Winning Combination of Solid Characters and
Brilliant Plot, January 12, 2006
When Rae captures Kellen and holds her on her space station, she learns that Kellen is wanted on kidnapping charges. She has abducted Armeo M'Aido, a young boy, and future heir to the kingdom, supposedly in her care. Kellen's accuser Ambassador M'Ekar claims that Armeo is a relative through his deceased wife, and has been pursuing Kellen. The story doesn't ring true to Rae after she discovers that Kellen was seriously injured trying to escape from M'Ekar. With conflicting accounts from both parties, Rae Jacelon, with the help of her father, Admiral Jacelon, tries to get to the bottom of the truth, but there are forces working against her. To protect Kellen and Armeo from further injury or possible death, Rae is forced to marry her and remain that way for five years so she can become a Supreme Constellation citizen with rights. Neither woman is happy with that choice, but the young Armeo must be shielded from any potential harm. Gun Brooke has fashioned an enticing love story filled with electrifying conflicts to get this reader's heart racing. The action progresses from the rapid-fire battles, to a possible romance beginning with a forced marriage. While the author sets it up as a marriage of convenience, we are not fooled because the tension is present between Rae and Kellen instantly. Using the characters' thoughts, the reader is treated to a promise of eventual passion. But Protector of the Realm doesn't give away anything too early, keeping the reader completely engrossed throughout. Character development and the smooth interweaving of multiple plots are the book's strengths. Rae Jacelon is truly a heroic character. She is honorable and noble and chooses to protect Kellen and Armeo because it is right, never questioning whether she will put herself in danger by doing so. While Kellen doesn't trust Rae throughout most of the story because of her fear for Armeo's safety, Rae is above reproach, and the reader sees that immediately. Kellen and Rae's mutual distrust of each other, along with Rae's deep seated feeling of unworthiness, cause much angst for the two. Both are tortured by their developing feelings that they do not act on. It takes some time for the passion to ignite fully, but the doubts still linger. Brooke handles this well by giving the reader sweet release along the way, but drawing out all of Rae's and Kellen's issues and insecurities. Their pasts must be examined and revealed before they can hope for a future. We slowly and methodically find out the truth behind who Armeo, Kellen and M'Ekar are and how they are connected. The answers are complicated and show the strength of Brooke's storytelling abilities. She never takes the straight path and develops a history that continually unfolds up to the book's ending. It is imaginative and spellbinding. We are left wanting more. Protector of the Realm has it all; sabotage, corruption, erotic love and exhilarating space fights. Gun Brooke's second novel is forceful with a winning combination of solid characters and a brilliant plot. The book exemplifies her growth as inventive storyteller and is sure to garner multiple awards in the coming year. |