Also by this author: Storm Rising, Kings Falling, Dawn of Vengeance, Storm Rising, Kings Falling, Soul Raging
Series: Droseran Saga #1
Published by Enclave Publishing on September 15, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Fantasy, Speculative
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***2020 Carol Award Winner, Speculative*** ***2020 Realm Award Winner, Science Fiction******2020 Alliance Award Winner, Reader's Choice***
There's a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.
Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they're not alone.
After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she's borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.
Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order-not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted-or cursed-with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted.
This is definitely not my usual reading genre, but because I am a huge fan of Ronie Kendig’s, I knew I had to read Brand of Light! This book is Sci-fi at its best! A ride through space, into other realms and galaxies, planet hopping, a story beyond your wildest imagination. When an author takes you into an imaginative realm, anything can happen, right?! Just hang on to your hat and go along for the ride!
I did have a bit of a time adjusting to this story. It is so completely unlike anything I’d ever read. Think Star Wars or something of that nature. There’s just so much going on here, and nothing was familiar! And then there’s all the space travel, the characters moving between planets, etc. It definitely took me some time to get used to it. But then, once I did…um, WOW! I absolutely loved it!
Brand of Light has lots of action. Although, because this setting is so unique, there did have to be some detailed background given to set it all up. All of this was quite lovely. Now where was I? Oh yes – I hadn’t read the blurb, and so the first major plot twist took me by surprise. And then…well, it was rather like riding a roller coaster, up, down, around, twists, turns, upside down. The more I read, the more I found myself really enjoying the story.
The characters were fabulous. Kersei is a lovely heroine. I couldn’t help but loving her…Most of the time, that is. (she was definitely a bit of a spoiled gal) She had her moments, her quirks, if you will. But then, don’t we all. And Marco. What a hero. I absolutely loved him. His strengths are so unique.
The plot and setting are superb. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of creativity it took to dream up all the details of all these planets, characters that aren’t quite human, and much, much more. The beauty of these unusual galaxies and the not uncommon theme of good vs. evil, only this book brings it to us in a quite uncommon way.
Ronie Kendig has long been, and continues to be one of my very favorite story tellers.
Yes, I really loved this story, even more than I anticipated. But… then I hated it. Ms. Kendig has a way of throwing in some completely unexpected things…sigh. There has to be a sequel. And soon.
I would like to offer one disclaimer…There is some content matter that sets this more at a level for mature readers…even though it feels a lot like a YA novel, it’s not really geared for that.
In conclusion, even though, or in spite of the fact that I don’t usually gravitate towards books of this nature, I did thoroughly enjoy this story. If you are willing to take a risk and read something unusual, you won’t want to miss it!