What do you think?
Rate this book
The Liftsal Guardians #1
The Liftsal Guardians
A world of frost and snow. A prince with a heart of ice. A darkness lurking in the shadows, so evil it may destroy them all.
Eighteen-year-old Sloane has spent years training to be lethal. She can cut a man down as easily with her bare hands as she can with a sword. But when her brother goes missing on the green planet, Aeris, she will need more than her skills with a blade to save him.
Sneaking aboard the rescue mission may be easy for her, but the woods of Aeris aren’t as empty as her people first assumed. Sloane is about to meet her match, and he’s not exactly human…
Kidnapped and dragged to a mysterious frozen world, Sloane must gain her captor’s trust if she wants to escape. The only problem is: she didn’t plan to care for the strange people who live there. She didn’t expect the smoldering attraction she feels for the man who keeps her prisoner in the snow. And she never imagined the dark creatures that haunt the foreign world could hold the answers she is looking for.
Eighteen-year-old Sloane has spent years training to be lethal. She can cut a man down as easily with her bare hands as she can with a sword. But when her brother goes missing on the green planet, Aeris, she will need more than her skills with a blade to save him.
Sneaking aboard the rescue mission may be easy for her, but the woods of Aeris aren’t as empty as her people first assumed. Sloane is about to meet her match, and he’s not exactly human…
Kidnapped and dragged to a mysterious frozen world, Sloane must gain her captor’s trust if she wants to escape. The only problem is: she didn’t plan to care for the strange people who live there. She didn’t expect the smoldering attraction she feels for the man who keeps her prisoner in the snow. And she never imagined the dark creatures that haunt the foreign world could hold the answers she is looking for.
270 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2016
685 people are currently reading
1568 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Moody
28 books2,649 followersAlexandra Moody is an Australian author who writes romance novels for young adults. She lives in Adelaide with her husband, three children and naughty dog. When she’s not busy writing, you’ll find her reading or spending time with her family. She loves to travel, is addicted to caffeine and has a love/hate relationship with the gym.
For more information, visit: www.alexandramoody.com
or follow Alexandra on Instagram or TikTok: @amoodyauthor
For more information, visit: www.alexandramoody.com
or follow Alexandra on Instagram or TikTok: @amoodyauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 8, 2018
The first in a series, Australian writer, Alexandra Moody has done a great job with her world building, well she actually builds two worlds. Set in a future in which the earth is overpopulated and another world war has broken out, Sloane is onboard a spaceship tasked with finding a new planet to colonize. As the book opens her brother Ash, part of the first team sent down to the green planet, has disappeared. And Sloane sneaks into the rescue mission craft as she feels no one is capable of finding her brother. Headstrong and stubborn Sloane has spent years training to be lethal and she can cut a man down as easily with her bare hands as she can with a sword. Things go wrong though and the rescue mission crashes – people die and get injured and Sloane is ostracized by the rest of the team. At this point things go from bad to worse and she is kidnapped by an alien, Rhyn, and taken to another planet – one in permanent winter. Now it looks like she has finally met her match – and she certainly is out of her depth. The rest of the book deals with her time on the mysterious frozen world as she gradually learns what is going on.
A very fast-paced story that doesn’t let you put it down – mostly told from Sloane’s POV. I will certainly chase up the next couple of books.
A very fast-paced story that doesn’t let you put it down – mostly told from Sloane’s POV. I will certainly chase up the next couple of books.
May 15, 2018
3,75*
November 19, 2016
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
This was very intriguing book and I enjoyed every moment in it. I'm a great fan of sci-fi dystopian books with strong heroines and when I first read the blurb of this book, I was quite captivated and I knew I had to read this book ASAP. I found this book surprisingly good in everything, I loved the concept, the characters and the setting. This was my first book from Alexandra Moody and I was very much impressed with her creativity and story building skills. It's a great start for a new series and I can't wait to read more of it.
Eighteen Year Old Sloane has spent years in training to become lethal and strong. She's a top skilled fighter in her academy. When her brother Ash and his crew goes missing in a green planet called Aeris, a rescue team was prepared to retrieve them. Sloane has a great tracking skills but she gets rejected to go along with them due to her overprotective father who is also a captain. But somehow she sneaks into the rescue pod by disguising herself as one of the rescue team member and finally arrives into the Planet Aeris. Sloane and her people thought that no life exists in the planet Aeris, she was proved wrong when she encounters a beautiful stranger who captures her and drags her into his mysterious world which is filled with ice and snow. To escape, she needs to earn her captor's trust, who is cold and rude towards her. As her stay in this strange land extends, she eventually warms up to their people and also to her attractive captor. But when a dangerous threat called braky's surfaces, Sloane needs to escape from there and warn her people before it's too late.
I loved Sloane even though sometimes she seemed a bit overconfident and selfish. She is quite stubborn, fiesty and tough character. Although she is strong, she isn't perfect either. She also has some flaws and vulnerabilities that makes her real. Her love for her siblings is totally admirable and she's very protective of her sister Rowena. Rhyn is a captivating character. His hot and cold personality definitely intrigued me and not to forget his good looks. I loved the relationship between Sloane and Rhyn. I really enjoyed the first time they met where they physically fought each other. I loved how their relationship slowly developed and it's definitely not a Stockholm syndrome kind of romance. with each time they met, they grew closer and started trusting each other. They haven't confessed their feelings yet but they knew they are attracted to each other. So, I really can't wait to know how their relationship progresses further. I also liked the supporting characters Emha and Kai. Emha is a brave girl who befriends Sloane and I liked their friendship. Kai is Rhyn's older brother. He seemed a bit odd at first but later he turned out to be very friendly. Rhyn's mother Orelle is another character that I liked, she is very sweet and caring.
The plot is unique and very interesting. It's a fast paced story which was engaging from the start and It was so captivating that I couldn't stop turning the pages. I immensely enjoyed the fighting with the dark creatures named Braky's. Seriously, It's a perfect package of entertainment with right amount of action, intrigue and mystery. I liked the writing style, It was compelling and easy to understand. The book was mostly told in Sloane's POV and there is also a few POV's of Rhyn's which I absolutely loved. I loved the whole setting especially the mysterious frozen world which is quite fascinating and beautiful in it's own way. I also liked the glacies, the bird like vicious pets.
Overall, I loved it! The book ended it with a cliffhanger and I'm so desperate for the next book cause I'm dying to know what's gonna happen next.
This was very intriguing book and I enjoyed every moment in it. I'm a great fan of sci-fi dystopian books with strong heroines and when I first read the blurb of this book, I was quite captivated and I knew I had to read this book ASAP. I found this book surprisingly good in everything, I loved the concept, the characters and the setting. This was my first book from Alexandra Moody and I was very much impressed with her creativity and story building skills. It's a great start for a new series and I can't wait to read more of it.
Eighteen Year Old Sloane has spent years in training to become lethal and strong. She's a top skilled fighter in her academy. When her brother Ash and his crew goes missing in a green planet called Aeris, a rescue team was prepared to retrieve them. Sloane has a great tracking skills but she gets rejected to go along with them due to her overprotective father who is also a captain. But somehow she sneaks into the rescue pod by disguising herself as one of the rescue team member and finally arrives into the Planet Aeris. Sloane and her people thought that no life exists in the planet Aeris, she was proved wrong when she encounters a beautiful stranger who captures her and drags her into his mysterious world which is filled with ice and snow. To escape, she needs to earn her captor's trust, who is cold and rude towards her. As her stay in this strange land extends, she eventually warms up to their people and also to her attractive captor. But when a dangerous threat called braky's surfaces, Sloane needs to escape from there and warn her people before it's too late.
I loved Sloane even though sometimes she seemed a bit overconfident and selfish. She is quite stubborn, fiesty and tough character. Although she is strong, she isn't perfect either. She also has some flaws and vulnerabilities that makes her real. Her love for her siblings is totally admirable and she's very protective of her sister Rowena. Rhyn is a captivating character. His hot and cold personality definitely intrigued me and not to forget his good looks. I loved the relationship between Sloane and Rhyn. I really enjoyed the first time they met where they physically fought each other. I loved how their relationship slowly developed and it's definitely not a Stockholm syndrome kind of romance. with each time they met, they grew closer and started trusting each other. They haven't confessed their feelings yet but they knew they are attracted to each other. So, I really can't wait to know how their relationship progresses further. I also liked the supporting characters Emha and Kai. Emha is a brave girl who befriends Sloane and I liked their friendship. Kai is Rhyn's older brother. He seemed a bit odd at first but later he turned out to be very friendly. Rhyn's mother Orelle is another character that I liked, she is very sweet and caring.
The plot is unique and very interesting. It's a fast paced story which was engaging from the start and It was so captivating that I couldn't stop turning the pages. I immensely enjoyed the fighting with the dark creatures named Braky's. Seriously, It's a perfect package of entertainment with right amount of action, intrigue and mystery. I liked the writing style, It was compelling and easy to understand. The book was mostly told in Sloane's POV and there is also a few POV's of Rhyn's which I absolutely loved. I loved the whole setting especially the mysterious frozen world which is quite fascinating and beautiful in it's own way. I also liked the glacies, the bird like vicious pets.
Overall, I loved it! The book ended it with a cliffhanger and I'm so desperate for the next book cause I'm dying to know what's gonna happen next.
Read
April 25, 2019DNF.
Pure Science Fiction. I did not NOT like it nut I realized pretty quick it is not for me.
I had thought it was more like "Divergent". It is not. This is more like a real Science Fiction in the form of "Star Wars".
That is not my genre but I did read about halfway. The writing was pretty good!
Pure Science Fiction. I did not NOT like it nut I realized pretty quick it is not for me.
I had thought it was more like "Divergent". It is not. This is more like a real Science Fiction in the form of "Star Wars".
