Brand Of Light (The Droseran Saga #1)
By Ronie Kendig
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Recommended For: Ages 15+ and fans of Star Wars and romances destined to happen

There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.

Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they’re not alone.

 

After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.

Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order-not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted-or cursed-with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted. 

 

The List:

 

  • Beautifully written space opera
  • Diverse cultures that play well off each other
  • Characters with depth of motivations and personalities
  • Ending that leaves you drooling for more

 

The Review:

What is a space opera? It’s similar to science fiction, but there tends to be a bit of magic woven into the story. And there is usually a stronger romantic element than your average science fiction. The best example of a space opera is Star Wars. Why do I start my review with this definition? Because I want you to understand more clearly the tone and feel of Brand of Light, which I would classify as space opera.

And it’s not just any space opera, it’s a beautifully written space opera, with gorgeous prose, incredibly diversity in worlds and cultures, and characters so reach, you ache for them and their love forlorn stories.

My absolute favorite aspect of Brand of Light was the unexpected mix of past and future cultures. This contributed to the diversity throughout the book that made it feel more realistic.

As wide-ranging as the worlds were, the characters filled an even wider spectrum. One is a shameless flirt, another a too-serious doctor. While our two protagonists are about as different personalities as you can get. Which obviously only makes me long for their union even more. The nice thing about this was I got to see the story through different eyes. It kept the plot and surroundings fresh and interesting. Plus, Kendig does a truly outstanding job of developing her characters and their personalities. To the point that by the end you say things like “That’s so Marco.” Also, Kersei is everyone I want in a female protagonist: fierce, kind, loyal, crazy smart, and beyond courageous, while still having hr weaknesses so she doesn’t feel too fake.

I felt a certain underwhelming at the end with the payoff. Even so, where one plot line fell flat for me at the conclusion of books one, another one piqued my interest. Believe me when I say you will me ITCHING to read book two when you’re done.

Be prepared that in the first chunk of the book, you’ll be hit with a lot of groundwork for the world. Lots of names, phrases and places and information about how things work. Is it the most exciting thing to read? No. Is it usually necessary to be able to see the fuller picture of the story? Yes. Push through and you will not regret it.

Also, Marco, will you marry me? I think your dark broodiness is super cute.

 

LunasLuckyRating: 4/5 Lunas