Moonstruck

Borderlands #1

by Susan Grant

Out of print. New version coming soon. Watch for updates @ susangrant.com

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Aliens, Futuristic, Fantasy, Space Opera

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2008

About the author

Susan’s childhood dreams of becoming a space explorer fizzled when she found out calculus was involved. Luckily, she didn’t need math skills to fly jets--or to create sky-high stories in her head, first for herself, then for friends, and now for readers everywhere.  

A New York Times/USA Today bestselling author and a military veteran, Susan won the prestigious RITA® Award for her book Contact, a sci-fi aviation-thriller romance.

Reviews

[Somia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Light Stars

Admiral Brit Bandar is the Coalition's greatest starship commander, known as “Stone-Heart” Bandar she keeps her emotions locked tight, a painful past has had her determined to destroy the Drakken, but when a peace accord is stuck, well her enemy is now working along side her, and she finds herself guilt-ridden due to the attraction she feels to her second-in-command Drakken warleader and space pirate Finn Rorkken.

There were moments that pulled a little on the heartstrings and I liked Brit and Finn together, that being said there was a strand of emotion and connection that needed to be developed far more.

A enjoyable midnight read, there was the potential for this to be seriously awesome but the character development, intensity and heat needed for that didn't manifest, that being said it made for an engaging one time read.

Acquired via KU.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, I dunno what to say with this one. When you're in a SF universe and a character is referencing "Devil meets Prada" which only THREE years later dates the book, how in the world can you believe that you're in a world where there are space ships and alternate races? UUUUUGH.

In the VERY narrow category of SF/Romance genre, I list this on my shelf because there was something cool going on with the main character and her hero, namely that SHE was the hard edged and alpha one, and the dude didn't try to dominate her in a macho way, which is so rare in romance novels that I want to list it on my shelf for that quality alone. The relationship between the main characters is definitely the selling point here, not the believability of the SF world. In a completely fluffy way I ok enjoyed it. And the cover with the woman stroking his"gun" made me laugh, haha.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring, impossible to believe romance, which is a pity as somewhere, deep, deep into the story there was a solitary interesting single thread.
Unfortunately that spark of plot was drowned by the sheer stupidity of love at first sight, at first sight between 2 enemy people, one of whom has lost everything and everyone to the war. She was utterly unbelievable and he was utterly perfect. A match made in book hell.
So, it wasn't spiteful, but I can't give it more than 1 star as a forgettable read. One that I skim read too (not interested in sex for sex' sake sorry).

[Cara Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you’ve dedicated your military career and your life to fighting the enemy, and now a truce and alliance have been declared, and now you’re on the same side?

Worse, Admiral Brit Bandar finds herself irresistibly attracted to her sworn enemy, former Warleader Finn Rorkken, who now serves under her command.

Amazing characters, tremendous chemistry, an awesome read. Winner of TWO 2018 SFR Galaxy Awards. An absolute must-read!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, reminiscent of Star Trek Voyager.

Admiral Brit Bandar is the Coalition's greatest starship commander. For years she has been chasing after an outlaw known as the Scourge of the Borderlands until peace was declared. Now to show galactic unity she has been put in charge of a new ship, with her old enemy Warleader Finn Rorkken as her second in command.

Brit and Finn have to find a way to work together, unite their respective crew members (or at least stave off a riot) and solve the mystery of who is killing off the inhabitants of remote outposts.

I read this about six weeks ago, borrowed from Amazon Prime, but didn't get around to writing a review at the time. It was a well-imagined. lighthearted romp which also had some pointed comments about the need for acceptance and understanding of other peoples' customs and behaviours. I really enjoyed reading it and I'm itching to find the second book in e-book format (of any description) but currently drawing a blank even though Goodreads suggests it should have been released in January 2019.

If you like your sci-fi light on the science, romance, opposites-attract, pirates and space opera I think you will love this space romp.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I was gifted a free copy of this book by the author. My review is fully voluntary and honest.

