Hunting the Warlord’s Daughter

Borderlands #2

by Susan Grant

Previously titled: The Warlord's Daughter

Join the crew of the Unity on a new adventure as they turn their sights to Hunting the Warlord’s Daughter…

The war is finally over. But Wren's life is in tatters. The only living offspring of the notorious Drakken Warlord, she carries genes that could start a new dynasty of terror. And the Triad Alliance can't have that.

She alone holds the key to finding a legendary treasure. Having seen enough bloodshed, Wren vows to destroy it before anyone can get their hands on it – but she'll need help.

The Drakken's ruthless evil turned Battlelord Aral Mawndarr toward treason years ago. War is all he knows, until he finds passion and love in the most unlikely of women – the Warlord's daughter. But will trusting each other with their secrets risk not only their hearts, but their lives?

The Borderlands Series:
Book #1 WARLEADER
Book #2 HUNTING THE WARLORD'S DAUGHTER
Book #3 RAIDER BORN

Three Borderlands series prequels: (The Otherworldly Men Series)
Book #1 GUARDIAN ALIEN
Book #2 ROYAL RECRUIT
Book #3 CYBORG AND THE SINGLE MOM

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Futuristic, Science Fiction Romance, Aliens, Paranormal, Fantasy

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2009

About the author

Susan’s childhood dreams of becoming a space explorer fizzled when she found out calculus was involved. Luckily, she didn’t need math skills to fly jets--or to create sky-high stories in her head, first for herself, then for friends, and now for readers everywhere.  

A New York Times/USA Today bestselling author and a military veteran, Susan won the prestigious RITA® Award for her book Contact, a sci-fi aviation-thriller romance.

Reviews

[Gwen (The Gwendolyn Reading Method) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love a good romantic space opera, and they're so hard to find anymore! I'm finding Susan Grant quite enjoyable!

[Tara van Beurden · Rating 5 out of 5]

More love! This one was a bit different from the others. Only one major sex scene, and a lot more spaceship fun. It follows several stories, eventually converging into two seperate stories and then into one. One follows Wren, the Warlord's neglected Daughter as she tries to stay alive in the new, unified universe that just happens to want her dead for her father's sins. Another story follows Aral, one of the Warlord's battlelords who turned spy and single-handedly brought down the Warlord. Then there's Vantos, famed runner who's survival during the war crossing back and forwards cross the Borderlands is of no use now that the war is over. Finally, there is Hadley and Bolivaar who appear in Moonstruck. The pair are now a couple, and Hadley, is no longer Brit Bandar's PA, but a fully fledged captain sent on her first mission to try and find an ancient text belonging to the Goddesses. Eventually, all four groups converge on board Hadley's ship, the Cloud Shadow, for a show down that may serve to be the only thing that will save Wren from a revenge execution. I must say I missed Brit and Finn from the previous book - those two really grew on me - but it was nice to hear little remarks about the pair of them (primarily that Brit was no longer helming spaceships but teaching students and that the pair were married and expecting a baby - I really liked hearing that, it wrapped Moonstruck nicely). Hadley and Bolivaar's relationship felt less mysterious and sweet in this one, but at the same time, there was a resulting maturity to Hadley that was nice. I liked Wren and Aral, pitied Wren for her circumstances, Aral for his father's torture, envied Wren for the easy fix to her poor eyesight (a couple of drops of nanomeds into her eyes and boom! she can see - if only!). It was a good read, a different persepective on the war. There was only one flaw: at the end, two of the characters move to Australia, the problem in that being that they move to Western Australia. Come on Susan, eveyone knows the best beaches are on the Eastern Coast of Australia - who goes to Perth when you can have Brisbane?

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in a well-developed universe that is trying to recover from a devastating war (book 1). I read the first book a while ago. The author does a good job with plot, descriptions and characters, though there are some minor editing oddities. The adventure is exciting and has tension, though not the intense "we're all gonna die" type.

The romantic elements are typical of this author. Three couples are interwoven into the story - they are also interlinked. There were some good build-ups: "Hmm, I wonder how they'll get through this situation." All is resolved nicely. If you're looking for hot and sweaty, you won't find it here.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts off where Warleader left off, but this time it’s Wren and Aral’s turn to find a happily ever after. I loved how this story had multiple points-of-view that were racing on a collision course; it made the story feel both epic and intimate. I’m excited to read the next new story in this series - Kaz was such a great character in this story, and I’m glad she’ll get her own book.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Living under the abusive and terror of his battle lord father, the hero had dedicated his life to doing everything in his power to destroy his father and the Warlord. Gaining popularity with the tyrant, the hero won favor and is offered the hand of the warlord’s daughter as reward. Now, all those years of planning had come to a head and the hero has managed to wipe out the Drakken power and kill the warlord.

All the hero lives for now is his search for his bride. The heroine knew a similar torturous childhood under the abuse of her father. She's lived in a shelter world, oppressed by her extremely poor eyesight. Now, the universe is in chaos and everyone is searching for the warlord’s daughter to complete the extermination. She's forced to cut her hair, hide in a refugee ship- alone and frightened. But she is strong enough to realize that her shelter world has made her weak and she makes strives to survive in a place where she is marked for death. Possessing her mother’s necklace and being told by her guardian just before her death that it's a key to a treasure, the heroine knows that she must make atonement for her father’s deeds and she her ignorance as well.

It's in that camp where the hero finds his wife. The heroine remembers the man whom she had been promised to all those years ago but always thought him to be repulsed by her. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the hero has lived solely for her, thinking of nothing but protecting her and having her for his own. But she never imagined that they would already be married in a ceremony by proxy. The heroine thinks marriage to be a cage but even she can't deny the hope of possessing such a strong man who could love her in the ways she imagined. Together they go on the run to seek out this treasure along the way teaching each other and discovering that true love is possible after all. I was horribly torn with this book.

On one hand I adored the passion between the two main characters but on the other I found it to be extremely rushed and monotone. Let’s start with the fact that they don't actually reunite until almost half way through the book. Then there's the fact that this actually an equal story about 3 love affairs all compressed into a book that's under 320 pages. Lastly the idea that they fall so madly and passionately in love with one another despite the fact that they only glimpsed each other years ago and have had no contact since. It was just one thing after another that muddled the story I felt this could have been. I wanted a more in-depth tale between the battle lord and the warlord’s daughter that I felt was lacking sadly. I also would have preferred the brothers love story to be its own book as I felt that neither he nor the hero truly had a chance to shine. I was torn mainly because what little there was between the hero and heroine was great and so sweet. It's just that it had way too much going on in such a short book. So sad because I thought it could have really been a knockout.

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Warlord's Daughter" by Susan Grant is a futuristic, intergalactic, paranormal romance that's book two in a spin-off series from her 'Otherworldly Men' books. Without having read the other books in the series, I was a bit confused at times regarding repeat characters from earlier stories, but it didn't impact my enjoyment too much. I found this book to be a fairly quick and entertaining read, but would really classify it as more s/f with romance than anything else.

The war is finally over after thousands of years and the most hated man in the galaxy is dead. The only problem is, the secret daughter he left behind has just become the most wanted woman in the galaxy with a bounty of unimaginable wealth on her head. When Wren's two guardians kill each other in a battle over her future, she realizes just how sheltered she's been. Now she has a precious artifact, a name (of what or who she doesn't know), and a mission to 'make the galaxy whole'. No pressure.

Aral is the eldest son of one of the most ruthless Warlords. His father tried, through intimidation and beatings, to make his son just like him...and failed. But it was the death of a beloved teacher that turned Aral into a young man with a mission--he's going to bring down the Drakken Empire. After years of subterfuge and fighting, he's done it and now he's ready to claim the woman he's cared for and fought for since she was a young girl. Of course, he had no idea of exactly how difficult that would be.

For me, this was a story that wanted to be epic science fiction. Not having read the previous book, "Moonstruck", maybe it is...but not for me. There's less romance and more...growing up is I guess the best way for me to describe it, along with a history of magic, keys, keepers, goddesses, and future religion. Maybe more will be forthcoming in a future story in the same galaxy, but it did seems that Susan Grant tied up most of her loose ends in "The Warlord's Daughter".

The main characters were interesting, but not quite fully formed for me. Her naivety and ignorance of her mission seemed to be 'fixed' rather quickly, even though the 'romance' was mostly PG for pretty much the entire book. His violent past was hard to connect with the current man we see in the book, nightmares and all. There was also a lost brother found with the exact information necessary, and he had fallen in love with a new ship's Captain who just happened to be the one sent on the exactly correct mission. Add in a mercenary pilot, who changes quickly into a pseudo-hero who fights for what's right rather than what's 'in it for me' and it just became one too many 'coincidences' to swallow. Even though I enjoyed the book, and even though I like Susan Grant's writing, "The Warlord's Daughter" wasn't the hit I was hoping for.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

แม็กซ์ค่อนข้างชอบงานเขียนของซูซาน แกรนต์ค่ะ และบอกตามตรงว่า เท่าที่อ่านงานของเธอมาก็ยังไม่ถึงกับมีเล่มไหนที่น่าผิดหวัง เรื่องราวของเธออาจจะไม่ใช่พล็อตเรื่องแนวอ่านงานสบายใจ หลายประเด็นที่เธอยกขึ้นมาหนัก แต่เธอเป็นคนที่เขียนเรื่องที่พล็อตหนักออกมาให้เกิดความรู้สึกว่าไม่หนัก ได้เก่งมาก

และเรื่องนี้ก็เช่นกันค่ะ


The Warlord's Daughter ของซูซาน แกรนต์

หนังสือเล่มนี้โฆษณา (อีกแล้ว) ว่าเป็นเล่มที่สองในชุด The Borderland ที่ต่อเนื่องกับเรื่อง Moonstruck แต่ความจริงก็คือ เรื่องนี้ผูกพักและเกี่ยวข้องกับหนังสืออีกหลายเล่ม โดยเฉพาะชุดไตรภาคชุด Otherworldly men (Your Planet or Mine?, My Favorite Earthling, and How to lose an Extraterrestrial in 10 days)

แม็กซ์คิดว่า สำหรับคนที่ไม่เคยอ่านเรื่องในชุดนี้มาก่อนเลย ก็น่าจะอ่านเรื่องนี้รู้เรื่องอย่างไม่มีปัญหาอะไรนะคะ แต่อาจจะเกิดอาการ "มันต้องมีเรื่องของตัวละครตัวนั้นตัวนี้มาก่อนแน่เลย" รวมทั้งมันจะเป็นการสปอยล์พล็อตของเล่มก่อนหน้าอีกนิดหน่อยค่ะ

ขอพูดแบ็คกราวด์ของหนังสือชุดนี้หน่อยแล้วกัน (ทั้งชุด The Borderland และ Otherworldly Men)

ในชุด OM โลกมนุษย์ได้รับการติดต่อจากต่างดาวซึ่งมีแผนการจะนำโลกเข้าไปเป็นส่วนหนึ่ง ของฝ่ายพันธมิตร แต่การเป็นส่วนหนึ่งหมายถึงมนุษย์โลกจะต้องกลายเป็นผู้อพยพ เป็นพลเมืองชั้นสองในสังคมของเหล่าพันธมิตรอันยิ่งใหญ่ และนั่นไม่ใช่สิ่งที่มนุษย์เราต้องการ หนึ่งในทหารของฝ่ายพันธมิตรที่เมื่อหลายสิบปีก่อนตกหลุมรักเด็กน้อยชาวโลก ตัดสินใจทิ้งทุกอย่างไม่ว่าจะเป็นชื่อเสียงหรือเกียรติยศเดินทางมายังโลก เพื่อเตือนให้โลกรับรู้ถึงภัยคุกคามอันนี้ และในที่สุดก็ด้วยแผนการอันแยบยลก็หลอกฝ่ายพันธมิตรได้สำเร็จว่า โลกเรามีกองทัพกันน่าเกรงขาม (พล็อตนี้อยู่ใน Your plantnet or mine)

แต่เพราะฝ่ายพันธมิตรเกรงกลัวมนุษย์โลก (เพราะโดนหลอกสำเร็จ) ราชินีซึ่งเป็นผู้นำสูงสุดของฝ่ายพันธมิตรจึงต้องการได้ฝ่ายโลกเป็นพวก ก่อนที่โลกจะหันไปเป็นพวกเดียวกับเดรคเค่น อันเป็นศัตรูสูงสุดของฝ่ายพันธมิตร เธอจึงเจรจาจนได้สามีชาวโลกมาเป็นตัวประกัน (และนี่เป็นพล็อตของเล่มสองเรื่อง My Favorite Earthling) ผลสรุปของเล่มนี้ก็คือ การยุติสงครามระหว่างฝ่ายพันธมิตร และเดรคเค่นอันมีมานาน เมื่อราชินีฆ่าผู้นำสูงสุดของเดรคเกอร์ได้สำเร็จ

ฝ่ายเดรคเค่นซึ่งเป็นตัวร้ายใหญ่ในเรื่องชุด OM ก็ถึงกาลอวสาร จนกระทั่งมาถึงชุดนี้ The Tales of the Borderlands ที่เล่าถึงเหตุการณ์ภายหลังฝ่ายเดรคเค่นยอมแพ้

โฟกัสของเรื่องราวในเล่มนี้ก็คือ ลูกสาวของอดีตผู้นำสูงสุดของฝ่ายเดรคเค่น อเรนก้าเป็นสาวน้อยที่ไม่มีอะไรเหมือนผู้เป็นบิดาเลย แน่ละเธอเป็นผู้หญิง อ่อนแอ สายตาสั้น เธอถูกกำหนดให้เป็นเพียงเบี้ยตัวนึงในเกมการเมืองของบิดา แต่แล้วสงครามที่สงบลงอย่างกระทันหันก็เปิดโอกาสให้กับเรนเป็นครั้งแรก

เธอมีอิสระที่จะใช้ชีวิตอย่างที่เธอต้อง ถ้าเพียงแต่เธอสามารถหลบหนีการตามล่าจากคนทั่วทั้งจักรวาลที่ล้วนแต่มีจุด มุ่งหมายในการเอาเธอไปใช้เป็นเครื่องมือ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการใช้เธอไปเป็นสัญลักษณ์ในความพยายามก่อกบฎของฝ่ายเดรคเค่น หรือเอาตัวเธอไปลงโทษทรมานแทนที่บิดา (ที่บังอาจตายเร็วไปหน่อย)

แต่มีชายเพียงคนเดียวที่ต้องการเรนอย่างที่เธอเป็น เขาคือเอราล แม่ทัพใหญ่แห่งอาณาจักรเดรคเค่น และคือคนทรยศที่ล้มอาณาจักรของตัวเอง เพียงเพื่อจะปลดปล่อยเรนให้เป็นอิสระ (และแก้แค้นพ่อของเขาซึ่งเป็นแม่ทัพของเดรคเค่นในเวลาเดียวกัน) เอราลคือกุญแจสำคัญที่เดรคเค่นแพ้สงคราม แต่เมื่อสงครามจบสิ้น อาณาจักรสูญสลาย สิ่งที่เดียวที่เอราลต้องการก็คือเรน

เด็กสาวที่เขาได้มีโอกาสพบเพียงครั้งเดียว และก็เป็นเพียงแค่สบตาเดียวเท่านั้นที่เขาตัดสินใจจะละทิ้งทุกอย่างเพื่อเธอ

และเอราลก็รู้ถึงอันตรายที่ไล่ล่าเรนอยู่ เขารู้ว่าทุกฝ่ายต่างต้องการบางอย่างจากลูกสาวคนเดียวของอดีตผู้นำเดรคเค่น ดังนั้นเมื่อโอกาสเปิด หลังสงคราม เขาออกตามหาเธอทันที ด้วยข้อได้เปรียบที่มี เอราลหาตัวเรนเจออย่างรวดเร็ว แต่มันก็เกือบสายเกินไป เมื่อประกาศจับทั้งเขา และเธอออกมาแล้ว นั่นทำให้ทางเลือกของเอราลน้อยลงไปใหญ่ ทางออกเดียวที่เขาหาเจอก็คือ การไว้ใจอดีตกัปตันยานลักลอบขนของเถื่อนที่เป็นชาวพันธมิตร และเพื่อเป็นการไถ่บาปที่บิดาได้เคยกระทำลงไป เรนเลือกที่จะออกขนหา "สมบัติ" ที่เธอเท่านั้นจะเป็นผู้ค้นพบ

หนังสือเรื่องนี้เปิดเรื่องได้น่าอ่านมาก ๆ และแสดงความสามารถของซูซาน แกรนต์ในการวางพล็อต เพราะเล่มนี้เป็นการผูกเอาองค์ประกอบหลายอย่างที่ดูจะไม่ลงตัวในเล่มก่อน หน้า มาสรุปเป็นผลที่เหมาะเจาะ ราวกับว่าเธอวางแผนไว้ล่วงหน้าก่อนที่จะเขียนเรื่องนี้เสียอีก ทั้งนี้เพราะเหตุการณ์หลายอย่างที่เกิดขึ้นในเรื่องนี้เป็นการเล่าย้อน เรื่องราวในเล่มก่อนหน้า แต่ต่างมุมมอง ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการอธิบายว่าทำไมเจเร็ดถึงช่วยเหลือเคียร่ได้อย่างไม่มีปัญหา นัก (ซึ่งอันนี้เป็นประเด็นขัดใจเราใน My Favorite Earthling) หรือการต่อเนื่องเรื่องราวของตัวละครรองที่ทิ้งท้ายเอาไว้ใน Moonstruckที่ต่อเนื่องเรื่องของโบลิวาร์ซึ่งเป็นตัวละครรองในเล่มนั้นที่ สูญเสียความทรงจำไป

แต่ในทางกลับกัน การเกริ่นนำเรื่องราวของเล่มนี้ (ที่เกี่ยวเนื่องกับเล่มอื่น) แม้จะน่าสนใจ แต่ก็ดึงโฟกัสของเรื่องออกไปจากโรแมนซ์ ทำให้แม็กซ์ไม่แน่ใจว่า หนังสือเรื่องนี้จะถือว่าเป็นโรแมนซ์ที่ดีได้ไหม มันเป็นหนังสือที่สนุก น่าอ่านมาก ๆ อันนี้จริงค่ะ แต่ในฐานะของโรแมนซ์ เราไม่แน่ใจนัก

เพราะต้องใช้เวลาเกือบครึ่งเรื่องก่อนที่เรนและเอราลจึงได้พบกัน และมันเป็นการพบกันที่ง่ายดายโดยที่ไม่ต้องลุ้น เอราลรู้ใจตัวเองมานานแล้วว่า รักเรนแค่ไหน ในขณะเีดียวกันเรนเมื่อรู้ว่า เอราลต้องเสียสละมากเพียงใดเพื่อให้ได้อยู่กับเธอ (ในความสงบ ไม่ใช่สงคราม) เธอก็ตกหลุมรักเขาอย่างรวดเร็ว ดังนั้นพล็อตโรแมนซ์มันจึงไม่มีการลุ้น หรือต้องคิดมาก

เช่นเดียวกับ Moonstruck ที่เล่มนี้ก็ยังใช้ธีมเรื่องที่เกี่ยวข้องกับความสงบหลังสงคราม ที่มันไม่ได้สงบอย่างที่คิด การที่สองชาติที่เป็นศัตรูกันมากกว่าพันปี จู่ ๆ จะบอกว่า ทุกอย่างจบสิ้น และเราจับมือเป็นเพื่อนกัน ไม่ใช่สิ่งที่เป็นไปได้ง่ายหรอกค่ะ และแม็กซ์ก็ชอบเรื่องชุดนี้ (Borderland) ที่ตรงนี้แหละ เพราะมันสำรวจลงไปในความหมายของคำว่า "สันติภาพ" ที่ไม่ใช่แค่การปล่อยนกพิราบ หรือการเจรจาสงบสุข

มันเป็นเรื่องราวของการเดินทางเพื่อไปสู่ความเข้าใจกันในความแตกต่างระหว่าง ชนชาติ การเรียนรู้ว่า สุดท้ายแล้ว ทั้งหมดก็คือมนุษย์ที่มีที่มาจากแหล่งเดียวกัน ความแตกต่างเป็นเพียงภาพลวงตา แม้ว่าในเล่มนี้ธีมเรื่องจะไม่ถึงกับเด่นชัดอย่างที่นำเสนอใน Moonstruck แต่นี่เป็นมุมมองที่เราคิดว่าน่าสนใจ และไม่ค่อยมีหนังสือเล่มไหน (โดยเฉพาะโรแมนซ์) เอามาเล่นเท่าไหรนัก เราจึงพอใจกับประเด็นนี้มากค่ะ

โดยรวมเป็นหนังสือที่อ่านแล้วสนุก น่าติดตามเกือบทั้งเล่ม แม้จะไม่ค่อยโรแมนซ์เท่าไหร (ตามความคิดแม็กซ์) แต่ก็นำเสนอประเด็นที่ไม่ค่อยเป็นที่คุ้นเคยของแฟนแนวโรแมนซ์เท่าไหรนัก ซึ่งเราคิดว่าเป็นสิ่งแปลกใหม่ดีค่ะ

คะแนนที่ 70

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I've loved the other Susan Grant books, this one didn't quite gel for me, possibly because there were so many relationships going on and none of them in any depth. The story was well-paced, on the other hand, but the climax was somewhat anti-climactic in that it was over too quickly after the build-up had the reader dreading the confrontation for almost half the book. It just didn't hold up to all the hype.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like romance novels and I like science fiction. I judge them by very different standards. Unfortunately, this book didn't have enough romance to hold my interest, and the science fiction wasn't high enough quality that I believed it. It left me feeling apathetic.

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series but honestly, I didn’t feel like I was missing much (not having read the 1st in the series).

It was a fast paced story but the flow of information and introduction of characters and their backstories was done flawlessly that I was easily able to keep track and follow along as needed.

This was a story that instantly grabbed your attention and kept it engaged as we travels to different planets, dodged attacks, evaded political intrigue, solved galactic mysteries and of course, fell in love.

I loved Wren and Aral. She’s a sheltered young woman coming into her powers and he is a battle scarred warrior. They couldn’t be more different but they share a bond stronger than they ever expected. I loved that they both held their first meeting so close to their hearts, even after being apart for 10 years and both essentially being strangers. It added a bit more romance to their story.

Knocked off a star from an otherwise great story because I didn’t enjoy the secondary couple/romance between Hadley and Aral’s brother Bolivarr. The weird love triangle between Bolivarr, Kaz and Hadley made me feel icky. I get that Bolivarr suffered from amnesia and forgot about Kaz and ends up falling for Hadley and when they all reunite and his memories are restored Kaz gracefully and selflessly steps aside and it’s all explained away with little fanfare, to me it just felt forced and sad really that Kaz mourned for this guy she really cared about only to find out that he literally forgot about her (friend or not!) and fell in love with OW.

I just didn't’ care for that and resented any page time away from the only couple I was really rooting for, Aral and Wren. That being said, I still really enjoyed this read and wish there was more like this. It feeds my Firefly loving inner fangirl whenever I find a golden nugget like this. There needs to be more like it!

It was full of intrigue, mystery, romance, found family and had really great friendship arcs. Highly recommend!

* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

SAFETY INFO:
Ages : Wren is 23 and Aral is “near her age” so I’d guess-stimate in his mid to late 20s. Kaz, Bolivarr and Hadley are in younger than Aral, making them closer to Wren’s age. Early to Mid 20s.

Cheating : Not between the MCs and technically not between Bolivarr and Kaz. They fought before his last mission and then he disappeared for four years.

OM/OW drama : Not for Wren or Aral. Yes for Bolivarr since he had Kaz post amnesia and Hadley after.

Separation : Wren and Aral met when she was 13 and it’s been 10 years since that first meeting. Bolivarr has four years since he was thought dead but was actually alive in another part of the galaxy.

Push/Pull : Wren and Aral were married by proxy. Aral does it to protect her and intends to continue their marriage in name only even though he secretly has loved Wren since first laying eyes on her 10 years ago. Wren had also secretly crushed on him as a teenager and is more readily accepting of her romantic feelings towards him.

Main Pursuer of relationship : I would say both Wren and Aral equally pursued their relationship.

Possible Triggers: There is mention of torture, abuse, rape and murder.

HEA/HFN : Ends on a HEA. No epilogue.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings

I'm writing this on my phone, so please excuse any typos.

I read the Warlord's Daughter when Ms. Grant first published it. I enjoyed it so much I read it until I almost had it memorized.
This story pales in comparison.
It's more fleshed out, in some regards, yet it's too rushed and unfinished.
The queen's niece and teenaged explorers, the personal relationship with the Sister on the ship, all of it made for a lovely story that tied humanity into a story of alien triumph.
Witnessing Kaz fall in love alongside her best friend and brother was also humouring, while adding facets of depth to her personality that were missing in this version. Walking with Hadley as she was confronted with Bo's flesh-and-blood past, the significance of the ruby earrings, the internal and external conflict... all of that gets lost in translation with this new edition.
Not to mention that Wren was written as a badass. Was.

This story pales in comparison while also answering some questions. It provides more insight into thought processes while negating the beauty of the original story.

I'm very torn on this one. I've only read any of Ms. Grant's other works because I enjoyed my first introduction to her writing so thoroughly.... and was disappointed. But I stuck with it, hoping to gain more insight into this world she's created. Then I read that she was rewriting this one and that it would be a new story. It is, if I hadn't read the first published edition.
I don't like it, because it destroys something that was so precious to me. I wouldn't have read it if I hadn't longed to reread such a dear friend. Unfortunately, the purchased copy of the ebook is now gibberish, as the story was removed to be published anew.

I'm disappointed and missing a dear friend.

Read this version as if you've never read the original, and you might be pleasantly surprised, especially if you've stayed within Ms. Grant's world so faithfully.

I'm disappointed and let down. She did warn us that might happen. I didn't expect so much development of Wren:Aral to detract so much of what made the rest of the story, for me, worthy of multiple rereads. That specialness, the many dynamics coming into play, the varied secondary characters in whom the reader could identify bits of themselves, the hope and expectation are missing from this edition.

All in all? I would probably have read this version if I hadn't read the first, and thought nothing of it, adding it to my "read but forgotten" pile. Now? I'll long for the edition I bought and miss like a dear friend.
I hope her readers are satisfied with the stories they receive from her. I know I'm not.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read, well written plot and great characters I highly recommend
This is a simply wonderful read and I have to warm other readers that once you begin reading this wonderful book you will not be able to put it down until you reach the end and discover the outcome.

Aral Mawdar was a wonderfully written character which is something I look forward to as I love the dept of detail in each of the characters which is something this author does so very well. He has a responsibility he had taken on when he had only been sixteen and he had bravely saved the life of the daughter of the then Warlord, this had been incredibly brave and could so easily have cost him his life.

He has been waiting for the time to make his move where Wren is concerned, the wait has not always been easy but necessary and he is used to keeping control and now he is ready to get her. He has his trusted ally and greatest friend at his side and he now is going to retrieve his wife, the woman he married in secret, she is his greatest love and his weakest point and this is why this secret has been guarded so closely.

With the crew of Unity at his side and Kad they set out on what could be one of the most important missions of his life. I assure you that once you start reading this book you will not put it down until you reach the final page.

I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing

I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced mystical, action romance

Battle lord Aral Mawndar has had two objectives, the first came at age 14, after his father murders a loved teacher in from of hi, destroy the Drakken Empire. The second came at age 16, save the Warlords daughter, after seeing the frail 13 year old girl at her court presentation, knowing the future she will face..
Aral has done horrible, even evil things to achieve both his goals. He lost his brother and close ally in the process. The Empire has been destroyed. He has been biding his time, waiting for the threats to Wren to be eliminated before claiming he. Jus as he is ready to make his move, the Triad puts an astronomical bounty on the women he loves and secretly married head. Wth the help of his childhood friend, Kad. He will defy the Triad and save his wife. A treasure that Wren is the key to need to be found and claimed, to truley begin the healing.
The Crew of the Unity have been give a new assignment. Find a lost treasue. Bo's lost memories are tied to their new mission.
Fast paced, a little steamy, mystical, action space romance. Loved Bo and Hadley and Aral and Wren's stories. Love the crew of the Unity Looking forward to Kaz's.
Read the original version of this series year ago, still have the paper backs. Loving this revised version.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunting the Warlord’s Daughter is an outstanding example of a well written Sci-Fi Romance story that grabs the reader’s interest immediately with its wonderful narrative and mesmerizing characters.
The dramatis is filled with love, desire, adventure and political intrigues making for a whirlwind of a story featuring two unforgettable leads, heroine Awrenkka Rakkuu and hero Warlord Aral Mawndarr the male who is determined to have her for his own. This explosive action-packed journey into the Borderlands that is ripe with thieves, pirates, deserters and all manner of villains brings their story to life within an atmospheric and thrilling universe itself in transition from the evils that have hindered its inhabitant’s progress and peaceful existence.
Within this framework the tale is told and what a grand one it is!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christian Woman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt Hunting the Warlord's Daughter is my favorite book by Susan. Susan writes a spectacular and daring space adventure by pinning a perceived threat to galactic peace and the way of peace squarely on the Drakken Warlord’s daughter, Awrenkka Rakkuu (Wren), and her DNA. Only read this book if you want to enjoy robust character development with strong backstories, amped up tension and intensified suspense. I honestly want to meet these characters. The action-packed storyline delves into the struggles of life lived on war torn worlds. Yes, it is that good. Be sure to key in on the way Susan romances the gutsy heroine Wren and principled hero Aral, who then prove stronger together. I loved this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My DNA is your destiny,”

Wren is the Warlord's daughter, not that many people know. He's hidden her away her entire life, but now the Universe is changing, and none of it seems good for her.

Aral knew from childhood he didn't want to grow up to be his father, but somewhere along the line he realized the only way to make a difference, to make the Universe a better place, was to convince his father, and his father's pal the Warlord the this apple didn't fall far from the tree. Now can he persuade Wren to look closely, see the real him, and give them a chance?

This done in one Kindle Unlimited book is an epic adventure, a treasure hunt with competing factions out to find the greatest treasure they can imagine.

[Pamelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into the story. The sort of insta-love that Wren and Aral had was too easy. The ending, while all tied up, was too easy.
There were all these potentially exciting difficulties to overcome for everyone. And I mean everyone. Even Hadley and Bolivar weathered the storm of him discovering who he was with hardly a scratch.
While this author has several books in one of my favorite genres I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to read them all. Her writing style is very cotton candy: It’s predominantly shallow, there isn’t a lot of complexity, and her HEA’s are often way too easily achieved. However, I am glad that Ms Grant took care of all the loose ends.

[M Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great book jam packed with adventure! Honestly I couldn't read this fast enough.

Great world building, characters and plot.

Only disappointment was the very rushed ending, it all resolved itself in a few pages, I expected more when they reached the shrine. It was like she ran out of ideas. So its going to lose a star solely for that.


Note the division between witching between different pov is extremely bad. One minute we're with one person literally the next paragraph its another who is not even with them n completely separate. They should have a line or something to indicate change of pov n scenary!!!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good second entry to this series, I like both Wren and Aral, and the side characters are once again great. I felt like there was more focus on the romance this time, with the two leads having met in childhood and then reunited as adults, but there's a lot of adventure to balance it out. I think this could make a great TV series!

There's a little teaser for the third book at the end, but I'm not sure if it's ever been published. Seems like this series (like her Star series) has undergone some title changes and got new cover art without any other books being added to the series listing on GR.

[Amanda Bhear · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Warlord is dead. Wren is being rushed from her home by her guardian only to be stopped by her other one. She becomes even more confused over what is happening as she listens to them argue over what should be done with HER! Then discovers Sabra is a believer of the goddesses. Her 2 guardians begin fighting over what to do when she hears Sabra getting hurt, she throws the knife the other one dropped at her. As she dies, Wren tries to help Sabra & finds out she has been poisoned & is dying. She tells Wren to get the pendent out of her bag. The black pendant had a pattern, it looked like five stars. "It's yours. The Key." "To great treasures." She tells her to find Ara Ana & make the Galaxy whole again. "How do I find her?" But Sabra is gone. Aral is on his way to get Wren from the planet her father exiled her to, since she had the nerve to be born a daughter. A useless one at that! The girl can barely see! He has been waiting to rescue her since he first saw her when she was a teenager & they both saw into the others eyes, before he turned his gaze cold. He knew if his father saw that he liked her, Karbon would take her. He would her hurt her in the most horrible ways imaginable & kill her. After all the abuse he took from his father, Karbon finally pushed him too far when he made him choose to do a horrible thing to his tutor or watch his father slit her throat. Then Aral turned against the Drakken & began to secretly help the Coalition topple the warlords. He does every little thing he can to help the Coaltion win, until they finally arrest his father Karbon. He & his brother Bolivarr who no longer remembers anything before Captain Finn Rorkken found him 5 years ago, severely beaten, naked & left for dead, on a planet they had stopped for supplies. With the marking he had, he was a wraith. A Drakken spy/assassin. It was believed that whoever had tortured him had put a memory blocker in his brain, because nothing he did could seem to bring back his memory. When he did start to remember something it was like a knife going through his brain. He was seeing a pattern & an obelisk. Captain Hadley Keyren, Bolivarr's in private girlfriend is trying to help him through this. She has passed Captaining School, & is getting her first assignment. Not what she's always dreamed of, but what can you do? The Prime-Admiral wants her to take some scientists, archeologists & cadets on a mission to find Ara Ana. Which too many people consider a myth. The birth Planet of the Goddesses that may hold the lost script! Why her? She sees the pattern, Bo has been drawing for a while & asks to add him to the team. Maybe Ara Ana isn't a myth after all! Bo may have more information than he knows. They launch, right after she find out she needs to watch out for Aral, who they have lost contact with & for Karbon, who has escaped before his execution could be carried out. Wren is on her own, looking for this woman Ara Ana. Then when she ends up in a refugee camp, Aral finds her. A trader, Keir, got an early heads up about a bounty 50 million credits! WOW! Is also looking for her. He notices the recognition between the two & tries to find her. She wants to get her eyes fixed but is out of time because she has heard of the hunt for the warlord's daughter, & doesn't know who to trust. She offers a lot of the treasure to Keir to help her escape. Aral & his friend Kaz find them & they team up & get off the planet. On the way to a place he hasn't been since he first started out Keir finds out someone else is looking for Ara Ana as well! The Triad! And it isn't a woman, it's a planet. Wen they stop to get supplies, Wren gets her eyes fixed. On the way back the ship a priestess of the goddesses recognizes her. They get out of there fast. When they finally get to Ara Ana they have chased all over, & are lucky to have made it! The Unity has been there for a few days. Keir's ship is loosing air & fuel. If they don't get help, they won't last much longer. So, The Unity tows them in. As they all come through decontamination with Bo & Captain Hadley watching Aral sees his brother who he thought dead! As he tries to Jot his memory, Kaz comes in & it open all the floodgates. He remembers now! After he gets reunited with his family & Hadley tries to be professional as she watches him with Kaz, she gets back to work. They plan the ground search for the obelisk Bo kept seeing & pick the team. Wren & the others find it, but only she has the key to open it! She goes in & finds a chest that holds an Urn of ashes, The Lost Script! And a data recording that is Sabra's voice! Explaining, her mother was a priestess of the goddesses and a Key. That passed mother to daughter, but since she died that made Wren the Key, & Sabra, her Keeper. She hoped they were listening to this together, if not she did as she vowed as a keeper. Now it is Wren's task to take the Script to the Goddesses Keep. As the Unity was leaving the planet, Karbon found them & attacked, Hadley destroyed his ship. Bo & Hadley got things figure out when he told her that Kaz & he had broken up before became a wraith. Wren did as she was bid & took it to the goddess. The charges against the warlord were not held against her. She and Aral decided to live on Earth in Australia where there would be less recognition & trouble to them.
I loved it! So many different things intertwined. Takes a long time to explain. But a really good book!

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

War, Empire, Suspense & Love

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plotting was masterful. It was hard for me to see how the competing goals of the characters could be resolved, but it all came together beautifully. I won’t include any details, but will let you have the pleasure of discovering them for yourself.

AND there will be a sequel. I wonder how Kazara’s adventure will turn out…..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mumto2girls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written, multi-layered story with interesting characters and multiple storylines, woven together in a compelling manner. Of course, there was a romance but the over arching saga was the real star of this novel. Wren showed strength and determination in the face of shocking revelations and was the perfect woman for Aral. I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pirate sci fi romance

Susan Grant is one of my favorite sci fi romance authors. This story did not remind me as much of the other Star series or Warleader, but really was more like a historical pirate romance. Felt rushed and superficial in the characters and their relationships. Felt like the relationship between Hadley and Bolivar was particularly lacking. Needed more banter or interesting side characters giving advice or something to make it more relatable perhaps.

[Cheri Winget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me engaged with the characters and the world around them throughout the entire book. I had read the first book in this series and was glad that those characters were part of this one. Well written and definitely a page turner. Look forward to Kaz's book, but a bit confused as to whether it is going to be the next or not. Runner or Raider Born?
While I read this via Kindle Unlimited I still consider it well worth my time.

[Elree Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Beth

Hello people!

Susan Grant did it again! What a wonderful story. It felt like I was part of the good guy's team.

I've come to realize that this series is one of those that I can reread and still love the story time.

I encourage you to pickup the first one and start the series. If you haven't that's ok too.. But highly suggest you read the series in order. It's important to "know" the characters.

[Connie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is definitely a great one to read and I am happy to recommend it.

The Borderlands series is awesome! It is so good. This story included Aral and Wren (the Warlord's daughter). Aral and his brother Bolivarr find each other after four years and Bolivarr regains his memory and he and Hadley remain in love and together. It looks like there is lots more to come.

[Shana Pare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, honor, commitment

This rewrite makes this story more evolved and more in tune with the above ideals. I was glad to see that Aral and Bollivar found each other and succeeded in their quests. Wren is a strong lead character and I would like to see more of her. I look forward to more of Kaz in the next book.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! love this series !!! love Wren and Aral... this is their story... a fast paced action packed drama... Aral must protect Wren at all cost... she is the key... her DNA... she has a bounty on her head...what more ? oh, convince her that they belong together...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Launching The Triad

The hidden Warlords daughter did not understand her destiny. She was pushed to grow by fate and the promise of a dangerous youth in marriage she met as child and loved.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s about the battle of good versus evil with some very difficult choices in the mix. The protagonists are charming and the romance is sweet. An excellent addition to this series!
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book