I have SOOOOOO many emotions right now! I’ve been trying to process my thoughts and feelings on this book all week. So hopefully by now I can relate them cohesively.
Ever since I finished book one in the Droseran Saga, Brand of Light, I have been not-so-patiently awaiting the release of book two, Dawn of Vengeance. I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint, though it definitely took me down roads I NEVER expected.
A haunting prophecy upended his identity. Now it demands his life.
Once a formidable bounty hunter, Marco Dusan is plagued by insecurity as he tours the realm he now rules. This quiet, backwater planet is not as untouched as he’d once thought. Evidence of collusion between Droseran factions and the powerful Symmachians with their forbidden technology litters his encounters. Worse, all signs indicate Xisya, the alien who tortured him, is still snatching Kynigos Brethren–but to what end?
Lance Corporal Eija Zacdari works hard to win a coveted place on the Symmachian hyperjump program, but instinct tells her their intel is flawed. Despite nearly failing the tests, she is assigned to the team-and lands in the middle of a bewildering conspiracy.
Haunted by a prophecy that promises pain and war, Marco forges alliances to protect the primitive world against Symmachia’s devastating influence. But one truth becomes painfully clear: the biggest threat to their world may be much, much closer to home.
This book was unpredictable, to say the least. From the get-go, things didn’t start unfolding quite the way I had imagined. The book actually started out slower than I anticipated. The first half of the book, basically, was kind of slow-progressing and, while I was still enjoying it, I was dying to get to the point of having more of my questions from book one answered. By the time I reached the halfway point, though, Ronie started throwing plot twists at me right and left. It’s hard to say what exactly surprised me so much without giving away a bunch of spoilers–UGH, the struggle!!–but suffice it to say Ronie has really thrown me for a loop! Kersie and Marco and Darius and Isaura… I have no idea what I want to see happen in their individual stories now! I thought I knew how I wanted things to play out, but now I literally know nothing. LOL!
A few things I do know now…
One–I LOVE Marco even more than I did in Brand. He takes center stage in this book and it was great to get to know him more and see into his heart. I feel so deeply sorry for him, too. He’s been dealt some rough hands and had so much pressure and some really tough decisions thrust upon him. I’m really, really hoping he can end up with a happy ending! **tears**
Two–even though I still have a massive list of questions I’m desperate for answers to, I did get a lot of questions answered. So much about the whole twisted conspiracy between Symmachia, Xisya, and some of the Droserans–especially the attack on Stratios and the kidnappings of the Kynigos–is starting to come together and make sense. This is quite the tangled web and there is a lot to sort out so you can see the whole picture. I’m happy several areas of this big picture have become visible now.
Three–I am extremely impressed by Ronie’s ability to create this complex universe and make it come alive! Several times while I was reading Dawn I just sat there and thought of how much work she must have had to put into this series–and is still putting into it. Especially all of the scientific research she has probably done in order to make so many of the space travel details seem plausible and believable. Kudos to you, Ronie!
At the end of the day, I loved this book and I’m sooooooo anxious to read book three! How in the world am I supposed to wait until December to get answers to all of my burning questions??? It’s going to be torture!
If you’re willing to also subject yourself to this level of torture at the hands of a book, then you NEED to read Dawn of Vengeance! Though make sure you read Brand of Light first, if you haven’t already! 5/5 Stars!