Warleader is more than an enemies to lovers romance. From Finn Rorkenn’s point of view, Admiral Brit Bandarr of the Coalition is an adversary worthy of respect. From Brit’s point of view, Rorkenn, the Drakken scourge of the Borderlands, represents everything evil of the dreaded Drakkon empire that destroyed her early life. Now that the long war is over, Finn and Brit are thrown together as commanders of the same ship. They are expected to work as allies to show the rest of the galaxy that the end of the war has brought opposing sides peacefully together.
Finn is happy to act on his attraction and admiration. Brit is much more reluctant, but her physical attraction to Finn wins over. Slowly, her hard feelings for Finn thaw as she begins to know him as an individual. Eventually, despite her years’ long hatred of all Drakkon, she develops strong feelings for Finn.
In addition to the lovely love story of Finn and Brit, we are treated to the blossoming relationship between Hadley and Tango, or is it Hadley and Bolivarr? I won’t give any spoilers so you will have to read for yourself. But the second romance story in this novel is a bonus that was unexpected and quite enjoyable. Like the other secondary characters in this story, Hadley, Tango, and Bolivarr are not just “extras”, but are developed characters that add depth to the story.
My only criticism of this story is that Finn seems like a watered down version from his “scourge of the Borderlands” persona. According to his reputation, he is a feared, ruthless, barbarian warleader of the Drakkon empire. In this story, he is not fearsome or ruthless. In fact, he’s a really great guy, (there’s nothing wrong with that, in fact I really like his character) but he seems at odds with the “warleader” description. He was really just too nice to be believable as a ruthless pirate and Drakkon “warleader”. There are brief hints of hints of his barbarianism and brutality throughout the story, but not enough to make an impact. I also wished that the Drakkon political situation was better described. I had a lot of questions regarding Finn’s beginnings and current status in the remnants of the Drakkon political climate. I found Finn’s character fully likable, but I found his position as warleader somewhat confusing and unconvincing. The next book is entitled “Hunting the Warlord’s Daughter”. I hope some of the questions I have will be answered in that book, because I fully intend to read it.

[Cheesecake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revisited this one on audio. Suzanne Toren was a fantastic reader.
The story is full of intrigue and assassins and there's no telling whose side anyone is on despite their uniforms.

The war has ended and an uneasy peace is to be demonstrated by the bridge of Brit Bandar's (aka Admiral Stone-Heart) new 'peace'ship. Her second in command, Drakken Warleader 'Finn' Rorrken was her a frustratingly elusive enemy not that long ago... before he lost the war. Then there's the 3rd part of the crew, humans. Not many, but they add pop culture and a touch of irreverent humour to the mix.

There are two romances in this story, the side romance being more tentative and sweet.
Admiral Bandar is set reeling at the beginning of the book, when she discovers that not only is her second in command the same man she has chased across the galaxy, but he closely resembles her dead husband. But being 'ol Stoney Heart, she manages to hide most of her reaction... mostly.
This is a slow build romance, although their attraction was immediate. It's not as angsty as I feared what with them being enemies in the recent past, and Britt's hatred for all things Drakken.

Susan Grant's heroes are always Alpha's who almost seem beta in that they usually think before they act. Rather refreshing really. Think, Captain Picard rather than Captain Kirk. The heroines can take care of themselves. They are strong heroines whose actions follow through and help build the character. Rather than the author just saying the heroine is a strong woman and then having her run straight into danger without a plan.

The pacing is a wee bit slow here and there. Perhaps a wee bit too much introspection on the part of the main characters, but they have a LOT of prejudices to overcome, so I was OK going with the flow. But I really appreciated how they both used their intelligence when faced with a problem and weren't afraid to rethink anything. Both of them had the minds of leaders.
Finn is super sexy with the tattoos and braided hair etc. Mmmm, Mmmm, Mm!

I was really kept on the edge of my seat reading this and the intrigue kept me guessing!
Although this follows 'The Star Princess', you don't need to read it to enjoy this book.

Safety is good the book opens with Britt just finishing a night with a male prostitute while on leave. It's not explicit. She could care less about him and doesn't know his name. This is just before she is called back to meet Finn and her new starship. Finn gets hit on by some prostitutes on another planet before he gets the call to meet Britt and their destiny. He isn't in the mood and has no money anyways. His pilot flirts with him but he never sleeps with his crew.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good solid scifi romance. It contains all the usual themes, the H and h should hate each other, they both have tormented pasts, they are surrounded by interesting secondary characters (who will get their own books someday). All that said, the scifi was reasonably strong, and the characters were unique. The surrounding troubles were well constructed, and I did not anticipate the end twist until just before it was unveiled.

The sex was more NC-17 than XXX, which seems to be the author's style. I'd read The Legend of Banzai Maguire, which had the same level of heat. I'll read more from her.

[Sarah S · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a romance, solid characters. As military science fiction, no. Just, no.

[Kristiej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Grant writes excellent SciFi romances. I’ve read them all and except for a couple, have given them good grades. This is one of my favourites. Brit Bandar is the heroine of this book. She has risen high in the Coalition space force and now holds the title of Admiral. But after fighting a decades long battle with the Drakken, there is peace between them and they along with small force from Earth have formed a new group, the Triad. Brit is given a new spaceship to command and much to her surprise for lack of a better word, is to work with a Drakken as her second in Command. Finn Rorkken is already known to her as they have been after each other for years. First Finn was a space pirate and then became a commander in the war. And now these former adversaries are to work together. Brit is not impressed though Finn sees things differently. He’s always admired Brit’s abilities and as the Drakken have really come out the losers in the war. They have suffered horrible shortages, so he’s willing to embrace his new role.

But things are rocky. The Drakken are a brutal race and are responsible for a lot of atrocities over the years so there are hard feelings between crew members and it’s up to Brit and Finn to sort these out and have them work as a solidified unit. Things get a bit trickier though as Brit and Finn are drawn together. Finn is open in his attraction to Brit and wanting a more intimate relationship but Brit has suffered devastating losses at the hands of Drakkens and not sure she can get past them.

I like Brit a lot but I LOVE Finn. He’s very protective of Brit and while in general his race is violent, he himself is intelligent, thoughtful and such wonderful hero material.
The world building is very well done which is important in writing a good SciFi. Everything in this genre is made up but the author must make it believable for it to work and Susan Grant has made it work very well.
Something I have to say though. I’ve read all her books years ago and since I read them and since then she has reissued quite a few of them with all new titles. For example when I read the print version of this book it was titled Moonstruck but as an EBook it’s now called Warleader. So if you’re like me and wanting to get these books as Ebooks after reading them in print form, check the storyline itself before buying.

This was a five star when I first read it years ago and it’s still a five start now.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. The heroine was sorta annoying- and that's not the authors fault. In general man haters annoy me. It worked well though and I can't really complain because I wanted to finish it and will read more from the author.

[hea booktubes]

DNF 13% I don’t like my main character to be prejudiced

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is what you need to know. In the aftermath of war, the Coalition, the Drakkon and Earth have formed the Triad Alliance. The diplomatic ship, Unity, is run by Admiral Brit Bandar and her second command, Drakkon Finn Rorken, a former Warleader. The crew is a combination of all three groups who work together to complete their mission. Wait, that’s a little bit of a lie. They don’t really work together all that well. Yet.

Clearly the admiral hates all Drakkon. There are early hints at some major Drakkon-induced trauma, but it won’t get explained until later in the book. So, right off, the heroine and the hero are on shaky ground. With a crew that also does not voluntarily get along, there are sure to be lots of loud and flashy fireworks on board Unity.

But right off, despite the admiral’s conviction that the only good Drakkon is a dead Drakkon, there is clearly some attraction to Finn. It’s a two-way attraction. Chemistry. What starts as a friendly competition in the gym will escalate to… well, use your imagination.