That is not my genre but I did read about halfway. The writing was pretty good!
May 28, 2019
Free Kindle Read.
I'm not a fan of sci-fi, and the idea of sci-fi romance kind of grosses me out.I'm not sure why I'm ok with other PNR, but alien PNR crosses some weird line for me. I realize it's irrational. ANYWAY, I picked this up because it's the same author as The Wrong Bachelor, and that is a YA Romance that I cannot stop raving about.
Despite my lack of interest in all things sci-fi, I got caught up in the characters and the story and before I knew it, I was invested.
I will probably pick up the rest of this series if it comes up on Kindle Unlimited.
I'm not a fan of sci-fi, and the idea of sci-fi romance kind of grosses me out.I'm not sure why I'm ok with other PNR, but alien PNR crosses some weird line for me. I realize it's irrational. ANYWAY, I picked this up because it's the same author as The Wrong Bachelor, and that is a YA Romance that I cannot stop raving about.
Despite my lack of interest in all things sci-fi, I got caught up in the characters and the story and before I knew it, I was invested.
I will probably pick up the rest of this series if it comes up on Kindle Unlimited.
December 15, 2017
A young fighter on a self-set mission to rescue her brother, a tall alien prince who doesn’t want to let her leave; can Sloane fulfill her mission now that she needs to escape from Rhyn first? A scifi romance with lots of fighting scenes.
The Story
Set in a future in which the earth is overpopulated and yet another world war has broken out, Sloane is an eighteen year old girl who has attended the academy and has been trained in fighting. Her skills are top-notch, she used to be the best of her class, and she is a force to be reckoned with.
Together with her father, who is now captain of the spaceship the Explorer, her twin sister Rowena, and her brother Ash, she has ventured into space on a mission to find a new planet to colonize. It is at this point the story starts, because her brother Ash, part of the first team sent down to planet Aeris, has disappeared. Although Sloane isn’t part of the team to rescue him, she makes herself a part of it. On Aeris she discovers the planet isn’t uninhabited as they had presumed. Against her will she’s taken to Ellysia, inhabited by the Unfaih. Although she is told to be a guest it is instantly clear to her that she isn’t supposed to leave. Not ever again. And that presents a problem because her first mission, above all else, is to find back and rescue her brother Ash.
Liftsal Guardians
This book is the first in a series. Presented as a Young Adult, Dystopian Future Fantasy, with elements of scifi. The work can be compared to the tales of Veronica Roth, Claudia Gray, and Amie Kaufman. But my associations are more with the Avengers and Norse mythology and the new Star Wars episodes. The prince keeping Sloane a prisoner is a tall, dark-haired and handsome man who is cunning, has no qualms with cuffing her to the bed, and lives in a world of snow. The Liftsal mentioned in the title can be used to cure wounds, but when humans drink it the effects can be far more disastrous, reminding us of the ancient mythology tales about Ambrosia - more so than the golden apples from Norse mythology.
To the Rescue
The quest of Sloane is self-assigned. She’s driven by her will to safe her brother- a motivation that catalyses most events. Whenever it gets too tough, it is the thought of her sister back in the spaceship that gives her strength. There’s an element of family drama intertwined within the tale. For instance, her sister Rowe has suffered from a great traumatic experience in the past. While Sloane dislikes their father, Rowe seems to adore him. There are many questions and some of them we will see answered in this first book of the series.
Sloane is a strong, self-assured protagonist.An ideal hero for a young adult tale. She is tall, handsome, very strong and the top of the class. However, she doesn’t take orders and seems to have different priorities from everyone else around her.
Keep in mind that everyone on Earth is suffering from another world war and that the Explorer has been sent to find a new home planet. The mission of the Explorer is vital - it can save us all.
Sloane doesn’t seem to think of this. While those around her want to find a new habitable planet to save their families, Sloane is concerned only about finding her brother - who cares if she knocks a man dead to take his place right? Oops. That the pod she’s flying in with the rescue team crashes because she took the place of one of their pilots - who cares right? That her team is angry at her because people died during the crash - who cares right? She’s the best fighter of her class, they should have taken her along on the mission! Also, when others tell her she can’t go with the team to look for her brother when they’re on Aeris because she’s unreliable - who cares right? Sloane jeopardizes the entire mission to save mankind. Apparently this is okay because we then settle into a long tale that reminds more of a fantasy romance. I have faith that Sloane will find a way that none of the others can, a way to save humanity. But it is something to keep in mind. If you’re not looking for a strong girl stubbornly going against strong handsome man romance, you should be looking elsewhere.
Recap
A proper young Adult fantasy series about a strong and fierce heroine, doing what she believes is right, finding out things about herself and who she is while on an alien planet. Most of the time the reader will spent in a land full of snow, of tall and beautiful people who have a lifestyle not very different than our own. And of course there’s the handsome prince who doesn’t want to let Sloane go. will she succeed in escaping from his clutches? Will she find out what has happened to her brother? Or will she find out a new danger? What are those Brakys? And how can she warn the others back on the ship?
If you like strong female protagonists, stories with a focus on families, relationships and exploring oneself to find one’s identity, accompanied by the necessary combat - then this is a story for you. I’m interested to see what will happen in the next book, especially to see how the crew who already landed on Aeris (together with Sloane) will take part in this. A lovely fantasy for young readers, especially fit for these snowy cold days at the end of the year. Haven’t decided on a present yet for Christmas? This might be it.
The Story
Set in a future in which the earth is overpopulated and yet another world war has broken out, Sloane is an eighteen year old girl who has attended the academy and has been trained in fighting. Her skills are top-notch, she used to be the best of her class, and she is a force to be reckoned with.
Together with her father, who is now captain of the spaceship the Explorer, her twin sister Rowena, and her brother Ash, she has ventured into space on a mission to find a new planet to colonize. It is at this point the story starts, because her brother Ash, part of the first team sent down to planet Aeris, has disappeared. Although Sloane isn’t part of the team to rescue him, she makes herself a part of it. On Aeris she discovers the planet isn’t uninhabited as they had presumed. Against her will she’s taken to Ellysia, inhabited by the Unfaih. Although she is told to be a guest it is instantly clear to her that she isn’t supposed to leave. Not ever again. And that presents a problem because her first mission, above all else, is to find back and rescue her brother Ash.
Liftsal Guardians
This book is the first in a series. Presented as a Young Adult, Dystopian Future Fantasy, with elements of scifi. The work can be compared to the tales of Veronica Roth, Claudia Gray, and Amie Kaufman. But my associations are more with the Avengers and Norse mythology and the new Star Wars episodes. The prince keeping Sloane a prisoner is a tall, dark-haired and handsome man who is cunning, has no qualms with cuffing her to the bed, and lives in a world of snow. The Liftsal mentioned in the title can be used to cure wounds, but when humans drink it the effects can be far more disastrous, reminding us of the ancient mythology tales about Ambrosia - more so than the golden apples from Norse mythology.
To the Rescue
The quest of Sloane is self-assigned. She’s driven by her will to safe her brother- a motivation that catalyses most events. Whenever it gets too tough, it is the thought of her sister back in the spaceship that gives her strength. There’s an element of family drama intertwined within the tale. For instance, her sister Rowe has suffered from a great traumatic experience in the past. While Sloane dislikes their father, Rowe seems to adore him. There are many questions and some of them we will see answered in this first book of the series.
Sloane is a strong, self-assured protagonist.An ideal hero for a young adult tale. She is tall, handsome, very strong and the top of the class. However, she doesn’t take orders and seems to have different priorities from everyone else around her.
Keep in mind that everyone on Earth is suffering from another world war and that the Explorer has been sent to find a new home planet. The mission of the Explorer is vital - it can save us all.
Sloane doesn’t seem to think of this. While those around her want to find a new habitable planet to save their families, Sloane is concerned only about finding her brother - who cares if she knocks a man dead to take his place right? Oops. That the pod she’s flying in with the rescue team crashes because she took the place of one of their pilots - who cares right? That her team is angry at her because people died during the crash - who cares right? She’s the best fighter of her class, they should have taken her along on the mission! Also, when others tell her she can’t go with the team to look for her brother when they’re on Aeris because she’s unreliable - who cares right? Sloane jeopardizes the entire mission to save mankind. Apparently this is okay because we then settle into a long tale that reminds more of a fantasy romance. I have faith that Sloane will find a way that none of the others can, a way to save humanity. But it is something to keep in mind. If you’re not looking for a strong girl stubbornly going against strong handsome man romance, you should be looking elsewhere.
Recap
A proper young Adult fantasy series about a strong and fierce heroine, doing what she believes is right, finding out things about herself and who she is while on an alien planet. Most of the time the reader will spent in a land full of snow, of tall and beautiful people who have a lifestyle not very different than our own. And of course there’s the handsome prince who doesn’t want to let Sloane go. will she succeed in escaping from his clutches? Will she find out what has happened to her brother? Or will she find out a new danger? What are those Brakys? And how can she warn the others back on the ship?
If you like strong female protagonists, stories with a focus on families, relationships and exploring oneself to find one’s identity, accompanied by the necessary combat - then this is a story for you. I’m interested to see what will happen in the next book, especially to see how the crew who already landed on Aeris (together with Sloane) will take part in this. A lovely fantasy for young readers, especially fit for these snowy cold days at the end of the year. Haven’t decided on a present yet for Christmas? This might be it.
April 24, 2020
Originally published on my blog: https://sarah-plainandaverage.blogspo...
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
{The Basics}
It's always such a joy to find fun adventures in new-to-me/never-heard-before authors & books. I found this particular novel---the first of a series---for free on Amazon at least two years ago & pretty much forgot about it as it lay in my Kindle collecting virtual dust. When I was flipping through my Kindle's books (oodles of them just sitting there for when the mood kicks in), I happened to start this one & was immediately taken in.
Other than a good portion of language and the typical macho-heroine/don't-mess-with-me trope, this was an incredible story. I so enjoyed the sci-fi feel of the space plot & planetary world-building. The characters were well fleshed out & uniquely their own, and while I was slightly annoyed at Sloane's ignorant/saucy attitude, her character arc beginning in this first book of the series makes for a great read. I need the sequels!!!
{Violence}
A pod crash-lands on a planet's surface injuring several and killing at least two men---one's neck is broken and his body is impaled by a steel pipe... Another man's injuries leave him unable to walk & in much pain. A fire breaks out in the wreckage where one man remains trapped---a character rushes in to help him & they make it out just in time.
A knife throw hits a hideous creature, called a Braky, right between the eyes, stopping it in its pursuit. A man cuts off its head.
An ambush of Brakys gives way to a battle and much blood & gashes---injuries from swords, arrows, and/or claws. A girl is attacked by a Braky, and is clawed in the leg as she tries to run---the injury never seems to heal.
[SPOILER!] Brakys suddenly appear in the stronghold of the Unfaih, and how they made it inside is still a mystery... They attack Sloane & another girl. Sloane does her best to defend the two of them, but is knocked unconscious in the process, and the younger girl suffers a mild injury to the head.
A character's background is revealed in a flashback memory & we learn why she is the way she is, more or less. A woman is brutally murdered in front of a daughter, while the other daughter remains hidden. We learn the hidden girl's sister was taken & tortured, and while eventually saved, is mentally & physically scarred because of it---never the same again.
{Spiritual Content}
Sloane asks a man if he believes in God. He replies, "No. God is a human manifestation of what we call the ætherial, which is the balance that must be kept." (Of course, I don't agree with that, but this is just a story.)
One man acts as a kind of priest for the ætherial, and balks if anyone ever tries to touch him, which would apparently render him unclean (to which he'd have to go through a process to become clean again). He claims physical contact with other people disturb his connection to the ætherial.
Sloane practices her training in the ruins of a burned hut, and is told it "angers the spirits to visti the site of a Banished Unfaih." (Unfaih is the name of the race of people on the snow planet.)
{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
"____ as hell" was used a time or two, as well as several uses of "d---," "pissed," "hell," "d--- it," "s---," "jacka--," "a--," and at least one use of the slang "heck." A character flips the bird at another jerk, unnecessarily (even though he was a total jerk).
As a pod heads towards the surface of a planet at an alarming rate of speed, one man cracks a tense joke of asking the stewardess to bring whisky.
We learn the people of the snow planet live on & protect a substance much like water, called the Liftsal. Its properties remind me of the water from the legendary Fountain of Youth, in that it heals and can bring long life to the drinker. (Or causes destruction...)
{Romantic Content}
There's a choosing ceremony for finding one's soul mate. The Unfaih depend on the results of a magical orb, which changes colors in the presence of two people. For example, if its hue goes to that of silver while two people stand close to it, it confirms them as a good match. If it changes to gold, it means they are more than a good match, they are soul mates. If it turns red, it means they would hate each other. (This was an especially amusing scene.)
There's a nice, slow-burn romance between Rhyn and Sloane. It's one of those relationships where she hates his guts at first, but as she comes to know the culture of the people she's literally stuck with, she finds herself caring more & more. They come close to sharing a kiss, I believe... Or kiss at least once---I honestly can't remember. xD This was such a wild ride!
{Conclusion}
This story was unexpectedly an enjoyable sci-fi fantasy filled with action, adventure, & a slow-burn romance. For being unfamiliar with the author, and finding it randomly on Amazon, I really liked this book!
The only reason it does not receive five stars, in my humble opinion, is due to the unnecessary language. Otherwise, I would highly recommend reading this if you enjoy a wild, science fiction adventure. :]
FOUR out of FIVE stars due to some violence, gore, & a fair amount of foul language.
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
{The Basics}
It's always such a joy to find fun adventures in new-to-me/never-heard-before authors & books. I found this particular novel---the first of a series---for free on Amazon at least two years ago & pretty much forgot about it as it lay in my Kindle collecting virtual dust. When I was flipping through my Kindle's books (oodles of them just sitting there for when the mood kicks in), I happened to start this one & was immediately taken in.
Other than a good portion of language and the typical macho-heroine/don't-mess-with-me trope, this was an incredible story. I so enjoyed the sci-fi feel of the space plot & planetary world-building. The characters were well fleshed out & uniquely their own, and while I was slightly annoyed at Sloane's ignorant/saucy attitude, her character arc beginning in this first book of the series makes for a great read. I need the sequels!!!
{Violence}
A pod crash-lands on a planet's surface injuring several and killing at least two men---one's neck is broken and his body is impaled by a steel pipe... Another man's injuries leave him unable to walk & in much pain. A fire breaks out in the wreckage where one man remains trapped---a character rushes in to help him & they make it out just in time.
