Welcome to my tour stop! Check out my review of the first book in this series here,
and then my review of book two and enter the tour giveaway with Celebrate Lit below...
Dawn of Vengeance
(The Droseran Saga #2)
By Ronie Kendig
Sci-Fi, Space Opera
Hardcover & ebook, 416 Pages
December 8, 2020 by Enclave Publishing
Summary
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.
My Review
DAWN OF VENGEANCE follows just a few months after the first book, which ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Readers will enjoy the extended world-building on Marco's home planet, the complex characters and the ever intensifying plot as forces work to bring war to their universe. With multiple points of view, the author gives readers different pieces of the puzzle until they all converge towards the climatic end. Fans of space opera and scifi will have much to love at this second installment in The Droseran Saga.
It took me a bit to remember what happened in the first book and where the first book left off at. The author gives hints here and there, which helped. It also helped that the story is both character and plot driven so that it was easy to get immersed in while reacquainting myself with the characters. The story moves at a good pace, with an underlying intensity from the first to the last page. I really liked these characters, particularly Marco, Isaura and Ixion. I also enjoyed the give and pull between familial, romantic, political, and friendly relationships. There is a lot going on, not only on Drosero, Marco's planet, but also in space, although most of the story focuses on the planet. I also really liked the direction things went and the choices that Marco ends up making and am looking forward to the third book, which can't come soon enough!
I did have a few qualms about the story. The romance at the beginning was too much. I literally wanted to roll my eyes. Under the situation, I just didn't know if I was okay with what was going on and the implications of the characters' desires and how they were acting when they're supposed to be leaders. They all came off as a bit immature and petulant. Plus, it's hard to fall in love with a couple and then have that relationship so drastically change. It honestly bothered me, especially as Kersei is this strong, independent woman and I felt she wasn't consistent in this book - like she lost who I thought she was from the first book. I actually ended up not really liking her here which only grew as the story went on, when I loved her in book one. So I was happy with the direction things ended up taking. I also had issues with how easy it seemed that raiders attacked and invaded, even where the reining kingdom should have had enough defenses to repel them. And how did that one raider get in and do what he did? Finally, there were just a few loose ends where there was emphasis in the story on certain people or things and then never resolved or even alluded to, such as Crey.
Once Marco leaves and tours his kingdom, things begin to develop pretty quickly. The last half of the story is almost non-stop with revelations and some quite a few climatic moments. I was on the edge of my seat and I honestly wanted to yell and shake some people. I've come to love these characters and despise others. I'm hoping the third book will wrap things up a bit more with the questions I still have.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Even with a few qualms, this is an exciting series and I'm very much looking forward to the third book! Recommended to scifi and space opera fans!
Content: Some references to marital relations, innuendo and violence.
Source: I received a complimentary eARC through Celebrate Lit, but also purchased my own finished copy, either of which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
Brand of Light
(The Droseran Saga Book #1)
By Ronie Kendig
Adult SciFi, Space Opera, Christian
Hardcover & ebook, 400 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Enclave Publishing
Summary
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.
Read my review HERE.
To celebrate her tour, Ronie is giving away the grand prize package of an “Isaura” themed candle, “Marco’s Cordi” Custom Blend Tea from Adagio, a signed Hardcover of Dawn of Vengeance, and Isaura’s amulet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
(Affiliate links included.)
About the Author
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty-five titles. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live a short train ride from New York City with their twin sons and their fur-sons, VVolt N629 (retired military working dog) and Benning the Stealth Golden. Described as an empath by her literary agent, Ronie has used her degree in psychology to write books that have won the coveted Christy Award, RomanticTimes Reviewers’ Choice Award, The Realm Award, HOLT Medallion Award, and more. Her books have also hit the CBA Bestseller List multiple times.
More from Ronie
Throughout the Droseran Saga, Marco Dusan—our much-loved hero—enjoys his favorite drink, warmed Cordi. The inspiration for his citrusy-spiced drink came from a favorite family holiday tradition—“Christmas punch.” My mother-in-law received this recipe while they were stationed in Germany from a colonel’s wife. We make this every Christmas (okay, I make it a lot starting in about late October because it’s so delish). The piquant scent of cranberry, cloves, and orange fills our home every fall and holiday.
The scent of this is apropos for Marco, who tracks by scent. And, interestingly, our noses and smells are connected to memories, which just seemed to demand I come up with some way to create “Marco’s Cordi” for readers. So, this year, I used Adagio Tea’s custom-blend feature to craft a more citrusy blend of Marco’s drink. Now, that’s tea—something Marco doesn’t really enjoy—but add a quarter cup of warmed orange juice, and you’re starting to hit the sweet spot. Marco would be proud!
Tour Schedule
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 12
April Hayman, Author, December 12
Texas Book-aholic, December 13
Book Love, December 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Worthy2Read, December 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 14
Sara Jane Jacobs, December 15
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 15
Where Faith and Books Meet, December 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 16
Wishful Endings, December 17
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 17
deb’s Book Review, December 18
Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Artistic Nobody, December 19 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 19
For Him and My Family, December 20
Mia Reads, December 20
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 21
Through the Fire Blogs, December 22
Rachael’s Inkwell, December 22
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 23
Inklings and notions, December 23
Inside the Wong Mind, December 24
Blogging With Carol, December 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 25
Mary Hake, December 25
Tour-Wide Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Ronie is giving away the grand prize package of an “Isaura” themed candle, “Marco’s Cordi” Custom Blend Tea from Adagio, a signed Hardcover of Dawn of Vengeance, and Isaura’s amulet!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Did you read the first book in this series? Do you enjoy reading or watching space operas?
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