Book Review For: Blue Lioness

Book Review for: Blue Lioness
Written by: Vijaya Schartz
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61252-066-7
Avail as: ebook only
4 Stars

Schartz pens another gem in the Chronicles of Kassouk with “Blue Lioness.” Ariela is the leader of the black guard in Kassouk. When the king and queen are killed in an air attack, the sinister mutant, Lord Kohl assumes the kingship. Ariela smells treachery, but will she get the chance to prove it?

The novel opens in Kassouk at the Citadel where the people are mourning the death of their monarchs. From her spot in the guard, Ariela spies an intriguing looking man – Starro, the crown prince of the Star Children. Using mind talk, he warns her of an attack and saves her life.

The humans are to the point of rebelling on their mutant leaders and Kohl comes down on the humans with a firm hand. After Kohl apprehends Starro and accuses him of killing the previous rulers, Ariela rallies her guard and frees Starro, intent on asking his father’s help in defeating Kohl.

As Ariela and Starro travel over the mountains, they are pursued by Yakur, an assassin hired by Kohl, and his son, Kaleb. Ariela finds Starro arrogant and his powers disturbing, yet she’s attracted to him as well. They traverse the mountains accompanied by Ariela’s lioness, Hellion. Just as they get in range to contact Starro’s people, Yakur attacks. Starro manages to fend him off and gives into the attraction he feels with Ariela, bonding with her. Starro and Ariela manage to destroy Kohl’s sweet heaven harvest, but when Ariela meets Starro’s people, the Star Children, she has serious doubts about giving Starro her heart. Can Ariela and Starro overcome their differences and bring a world together?

Schartz plunges the reader into the action immediately with a fast paced plot and interesting characters. The descriptions never linger, yet paint vivid pictures of the futuristic setting. Schartz’s imagination and creativity continues to shine with this installment of the series. What I enjoyed the most was the end, and how everything Ariela had done was given purpose and meaning.

Ariela is full of grit and determination. Her one weakness is her attraction to Starro. Can she trust him, especially since she finds his mind talk disconcerting.

The Star Children come off as arrogant and self-important, yet Starro has ventured out of that comfort zone to visit the rest of the world. He chooses to expand his horizons, but can Ariela trust the sincerity of his wishes?

The story’s love scene is tasteful evoking a sweet sensuality between Ariela and Starro. Blue Lioness will keep the reader breathless with it’s action and adventure.

Reviewed by: S. Burkhart

Book Review For: Blue Lioness