The story begins:
“Empress Dehartra-Kasar, you have been charged with ninety-thousand counts of murder and multiple counts of high treason. How do you plead?”
“I plead guilty!” I shouted so my voice would carry above the crowded room. “Guilty to more murders than I can recall. But never, never in my life have I ever committed treason!”
Lady Chrissalynn Dehartra Kasar is Empress of the … Kasar is Empress of the Setian Empire: a powerful, parasitic race infesting known species throughout the galaxies. This story is a testimony told before her enemies.
Kidnapped as a child and raised as the protégée of the powerful Lord Kasar, Lady Dehartra is trained in the ways of the empire. She learns that emotions are for the weak. That torture can be a necessary evil or a priceless work of art. That the lives of those lower in rank are always expendable and that the greatest honor is to die for the glory of the Empire.
At the age of seventeen, Lady Dehartra wins her first major victory at the cost of hundreds of lives and becomes the first non-setian to ever be indoctrinated into the empire. Once promoted to this position of power, Lady Dehartra is ordered to facilitate the capture of Earth where she meets Darin, leader of the resistance, who may just prove her greatest challenge yet.
As Lady Dehartra rises through the ranks to surpass even that of the master who trained her, she soon finds herself reigning over an empire to which some claim she has never truly belonged.
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World building, character development and word play are KL Bone’s best creative asset. Her attention to detail creates illusions for the eyes and an assult to the senses. As you read her stories unfold you know very well that this turn will only lead you to a twist that will have you banging your head on your desk.
In a good way of course. If banging your head on a desk is ever a “good thing”. It may momentarily give your brain something else to think about for the moment.
Indoctrination is a whole new genre from Bone’s usual Dark Fantasy novels. Regardless of her departure and her entry into the Sci-Fi genre, she still utilizes her writing skill and finess to her advantage.
In this novel we walk through life in the eyes of Chrissalynn. Her testimony describes her short life on earth, her capture by aliens intent to rule the galaxy and her life, as she pleads her case against treason!
As an Empress to the enemy race she must find her heart and her soul. And then decide.
If you have never read a book by KL Bone, this is a good place to start. You will learn her writing style and adapt to the creativity of it.
5 Stars and a tip from my Nerd Girl Hat!
**This book was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official book blog.
I had no idea what to expect with this book, and K.L. Bone did not disappoint at all. The whole book was written so well and the epilogue saw me with tears streaming down my eyes. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
This is a very unique take on a story line for a heroine and I loved it.
I had no clue what to expect when I started this book. I have read Kl Bone’s black Rose series and the dragon books. This was unlike either series but true to her talented writing skills. She pulls you into the story from the first page and you are never quite sure where the next page will take you. I love the power of this heroine and though it is not always a kind power she takes it on with strength and dedication to be admired.
The Indoctrination follows the life of Chrissa, a human girl, who started out life on earth, and was abducted by aliens. She lived a life that took her down a gruesome path that was filled with lots of death, torture, power, and even love.
The race of people that she grows to lead from a place of ultimate power is the Setian Empire, they infest others and use their bodies to carry out the goals of the Empire. I absolutely love the imagery that this book provides through amazing writing. Throughout the story many planets are described and it seems like a beautiful life to live. Sadly, that is not the case, throughout the life of Chrissa, she has to take many lives, because that is how she is raised. She grows into a powerful and smart leader, but at what cost, perhaps her humanity.
That ending though! Woah! I did not see that coming at all! But I loved it!
This is a fantastic sci-fi read that has many intriguing moments. It encompasses love stories, power plays, war, and torture in a magnificent way that will leave you hooked from page one. Another knockout hit by the wonderfully talented K.L Bone.