A knife throw hits a hideous creature, called a Braky, right between the eyes, stopping it in its pursuit. A man cuts off its head.
An ambush of Brakys gives way to a battle and much blood & gashes---injuries from swords, arrows, and/or claws. A girl is attacked by a Braky, and is clawed in the leg as she tries to run---the injury never seems to heal.
[SPOILER!] Brakys suddenly appear in the stronghold of the Unfaih, and how they made it inside is still a mystery... They attack Sloane & another girl. Sloane does her best to defend the two of them, but is knocked unconscious in the process, and the younger girl suffers a mild injury to the head.
A character's background is revealed in a flashback memory & we learn why she is the way she is, more or less. A woman is brutally murdered in front of a daughter, while the other daughter remains hidden. We learn the hidden girl's sister was taken & tortured, and while eventually saved, is mentally & physically scarred because of it---never the same again.
{Spiritual Content}
Sloane asks a man if he believes in God. He replies, "No. God is a human manifestation of what we call the ætherial, which is the balance that must be kept." (Of course, I don't agree with that, but this is just a story.)
One man acts as a kind of priest for the ætherial, and balks if anyone ever tries to touch him, which would apparently render him unclean (to which he'd have to go through a process to become clean again). He claims physical contact with other people disturb his connection to the ætherial.
Sloane practices her training in the ruins of a burned hut, and is told it "angers the spirits to visti the site of a Banished Unfaih." (Unfaih is the name of the race of people on the snow planet.)
{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
"____ as hell" was used a time or two, as well as several uses of "d---," "pissed," "hell," "d--- it," "s---," "jacka--," "a--," and at least one use of the slang "heck." A character flips the bird at another jerk, unnecessarily (even though he was a total jerk).
As a pod heads towards the surface of a planet at an alarming rate of speed, one man cracks a tense joke of asking the stewardess to bring whisky.
We learn the people of the snow planet live on & protect a substance much like water, called the Liftsal. Its properties remind me of the water from the legendary Fountain of Youth, in that it heals and can bring long life to the drinker. (Or causes destruction...)
{Romantic Content}
There's a choosing ceremony for finding one's soul mate. The Unfaih depend on the results of a magical orb, which changes colors in the presence of two people. For example, if its hue goes to that of silver while two people stand close to it, it confirms them as a good match. If it changes to gold, it means they are more than a good match, they are soul mates. If it turns red, it means they would hate each other. (This was an especially amusing scene.)
There's a nice, slow-burn romance between Rhyn and Sloane. It's one of those relationships where she hates his guts at first, but as she comes to know the culture of the people she's literally stuck with, she finds herself caring more & more. They come close to sharing a kiss, I believe... Or kiss at least once---I honestly can't remember. xD This was such a wild ride!
{Conclusion}
This story was unexpectedly an enjoyable sci-fi fantasy filled with action, adventure, & a slow-burn romance. For being unfamiliar with the author, and finding it randomly on Amazon, I really liked this book!
The only reason it does not receive five stars, in my humble opinion, is due to the unnecessary language. Otherwise, I would highly recommend reading this if you enjoy a wild, science fiction adventure. :]
FOUR out of FIVE stars due to some violence, gore, & a fair amount of foul language.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
November 19, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/19/2017)! 💝
January 1, 2019
My first thoughts when I received this book was that it has an amazing cover and a great blurb. I love covers like these so when I first saw this book I was immediately attracted and after reading the title and blurb, I was hooked.
I was a bit apprehensive with the main character as I usually prefer characters who grow and develop to become strong. Sloane was already lethal. I do believe these skills could be showcased a bit more throughout the book, however, she is a likeable character and we see some character growth towards the end which I really liked.
I felt the beginning was slow and that is one of the main reasons it has taken me this long to finish the book. Character growth happens towards the end both with Sloane and Kai. What I read, I really liked.
The imagery and ideas in the book is superb. I liked the way Alexandra described the scenery and her imagination in coming up with the different aspects and parts of Ellysia are fantastic. I enjoyed reading about this new world.
I loved how the romance played out in the book. There was enough romance to keep you hooked but it didn't overload you. It wasn't the typical ' boy and girl fall in love and gets together at the end' kind of thing and I loved that.
The second half of the book was more fast paced and kept my attention. It kept me hooked and has convinced me to carry on reading the rest of the series. I will most definitely be reading the second book in the series.
I was a bit apprehensive with the main character as I usually prefer characters who grow and develop to become strong. Sloane was already lethal. I do believe these skills could be showcased a bit more throughout the book, however, she is a likeable character and we see some character growth towards the end which I really liked.
I felt the beginning was slow and that is one of the main reasons it has taken me this long to finish the book. Character growth happens towards the end both with Sloane and Kai. What I read, I really liked.
The imagery and ideas in the book is superb. I liked the way Alexandra described the scenery and her imagination in coming up with the different aspects and parts of Ellysia are fantastic. I enjoyed reading about this new world.
