Wave Dancer: A S.U.N. Universe Novel

by Cherime MacFarlane

Leisha, a human female, is a non-commissioned officer on a S.U.N. scout ship. The young, rescued alien ticks all her boxes. Older than Bantan, she’s happy to further his education.
A young alien genius, Bantan S’kan, has no experience with females and is bitter over his kidnapping by pirates. He’s out to do as much damage to the pirates as he can. Then he meets her.
Leisha’s family summons her home. She leaves the ship and Bantan. The Arkalian doesn’t take rejection well. S.U.N. needs him, but he needs Leisha. Can he hurt the pirates without losing his life? How can he have a life with Leisha, and keep the pirates and S.U.N. from finding them?

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2022

About the author

Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here for 37 years, I have survived -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and live in a cabin. I used a fish wheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and only roadie. I cut firewood on shares, worked as a cocktail waitress, then as a paralegal for over 26 years. I hold the #80 press card as a reporter for the Copper Valley Views newspaper which ceased publication in the 1980s. I've been writing stories since junior high. Retired now, I can devote my time to what I love.
I came to Alaska by way of Arizona and California. I experienced the building of the pipeline up close. Then my second husband and I moved to Wasilla to get warm. It hardly ever drops past -25 in South Central Alaska. I never thought I would love it so much I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. I lost my first husband to alcohol. My second husband, the love of my life died as a result of disease. We were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years . I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with.

Reviews

[Shey Saints · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wave Dancer by Cherime MacFarlane is a science fiction romance that follows Bantan S’kan, an alien prodigy who escapes years of captivity and finds himself among the crew of a SUN fleet ship. As he tries to adjust to a new environment and figure out what freedom means, he crosses paths with Leisha, a woman with her own secrets and responsibilities. The story blends space adventure, romance, political tension, and the challenges of rebuilding a life after trauma.

I enjoyed how Wave Dancer balances the larger universe with the personal struggles of its characters. Bantan’s journey is interesting because he is incredibly intelligent but still has so much to learn about trust, relationships, and life outside captivity. Leisha also brings a different perspective to the story, and I liked seeing the contrast between her confidence and the things she keeps hidden. The worldbuilding gives the story a unique feel, especially with the different species, cultures, and settings throughout the book. Some parts moved slower than others, but the character development kept me interested.

Overall, I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was an enjoyable read with a good mix of romance and science fiction. I liked the emotional moments, the chemistry between the characters, and the feeling that there is a much bigger universe waiting beyond this story. Content warning: explicit sexual content, strong language, and violence.

[Harmonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wave Dancer is a fun science fiction romance with an interesting main character. Bantan S’kan immediately stood out because of his intelligence, determination, and the way he tries to understand a world he barely knows. I liked that the story focuses not only on action but also on learning how to trust people again. The space setting, different alien races, and political elements made the story feel bigger than just the romance. Some scenes were intense, but they helped show how much the characters had gone through. This was an enjoyable read for anyone who likes character-driven sci-fi with a romantic storyline.

[Bulletproof Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the relationship dynamics in Wave Dancer. The connection between Bantan and Leisha develops in an interesting way because they both have complicated backgrounds and reasons for keeping their guards up. Their conversations were some of my favorite parts because they showed their personalities instead of just pushing the romance forward. The story also explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and finding a place where you belong. The pacing was a little uneven at times, but the characters kept me invested. It was a nice combination of futuristic adventure and emotional moments.

[Jiminie Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me the feeling of stepping into a much larger universe. The author creates a detailed science fiction setting filled with different worlds, species, and cultures that made me curious about the rest of the series. I enjoyed the way the story mixed danger, romance, and personal growth without making the characters feel one-dimensional. Bantan’s struggles after his past experiences added depth to the story, while Leisha brought a strong and confident presence. It is not just a simple space adventure, but a story about survival, change, and discovering what comes next.