Publication Date: August 23, 2013
Andi Markiss, an agent of Loxton—an elite exporter—agrees to fill in for a bridesmaid at the handfasting of the Leader of the Obati’s daughter (one of the three clans on the planet Zulaire), she has no idea that the planet is on the verge of a vicious war. When Captain Tom Deverane arrives to take her off-planet at the behest of a mystery benefactor, Andi doesn’t believe the threat is as big as he’s making it out to be. Andi quickly discovers how wrong she can be. With Tom’s remaining soldiers, the young daughter and toddler son of the Leader of the Obati, can they evade the insurgents and find their way to safety?
Veronica Scott, the author, gave me an ARC of this novel in exchange for my review.
Not long ago, I reviewed the fabulous [easyazon-link asin=”1477472673″ locale=”us”]Wreck of the Nebula Dream[/easyazon-link] by Veronica Scott (you can read the review by clicking here). When the author offered me a copy of her subsequent novel, [easyazon-link asin=”B00EQM3RBW” locale=”us”] Escape From Zulaire [/easyazon-link], naturally, I was thrilled. I’d enjoyed the crafting, attention to detail and sharp twists and turns of the first novel. Reading the premise of [easyazon-link asin=”B00EQM3RBW” locale=”us”] Escape From Zulaire [/easyazon-link] my excitement peaked. It’s a story that has been written before many times, but I trusted that Scott would put a unique spin on the tale and, people, I was not disappointed.
[easyazon-link asin=”B00EQM3RBW” locale=”us”] Escape From Zulaire [/easyazon-link] is told from the perspective of Andi, the main female character. We get to know Andi before meeting Tom; she’s ambitious and smart. Never lucky in love, but Andi does what she needs to do for the sake of the company without regard to her own comfort. Scott weaves in Zulaire as it is as much a part of the main character as the story. Zulaire is earth-like in a less populous and yet more advanced way. The people of the planet are rich with ritualism and a stringent class structure that the war aims to topple.Tom Deverane is a strong character. Alpha male and tough. He has a secret that he shares with Andi early on and Scott writes the childhood trauma with raw and stoic emotion that is breathtaking. Andi spots early on the softness at his core when he allows her to run into a burning building in an attempt to save the children she thought would be there. When he tells her of his past, she knows that Tom will only need slight persuasion the next they come upon a chance to save a life, as he’d never leave someone he could save behind. Readers will melt at his brash exterior and soft core. Andi isn’t there to be swept off and saved though. What happens when Tom needs her? Will she turn her back or stand by his side? The moment Scott takes in the story for this twist, she further bonds the reader to Tom and Andi. Scott has an affinity for saving others, especially children, in her stories. In the case of [easyazon-link asin=”B00EQM3RBW” locale=”us”] Escape From Zulaire [/easyazon-link], the children saved aren’t directly in the care of a main character, but they are not forgotten. They must be cared for and brought to safety.
I have one true problem with this story and it’s not really a problem per se. Scott introduces us to an alien race and planet in a futuristic setting. When characters have sex she gives us phrases like “hot velvet on steel.” Her narrative is so unique and well crafted that the well-worn turn of phrase and sex scene that felt of being an often read in many novels, seemed to cheapen the story. Though, this reader was forced to forgive Scott the lapse when reaching the spectacular end of the novel. Moral of the story? Don’t mess with Andi.
I loved [easyazon-link asin=”B00EQM3RBW” locale=”us”]Escape From Zulaire[/easyazon-link]. The novel was an action-packed ride through a dangerous place in a horrible time. Glimmers of good shine throughout this story. Highly recommend for romance readers and those readers who love a good sci-fi read.
If Escape from Zulaire by Veronica Scott sounds like a book for you, read an excerpt and buy on:
Amazon U.S. • Amazon U.K. • Amazon Canada
Veronica Scott’s first book of The Sectors series Wreck of the Nebula Dream was awarded with the 2012 SFR Galaxy Award.
For more information on Veronica Scott and her work, visit her website.
You can connect with her on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter @VScotttheauthor. Series readers can track her books on FictFact.