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Children of the Stars
The world was forever changed when a government genetic experiment created the Chromodecs from a dead alien in 1952. Decades later, when it became apparent that society needed a way to deal with hybrid humans capable of dangerous kinetic powers, the CORP was created. The Chromodec Office of Restraint and Protection was a special government police agency formed to keep track of the Chromodecs.
This particular tale involves two refugees, young babies who were sent down to Earth to escape being used as pawns in an interplanetary war, despite the fact that Earth itself wasn't so safe. Destined to be Q'sirrahna, or soul mates as the humans called it, Amari Losira Del Rey and Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor would grow to be more powerful than any other beings on the planet, if they could find each other first.
After being forced to hide from the CORP when it's realized their powers could level entire cities, Amari and Zen will have to answer one question. Who will save the world when it all falls apart?
This particular tale involves two refugees, young babies who were sent down to Earth to escape being used as pawns in an interplanetary war, despite the fact that Earth itself wasn't so safe. Destined to be Q'sirrahna, or soul mates as the humans called it, Amari Losira Del Rey and Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor would grow to be more powerful than any other beings on the planet, if they could find each other first.
After being forced to hide from the CORP when it's realized their powers could level entire cities, Amari and Zen will have to answer one question. Who will save the world when it all falls apart?
348 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2020
30 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
K. Aten
20 books328 followersAward winning author and Michigan native, K. Aten writes sapphic heroines into existence one story at a time.
As a writer:
I've published 16 novels since 2018. I write across the romantic genres, including science fiction, fantasy, historical, contemporary drama, paranormal romance, dystopian, rom com, and adventure. However, my primary output is speculative fiction.
Please see my website, Amazon, or anywhere my books are sold for book descriptions & updates.
SOME WORDS END THE SILENCE, OTHERS BEGIN IT
_____________________________________________
As a reader:
My Ratings
5 Stars-The book made it into my heart and if I had to make a top 50 list of all time this book would shimmy its way in.
4 Stars- I loved the book, it was amazing. However, it's not on the elite 'favorite of all time' list.
3 Stars- This is the broadest category. I liked the book all the way to it was average. This should be a 2.5 to 3.5 section.
2 Stars- I read the book all the way through but did not like it.
1 Star- I only give a 1 if I can't finish the book because I dislike it so much. There are a few reasons for DNF. Poor plot line, poor grammar and/or spelling, or maybe just a subject I don't care for.
I DO ROUND UP!
Email: killerwit68@gmail.com
Linktree: www.linktr.ee/katenauthor
Social media: @katenauthor
AO3: www.archiveofourown.org/users/katenau...
“The true measure of success is in not being defined by your failures.”
As a writer:
I've published 16 novels since 2018. I write across the romantic genres, including science fiction, fantasy, historical, contemporary drama, paranormal romance, dystopian, rom com, and adventure. However, my primary output is speculative fiction.
Please see my website, Amazon, or anywhere my books are sold for book descriptions & updates.
SOME WORDS END THE SILENCE, OTHERS BEGIN IT
_____________________________________________
As a reader:
My Ratings
5 Stars-The book made it into my heart and if I had to make a top 50 list of all time this book would shimmy its way in.
4 Stars- I loved the book, it was amazing. However, it's not on the elite 'favorite of all time' list.
3 Stars- This is the broadest category. I liked the book all the way to it was average. This should be a 2.5 to 3.5 section.
2 Stars- I read the book all the way through but did not like it.
1 Star- I only give a 1 if I can't finish the book because I dislike it so much. There are a few reasons for DNF. Poor plot line, poor grammar and/or spelling, or maybe just a subject I don't care for.
I DO ROUND UP!
Email: killerwit68@gmail.com
Linktree: www.linktr.ee/katenauthor
Social media: @katenauthor
AO3: www.archiveofourown.org/users/katenau...
“The true measure of success is in not being defined by your failures.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 2, 2020
4.50 Stars. This was a really well done action-romance superhero story. While I am putting the sci-fi tag on this since it has aliens after all, this is a superhero story. When I say aliens, think of how Superman is an alien who came to earth and has super powers, that’s the similar vein this story is in.
I am definitely a superhero geek at heart. When I was little and all my friends were playing with Barbie’s, I was playing with Wonder Woman, Batman and Captain America action figures. Heck my Blu-ray collection has more Marvel and DC movies than any other type, I love a good superhero story. So to get to read a new superhero book with lesbian and bi women characters, hell yes please!
Two princesses from two distant planets, soul bonded to rule their worlds together, are separated and sent to two different places on Earth. Each woman grows up knowing that a part of them is somehow missing. Can these two find their true soul mate that is out their waiting? And while being a princess from another planet means having powers, these two princesses are not the only aliens to have landed on earth. In an epic battle of good versus evil, can the princesses find love and help save the world?
I don’t think it’s any secret that Aten is one of my favorite authors. She writes the type of books I want to read and as you can tell this was no exception. This does have a larger cast of characters. Two mains characters but also two other women I would call main-secondary characters, and the rest which is a large cast of secondary characters. I’m not always big on books that have multiple POV's, with a large cast, but luckily here this book was nice and long so I felt like I got to know all the important characters well. I can never tell from my kindle but I would have guessed this book was around 500 pages (I think the Goodreads page count is wrong) but anyway it was a nice long book with a big complete action storyline that I could picture being on the big screen one day.
I do want to mention that the book starts a little slow. Aten has to set up the world building and set the scene for the main characters. Don’t worry it doesn’t last long. Once everything is set up, the book really takes off and is jam packed with action. Because it is a larger book, it took me longer than usually to finish this. I was not happy when I had to put this down to go to bed and wait for the next day to finish the rest. And while the book is more action than romance, I was very satisfied with the overall ratio of both by the time the book is done.
