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Cortii #3
Elemental Affinity
The Cortii are mercenaries, for hire to anyone who can afford their services. Every government uses them; no single government can destroy them.
A newly discovered world. An opportunity for the Cortiian rebels. And a mission for Wildcat Cortia...
The Federated Planets Alliance scouts have discovered a new human civilisation; a civilisation not suited to their usual contact protocol. They want a Cortiian to test the waters, and the rebel faction has a very specific commander in mind for the mission – Ilan of Wildcat.
To Ilan, the orders are a convenient pretext. To an ancient feudal culture about to join an intergalactic civilisation, the leaping wildcat and a rider all in black are symbols long foretold - heralding cataclysmic change.
A newly discovered world. An opportunity for the Cortiian rebels. And a mission for Wildcat Cortia...
The Federated Planets Alliance scouts have discovered a new human civilisation; a civilisation not suited to their usual contact protocol. They want a Cortiian to test the waters, and the rebel faction has a very specific commander in mind for the mission – Ilan of Wildcat.
To Ilan, the orders are a convenient pretext. To an ancient feudal culture about to join an intergalactic civilisation, the leaping wildcat and a rider all in black are symbols long foretold - heralding cataclysmic change.
302 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2016
8 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Steel
7 books188 followersBorn in Gibraltar and raised on a yacht around the coasts of the Atlantic, I’m an author, martial artist and introvert. In between the necessary making of money to allow the writing of more books, I can usually be found halfway to the further galaxy.
Science-fiction and urban fantasy are my favourite genres. I grew up on a rich diet of Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, Dorothy Dunnett, and Jack Higgins; I can't point the finger at any one book or author that set me in my current direction, but I'd blame my bent for characters with an inclination to drastically practical solutions on some mix of those. If I can mess with peoples' heads by tossing in a bit of gender- and genre-bending, so much the better. Status quo is boring.
I hope you enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoyed writing them. Grab a freebie!
Come and meet me at my other online hangouts:
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Science-fiction and urban fantasy are my favourite genres. I grew up on a rich diet of Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, Dorothy Dunnett, and Jack Higgins; I can't point the finger at any one book or author that set me in my current direction, but I'd blame my bent for characters with an inclination to drastically practical solutions on some mix of those. If I can mess with peoples' heads by tossing in a bit of gender- and genre-bending, so much the better. Status quo is boring.
I hope you enjoy reading the books half as much as I enjoyed writing them. Grab a freebie!
Come and meet me at my other online hangouts:
Amazon Author page
Independent Author Network
iAuthor
Google+
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 13, 2017
All reviews posted originally on the blog: http://www.knockinbooks.com/reviews
I’ve already admitted to y’all that despite my love of sci fi movies, I’m not a sci fi reader. I generally find the world building in sci fi novels to be more than my short attention span can handle. I prefer more straightforward reads that don’t require 100% of my brainpower to follow. But I made an exception to my normal rules for book 1 in this series, Through the Hostage, and while it didn’t completely convert me into a sci fi reader, it certainly opened my mind to the possibility. And just like book 1, Fighting Shadows and Elemental Affinity didn’t let me down.
The writing mechanics are solid, the world-building is intricate without being overwhelming, and the plot is plenty twisty, but not SO twisty that I couldn’t keep up...blah, blah, blah. All of that is true and contributes to this being a great series, but it’s not what kept me coming back for more.
Khyria is the real star of these books. She’s endlessly fascinating, equal parts tough and vulnerable. She’s relatable, yet still manages to be a character you can look up to. It was a joy to watch her grow and change through the second and third books in the series. The fact that she’s a badass merc and never the damsel in distress just adds to her appeal.
"Modesty is like arsenic: safe only in small doses."
"Mercenaries are a danger to the established rulers. Good mercenaries are more dangerous."
Long-story-short, sequels are hard to get right. It’s even harder to keep a series going strong after the first two books. There’s TONS of proof of that available for sale on Amazon right now. (I’m looking at you, Laurell K Hamilton). But this is a series that proves it CAN be done. This is a series even non-sci-fi fans can enjoy.
Full disclosure: we received ARCs from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve already admitted to y’all that despite my love of sci fi movies, I’m not a sci fi reader. I generally find the world building in sci fi novels to be more than my short attention span can handle. I prefer more straightforward reads that don’t require 100% of my brainpower to follow. But I made an exception to my normal rules for book 1 in this series, Through the Hostage, and while it didn’t completely convert me into a sci fi reader, it certainly opened my mind to the possibility. And just like book 1, Fighting Shadows and Elemental Affinity didn’t let me down.
