A woman in trouble. A ruthless warrior with a hidden agenda. A society where honor is revered and trust a dangerous luxury.Raised to wealth and privilege, Lilian’s future was shattered when her father was convicted of terrible crimes. By law and custom she should have followed him into death to redeem her corrupt genetics. Desperate to avoid execution for crimes not her own, Lilian accepts an … accepts an indenture contract with a powerful warrior. For three years he will have total control of her body, will and intellect.
Lucius Mercio commands one of the most powerful Cartels in the Twelve Systems. As clever and ambitious as he his ruthless, Lucius’ wealth, influence, and power are place him among the elite of the warrior caste. It is not enough. Lucius intends to take his Cartel to unimaginable heights with the aid of Lilian’s brilliance. He faces only one obstacle. Lucius must keep Lilian alive.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this read and it is not even a genre to which I am normally drawn. Being open to reading anything and everything when given a bit of nudge can yield some wonderful surprises in life. This is a writer’s debut effort of not simply an independently published book, which is an out-of-this-world story sprinkled with eroticism; but, the creation of another world with its own unique history, customs, a manner of speaking, goals and aims, even deities and creeds, saga that progresses through a series of books, seven of them, by my count.
The writer starts you off with an outline of the society in the world you are about to enter. Before each action chapter is writing from ancient texts which flesh out the picture as you read through the story. There is also a comprehensive reference at the end of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this new world in a new imaginary place formed from the experience of our own universe. Similar but entirely different. The characters, for the most part, are endowed with human emotions, fears, and advanced intelligence. Therefore, they become more and more relatable as you read through the book.
Not to forget that there is plenty of hot, hot…inventively hot…sex between the Hero, Lucius and the heroine, Lillian. What? We know what makes this world go ‘round and apparently it makes the “Twelve Systems” hum…this and ambition, greed, power. Although, it is not all bad. Despite the fact they have an almost religious class-based system, there is the “American” ideal that if you work hard enough and smart enough you can achieve a great deal of wealth and power. Also, cleverly, Ms. Manetti has included an alternative to the dogma of classes and the warrior code.
This “warrior code” has determined that Lillian must forsake her former elevated status as a warrior and become a bond slave to one of the most powerful warriors, Lucius Mercio. She is suffering this misfortune not because of any wrongdoing on her part but because of the “sins of her father”. Yet, Lillian will always be a warrior at heart. It is endearing to see how carefully, almost painfully she follows the new rules of the system she has been placed.
Lucius is written as the enigmatic (I really tried to resist this alliteration ) luscious Alpha male. We often hear his thoughts but usually after we are surprised by the interaction between Lillian and him. A nice effect.
While this is a series, this first book was a complete episode unto itself well written in the third person while the reader hears the thoughts of both Lillian and Lucius…although we mostly hear from Lillian’s POV. There is even a gem of wisdom that I tucked into my mental pocket, and this has to do with the courage to humble oneself in service to their loved ones and/or the greater good.
You see Lillian had a choice when it was determined she and her sister were disgraced by their father’s misdeeds. She could have accepted painless suicide or become a bond slave with no status and derided by society for this “fall from grace”.
“‘It is hard to go from giving orders to taking them, from having servants to doing for oneself. It is beyond difficult to yield control of one’s will to another, to have small transgressions carry severe penalties. It is humiliating to be treated as nothing by those who once honored one. It is unpleasant to be viewed as a coward. In the end, the reward is commoner status and the opportunity to improve one’s circumstances.’
It is not difficult to comprehend why many would choose not to face such a trial and why they pretend that they have chosen the more courageous path.’” – Lillian
Lillian chose her path because of her love for her little sister with hopes of keeping her safe, picking up the pieces of their former life and moving onto a better future. This takes real courage. There is a beauty in this courage that is an example for us all.
I look forward to the development of the Lucius/Lillian (Master/slave) dynamic unfolding and more examples of Lillian’s brilliance and inner light and goodness vanquishing the darker competing forces against her and her allies as the saga continues.
I can see why this book has won awards. It was unexpected, compelling, and had great world-building.
An imaginative mixture of scifi, erotica, mystery, and honor. Kept me enthralled through all five books.
The first word that comes to mind after finishing the book is abundance. There is so much information, world building, histories, plot twists, intrigue & erotic interplay. A lot going on and right at the end a heck of a cliffhanger. Truthfully I have conflicting feelings on the book. I couldn’t quite get a feel for the identity. Is it a thriller, a romance, a sci-if space opera kinda book. That being said I did find it a most fascinating story. Unlike anything I’ve read before. I am very interested to see how Lillian’s journey continues & what Lucius has planned next. If you’re looking for something new & different pick up your copy today!
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.