Falling in love was out of the question … until it was the answer. There is nothing Aeris St. Cloud wants more than to win her father’s love and the acceptance of her family unit by joining the Military Academy at New Hope. But after she is captured by the fearsome space pirate, Captain Chainsword, Aerie is certain falling in love with her nation’s arch enemy is the last possible way to earn … the last possible way to earn their coveted esteem.
Driven by vengeance, Exton Shepherd never set out to save anyone. As he circles the war-torn world in his pirated starship, the Perdition, he only sees his father’s ghost lurking around every corner and the looming darkness on the horizon. When Aerie unexpectedly tumbles into his life, he finds he cannot trust her, anymore than he can ignore her. But just like the raging war down on Earth, it’s tempting to think he can …
When the war ascends to the heights of the Perdition, Aerie’s loyalty, and Exton’s heart, are put to the test. But will love be enough to save them — and others — from certain destruction?
FROM THE BOOK:
“Perhaps there’s more to me than you realize.”
“You’re a hateful monster! What else do I possibly need to know?”
Aerie regretted her outburst less than a second later. The captain immediately left his chair and came close to her. Instinctively, she pulled back, but the pad behind her did not allow her to go far.
As he drew near, she got a good look at his face; though no longer adorned with the pirate’s wig and beard, she could see he was still masked. The apathy, the cynicism, the playful whimsy—all of it hid a deep crevice of pain inside of him.
The sudden urge to reach out and touch him shot through her. It was quickly followed by alarm and self-disgust.
“From your comments, I would assume you have yet to learn a great many things,” he told her, his voice sharp.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, boldly meeting his gaze.
“First, your name is no small matter,” he said. “Destinies can be made and shaped by your name, though whether good or bad, it is up to you.”
He turned away from her abruptly and began pacing by her bed. Aerie listened to his steps resonate with certainty and distinctness, like a military cadence, as she tried to breathe properly.
“Second,” he continued, glancing at her from over his shoulder, “Despite what you might think, I am not a monster; merely a man.”
“I hardly see the difference,” she retorted, still rattled by his presence.
“I would expect that, given your education with the URS. Over the past decade, your beloved Daddy Dictator has managed to ensure your education, rigorous as it is, consists of really only following instructions, repeating the lies they prefer to the truth, and ignoring any logic that would unravel them or undermine their authority.”
WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:
5 STARS! ~ Reader’s Favorite Review
Questions raised about government, religion, and human nature were peppered throughout the narrative, elevating The Heights of Perdition from a mere space fantasy to something much more thought-provoking. ~ Author Jess Jesinghaus
4th Place in Best RF Christian Sci-Fi & Fantasy for 2018
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I love C.S. Johnson novels and am always up to reading another one. The Heights of Perdition is a wonderful mix of Sci-Fi, Romance and Christian genres! That’s one thing I really love about C.S. Johnson’s writing. She is able to excel in multiple genres and it is always fun to see what her next adventure will be.
This world has been destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. I was taken right into this novel. The descriptions were wonderfully vivid and it was easy to be transported into the devastation. I love that we are taken from a devestated Earth to outer space and then back again. This was such an adventure and I read it very quickly!
This novel raised some interesting questions about government, religion and human nature. I was expecting a brilliant story, and was given that. But, I was also give a thought-provoking novel about what would happen should nuclear war actually occur. I am really eager for the second book.
I highly recommend The Heights of Perdition! It’s more than just a space fantasy and I think many people will enjoy this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with R&R Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
The was my first C.S. Johnson’s book. This is the first book in the Divine Space Pirates Series. This is a good Christian Sci-Fi story, with a complex world, well described. Unfortunately, the story ends with a cliffhanger. The duet narration is well done. Scott and Andrea Senff have a great voice, easy to understand. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
The premise of this book reminded me of Firefly, but with slightly younger lead characters. It was dystopian, but the world seemed more familiar than a lot of the dystopia I’ve read. I initially laughed when I heard the past they were trying not to fall back into was capitalism, but it’s a plausible take on what the USA could look like if moved away from capitalism as many in our country are currently trying to do. Bravo for attempting something so similar and also so foreign to our current political climate. I liked Aeris and Exton individually, flaws and all, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of their romance. It seemed that they were drawn to the difference in each other, but they didn’t really take the time (or have the time) to get to know each other. That aside, I found the entire story compelling and entertaining. And the narration was superb.
I received a free audiobook from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
The Heights of Perdition is the first book in The Divine Space Pirates Trilogy. The Christian message comes through strong in this romantic science-fiction adventure series. The story is character-driven with well-thought-out dialogue. There’s plenty of clean chemistry to keep the romantics happy. I own the book and have read it once and also listened to it on Audible. The narrator Scott Senff does all the male voices and Andrea Senff the female voices. Her different characters are more easily recognizable than his. Both speak clearly and are easy to listen to. I also heard them narrate the second book and they did a good really good job on that one. There were a few glitches in both, like with part of a sentence being repeated. It has a cliff-hanger ending, so be prepared.
This book is a great space opera with romance and charm. I love the characters and enjoyed the interaction and chemistry between them. I found the book difficult to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aerie and Exton were enemies by birth and through their culture. But their secrets kept their identities from each other. But when love becomes a factor and secrets are revealed what happens next? Especially with an evil father in the mix. Interesting and intriguing read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The first book in The Divine Space Pirates series a well written story that does end on a cliff-hanger. I want to read the next book in Aerie St. Cloud and Exton Shepherd’s story.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I very much enjoyed this story. It’s a great beginning to the series about surviving in space when you are not allowed to live on earth where you have to live underground. I was gifted an audible copy of the book. The man & woman narraters are very good changing their voices for the main characters. Audio books make it easier & more pleasurable to get through lots of books. Starting the next book right away.
I liked the characters, they were well rounded and wholesome. The world building was satisfactory and showed the differences in living in space and planet side. I am really not into the Romance side of sci-fi and Divine Space Pirates is really not my cup of tea.