The writing mechanics are solid, the world-building is intricate without being overwhelming, and the plot is plenty twisty, but not SO twisty that I couldn’t keep up...blah, blah, blah. All of that is true and contributes to this being a great series, but it’s not what kept me coming back for more.
Khyria is the real star of these books. She’s endlessly fascinating, equal parts tough and vulnerable. She’s relatable, yet still manages to be a character you can look up to. It was a joy to watch her grow and change through the second and third books in the series. The fact that she’s a badass merc and never the damsel in distress just adds to her appeal.
"Modesty is like arsenic: safe only in small doses."
"Mercenaries are a danger to the established rulers. Good mercenaries are more dangerous."
Long-story-short, sequels are hard to get right. It’s even harder to keep a series going strong after the first two books. There’s TONS of proof of that available for sale on Amazon right now. (I’m looking at you, Laurell K Hamilton). But this is a series that proves it CAN be done. This is a series even non-sci-fi fans can enjoy.
Full disclosure: we received ARCs from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2016
3.5 stars
I found this book to be better than both the prequels. The story and writing was much clearer. The bond between Khyria and Anst was interesting to read about and then there's this whole new world that the Wildcat Cortia have been sent to explore.
It was pretty intriguing to read about that new world, it's culture and Khyria saving Cahan again and again.
He's a real damsel :D But I connected with the Khyria's character a little more because of his book. Maybe it was her bond but it made her seem more vulnerable.
Fav Quote :
I talked about all the good stuff, so why did I not give it 4 or 5 stars? Because even with everything, I didn't find this book to be completely mind-blowing. It was enjoyable but that's it. Pretty Mediocre.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be better than both the prequels. The story and writing was much clearer. The bond between Khyria and Anst was interesting to read about and then there's this whole new world that the Wildcat Cortia have been sent to explore.
It was pretty intriguing to read about that new world, it's culture and Khyria saving Cahan again and again.
He's a real damsel :D But I connected with the Khyria's character a little more because of his book. Maybe it was her bond but it made her seem more vulnerable.
Fav Quote :
"Mercenaries are a danger to the established rulers. Good Mercenaries are the more dangerous.
I talked about all the good stuff, so why did I not give it 4 or 5 stars? Because even with everything, I didn't find this book to be completely mind-blowing. It was enjoyable but that's it. Pretty Mediocre.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2017
This book was exciting with a new world to explore. I enjoy the bond between Khyria and Anst. The Cortii are mercenaries for hire to anyone. I think this is an exciting part of the series. I also enjoyed the action in this book. For me, I could have used more action, but this is just my opinion. * I received this book from the author---this is my honest review*
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May 22, 2022Khyria expects the biggest challenge on her new assignment to be diplomacy - not a leap of faith.
5 stars, Knockin' Books: 'The writing mechanics are solid, the world-building is intricate without being overwhelming, and the plot is plenty twisty, but not SO twisty that I couldn’t keep up...'
Get yours:
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5 stars, Knockin' Books: 'The writing mechanics are solid, the world-building is intricate without being overwhelming, and the plot is plenty twisty, but not SO twisty that I couldn’t keep up...'
Get yours:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
iTunes
Kobo
April 12, 2021
With Elemental Affinity, book 3 of the Cortii Series, we see Cortiora Khyria Ilan thrown again into a lone adventure. An alien world with a sort of medieval society and level of technology welcomes her as Envoy of the Federated Planets Alliance. From her first meeting with the Lord Warleader I’d the Golden Valleys, Cahan, she perceives his powers, only to find out that the only people with powers in the population belong to the ruling class. Her task is to meet with the religious leaders of the planet, the so-called Elemental Order. Will she be able to, despite Cahan’s ostracism? What will she find out if and when that happens?
C. S. Steel takes us again into an alien world, this time with a lovely—to me—medieval taste, in an action-packed adventure where the Cortiora can’t use her technology to accomplish her mission. This book takes the reader a step forward to understand her secrets through court intrigues and politics.
C. S. Steel takes us again into an alien world, this time with a lovely—to me—medieval taste, in an action-packed adventure where the Cortiora can’t use her technology to accomplish her mission. This book takes the reader a step forward to understand her secrets through court intrigues and politics.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews