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Flawed Gods
In a future, planetary world, a former Varan lover who was misjudged and sent away as a criminal abducts the beautiful Doella from the man she agreed to marry. Thus begins the odyssey of two fleeing, passionate lovers who are pursued by her jilted bond-mate and eventually by Varan authorities. No Varan ever changed his or her bond mate. Marriage was for life. Doella’s hair was like a pale gold waterfall, and her eyes were the color of deep green emeralds. She was powerful, intuitive, and her golden body easily surrendered to her recurring need for passion. The odyssey to flee Varan pursuit leads to encounters with menacing societies, dangerous dragons, lecherous kings, and cunning wizards… until the Varan authorities and the jilted bond-mate capture Doella and her troupe. However Doella’s infidelity and lack of honor is now insignificant with the discovery of a threat to annihilate the Varan civilization. The last best Varan hope is to send Doella back into her most horrifying encounter. The clock is ticking … in a fascinating, suspenseful and sexy read.
- GenresScience Fiction
444 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
2 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Angela B. Mortimer
20 books128 followersBorn in the UK, married a gorgeous Aussie and have been living happily here ever since. Attended West of England college of art. Love reading sci-fi, fantasy and my fav subjects like genetics, planet sciences, philosophy, history - especially ancient, and of course space. I dreamt of being an astronaut. I've been writing since I could and painting for as long. I love the outdoors and gazing at the stars and wondering what might be out there.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 10, 2016
Flawed Gods
Outstanding Read! The author takes us on wildly entertaining journey with the sexy God, Doella. But there are many more Gods along the way, each with its own set of highly imaginative powers. Ms. Mortimer makes one feel they are all real, sprinkled with humor, at times. However, with reality comes faults, and these Gods certainly have their share. The author weaves a message into the driving story line, and well-crafted twists. This is a wonderful piece of work, and a must read. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series.
Outstanding Read! The author takes us on wildly entertaining journey with the sexy God, Doella. But there are many more Gods along the way, each with its own set of highly imaginative powers. Ms. Mortimer makes one feel they are all real, sprinkled with humor, at times. However, with reality comes faults, and these Gods certainly have their share. The author weaves a message into the driving story line, and well-crafted twists. This is a wonderful piece of work, and a must read. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series.
March 25, 2016
Flawed Gods by Angela B. Mortimer is a wild ride that takes the lusty heroine Doella from the safety of her secret alien base on earth across dimensions and worlds. She is kidnaped at first, then becomes a fugitive and then savior. It has enough spice to be a romance, but is much bigger than that. It is an exciting and imaginative read. Can’t wait to read the next in the series.
January 5, 2016
From The Musings of a Starving Author:
It’s a new year and that should, of course, bring new experiences to the dining room. So that is where Flawed Gods comes in. You see, Gods is something a bit unlike any other book I’ve read in the past. Yes, it could fit into the sci-fi recipe folder and there’s certainly romance and, arguably, erotica overtones. But there’s quite a bit more to this recipe than that. Flawed Gods is more than a title, it describes the essence of the flavors infused in this meal. While this promises to make it a unique dining experience, does it make it a GOOD one?
Before we find out, let us take up the book of the Starving Reviewer and recite the rules of the review:
I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible
What Gods captures is something that is difficult for many authors to grab a hold of. That is the innate alienness of, er, being an alien. Not just an alien, but an evolutionary order above mere humanity. And yet, the chef manages to reign in the desire to add too much of this spice, to make the characters so alien, so inhuman, to be unrelatable to us. To be truthful, I am most reminded of the Greek and the Norse gods, so powerful yet so flawed. Yes, I do see what I did there, thank you.
It’s hard to delve too deeply into this particular meal without heading deep into Spoilers ™, but what I can say is that on most levels, it tells its unique tale with skill. The plot, though strange, is well-paced and continuously moves forward. The characters are strange, yes, but our main characters are all well-thought out and developed. One point I particularly found interesting thematically is the idea of conflict resolved through love instead of through violence. It’s not a theme that’s often explored in any serious fashion, but it is center stage in Gods.
There are only two (minor) quibbles I had, once I had wrapped my head around the otherwordly perspective this meal brings to the palate. One, I wish there had been more dialogue (mental or vocal). There were times when some communications were brushed over and I simply felt some of those would have been better done in full dialogue format, just to add a bit more spice to the situation.
