information from him, and even after that continues hurting him in little ways. Sure it's a story about how they overcome the hurt and angst and such, but this is a little too much. Wolf was too forgiving. I didn't want to relate to someone as insensitive as this. In the end I had this far-fetched hope that they'd just end up as friends - but of course it didn't work out that way.
Last thing: can I throw a violent fit in objection to the book cover? I can't believe they have a male slave character who literally spends a huge part of the book under the female MC's power and yet they draw her kneeling at his feet like she's the slave! /flips table/
I also object to the yellow skin. He looks diseased.
Overall not a bad story. Enjoyable and satisfied my wants, but not too memorable.
But there's one thing I cannot let go of. She freaking raped him, then consciously kept vital information from him, and even after that continues hurting him in little ways. Sure it's a story about how they overcome the hurt and angst and such, but this is a little too much. Wolf was too forgiving. I didn't want to relate to someone as insensitive as this. In the end I had this far-fetched hope that they'd just end up as friends - but of course it didn't work out that way.
Last thing: can I throw a violent fit in objection to the book cover? I can't believe they have a male slave character who literally spends a huge part of the book under the female MC's power and yet they draw her kneeling at his feet like she's the slave! /flips table/
I also object to the yellow skin. He looks diseased.
Overall not a bad story. Enjoyable and satisfied my wants, but not too memorable.
December 11, 2021
I’m a third of the way through and I just… I can’t believe that the heroine actually raped the hero? She deliberately used mind control to make him have sex with her. I can’t believe that happened. That’s disgusting. She continues to justify it, even after the hero calls her out the next day. I’m horrified. DNF.
I read some other reviews that share the opinion that for the remainder of the book the heroine keeps feeling guilty and crying a lot, while the hero blames her and complains about his situation. I’ll pass thanks.
I read some other reviews that share the opinion that for the remainder of the book the heroine keeps feeling guilty and crying a lot, while the hero blames her and complains about his situation. I’ll pass thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2014
Lots of potential but the plot was tiresome at times
At times I found this book to be incredibly draining but I cant deny it had great potential. I just never really cared much for the hero or heroine. All she seemed to do was apologize. The storyline was creative and could have really been amazing but I just felt myself losing interest at times. I also feel it is quite over priced a it's current price of over $4. It was ok but I'm not sure if this is a series I will continue.
At times I found this book to be incredibly draining but I cant deny it had great potential. I just never really cared much for the hero or heroine. All she seemed to do was apologize. The storyline was creative and could have really been amazing but I just felt myself losing interest at times. I also feel it is quite over priced a it's current price of over $4. It was ok but I'm not sure if this is a series I will continue.
March 12, 2023
5 stars! If I am being honest, I totally judged this book by its cover and *almost* passed it up. However, the blurb drew me in and I am so happy I read it! The only negative I can come up with was how exasperating the MC’s could be with their back and forth feelings. I get the distrust for obvious reasons, but I thought it could have been shortened a little sooner. Other than that- loved it!
July 6, 2020
This was one of those unexpected reads for me. I'm not sure what I thought I'd be getting into when I read the blurb, but the actual story far surpassed any expectations I might have had.
It's a bit predictable, and yet it's also fresh and real. <3
It's a bit predictable, and yet it's also fresh and real. <3
Want to read
July 2, 2022The only reason I not only added but bought a book that appeared on my timeline because of the Trash Panda is that it was only £0.49. 😂
Want to read
January 20, 2016Heather told me to.
May 22, 2017
Bad, it's from 1994 and it shows.
February 16, 2018
This was a good sci-fi romamce. It touched on complex issues such as slavery, trust, war and rebellion. The world building was good and I liked the MCs. But something felt off. It's in part due to the circular nature of the plot with the romance. Shayla does a really cruel thing to Wolf and he doesn't trust her. I don't blame him. She was so selfish and stupid. But she luuuurves him! So she goes back and begs his forgiveness. Sexy times happen. But he's holding something back. She feels him pull away and is crushed that he still won't trust her. So she gets mad and sticks up for herself and determines not to take his bad treatment. But then he looks at her and touches her and she melts. But then he pulls away and she gets mad and sticks up for herself and says "this is the LAST time" and then he looks at her and touches her and she melts. And on and on. I just kept thinking, didn't we just do this?
So, I guess it was ok. The smexy scenes were lukewarm and the ending twist was no surprise at all. And all the talk of "bonding" had me expecting a Shapeshifter/Alien mate type bonding. But it was just that they fell in love with each other. No chemical change or fated mates here. I enjoyed the big picture ideas, but the small picture was lacking.
So, I guess it was ok. The smexy scenes were lukewarm and the ending twist was no surprise at all. And all the talk of "bonding" had me expecting a Shapeshifter/Alien mate type bonding. But it was just that they fell in love with each other. No chemical change or fated mates here. I enjoyed the big picture ideas, but the small picture was lacking.
April 11, 2018
4.5 stars
February 11, 2019
Loved this book! Almost has a Sherrilyn Kenyon feel to it. Definitely worth the read
April 7, 2019
A promising start to the Coalition Rebellion, Lord of the Storm is a good Sci-Fi Romance. I enjoyed the premise, the storyline and the characters and will look to read more.
July 11, 2025
“The Coalition, not she personally, owed Wolf, but only she would ever pay the debt. And pay it she would, no matter the cost to herself. She could do nothing less. And if the price was high, she would count it part of the cost of loving him, for she discovered in the long hours of reflection that, even had she been able to, she never would have changed having met him. Or having loved him. And if it tore deeply into her vitals to have to say it in the past tense, well, that was part of the price as well.”
This is another story I initially skimmed but finally committed to reading–and I’m so glad I did. The world-building is exceptionally compelling, providing an immersive backdrop to explore themes of colonialism through a science fiction lens. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a world where humanity’s actions are morally questionable, yet hauntingly familiar.
A standout, however, are the characters. The heroine, Shaylah Graymist, is a starship captain and celebrated war hero for the Coalition. Although she is aware of the Coalition’s cruelty, she never had reason to rebel until her friend gifts her a slave. “Wolf” is the last surviving member of Trios, a planet devastated by the Coalition and the place where Shaylah’s parents became “bonded” soulmates. Although Shaylah initially resists accepting him, her refusal leads to his punishment, causing her to reluctantly take him in. Shaylah treats Wolf with dignity, and over time, they form a tentative bond, though their dynamic is fraught with tension due to their vastly different backgrounds. Yet, as she grows closer to him, Shaylah begins to question not only the Coalition’s practices but also her complicity in the atrocities.
Despite her moral compass, Shaylah makes a devastating mistake by using mind control to make Wolf believe he is with his lost soulmate. Although her intentions are rooted in compassion, this betrayal shatters his trust and forces Shaylah to confront her feelings and the cultural conditioning that allowed such behaviour. Later, she risks her career and life to rescue him from a brutal slave trader, offering him freedom even at the cost of their budding romance. However, their roles shift dramatically upon their return to Trios: Shaylah becomes a prisoner, while Wolf (revealed as Prince Darian of Trios) must reconcile his feelings for her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. Shaylah is a brave, capable leader, who endures the Coalition’s atrocities for her love of flying. What I found most compelling about her was her journey of self-awareness and her willingness to acknowledge her wrongdoings, even at immense personal cost. Her mistakes, while significant, come from a place of love and force her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself and the society she serves. In this sense, the romance, while central, feels almost secondary to the broader themes of redemption and morality.
Wolf, meanwhile, is the embodiment of resilience and serves as a stark reminder of war’s dishonour. His experiences as a slave have left him distrustful, and the author’s choice to focus solely on Shaylah’s point of view adds depth and mystery to Wolf’s character, making his eventual revelations even more impactful. His journey from despair to reclaiming his identity and pride is as poignant as Shaylah’s transformation from a complicit officer into a true hero willing to sacrifice everything for what’s right.
Their relationship is beautifully complex and reflects the power of redemption, evolving as they navigate the power imbalances and traumas that define their pasts. While I appreciated how they grew from one another, I felt there could have been more opportunities for Wolf to learn from Shaylah (although I think it was addressed in other stories in the series). The sudden shift in their dynamic following Wolf’s revelation as a prince felt somewhat abrupt, and I would have liked to see deeper conversations addressing their insecurities and communication failures, such as Shaylah withholding information about Triotian survivors and Wolf concealing his past.
