Asrian Skies

Shadows of War #1

by Anne Wheeler

Avery Rendon is weeks away from realizing her dream as a Commonwealth fighter pilot when planetary politics intervene. Reluctantly, she returns to her home planet of Asria, still hoping to break free of her controlling family and their faith. Not much has changed on Asria though, and after her almost-fiancé walks out on her, she’s not sure life can get much worse.

She’s wrong. When the Haederan Empire invades Asria, intent on rebuilding their interstellar domain, Avery becomes a target. She also becomes something else—a Commonwealth intelligence officer. It’s not long before she stumbles upon information that could change the course of the war, and suddenly she’s on the run, forced to confront her fear of death and her lingering doubts about her faith’s teachings.

Swept up in something more dangerous than politics or flying, Avery begins to wonder if her destiny lies somewhere closer to home. If those old beliefs are worth clinging to. And if she’ll live to see the end of it all.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adult, Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2017

About the author

Anne Wheeler grew up with her nose in a book but earned two degrees in aviation before it occurred to her she was allowed to write her own. Fascinated with space travel from an early age, science fiction was a natural fit. When not working, moving, or writing her next novel, she can be found planning her next escape to the desert. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband, son, and herd of cats.

Reviews

[Lexine Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

**UPDATE** (26/04/2018)

It’s been a few months since reading this but the story hasn’t left my mind. I’ve found that I go back to thinking about it a lot, because I really enjoyed it. The characters truly stood out for me, especially the villain, and I think I was too harsh with my rating. I’m not afraid to admit that. I’m still new to rating books and sometimes I go back and review the ratings and change them.

I’m changing my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. I clearly enjoyed the story more than I originally thought, and I want my Goodreads rating to reflect that.

————————
Rating: 3.5 Stars

One of the things I really loved about this book that stands out for me are the characters. Sometimes main characters in books are so naive, boring, or just plain stupid, but I really liked Avery. She was relatable, ambitious, witty, and brave. Someone I wanted to follow the story with, rather than someone I have to put up with in order to hear the story. The side characters were as complex and fleshed out as Avery, which I really loved. Each person had their own story and had a reason for being there. The bad guys especially were excellent. I won’t name names for spoilers sake but one in particular was so unnerving and quite frankly frightening.

And the romance! I loved her relationship with Merritt. It's not just a perfect 'Oh you've returned, let's be lovers again' sort of thing. It's more complex than that. They both have obstacles to face and have to decide whether seeing each other is the right thing to do in their situation.

The world Wheeler has created is in-depth and complex - albeit a little hard to get my head around at first as I've not read many Sci-Fi books, but I'm trying to get into the genre more. There was no info-dumping. The world was explained as the story progressed, gradually easing me into it.

Speaking of the story, I enjoyed the plot. There was never a dull moment. It was an exciting thriller that left me wondering what was going to happen next time after time. There was a good use of tension. I could really feel the frustrations of the situations, the helplessness and powerlessness of not being able to do anything. I was also fooled, thinking a traitor was one person, yet it was another. It was like Snape and Quirrell from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone all over again. Who do you trust?

I wanted to give this book 4 stars, but there were a couple of things that prevented me from doing so. The main one being that I didn't really know what half the characters looked like. I only find out that Avery has 'dark hair' in chapter 7, and I can't remember when her eye colour was explained but that was pretty late into the book too, so I had no idea what Avery looked like apart from the fact that she was in her twenties. I didn't know what a lot of characters looked like because either they were either explained once and then never mentioned again so I forgot, or they were not mentioned at all and I had to make up how they looked in my head. That might be okay for some people, but I personally like to know what characters look like so I can picture them better.

The other problem I had was the relationship Avery has with her family - her father in particular. I don't know if it's just me, but I couldn't understand why their relationship was so strained. It was never truly explained in my opinion, so I found it hard to understand why Avery was a little hostile towards him.

Overall, it was a good read. The ending made me want to read book two, so I'll definitely have to get my hands on it when it comes out.

[Shannon Hiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asrian Skies, by Anne Wheeler, is a Science Fantasy novel set on the fictional planet Asria, rife with political intrigue, spies and the potential to become one of my favorite new series.

In my attempts not to spoil this story I may, at times, come across very vague. I apologize, but please know this; I highly recommend you read this story for yourself. With the understanding that you trust me and my recommendation, I am treating this review with care toward your reading experience. It required mass levels of self control on my part not to spoil the twists for myself, and I want you to have the same opportunity to discover and experience them fresh.

The entirety of the novel is told from the perspective of Avery Rendon, a flygirl (read: obsessed with spacecraft) who also happens to be royalty on her home planet of Asria. Avery's perspective is often unreliable, as it depends on the information she is given, which never seems to be that great. While this could have been frustrating, Wheeler handled it in such a way that it heightened the tension of the story, and created some stunning twists and turns. 

The cast of characters our author has created are believable, flawed and everyone seems to have their own agenda. As a result, you can easily feel each one working behind the scenes constantly, toward their own goals and ambitions. When they are off the page you will find yourself wondering what they are up to. No fear, all will be revealed soon. 

Charming is not as charming does in this novel, and you will be constantly wondering who to trust, and who will turn out to be a 'bad' guy. Spoiler alert: Everyone is on their own side. Everyone is the protagonist in their own eyes.

