"Another delightful fantasy from Angela Verdenius"

Beulah the witch is infamous for her magical abilities. People from galaxies far and wide come to her little valley when they need her healing help. So she is none too surprised when a notorious space pirate shows up on her doorstep for help. Sinya's brother Wes is a powerful empath who has no control over his abilities, which puts him in great danger on multiple fronts. When Hortra, an evil mystic becomes aware of Wes' abilities, there is no escaping. He imprisons Wes' soul for his powers and Sinya and Beulah must save him.

What follows is a journey across space and spiritual planes in a race against time to save Wes. Beulah comes up against powers she has not yet experienced and Sinya is dropped into a mystical world where nothing is as it seems and he is virtually helpless. These two must work together, using each of their different strengths to rescue Wes and defeat Hortra. Neither of them expected that the greatest adventure they'd experience would be on the wings of the love they have found as soul mates.

Once again, Angela Verdenius has penned a brilliant futuristic story that will suck readers into a new world of adventure and romance. The story is as exciting as the journeys throughout space in Sinya's ship. The plot is fast paced, with twists and turns and surprises revealed throughout its entirety. There is plenty of mysticism involved to appeal to readers of the Fantasy genre, great battles and travels to appeal to action/adventure fans and of course plenty of romance to keep fans of that genre interested. This story has it all, and few would not be able to find something to appeal to them here.

Of course, without strong characters, there can be no story and this one has that in spades. Beulah is a selfless woman, who will give anything and everything in her power to aid those in need. She is strong in her powers, shocking even herself in the climactic battle scene, to discover just how powerful she really is. There is even a bit of mystery swirling around her, as to whom... or what... she really is, that even at the end of the story, is not revealed. Sinya is a pirate with a heart, nothing of the selfish or heartless about him. The depth of his personality is demonstrated in the great love he has for his younger brother. He would go to the ends of the universe if he thought it would help Wes. When these two come together, sparks fly from the first moment and the powerful reaction they have to each other grows to incendiary levels, enflaming their hearts and souls.

Secondary characters are strong in their own right, from the completely evil Hortra, to the innocent Wes, to Sinya's crew, to the mysterious Overlord of the Outlaw Sector. And who can forget Beulah's loyal "pet," her familiar Petras and the mysterious Acceli giants. Each person or being has their own role to play in the events unfolding throughout this story. Without everyone, the story would suffer in some way. Ms. Verdenius has a skill for giving great depth of personality to her characters no matter whom or what they are.

Even so far having only read a few of the books in the series, this reviewer nonetheless is a fan and has plenty more good books to look forward to. There were some of the lesser plot points that were slightly confusing due to not having read all of the earlier books in the series, but not enough to detract form the story. If anything, it will make readers want to run out and buy the rest of the series to figure out how all of the characters are intertwined.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2005. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted August 24, 2005

Summary

In a bid to save a boy's soul from powerful dark forces, a famous witch and a notorious pirate must unite. Will their growing love survive what is to come?