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Chronicles of Alsea #3
Without a Front: The Warrior’s Challenge
An assassin’s shot has shattered the Opah family and endangered Lancer Andira Tal. Now criminal forces are racing law enforcement to find the man who could topple Tal’s government.
With the net closing around them, Tal and Salomen Opah discover the power of their tyree bond, a power Alsea has not seen in a millennium. A desperate gamble wins them a reprieve, but the price is high: Tal loses her greatest support just when she needs it most.
As a second, more lethal trap reveals itself, the fate of Tal, Salomen, and Alsea itself rests on the edge of a blade. There is no possible way out—but there may be an impossible one. When a divine tyree bond comes into its true strength, love may not just save a heart. It may save the world.
Length: approx. 150,000 words
Themes: Science fiction · Lesbian fiction · Romance
With the net closing around them, Tal and Salomen Opah discover the power of their tyree bond, a power Alsea has not seen in a millennium. A desperate gamble wins them a reprieve, but the price is high: Tal loses her greatest support just when she needs it most.
As a second, more lethal trap reveals itself, the fate of Tal, Salomen, and Alsea itself rests on the edge of a blade. There is no possible way out—but there may be an impossible one. When a divine tyree bond comes into its true strength, love may not just save a heart. It may save the world.
Length: approx. 150,000 words
Themes: Science fiction · Lesbian fiction · Romance
482 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2015
41 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Fletcher DeLancey
26 books314 followersFletcher DeLancey spent her early career as a science educator, which was the perfect combination of her two great loves: language and science. These days she combines them while writing science fiction.
She is an Oregon expatriate who left her beloved state when she met a Portuguese woman and had to choose between home and heart. She chose heart. Now she lives with her wife and son in the beautiful sunny Algarve, where she writes full-time, teaches Pilates, tries to learn the local birds and plants, and samples every regional Portuguese dish she can get her hands on. (There are many. It’s going to take a while.)
She is best known for her science fiction/fantasy series, Chronicles of Alsea, now comprised of four novels and a novella. Among them, the Alsea books have won an Independent Publisher's Award (2017 bronze medal), a Golden Crown Literary Society Award, a Rainbow Award, and been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award.
Fletcher believes that women need far more representation in science fiction and fantasy, and takes great pleasure in writing complex stories with strong, believable women heading up the action. Her day is made every time another reader says, “I didn’t think I liked science fiction, but then I read yours.”
She is an Oregon expatriate who left her beloved state when she met a Portuguese woman and had to choose between home and heart. She chose heart. Now she lives with her wife and son in the beautiful sunny Algarve, where she writes full-time, teaches Pilates, tries to learn the local birds and plants, and samples every regional Portuguese dish she can get her hands on. (There are many. It’s going to take a while.)
She is best known for her science fiction/fantasy series, Chronicles of Alsea, now comprised of four novels and a novella. Among them, the Alsea books have won an Independent Publisher's Award (2017 bronze medal), a Golden Crown Literary Society Award, a Rainbow Award, and been shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award.
Fletcher believes that women need far more representation in science fiction and fantasy, and takes great pleasure in writing complex stories with strong, believable women heading up the action. Her day is made every time another reader says, “I didn’t think I liked science fiction, but then I read yours.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 3, 2017
I have been in love with Andira Tal from the moment I started to read The Caphenon, till the last page of Without a Front. And now I'm in love with Salomen Opah too.
This story is mainly about feelings and heroism, love and family.
There is this great love story between Tal and Salomen and everything rotates around this nucleus. We have insight of both the characters, their admirable strenght, their frailties (which contradiction is so endearing!) and we are lead to see how they can overcome together even the obstacles they can't overcome alone.
Their love sublimes in the supernatural and reaches the heights of a spiritual dimension, but there are also some good sex scenes. Most often it's touching and delicate.
We also are drawn in their families and dear ones personal stories to give us a complete picture of their feelings.
Aside from the love story there is a mistery part. A multifaced trap is set up to threaten Tal's political power and her life itself. We have answers to everything that have been set up in the first chapter. The enemies will have a face, eventually. And there is some good action, too.
I found this latter part just a little bit disappointing. It's entertaining , but maybe he plot is simpler than I had expected, the rhythm is not tight, if not for a few chapters, and everything was solved a little bit too quickly.
From just the adventure point of view, The Caphenon was better, I think.
But as always, we have to consider the author's purpose. She wanted to put the characters under a severe test. Her attention was to show us how they reacted emotionally under this menace, how strong they become helping each other, more than just entertaining us in a thriller mode. And this is masterfully accomplished. We can say this side of the book is somehow aimed to the love story.
The real value of the book is that I have been totally involved in the feelings: I suffered with them, I found relief when they won their battles and rejoiced in their happiness.
Reading all the three books has been indeed a long, satisfying ride!
This second chapter merges perfectly into the first one. As a reader I didn't appreciate the splitting of the novel in two books, even if it's understandable from the publisher's side to split an almost 800 pages story of their new (and I hope very prolific) author.
By the way do you realize that , don't you?
This story is mainly about feelings and heroism, love and family.
There is this great love story between Tal and Salomen and everything rotates around this nucleus. We have insight of both the characters, their admirable strenght, their frailties (which contradiction is so endearing!) and we are lead to see how they can overcome together even the obstacles they can't overcome alone.
Their love sublimes in the supernatural and reaches the heights of a spiritual dimension, but there are also some good sex scenes. Most often it's touching and delicate.
We also are drawn in their families and dear ones personal stories to give us a complete picture of their feelings.
Aside from the love story there is a mistery part. A multifaced trap is set up to threaten Tal's political power and her life itself. We have answers to everything that have been set up in the first chapter. The enemies will have a face, eventually. And there is some good action, too.
I found this latter part just a little bit disappointing. It's entertaining , but maybe he plot is simpler than I had expected, the rhythm is not tight, if not for a few chapters, and everything was solved a little bit too quickly.
From just the adventure point of view, The Caphenon was better, I think.
But as always, we have to consider the author's purpose. She wanted to put the characters under a severe test. Her attention was to show us how they reacted emotionally under this menace, how strong they become helping each other, more than just entertaining us in a thriller mode. And this is masterfully accomplished. We can say this side of the book is somehow aimed to the love story.
The real value of the book is that I have been totally involved in the feelings: I suffered with them, I found relief when they won their battles and rejoiced in their happiness.
Reading all the three books has been indeed a long, satisfying ride!
This second chapter merges perfectly into the first one. As a reader I didn't appreciate the splitting of the novel in two books, even if it's understandable from the publisher's side to split an almost 800 pages story of their new (and I hope very prolific) author.
By the way do you realize that , don't you?
April 9, 2016
Alright - time to commit heresy.
And it really is heresy this time. You're here because you liked the other two novels, yes? No worries! - they’re damn good, and no one would disagree. But this one isn't in their class. This is one a reader slogs through, and at the end thinks "...well yeah, its alright I guess." Awkwardly, I must submit to you that the unsettled feeling this book leaves you with is actually your gut telling you that it's not a good book.
Just… give me a couple of minutes, okay? I swear I can explain.
The plot itself is actually pretty alright. Lancer Tal’s trilogy is done and dusted with this book.* A legacy of pain and drama, exploding convulsively in long-form before being wrapped up neatly. Tal’s romance with Saloman again forms the spine of the novel, connecting the readers emotionally to the main characters (- although their “will they or won’t they” phase ended in the last book. This book uses Sal mostly as a backdrop of “cooing wife.”) Opah’s brother is still a troublesome dickhead. (Again, alas, that's a plot point.) But the real red meat of this is the political intrigue which has been swirling in the background. Tal has been mired in its whirls unwittingly since the very beginning of Producer's Challenge. What once sat in the background is now a pressing threat which very well may tear her down.
So - drama, love, and adventure! Fantastic stuff. We can all get behind those types of things, right? Buy a big soda and some Jaffas, ignore the sticky floor. How could this possibly go wrong?
Well, it kind of went wrong.
Although my generalised dissatisfaction with the novel encompassed a fair few angles, I have three main objections I can articulate clearly. Each of these was pretty pressing and therefore warranted a minus star from me. That seemed fair. But you might reckon not, yes? So if you go to yourself “wow, P. is ruthless and evil for [insert particular point here]” then you should mentally blot it from your memory and stick a star back on to the score, rightio? Who knows, the rating might end up at five for you and we’ll both walk away happy. We’ll see, yes?
So – the first lost star. Here we go. This novel is cheesy far past the point of being readable.
And look, before anyone says anything, a bit of deliberate guilty pleasure in life is its own reward. No one is saying a bit of cheese in a novel isn’t fine. But this book has no self-awareness whatsoever, even as it persists in being totally ridiculous. Some scenes had me literally cringing in embarrassment – both for the characters and for myself.** Other parts made me feel cruel for laughing. Like being a pizza-delivery guy accidentally allowed into the local Freemason lodge. Why are these grown men playing dress-up? Does that mystic bullshit have any point? Where’s my money.
((“But P.” comes the exasperated shout, “they’re aliens – of course their rituals and language are different.” but the book isn’t aimed at aliens – it’s aimed at the English-speaking reader. Either the words invoke meaning for that reader or it fails.))
Examples? Literally every time something happens that’s “traditional.” Or the usages of the made-up alien language peppered throughout the novels. Not to mention
So, regretfully, I submit it’s too cheesy to be readable. But oh! what could have been! Doesn’t DeLancey write beautifully? If only that had been coupled with an aggressive editor who could have toned it down a couple of notches and back into “popcorn movie starring Jeff Bridges” territory.
Which actually brings me onto the second lost star. The ‘popcorn movie’ part I mean, not Jeff Bridges. The first star was lost because of technical reasons, but this second star was lost because of plot. Namely the ‘intrigue’ sections of the plot are poorly executed. How to describe this gently? The word ‘intrigue’ is generous for what actually occurs in the book. This part of the plot was touted as the unfolding of deadly and secret machinations. What actually unfolded was mostly on the basis of multiple reckless snap-decisions, none of which could have predicted, and each of which strained credulity. Overall it was rather less “hidden secrets and plots manipulating the world” and rather more “a series of blunt instruments to the face.”
The author appeared to have a series of Call of Duty-style black ops scenes she wanted to play out. The book was twisted both this way and that in order to connect them.
Don't get me wrong - the set-pieces were cool. But the filler sections which made them make sense were not done well. (Actually this is remarkably like Call of Duty, now I’m thinking about it.) Anyway, this was a significant problem, because those sections were as important as the set-pieces when presented to a reader. They needed to be thought through at least as much, if not more, to bring the reader into the scene with all its drama and pathos. As it stands now, the reader grows tired of Tal’s poverty of imagination. Even when Tal knows the shape of the enemy’s plans she walks into their ambush while saying to herself (and the reader) “what else can I do? My hands are tied.”
Such a person would get their underlings killed. And that death would serve no one's purpose but that of the enemy. A true leader would never be so inherently reactive, or so wasteful.
But that's enough of that. Finally, the third point. I suspect a fair few folk have left the review by now. Might I thank you kindly for making it here? Frankly I took no pleasure in writing it, and sat on my notes for weeks thinking it over. But one last point and then I’m free to talk about all the wonderful things which fully justify you picking this book up if you’ve read the other two books. Okay? Deep breath. Last one.
The plot halts multiple times so the main characters can deliver smug sermons to whoever is the designated fallguy. This happened so many times I began to grow angry. They were mostly aimed at Sal’s dickhead brother (I honestly cannot remember his name). Make no mistake though; after every significant activity the characters feel the need to vaunt their moral superiority over whoever has made an error - normally for between one page and three by my Kindle. This was a problem in the previous book as well but not to the extent found here. The lack of self-reflection is foul. There is the facsimile in text, yes, but not the substance. In this book whenever a character begins to think through their decisions they are immediately reassured by the author (in the guise of everyone around them) regarding their superior moral choices. Or they are abased by another character with (the readers are bludgeoned to understand) superior morality. Someone is right and someone is wrong. For fuck’s sake, complex situations, where any reasonable person could make a mistake, create shifting grey-areas where there literally are multiple – or no - good answers. Stop giving me “the correct” decision, declaimed at length by one or more of the characters, as decided by the author. Arrrg!
AND NOW THE GOOD THINGS
It’s well-written. Oh, so well written. Self-insert fanfiction has never looked so good. And it’s the end. You know? It closes all the plot points that were opened by the far better first two books – it should get a read just for those. If you can wade through the cloying seriousness, suspend your disbelief for the plot, and skip the multiple pages of patronising morality lectures, then this is a bloody good book. Rick-rollicking even -
So two stars.
* As an aside, is anyone else bothered by the author basically making her last name synonymous with “planetary supreme leader”? ‘DeLancey’, ‘Lancer’… no? Is that just me?
**I got to thinking about the nature of rituals and it went in weird places, so here it is under a cut. I don’t recommend reading it.
And it really is heresy this time. You're here because you liked the other two novels, yes? No worries! - they’re damn good, and no one would disagree. But this one isn't in their class. This is one a reader slogs through, and at the end thinks "...well yeah, its alright I guess." Awkwardly, I must submit to you that the unsettled feeling this book leaves you with is actually your gut telling you that it's not a good book.
Just… give me a couple of minutes, okay? I swear I can explain.
The plot itself is actually pretty alright. Lancer Tal’s trilogy is done and dusted with this book.* A legacy of pain and drama, exploding convulsively in long-form before being wrapped up neatly. Tal’s romance with Saloman again forms the spine of the novel, connecting the readers emotionally to the main characters (- although their “will they or won’t they” phase ended in the last book. This book uses Sal mostly as a backdrop of “cooing wife.”) Opah’s brother is still a troublesome dickhead. (Again, alas, that's a plot point.) But the real red meat of this is the political intrigue which has been swirling in the background. Tal has been mired in its whirls unwittingly since the very beginning of Producer's Challenge. What once sat in the background is now a pressing threat which very well may tear her down.