The main antagonist within, who shall remained unnamed in my review so that you may discover his/her identity for yourself whilst reading, was alarmingly well written. As I said before, charming doesn't not always mean good in this story. And there is more than one charmer within that you will find yourself suspicious of by the end.  The scenes with said antagonist were particularly tense, Avery's fear leaked out through the page's ink.

I recommend reading the short companion story, More Than Stars before reading Asrian Skies, as I wished I had. Having read it afterwards, it made me more warmly sympathetic toward the romantic subplot within the main novel. The character of Merritt doesn't get a whole lot of 'screen-time' within Asrian Skies, and as a result of seeing him only through Avery's limited perspective, I found that I didn't much like him and cared very little what did (or did not) happen to him. 

The religious aspect of this story, of the world of Asria, was well written. It is a planet that conforms to a single religion, one worshiping a Holy One that will seem very familiar to our own world. The fact that Avery struggles with her faith, especially with regards to her fear of death and what may or may not lie beyond, enhanced the read. It's nice when you have a character that is not firmly developed, but is at war within herself. Avery's struggle revealed facets of the belief system that may have gone unnoticed otherwise. It also called into question why we believe what we do, and what faith really is. Watching her go from cynic to doubter to hopeful in a slow burn sort of way felt believable and inspiring. 

The world-building was relatively seamless, never exhausting the reader or overwhelming. Facts, history, traditions were revealed as needed. Wheeler does a wonderful job of leaving certain things up to the reader's imagination. She gives you the outline and the color palette, and allows you to fill in the rest. 

Asrian Skies ends before you want it to, but wraps up just enough loose ends to keep you satisfied (if still craving) until the release of the next novel. It is an intriguing, thrilling and fun read, perfect for a Sunday afternoon or a Wednesday night. I don't know what else I can say to convince you to buy it, other than you will most certainly regret not getting on this bandwagon as early as possible. 

What are you waiting for? An invitation? This is It.

[J.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
This was a well written, Sci-Fi, political thriller. The characters were solid. There were a few good twists and turns, and it ends on enough of a positive note that it leaves you feeling hopeful, but leaves enough loose ends to be sure that more books will not feel out of place.
There were a few negative things in my view in this book, but they were so few that they really didn't disrupt the story at all. And most of them are cliches that are well used in the genre and that you could find in most or all books.
Firstly: There was the "one planet, one culture/country/government trope."
Secondly: There was the "this country/race is evil" trope, with no redeeming characters or exceptions
Third: The excuses for the "McGuffin" were a bit thin and there were a few places where things could be pointed out as "plot holes", but if you didn't poke at them, they were easy to ignore. It just took a little suspension of disbelief.

Good things:
While the world building was a bit simplistic, I see this as an actual good thing in this book. The story was clearly aimed towards politics, and those were so complex and realistic, that too much world building would have just gotten in the way. This book focused on the action, and there was little to no excess nonsense.
Characters:
While this book is a bit more plot-focused than character focused, the characters were fleshed out and easy to connect with. It can be easy, especially with sci-fi/fantasy politics, to create too many characters that are too much alike with complicated names. But each of the characters in this book were easy to remember and moved the plot along nicely. I also really liked that the characters were of an appropriate age to make thing believable. And finally, the main character, at least, but a few of the side characters as well, had nice character arcs. I liked seeing the MC, especially, start to take things into her own hands, being independent, while still learning about her responsibilities and her connection to the things she once professed to hate.
The Romance:
While it was there, and I'm not gonna lie, some of it irritated me (that's just because I'm not big on romance) I really liked that the romance in this book had some history behind it. It was a mature romance, and it had actual effects on the plot. It wasn't just there because it was expected.
The Twists:
There was plenty of tension in the book, and a lot of twists and turns. Some of them, I expected, but they were no less interested for that. A good amount of them were quite surprising. And the fact that I knew the author was capable of it, made the rest of the book much more exciting.

Final thoughts. This book wasn't fast paced, leaning more towards a nice burn, constant tension, an a few great bursts of activity. I could see that the author knows her craft. The prose never once got in the way of the story (and that's a lot coming from me, who gets really irritated really quickly at prose and POV issues) and that alone is admirable. But there was more than that. I could tell the author actually researched some of the things she added and really did think long and hard about the politics and the interactions in this book.
If you like political thrillers, soft Sci-Fi, and great characters, I highly suggest you pick up this book. It's going on my "recommended reads" book on my website for sure.

[Queenly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve fallen madly in love with this world and these characters! (Ok, I may even ship two in particular.)

Wheeler has crafted a compelling and intelligent protagonist in Asrian Skies, her debut novel, and possibly an even more compelling and manipulative antagonist.

Avery Rendon wrestles with her responsibilities and path in life, along with her beliefs. All she has wanted to do is fly spaceships away from her home planet of Asria. Away from her responsibilities there. Even away from the love of her life.

Freedom, it seems, is what she desires.

But circumstances change and Avery is forced home to revisit her royal familial responsibilities and face the man who once asked her to marry him. The question of their future together is cut short when an intergalactic army invades the planet. (Talk about bad timing lol)

Avery’s mettle and sense of duty to her home planet is put to the test. She soon realizes she has to break the rules this time if she wants to achieve freedom, not for herself, but for her people.

A quick-paced page-turner, this speculative work of fiction keeps readers in a state of anxiety for Wheeler’s well-crafted characters, who she makes readers fall in love with and root for in a world as vivid as our own.

Her description of the spacecraft and Avery’s piloting hooked me right away in the first chapter. Establishing a full-fledged character in an unknown fantasy world is tricky, but Wheeler does it from page one.

Many authors struggle with info-dumping. Not Wheeler. So there is no fluff you need to skip or skim.

You’ll revel in each encounter between Avery and her antagonist as the mind games and verbal banter ensue. You might even come to love to hate him, or hate to love him. Or both.

You will, however, be on the seat of your pants as Avery races to outwit and stay ahead of her enemies. Yes, outwit. This is a female protagonist that uses her brain, not brawn. And the occasional pistol from time to time.

One of Wheeler’s greatest writing strengths is her skill at third person Deep POV. She captures Avery’s emotional state so poignantly and with such heart, you can’t help but acutely feel Avery’s despair and suffering, but also her joy.

You will cry. Have the tissues ready.

Avery’s inner journey is just as captivating as her external exploits against the Haederans. And be prepared. Wheeler is a meanie. She puts her characters, especially Avery, through the wringer. No one gets out unscathed or unchanged, which to me is a mark of an expert storyteller.

But there a light at the end of the tunnel. And the ending doesn’t disappoint.

You’ll only beg Wheeler to publish a sequel.

(FYI, this is me begging by the way.)

[Sarah]

Ugg, I so wanted to love this book. It sounded so cool and I really want some good sci-fi.

I stopped reading because the writing seemed to just be getting sloppier as it went on. The first chapter, I was really feeling it. By 10% in it sounded like....
And Avery had this boyfriend
and oh yeah, they had this big fight before she left
Now let's have a flashback

Also, we keep being told Avery disagrees with these people on the committee, but no real reasons given why she does.

Content note: I encountered one mild swear word. This was not the reason I stopped reading the book, but it didn't endear me to the story either as it didn't even make sense really for it to be used.

[James Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asrian Skies is an awesome novel, reading a lot like Elizabeth Bear and Ann Leckie. There's action, politics, tension, space opera and a very personal story of a young woman trying to work out what she wants and how to deal with the responsibility thrust upon her. The book is really well written, and the characters multi-dimensional, especially the antagonist where we can see the underlying humanity that his inhumane interrogation somehow works around.

Asrian Skies is set in a universe where humans inhabit multiple star systems and have faster than light travel available. The main character, Avery Rendon, is training to become a fighter pilot with the Commonwealth armed forces. The Commonwealth is a loose confederation of systems that each have their own way of doing things. Avery is the younger daughter of the brother of the King of Asria, her home planet.

The book starts with her training coming to a premature end because her uncle has abdicated. The Senate on Asria want her back home because her older brother is missing. Avery wrestles with her lack of control over her life. She feels she's a virtual prisoner and unable to pursue her desires. This is just a taster for what comes next, and remains a theme through the book. Another theme is her relationship with her lover, an on/off one that she feels is being controlled by others.

Asria is invaded by the Haederans, a human empire that the Commonwealth was formed to resist. The attack comes without warning, and Asria is brutally overwhelmed. Avery retreats to the shelters, and ends up a prisoner of the Haedarans. There's an occupation, which reminded me very much of the way that the nazis occupied Europe. The Haedarans are human, and the key antagonist, a policeman sent to guard Avery, shares her faith. He comes across as a reasonable man, one that you could empathise with. However this is the banality of evil, and his true colours are shown later in the story.

Although space opera, there's a strong affinity with a lot of the WW2 stories I read of personal courage and resistance. Avery leads a double life trying to set an example for her people, and live up to what she sees as her duty as a leader. She suffers for this, and to help free her people. She also works out how to defeat the Haedarans and does her best to get this message out to her allies in the Commonwealth.

Overall this is a fantastic book that you ought to read. It's got a lot in it, and I dearly hope that there are sequels.

[Cheyanne Lepka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This character-driven space opera had me losing sleep and almost walking into traffic (I know, reading and walking is ill-advised but I couldn’t put it down). It’s fast-paced, with the stakes being constantly raised and the world feels so very real, without being overbearing.

It’s written with from a close 3rd perspective, and the voice is masterfully done. The main protagonist is so real and complicated. She’s faced with competing desires and responsibilities and it’s easy to relate to her on that level. It’s nice to see a main character who is strong, but still shows her moments of weakness and uses her quick-wit and intelligence to get out of trouble (and sometimes into it as well). It made it so much easier to relate to her as her world was falling down around her ears.

There are so many great characters in this book, including an antagonist who I have a lot of trouble hating. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Anne revealed that her characters are actually real people because they have just that much depth. The characterization is effortless, revealed slowly and deliberately, with each character having their own competing desires.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves sci-fi, but prefers character-driven books.

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what a wonderful story! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. There were moments I wanted to cry, others I wanted to laugh, and times I just wanted to punch the antagonist in the face... except that he could harm me so much more for it...

There is so much I love about the story. First of all, character. The MC and protagonist, Avery, is well developed and has a wonderful arc. She had my sympathy right from the start. I was excited by how well I got to know her and how real she felt. Second, the plot itself - was so intriguing, I couldn't wait to figure out how everything would be resolved. All of the aspects fit well in the story. Third, world building - or should I say universe building? It was simple enough to understand and follow, but still had that wonderful sci-fi feeling.

I am excited to read more by this author and to delve more deeply in to the worlds she has created.

[Janelle Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly unique read. It wasn't quite what I expected, but not in a bad way. Where I tend to think of sci-fi books as super techy and adventurous (which it was), this leaned more political. The first half of the book dragged a bit, but it set up the world and the political structure so that the second half could actually mean something. About half way through the book, the stakes are raised and the action begins to take shape and the story really pulled me in at that point.

The characters are fresh and new. Avery is a likable main character, which is important (to me, at least. Those angst-filled "antiheroes" really get on my nerves, and thankfully Avery was not that.)

There were only a couple reasons I didn't make this five stars. The first reason was that the romantic relationship between Merritt and Avery was pretty stale. There wasn't much of a reason given WHY we should like Merritt all that much, except that Avery liked him. And the second reason was the way a certain plot twist at the end went down. It wasn't as believable as I would have liked, and Avery did something really dumb (I won't ruin it, but it was DUMB) that I doubt anyone in her position would have actually considered doing. But it didn't ruin the whole book, and I still really enjoyed this read. So if you're looking for some fresh sci-fi, look no further. Wheeler knows her stuff, and I'll be looking out for more work by this author.

[K.L. + Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about this book, my impression of Avery was that she was a pilot, a princess, and a spy. When I heard that combination I was thinking “how the heck does that work?” I will admit that Wheeler made that combination not only make sense but made it integral to the plot and Avery’s character. Avery is very complex and does not want to be tied down by the politics and suffocating lifestyle of her world. She tries to escape through a commission in the Commonwealth’s military. But due to a political situation in Asria, Avery is forced back to her homeworld. Obviously, she is not thrilled. But when Asria is invaded, that changes her perspective in unexpected ways. Due to her position, there isn’t a lot she can do to help her planet, and she knows that. But she wields whatever power she can to the best of her abilities.

While Avery was my favorite character, there were areas of her life I wished we could have explored more. For example, her doubt about the Holy One, which is the god that not only the Asrians worship but the Haederans do as well. Also her relationship with Merrit. I wasn’t able to care for him as much as I felt I should. That being said, Wheeler did make it clear that each character does have depth, and they have rich histories behind them. My guess is she didn’t want to slow the plot down by delving too much into those backstories, and I can respect that. I do hope that we will be able to explore more about the characters in future books.

Asrian Skies may have suffered a bit in character development, but it shines when it came to world building and plot twists. We get the basics of Asrian politics, their religion (there’s only one), and hints of their history and culture. Enough so that the reader can get a clear picture in their mind, while at the same time not being overwhelmed by all the description. The “one religion” is a bit of a trope, sure, but Wheeler plays with it a lot. For example, as I mentioned earlier, the Haederans also worship the Holy One, which leads to some interesting conversations between Avery and one of the Haederans. It also demonstrates that even if people share the same religion, there can be different interpretations. Usually, when I see religions in books, many of the characters share the same views. So it was refreshing to see different interpretations of the same religion play out in character conversations. Also, the rest of the Commonwealth is polytheistic, so there are hints of diversity among planets as well. Wheeler clearly did her research not only to create a vivid world but also to enhance the characters and plot points.

Wheeler’s other strength was plot twists. There were many aspects of the plot that I didn’t see coming, and some of the ambiguity with the characters actually served as a strength in some cases. As more was revealed about certain characters, I wasn’t sure who to trust. Except for Avery, but that was only because we were seeing things through her eyes.

Asrian Skies did have its flaws, but overall I thought this was a very well-written book, and I will eagerly pick up the next one when it comes out!

[E.L. Strife · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like clean, character-driven, female protagonist Sci-Fi, you will enjoy this!

Wheeler has done an amazing job throwing in twists and betrayals like no other. She is a master of interrogation sessions and politics. A perfect blend of easy-to-read sentences with somewhat advanced language makes this a comfortable read. Her scene-setting and world-building are fantastic and mixed into the storyline in ideally sized chunks. Her characters stand out as quite unique from one another.

The action and suspense are well-proportioned to keep the pages turning. There is something magical about the way Wheeler weaves interpersonal details into the main character’s storyline. Some components are predictable, others are wildly not, which makes for an ideal mind game for the reader.

Readers that prefer clean books, both spiritual and not, would like this. A character-driven story, Asrian Skies delves into the life of Avery Rendron in the beginning and doesn’t slow down until the major action begins about half-way through. Though mild skirmishes dot the initial first half and propel our reading, the midpoint is a major inflection, and the action takes off. While there is mild violence, there is no cursing and no intimacy. Respect and honor are underlying themes which Wheeler has filtered in through her character’s actions and dialogue.

Summary: (Spoiler Alert)
Avery Rendron is a lieutenant for the Commonwealth on Ventana and a princess on her home planet of Asria. After a space-flight training mission goes awry, Rendron finds herself being summoned home and her status as an officer revoked. Her uncle has fled to an enemy planet, and her brother is a deserter. Rendron doesn’t want the life of a royal either: its expectations, rules, or the emphasis on faith.

