Veena’s review of The Rebel Prince (Coalition Rebellion, Book 4) by Justine Davis
Space Opera published by Bell Bridge Books 30 Jan 14

This is the much awaited finale of a series that I accidentally stumbled upon a few years ago.  I read Lord of the Storm, the first book in the series, and fell in love with Dare and Shaylah and their indomitable courage which won them their day.  Fast forward to this new story featuring their son Lyon, who has grown up under their loving guidance to become a formidable force in himself, along with his friend and playmate Shaina, daughter of the legendary flashbow warrior, right hand to Dare, now King of Trios, as they take their standard against the dreaded coalition which would subjugate and destroy the planets that dare to stand against them.  

Lyon decides to take a few days off before he finally has to accept his public mantle as the crown prince of Trios. Upon arrival he’s attacked and imprisoned, but while the first attack might be an accident, the subsequent ones are definitely not. It seems that someone might know his identity and is gunning for him.  Fortunately for him, his friend Shaina, who is a well trained warrior in her own right, arrives in time to rescue him.  It seems that all might not be well on the planet Arellia, and it will take all the combined resources of Lyon, Shaina, their dear friend Rina who comes posthaste after Shaina and long ago Arellian allies to keep the world safe.

The coalition has been smarting for years at the defeat they suffered at the hands of the combined Arellian and Triotian forces, causing other planets under their dominion to think about rebellion. So while Arellia has been celebrating their peace, thinking the threat forever removed, the coalition has been doing some plotting and planning of their own.  I like how the author weaves together mystic forces, prophecy, and raw brute courage to cobble together a ragtag army to take the stand against one of the most powerful forces in the world. Talk about a David and Goliath story. I think this one has the real one beat.

It’s great to revisit with Dare, Shaylah, Califa and Dax as Rina finds  her own long-lost romance, while Lyon and Shaina work toward a relationship greater than the unbreakable bonds of friendship they’ve enjoyed so far.  This is definitely a fitting conclusion, though I am sad that we won’t get to see more of that world.

Grade: A

Summary:

The Coalition has not given up on the jewel that is Trios, and this time they are determined not to conquer, but destroy.

A new generation will be tested.
Lyon—the son of a legendary Trios king.
Shaina—the daughter of an infamous skypirate.
Rina—a survivor haunted by the losses of the first rebellion.

Prince Lyon would rather strip naked in the square than allow Shaina Silverbrake bragging rights for rescuing him from anything, much less would be prince-nappers on Arellia. But what he wants and what destiny has planned for him are about to collide when a dark plot is uncovered by Rina. Lyon’s last adventure before royal duty claims him for life becomes a race for a powerful artifact, and the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: