Gwen’s review of Warrior (Time Hunters, Book 1) by Angela Knight
Sci-Fi romance released by Berkley 1 Jul 08

Angela Knight writes some of the steamiest, far-out books I’ve ever read. They almost always have uber-alpha heroes and generally have strong heroines. Warrior is no exception. It has an alpha hero in spades, a heroine that rocked, and some sci-fi details that even Shannon will like.

Warrior‘s world is one we are introduced to in Knight’s Jane’s Warlord (novel) and Warfem (novella) – you can get both in Warlord. It’s the first of a new series based on the Temporal Enforcement Agency. Think Jean-Claude Van Damme’s “Timecop” (gawd that man has a fine ass) with better sex scenes. It’s a very interesting world, with the possible exception of some wacky character names that I have no clue how to pronounce (I hate that). It’s got all kinds of very cool sci-fi details that I can really see in my head, but I’m a sci-fi geek.

The heroine, Jessica, is a struggling artist who is saved from futuristic assassins by our hero, Galar (read above about wacky character names). Jessica is my kind of woman. I loved the scenes with her in them – she’s strong, practical, and doesn’t do the TSTL scene. Knight has given us a real gift with her – it seems Jessica will have a large role in future Time Hunter novels – so it will be a pleasure to read more about her.

Galar is a classic tortured alpha male. He was betrayed by a woman before – like, traitor betrayed and he had to kill her betrayed. So he’s naturally reticent to trust. Mind you, he’s not reticent to boink the heroine, just trust her. I enjoyed how Knight brought him out of that mindset and believed in his change of mind. I also liked that he was totally in charge during the action scenes – cool and in control.

I’m a sucker for time travel books. I love to read about people from the past being thrust into the future and vice versa. I think that plot device is interesting – mostly because I’d love to do it myself. You don’t get too much of a flavor of that in this book, but there’s some. It sounds like the next book in the series, Enforcer, will have quite a bit more of that and I can’t wait.

The romance was very sweet in this book and quite believable. I loved the ending. The plot developments and setting for the next book are also very good. This was a terrifically fun read with some good action, good romance, and hot sex. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a good paranormal/sci-fi romance or fans of Angela Knight. Really good summer read.

Grade: A-

Summary:

In the 24th century, anyone can leap through time at will. To police the time jumpers, the Temporal Enforcement Agency has established a precinct in time. Galar Arvid is a genetically altered warlord and agent who’s been sent back to 2008 to save a pretty Atlanta artist from a Xeran time traveler who intends to kill her for profit. What Galar doesn’t count on is the powerful desire Jessica Kelly ignites in him. But could a romance between them work? A three-hundred-year chasm separates them and, even if they dart through time, there’s still a maniacal killer on their tails.

Read an excerpt.

The next book in the series will be Dona’s story, Enforcer. No release date as yet. Here’s its blurb:

Enforcer Dona Astryr is being hunted by an escaped traitor who means to kill her. Yet Temporal Enforcement treason investigator Alex Corydon thinks she, too, is a traitor who is in on the killer’s vicious plot.

As if Dona’s life isn’t complicated enough, she’s fallen hopelessly in love with Chief Enforcer Alerio Dyami, her superior officer on the Outpost. Dyami is just as obsessed with her, but neither can act on the emotion.

Then the traitor moves against them both, stranding them back in time during the American Revolution. With their time travel armor disabled, they must fight their way to British-occupied New York City in order to find a way back to their own time.

Even as they dodge both Patriots and British forces, they’re being stalked by the traitor, who means to murder them both.

Doesn’t that sound wicked cool?