Returning home does provide an opportunity to see her former love-interest, Merritt Parker. But his job as senior aid to General Teruel, and his connection to the military, take priority—though not in his heart.

An invasion by the enemy, the Haederans, catches Asria off guard. Asria prefers its isolation despite its allegiance to the Commonwealth. Their technology is advanced, yet they cannot understand how the Haederan ships evaded their scanners.

Governor Perrin and his Haederan army take control of Asria like they have many planets, but with mildly less aggression. They attempt to manipulate Rendron into working with them so as to make her people willingly surrender to Haederan rule. But Rendron is too stubborn.

Rendron finds herself working in the shadows for Hadley and Feye, two off-worlders seeming to want to help. Because they are skilled in military maneuvers beyond her grasp, she accepts her role and begins recon to gain any information she can to assist the few rebels in finding a weakness in the Haederan forces.

Escaping with the information she uncovers is a tricky skill Rendron repeatedly fails to acquire until the Haederans grow weary of her disobedience and lock her away.

Beaten and torn inside, Rendron begins to find her faith again. Hadley infiltrates the Haederan guards and manages to steal Rendron in a Nightflier, and they head out on their quest to find a data chip she sent out with her most trusted personal guard just before being imprisoned. But betrayal soon catches up with her, and Rendron ends up walking right back into enemy-occupied territory.

The Haederans have acquired the chip and, with no other use for her, put her on a transport to a ship in orbit. Destined for Haedera, Rendron grows restless for an escape and steals a Haederan fighter. In a daring move, she flies out of the mothership and fakes out the fighters that follow. Bolting out into space, she loses consciousness and blacks out.

Rendron is picked up by a Commonwealth scout ship, the only one close enough to help though not big enough to fight the Haederan fleet beyond. She explains what she’s learned, but they already know everything. Yet having a Haederan ship with a functioning stealth cloak is the key turning point, providing a functioning example of how the Haederans have evaded their scanners and therefore a way to gain equality on the battlefield.

As our main character comes to be the last remaining member of the royal family, she assumes the duties of Queen of Asria. She will no longer fly as an officer and knows this as her duty. Taking charge of the hand she is dealt, Rendron decides she must return home, to Asria.

We are left with the notion that Rendron has put aside her personal dreams so she may do what is best for her people. She no longer wishes to avoid Asria, but return to it, despite its Haederan occupation and rule. Rendron now fights for something greater than herself.

Personal Thoughts:
Hadley was by far my favorite character. He’s an intense, hard man, with (I think) a secret soft side to him. His actions and expressions stand out the most in my mind. He felt the most real of the characters to me because he was steady in his convictions and duty.

I tend to be an impatient reader, more concerned with fast-moving works with lots of tech, weapons, and action. But I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice change of pace and allowed me to slow down and take in the scenery.

Something that stuck out to me was when Rendron thinks about how often she brags of her mother’s gardens while proceeding to pick all of the petals off of a flower—in effect, killing it. In retrospect, I see that moment now as foreshadowing (because her mother dies), but at the time I felt confused. How could Rendron love her mother while destroying something her mother worked hard to grow? Either way, it seems like an interesting symbolic reference at the end. These are the details that made me stop and really think about the story. If a book can make us pause and play with the characters in our own minds, I call that a good read!

[C Moudry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing. I love to read especially if it's a good story. This story is great, the characters are real (ok, so there is one I'd like to slap, but that's me), the plot is great, and it takes off and there is never a dull moment. I don't know how the author met these characters, but you can tell she knows them well and they communicate with her.

Avery is a young woman with big responsibilities thrust upon her. How she meets them is not always easy but she perseveres.

Loved this book.

[Verity Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "close-up" kind of book. Despite the high stakes and the sci-fi setting, everything felt very real in a delightfully tangible way. The story wasn't crammed into a tiny corner of the calendar; events were spread out, with weeks elapsing between, such intervals being passed over in the narrative, but still mentioned to provide a feel for the passage of time. Most of the action happened on a single planet (even a single city) so the reader gets to acquire a feel for the world without getting lost in travel.

I have a soft spot for fictional politics and military stories, to which Asrian Skies delivered most satisfactorily; and in the nature of the plot, communication difficulties tended to recur, not only heightening the tension, but again giving a sense of reality and the frustration that comes when things don't work according to plan.

The author sketched her people simply but frankly. Avery Rendon, the protagonist, reveals the most depth; she is incisive, passionate, goal-driven, and through her eyes we see the other characters drawn with summary but fascinating bluntness. They, too, have secrets hiding below the surface... and realism presents again, as we discover that Avery's perceptions are not always accurate. Nor are her decisions always those we, or she, wishes she would make. As she wrestles with who she is and what she wants, discoveries, espionage, and romance spin throughout the threads of her story and form the premise of a compelling epic.

The ending of Asrian Skies is a cliffhanger comparable to Oath of the Outcast, one of my reads last summer. Thankful I don't have to wait for the remainder of this trilogy to release!

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major stakes, pulse-pounding moments, a kick*ss heroine I actually like. Add to that some rather smart writing, struggles both personal and world-spanning in scope, and a finely crafted antagonist. Good sci-fi can be quite refreshing and this just felt right.
The story is thrilling and carried by compelling characters. It can feel quite edge-of-you-seat at times but moves along well enough that it never becomes overbearing. It just keeps you wanting to figure it out.
I liked Avery and I liked the story and I liked the book. A lot.