In the meantime, not everyone is happy the war is over and problems quickly put crew of Unity to work. Settlements are attacked by what appeared to be Drakkon based on the method of execution. Finn doesn’t believe it, but lack of evidence doesn’t help anyone’s version of the story. The conflicting opinions of the Coalition and Drakkon make for some good drama.

There was one aspect of the investigation of these troubles that really bothered me. During the investigation, there was an obvious group of offenders. There are events that happened that led me to believe this. But they weren’t treated any differently than the other survivors that were found along the way.

I’d have thrown that group in the brig. There is no reason they couldn’t find some way to escape and then go on to cause more havoc, because that is what bad guys do. But Brit and Finn really blew it. They made their name during wartime, and their first inclination is diplomacy? Not buying it.

A couple of things in Warleader are unexplained for me. 1) Why does Finn look so much like Brit’s late husband Seff that she has to do a double-take? 2) How did Earth hook up with this Triad Alliance? As near as I can tell, they were not part of the war.

Warleader takes place in the aftermath of war that was not confined to one world. Spread out as it was, on planets and in space, it will probably take a long time to convince everyone to embrace the peace. I see the possibility of several plots in the Borderlands series. I truly enjoyed Warleader and I look forward to seeing where this adventure leads.

The author provided a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review.

[Di · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a silly attempt at sci-fi romance. Something about spaceships and warring factions that unite over a treaty... Basically, two people on opposite sides fall in lust and then in love, conquering impossible odds (seriously, she was the leading Admiral that killed a bunch of people of his race and he was one of the leading warleaders who was heavily involved in the war). Not believable and not particularly enjoyable.

[Gwen (The Gwendolyn Reading Method) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars, I really liked it. Dealt with PTSD and other issues of war, so it was a tad deeper than your typical romance novel. Was my first Susan Grant book, definitely makes me want to read more.

Watch my video review

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sci-fi romance. [WARNING: Several R-rated scenes.] Brit and Finn and all the rest of Unity’s motley crew (well, except for one horrible person) are exceptional characters. They are real people on a real starship with real feelings and foibles. Great plot and skilled writing. Can’t wait for the next in series!”

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited this so I am clearly biased ;) But seriously, do recommend!

[Þórey Jónsdóttir · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[DemetraP · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting world building, most of the action takes place on a spaceship. The romance was hot and believable.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the original years ago, and this reworking is just as good. I'm really interested to read the other books when they come out.

[Babydoclaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid space story. I enjoyed the read but it did not wow me

[TP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book Moonstruck by Susan Grant is a proclaimed sci-fi romance.
And sadly that is all it really is. A predictable and frankly boring sci-fi book. Focused mainly on the romance aspect.
I really enjoyed the characters and their dynamic. The idea of building a unity of Terran people, Drakkan and coalition people and the trouble it always brings uniting different cultures, especially after years of war.

But herein starts the first problem I had with this book. The lack of world building. I had no concept of what a Drakkan or a Coalition person really looked like? What set them apart from humans? Apparently nothing much, just a different human race. Well, this freaking book played in one if not more galaxies and all are humanoid? Not really imaginativ for a sci-fi book, isn’t it?
Not mention the lack of the surroundings and equipment, new inventions and the likes. Even the locations for the vacations looked all pretty boring for being on diverse planets.

Next we have the issue of prejudice, hate and long war caused resentment between the different factions. The author build the characters on this century long festered emotions and yet, it takes like a blink of an eye in comparison to change that. This isn’t realistic nor did the author give us anything believable to counteract that.
There was no depth to it at all. It simmered all on medium flame. All the struggles were addressed and simply put aside. If the world and the human psyche would work like that we would be all a happy family.

My last note will be on the missing suspense and action. We are in space and the action is limited to a freaking abduction with a few slaps and a verbal altercation on the bridge. But before anything gets really heated we switch to a different scene and a different POV.

