Gwen’s review of The Warlord’s Daughter (The Borderlands, Book 2) by Susan Grant
Sci-fi romance released by HQN 1 Feb 09

I really love a good sci-fi romance.  The last couple of months I’ve been lucky enough to read a couple of really good ones.  This is definitely one of them, so much so I’m going to have to glom all of Grant’s backlist. And I admit, I have heretofore been unwise to underestimate Grant’s books simply based on the rather, well, “lighthearted” titles.  I mean, How to Lose An Extraterrestrial In 10 Days? Seriously?  My unwarranted prejudice is understandable, right?

This is another of Grant’s books set in the same world/universe as I think all of her other sci-fi’s, allowing her to expand on the details, history, and characters.  This gives these books a very “real” feel because of the impression of visiting someplace that has real substance.  I think this all adds to the reader’s  enjoyment because you can just cut loose the disbelief and dive into the story without fear.  There won’t be some little  detail will jerk you out of the story’s “zone”.

I love when that happens.

This is the first book of this world/series I have read. Regardless, I had no trouble following it and yet I didn’t feel like there was any info-dumping.  The details are woven into the story in a very natural manner.  As a result, Daughter stands alone very well, though I am definitely going to read the related books.

From what I gather, Daughter‘s hero and heroine are royal members of what has largely been, until this book, the bad guys – the Drakken Horde (I know, cool name, innit?).  When they were early adolescents, they met eyes across a crowded room and from then on, they thought of nobody else.  In fact, the hero connived, maneuvered, and basically sold his soul to make sure he was able to claim the heroine as his wife.  It’s tremendously romantic.

I very much enjoyed the “quest” aspect of the story.  We’re brought along with the heroine, Wren, as she makes some heartbreaking discoveries about herself and her family. I frequently got teary-eyed as she struggled with yet more devastating news. There’s quite a bit in this book about prophecy fulfilling and the goddess aspects of this society, but it’s all fun and adds to the story.

There’s so much happening in the plot that it’s tough to pick out just one detail that really sells it.  I suppose that’s why it all worked so well for me.  I really felt like I was reading about something that happened.  Even the secondary characters have a full and interesting life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a departure from the normal fare.  While it is definitely a wonderful romance, it’s got so much more – it’s got intrigue, politics, human interest, and just a rocking good sci-fi story.  Go get it.  Now.  I’ll wait here for you to comment with your own kudos.

Grade: A

Summary:

The war is finally over. But Wren’s life is in tatters. The only living offspring of the notorious Drakken Warlord, her genes could very well start a new dynasty of terror. And the Coalition can’t have that.

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

The Drakken’s ruthless evil turned Aral toward the Coalition 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?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

and Sureblood (Book 3), scheduled for Aug 2010

Devon’s review of Moonstruck by Susan Grant
SciFi/Futuristic Romance released by HQN 1 Jun 08

SciFi/Futuristic Romance tends to be hit or miss for me. And lately it’s been all miss. That’s why I was I was nicely surprised by Moonstruck, the first in Susan Grant’s new Borderlands series. It is sure to be enjoyed by readers who like a bit of Space Opera, and readers who like a kick ass heroine.

Moonstruck takes place just after the end of a very long war between the Coalition and the Drakken Horde. In order to promote peace, the newly established Triad government (Coalition/Horde/the Shrine of Earth) wants to put together a new flagship with a crew made up of the three groups. Coalition Admiral Brit Bandar is assigned to helm the ship, called the Unity. Unfortunately, her second in command is Finn Rorkken, a Drakken pirate turned military officer. Brit really, really hates the Drakken. She has spent half her life trying to exterminate them. Will she be able to work with them, particularly the charming and sexy Rorkken?

I enjoyed the world set up in this book and the motley crew aboard the Unity. The three different groups were very distinct. The Coalition are the “civilized” ones, reliant on reason and technology. The Drakken Horde are chaotic, violent, desperate to survive. They’re the most interesting. Earth, a recently rediscovered backwater planet, is represented by a knucklehead called Tango, whose idea of showing Earth culture to the others revolves around Rubik’s Cubes, Disco Balls, and the DVD of “The Devil Wears Prada”. Oh well, perhaps he’ll grow up a bit.

Brit and Finn had great chemistry. Brit was a very interesting heroine-a cold military leader, motivated by pure vengeance. She had the potential to be a shrill ballbreaker, but never fulfilled it (Thank goodness). She was able to be fair and listen to others, despite her overwhelming prejudice. Her inner struggle was palpable as she fought her attraction to Finn, and she had good reason to hate his people. I felt for her. Finn was a good foil for Brit, rough around the edges, intelligent, strong.

Finn wants his people to prove themselves to the Coalition, to show they aren’t barbarians. As he falls for Brit, he starts to smooth his rough Drakken edges to fit in (and appeal to her more). This made him less interesting to me, as his character arc seemed to revolve around pleasing Brit. Brit changed over the course of the book as well, but she still seemed the same at the core. It’s unusual to read a romance where the hero kind of fades next to the heroine, rather than the other way around. This didn’t bother me as much as it might, because Finn did start off really interesting, and I was very involved in their romance by the time he got boring.

The plot was interesting, and not hard to follow. Sometimes the technology and “space jargon” (as I call it) in this type of book come off a little ridiculous and nonsensical. You know, the random oaths and words (frikken, frakken, flooping). Here, things were consistent and I was able to understand everything in the context. I was pleased by the absence of random, meaningless apostrophes as well. There was a pretty big cast of characters, but I was able to keep them all in order. I am looking forward to more more of the Unity’s adventures, and I want Bolivarr and Hadley’s book now. Moonstruck is a fun read for those who enjoy love in space.

Grade: B+

The Summary:
PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.

And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.

WARLEADER. PIRATE.

Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?
Read an excerpt here