Fans of GABRIEL'S GHOST will finally get some closure when
Linnea Sinclair brings Chaz and Sully's story to its
heart-wrenching conclusion. The perfectly plotted story in
SHADES OF DARK is well-served by its strong world building
and even stronger characters. For those reluctant to pick
up books labeled "Science-Fiction/Romance," there's nothing
to fear in these 400 pages. The romance never takes over
the story at the expense of character development and plot.
Sinclair's universe is as well-drawn as any science-fiction
author writing today.
Fugitives from a decaying and corrupt Empire, former
Imperial Fleet Captain Chasidah (Chaz) Bergren and her
lover, telepath Gabriel Ross Sullivan (Sully) are tricked
out of hiding when Chaz hears her brother Thad has been
arrested for treason. Not only does Thad know the extent of
Sully's telepathic abilities, he also has knowledge that
will threaten their mission to shut down the gen-labs that
are still producing the monstrous Jukors.
The villain's simple but effective ruse lures Chaz in, but
Sully keeps a cool head. He knows that he and Chaz are the
real targets. The big boys will do anything to keep the
labs going. Nothing is ever as it seems in Chaz's world,
and now it appears the web of treachery has extended to
their own ship, the Karn. There's an unknown traitor in
their midst and tensions are running high all around. The
plot thickens even more when Chaz realizes that Sully may
have used his telepathic abilities in a way that's crossed
a line of trust.
Even though this review may seem a bit convoluted, the book
is anything but. Neat, clear and concise, this is good
storytelling at its best.
Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren
was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from
the "justice" of a corrupt Empire. Along with her lover,
the former monk, mercenary, and telepath Gabriel Ross
Sullivan, Chaz hoped to leave the past light-years behind—
until the news of her brother Thad’s arrest and upcoming
execution for treason. It’s a ploy by Sully’s cousin Hayden
Burke to force them out of hiding and it works.
With a killer targeting human females and a renegade gen
lab breeding jukor war machines, Chaz and Sully already had
their hands full of treachery, betrayal—not to mention each
other. Throw in Chaz’s Imperial ex-husband, Admiral Philip
Guthrie, and a Kyi-Ragkiril mentor out to seduce Sully and
not just loyalties but lives are at stake. For when Sully
makes a fateful choice changing their relationship forever,
Chaz must also choose—between what duty demands and what
her heart tells her she must do.
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