Kinsman's Oath - Softcover

Two telepaths from very different backgrounds find love in Krinard's elaborate futuristic romance, which revisits the complex world she created in "Kinsman," her short story contribution to the Out of this World (2001) anthology. Those who are familiar with this futuristic landscape may enjoy this imaginative tale, but others will likely feel one step behind from the first page. In the opening scene, young Ronan VelKalevi is captured by the beast-like Shaauri, a race reviled by humankind. As a grown man, Ronan finally escapes from the Shaauri with the help of Cynara D'Accorso, captain of the spaceship Pegasus. Ronan and Cynara are both misfits-he's distinctly human but he's been taught by the Shaauri to despise his own kind, and she's a strong woman who hails from a planet where women are second-class citizens. Cynara and Ronan prod each other's minds and connect in an erotic way, but it soon becomes apparent that Ronan has been programmed to kill a prominent human leader. The affair between Ronan and Cynara, while compelling, is too often overshadowed by the politics of Krinard's world. Overpopulated and overstuffed with exposition, this book isn't likely to achieve the popularity of the author's Wolf romances (To Catch a Wolf, etc.).
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Captain Cynara D'Accorso, fearless leader of the spaceship Pegasus, comes to a place where women are barely considered people and are forced to hide their faces behind veils. But through a strange twist of fate, Cynara has inherited a title and command of her own vessel. She offers sanctuary to Ronan, a handsome but badly scarred human who's fleeing the dreaded shaauri, ferocious cat-like warriors who abducted him as a child. Cynara's crew doesn't necessarily agree with their captain's decision: they worry that Ronan might be one of the traitorous Kinsmen. As Cynara develops feelings for the mysterious refugee, evidence begins to surface that her crew's suspicions might be correct. Krinard, known for her imaginative paranormal romances, including The Forest Lord (2002) and To Catch a Wolf [BKL S 15 03], has penned a fantastic futuristic romance complete with political intrigue and out-of-this-world adventure. Filled with intricate details of other worlds, species, and cultures, this is sure to appeal to a crossover audience, especially fans of such authors as J. D. Robb and Maggie Shayne. Shelley Mosley
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