[C. Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, once it hit its stride. A little slow to start for my tastes (which is why I gave 4 instead of 5). Interesting characters, fascinating world. The casual sci-fi reader will enjoy this, but hardcore fans may want more. Even still, there's enough subtlety and hints at the larger world that it keep you intrigued and hungry to find out more. Great world-building and interesting subplots, if occasionally a little moody for my tastes, but that's totally a preference thing.

All in all, I would definitely recommend the book. Like I said before, slower starting, but I read the last 40% in a single evening, because once it gets into stride, it's great!

[Esther Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some neat twists to enjoy.

"Asrian Skies" follows princess Avery as her planet falls under enemy occupation.

I liked the premise of the plot, but I had a hard time connecting to Avery or any of the characters she cared about. I really liked the spaceships, and wish we could have spent more time inside them instead of inside Avery's head. A book I think I would have greatly enjoyed as a teen during my hardcore sci-fi phase.

[once_darkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the sci-fi subgenre I typically read (this is political/military) but I really enjoyed it! Initially the pace started out slower but once the action started to pick up, I was turning pages eagerly. The plot has some significant twists, some of which I saw coming, some of which made me scream (silently of course not to disturb my family). The main villain was terrifying in all the best ways and I enjoyed seeing Avery’s growth from the beginning of the novel to the end.

The world was unique, and while Asria is the planet we know most about and is the most well-developed politically, geographically, etc. you definitely get the sense of a full universe. There were some questions I would have liked answered but that’s more for my own curiosity and they didn’t make the story feel incomplete. I will definitely be checking out book 2!

[A Night Bird]

Asrian Skies is the second sci-fi book I’ve read (and thoroughly enjoyed) this year. In the last several months, actually. There’s faster-than-light travel, and other technological weirdness, but I seem to have grown more tolerant of that. Or maybe I didn’t really notice it, since most of the book is spent on a planet, and it doesn’t come into play most of the time.

What stood out most to me was Avery. The focus of the story is very much on who Avery is. She’s not bland, she’s not usual, and she’s refreshing in a lot of ways. There’s nothing about her that says ‘princess’, and everything about her that says ‘human being’. Her dream in life is to fly, and that felt real. I could feel her love of flying, her ambition to fly, in every flight scene (admittedly, there weren’t many). But that was not what was most important. Though I’m not sure why I’m saying that, since it’s part of an inseparable whole.

I loved her personality. Her stubbornness, her determination to live her own life. Something I really appreciated was the way that, once the Haederans take her planet, her response is handled. Her terror of death, terror of torture, terror of fear itself, is raw and almost paralyzing – side by side with a need, something deeper and truer than determination, to not sit by and do nothing. To help. Fight. Something. Terrified as she is, she can’t become an obsequious slave to that terror: it just isn’t in her. She can’t stop needling and defying her captors. She can’t let them rule her life or who she is.

Even when she’s scared most of the way to death of them.

That’s what I loved most of all. I really enjoyed her spirit. And it rings true to human experience, a message of hope and courage: no matter how great your fear, no matter how terrified you are, how deep that runs in your bones or turns your muscles to lead, that doesn’t mean you’re a slave to it. It’s there all through the book, but it comes out harsh and true when she’s in the cell, scared to death, shaking, paralyzed, terrified.

And she, basically, says no. No questions asked. No doubts. She doesn’t consider betraying what she’s been doing, however betrayed by her own mind and nerves she is, however terrified of what comes next.

And, for your information, it gets pretty dark – but not gory or detailed. The focus is on psychological torture, not physical. Which does not mean it’s an easy read, or even an easier read depending on your sensitivities. But there’s no gore, no physical details.

There’s also her relationships with people, people like Merrit, the man who loves her, the man she loves, but there are issues between them. The complexity of that, of the questions they have to face about what their love means and what they really want in life, was something that was well-done, thoughtful and realistic, I thought.

There were a few things, however, that I did not appreciate: one of them being that the surveillance technology just changed to be whatever was most convenient at the time, to give the characters the appropriate amount of challenge. A high-tech society that’s flying fighters and has found what’s supposed to be a technological way to “enter hyperspace” and faster-than-light travel, ought to have surveillance technology that is at very least the equal of what we have today. That is at very least the equal of what’s known about today. Possibly the most glaring case of this was an instance where Avery and someone else go out into a garden because the sound of a stream trickling by is supposed to mask whatever they’re talking about from the listeners installed everywhere.

Skies, no. No, no, no. Just no.

I wouldn’t have minded if the author invented a tachyon-anti-quark particulate shield or some other sci-fi weirdness to allow her characters to talk. But I would prefer that sci-fi books don’t give the impression that modern surveillance tech is substantively less than it is.

Here’s a short summary of some stuff that touches on spoilers, so I’m going to explore it in more depth in Part Two: there are a number of characters and situations handled with some real depth and thoughtfulness for psychology and emotions. However, there were some cases where I thought Avery shouldn’t have been as naïve as she was, given her background and training. Additionally, there were some situations that developed that leave me a little concerned as to how they will be developed in later stories. It’s not that there’s anything wrong. It’s just that I like a certain variety to the depth and complexity of characters explored. If this was the first book I’d read that had certain things in it, I’d be whooping for joy about how wonderful it is; as it is, I’m not at all unhappy about it. I quite frankly enjoyed some of it. I’m just a little concerned in some cases: if the series fulfills its promise, I will be so happy with it, but I’m not quite sure it’s a promise yet.

Also, there were some things having to do with Avery’s experience that I really hope are explored in future books because that would be … well, I’d really like. There are some situations that provide an opportunity for some really deep, and potentially insightful, explorations of certain issues.

And then here is another thing I like about this book: it doesn’t have any of that slightly anti-Christian, at least in the sense of ridiculing or dismissing the idea or belief in God or eternal life, or at least suggesting-that-it-might-be-wrong-to-believe-in-that, and at the same time, it’s not annoying or problematic in the way that a lot of Christian fiction can be. And it doesn’t make me think about the kinds of things I only want to deal with in rare moods that most Christian fiction does. Not that Christian fiction is the only kind that can point towards a belief in God or eternal life. But it’s most of what I find that does.

Read Full Review (in my opinion, the best parts are discussed in the spoilers portion) here: https://enthralledbylove.com/2022/12/...

[Cassandra **The Bibliophagist** · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cover is stunning in person! The amount of detail in it is amazing! I love the contrast of blues and blacks. It truly depicts a wonderful outer space image. Let’s not forget about the font color choice. Anne did not settle for a simple flat color, she chose an ombre effect. This color effect to me imitates the changes characters go through. I know that was not the intention and I am digging too deep, it was merely aesthetically pleasing, but it can be symbolic as well.

This story begins with Avery Rendon. She is a Commonwealth cadet and a member of the royal family on her home planet. Now her uncle has abdicated the throne and she has been called back. All of her plans and dreams are out the window. Little does she know a whole lot more is about to change.

I want to begin by saying that this story and its characters have so much depth. Anne really thought out every detail of this story. This tale is told from the perspective of Avery. Since the reader only sees from Avery’s perspective, we are often left frustrated with the inaccurate information she is given. Though it is done in a way that only enhances the tension the reader and Avery feel as events occur.

Every character seems to be flawed…making them so much more realistic and believable. Sometimes you find a character who you really enjoy, but they just seem too perfect…not these ones. Avery was my favorite character. I loved watching her grow and develop. I really connected with her, feeling the loss and pain she went through. I did not simply read her story, I experienced it.

You feel that each character is planning things to push their own plot. You get glimpses of their interactions with Avery, but just know they are up to something more. As I read, I was trying to unravel what each person was up to…what their motives were. I did not have to wait too long though, for in the end I was shocked by some of the unexpected plot twists. Anne for sure takes you for a ride. She keeps you guessing at whom to trust.

The world building in this book is wonderful. With a story that is so in depth, I often see the dreaded information dump. You will not find any of that here. The world is seamlessly built around the reader as the story progresses. Anne uses her aviator experience to make many aspects of the ships realistic. Not only was the world building so vivid, but the pace fit the storyline well. I hated to put this book down. It has been a while since I had read such an engaging, edge of your seat science fiction novel.

If you are looking for a new science fiction read that will pull you away from Earth and into an immersive, detailed world…keep you guessing about what each person is up to…this is a great choice for you. I have been dreading this review. I just feel that my review cannot justify how much I loved this book. Asrian Skies leaves you satisfied but still craving more. I am super excited to read the sequel Unbroken Fire, coming in June! Be sure to watch for my review.

[Beth Wangler · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5

I read this book for the #AuthorBookClub on Twitter, but had been eyeing it for a while.

A problem a lot of speculative fiction faces is building the fictional world through "info dumps." That was not the case with "Asrian Skies." With a narrator who already has extensive knowledge of the world, Wheeler avoids offloading too much information at any given point by trusting her readers to put the picture together from hints that are skillfully woven in at the perfect time. That gave this story realism and grounded it.

I thought the characters were great. Each one was unique, and each one had a purpose in the story's world and the plot.

On that note, there were several twists that took me by surprise, in the best way possible. I like not being able to guess a story's ending, and I like being surprised by characters.

My only complaints are: I wished Avery had more agency especially at the beginning; most of the plot happened to her instead of because of her. This is a minor complaint, as she did take action at the end and it mirrored real life in which sometimes things happen to us and our choices might not have much impact on the world around us. Also, I liked the idea of Avery and Merrick's relationship having longer history, but something about it felt a little flat to me. Maybe it was because we saw so little of them interacting, though I don't know how that could have been changed given their situation.

Overall, a good story that oozes with thought and makes sci-fi feel grounded. It's one of my favorite space stories yet, and I'm excited to read more in the series!

[Patrice Doten · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A fast-paced adventure with intrigue, double-crosses, great world-building and an interesting story premise. I love that the female lead is a space pilot. The villains are dastardly, the heroes brave and clever, and the politics believably messy. The characters are all quite distinct from one another, which really brings interactions to life.

I found the narration emotionally distant for a 1st person POV, though. Events a reader could reasonably expect to have life-altering impact on the protagonist are portrayed almost casually and without seeming to change her in any perceivable way. Many of the characters seem inconsistent, despite their distinctiveness. Fiction is, of course, much better when populated with flawed individuals making bonehead decisions. But characters who repeatedly make choices and take action incongruent with their own internal thoughts and emotions seem less like real people, to me. Caveat: I'm terrible at identifying intentionally unreliable narrators, so it's possible that Avery is one of those and I've completely missed the boat. Regardless, I'm more interested in characters than plot, so struggling to connect to a protagonist and those she cares about is challenging for me.

