Unchained by C. J. Barry

Unchainedby Anonymous

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February 10, 2006: Cidra's father had been in charge of ensuring the vaccine for the cursed Ximenes Plague left Avion with the destination of Dakru, where the d'Hont live. But the shipment never arrived on Dakru. In typical Dakruian tradition, the d'Hont killed the entire Faulkner family. They never realized one child escaped. ....................... For ten years Cidra lived with Syrus, her father's old friend. In secret, Syrus taught her the ways of the Kin-sha warrior. The Kin-sha training was banned the same night the Avion government stood quietly by and let the d'Hont slaughter all the Faulkners. Other than Syrus, the only friend she has is the man called Barrios, a chef. When Syrus dies, Cidra and Barrios are the only ones at the funeral. In fact, they were still digging the grave when they are approached by Grey Stone. Grey is an intergalactic treasure hunter and had trained with Syrus before Cidra. ....................... A few days prior to Syrus's death, he contacted Grey and made him promise to take Cidra on as part of his crew. Barrios goes along as the new ship's cook. Though Grey is close to locating his next treasure, he must put it aside in order to grant Syrus's last request. Grey and Cidra are to discover the real fate of the Dakru shipment, clear her father's name, and save the Kin-sha. One major problem: Dakru has learned that Cidra lives and the entire d'Hont race wants her dead! ...................... ***** It is no wonder to me that this story was a 2002 PRISM Award finalist or that it won the RIO Award! In fact, this has got to be one of the very best Science Fiction Romances I have ever read. The story hooked me in the very first sentence, when young Cidra wakes up in the middle of her family's slaughter. The ending is just as climatic. Oh, and don't expect to breath easy anywhere in between those two areas. This tale is non-stop action and romance. If you enjoyed watching Han Solo and Princess Leia click and clash in the original Star Wars trilogy, then you are going to LOVE this one! Highly recommending! *****