So - drama, love, and adventure! Fantastic stuff. We can all get behind those types of things, right? Buy a big soda and some Jaffas, ignore the sticky floor. How could this possibly go wrong?
Well, it kind of went wrong.
Although my generalised dissatisfaction with the novel encompassed a fair few angles, I have three main objections I can articulate clearly. Each of these was pretty pressing and therefore warranted a minus star from me. That seemed fair. But you might reckon not, yes? So if you go to yourself “wow, P. is ruthless and evil for [insert particular point here]” then you should mentally blot it from your memory and stick a star back on to the score, rightio? Who knows, the rating might end up at five for you and we’ll both walk away happy. We’ll see, yes?
So – the first lost star. Here we go. This novel is cheesy far past the point of being readable.
And look, before anyone says anything, a bit of deliberate guilty pleasure in life is its own reward. No one is saying a bit of cheese in a novel isn’t fine. But this book has no self-awareness whatsoever, even as it persists in being totally ridiculous. Some scenes had me literally cringing in embarrassment – both for the characters and for myself.** Other parts made me feel cruel for laughing. Like being a pizza-delivery guy accidentally allowed into the local Freemason lodge. Why are these grown men playing dress-up? Does that mystic bullshit have any point? Where’s my money.
((“But P.” comes the exasperated shout, “they’re aliens – of course their rituals and language are different.” but the book isn’t aimed at aliens – it’s aimed at the English-speaking reader. Either the words invoke meaning for that reader or it fails.))
Examples? Literally every time something happens that’s “traditional.” Or the usages of the made-up alien language peppered throughout the novels. Not to mention
So, regretfully, I submit it’s too cheesy to be readable. But oh! what could have been! Doesn’t DeLancey write beautifully? If only that had been coupled with an aggressive editor who could have toned it down a couple of notches and back into “popcorn movie starring Jeff Bridges” territory.
Which actually brings me onto the second lost star. The ‘popcorn movie’ part I mean, not Jeff Bridges. The first star was lost because of technical reasons, but this second star was lost because of plot. Namely the ‘intrigue’ sections of the plot are poorly executed. How to describe this gently? The word ‘intrigue’ is generous for what actually occurs in the book. This part of the plot was touted as the unfolding of deadly and secret machinations. What actually unfolded was mostly on the basis of multiple reckless snap-decisions, none of which could have predicted, and each of which strained credulity. Overall it was rather less “hidden secrets and plots manipulating the world” and rather more “a series of blunt instruments to the face.”
The author appeared to have a series of Call of Duty-style black ops scenes she wanted to play out. The book was twisted both this way and that in order to connect them.
Don't get me wrong - the set-pieces were cool. But the filler sections which made them make sense were not done well. (Actually this is remarkably like Call of Duty, now I’m thinking about it.) Anyway, this was a significant problem, because those sections were as important as the set-pieces when presented to a reader. They needed to be thought through at least as much, if not more, to bring the reader into the scene with all its drama and pathos. As it stands now, the reader grows tired of Tal’s poverty of imagination. Even when Tal knows the shape of the enemy’s plans she walks into their ambush while saying to herself (and the reader) “what else can I do? My hands are tied.”
Such a person would get their underlings killed. And that death would serve no one's purpose but that of the enemy. A true leader would never be so inherently reactive, or so wasteful.
But that's enough of that. Finally, the third point. I suspect a fair few folk have left the review by now. Might I thank you kindly for making it here? Frankly I took no pleasure in writing it, and sat on my notes for weeks thinking it over. But one last point and then I’m free to talk about all the wonderful things which fully justify you picking this book up if you’ve read the other two books. Okay? Deep breath. Last one.
The plot halts multiple times so the main characters can deliver smug sermons to whoever is the designated fallguy. This happened so many times I began to grow angry. They were mostly aimed at Sal’s dickhead brother (I honestly cannot remember his name). Make no mistake though; after every significant activity the characters feel the need to vaunt their moral superiority over whoever has made an error - normally for between one page and three by my Kindle. This was a problem in the previous book as well but not to the extent found here. The lack of self-reflection is foul. There is the facsimile in text, yes, but not the substance. In this book whenever a character begins to think through their decisions they are immediately reassured by the author (in the guise of everyone around them) regarding their superior moral choices. Or they are abased by another character with (the readers are bludgeoned to understand) superior morality. Someone is right and someone is wrong. For fuck’s sake, complex situations, where any reasonable person could make a mistake, create shifting grey-areas where there literally are multiple – or no - good answers. Stop giving me “the correct” decision, declaimed at length by one or more of the characters, as decided by the author. Arrrg!
AND NOW THE GOOD THINGS
It’s well-written. Oh, so well written. Self-insert fanfiction has never looked so good. And it’s the end. You know? It closes all the plot points that were opened by the far better first two books – it should get a read just for those. If you can wade through the cloying seriousness, suspend your disbelief for the plot, and skip the multiple pages of patronising morality lectures, then this is a bloody good book. Rick-rollicking even -
So two stars.
* As an aside, is anyone else bothered by the author basically making her last name synonymous with “planetary supreme leader”? ‘DeLancey’, ‘Lancer’… no? Is that just me?
**I got to thinking about the nature of rituals and it went in weird places, so here it is under a cut. I don’t recommend reading it.
February 5, 2017
Wow. Great book. Great series. This book has certainly sparked my interest in science-fiction. I look forward to (and hope for) more installments in this series. With Vellmar if possible. And with more involvement of Ekatya and Lhyn.
And in the meantime I guess I'll give a try to some other lesbian-themed sci-fi books. Any suggestions?
And in the meantime I guess I'll give a try to some other lesbian-themed sci-fi books. Any suggestions?
April 29, 2019
The second part of without a front is more like Caphenon, in the sense that a lot happens, fast and with multiple threads going.
The love between the main characters is the principal highlight of the show, it was sweet, hot, and quite a little bit cheesy :'D
Having gone through that with my tyrina, I couldn't help but sympathize.
The love between the main characters is the principal highlight of the show, it was sweet, hot, and quite a little bit cheesy :'D
Having gone through that with my tyrina, I couldn't help but sympathize.
November 29, 2017
3.3 stars. I'm disappointed. The first book was so incredibly exciting but the second and now third book failed to live up to that standard. First of all there's the tone change from politics on a galactic level and war on a planetary level in the first book to living on a farm and dealing with school bullies in the second book. Now in this third book it gets a bit better but it still is... boring and worst of all predictable.
All major plot turns could be seen from a mile away. And there's a lot of grind between events that actually matter with unnecessary descriptions of their daily lives that repeat endlessly which forced me to speculate what will happen next and I got almost everything right. And because I guessed the whole book after finishing the first third of it I had to put it down many times.
It reads almost like a spin off or even a fanfic of the first book, the tone change is whiplash worthy and so much of it is repeated content. They shouldn't have split the original webfic into two books like they did here. They could've cut 60% of the second book and 60% of the third book and it would make for a good sequel to The Caphenon. Not as good as the first one but it still would be a good book.
Feels like they decided to cash in on the success of the first book. Kinda like they made 3 hobbit movies out of a single book that's not even that long. Meh...
At least their arc is now finished with a satisfying ending. I just wish the journey was as good.
All major plot turns could be seen from a mile away. And there's a lot of grind between events that actually matter with unnecessary descriptions of their daily lives that repeat endlessly which forced me to speculate what will happen next and I got almost everything right. And because I guessed the whole book after finishing the first third of it I had to put it down many times.
It reads almost like a spin off or even a fanfic of the first book, the tone change is whiplash worthy and so much of it is repeated content. They shouldn't have split the original webfic into two books like they did here. They could've cut 60% of the second book and 60% of the third book and it would make for a good sequel to The Caphenon. Not as good as the first one but it still would be a good book.
Feels like they decided to cash in on the success of the first book. Kinda like they made 3 hobbit movies out of a single book that's not even that long. Meh...
At least their arc is now finished with a satisfying ending. I just wish the journey was as good.
August 1, 2019
The last part of Without a Front also benefits from some lovely additions to the original story. The scenes between Andira and Lanaril were wonderful, and added a depth to Andira's character. All of the scenes with Ekatya were also interesting, although I did wish we'd seen more of Lhyn.
There were some interesting new scenes, or expansions of existing scenes between Tal and Salomen, all delightful. I also especially enjoyed Micah's discussion with Ekatya and the reveal he makes about their relationship, which added a new dimension to Tal's heartache at the beginning.
The story got a little bogged down with all the political manoeuvring and hunting for Herot towards the two thirds mark of the book, but the end more than made up for it.
I did wonder if Fletcher's vague reference to Lhyn and Ekatya's adventures near the end of the book means that we'll see them feature in their own story. I'd like to catch up with them again.
There were some interesting new scenes, or expansions of existing scenes between Tal and Salomen, all delightful. I also especially enjoyed Micah's discussion with Ekatya and the reveal he makes about their relationship, which added a new dimension to Tal's heartache at the beginning.
The story got a little bogged down with all the political manoeuvring and hunting for Herot towards the two thirds mark of the book, but the end more than made up for it.
I did wonder if Fletcher's vague reference to Lhyn and Ekatya's adventures near the end of the book means that we'll see them feature in their own story. I'd like to catch up with them again.
February 6, 2017
I do not particularly like leaving review boxes empty, but I'm not really sure what to say for this book here.
My 8th book by DeLancey is a good solid continuation of the series/conclusion of the Without a Front book. As everyone I follow, I think, already knows, Without a Front was a single whole book once upon a time. Originally posted on a website, until the book got split in half and sold through a publisher. It's a reason, if a reason is needed, for why the book felt like a book split in half. Because that's exactly what it had been. I realize something like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy was a single novel that, for publishing reasons, got split into three books, but it read a lot more like three separate (though deeply connected) books, than the two Without a Front books.
Also, as everyone I follow, I think, already knows, Without a Front itself was a spin-off of a five book Star Trek Voyager book length fan-fiction series by the author. Alsea was touched on in that Voyager series. The ship, Voyager, stopped off for a moment or two on the planet. They needed some supplies, and because the place was pre-warp, went in disguise. While there they detected a Borg signature – investigated, found Lancer Andira Tal – Tal, Captain Janeway and Lyhn (Lyn? I forget now) connected – briefly. Ship leaves. And that was basically the entirety of Alsea’s appearance in Voyager.
The Borg became the Voloth (no, the Voloth are not Borg like, they just replaced them as the invaders; though their walking death machines (piloted by humans) certainly seemed Borg like). The Federation became the Protectorate. Captain Janeway became Captain Serrano. And the really tiny story from the Voyager book became The Caphenon (a damn good book by itself). I mention all of this because ‘The Caphenon’ was something of a ‘prequel’ book that got published long after Without a Front appeared. Which I mention because I can’t imagine reading the two book Without a Front without all that occurred within Caphenon.
The people and events from Caphenon had a drastic impact on the world of Alsea. Events that had a direct impact on the first part of Without a Front. Which continued in the second part, the book in which this review appears.
All of this *points up* is a long winded way of indicating that I have no idea how someone could read this third Chronicles of Alsea book without having read the second book – since it is one book split into two; nor, because of the deep impact the people and technology of the Protectorate still have on Alsea – seen through ‘events’ that occur within this book here, and the prior one – I can’t imagine someone skipping Caphenon and just reading the Without a Front two book .. .book.
Drat. What I meant to say was – This book here is not a stand-alone book. It relies too much on the previous book in the series to really work as a standalone book. Technically, I suppose, someone could read the two books titled Without a Front without reading the first book in the series (Caphenon), but they’d probably be really annoyed by the constant mention of Captain Serrano and the Protectorate.
So, um – if you are reading this review here and are thinking of reading this book and haven’t read the previous books – stop, go back, do not read this book at this time. Read the others first. No, just the ones listed as being part of the Chronicles of Alsea series. You’d learn something more about the characters of the Caphenon by reading the Voyager fan fiction, but there is by no means a need to read those books to understand these books. It might even just confuse everything. There are probably two methods to reading these related books – read Voyager series, then this series, or do it the way I did it – read Caphenon, then the Voyager books, and then read the two Without a Front books. The third method of reading Alsea series then Voyager is doable, but you learn more and have it ‘mean more’ going the other way. Since nothing ‘learned’ from reading the Alsea series really applies to the Voyager Fan fiction; while the opposite cannot be said – since the characters in the fan fiction are the basis for the characters in The Caphenon, which itself has a deep impact on Without a Front.
I’m really beating a dead horse, aren’t I? heh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to dig and continue digging on a specific idea until everyone, and everything falls over asleep from boredom.
Right, I’ll just leave with one last thought: there is at least one damn good sex scene in this here book. Around the 23% mark. As I noted in my reading progress status updates – ‘never before did I expect neck biting to be arousing’.
Right. I’m off.
March 4 2016
My 8th book by DeLancey is a good solid continuation of the series/conclusion of the Without a Front book. As everyone I follow, I think, already knows, Without a Front was a single whole book once upon a time. Originally posted on a website, until the book got split in half and sold through a publisher. It's a reason, if a reason is needed, for why the book felt like a book split in half. Because that's exactly what it had been. I realize something like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy was a single novel that, for publishing reasons, got split into three books, but it read a lot more like three separate (though deeply connected) books, than the two Without a Front books.
Also, as everyone I follow, I think, already knows, Without a Front itself was a spin-off of a five book Star Trek Voyager book length fan-fiction series by the author. Alsea was touched on in that Voyager series. The ship, Voyager, stopped off for a moment or two on the planet. They needed some supplies, and because the place was pre-warp, went in disguise. While there they detected a Borg signature – investigated, found Lancer Andira Tal – Tal, Captain Janeway and Lyhn (Lyn? I forget now) connected – briefly. Ship leaves. And that was basically the entirety of Alsea’s appearance in Voyager.
The Borg became the Voloth (no, the Voloth are not Borg like, they just replaced them as the invaders; though their walking death machines (piloted by humans) certainly seemed Borg like). The Federation became the Protectorate. Captain Janeway became Captain Serrano. And the really tiny story from the Voyager book became The Caphenon (a damn good book by itself). I mention all of this because ‘The Caphenon’ was something of a ‘prequel’ book that got published long after Without a Front appeared. Which I mention because I can’t imagine reading the two book Without a Front without all that occurred within Caphenon.
The people and events from Caphenon had a drastic impact on the world of Alsea. Events that had a direct impact on the first part of Without a Front. Which continued in the second part, the book in which this review appears.
All of this *points up* is a long winded way of indicating that I have no idea how someone could read this third Chronicles of Alsea book without having read the second book – since it is one book split into two; nor, because of the deep impact the people and technology of the Protectorate still have on Alsea – seen through ‘events’ that occur within this book here, and the prior one – I can’t imagine someone skipping Caphenon and just reading the Without a Front two book .. .book.
Drat. What I meant to say was – This book here is not a stand-alone book. It relies too much on the previous book in the series to really work as a standalone book. Technically, I suppose, someone could read the two books titled Without a Front without reading the first book in the series (Caphenon), but they’d probably be really annoyed by the constant mention of Captain Serrano and the Protectorate.
So, um – if you are reading this review here and are thinking of reading this book and haven’t read the previous books – stop, go back, do not read this book at this time. Read the others first. No, just the ones listed as being part of the Chronicles of Alsea series. You’d learn something more about the characters of the Caphenon by reading the Voyager fan fiction, but there is by no means a need to read those books to understand these books. It might even just confuse everything. There are probably two methods to reading these related books – read Voyager series, then this series, or do it the way I did it – read Caphenon, then the Voyager books, and then read the two Without a Front books. The third method of reading Alsea series then Voyager is doable, but you learn more and have it ‘mean more’ going the other way. Since nothing ‘learned’ from reading the Alsea series really applies to the Voyager Fan fiction; while the opposite cannot be said – since the characters in the fan fiction are the basis for the characters in The Caphenon, which itself has a deep impact on Without a Front.
I’m really beating a dead horse, aren’t I? heh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to dig and continue digging on a specific idea until everyone, and everything falls over asleep from boredom.
Right, I’ll just leave with one last thought: there is at least one damn good sex scene in this here book. Around the 23% mark. As I noted in my reading progress status updates – ‘never before did I expect neck biting to be arousing’.
Right. I’m off.
March 4 2016
June 19, 2016
Like some others have said, it feels a bit odd reviewing this one on its own. The book doesn't stand alone at all because it directly picks up where Without A Front – The Producer’s Challenge leaves off. If you haven't read that book, this review will have a bunch of spoilers.
Tal managed to save Salomen from the assassination attempt at the end of The Producer's Challenge and now she's in the hospital with burns over much of her body. Their tyree bond has been forged for survival reasons rather than love, but Tal and Salomen are drawing strength from each other as they grapple with the fact that someone tried to kill Tal.
As they hide the true nature of their relationship from the world and the degree to which Tal has been injured, they have some hard truths to deal with--not only does someone want Tal dead, but Salomen's brother helped the assassin know where she would be. It also becomes clear that there's corruption deep within the Council and a faction that wants Tal overthrown.
Unsurprisingly, I loved The Warrior's Challenge. The romance that began in The Producer's Challenge continues strongly and is satisfying, there's tons of action, and the intrigue around the Council corruption was handled well. Also, let's just say that the author made up for the lack of sex in the first two books, and how.
Salomen and Tal continue to be great. The tension that ran between them in The Producer's Challenge isn't there in quite the same way, but I particularly enjoyed seeing them negotiate their new life together. I also loved Vellmar the Blade. She's the perfect sidekick for Tal and I can't wait to read her novella. Micah had his own journey that is excellent and the big reveal about his backstory totally surprised me, but worked well.
If you've liked the other books in this series, you'll like this one. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Fletcher DeLancey has for us in the Chronicles of Alsea.
Tal managed to save Salomen from the assassination attempt at the end of The Producer's Challenge and now she's in the hospital with burns over much of her body. Their tyree bond has been forged for survival reasons rather than love, but Tal and Salomen are drawing strength from each other as they grapple with the fact that someone tried to kill Tal.
As they hide the true nature of their relationship from the world and the degree to which Tal has been injured, they have some hard truths to deal with--not only does someone want Tal dead, but Salomen's brother helped the assassin know where she would be. It also becomes clear that there's corruption deep within the Council and a faction that wants Tal overthrown.
Unsurprisingly, I loved The Warrior's Challenge. The romance that began in The Producer's Challenge continues strongly and is satisfying, there's tons of action, and the intrigue around the Council corruption was handled well. Also, let's just say that the author made up for the lack of sex in the first two books, and how.
Salomen and Tal continue to be great. The tension that ran between them in The Producer's Challenge isn't there in quite the same way, but I particularly enjoyed seeing them negotiate their new life together. I also loved Vellmar the Blade. She's the perfect sidekick for Tal and I can't wait to read her novella. Micah had his own journey that is excellent and the big reveal about his backstory totally surprised me, but worked well.
If you've liked the other books in this series, you'll like this one. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Fletcher DeLancey has for us in the Chronicles of Alsea.
July 15, 2018
The intricate plot and wonderful characters make rereading this book a joy and comfort.
April 3, 2016
The remarkable second half of ‘Without a Front’ picks up the story right after the spine-tingling cliff-hanger at the end of ‘The Producer’s Challenge’. All the threads the author so carefully positioned in book two – be they around different relationships, political machinations, or empathic powers - are picked up and brought to a conclusion in this volume. But that is not all. Revelations about Lancer Tal’s personal past, the spiritual aspect of her bond with Salomen, and further details about Alsean history and abilities kept me turning the pages and sinking deeper into this alien society as I read on. There are so many layers to this world and these people that I am sure I’ll discover new things when I reread the books in this series. Just one point of “warning”: you need to read the previous book before this one, or else you will not know what is going on. Consequently anything and everything in this review could be considered a spoiler for ‘The Producer’s Challenge’.
Lancer Tal is put to the test in this third book of the series in every conceivable way. Her personal challenge of finding out more about a producer’s life may have finished when she leaves Hol-Opah, but there are more than enough political messes and threats to Alsea left now that she has returned to her job. It is hard for her to accept the fact that she is now bonded, and not because she doesn’t love Salomen with all her heart. It is the practical aspect of living together, of sharing and not sharing her thinking, and the fact that Salomen sees things very differently in most cases. Lancer Tal is used to doing things a certain way, and having to adapt, as much as she wants to, is way harder than she expected.