Overall, though, the world is so realistic that the writing and interesting plot carried me through. Readers who like action, intrigue, spies, secrets, military tactics, combat, thwarted dreams, and interplanetary politics in a vividly drawn SciFi setting should enjoy this one!

[Erin Dydek · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

Wheeler does a great job building suspense throughout the book as Avery's situation becomes more and more complex. As a member of the royal family, her position in society becomes precarious when an enemy force invades the planet and occupies it oppressively. I enjoyed Avery's character and the challenges she faced throughout the book. I also loved the many plot twists that kept the book exciting and made me eager to read the next book in the series!

I wasn't immediately attached to the romance in the novel, but as more information was revealed later in the story I found myself understanding Avery's attachment to Merritt despite their often on-again-off-again relationship. I did notice, however, some inconsistencies with the ages/timeline of their courtship. Avery is 28 and Merrit is supposed to be 5 years older than her, but he is 35. At times Avery reminisces about the 8 years they have known each other and others, the 10 years she has known him. She met him at age 18, which would indeed make her 28 if they've known each other for 10 years, but that should make Merritt 33. It doesn't matter which ages they are, but the inconsistency caught my attention. There were a few other minor errors, but the book is overall very well edited.

[Shahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Wheeler's "Asrian Skies" is a gripping science fiction novel that deftly blends high-stakes space opera with personal and political drama. The story centers around Avery Rendon, who is on the cusp of achieving her dream as a Commonwealth fighter pilot when she is abruptly pulled back to her home planet of Asria due to escalating planetary politics.

Avery's return home is fraught with complications, from dealing with her overbearing family and their rigid faith to the abrupt departure of her almost-fiancé. However, these personal struggles soon take a backseat when the Haederan Empire invades Asria. This invasion thrusts Avery into a perilous new role as a Commonwealth intelligence officer, where she uncovers crucial information that could alter the war's outcome.

Wheeler excels in portraying Avery's journey, not only through the thrilling battles and espionage but also through her internal conflict regarding her faith and her place in the universe. Avery's evolution from a determined pilot to a pivotal figure in the resistance is both compelling and relatable, as she grapples with doubts and fears that add depth to her character.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. Technically it was well written with some good characterization. The first part of the book was a bit too drawn out for me and the background of the main character leading to the point in time where the story starts I felt was little bit rushed and sparse (her military background). There were times where I also felt that the protagonist acted younger than what her age in the book was. She sometimes came off as a misguided and fearful teenager rather than a twenty-something year old with a military background. The book does pick up in the second half and while there is no real resolution to the story it leaves off nicely for the second in the series. I'm hoping that in the next book we get to learn a bit more about the Commonwealth and some of the background politics between the various main forces.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to get into Asrian Skies because of my weird preference for books to start out with an explosion of action. However, the world-building leading up to that point is on point and once I finally sat down and read past a certain point I couldn’t put it down.

Avery is recalled back to her home planet when her uncle shirks his kingly duties and gives up the throne, ruining her chances of being free to do as she wishes and become a pilot. Not long after, Asria is overtaken and she is forced into the dangerous position of spying on the enemy.

This plot turned awesomely twisty, with an antagonist that was complex and made me kind of conflicted about hating him. I’m a sucker for characters and these characters were amazing! Plenty of angst and complicated love and I am definitely hooked on this series!

[Peter Maloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very effective invasion and occupation novel

The underlying story and characters would work in any period of history, certainly from the early 19th century onwards.

It deals with isolation, manipulation, betrayal, despair and the gradual realization of a quiet unshakable strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

I liked the sci-fi elements of the story, they added detail and atmosphere to the book without becoming a prop or too intrusive.

This book would appeal to people who appreciate depth of feeling and human interaction in their reading.

[J.C. Hammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. This has all the magic of science fiction/space operas, without the cold confining feel you often intrinsically get with the genre. I was pulled in even from chapter one. Wheeler does a phenomenal job of painting a rich tapestry, pulling the reader into the scene with an artist's level of detail.

Solid plot that moves and keeps you engaged, well researched details, imaginative characters you become invested in. All the things you could ask for. Looking forward to the next book!

[Ian H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just wasn't for me. The writing is fine, but didn't do anything special for me. The story itself is interesting and had some good parts, but there were also parts that just irritated me.

The biggest issue I had in particular wasn't the content, but the number of grammar and spelling errors; if that's a pet peeve of yours -- as it is for me -- it might be a good idea to skip this one.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I liked the concept, but couldn't quite connect to the characters. Avery is spoiled, and there's a lot of talking and threats and powerlessness in the plot, which isn't my cup of tea. I kept losing interest, and setting the book down for long periods of the time, which didn't help, I'm sure. I eventually pushed through, but I won't be reading any more of the books.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! While the suspense and thrills were great and had me reading 65% of the book in one day, the main character was the true highlight. I was rooting for Avery all the way! Cried with her when she was in pain and rejoiced in her successes! Her flaws made her equally loveable as her strengths - a truly well-rounded and relatable character that was the true star of the story!