I loved how the romance played out in the book. There was enough romance to keep you hooked but it didn't overload you. It wasn't the typical ' boy and girl fall in love and gets together at the end' kind of thing and I loved that.
The second half of the book was more fast paced and kept my attention. It kept me hooked and has convinced me to carry on reading the rest of the series. I will most definitely be reading the second book in the series.
June 20, 2018
4.5 stars. Sometimes you find a little gem in the free offers from Amazon Kindle. And this is one of them.
Eighteen-years old Sloane is searching for her brother in a deserted planet where he disappeared together with his crew. But the planet is linked to another world, a secret world covered in snow and ice and inhabited by an immortal race, the Unfaih, where she is kidnapped by their prince Rhyn.
Her only hope to escape is to gain the prince trust, but the closer they become, the harder is to let him go.
I really liked the fusion of science-fiction with fantasy, the characters were very well fleshed out, the chemistry between Sloane and Rhyn sizzling, the story very interesting and the writing style very fluid and descriptive without becoming too slow or boring. There was the risk to make the story become a Stockholm Sindrome pap we read about thousands times, but in this case it wasn't at all.
Once I finished the book (within one night and the following morning, once started I couldn't put it down) I bought straightaway the sequel.
Eighteen-years old Sloane is searching for her brother in a deserted planet where he disappeared together with his crew. But the planet is linked to another world, a secret world covered in snow and ice and inhabited by an immortal race, the Unfaih, where she is kidnapped by their prince Rhyn.
Her only hope to escape is to gain the prince trust, but the closer they become, the harder is to let him go.
I really liked the fusion of science-fiction with fantasy, the characters were very well fleshed out, the chemistry between Sloane and Rhyn sizzling, the story very interesting and the writing style very fluid and descriptive without becoming too slow or boring. There was the risk to make the story become a Stockholm Sindrome pap we read about thousands times, but in this case it wasn't at all.
Once I finished the book (within one night and the following morning, once started I couldn't put it down) I bought straightaway the sequel.
June 1, 2018
Interesting story
While my impression of Sloane at the beginning is that she is extremely impulsive and deluded herself in certain areas, though she is young and possibly does not have all the information she thinks she does (e.g. what a pilot might or might not be able to do about an engine fire).
As the book progresses, she keeps her primary goal in mind and yet becomes more patient and mature in her thinking. Which is good as it seems she is around 18.
She is definitely a Type A personality and she is very well educated and capable in her field, so there is not a lot of angst or second guessing herself, though she does occasionally think about the repercussions of her actions.
By the end of the book, I found I really like Sloane now and want her to succeed. There are new challenges ahead and it will be interesting to see how she handles them.
While my impression of Sloane at the beginning is that she is extremely impulsive and deluded herself in certain areas, though she is young and possibly does not have all the information she thinks she does (e.g. what a pilot might or might not be able to do about an engine fire).
As the book progresses, she keeps her primary goal in mind and yet becomes more patient and mature in her thinking. Which is good as it seems she is around 18.
She is definitely a Type A personality and she is very well educated and capable in her field, so there is not a lot of angst or second guessing herself, though she does occasionally think about the repercussions of her actions.
By the end of the book, I found I really like Sloane now and want her to succeed. There are new challenges ahead and it will be interesting to see how she handles them.
December 27, 2017
Sloane’s journey was an interesting one. Sections made me nervous and want to stop but I pushed my way through. I’m glad I did. Those worlds were fascinating to learn about. As well as Rhyn’s people. It was very intriguing. It sounds beautiful too. I could close my eyes and almost picture how it looks. Almost because I probably can’t do it justice. Sloane’s drive to get back to her sister is a strong one. She’s an amazing sister. An amazing story. Can’t wait to learn more and what Sloane says to The Captain.
July 10, 2017
Not to happy with this book. Some of the writing is good, but the protagonist would have ended up in chains and charged with murder and assault in the first chapter. No one would be allowed to get away with the stuff she gets away with. Outside of the fact that no one makes her pay for her stupid and harmful acts, the story is fairly predictable. I am slightly over halfway through and may not bother to finish it.
November 28, 2017
Brilliant
Told from Sloanes POV who is a strong female character. The storyline is well developed and all the characters are likeable. There is a little bit of chemistry between the main character but its not the focal part of the story. After being kidnapped by Rhyl, a prince from another race sloanes main focus is escape. In the process developing feelings for each other. Recommended read
Told from Sloanes POV who is a strong female character. The storyline is well developed and all the characters are likeable. There is a little bit of chemistry between the main character but its not the focal part of the story. After being kidnapped by Rhyl, a prince from another race sloanes main focus is escape. In the process developing feelings for each other. Recommended read
March 12, 2018
Parts of the book were good, however the heroine came across as a spoiled brat who thought she knew better than anyone else; add a serious daddy issue and you have Sloane. I was disappointed in the fact that if she was one of "the best" earth had to offer why didn't she learn to communicate and stop acting like she was the only one who could do things. Even after living with Rhyn's people she doesn't use the truth until the end of the book. It was an okay read.
April 2, 2018
I LOVED this book. In the beginning I though that it was a little basic and that Sloane was a little dull, but then once she discovered the rift and Rhyn, it got so much better. I can't even really say why I liked it s much, I guess I just did. I will definitely end up buying the second book. I got it from bookbub, and I read it in the car. I would of finished it in one day, but the day I had started it was a short drive day.
January 29, 2019
This was a interesting story, I found it sad that a ignorant mare male could play a power trip on a female whom had a mission to for full, and this mare male was so into his power trip. I had thought there was going to be a happy ending, Wrong, I was like crap, she had wanted to save her brother and return to her world, BUT this Mare Male was like power trip, and in the end the female would hate him, probably want to kill him, and Then the war would start to kill the Brakys whom were her people.and This Mare Male was like she may be his partner, How in his world could this be ok. I will look out for a follow on, I can say I know it will be a hard ending, Can this writer do it.
March 13, 2018
Rated PG for some language. Sloane was competent, but proud, lethal, but merciless and quick-thinking, but reckless. I loved that she was a great swordswoman and cared much for her siblings. I can't wait to find out what happens when she greets The Captain in the next book and more about her and Rhyn (what a cool name).
April 1, 2018
Amazingly good read!
I loved reading this! The action is almost constant, flowing from page to page, taking the stubbornly headstrong kickass Sloane into a highly dangerous adventure with the super sexy Rhyn. An awesome story that, unfortunately, ended in a cliffhanger. Moving on to book 2!
I loved reading this! The action is almost constant, flowing from page to page, taking the stubbornly headstrong kickass Sloane into a highly dangerous adventure with the super sexy Rhyn. An awesome story that, unfortunately, ended in a cliffhanger. Moving on to book 2!
December 3, 2018
The title of the book is attracting and the front cover of the book is catchy and justified according to the story. The plot of the story is hooking and captivating narrating style never lacked the grip of the story till the end anywhere. A perfectly compact and satisfying read for me. Would love to recommend this one for sure.
April 10, 2020
This is an amazing story, it isn't something I have seen before and I was very glad I picked it up. The main characters's dedication to her brother is very inspiring, just like the relations she has with her other family members. The reactions of the main character are very logic and make sense when reading the book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
February 25, 2018
I downloaded The Liftsal Guardians as a free ebook from Amazon. I enjoyed the unusual plot and characters, but the story could have been enhanced with more character development. It was frustrating to have the story end in a cliffhanger, but I enjoyed the plot until then.
March 6, 2018
Pretty good book
I like the concept of the book and the way it flows. You do end up li king the charters and wanting to know how their lives will play out and if the two main characters will be able to end up together
I like the concept of the book and the way it flows. You do end up li king the charters and wanting to know how their lives will play out and if the two main characters will be able to end up together
March 11, 2018
I loved this story and intend to read the next ones.
Monsters, aliens, magic, and thrilling swordplay! The main character was a strong and determined warrior, but she was a complex, caring individual as well.
I really enjoyed the romance as well.
Monsters, aliens, magic, and thrilling swordplay! The main character was a strong and determined warrior, but she was a complex, caring individual as well.
I really enjoyed the romance as well.
March 20, 2018
What happens next
A really good read. I loved the love hate relationship happening. I fell in love with the characters. This book also was different from the other books that I have read.
A really good read. I loved the love hate relationship happening. I fell in love with the characters. This book also was different from the other books that I have read.
November 6, 2018
I just couldn't put it down. The main character is really cool. She's in an impossible situation. I can't wait to find out how she's going to solve this problem. All of the character development is well done. The plot is intense. The story is clean of vulgarity and sex.
November 9, 2018
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but ended up being so much better! A great story of a female warrior desperate to keep her family together, but distracted by the mysteries of a strange new world.
January 1, 2019
A new spin on sci-fi meets fantasy
I loved it. At first I thought it was going to be a cheap Star Trek Star Wars knock off snoozefest but after chapter three my opinion definitely changed. I think I’m in love with the book. Just read it.
I loved it. At first I thought it was going to be a cheap Star Trek Star Wars knock off snoozefest but after chapter three my opinion definitely changed. I think I’m in love with the book. Just read it.
September 3, 2019
Great book
I am not super into all the syfi space dimension stuff. But this book was really good. The character development was great. I really felt for the characters. I will definitely read the next one.
I am not super into all the syfi space dimension stuff. But this book was really good. The character development was great. I really felt for the characters. I will definitely read the next one.
June 3, 2017
Awesome!
I really really enjoyed this book! It was pretty amazing and I'm gearing up for book 2! Well done and awesome world building.
I really really enjoyed this book! It was pretty amazing and I'm gearing up for book 2! Well done and awesome world building.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews