Did I not read the same book as all of the 5 star ARC reviewers did? This book was not amazing. This book was boring. The writing was stilted and way too formal. I don't remember the first one being this way. The way the characters talked was also annoying in how unbelievable it was that anyone would actually speak like that. This story really could have been good, but it failed to ever really keep me interested. What I did like though was how much the characters from the first book still played a big part.
Tae is just a foot soldier who works hard to help support his family and put his siblings thru school. He hates war, but will do what he has to do to protect his world and his people. When he's given the chance to do more by working alongside Kelan, he jumps at it. He's determined to learn as fast as he can and push himself hard in order to be acknowledged. Which does happen rather quickly and he even fast becomes close friends with Michell and Kelan, spending a lot of time at their house with them and their son. It finally reaches the point where the Talonians will no longer sit idly by while their planet is attacked. With the laser weapons ready, it's time to go on offense. And Tae is one of the soldiers sent.
Eveline was only 10 years old when she was abducted from Earth. It's been about 10 years since then where she has been made a slave and treated worse than their pets. She has suffered a lot during her captivity and has even lost any trace of self worth. When the ones holding her are attacked by dragons, she pretty much resigns herself to death. Until a pair of blue eyes ignites hope inside of her.
After Tae rescues Eveline, I really thought the story would pick up. Sure, it did get more interesting some times, but it still never pulled me in. Eveline recovers from her trauma super quickly and accepts this new world wholeheartedly. She's excited about having a job and making friends. Despite the fact she doesn't know what love feels like, she has already decided she can't live without Tae. As for Tae, he was already apparently in love with her from the first moment their eyes met. I just thought it unbelievable how fast Eveline jumped into this relationship considering all she had been thru.
Then things got even more unreasonable when they wake up one morning to the planet giving them the feeling that they must be bound right now. Why? I still have no idea. But during the ceremony the enemy attacks once more, so it's off to destroy their planet we go. When Tae makes it back, he's in bad shape. But for yet another reason I don't quite understand, the planet decides to give him a gift and I was just rolling my eyes at that point.
I have all five of the books in this series, but I'm only gonna give it one more to get me interested a lot more in the story to continue. If not, I'm done. I am curious to learn more about Heshel so hopefully that will help.