Secondly, the excellent pacing was thrown off at the very end, just after the climax and just as the book finishes. The events of the last page or two seemed sudden and rushed, though not wrong. It’s a minor quibble, especially after such an exotic meal, but it does deserve to be noted. Fortunately, this is just the start of a series of books, so that climax can be smoothed out in the next volume. It doesn’t detract from the core story arc of the meal itself.
So, in summation, Flawed Gods is an exotic dish of sci-fi drama and romance, with a hint of the erotic, strange but enticing. For a reader looking for something a bit different or a fan of either science-fiction or mythology, this is a must read. For others, I’d still suggest picking this one up, only holding off if any kind of erotic content puts you off.
FINAL VERDICT: ***** (An exotic dish of sci-fi drama and romance, with a hint of the erotic, strange but enticing!)
It’s a new year and that should, of course, bring new experiences to the dining room. So that is where Flawed Gods comes in. You see, Gods is something a bit unlike any other book I’ve read in the past. Yes, it could fit into the sci-fi recipe folder and there’s certainly romance and, arguably, erotica overtones. But there’s quite a bit more to this recipe than that. Flawed Gods is more than a title, it describes the essence of the flavors infused in this meal. While this promises to make it a unique dining experience, does it make it a GOOD one?
Before we find out, let us take up the book of the Starving Reviewer and recite the rules of the review:
I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible
What Gods captures is something that is difficult for many authors to grab a hold of. That is the innate alienness of, er, being an alien. Not just an alien, but an evolutionary order above mere humanity. And yet, the chef manages to reign in the desire to add too much of this spice, to make the characters so alien, so inhuman, to be unrelatable to us. To be truthful, I am most reminded of the Greek and the Norse gods, so powerful yet so flawed. Yes, I do see what I did there, thank you.
It’s hard to delve too deeply into this particular meal without heading deep into Spoilers ™, but what I can say is that on most levels, it tells its unique tale with skill. The plot, though strange, is well-paced and continuously moves forward. The characters are strange, yes, but our main characters are all well-thought out and developed. One point I particularly found interesting thematically is the idea of conflict resolved through love instead of through violence. It’s not a theme that’s often explored in any serious fashion, but it is center stage in Gods.
There are only two (minor) quibbles I had, once I had wrapped my head around the otherwordly perspective this meal brings to the palate. One, I wish there had been more dialogue (mental or vocal). There were times when some communications were brushed over and I simply felt some of those would have been better done in full dialogue format, just to add a bit more spice to the situation.
Secondly, the excellent pacing was thrown off at the very end, just after the climax and just as the book finishes. The events of the last page or two seemed sudden and rushed, though not wrong. It’s a minor quibble, especially after such an exotic meal, but it does deserve to be noted. Fortunately, this is just the start of a series of books, so that climax can be smoothed out in the next volume. It doesn’t detract from the core story arc of the meal itself.
So, in summation, Flawed Gods is an exotic dish of sci-fi drama and romance, with a hint of the erotic, strange but enticing. For a reader looking for something a bit different or a fan of either science-fiction or mythology, this is a must read. For others, I’d still suggest picking this one up, only holding off if any kind of erotic content puts you off.
FINAL VERDICT: ***** (An exotic dish of sci-fi drama and romance, with a hint of the erotic, strange but enticing!)
December 20, 2013
First, a confession. I know Angela Mortimer through Twitter and, as a result of her fascinating personal page, have been an admirer of her naïve form of painting for a considerable time. I am eagerly awaiting her first exhibition in Europe. But when I realised she was something of a polymath and that her other forté was creative writing, I resolved to read one of her novels.
My first challenge was the genre. I’m probably over-simplifying things if I say she writes science fiction. Now, I have never really been a fan of science fiction. As a writer myself, I am steeped in the clay-booted tradition of the ‘now’, where everything we’d like to do is circumscribed by the limitations of what is currently possible. I therefore do not normally embrace the ‘beam me up Scotty’ school of multidimensional fantasy where, with a twist of a bracelet on the arm, the hero or heroine can shape-shift into a giant crab and slay the devil one hundred million years from now, to the lasting benefit of mankind.
I say, ‘normally’. But then, what do I know? And that was the second challenge. To be open to what is, for me, unfamiliar.
Ms. Mortimer weaves an extraordinary tale which, despite my preconceptions, seems entirely possible. That, I suppose, is down to her excellent writing. The heroine, Doella, is modern and truly emancipated. In fact, it is the menfolk who make themselves vulnerable by showing their emotions too readily. Her descriptions of alien lands graphically take the reader into her world. The action is fast, spare and rewarding. And not once did I find myself whispering, “Oh, come on!” under my breath. Her tale is like visiting Disneyworld where, to enjoy the experience fully, all one needs to do is suspend belief and ‘go with it’.
From the minute we meet Doella (or ‘Louise Baker’ as she is known in her present-day, present-earthly form), mysterious friends, whom other London office workers assume are her brothers, make urgent demands on her. Simune and Takos bring news that will require Doella’s immediate attention. And, as a Varan anthropologist, she must abandon her covert activity as human guide and, at the same time, defender of humanity from those of her own race who would prefer to take a more cruel course. Immediately, we realise that what we take for granted on this earth, with all its beauty and imperfections, is simply not as it appears. We are being manipulated, studied and altered by forces so superior in strength and intellect that, at best, we must simply learn to think as they do. Here the Disneyworld analogy falls down because this book is a psychedelic flight through time and space that makes Disney’s greatest amusements seem pedestrian and tame. The imagination of Angela Mortimer is both boundless and terrifying but, as I wrote before, strangely believable.
Maybe things will turn out as she says. And that makes me glad it hasn’t happened yet and sorry, in a way, that I will never see her vision for myself.
But then, perhaps I will…..
Roderick Craig Low. Author of ‘England 2026. After the Discord’
My first challenge was the genre. I’m probably over-simplifying things if I say she writes science fiction. Now, I have never really been a fan of science fiction. As a writer myself, I am steeped in the clay-booted tradition of the ‘now’, where everything we’d like to do is circumscribed by the limitations of what is currently possible. I therefore do not normally embrace the ‘beam me up Scotty’ school of multidimensional fantasy where, with a twist of a bracelet on the arm, the hero or heroine can shape-shift into a giant crab and slay the devil one hundred million years from now, to the lasting benefit of mankind.
I say, ‘normally’. But then, what do I know? And that was the second challenge. To be open to what is, for me, unfamiliar.
Ms. Mortimer weaves an extraordinary tale which, despite my preconceptions, seems entirely possible. That, I suppose, is down to her excellent writing. The heroine, Doella, is modern and truly emancipated. In fact, it is the menfolk who make themselves vulnerable by showing their emotions too readily. Her descriptions of alien lands graphically take the reader into her world. The action is fast, spare and rewarding. And not once did I find myself whispering, “Oh, come on!” under my breath. Her tale is like visiting Disneyworld where, to enjoy the experience fully, all one needs to do is suspend belief and ‘go with it’.
From the minute we meet Doella (or ‘Louise Baker’ as she is known in her present-day, present-earthly form), mysterious friends, whom other London office workers assume are her brothers, make urgent demands on her. Simune and Takos bring news that will require Doella’s immediate attention. And, as a Varan anthropologist, she must abandon her covert activity as human guide and, at the same time, defender of humanity from those of her own race who would prefer to take a more cruel course. Immediately, we realise that what we take for granted on this earth, with all its beauty and imperfections, is simply not as it appears. We are being manipulated, studied and altered by forces so superior in strength and intellect that, at best, we must simply learn to think as they do. Here the Disneyworld analogy falls down because this book is a psychedelic flight through time and space that makes Disney’s greatest amusements seem pedestrian and tame. The imagination of Angela Mortimer is both boundless and terrifying but, as I wrote before, strangely believable.
Maybe things will turn out as she says. And that makes me glad it hasn’t happened yet and sorry, in a way, that I will never see her vision for myself.
But then, perhaps I will…..
Roderick Craig Low. Author of ‘England 2026. After the Discord’
August 20, 2013
Flawed Gods is written by an author who has immersed herself in this fictional tale and it flows at a good pace. As I read, it struck me this story would, with a little tweaking, make a rather good animated film for adults.
