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. |
Release Date: December 3, 2019
If you were to look at my TBR stack(s) you would probably notice pretty quickly that sci-fi is not on my list of most-read genres. However, every couple of years or so I'll see one from a familiar, or at least recognized, author and I'll give them a try. Brand Of Light was one of those. I've only read one of Ronie Kendig's previous books, in a totally different genre, so I thought I would check this one out.
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the book. On the one hand, I suppose with any space opera, I had a hard time with keeping track of who was who, there were just so many characters, let alone remembering who belonged to which planet and what their customs were. I also spotted an inconsistency or two. But on the other hand I was impressed with the little details, such as the effect on the body when jumping into space for the first time. I liked her use, but not overuse, of futuristic technology, creating a galaxy that is both familiar and different. I also just became so engrossed in the story that I found myself thinking about it frequently while doing mundane chores around the house.
I have to confess that I wasn't happy where the story ended. Seriously, Ronie Kendig, how could you do this to the characters and how can you keep ME hanging this way??? Cruelty, cruelty to readers! But that shows that the author has done her job, and done it well. I don't want to have to wait to find out what happens to Kersei, to Marco, to Tigo, and just what exactly is up with the Brand Of Light.
For readers who like to know how 'Christian' a book is, I would say that while there isn't a Salvation moment, there are some loosely Christian themes. I do feel that this book can be enjoyed by not only all ages but also by a wide range of beliefs.
So, to sum it up. Yes, I did enjoy Brand Of Light. It was good to step out of my reading comfort zone. Yes, I'm looking forward to the next book in the Droseran Saga. Ronie Kendig successfully made the jump to hyperspace. Now, I just NEED to know what happens next!
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Brand Of Light by Ronie Kendig a 4 Bark rating.
More from Ronnie
But I was a very new writer. And if you saw the first draft that gushed out of me, you’d snicker. I sure have. It’s appallingly bad writing, yet the story’s bones are healthy and intact. So, I teased the story into shape over the last fourteen years. In 2012, I took a hard look at it and tried to shape up the writing. I’d even gotten to know Kathy Tyers, who wrote for the Star Wars franchise as well as the much-beloved Firebird series (*insert reverent pause here*), and I bravely asked if she would take a peek at the first fifty pages or so. Being gracious as Kathy is, she agreed to take a look. |
Um, yikes. Haha. Make no mistake—Kathy is a brilliant writer, and I will never write like her, but I learned so much her feedback and took it to heart. Clearly, I still had a long way to go before that story was ready for the world, so I delved into honing my craft and deepening this story. Honestly, I was afraid show Brand of Light to anyone again, because I love this story so much and did not want to see “her” fail. Nore correctly—I did not want to fail this story. |
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty titles. An Army brat, Ronie lives a shot train ride from New York City with her husband, twin sons, and two fur-sons, VVolt N629, a retired military working dog, and Benning the Stealth Golden. Described as an empath by her literary agent, Ronie has used her degree in psychology to write books that have won the coveted Christy Award, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion Award, and more. Her books have also hit the CBA Bestseller List multiple times. |
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