Chalice Bearer: Thornraven

SCI-FI:  After three brutal years as bond servant to Lucius Mercio, one of the most powerful men in the Twelve systems, Lilian is finally free and serves as protégé for Lucius’ Serengeti Group. Still, the road is not easy. Lilian must deny continuing a liaison with Lucius despite his determined insistence otherwise. Lucius’ dying wife Estella, however, has other plans.  Installing Lilian in her husband’s life will cement Estella’s children with heirships and power beyond her death. Through tragedy and triumph, Lilian must decide her own fate, live with honor and ensure Sarengeti’s interests.  Her life, and the lives of those she loves, depends on it.

What a roller-coaster ride this series is turning out to be!  Lilian is one of the most skillfully written heroines in all of science-fiction romance!  Readers can’t help but fall in love with her as she goes against almost insurmountable odds to rise with dignity. It is truly a joy to read. This book is not one that can be read alone, however.  To understand all the nuances that make the series so addictive, one must have read the previous books. The slightly slower pace of this installment allows the reader to really understand the characters and creates needed depth but the action doesn’t occur until the very end of the book. The frequent use of italicized words also gets annoying at times. Used occasionally, this device works beautifully, as a constant it can grate.  Even so, the writing is so superb and the story so addicting that this is one series that should not be missed!

Ruth Lynn Ritter