The Varan's are an elder race of aliens who seed planets and watch as evolution plays it's part on the species they have created. This isn't the core of the story, however, as that honour belongs to Doella, the main female character. She bewitches at a glance any human or alien male who is in sight of her and, being of the race she is, this means she usually ends up in bed with them. I have to admit I personally found this a little wearing and predictable after a while and, although it is part of her character and personality, I was happy to note there were some she kept at bay! However, this did not detract from the story and, for certain readers, it may even enhance it...
This is a story of a woman who holds very different views to others of her race. A woman who refuses to be controlled by rules and other's opinions. Flawed Gods seems to be almost a back story to who Doella is and the importance of certain people she meets and takes forward with her on her journey to discover the role she must fulfill and those who demand it of her.
This is the first book in a four part series and the second part, Hyclos, has recently been released. I think it holds great promise and I am looking forward to reading the second novel and watching the story move onward.
The Varan's are an elder race of aliens who seed planets and watch as evolution plays it's part on the species they have created. This isn't the core of the story, however, as that honour belongs to Doella, the main female character. She bewitches at a glance any human or alien male who is in sight of her and, being of the race she is, this means she usually ends up in bed with them. I have to admit I personally found this a little wearing and predictable after a while and, although it is part of her character and personality, I was happy to note there were some she kept at bay! However, this did not detract from the story and, for certain readers, it may even enhance it...
This is a story of a woman who holds very different views to others of her race. A woman who refuses to be controlled by rules and other's opinions. Flawed Gods seems to be almost a back story to who Doella is and the importance of certain people she meets and takes forward with her on her journey to discover the role she must fulfill and those who demand it of her.
This is the first book in a four part series and the second part, Hyclos, has recently been released. I think it holds great promise and I am looking forward to reading the second novel and watching the story move onward.
December 30, 2014
In this terrific story, Angela Mortimer has created a perfectly imagined universe, with imperfect inhabitants. The protagonist, despite incredible abilities, is possibly the most flawed of all, her sexual predilections leading her into mistake after mistake, which for a god is somewhat human. But then she has spent time with humans in more ways than several. Doella is almost, but not quite, an innocent in all this, leaping from partner to partner in ‘Barabarella’ fashion and leaving a trail of enthusiastic males in her wake.
But Flawed Gods is about more than Doella. It is about power, the abuse of power and the mistakes that beings who consider themselves to be makers of worlds can make, lost in their own arrogance. Reminds me of modern day politicians…
If you are a fan of SF or SciFi as the youngsters call it, then you will enjoy Flawed Gods, and if you are not you will still enjoy Flawed Gods. It is simply a great story and part of an epic saga in the spirit of Asimov and Clarke, so the story is not over by any means. An easy read with several thought provoking threads, told in a flawless style!
Recommended.
But Flawed Gods is about more than Doella. It is about power, the abuse of power and the mistakes that beings who consider themselves to be makers of worlds can make, lost in their own arrogance. Reminds me of modern day politicians…
If you are a fan of SF or SciFi as the youngsters call it, then you will enjoy Flawed Gods, and if you are not you will still enjoy Flawed Gods. It is simply a great story and part of an epic saga in the spirit of Asimov and Clarke, so the story is not over by any means. An easy read with several thought provoking threads, told in a flawless style!
Recommended.
December 21, 2012
In a future, planetary world, a former Varan lover who was misjudged and sent away as a criminal abducts the beautiful Doella from the man she agreed to marry. Thus begins the odyssey of two fleeing, passionate lovers who are pursued by her jilted bond-mate and eventually by Varian authorities. No Varan ever changed his or her bond mate. Marriage was for life.
Doella’s hair was like a pale gold waterfall, and her eyes were the color of deep green emeralds. She was powerful, intuitive, and her golden body easily surrendered to her recurring need for passion.
The odyssey to flee Varan pursuit leads to encounters with menacing societies, dangerous dragons, lecherous kings, and cunning wizards… until the Varian authorities and the jilted bond-mate capture Doella and her troupe.
However Doella’s infidelity and lack of honor is now insignificant with the discovery of a threat to annihilate the Varan civilization. The last best Varan hope is to send Doella back into her most horrifying encounter. The clock is ticking … in a fascinating, suspenseful and sexy read.
Doella’s hair was like a pale gold waterfall, and her eyes were the color of deep green emeralds. She was powerful, intuitive, and her golden body easily surrendered to her recurring need for passion.
The odyssey to flee Varan pursuit leads to encounters with menacing societies, dangerous dragons, lecherous kings, and cunning wizards… until the Varian authorities and the jilted bond-mate capture Doella and her troupe.
However Doella’s infidelity and lack of honor is now insignificant with the discovery of a threat to annihilate the Varan civilization. The last best Varan hope is to send Doella back into her most horrifying encounter. The clock is ticking … in a fascinating, suspenseful and sexy read.
September 9, 2016
FLAWED GODS
Angela B. Mortimer
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
In many religions, Gods exist that the followers believe will protect them from all kinds of atrocities. FLAWED GODS, a science fiction space opera, gives the reader different levels of deities with superhuman powers, each looking for answers to why they exist.
The main character Doella has powers that many of our well-known superheroes would love to have. However, the ability she uses most is her sexuality on earth and other worlds that she travels, manipulating situations to her advantage.
Her strengths lead her and her compatriots, some of which are her lovers, into a position of deflecting a universal conflict between odd-shaped creatures, including dragons that can shape change into humanoids. The war, with Doella’s help, can be alleviated, is directed by another God like group inspiring Doella into that position.
The ending will inspire the reader to want to read on in the series, as it has for me. A new day is arising in Doella’s life and the universe she lives.
Angela B. Mortimer
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
In many religions, Gods exist that the followers believe will protect them from all kinds of atrocities. FLAWED GODS, a science fiction space opera, gives the reader different levels of deities with superhuman powers, each looking for answers to why they exist.
The main character Doella has powers that many of our well-known superheroes would love to have. However, the ability she uses most is her sexuality on earth and other worlds that she travels, manipulating situations to her advantage.
Her strengths lead her and her compatriots, some of which are her lovers, into a position of deflecting a universal conflict between odd-shaped creatures, including dragons that can shape change into humanoids. The war, with Doella’s help, can be alleviated, is directed by another God like group inspiring Doella into that position.
The ending will inspire the reader to want to read on in the series, as it has for me. A new day is arising in Doella’s life and the universe she lives.
May 8, 2013
A science fiction- romance- space opera? With dragons! It was good, very good. Ever wonder who the gods of our ancestors really were? If you like watching Ancient Aliens, you might like this, too. Flawed Gods has a take on populating planets that I enjoyed. Drew me in. Loved the characters. As I read, I kept wondering how it was going to end. Then I didn't want it to end, because the concept is so very cool, one I enjoy reading, hearing and wondering about. There is also a sequel to this, one I intend to read. I hope it has more about the dragons. I highly recommend Flawed Gods.
May 4, 2013
I'm not normally a scifi fan, but this book held my attention. The main theme of it, "Humans are flawed, because their creators are flawed", permeates the whole story. This is an adventure that spans different worlds, planets and realities. It is passionate, rich in details and very thought-provoking because of the way it sheds light on social and environmental problems on our own planet. Highly recommended!
February 23, 2013
Diverse enough for anyone to enjoy. Clever.
May 17, 2019
Flawed Gods by Angela B. Mortimer (Flawed Gods Series Book One)
I'm not even certain in what genre I should put this book. It has elements of Science Fiction and Fantasy with a healthy dose of fantasy. Then it has elements of Romance, but more on the end of explicit sex though I have seen worse. Finally I came to the conclusion that the main character Doella is a female version of a Lothario. It's similar to taking The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt and inserting a female in his place.
This is a good read with some interesting ideas and occasionally touching the boundaries of the comfort zone.
One problem I had with it is that just as with Casanova I had a great difficulty feeling anything helpful or hopeful for Doella. Well it's not quite true because I did feel for her at the beginning; since she seemed to be mourning the death of Paul. Of course as the story unfolds that compassion is lost quite quickly.
Doella is masquerading as a human named Louise Baker. We find that she is really an anthropologist for a race of beings living on Varos. They have been tweaking and accelerating mans development not just on Earth but on Earth of several parallel dimensions. She and her people have bracelets that enhance the power they have to travel through these dimensions. Doella is a hands on anthropologist in the worst sense and she has been going native more than she probably should.
To lighten things up we discover that the world of Varos is conducive to promiscuity in the early years of development. Conversely when they marry they marry for life, but they seem to be encouraged to play the field. To this end Doella has been experimenting with love with some of her co-workers and apparently a large number of the subjects of her study. Enough that one character seemed to rightly suggest she couldn't give an accurate number. And it seems that even though she a number of times marvels at the possibility that she might be so beautiful that men would fight over she also somehow seems to have the same attitude as Casanova in that she seems to think she is gods gift to man.
She is engaged to Takos but despite efforts, Simune has rebuked her efforts; while she has engaged in a relationship with Carnos. Carnos has been imprisoned by the Varos in the interlamina, which seems to be the area they travel through between worlds and dimensions. Carnos may have been guilty of causing the humans to become more aggressive, possibly causing most of the current strife on the Earth planets. We later find that his confinement is not being handled quite as everyone thinks.
When they discover that Carnos might have slipped from his cage Doella begins to wonder if he might be responsible for the deaths of many of her lovers on Earth. I mention all of this because there are some questionable things that occur that made me feel uncomfortable with the character of Doella.
Carnos escapes into the dimensions or parallel worlds and lures Doella, because he loves her, and he traps her with him. He takes away her bracelet, which is something that is very important to her as it protects her and gives her the power to go where she wants to go. Somehow she seems alright with this for way too long even though she constantly moans about the loss of the bracelet to herself she doesn't confront Carnos. She does still love him, but this is like kidnapping and with her powers taken away it makes it that much more heinous. Eventually she seems happy to go along with him rather than question his tactics.
When they meet Sark a member of a race of Hyclos she has already attempted relationships with several other men and decides to include Sark. In many cases as this progresses she regains and loses her power bracelet. Since it protects her when she has it, the only feelings and concerns I've had for her is that somewhere along the line she's bound to get a nasty venereal disease.
There finally comes a time with one character where things push Doella too far and she realizes, for at least a while, the error of her ways. Almost coming to a point of redeeming herself. But truly as with Casanova there is no help for her.
Despite the dalliances and promiscuity the story has a plot and it's a fairly good one. I'm not all that sure about the resolution of the main plot, but it does fit the character and the story, so there is that. Though Doella does not come off very likable she is a unique character and a very interesting female protagonist.
Now for the caveats; for those a bit particular about Grammar issues. There are some style issues and grammar problems with long sentences and punctuation and lack of or wrong punctuation. Those are also my own week spot, so if I notice them it usually means something. There are several missing words or in some cases extra words that don't seem to belong (enough of these to go beyond my usual threshold).
This could have used another edit and I would give it a five star.
This is an okay romance for mature adults and a good Fantasy for SFF fans who can tolerate the style choices. It is definitely not hard science fiction.
J.L. Dobias
I'm not even certain in what genre I should put this book. It has elements of Science Fiction and Fantasy with a healthy dose of fantasy. Then it has elements of Romance, but more on the end of explicit sex though I have seen worse. Finally I came to the conclusion that the main character Doella is a female version of a Lothario. It's similar to taking The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt and inserting a female in his place.
This is a good read with some interesting ideas and occasionally touching the boundaries of the comfort zone.
One problem I had with it is that just as with Casanova I had a great difficulty feeling anything helpful or hopeful for Doella. Well it's not quite true because I did feel for her at the beginning; since she seemed to be mourning the death of Paul. Of course as the story unfolds that compassion is lost quite quickly.
Doella is masquerading as a human named Louise Baker. We find that she is really an anthropologist for a race of beings living on Varos. They have been tweaking and accelerating mans development not just on Earth but on Earth of several parallel dimensions. She and her people have bracelets that enhance the power they have to travel through these dimensions. Doella is a hands on anthropologist in the worst sense and she has been going native more than she probably should.
To lighten things up we discover that the world of Varos is conducive to promiscuity in the early years of development. Conversely when they marry they marry for life, but they seem to be encouraged to play the field. To this end Doella has been experimenting with love with some of her co-workers and apparently a large number of the subjects of her study. Enough that one character seemed to rightly suggest she couldn't give an accurate number. And it seems that even though she a number of times marvels at the possibility that she might be so beautiful that men would fight over she also somehow seems to have the same attitude as Casanova in that she seems to think she is gods gift to man.
She is engaged to Takos but despite efforts, Simune has rebuked her efforts; while she has engaged in a relationship with Carnos. Carnos has been imprisoned by the Varos in the interlamina, which seems to be the area they travel through between worlds and dimensions. Carnos may have been guilty of causing the humans to become more aggressive, possibly causing most of the current strife on the Earth planets. We later find that his confinement is not being handled quite as everyone thinks.
When they discover that Carnos might have slipped from his cage Doella begins to wonder if he might be responsible for the deaths of many of her lovers on Earth. I mention all of this because there are some questionable things that occur that made me feel uncomfortable with the character of Doella.
Carnos escapes into the dimensions or parallel worlds and lures Doella, because he loves her, and he traps her with him. He takes away her bracelet, which is something that is very important to her as it protects her and gives her the power to go where she wants to go. Somehow she seems alright with this for way too long even though she constantly moans about the loss of the bracelet to herself she doesn't confront Carnos. She does still love him, but this is like kidnapping and with her powers taken away it makes it that much more heinous. Eventually she seems happy to go along with him rather than question his tactics.
When they meet Sark a member of a race of Hyclos she has already attempted relationships with several other men and decides to include Sark. In many cases as this progresses she regains and loses her power bracelet. Since it protects her when she has it, the only feelings and concerns I've had for her is that somewhere along the line she's bound to get a nasty venereal disease.
There finally comes a time with one character where things push Doella too far and she realizes, for at least a while, the error of her ways. Almost coming to a point of redeeming herself. But truly as with Casanova there is no help for her.
Despite the dalliances and promiscuity the story has a plot and it's a fairly good one. I'm not all that sure about the resolution of the main plot, but it does fit the character and the story, so there is that. Though Doella does not come off very likable she is a unique character and a very interesting female protagonist.
Now for the caveats; for those a bit particular about Grammar issues. There are some style issues and grammar problems with long sentences and punctuation and lack of or wrong punctuation. Those are also my own week spot, so if I notice them it usually means something. There are several missing words or in some cases extra words that don't seem to belong (enough of these to go beyond my usual threshold).
This could have used another edit and I would give it a five star.
This is an okay romance for mature adults and a good Fantasy for SFF fans who can tolerate the style choices. It is definitely not hard science fiction.
J.L. Dobias
October 5, 2018
FOR 18+ ONLY! Doella, an anthropologist from the Varan race who has been working the last 5000 years experimenting with the evolutionary growth of a race of humanity on a planet called Earth, discovers from her current commitment, Thakos, and his friend, Simune, that an ex-boyfriend, Carnos, has escaped from an interlamina prison stronghold. When she transports back to Varos with Thakos and Simune, she is snatched inter-dimensionally by Carnos, who seeks to reconnect with the love of his life. Carnos and Doella start transporting to various worlds, while Thakos and Simune attempt to track them down. However, on their journeys, Carnos and Doella uncover an even greater danger to Varos and another world-creating race from a vengeful dragon race. This is a science fantasy work that uses “Doctor Who” style elements to drive its plot as power bracelets and diamonds create inter-dimensional travel between worlds across the universe and help transformations from human to dragon beings and back, but readers may find confusion as the story theme is upended, as Doella finds her greatest power to face the danger is in sexual beauty and sensual desire. How accepting of the eventual resolution will depend on a reader’s inner point of view, but a diligent science fantasy fan will probably find satisfaction in the imaginative story. In the version I read, there was the occasional double or missing word editing issue, but not enough to fully distract from the story direction.
September 26, 2023
A truly amazing and inspired novel!
A mixture of science fiction and fantasy, Flawed Gods is the story of Doella, a beautiful, impulsive, and powerful Varan posing as an Earth woman. Her mission? To help save Earth from self destruction.
A mixture of science fiction and fantasy, Flawed Gods is the story of Doella, a beautiful, impulsive, and powerful Varan posing as an Earth woman. Her mission? To help save Earth from self destruction.
December 3, 2021
Abandoned. Not for me at this time.
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