Like I mentioned above, poor world building, predictable plot, lovely characters having a good dynamic, yet the main thread of the plot, the struggle to unit different races felt shallow and superficial, even juvenile in its handling.
What I liked was the strong role women played in society. That was worth a second star.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

A huge interstellar war has just ended and as a symbol of the new peace soldiers from both side are to serve together on the spaceship Unity. Finn, a former captain from the losing Horde side is assigned to be second-in-command under the famous Admiral Brit Bandar, who is still mad that she failed to blow him to bits during the war. She additionally hates the Horde because they killed her husband and son. In a pleasant change from standard romance trope, both Brit and Finn mostly behave like the intelligent and responsible military leaders they are supposed to be and try to work together respectfully.

Pretty fluffy, but pleasant enough as a light read. The sci-fi elements were well developed as to world building but the action was pretty minimal and there never seemed to be any real danger or suspense. The romances were unconvincing but all the characters were nice enough that I could feel positively about them, no tstl heroine or overwhelmingly alpha hero.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonstruck - Susan Grant
Borderlands, Book 1; SF Romance; 7/10
I like Susan Grant. Again, fun reads in a realistic but not overly complicated setting. This is the first in a new series that follows on from her last trilogy of books about the Jasper family. Those finished with an internal coup and peace after decades of war. Now the opposing sides have to learn to live together. In particular, Brit Bandar, starship commander and her second in command Finn Rokken. Both have past issues to get past as well as the fact they used to be on opposite sides. I liked Finn best as a character as he struggled to find a balance between fitting in and staying an individual (both for himself and for his crew) as well as loving Brit. I found Brit's attitudes and history a little over the top and so liked Finn's progression to love more than hers, but she was still a nice, strong character. Nice book. Keep up the good work, Susan.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. I thought the beginning was interesting and the set-up had lots of potential, but the execution just wasn't all that great. I didn't feel really confident in her world-building; I was always aware that this was a story written by someone instead of being immersed in it and feeling that these people and their world really existed. This book definitely suffered in comparison by being read at the same time as A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold. Now there is someone whose world-building is rock solid and not just a facade against which to prop her story. But to give it its due, Moonstruck was definitely hotter.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - It took awhile for this book to get interesting, I kept putting it down to read something else. But once it picked up steam, it became really good. That's why I'm giving 3.5, because it took too long.

Brit's a captain now in peace and can't handle it. She is to captain now of a ship of her old enemies and doesn't think she can get past her prejudices. Warleader Finn is just happy that he can feed his crew and get them jobs. Now they have to stop a reigniting of the war.

[Literary Lusts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted this to be a bit longer and it got a little bit silly with some romance cliches thrown in. It seemed like the ending was a bit tacked on. But in general I was really impressed with this book. It kept me pretty glued to the pages and made me want to read more by the author.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this newest offering from Grant and I'm looking forward to more in the series. Her characters are richly drawn and the story pulls the reader in.

[Connie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great start to this series !

Wow! Finn and Brit are an incredible couple/team. I enjoyed this as much as The Other Worldly Men series!You had my attention from page one.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonstruck ของซูซาน แกรนต์

แต่สำหรับแฟนโรแมนซ์หลายคน แค่อ่านบทเปิดเรื่องก็อาจจะหน้าเบกันแล้วก็ได้นะคะ (และแม็กซ์ก็บอกตามตรงนะว่า ไม่ค่อยชอบฉากเปิดเรื่องอย่างนี้นักหรอก) แต่ขอบอกได้เลยว่า ถ้าไม่อ่านหนังสือเล่มนี้เพราะฉากนี้ล่ะก้อ เป็นความน่าเสียดายของคุณเองนะ เพราะนางเอกของเรา ท่านนายพลบริต แบนดอร์กำลังใช้เวลากับชายอื่นที่ไม่ใช่พระเอกของเรื่อง เธอกำลังอยู่ระหว่างการหยุดพัก หลังจากทำสงครามมานาน แต่แล้วก็โดนเรียกตัวให้กลับไปรับคำสั่งเพื่อทำงานอีกครั้ง

หนังสือเล่มนี้โฆษณาว่าเป็นเล่มแรกในชุด The Tales of the Borderlands แต่ความจริงแล้วมันคือส่วนต่อเนื่องมาจากชุด Otherworldly Men ที่เล่าเรื่องของการบุกโลกของมนุษย์ต่างดาว แล้วเหล่าพี่น้องตระกูลแจสเปอร์ช่วยกันพิทักษ์โลกไว้ได้สำเร็จ แต่ก็ไม่จำเป็นหรอกนะคะว่าต้องอ่านชุด OM มาก่อนถึงจะอ่านเรื่องนี้รู้เรื่อง เพราะภูมิหลังที่สำคัญที่นำทางจนมาถึงเล่มนี้ก็เล่าไว้ครบถ้วนในเล่มนี้ดี

แต่เพื่อเตือนความทรงจำ แม็กซ์ขอท้าวความย้อนหลังเองแล้วกัน

ในชุด OM โลกมนุษย์ได้รับการติดต่อจากต่างดาวซึ่งมีแผนการจะนำโลกเข้าไปเป็นส่วนหนึ่ง ของฝ่ายพันธมิตร (ที่ไม่ได้ชุมนุมอยู่ที่ทำเนียบรัฐบาลนะคะ) แต่การเป็นส่วนหนึ่งหมายถึงมนุษย์โลกจะต้องกลายเป็นผู้อพยพ เป็นพลเมืองชั้นสองในสังคมของเหล่าพันธมิตรอันยิ่งใหญ่ และนั่นไม่ใช่สิ่งที่มนุษย์เราต้องการ หนึ่งในทหารของฝ่ายพันธมิตรที่เมื่อหลายสิบปีก่อนตกหลุมรักเด็กน้อยชาวโลก ตัดสินใจทิ้งทุกอย่างไม่ว่าจะเป็นชื่อเสียงหรือเกียรติยศเดินทางมายังโลก เพื่อเตือนให้โลกรับรู้ถึงภัยคุกคามอันนี้ และในที่สุดก็ด้วยแผนการอันแยบยลก็หลอกฝ่ายพันธมิตรได้สำเร็จว่า โลกเรามีกองทัพกันน่าเกรงขาม (พล็อตนี้อยู่ใน Your plantnet or mine)

แต่เพราะฝ่ายพันธมิตรเกรงกลัวมนุษย์โลก (เพราะโดนหลอกสำเร็จ) ราชินีซึ่งเป็นผู้นำสูงสุดของฝ่ายพันธมิตรจึงต้องการได้ฝ่ายโลกเป็นพวก ก่อนที่โลกจะหันไปเป็นพวกเดียวกับเดรคเค่น อันเป็นศัตรูสูงสุดของฝ่ายพันธมิตร เธอจึงเจรจาจนได้สามีชาวโลกมาเป็นตัวประกัน (และนี่เป็นพล็อตของเล่มสองเรื่อง My Favorite Earthling) ผลสรุปของเล่มนี้ก็คือ การยุติสงครามระหว่างฝ่ายพันธมิตร และเดรคเค่นอันมีมานาน เมื่อราชินีฆ่าผู้นำสูงสุดของเดรคเกอร์ได้สำเร็จ

ฝ่ายเดรคเค่นซึ่งเป็นตัวร้ายใหญ่ในเรื่องชุด OM ก็ถึงกาลอวสาร จนกระทั่งมาถึงชุดนี้ The Tales of the Borderlands ที่เล่าถึงเหตุการณ์ภายหลังฝ่ายเดรคเค่นยอมแพ้

พันธมิตรสามฝ่ายเกิดขึ้น มันเป็นการรวมตัวกันระหว่างฝ่ายพันธมิตร ชาวโลก และฝ่ายเดรคเค่นผู้แพ้สงคราม และเพื่อเป็นการแสดงให้เห็นว่า ทั้งหมดได้รวมกันเป็นหนึ่งแล้ว ยานยูนิตี้จึงเกิดขึ้น นึกถึงคอนเซ็ปต์ของยานเอ็นเตอร์ไพร์ส (ในสตาร์เทร็ค) ที่มีผู้การเรือคือนายพลหญิงบริต แบนดอร์ซึ่งเป็นนักรบผู้ยิ่งใหญ่และเก่งกาจของฝ่ายพันธมิตร เธอมีอดีตอันเจ็บปวดจากการฆ่าล้างเผ่าพันธุ์ของพวกเดรคเค่น

การมารับตำแหน่งผู้การเรือยูนิตี้ของเธอ แม้จะเป็นการเลื่อนระดับเพราะเรือลำนี้ใหญ่และดีกว่ายานอวกาศลำเดิมของเธอ แต่เธอก็ต้องยอมรับเอาชาวเดรคเค่นที่เธอรังเกียจเข้ามาเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของลูก เรือ และหนึ่งในนั้นคือรองผู้การฟิน ร็อคเค่น ซึ่งเคยเป็นศัตรูตัวสำคัญที่เธอตามล่า และเขาก็หนีรอดไปได้หลายต่อหลายครั้ง

หนังสือเรื่องนี้อาจจะออกแนวสตาร์เทร็คนะคะ แต่เนื้อเรื่องไม่ได้เน้นไปที่ความน่าตื่นเต้น หรือการต่อสู้กลางอวกาศ แต่หัวใจหลักของเรื่องนี้ก็คือ การยอมรับความแตกต่าง ละทิ้งความลำเอียง และการเริ่มต้นใหม่

ฟินเป็นตัวละครที่แม็กซ์กรี๊ดให้เต็ม ๆ เขาเป็นทหารของฝ่ายแพ้ และต้องยอมรับทำงานให้กับผู้ชนะเพื่อสวัสดิภาพของลูกเรือของเขา เขาต้องอยู่ใต้อำนาจบังคับบัญชาของผู้หญิง ของคนที่เคยเป็นศัตรู และเธอรังเกียจคนในชาติเขาอย่างมาก และแม้เมื่อเธอแพ้ใจตัวเองยอมมีความสัมพันธ์กับเขาแล้ว ฉากนอกเขาก็ยังเป็นได้แค่รองผู้การชาวเดรคเค่นที่ไม่น่าไว้ใจ

ทั้งหมดที่ฟินต้องเผชิญ แต่เขาไม่สูญเสียความเป็นตัวเอง ไม่สูญเสียอารมณ์ขันและการมองโลกในแง่ดี และแม็กซ์ชอบทัศนคติของเขามาก ๆ ตอนที่เขาคิดถึงบริต แม้ในยามที่เธอไม่มีเหตุผลเอาเสียเลย เขาบอกกับตัวเองว่า "เมื่อได้ของดีมาอยู่ในมือ เขาก็ไม่มีวันยอมปล่อยเธอไป" และในความคิดของฟิน บริตคือของดีที่เขาต้องทำทุกอย่างเพื่อเก็บเธอให้อยู่ในชีวิตของเขา

แล้วก็มาถึงบริต เธอเป็นตัวละครที่มีอดีตอันเจ็บปวด และนั่นเป็นข้ออ้างที่ใช้ได้ในความเลือดเย็นที่เธอมีต่อฟิน เพราะในท้ายที่สุด ในเวลาสำคัญที่สุด เธออยู่ข้างเขา

ตัวละครรองในเรื่องก็น่าอ่านค่ะ แม้ว่าจะไม่มีใครโดดเด่นขนาดเก็งได้ว่า น่าจะกลายเป็นพระเอกหรือนางเอกในเล่มหน้า แต่แต่ละคนก็มีแง่มุมที่น่าสนใจพอกัน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นฝั่งมนุษย์โลกที่เอาวัฒนธรรมแปลก ๆ ไปเผยแพร่ให้ชาวต่างดาว หรือเหล่าเดรคเค่นที่มีอดีตที่น่าสนใจ

โดยรวมเล่มนี้เป็นอีกเล่มที่ถูกใจแม็กซ��ค่ะ คะแนนที่ 80