While this book was super entertaining, I do have one small complaint that stopped this from being a full 5 stars. In between certain scene breaks or chapter breaks, in italics the narrator of the book would speak directly to us the reader. I get why Aten did this, it was a way to get some info to us readers, maybe a little history or facts she felt the reader should know, I get it but I didn’t like it. I’m not really big when any narrator talks to the reader about the characters like we are observing them together but the narrator has more info than we do, it’s something I just don’t like when any author does it. And really besides some extra info in the beginning that was helpful, as the book went on these speaking to the reader parts started to feel redundant. Aten is such a strong story teller that I just don’t think this part was needed. Luckily, it is something that is easy to skim if you are not big fan of this either, and it won’t affect how wonderful the rest of the book is.
If you want a big action packed superhero story, this book is for you. A book about soul mates, good versus evil, love, and family, there really is something here for everyone. This is a pretty epic action-romance that entertained me just as much as any big action blockbuster on the big screen would. All of Aten’s books are wonderfully unique and I’m happy to add this one to my library. Oh and I have to give a shout-out to Ann McMan, who I believed did the cover. It fits the book really well and is so eye catching.
A Copy was given to me for a honest review.
I am definitely a superhero geek at heart. When I was little and all my friends were playing with Barbie’s, I was playing with Wonder Woman, Batman and Captain America action figures. Heck my Blu-ray collection has more Marvel and DC movies than any other type, I love a good superhero story. So to get to read a new superhero book with lesbian and bi women characters, hell yes please!
Two princesses from two distant planets, soul bonded to rule their worlds together, are separated and sent to two different places on Earth. Each woman grows up knowing that a part of them is somehow missing. Can these two find their true soul mate that is out their waiting? And while being a princess from another planet means having powers, these two princesses are not the only aliens to have landed on earth. In an epic battle of good versus evil, can the princesses find love and help save the world?
I don’t think it’s any secret that Aten is one of my favorite authors. She writes the type of books I want to read and as you can tell this was no exception. This does have a larger cast of characters. Two mains characters but also two other women I would call main-secondary characters, and the rest which is a large cast of secondary characters. I’m not always big on books that have multiple POV's, with a large cast, but luckily here this book was nice and long so I felt like I got to know all the important characters well. I can never tell from my kindle but I would have guessed this book was around 500 pages (I think the Goodreads page count is wrong) but anyway it was a nice long book with a big complete action storyline that I could picture being on the big screen one day.
I do want to mention that the book starts a little slow. Aten has to set up the world building and set the scene for the main characters. Don’t worry it doesn’t last long. Once everything is set up, the book really takes off and is jam packed with action. Because it is a larger book, it took me longer than usually to finish this. I was not happy when I had to put this down to go to bed and wait for the next day to finish the rest. And while the book is more action than romance, I was very satisfied with the overall ratio of both by the time the book is done.
While this book was super entertaining, I do have one small complaint that stopped this from being a full 5 stars. In between certain scene breaks or chapter breaks, in italics the narrator of the book would speak directly to us the reader. I get why Aten did this, it was a way to get some info to us readers, maybe a little history or facts she felt the reader should know, I get it but I didn’t like it. I’m not really big when any narrator talks to the reader about the characters like we are observing them together but the narrator has more info than we do, it’s something I just don’t like when any author does it. And really besides some extra info in the beginning that was helpful, as the book went on these speaking to the reader parts started to feel redundant. Aten is such a strong story teller that I just don’t think this part was needed. Luckily, it is something that is easy to skim if you are not big fan of this either, and it won’t affect how wonderful the rest of the book is.
If you want a big action packed superhero story, this book is for you. A book about soul mates, good versus evil, love, and family, there really is something here for everyone. This is a pretty epic action-romance that entertained me just as much as any big action blockbuster on the big screen would. All of Aten’s books are wonderfully unique and I’m happy to add this one to my library. Oh and I have to give a shout-out to Ann McMan, who I believed did the cover. It fits the book really well and is so eye catching.
A Copy was given to me for a honest review.
January 22, 2020
K. Aten's latest, I must say, took me to a whole new level of intrigue!! The subject matter, the significance of the metaphysics, psychic abilities including telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, telesthesia, levitation, clairvoyance, the lot! As if not enough, Aten also injected the divine connection of soulmates, not to mention, higher consciousness, aliens, other universes... the whole nine yards! With all these ingredients mixed together to create a uniquely engaging and intriguing story about two royal babies, princesses, born from two different planets, Tora and Reyna, in the Q'orre system, who were bonded as soulmates (Q'sirrahna), but as a result of their respective planets being under attack, they were inevitably shipped off to Earth for their own protection, kept under watch by the Watchers. When I read this prologue, I couldn't help but be reminded a little bit of "Superman." Just a little bit. But what really piqued my curiosity and intrigue was how Aten moulded the back story of the entire situation with the MCs' planets of origin, the system, the battle, and the nature of the soulmate bond and the circumstances in which the two MCs, Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor (Zen), Princess of Tora, and Amari Losira Del Rey (Amari), Princess of Reyna, were separated on Earth, living separate lives but were meant to be reunited when the timing was right.
The crux of the story, amidst all the action and intrigue, was essentially about two soulmates, fated to be together since birth, and destined to reunite when the time came, despite both having led polar opposite lives in every aspect of their livelihood, but the power of their soul connection, even when they were apart in their unawares, a bonded love that was beyond earthly definition, so divinely sacred, so sacrosanct that nothing could stop their souls from coming together again, their union finally made whole and complete. Meant to be. Three words that transcend the matrix of logic, rationale, and understanding. Love. The most powerful and potent energy that conquers all. When love between two souls is fated and destined, their cord is unbreakable.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by the author, in return for an honest review.
The crux of the story, amidst all the action and intrigue, was essentially about two soulmates, fated to be together since birth, and destined to reunite when the time came, despite both having led polar opposite lives in every aspect of their livelihood, but the power of their soul connection, even when they were apart in their unawares, a bonded love that was beyond earthly definition, so divinely sacred, so sacrosanct that nothing could stop their souls from coming together again, their union finally made whole and complete. Meant to be. Three words that transcend the matrix of logic, rationale, and understanding. Love. The most powerful and potent energy that conquers all. When love between two souls is fated and destined, their cord is unbreakable.
Full commentary here... In Bugs' Own Words
**I was given, with much thanks and appreciation, an ARC of this book, by the author, in return for an honest review.
February 17, 2020
I’m new to K. Aten’s writing (this is only my second book), which is wonderful as it means I have so many novels to look forward to reading. Because, yes, I am loving what I’m discovering.
Amari Del Rey is seventeen when she finds out that she’s not who she thinks she is. A fall off a cliff while hiking leaves her unhurt and instead of the pain she should be feeling, she’s full of energy. Running – incredibly fast – to tell her parents, she learns that – surprise! – they are not who she thinks they are either. When she was less than a month old, her biological mothers, the Queens of the planet Reyna, escaped the war that was threatening to end their world and the rogue general aiming to take over. With them was another infant, the daughter of the King and Queen of Tora, Zendara Baen-Tor. Reyna and Tora had been about to sign a peace treaty when Tal Boraan forced the two queens to flee, hoping to save the young princesses. When their pursuers reached their ship, the mothers had no choice but to launch two escape pods, one each with a child, towards another planet, Earth. Alien observers, called the Watchers, are spread all around the planet, keeping an eye on humans. Two couples of Watchers, on either side of the United States, welcomed the children into their home. Which is how Amari grew up in Washington State, the extremely gifted homeschooled daughter of loving parents. Yet despite all that love, she never felt whole. On the other coast, in Maine, Zendara – Zen – felt the same void inside herself, but without the doting and safe parents who could explain everything when the time was right. Everything being that they’re all aliens and that both girls are destined for each other, each other’s “Q’sirrahna”. And have huge superpowers.
At the same time the princesses were growing up and very slowly making their way through the country to each other, one knowing she would find her soulmate eventually, the other simply following the pull she felt to move, a government experience creating human hybrids with powers, called the Chromodecs, went all kinds of wrong and a new force was created to deal with the consequences, the Chromodec Office of Restraint and Protection (CORP). In all good superhero stories, there has to be a supervillain, and in this story, it’s an insanely powerful and revengeful Chromodec with, as should be, an evil plan to conquer the world.
I don’t usually write so much about the story but this one is so full of details… I loved the tone, the world-building, the multidimensional feel, the many characters (I got a bit lost at times because there are many of them and most have code names in addition to their real names), the pace. Have a little patience if you feel the story is a little slow to start, Aten took the time to create the world it’s set in, and she did it well.
An omniscient narrator gives an old-school comics feel to the story. I liked the idea and the way Aten made it work, even though there were too many interruptions in some chapters and some felt redundant. Every now and then, however, they brought a welcome pause in a hectic – and exhilarating – narrative.
As I wrote above, Aten took her time to set the scene, introduce the characters and let them grow (Zen, most obviously, but others such as Rocket too), unfold the events. Since I sometimes have the attention span of a gnat, the book felt a tad too long but it was well worth staying with it. And it also means the story never feels rushed and there are no loose ends.
I’m rating this 4.5* because it’s smart, intricate, fast-paced, very entertaining and well-written, and with another breathtaking cover by Ann McMan. The reason I’m not going the full 5* is that, as with my favourite superheroes movies, I love and enjoy it supremely while it’s happening but I don’t know how much of it will stay with me. And my 5* are reserved for books that, in whatever small capacity, change my life or move me above all others. Children of the Stars is not one of these but I’ll love it as much as I love most Marvel and some DC movies: a whole lot. Instantaneous entertainment has its own value and I, for one, am a fan.
Amari Del Rey is seventeen when she finds out that she’s not who she thinks she is. A fall off a cliff while hiking leaves her unhurt and instead of the pain she should be feeling, she’s full of energy. Running – incredibly fast – to tell her parents, she learns that – surprise! – they are not who she thinks they are either. When she was less than a month old, her biological mothers, the Queens of the planet Reyna, escaped the war that was threatening to end their world and the rogue general aiming to take over. With them was another infant, the daughter of the King and Queen of Tora, Zendara Baen-Tor. Reyna and Tora had been about to sign a peace treaty when Tal Boraan forced the two queens to flee, hoping to save the young princesses. When their pursuers reached their ship, the mothers had no choice but to launch two escape pods, one each with a child, towards another planet, Earth. Alien observers, called the Watchers, are spread all around the planet, keeping an eye on humans. Two couples of Watchers, on either side of the United States, welcomed the children into their home. Which is how Amari grew up in Washington State, the extremely gifted homeschooled daughter of loving parents. Yet despite all that love, she never felt whole. On the other coast, in Maine, Zendara – Zen – felt the same void inside herself, but without the doting and safe parents who could explain everything when the time was right. Everything being that they’re all aliens and that both girls are destined for each other, each other’s “Q’sirrahna”. And have huge superpowers.
At the same time the princesses were growing up and very slowly making their way through the country to each other, one knowing she would find her soulmate eventually, the other simply following the pull she felt to move, a government experience creating human hybrids with powers, called the Chromodecs, went all kinds of wrong and a new force was created to deal with the consequences, the Chromodec Office of Restraint and Protection (CORP). In all good superhero stories, there has to be a supervillain, and in this story, it’s an insanely powerful and revengeful Chromodec with, as should be, an evil plan to conquer the world.
I don’t usually write so much about the story but this one is so full of details… I loved the tone, the world-building, the multidimensional feel, the many characters (I got a bit lost at times because there are many of them and most have code names in addition to their real names), the pace. Have a little patience if you feel the story is a little slow to start, Aten took the time to create the world it’s set in, and she did it well.
An omniscient narrator gives an old-school comics feel to the story. I liked the idea and the way Aten made it work, even though there were too many interruptions in some chapters and some felt redundant. Every now and then, however, they brought a welcome pause in a hectic – and exhilarating – narrative.
As I wrote above, Aten took her time to set the scene, introduce the characters and let them grow (Zen, most obviously, but others such as Rocket too), unfold the events. Since I sometimes have the attention span of a gnat, the book felt a tad too long but it was well worth staying with it. And it also means the story never feels rushed and there are no loose ends.
