REVIEW : A Divine’s Retribution

A Divine's Retribution Book Cover A Divine's Retribution
Rise of the Stria Book Three
Tessa McFionn
Science Fiction , Romance
Self Published
Oct 13, 2020
Kindle
317
Amazon

Standing in front of her brownstone in Boston was the last place Evainne Wagner thought she would ever find herself. Not after she and her soulbond match, Stria Captain Kahlym cal Jhuen, had faced the impossible odds in so many challenges together, the last of which including running from the latest snare of the Thrall Emperor. Determined to return to him, she recruits the aid of her mysterious mentor to return to the Seventh Quadrant and to the man who betrayed her trust.

Desperation and terror had forced Kahlym to send his love far away from the clutches of approaching enemy. Lashing out in heartbreak and anger, Kahlym had never expected to see his Divine so soon, much less in the company of his long-lost brother. But it seemed fate and prophecy had other plans. To repair the rift between them, he must find the courage within him to trust in her as they scour the galaxy for strong allies and as the price on his head grows.

However, the Thrall Emperor Gha'jahn M'Uubair is not willing to part with Evainne without a fight. Calling on his assassins and the remaining Divines still under his thumb, he vows to reclaim his missing prize, no matter the cost.

Surrounded by the only family she knows, Evainne once again finds herself entangled in a web of legends and treachery, revealing new gifts and ancient hatreds. As dark forces threaten to tear her world apart, she must risk it all or lose any chance for the future.

Review by Madison Davis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

A Divine’s Retribution is the third book in the ‘Rise of The Stria’ series. To me, it is the first book in the series that I read.

It seems the story starts where the second book, ‘Divine Challenge,’ left off. I read later that it would have been a good idea to read the first two books ahead. At times I regretted I had not done that.

It needed a few starts to read that book, but the story had me once I was over page 40. Evianne and Kahlym, the protagonists, are a unique couple. Their romance isn’t going smoothly, and they don’t surf on cloud number 9. Evianne is a strong-willed character with a fantastic personality. It seemed to me, if she had planned something to do, she would reach her goal, no matter what.

Kahlym is different but not less impressive. I met interesting characters in this book, Xander, R’uan, Dhaerin, for example. Missing out on the first two books made it hard for me to find my way through the characters. Should I know them already? Are they as new as I am? Sometimes I had to read the pages several times before I was ready to continue with the story.

The Thrall Emperor is a character everyone would run from. However, I did have a few problems reading my way through the ‘Quadrants.’ Since I was a ‘newbie’ to the series, I didn’t know how this world/galaxy was built.

Kahlym fought his own ghosts, but his love for Evianne was undeniable. It seemed he had more of a trust problem. I still think there are a lot of betrayals between allies and also between Evianne and Kahlym. He is a strong personality, and I was impressed by him.

I usually have a favorite character in a book. But both, Evianne and Kahlym are well-developed, strong characters, and I couldn’t precisely decide which one I liked more. Maybe it is Evianne. I love her powerful way with words and her strength and energy.

The story was plotted well; I liked the characters and the fight. And, of course, the romance. Despite my difficulties finding my way into the story, I loved the book. I would say this book, for Science Fiction fans is a true gem!

 

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