Ultimately, this is a well-written story about love, trust, and the courage to question and redefine one’s beliefs. It handles complex themes like slavery and social injustice with depth and realism, heightening the emotional stakes of the narrative. While some plot elements, such as Shaylah siding with the oppressed Triotians, were predictable, the twist of Wolf’s royal identity surprised me, even if there were subtle clues. Accordingly, the story achieves a delicate balance of suspense, character growth, and tender moments that redeem even its darkest elements.
**
"It's like nothing else in the universe," he said softly. "To put another above all else in your life, and know that she does the same. To know that it is forever. To be so much a part of someone that you are only half alive when you are apart...
This is another story I initially skimmed but finally committed to reading–and I’m so glad I did. The world-building is exceptionally compelling, providing an immersive backdrop to explore themes of colonialism through a science fiction lens. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a world where humanity’s actions are morally questionable, yet hauntingly familiar.
A standout, however, are the characters. The heroine, Shaylah Graymist, is a starship captain and celebrated war hero for the Coalition. Although she is aware of the Coalition’s cruelty, she never had reason to rebel until her friend gifts her a slave. “Wolf” is the last surviving member of Trios, a planet devastated by the Coalition and the place where Shaylah’s parents became “bonded” soulmates. Although Shaylah initially resists accepting him, her refusal leads to his punishment, causing her to reluctantly take him in. Shaylah treats Wolf with dignity, and over time, they form a tentative bond, though their dynamic is fraught with tension due to their vastly different backgrounds. Yet, as she grows closer to him, Shaylah begins to question not only the Coalition’s practices but also her complicity in the atrocities.
Despite her moral compass, Shaylah makes a devastating mistake by using mind control to make Wolf believe he is with his lost soulmate. Although her intentions are rooted in compassion, this betrayal shatters his trust and forces Shaylah to confront her feelings and the cultural conditioning that allowed such behaviour. Later, she risks her career and life to rescue him from a brutal slave trader, offering him freedom even at the cost of their budding romance. However, their roles shift dramatically upon their return to Trios: Shaylah becomes a prisoner, while Wolf (revealed as Prince Darian of Trios) must reconcile his feelings for her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. Shaylah is a brave, capable leader, who endures the Coalition’s atrocities for her love of flying. What I found most compelling about her was her journey of self-awareness and her willingness to acknowledge her wrongdoings, even at immense personal cost. Her mistakes, while significant, come from a place of love and force her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself and the society she serves. In this sense, the romance, while central, feels almost secondary to the broader themes of redemption and morality.
Wolf, meanwhile, is the embodiment of resilience and serves as a stark reminder of war’s dishonour. His experiences as a slave have left him distrustful, and the author’s choice to focus solely on Shaylah’s point of view adds depth and mystery to Wolf’s character, making his eventual revelations even more impactful. His journey from despair to reclaiming his identity and pride is as poignant as Shaylah’s transformation from a complicit officer into a true hero willing to sacrifice everything for what’s right.
Their relationship is beautifully complex and reflects the power of redemption, evolving as they navigate the power imbalances and traumas that define their pasts. While I appreciated how they grew from one another, I felt there could have been more opportunities for Wolf to learn from Shaylah (although I think it was addressed in other stories in the series). The sudden shift in their dynamic following Wolf’s revelation as a prince felt somewhat abrupt, and I would have liked to see deeper conversations addressing their insecurities and communication failures, such as Shaylah withholding information about Triotian survivors and Wolf concealing his past.
Ultimately, this is a well-written story about love, trust, and the courage to question and redefine one’s beliefs. It handles complex themes like slavery and social injustice with depth and realism, heightening the emotional stakes of the narrative. While some plot elements, such as Shaylah siding with the oppressed Triotians, were predictable, the twist of Wolf’s royal identity surprised me, even if there were subtle clues. Accordingly, the story achieves a delicate balance of suspense, character growth, and tender moments that redeem even its darkest elements.
**
"It's like nothing else in the universe," he said softly. "To put another above all else in your life, and know that she does the same. To know that it is forever. To be so much a part of someone that you are only half alive when you are apart...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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