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The Tellaran #4
The Princess
Jehan might have been born Az-kye but growing up in exile as the son of a disgraced warrior has left him with nothing but contempt for his own kind. Caught in a storm at the edge of Tellaran space he answers a distress call barely in time to save the ship’s sole survivor—an Az-kye slave girl, Liri. Though living in the Badlands has taught Jehan not to care about anyone but himself, he soon finds that rescuing this lovely creature is turning into a habit. But the woman who calls herself Liri isn’t who she says she is and loving her just might get him killed . . .
374 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Ariel MacArran
8 books113 followersAriel MacArran has had a lifelong love of books, stories and writing. Nothing makes her happier than the opportunity to give back some of the magic of being swept up into a story that other writers have given her.
Note From Author:
I love Romance, Sci-fi, Histories and Paranormal and I have always been a voracious reader. I love being caught up in world building, whether it’s the past or a whole other galaxy.
Note From Author:
I love Romance, Sci-fi, Histories and Paranormal and I have always been a voracious reader. I love being caught up in world building, whether it’s the past or a whole other galaxy.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2016
Ariel MacArran has penned her best hero to date in the richly nuanced Az-Kye world she created in this adventurous science fiction romance series. Pirate captain Jehan Dekra is gutsy, impulsive, mercenary and true. In the thrilling, opening sequence of the book he rescues the beautiful Liri, a high-born Az-Kye woman who he believes has become a slave due to her family falling into disgrace on the Imperial home world. The fact that she is oppressed and is enduring a fate his own family narrowly avoided means instant attraction. That Liri is also smart, adept and surprisingly cool under pressure just puts his libido into overdrive. The personality of the main characters bleeds through the movement and dialogue of their first interaction.
'I will not be party to this dishonorable act!'....The blaster was gripped so tightly in her hand her knuckles were white. "You will take me to your shuttle immediately.".....
'Here, your hand's shaking.' Jehan leaned his forehead down to press it against the barrel. 'And I'd hate for you to miss.'
The intrigue in this book is off the charts. It is unclear who can be trusted. The machinations are downright Machiavellian, and scenes are filled with adrenaline.
"The two most dangerous places to be are sitting on the throne and standing next to it."
"The Princess" will satisfy readers who like action-adventure, suspense, and romance. It is hard to talk about how good these sequences are without giving away plot, so I won't. Suffice it to say that there are multiple bad guys, double-crossing is rampant, and Jehan might be the smartest strategist I have ever encountered in a SFR book. My two favorite scenes were the beginning and the magnificent, rousing ending, but then there is the middle, too.....
Is Jehan worthy of this "Princess"? Absolutely, despite his crass, relaxed demeanor and his penchant for self-interest. What becomes rapidly clear is that the only true person in the whole book is Jehan. What he does when all the fates are against him is amazing and just what you want to see happen. I was a one-woman cheering section for this guy.
Jehan and Liri visit multiple worlds and cities, plus they encounter villains and sympathetic characters along the way. In particular, I liked Jehan's trusted crew members. MacArran's skill is such that it is very easy to follow all the characters and the complex plot. This is a real achievement given that action in this book takes place simultaneously to another book in the series, The Consort. While it is not necessary to read that book, the richness and complexity of the Az-Kye world will be more fully realized if you pick up that book. In fact, read Stardancer first to really get immersed in the matriarchy that meshes the clans of Az-Kye. If you don't read them first, I guarantee you will want to pick them up after you finish "The Princess."
In terms of SFR, MacArran has focused on creating an alternative galaxy and society rather than the gadgets of science fiction. In fact, the Az-Kye are an ancient race steeped in ancient ways. They have technology, but shun it in many aspects of their society. Larger themes abound related to the inherent conflict of a deeply traditional society that must embrace change to survive. That change will come in different ways: assimilation from other worlds, weaponization, young vs. old, intolerance, progressiveness, and more. MacArran does a good job of representing societal change and discord that trouble our world's past and present in a pretend society in a universe far, far away. She does all of this while wrapping it in a sensuous love story with two honorable, compelling, yet imperfect lead characters.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
'I will not be party to this dishonorable act!'....The blaster was gripped so tightly in her hand her knuckles were white. "You will take me to your shuttle immediately.".....
'Here, your hand's shaking.' Jehan leaned his forehead down to press it against the barrel. 'And I'd hate for you to miss.'
The intrigue in this book is off the charts. It is unclear who can be trusted. The machinations are downright Machiavellian, and scenes are filled with adrenaline.