I’m rating this 4.5* because it’s smart, intricate, fast-paced, very entertaining and well-written, and with another breathtaking cover by Ann McMan. The reason I’m not going the full 5* is that, as with my favourite superheroes movies, I love and enjoy it supremely while it’s happening but I don’t know how much of it will stay with me. And my 5* are reserved for books that, in whatever small capacity, change my life or move me above all others. Children of the Stars is not one of these but I’ll love it as much as I love most Marvel and some DC movies: a whole lot. Instantaneous entertainment has its own value and I, for one, am a fan.
February 17, 2020
This review is brought to you by the word: SOUL MATE as it appeared too many times in this story.
Okay, lets put your right hand over your heart and recite this - “No two persons ever read the same book.” Thank you, Edmund Wilson.
Who picks up a book hoping they don’t like it? No one.
How can anyone resist a story about a league of superheroes? Definitely not me, myself and I.
When did I start to get bored?
- The bond between the leads existed since they were infants, I FELT and LOVED it. I couldn't wait for them to find one another but the voice inside of me kept praying, please don't let the planes, trains and automobiles be involved in the highly anticipated scene (watch too many Korean dramas) but sadly, the Koreans won.
-Ms.Aten nailed the connection between the leads, it was realistic as it was skilfully constructed so I didn't need to be reminded 7O times that they were soul mates.
- The creativity was so focused on the characters that little was left to spare for the world building and the delivery of the story. I was quite impressed with the depth of imagination dedicated to constructing the super powers elements but for every one excitement felt, two buckets of kryptonites poured out to keep my excitement to the minimum.
- What is superhero without the villain?
Where exactly I started skimming? Not even halfway through the story.
What am I going to do soon? Reread The Arrow of Artemis Series - One of THE BEST SERIES OUT THERE.
As alive as this story became, I didn't find myself wondering about it much or compelled to pick it back up after I stopped reading, and I’m not exactly sure why. The writing style was decent, but didn't leave a huge impression, and there were many undercooked scenarios in this story that appeared to hold significance but were left to dangle as loose ends.
Keep in mind, this is simply my opinion. One reader who appears to be in the minority, as evidenced by the incoming large number of positive reviews for COTS.
Okay, lets put your right hand over your heart and recite this - “No two persons ever read the same book.” Thank you, Edmund Wilson.
Who picks up a book hoping they don’t like it? No one.
How can anyone resist a story about a league of superheroes? Definitely not me, myself and I.
When did I start to get bored?
- The bond between the leads existed since they were infants, I FELT and LOVED it. I couldn't wait for them to find one another but the voice inside of me kept praying, please don't let the planes, trains and automobiles be involved in the highly anticipated scene (watch too many Korean dramas) but sadly, the Koreans won.
-Ms.Aten nailed the connection between the leads, it was realistic as it was skilfully constructed so I didn't need to be reminded 7O times that they were soul mates.
- The creativity was so focused on the characters that little was left to spare for the world building and the delivery of the story. I was quite impressed with the depth of imagination dedicated to constructing the super powers elements but for every one excitement felt, two buckets of kryptonites poured out to keep my excitement to the minimum.
- What is superhero without the villain?
Where exactly I started skimming? Not even halfway through the story.
What am I going to do soon? Reread The Arrow of Artemis Series - One of THE BEST SERIES OUT THERE.
As alive as this story became, I didn't find myself wondering about it much or compelled to pick it back up after I stopped reading, and I’m not exactly sure why. The writing style was decent, but didn't leave a huge impression, and there were many undercooked scenarios in this story that appeared to hold significance but were left to dangle as loose ends.
Keep in mind, this is simply my opinion. One reader who appears to be in the minority, as evidenced by the incoming large number of positive reviews for COTS.
April 14, 2020
X-men meets Suicide Squad.
This was a sophisticated telling of a highly sci-fi book with romance, sex, and humor lingering in the background. I feel it deserves a sophisticated review, but since I'm not as eloquent or have the smarts to leave that kind of review, I'll simply say this.... BADASS!
I vote for Children of the Stars to be made into a movie. Sci-fi is not my thing, I don't generally seek it out, but this story left me in a vortex of emotions. There was vivid action scenes, great intimate moments between the two soulmates, leaving me aroused, and I even shed a tear towards the end of the story. Happy tears, but tears none the less. I am in awe of K. Aten for writing such a story with elaborate detail to all the sci-fi vernacular and everything else that came with it. I imagine this kind of story is a breeze for her to write because sci-fi is her specialty. However much knowledge she has on anything "techy" the amount of research and homework she had to do was evident on the pages. This was a beautifully crafted, well developed, thought out story. Everything came full circle, wrapping things up in a nice neat bow. I also felt like K. Aten was emulating Morgan Freeman with the monologue outside of the story. I don't know if that was her goal, but I couldn't help but hear his voice.
I'd give this beyond 5 stars, but there are limits. I recommend to anyone who loves full fleshed out stories with excellent diversity in characters and sweet, sweet love. Oh, and portal jumping, flying alien hot women, technological mumbo-jumbo, super human strength, and so much more that I can't articulate.
This was a sophisticated telling of a highly sci-fi book with romance, sex, and humor lingering in the background. I feel it deserves a sophisticated review, but since I'm not as eloquent or have the smarts to leave that kind of review, I'll simply say this.... BADASS!
I vote for Children of the Stars to be made into a movie. Sci-fi is not my thing, I don't generally seek it out, but this story left me in a vortex of emotions. There was vivid action scenes, great intimate moments between the two soulmates, leaving me aroused, and I even shed a tear towards the end of the story. Happy tears, but tears none the less. I am in awe of K. Aten for writing such a story with elaborate detail to all the sci-fi vernacular and everything else that came with it. I imagine this kind of story is a breeze for her to write because sci-fi is her specialty. However much knowledge she has on anything "techy" the amount of research and homework she had to do was evident on the pages. This was a beautifully crafted, well developed, thought out story. Everything came full circle, wrapping things up in a nice neat bow. I also felt like K. Aten was emulating Morgan Freeman with the monologue outside of the story. I don't know if that was her goal, but I couldn't help but hear his voice.