Salomen does not have it any easier. She now faces the second part of their bet: finding out what a lancer does, how being a warrior is different from being a producer, and dealing with suddenly being the bondlancer. Her new role is full of challenges from a procedural point of view, but her personal charm and natural ability to relate to people makes things a lot easier. Learning to accept what it means to be a warrior is more difficult, and Tal excluding her from the details while she can still feel everything through their bond upsets her deeply more than once. Then there are her developing empathic abilities, and since a lot of them turn out to be new, she and Tal have to pretty much struggle through their discoveries without outside training or help.
There is so much pain and tragedy in this book, but there is also a lot of love. Guards Vellmar and Gehrain begin to play new roles, and Colonel Micah is back. Jaros is his usual charming nine-year-old self, and the whole Opah family provides much-needed positive support throughout the political chaos and hunt for those who try to ruin Alsea’s future. There are quite a few hints about Alsean mythology and theology as well, and I hope to find out more in the next book of the series.
If you like this series and want to know what’s next for Lancer Tal and Raiz Opah, if you enjoy political thrillers with tough women fighting for their lives, and if you’re looking for a read that is as intricately put together and suspenseful as it is fascinating in its conclusion, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Alseans!
NOTE: This book was provided by Ylva Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Lancer Tal is put to the test in this third book of the series in every conceivable way. Her personal challenge of finding out more about a producer’s life may have finished when she leaves Hol-Opah, but there are more than enough political messes and threats to Alsea left now that she has returned to her job. It is hard for her to accept the fact that she is now bonded, and not because she doesn’t love Salomen with all her heart. It is the practical aspect of living together, of sharing and not sharing her thinking, and the fact that Salomen sees things very differently in most cases. Lancer Tal is used to doing things a certain way, and having to adapt, as much as she wants to, is way harder than she expected.
Salomen does not have it any easier. She now faces the second part of their bet: finding out what a lancer does, how being a warrior is different from being a producer, and dealing with suddenly being the bondlancer. Her new role is full of challenges from a procedural point of view, but her personal charm and natural ability to relate to people makes things a lot easier. Learning to accept what it means to be a warrior is more difficult, and Tal excluding her from the details while she can still feel everything through their bond upsets her deeply more than once. Then there are her developing empathic abilities, and since a lot of them turn out to be new, she and Tal have to pretty much struggle through their discoveries without outside training or help.
There is so much pain and tragedy in this book, but there is also a lot of love. Guards Vellmar and Gehrain begin to play new roles, and Colonel Micah is back. Jaros is his usual charming nine-year-old self, and the whole Opah family provides much-needed positive support throughout the political chaos and hunt for those who try to ruin Alsea’s future. There are quite a few hints about Alsean mythology and theology as well, and I hope to find out more in the next book of the series.
If you like this series and want to know what’s next for Lancer Tal and Raiz Opah, if you enjoy political thrillers with tough women fighting for their lives, and if you’re looking for a read that is as intricately put together and suspenseful as it is fascinating in its conclusion, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Alseans!
NOTE: This book was provided by Ylva Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 24, 2025
⭐5
I adore this series, these characters, this setting. I just can't stop thinking about them, and I'll have to start reading buffer books between these so I don't just run through all 10 books of The Chronicles of Alsea (which I really want to do!). I can't believe I've been putting off starting this series for so long because I was intimidated by the length of it. These books just flow so easily you just don't want to put them down. I love it when writing shows that the author has experience in life and love, it just gives so much more depth to romance and friendship. The plot meanders effortlessly between political schemes and romance. I'm greatly looking forward to the following books!
I adore this series, these characters, this setting. I just can't stop thinking about them, and I'll have to start reading buffer books between these so I don't just run through all 10 books of The Chronicles of Alsea (which I really want to do!). I can't believe I've been putting off starting this series for so long because I was intimidated by the length of it. These books just flow so easily you just don't want to put them down. I love it when writing shows that the author has experience in life and love, it just gives so much more depth to romance and friendship. The plot meanders effortlessly between political schemes and romance. I'm greatly looking forward to the following books!
January 6, 2016
I really loved this series especially Andira and Salomen. I loved their wit, courage and honor as well as their strength in the face of so many conflicts. I would love to revisit Alsea again so many characters deserve their own tale. Can't wait....besides Periso is still out there.
June 10, 2024
“The first time something made me laugh, it felt like a betrayal of her memory, because how could I possibly be happy without her?”
Found this quote from here saved in my notes, thought maybe it would convince some of you to give it a try- I am about to re read since I’ve started to forget
Found this quote from here saved in my notes, thought maybe it would convince some of you to give it a try- I am about to re read since I’ve started to forget
May 15, 2022
Stayed up until stupid o’clock to finish this book because how could I not. The last 100 pages were truly an addiction.
Something I adore about speculative fiction is the ability for authors to truly examine human nature in ways that can relate to people in all different situations.
Fletcher Delancey does this is such beautiful and amazing smoothness, she makes it look easy. I never thought I could love any of the books in this series as much as I do the first one, but damn have I been proven wrong.
The writing is delicious and the mystery and intrigue is fantastic.
Themes of family, loyalty, and pride are so strong in without a front: the warriors challenge and handled so fantastically.
I was really happy to see Ekatya and even Lynn have some small cameos but Aldira and Salomen definitely kept me intrigued and falling in love with them both. The struggles of each of them accepting both the strengths and the weaknesses of the other is beautifully written with such depth and raw truth. I also adore so many of the minor characters and hope I get to see more of them in the books to come.
The divine sex scenes, respectful treatment of trauma, loss, and pain balanced with flirty banter and laugh out loud moments are reasons I will go back again and again to read this book. As well as some of the most beautiful descriptions of a land I can only ever visit between the pages.
Something I adore about speculative fiction is the ability for authors to truly examine human nature in ways that can relate to people in all different situations.
Fletcher Delancey does this is such beautiful and amazing smoothness, she makes it look easy. I never thought I could love any of the books in this series as much as I do the first one, but damn have I been proven wrong.
The writing is delicious and the mystery and intrigue is fantastic.
Themes of family, loyalty, and pride are so strong in without a front: the warriors challenge and handled so fantastically.
I was really happy to see Ekatya and even Lynn have some small cameos but Aldira and Salomen definitely kept me intrigued and falling in love with them both. The struggles of each of them accepting both the strengths and the weaknesses of the other is beautifully written with such depth and raw truth. I also adore so many of the minor characters and hope I get to see more of them in the books to come.
The divine sex scenes, respectful treatment of trauma, loss, and pain balanced with flirty banter and laugh out loud moments are reasons I will go back again and again to read this book. As well as some of the most beautiful descriptions of a land I can only ever visit between the pages.
July 24, 2020
After an unexpected attack Lancer Tal and Salomen find out just what their relationship really means. Their bond brings a strength neither could have imagined, but they face decisions that are bound to change their lives forever. Is Salomen ready to take a leap into the unknown? As Andira fights forces plotting against her, will she be able to save her political career and ensure her own happiness? The future of Alsea depends on it.
I loved seeing the development of Andira and Salomen’s relationship. It was never going to be easy forming a bond in the glare of publicity, but the couple were wading through the repercussions of the attack, with all of its implications. The importance of their bond became more evident as the story progressed – and what a story! This exciting and fast-paced adventure expanded on what we knew about Alsea, and into the inter-caste machinations and politicking of those in government. I am in awe of the world-building skills of Fletcher DeLancey. The more I find out about Alsea, the more I want to know. Each book in the series adds to the mythology and convinces me that someone has to pick up The Chronicles of Alsea and film it. And yes, I’ve already bought book 4!
I loved seeing the development of Andira and Salomen’s relationship. It was never going to be easy forming a bond in the glare of publicity, but the couple were wading through the repercussions of the attack, with all of its implications. The importance of their bond became more evident as the story progressed – and what a story! This exciting and fast-paced adventure expanded on what we knew about Alsea, and into the inter-caste machinations and politicking of those in government. I am in awe of the world-building skills of Fletcher DeLancey. The more I find out about Alsea, the more I want to know. Each book in the series adds to the mythology and convinces me that someone has to pick up The Chronicles of Alsea and film it. And yes, I’ve already bought book 4!
September 27, 2018
Beyond any expectation I might have had, this one continued the epic story of Andira and Salomen's growing bond. Oh, Fahla..what do you have in store for them next?!
February 3, 2017
The Chronicles of Alsea is a series developed and written by Fletcher DeLancey. Without a Front: The Warrior's Challenge is the third book in this set and took me on a beautiful flight to the next galaxy. It's a science fiction series and the first one I have read in this genre. I'd heard great things about Fletcher DeLancey's work in several groups on Facebook, but I kept ignoring them (shame on me) because I thought I wouldn't like the genre or I wouldn't understand it.
Oh, my goodness, HOW WRONG WAS I! This is, by far, the best I've read in more than a decade. This series is a perfect mix of different genres (science fiction, adventure, thriller, and romance). All the books are very well written and crafted. The characters are well developed, and the world that's created is complex and believable. The story drew me in from the first chapter, and I felt like an observer of the characters actions and feelings throughout the whole book. So emotionally intense and I adore it all.
If you're a fan of science fiction, you've probably read these books at the time of publication. But if (you think) you are not a fan of science fiction, don't let this deter you from reading these books because this is truly and honestly a brilliant series.
Other books in The Chronicles of Alsea Series are (in January 2017):
[book 1] The Caphenon
[book 2] Without a Front: The Producer's Challenge
[book 3] Without a Front: The Warrior's Challenge
[book 4] Catalyst
[book 5] Vellmar the Blade
[book 6] Outcaste (not yet published)
And if you'd like to treat yourself to an unseen interlude with one of the secondary characters, download Projection for free from the Ylva Publishing website. It's a short story that fits in perfectly with the first book, The Caphenon.
Applauding Fletcher DeLancey and hoping for much, much more to come.
Oh, my goodness, HOW WRONG WAS I! This is, by far, the best I've read in more than a decade. This series is a perfect mix of different genres (science fiction, adventure, thriller, and romance). All the books are very well written and crafted. The characters are well developed, and the world that's created is complex and believable. The story drew me in from the first chapter, and I felt like an observer of the characters actions and feelings throughout the whole book. So emotionally intense and I adore it all.
If you're a fan of science fiction, you've probably read these books at the time of publication. But if (you think) you are not a fan of science fiction, don't let this deter you from reading these books because this is truly and honestly a brilliant series.
Other books in The Chronicles of Alsea Series are (in January 2017):
[book 1] The Caphenon
[book 2] Without a Front: The Producer's Challenge
[book 3] Without a Front: The Warrior's Challenge
[book 4] Catalyst
[book 5] Vellmar the Blade
[book 6] Outcaste (not yet published)
And if you'd like to treat yourself to an unseen interlude with one of the secondary characters, download Projection for free from the Ylva Publishing website. It's a short story that fits in perfectly with the first book, The Caphenon.
Applauding Fletcher DeLancey and hoping for much, much more to come.
December 22, 2016
I liked this much better than book 2. Whereas book 2 felt more like a romance novel, this book has a lot of action, similar to that seen in the Caphenon. Here we are back to the Andira Tal who is once again having to stratergize to save Alsea from misguided forces. Occasionally the book switches from 'show' to 'tell', which can be a little irritating, but does not detract too much from the storyline. In my personal opinion, book 2 and book 3 could have been easily combined without any detriment to the story. The Caphenon (book 1) is still my favourite of the 3.
March 16, 2021
I didn't enjoy this one *quite* as much as the first two, but I still really loved it!
I did feel like it was longer than it needed to be, and I particularly found the constant sermons to Solomen's brother to get a little old--OMG we get it, why do I need to read 5 different lectures to him on the same subject? I also found some of the Spinner resolution to feel a bit anticlimactic after all of the build in the previous book--his ploy seemed to crumble quite quickly/easily. Some of the tyree stuff felt a little *too* convenient and fantastical, and I personally just wasn't interested in the numerous explicit sex scenes--which is unusual for me! But while I really liked the characters and could get behind their romance, and though that is clearly a large backbone of the book, for me the romance aspect was secondary to the plot and the relationships overall, so I was more interested in reading about the actual relationships or plot every time a smut break happened. I was also a bit frustrated with the way the author constantly framed every issue between Solomen and Andira as Andira's fault/her needing to improve/grow/learn. I actually found Solomen's refusal/inability to recognize not only the importance of Andira's caste rules/traditions, but also that there are things as a Lancer and Warrior that she *has* to do, to be really detrimental to their relationship and it was frustrating that it was never fully addressed.
Those are just the things I didn't love, but I still adored the world and the characters and their various relationships. I liked the new characters we get to meet and I generally thought the plot was interesting. It was nice to have cameos from Ekaterina and Lynn at the end, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book!
I did feel like it was longer than it needed to be, and I particularly found the constant sermons to Solomen's brother to get a little old--OMG we get it, why do I need to read 5 different lectures to him on the same subject? I also found some of the Spinner resolution to feel a bit anticlimactic after all of the build in the previous book--his ploy seemed to crumble quite quickly/easily. Some of the tyree stuff felt a little *too* convenient and fantastical, and I personally just wasn't interested in the numerous explicit sex scenes--which is unusual for me! But while I really liked the characters and could get behind their romance, and though that is clearly a large backbone of the book, for me the romance aspect was secondary to the plot and the relationships overall, so I was more interested in reading about the actual relationships or plot every time a smut break happened. I was also a bit frustrated with the way the author constantly framed every issue between Solomen and Andira as Andira's fault/her needing to improve/grow/learn. I actually found Solomen's refusal/inability to recognize not only the importance of Andira's caste rules/traditions, but also that there are things as a Lancer and Warrior that she *has* to do, to be really detrimental to their relationship and it was frustrating that it was never fully addressed.
Those are just the things I didn't love, but I still adored the world and the characters and their various relationships. I liked the new characters we get to meet and I generally thought the plot was interesting. It was nice to have cameos from Ekaterina and Lynn at the end, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book!
January 26, 2019
I read the first three books all in one day, and this one was the most difficult to get through. I just felt that it became increasingly over the top with its corniness...especially the ending. Like, the literal goddess shows up after giving this couple extra special sparky hand powers? Sal’s massive, untapped potential that basically saves everyone low key reminded me of Bella Swan in Breaking Dawn. I also felt that in comparison to Tal, she has very few faults and is mostly the dutiful supporter who worries about her partner’s health. She straight up moved to the capital - the conflict between her duties seemed to vanish.
I didn’t mind the way the mystery/political intrigue was done, because the pacing was good. I just think that the characters’ relationships just lacked the complexity and tension that made the first and second books so interesting. Tal is basically just the kind of gallant, dashing war leader who does nothing wrong, flawlessly integrates herself with everyone and they all end up helping her, and it just becomes more and more extra. I have read books that have done this trope well enough, but there was a lot of obvious growth and real tension involved with every step.
I dunno - ultimately I didn’t care for this book as much as the others, but I guess had pretty fast paced plot, lots of action, and is not at all bad if you want to see a story where this noble, honourable, great at fighting, and presumably attractive female leader basically gets everything that she wants. I’d read it once to finish the story, but this is not the Andira Tal I want to remember.
I didn’t mind the way the mystery/political intrigue was done, because the pacing was good. I just think that the characters’ relationships just lacked the complexity and tension that made the first and second books so interesting. Tal is basically just the kind of gallant, dashing war leader who does nothing wrong, flawlessly integrates herself with everyone and they all end up helping her, and it just becomes more and more extra. I have read books that have done this trope well enough, but there was a lot of obvious growth and real tension involved with every step.
I dunno - ultimately I didn’t care for this book as much as the others, but I guess had pretty fast paced plot, lots of action, and is not at all bad if you want to see a story where this noble, honourable, great at fighting, and presumably attractive female leader basically gets everything that she wants. I’d read it once to finish the story, but this is not the Andira Tal I want to remember.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2025
I know this is supposed to be a fanfic but I don’t know enough of Star Trek to recognise which bits are based on what and which are completely original. Overall, I really did enjoy the ride. I like most of the characters, I’m intrigued by Alsean culture and I ship the main relationship. Does it feel like a big dose of wish-fulfilment? Definitely. Are some of those wishes also my own? Yes.
The thing that bothers me about this is that I would like the world-building more descriptive and perhaps more original? I suppose there is a good reason for everything to be mostly earth-like but the Alseans get credited s as the most unique race in the known universe at the moment so why isn’t there a more unique fauna for example? I really missed Lhyn in the last two books because she was a good vehicle for some good old-fashioned exposition. Or Gaians in general, for that matter.
The author does go out of their way to adjust certain idioms to feel more alien but it mostly just involves changing one word in a set phrase to sound more indigenous. The spirit of the phrase stays the same. On one hand there is enough differences in Alsea to require these changes and on the other, I wish the author tried to either make up something completely from scratch or just used standard English.
Then again, this is basically a fanfic. So if I knew enough about Star Trek, maybe I wouldn’t find parts of the world-building a bit shallow. I really did enjoy the book a lot and l want to give it 4 stars based on that but it did bother me enough to feel that I shouldn’t.
The thing that bothers me about this is that I would like the world-building more descriptive and perhaps more original? I suppose there is a good reason for everything to be mostly earth-like but the Alseans get credited s as the most unique race in the known universe at the moment so why isn’t there a more unique fauna for example? I really missed Lhyn in the last two books because she was a good vehicle for some good old-fashioned exposition. Or Gaians in general, for that matter.
The author does go out of their way to adjust certain idioms to feel more alien but it mostly just involves changing one word in a set phrase to sound more indigenous. The spirit of the phrase stays the same. On one hand there is enough differences in Alsea to require these changes and on the other, I wish the author tried to either make up something completely from scratch or just used standard English.
Then again, this is basically a fanfic. So if I knew enough about Star Trek, maybe I wouldn’t find parts of the world-building a bit shallow. I really did enjoy the book a lot and l want to give it 4 stars based on that but it did bother me enough to feel that I shouldn’t.
January 8, 2018
Oh. My. Goddess. I LOVED every page of this book, and this is shaping up to be my all-time favorite series. I adore Andira and Salomen (and their relationship) so, so much, but there are so many great characters here it's hard to choose a favorite. (If the story is lacking for anything, it's that it needs more Lanaril!) This book is everything a sci-fi/fantasy romance should be and SO MUCH MORE. Great action, lots of surprises (!!), and an ending that I'll be swooning over for a long time!
November 3, 2017
Just finished after a marathon reading session. As I have said before sci-fi is my favourite genre and Fletcher DeLancy created an amazing world and places you right in the middle of it. Great finish to a fantastic series (at Lancer Tal’s part of it). Will be hoping to find another great series that can compare, I fear it may take a long time.
December 15, 2021
Still loving this series!
So much happened in book three that I don't think I could summarize it into one or two sentences. Just know that you wouldn't be disappointed if you enjoyed the first two. I'm very glad that Vellmar’s become a significant character in the series, and I really hope that we get to meet her famous champion mother.
So much happened in book three that I don't think I could summarize it into one or two sentences. Just know that you wouldn't be disappointed if you enjoyed the first two. I'm very glad that Vellmar’s become a significant character in the series, and I really hope that we get to meet her famous champion mother.
March 17, 2025
I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are lovable and the plot is unpredictable and refreshing. My biggest complaint is that sometimes the conflict resolution feels a little corny, like the end of a 90's sitcom episode. But even that, in a way, is refreshing.
July 7, 2019
Not quite as good as the second book, but books 2&3 are so tightly intertwined they read as one.
November 16, 2020
Excellent writing. Loved it. The world-building is so damned cool. When I'm reading, I feel like I'm being transported to the world of Alsea. Can't wait to see what happens next.
September 5, 2021
ten-year-olds watching a bloody sword fight is not exactly my idea of a good parenting tactic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
i spent half of my time reading this (still) mourning over andira and ekatya's potential as a couple and the other half enjoying all the actions and admiring salomen
October 7, 2024
Outstanding!
Andira and Salomen are an amazing couple with an extraordinary bond. Great addition to the Alsea series. It just keeps getting better…
Andira and Salomen are an amazing couple with an extraordinary bond. Great addition to the Alsea series. It just keeps getting better…
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