"The two most dangerous places to be are sitting on the throne and standing next to it."
"The Princess" will satisfy readers who like action-adventure, suspense, and romance. It is hard to talk about how good these sequences are without giving away plot, so I won't. Suffice it to say that there are multiple bad guys, double-crossing is rampant, and Jehan might be the smartest strategist I have ever encountered in a SFR book. My two favorite scenes were the beginning and the magnificent, rousing ending, but then there is the middle, too.....
Is Jehan worthy of this "Princess"? Absolutely, despite his crass, relaxed demeanor and his penchant for self-interest. What becomes rapidly clear is that the only true person in the whole book is Jehan. What he does when all the fates are against him is amazing and just what you want to see happen. I was a one-woman cheering section for this guy.
Jehan and Liri visit multiple worlds and cities, plus they encounter villains and sympathetic characters along the way. In particular, I liked Jehan's trusted crew members. MacArran's skill is such that it is very easy to follow all the characters and the complex plot. This is a real achievement given that action in this book takes place simultaneously to another book in the series, The Consort. While it is not necessary to read that book, the richness and complexity of the Az-Kye world will be more fully realized if you pick up that book. In fact, read Stardancer first to really get immersed in the matriarchy that meshes the clans of Az-Kye. If you don't read them first, I guarantee you will want to pick them up after you finish "The Princess."
In terms of SFR, MacArran has focused on creating an alternative galaxy and society rather than the gadgets of science fiction. In fact, the Az-Kye are an ancient race steeped in ancient ways. They have technology, but shun it in many aspects of their society. Larger themes abound related to the inherent conflict of a deeply traditional society that must embrace change to survive. That change will come in different ways: assimilation from other worlds, weaponization, young vs. old, intolerance, progressiveness, and more. MacArran does a good job of representing societal change and discord that trouble our world's past and present in a pretend society in a universe far, far away. She does all of this while wrapping it in a sensuous love story with two honorable, compelling, yet imperfect lead characters.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
June 5, 2016
The fourth book in the Tellaran series by Ariel MacArran. Her faithful guards are killed by traitors and her ship is being torn apart in a plasma storm, Imperior Daughter Saria, Heiress of the Az-kye Empire knows her end is near. But then a savior appears in the form of a Pirate Captain. Jehan Dekra boards the doomed ship looking for a payday. He finds the only survivor, Liri, an Az-kye slave. Liri knows she is safer keeping her identity a secret from the pirates but she must find a way back to her home planet to get revenge.
The series is connected mainly by characters but to understand fully what is happening I would recommend reading the series in order. It is an excellent addition to the series. I really like how the author did not make cookie cutter characters in the series. Each individual was unique and had their own personality and quirks. I highly recommend this book and the series to Sci-fi Romance fans and Romance fans in general.
Yes, I was given this book free by the author for an honest review but I have to admit I would have bought it to read anyway.
The series is connected mainly by characters but to understand fully what is happening I would recommend reading the series in order. It is an excellent addition to the series. I really like how the author did not make cookie cutter characters in the series. Each individual was unique and had their own personality and quirks. I highly recommend this book and the series to Sci-fi Romance fans and Romance fans in general.
Yes, I was given this book free by the author for an honest review but I have to admit I would have bought it to read anyway.
June 2, 2016
I had the pleasure of reading this novel in manuscript form, and as always with Ariel MacArran's stories, it sucked me right in. This book has the clever dialogue and complex character development I've come to expect from MacArran's writing, plus the continued development of the Tellaran world and the exploration of the larger theme of what it means to be loved for who you are (rather than for one's position, title, wealth, or lack thereof). This isn't *just* a romance novel either. Like all the Tellaran novels, there's political intrigue at the heart of this story, and the villain Helock and his Brethren made me cringe--serious creep alert! It's so much fun to watch how Liri and Jehan overcome all the obstacles MacArran throws at them. Jehan was my favorite character in this story, and not only because he reminded me of Han Solo, though truly-- need I say more? While you can certainly read this as a standalone novel, it is so much more fun if you've read The Consort (the previous book in the series) first.
June 14, 2017
The Princess by Ariel MacArran was wonderful. It's mostly science fiction romance with plenty of action thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed it. Liri was my favorite character and I loved her backstory. Now, I have to read the rest of the series. lol! Highly recommend!