I'd give this beyond 5 stars, but there are limits. I recommend to anyone who loves full fleshed out stories with excellent diversity in characters and sweet, sweet love. Oh, and portal jumping, flying alien hot women, technological mumbo-jumbo, super human strength, and so much more that I can't articulate.
May 8, 2020
French / English review
4.25 étoiles. Super bon livre. C’est sûrement l’idéaliste et la romantique en moi, mais j’ai beaucoup aimé que Zen et Amari soient des âmes soeurs. On voit que le lien entre elles est très fort et que c’est vital. Elles se meurent d’envie de se rencontrer.
J’ai adoré le concept de super héros venus sur terre, un peu comme Clark Kent. Super héros assistés d’alliés qui sauvent le monde. Amari et Zen sont tellement badass.
L’histoire est bien bâtit mais par contre j’aurais aimé que la fin soit plus lente, j’ai eu l’impression que c’était précipitée. Cette histoire aurait pu être fait en 2 tomes.
Aten est une excellente écrivaine et j’adore le fait qu’elle est capable de nous transporter facilement dans un autre monde. Ses personnages sont toujours complets et décrits en profondeur. Les histoires ont de la substance et ont un but. Quand tu lis un livre de Aten, tu es garanti d’avoir du bon temps.
********
4.25 stars. Super good book. It must be the idealist and the romantic in me, but I really liked that Zen and Amari are soul mates. We see that the bond between them is very strong and that it’s vital. They are clearly dying to meet each other.
I loved the concept of superheroes coming to earth, much like Clark Kent. Superheroes assisted by allies who save the world. Amari and Zen are sooooo badass.
The story is well built but on the other hand I would have liked the end to be slower, I had the impression that it was rushed. In my opinion, this story could have been done in 2 volumes.
Aten is an excellent writer and I love the fact that she is able to transport us easily to another world. Her characters are always complete and described in depth. Stories have substance and have purpose. When you read a book by Aten, you are guaranteed to have a good time :)
4.25 étoiles. Super bon livre. C’est sûrement l’idéaliste et la romantique en moi, mais j’ai beaucoup aimé que Zen et Amari soient des âmes soeurs. On voit que le lien entre elles est très fort et que c’est vital. Elles se meurent d’envie de se rencontrer.
J’ai adoré le concept de super héros venus sur terre, un peu comme Clark Kent. Super héros assistés d’alliés qui sauvent le monde. Amari et Zen sont tellement badass.
L’histoire est bien bâtit mais par contre j’aurais aimé que la fin soit plus lente, j’ai eu l’impression que c’était précipitée. Cette histoire aurait pu être fait en 2 tomes.
Aten est une excellente écrivaine et j’adore le fait qu’elle est capable de nous transporter facilement dans un autre monde. Ses personnages sont toujours complets et décrits en profondeur. Les histoires ont de la substance et ont un but. Quand tu lis un livre de Aten, tu es garanti d’avoir du bon temps.
********
4.25 stars. Super good book. It must be the idealist and the romantic in me, but I really liked that Zen and Amari are soul mates. We see that the bond between them is very strong and that it’s vital. They are clearly dying to meet each other.
I loved the concept of superheroes coming to earth, much like Clark Kent. Superheroes assisted by allies who save the world. Amari and Zen are sooooo badass.
The story is well built but on the other hand I would have liked the end to be slower, I had the impression that it was rushed. In my opinion, this story could have been done in 2 volumes.
Aten is an excellent writer and I love the fact that she is able to transport us easily to another world. Her characters are always complete and described in depth. Stories have substance and have purpose. When you read a book by Aten, you are guaranteed to have a good time :)
October 11, 2020
Another great book by K. Aten. Alien princesses - destined soul-mates - sent to Earth as babies, unwittingly separated find each other and use their abilities to help save the United States from a meta-human contrived coup.
Characters are fantastic. Amari and Zen are so different yet the connection between them is so powerful. Side cast of regular humans and humans with extraordinary abilities. Great action, variety of powers on display.
I hope there are more books set in this world. This book wraps up just fine, but I'd love to see more!!
Characters are fantastic. Amari and Zen are so different yet the connection between them is so powerful. Side cast of regular humans and humans with extraordinary abilities. Great action, variety of powers on display.
I hope there are more books set in this world. This book wraps up just fine, but I'd love to see more!!
February 12, 2020
This story kicks major gonads!
I heart lesbian superhero soul mates. 💙😍
I heart lesbian superhero soul mates. 💙😍
February 10, 2020
I'll be honest when I picked up this book it was because of the cover. Then I saw the author even better and then I read the blurb and I just knew I was going to finish this in one sitting which I did.
Pros:
1) good villain not the greatest but the man isn't evil for the sake of being evil. He wants power and the best way to get it is through an uprising. He does not have a good heart or anything like that. Pure and simple he's greedy and wants to be on top but doesn't want chaos forever.
2) The insta love - I usually just pretend that the mains have known each other before they say "I love you" 'cause otherwise I'd DNF half the books out I've read however I loved it here. Why you ask ... because the mains have had a connection since they were babies but then they were separated but still they could actually feel each other. Also when they met they knew who the other was but agreed to get to know each other before everything.
Cons:
1) Would have benefited from being split in two. The pacing overall was good if not a bit rushed which is understandable considering all that happened in the book but I think in this case it would have been better to split this in two and to hash it out a bit more.
2) The names and code names. I'm okay with lots of characters in a book but when all of them start having other names they are refereed to with even I get confused.
Overall 4.5 rating
Pros:
1) good villain not the greatest but the man isn't evil for the sake of being evil. He wants power and the best way to get it is through an uprising. He does not have a good heart or anything like that. Pure and simple he's greedy and wants to be on top but doesn't want chaos forever.
2) The insta love - I usually just pretend that the mains have known each other before they say "I love you" 'cause otherwise I'd DNF half the books out I've read however I loved it here. Why you ask ... because the mains have had a connection since they were babies but then they were separated but still they could actually feel each other. Also when they met they knew who the other was but agreed to get to know each other before everything.
Cons:
1) Would have benefited from being split in two. The pacing overall was good if not a bit rushed which is understandable considering all that happened in the book but I think in this case it would have been better to split this in two and to hash it out a bit more.
2) The names and code names. I'm okay with lots of characters in a book but when all of them start having other names they are refereed to with even I get confused.
Overall 4.5 rating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2020
Intriguing and beautiful
Amari and Zendara have their lives completely turned upside down when they learn of their fated connection and how it will impact on saving the world. They have been protected and in hiding, but with both of them feeling like something was missing from themselves when they finally meet that connection is instant and unbreakable. Having to hide means that when it comes to fighting other aliens on earth, Amari and Zendara are well equipped for the task. They just have to be really careful!
This was such an exciting action thriller for the sci-fi genre. Although complex in makeup and plot, it suited the genre and pace of the story and required your full attention. The way this story was told really made me feel as if it was destined to just fit sci-fi stereotypes perfectly. K Aten has used a narrator for parts of this story which leant so well to it, helped set the scenes, and really made it something unique. I’ve never encountered this style of writing before and it wouldn’t usually work well but for this story it was just what was needed.
It was exciting, action packed and fast paced. The romance was instantaneous so just there, not much build up or getting to know the characters and took a back seat in the plot that heavily focused on the main story of fighting against other aliens and using skills and powers. I liked that this stayed true to the original plot and not lost in spending too much time on Amari and Zendara’s relationship because it was already established they’d be instant lovers and gave scope for the real action to take front and centre stage.
It was really exciting and I have a feeling it is only the beginning of something so I am sure they will be back in future.
Amari and Zendara have their lives completely turned upside down when they learn of their fated connection and how it will impact on saving the world. They have been protected and in hiding, but with both of them feeling like something was missing from themselves when they finally meet that connection is instant and unbreakable. Having to hide means that when it comes to fighting other aliens on earth, Amari and Zendara are well equipped for the task. They just have to be really careful!
This was such an exciting action thriller for the sci-fi genre. Although complex in makeup and plot, it suited the genre and pace of the story and required your full attention. The way this story was told really made me feel as if it was destined to just fit sci-fi stereotypes perfectly. K Aten has used a narrator for parts of this story which leant so well to it, helped set the scenes, and really made it something unique. I’ve never encountered this style of writing before and it wouldn’t usually work well but for this story it was just what was needed.
It was exciting, action packed and fast paced. The romance was instantaneous so just there, not much build up or getting to know the characters and took a back seat in the plot that heavily focused on the main story of fighting against other aliens and using skills and powers. I liked that this stayed true to the original plot and not lost in spending too much time on Amari and Zendara’s relationship because it was already established they’d be instant lovers and gave scope for the real action to take front and centre stage.
It was really exciting and I have a feeling it is only the beginning of something so I am sure they will be back in future.
March 23, 2021
Entertaining!
The way this book is written is unusual, needed getting used to but putting that aside, the core of the story revolves round love in scifi, superheroes kind of way.
This is like putting A-team, 2 supergirls, adding dribbles of supernormal and startrek all together. Busy but entertainingly satisfactory
The way this book is written is unusual, needed getting used to but putting that aside, the core of the story revolves round love in scifi, superheroes kind of way.
This is like putting A-team, 2 supergirls, adding dribbles of supernormal and startrek all together. Busy but entertainingly satisfactory
May 24, 2020
Great story that ticked my geek and sappy boxes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The story itself was unique and creative but completely relatable. Not to mention that I am a sucker for stories about soul mates. I loved how the 'narrator' excerpts made it feel like I was watching a documentary on aliens.
Top notch storytelling! !
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The story itself was unique and creative but completely relatable. Not to mention that I am a sucker for stories about soul mates. I loved how the 'narrator' excerpts made it feel like I was watching a documentary on aliens.
Top notch storytelling! !
April 5, 2020
Such and amazing story, i dont belive there will be a sequel but i could still hope, i would love to read more of Amari and Zendarra. Once again K.Atens deliver an amazing story :D
April 16, 2020
Really enjoyed this book!
I couldn’t get enough of the of it and only put it down for necessities like food and water.
It action packed with aliens, mutants, good and bad, and a tale of loss, love, and triumph!
It’s a tale that belongs in either the DC or Marvel Comic film lines. It you’re a fan of either I would definitely recommend that you give the book a read or two.
I couldn’t get enough of the of it and only put it down for necessities like food and water.
It action packed with aliens, mutants, good and bad, and a tale of loss, love, and triumph!
It’s a tale that belongs in either the DC or Marvel Comic film lines. It you’re a fan of either I would definitely recommend that you give the book a read or two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2020
Review excerpted from my blog post over at Pan/Cis LGBT2SQ+ Romance Reviews (https://pancis.wordpress.com/2020/02/...)
Overall Rating: 4.0 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ romance collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
Number of titles I have read by this author: 2
Love story speed: Instalurve
Relationship dynamics: Alien Soul Mates
Sexual content: Some; “off-screen” sex with secondary characters; “on-screen” and semi-explicit with each other
Gender Identity: Cis (h1) / Cis (h2)
Sexual Identity: Lesbian (h1) / Lesbian (h2)
Triggers: Suicide; drug use; talks of “racial” registration; sexual harrassment; assault and mugging; prisoner torture
Acceptance Rating: 5 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: Love is love.
Grammar/Editing: My ARC had a fair number of typos and grammatical snafus.
Review: This evenly paced novel uses an innovative narrative framing technique that makes the story read like an episodic folk tale. It is partially set off-planet in a different galaxy, but primarily on an alt-history Earth that us superbly described. It is all masterfully tied together and interwoven. That being said, be ready for Lord of the Rings-level epilogues. There are about four of them, and only one is labelled as such.
Amari and Zendara are soulmates. We learn this immediately. They are the same age, but have vastly different upbringings. However, they both have a feeling that something is missing from their lives. When they meet, they snap together like magnets, and that’s pretty much how they stay. While the romance is central, I would say that the action takes more precedence in a number of scenes. Of course, this isn’t terribly surprising, given the soulmates aspect of the plot. In terms of supporting characters, it is a bit difficult keeping track of all of the “men in black,” since there are so many of them, and they all go by name and rank, as well as a code name. Only one really stands out – Romy Danes/Rocket – because of a subplot involving her and Amari’s best friend, Dr. Stephanie Young. In a sense, the romance between Rocket and Stephanie is more interesting than that of the main characters because it’s less certain to work out.
Overall, a sci-fi/alt-history title that should appeal to a wide audience, including non-romance readers.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating: 4.0 stars
Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ romance collections.
Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.
Number of titles I have read by this author: 2
Love story speed: Instalurve
Relationship dynamics: Alien Soul Mates
Sexual content: Some; “off-screen” sex with secondary characters; “on-screen” and semi-explicit with each other
Gender Identity: Cis (h1) / Cis (h2)
Sexual Identity: Lesbian (h1) / Lesbian (h2)
Triggers: Suicide; drug use; talks of “racial” registration; sexual harrassment; assault and mugging; prisoner torture
Acceptance Rating: 5 stars
Acceptance Rating Explanation: Love is love.
Grammar/Editing: My ARC had a fair number of typos and grammatical snafus.
Review: This evenly paced novel uses an innovative narrative framing technique that makes the story read like an episodic folk tale. It is partially set off-planet in a different galaxy, but primarily on an alt-history Earth that us superbly described. It is all masterfully tied together and interwoven. That being said, be ready for Lord of the Rings-level epilogues. There are about four of them, and only one is labelled as such.
Amari and Zendara are soulmates. We learn this immediately. They are the same age, but have vastly different upbringings. However, they both have a feeling that something is missing from their lives. When they meet, they snap together like magnets, and that’s pretty much how they stay. While the romance is central, I would say that the action takes more precedence in a number of scenes. Of course, this isn’t terribly surprising, given the soulmates aspect of the plot. In terms of supporting characters, it is a bit difficult keeping track of all of the “men in black,” since there are so many of them, and they all go by name and rank, as well as a code name. Only one really stands out – Romy Danes/Rocket – because of a subplot involving her and Amari’s best friend, Dr. Stephanie Young. In a sense, the romance between Rocket and Stephanie is more interesting than that of the main characters because it’s less certain to work out.
Overall, a sci-fi/alt-history title that should appeal to a wide audience, including non-romance readers.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2021
Do you think Superman I would have been better if, say, there were two of them, they were queer women, and they were soul mates irresistibly drawn together, plus they had other lesbian hero friends and maybe also Marlon Brando was replaced by a lesbian too, and then the whole thing has segments that sound like they're narrated by Andrew from Buffy? Gentle reader, you have come upon that very thing!
This is a fairly straightforward, wholesome classic superhero story. It's a fun and easy read.
This is a fairly straightforward, wholesome classic superhero story. It's a fun and easy read.
May 5, 2020
Strangely, this is the one Aten book that I didn't love. I think I've rated every Aten book a 5 uptil now...
Maybe it's me because I absolutely adore Aten's writing, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't connect with the characters, the romance felt too fast and too clunky. I don't know, it just...
Still, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Maybe it's me because I absolutely adore Aten's writing, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't connect with the characters, the romance felt too fast and too clunky. I don't know, it just...
Still, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
April 29, 2021
I loved the premises of the book. Guardians supervising the aliens living among us, and stowaways from alien wars.
Alien races are so often portrayed as more advance and mature, less warlike or corruptible by the temptation of power. K Aten's portrayal of aliens having human wants and human vices feels more realistic, but more scary.
I enjoyed learning about Amari and Zen. There was a good balance of pathos and action. All of it felt believable.
Excellent story.
Alien races are so often portrayed as more advance and mature, less warlike or corruptible by the temptation of power. K Aten's portrayal of aliens having human wants and human vices feels more realistic, but more scary.
I enjoyed learning about Amari and Zen. There was a good balance of pathos and action. All of it felt believable.
Excellent story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Honestly I have yet to read a book by K. Aten that I didn't enjoy. Great characters. Interesting story. Pure entertainment.
March 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Having read a few of K Aten books I knew I liked her style, with strong romantic cores. This book was no disappointment - lots of action, interesting storyline, so pleased I read it.
January 25, 2021
The story has fantastic worldbuilding, intricate plotting and good action scenes. Amari and Zen are compelling leads and the romantic beats of their arc were well written. The third person POV was effectively used to thread the separate story elements together, particularly before Amari and Zen met. Reading the book was like watching a superhero movie, far better than DC/Marvel's though, because this one is both female led and populated by so many more kickass women!
August 17, 2023
Damn
Ok I read the book after this one before I read this one. ... Lol
But it was still a damn good story !!! It's A little different the way it's told. But still damn good.
So go ahead and take a chance. I bet you won't be disappointed ....
jrwii
Ok I read the book after this one before I read this one. ... Lol
But it was still a damn good story !!! It's A little different the way it's told. But still damn good.
So go ahead and take a chance. I bet you won't be disappointed ....
jrwii
May 11, 2021
like the writing style, except for repetition of a few words. Fast paced story, different take on the aliens among us theme
May 8, 2020
Way to engaging for me!! Loved it.
August 22, 2024
Stars: 3.5
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone (Set in a Universe that is used in another of their books)
Steam Level: Fade to Black (one scene towards the end that isn’t but is not explicit)
This was almost a four star book for me but the relationships and story moved a little fast for my taste. It felt like it should have been a trilogy.
Quick Thoughts:
- This did an interesting thing by having an omniscient narrator that shows up in a different font. It helped move the story along but at times felt like it broke up the story flow a little too much
- Really enjoyed the world in this and thought it was super clever how it came about
- I liked how the two main characters had very different personalities and upbringings but still connected in a real way
- At times it was hard to remember who was who with the random shift of using their real names and code names
- The Big Bad wasn’t in this enough for my tastes. Scenes with them didn’t feel ominous
- Things felt a bit too wrapped up neatly too quickly and felt a bit too rah rah police for my tastes
- The story is told with head hopping and I’m not used to that story style anymore but if I had known that before hand it would have made it easier to get into the flow
- It was refreshing to see that these two nearly invisible alien beings have some very human weaknesses
Overall I enjoyed this book and I’ll be picking up the other book set in this universe after this one takes place. I’d recommend reading the sample available for this before picking it up to see if the storytelling style will bother you. If you can handle that and know that the story is a bit fast, you’ll enjoy the ride this takes you on
Format: Digital
Series: Stand Alone (Set in a Universe that is used in another of their books)
Steam Level: Fade to Black (one scene towards the end that isn’t but is not explicit)
This was almost a four star book for me but the relationships and story moved a little fast for my taste. It felt like it should have been a trilogy.
Quick Thoughts:
- This did an interesting thing by having an omniscient narrator that shows up in a different font. It helped move the story along but at times felt like it broke up the story flow a little too much
- Really enjoyed the world in this and thought it was super clever how it came about
- I liked how the two main characters had very different personalities and upbringings but still connected in a real way
- At times it was hard to remember who was who with the random shift of using their real names and code names
- The Big Bad wasn’t in this enough for my tastes. Scenes with them didn’t feel ominous
- Things felt a bit too wrapped up neatly too quickly and felt a bit too rah rah police for my tastes
- The story is told with head hopping and I’m not used to that story style anymore but if I had known that before hand it would have made it easier to get into the flow
- It was refreshing to see that these two nearly invisible alien beings have some very human weaknesses
Overall I enjoyed this book and I’ll be picking up the other book set in this universe after this one takes place. I’d recommend reading the sample available for this before picking it up to see if the storytelling style will bother you. If you can handle that and know that the story is a bit fast, you’ll enjoy the ride this takes you on
August 17, 2022
One of the many books with this title, so if you are a person who judges books solely on what they are called you could do worse than being fond of this name.
This novel is an action-romance novel taking place in an alternate version of our world where a dead alien was used to create hybrid humans in 1952 and they were called Chromodecs. These Chromodecs were superpowered humans with special abilities making them stronger, faster, telekinesis, and more. Not everyone has all the abilities so teams of Chromodecs are made of people with complementary skills.
Our main story revolves around two refugee aliens sent down to Earth for their protection who are destined to be soulmates although they come from opposing sides of an interplanetary conflict. Amari Losira Del Rey and Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor lives are very different from the moment they land on Earth until fate intervenes and their lives become intertwined for good???
This novel is a love story told with an ensemble cast of superheroes which has many things going for it, interesting action sequences, as well as the evil corporation and government intrigue, but the sappy and maybe overused soulmates drama was a bit much for me. Much of that seemed a bit contrived for me. You may have noticed a trend in the literature I read and review, I'm not a sappy person and love when adventure is at the forefront, whereas this book never lets you forget that romance is an equal partner in the genre here. Which I'm not often in the mood for. So you may like this book more than I
This novel is an action-romance novel taking place in an alternate version of our world where a dead alien was used to create hybrid humans in 1952 and they were called Chromodecs. These Chromodecs were superpowered humans with special abilities making them stronger, faster, telekinesis, and more. Not everyone has all the abilities so teams of Chromodecs are made of people with complementary skills.
Our main story revolves around two refugee aliens sent down to Earth for their protection who are destined to be soulmates although they come from opposing sides of an interplanetary conflict. Amari Losira Del Rey and Zendara Inyri Baen-Tor lives are very different from the moment they land on Earth until fate intervenes and their lives become intertwined for good???
This novel is a love story told with an ensemble cast of superheroes which has many things going for it, interesting action sequences, as well as the evil corporation and government intrigue, but the sappy and maybe overused soulmates drama was a bit much for me. Much of that seemed a bit contrived for me. You may have noticed a trend in the literature I read and review, I'm not a sappy person and love when adventure is at the forefront, whereas this book never lets you forget that romance is an equal partner in the genre here. Which I'm not often in the mood for. So you may like this book more than I
July 24, 2025
Honestly, I did not like this book. The main gripe I had was the narration style of writing. It was like the author was trying to mix the comic book style format into a novel setting and did it badly. The result was like watching a play with an overzealous narrator jump into all of the pivotal scenes jealous for attention. It detracts so much from the plot with constant borderline irritating interruptions that are often repetitive and unnecessary. Everything narrated to the reader could have been put into the bulk of the story, and indeed most of it already was.
However, just because something is not my cup of tea, it makes little difference in how well a story is written. And aside from the narrator, that can be skimmed or skipped altogether, it was actually pretty good. It's an action packed superhero lesbian story reminiscent of Supergirl if her love interest was a Daxamite princess instead of a prince. What's not to like there?
However, just because something is not my cup of tea, it makes little difference in how well a story is written. And aside from the narrator, that can be skimmed or skipped altogether, it was actually pretty good. It's an action packed superhero lesbian story reminiscent of Supergirl if her love interest was a Daxamite princess instead of a prince. What's not to like there?
June 3, 2024
4.5 stars. This was fantastic and action packed with a lovely romance. The romance isn’t really the main focus but what was there was so good. Amari and Zendara are soulmates, they were literally made for each other which I thought was cool. They had such great chemistry and I loved the way that they loved each other and would look out for each other. The world building in this was fantastic and I thought the characters were awesome. Not just the main characters, but a lot of the side characters as well. This was a fun superhero story, well written (which is always a given with Aten), exciting, and just a damn good time.
February 11, 2020
Haven't finished. This book was so good... Until rocket. I don't understand why she would constantly split up the mains.. and why they would listen to her. They aren't under her command. It makes no sense. It makes less sense why they are even helping anymore now that there's like 20 people... When the 20 people from the begining I saw as all bad guys rogues or not. Rocket sucks. And I think I'm gonna take a break from this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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