My Rating: 4.5 stars
My Rating: 4.5 stars
June 14, 2016
Loved it
Such a sweet book. Absolutely loved it the storyline was fast paced and exciting. The character's were engaging. I loved the whole thing. Jehan was just the sweetest guy!! Although it's sci fi romance I found it more sci fi mixed with fantasy. Or historical fiction. It was fab anyways good length too
Such a sweet book. Absolutely loved it the storyline was fast paced and exciting. The character's were engaging. I loved the whole thing. Jehan was just the sweetest guy!! Although it's sci fi romance I found it more sci fi mixed with fantasy. Or historical fiction. It was fab anyways good length too
d-n-f
September 27, 2020I made it a few lines into chapter 3 before I abandoned ship. It hits a bunch of my triggers on nasty little character traits of the heroine. She's super xenophobic, self-righteous, and entitled. She's all "I can't wear that, I'd rather be murdered in my royal finery than escape in slave clothes." Those are supposed to be the traits of the villain, not the heroine.
My problem is that the author frontloaded all these awful things in chapter one, so that we know the heroine's a bitch. Then in chapter two, the hero shows up and there isn't much endearing about him either. But most of the chapter is also this bitch being a bitch. So the first two chapters are just showcasing how much of a fucking bitch this lady is and now I don't care enough about the princess to want to read her story.
I kept reading because I wanted to know how they were going to get out of the ship and hopefully learn more about the hero. But I couldn't go on when she pulls a gun on her savior and imperiously demands he do her bidding. Two chapters of her being a racist idiot bitch and now she's gonna be an insane racist idiot bitch? Nope.
I hope she gets sucked out of the ship and into a plasma storm before being flung to the planet surface like a meteoric rag doll. Fuck her.
My problem is that the author frontloaded all these awful things in chapter one, so that we know the heroine's a bitch. Then in chapter two, the hero shows up and there isn't much endearing about him either. But most of the chapter is also this bitch being a bitch. So the first two chapters are just showcasing how much of a fucking bitch this lady is and now I don't care enough about the princess to want to read her story.
I kept reading because I wanted to know how they were going to get out of the ship and hopefully learn more about the hero. But I couldn't go on when she pulls a gun on her savior and imperiously demands he do her bidding. Two chapters of her being a racist idiot bitch and now she's gonna be an insane racist idiot bitch? Nope.
I hope she gets sucked out of the ship and into a plasma storm before being flung to the planet surface like a meteoric rag doll. Fuck her.
April 26, 2024
Having just finished this series, I can't believe I hadn't heard of Ms.. MacArran before now. How did I never hear of these excellent books? And, how are the numbers nor higher? I mean the numbers of people who marked it as 'read', and the actual ratings. Here is a great series of 4 very well written novels, all set in the world of the Telleran and Az-Kai peoples. Intrigue, action, mystery, adventure and romance! In space! And the final bit of unbelievability- they're on Kindle Unlimited. Highly recommend! Happy reading!!
January 29, 2018
I liked it
I liked the conclusion of this series. It took me a while to read the final book. It's a good thing I wasn't turned off by the first book. I might not have read the others. This one definitely ended with a happy ending. I like how nights with swords were blended with space. My favorite combination.
I liked the conclusion of this series. It took me a while to read the final book. It's a good thing I wasn't turned off by the first book. I might not have read the others. This one definitely ended with a happy ending. I like how nights with swords were blended with space. My favorite combination.
November 19, 2016
As a fan of this series, I had to read The Princess, book 4 in Ariel MacArran’s Telleran series. I just had to. You see, book 3, The Consort, kind of sets you up for the events in book 4. And I liked book 3 so…..
Having said that, I must also tell you that both books do stand alone. Reading one or the other is fine. But if you think you might read both, start with book 3.
For me, the universe of the Telleran series is the draw. The Az-kye homeworld and its complex but ancient society are the backdrop for the political events leading up to and encompassing the story in The Princess. Steeped in history and tradition, the caste-based society is ripe for conflict and maybe even a bit of upset. The interesting thing is, most of the action of The Princess does not even occur on the Az-kye world, but that culture is diffused throughout the story.
During an attack on Princess Saria’s ship, Jehan Dekra boards, with rescue in mind. Not rescue of people. No, Jehan is a pirate and is determined to “rescue” the valuable ship’s crystals. On the way to engineering, Jehan runs into Saria, now in servant’s clothing. Maintaining the servant ruse and renamed Liri, the princess convinces Jehan to take her with him. And so the adventure begins.
Most of the action takes place on the Telleran world of Halea. A world ruled by a corrupt government, Halea is the home of Tellerans and a few Azk-Kye, pirates and criminals. The criminal organization, the Brethren, is run by the ruthless Helock. The Brethren are not above betrayal in order to move up in the organization, encouraged as they are by Helock. Jehan has a tenuous business arrangement with Helock, but circumstances force him into a more permanent association with the Brethren. Which leads to Jehan and Liri being surrounded by people they can never trust. The dilemma lends an edginess to the story. It feels like any situation could erupt into something violent, or unexpected and most certainly, undesirable.
When I read The Consort, I noticed a particularly Star Trek-like scene. In The Princess, Star Trek returns. Though in a bit of a reverse scenario. Helock has modeled the Brethren organization after the Az-kye government. This criminal organization modeled after a government reminded me of the Star Trek episode A Piece of the Action, in which a government is modeled after 1920’s gangsters. The overall theory is “fascinating” (to quote Mr. Spock) – the fact that criminal organizations and government are not really all that different and have the potential to blur if the line between them is not solid enough.
The Princess is not just action. It is also a romance. The situation on Halea brings Jehan and Lira closer together. All the while Lira maintains her facade, telling herself that this relationship with Jehan cannot be anything but temporary. But, romance will prove her wrong. The question is, just how can a space pirate and an Az-kye princess ever be anything but ships passing in the dark of space. Jehan will go to personal great lengths to prove to Lira/Saria that he is the one for The Princess. I loved the romance part of this book!
When you add the romance to the politics, action and spaceships, you get a SciFi Romance that any reader of this genre could enjoy. I think the entire Telleran series is great, so I recommend you read them all. Any of them could be read as a standalone though, including The Princess.
The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having said that, I must also tell you that both books do stand alone. Reading one or the other is fine. But if you think you might read both, start with book 3.
For me, the universe of the Telleran series is the draw. The Az-kye homeworld and its complex but ancient society are the backdrop for the political events leading up to and encompassing the story in The Princess. Steeped in history and tradition, the caste-based society is ripe for conflict and maybe even a bit of upset. The interesting thing is, most of the action of The Princess does not even occur on the Az-kye world, but that culture is diffused throughout the story.
During an attack on Princess Saria’s ship, Jehan Dekra boards, with rescue in mind. Not rescue of people. No, Jehan is a pirate and is determined to “rescue” the valuable ship’s crystals. On the way to engineering, Jehan runs into Saria, now in servant’s clothing. Maintaining the servant ruse and renamed Liri, the princess convinces Jehan to take her with him. And so the adventure begins.
Most of the action takes place on the Telleran world of Halea. A world ruled by a corrupt government, Halea is the home of Tellerans and a few Azk-Kye, pirates and criminals. The criminal organization, the Brethren, is run by the ruthless Helock. The Brethren are not above betrayal in order to move up in the organization, encouraged as they are by Helock. Jehan has a tenuous business arrangement with Helock, but circumstances force him into a more permanent association with the Brethren. Which leads to Jehan and Liri being surrounded by people they can never trust. The dilemma lends an edginess to the story. It feels like any situation could erupt into something violent, or unexpected and most certainly, undesirable.
When I read The Consort, I noticed a particularly Star Trek-like scene. In The Princess, Star Trek returns. Though in a bit of a reverse scenario. Helock has modeled the Brethren organization after the Az-kye government. This criminal organization modeled after a government reminded me of the Star Trek episode A Piece of the Action, in which a government is modeled after 1920’s gangsters. The overall theory is “fascinating” (to quote Mr. Spock) – the fact that criminal organizations and government are not really all that different and have the potential to blur if the line between them is not solid enough.
The Princess is not just action. It is also a romance. The situation on Halea brings Jehan and Lira closer together. All the while Lira maintains her facade, telling herself that this relationship with Jehan cannot be anything but temporary. But, romance will prove her wrong. The question is, just how can a space pirate and an Az-kye princess ever be anything but ships passing in the dark of space. Jehan will go to personal great lengths to prove to Lira/Saria that he is the one for The Princess. I loved the romance part of this book!
When you add the romance to the politics, action and spaceships, you get a SciFi Romance that any reader of this genre could enjoy. I think the entire Telleran series is great, so I recommend you read them all. Any of them could be read as a standalone though, including The Princess.
The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2016
Ariel MacArran's "The Princess" is a Telleran novel. I loved it! Couldn't put it down. 3 parts Star Trek, 1 part Gladiator, 1 part Sommersby! The characters are amazing and very deep. This story pits its leads against the leads of "The Consort." Once again, the sexy times are super hawt! I *really* need to read "The Seer."
July 6, 2016
I liked it.
Date finished is approximate.
Date finished is approximate.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews