#Review - Infestation by Aileen Erin #Paranormal #Fantasy

Series: Days of Iron and Clay # 2
Format: Kindle, 424 pages
Release Date: January 25, 2025
Publisher: Ink Monster
Source: Publisher
Genre: New Adult / Paranormal / Dark Fantasy

SAMANTHA

I never thought I’d willingly walk into Hell again, but I did. I survived and am back where I belong—at home. But Gabe, my demon-dead friend, is still missing. And the guilt is crippling me. While I’m laughing and happy with my boyfriend, Gabe is suffering. While I’m resting and healing, Gabe is being endlessly tortured. But every plan I come up with is a suicide mission. And despite what it sometimes looks like, I’m not ready to die.

So, when my werewolf friends ask me to help their pack with a problem, there’s no way I can say no—even if I’m not ready to jump into another fight. There’s a mysterious evil the werewolves can’t track, and they need me to help them kill it. It’s the perfect distraction. The only problem? Phoenix, a mortal, wants to go with me. Even though he’s proven he can handle the supernatural, I can’t help but think nothing good can come from him getting an even better glimpse of how normal my work life is. But I can’t say no to him; I can only pray that Phoenix is still by my side when this is over.

PHOENIX

My life pre-Samantha was turbulent. My soccer career was over, and my family life was devastated after the loss of my grandmother. Dating? Laughable. Every relationship fell apart because the door in my heart had been shut tight. I was unknowingly holding out for the one girl who had completely changed my world. Samantha is it for me; my heart knew it before I did. I’d go anywhere as long as it’s with her. But her guardian angel, Eli, said something to me that made me think something terrible would happen to Samantha. And I’m not about to let that happen. I’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Infestation is the second installment in author Aileen Erin's Days of Iron and Clay series. The story follows Samantha Lopez, who is not exactly human but something else—a Nephilim. Samantha just happens to be the daughter of a human and a fallen angel named Astaroth, who is willing to do anything to get his wayward daughter back in hell, where he thinks she belongs. He is willing to do anything to have her submit to him. As the story opens, Sam feels the effects of nearly being caught by Astaroth after she rescued a fey warrior named Van. Now, her undead friend Gabe is paying the price for her escape. 

Who is Samantha? Samantha is the resident demonologist who you call if you are demon-possessed or in trouble. She's so good, that she is constantly busy sending lower & higher demons back to Hell from where they escaped. According to her Guardian Angel, Eli, Samantha is destined to be an important, extraordinary person who is set on protecting innocent humans from demon infestations and evil spirits - via exorcisms and creating portals to Hell. With Heaven & Hell battling for millennia, Sam and her friends stand in the way of the apocalypse. 

Even though Sam has literally and figuratively gone through Hell and back, when her friends are in trouble, she has no problem dropping everything to help them. This time, they travel to Charleston, where something unseen attacks Max Mollony's Wayfarer pack. The Wayfarers are the problem solvers of the paranormal world. They travel wherever there's a problem, but not even Max's pack can fight what's happening in Charleston. 

This book also alternates with Phoenix, whom I have to say I absolutely adore. I adore that he has found his calling, picked up the mantle, and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect Sam from trouble. Even though Sam is weary of putting him in the line of fire, Nix is there at every turn encouraging her and showing that he's not afraid of her or her world. Sam lives in a supernatural community in Texas called The Sanctuary. She's helped by Tessa McCaide (an Alpha Werewolf with visions of the future), her mother/partner Elena Gomez, Phoenix Herrera (a former soccer phenom) who is now permanently linked to Sam by choice, Frank (a Priest), Eli (an Archon Warrior Angel), Dastien (Tessa's mate), Cosette (a Fey princess), Claudia (a Witch), Lucas (a Peruvian Alpha), Axel, and Chris (a Werewolf). 

You should know that this series is directly linked to the author's Alpha Girl series. You should also know that you MUST read both books in order to understand the world that the author has created and what is happening at another level, which may eventually lead to Armageddon. While Sam is a badass on every level, it is Phoenix who was the reason I gave this story such a good rating. Can't wait to see what happens next. 

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#Review - Invocation by Aileen Erin #YA #Fantasy

Series: Days of Iron & Clay # 1
Format: Ebook, 413 pages
Release Date: March 19, 2024
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

There are three things I know without question.

One: demons are real.

Two: humans make awful mistakes that get them in demonic trouble more often than you’d think.

And three: I’m the only one who can help them.

I straddle the line between the mortal and spiritual realms every day. People might think they’re two different places, but they’re not. They lay on top of each other. It’s messy, and that’s why so many people need my help. Since I was little, I’ve been called all kinds of names—unusual, abnormal, even insane. Which is fitting, since they keep throwing me in to mental facilities. I’ve been in and out of them my entire life.

But no matter what people say, no matter what I’m risking, I will always help those in need.

Because there’s an endless war carrying on all around us, every minute of every day. One that can’t be seen by mortal eyes. But I can see it, the spiritual battle for mortal souls, and I’m working hard to make sure my father is on the losing side. He — Astaroth, Satan’s general— is why I can do this. He’s why I’m not normal. I can’t have friends, a life, or a boyfriend. I won’t be selfish enough to drag someone into this fight. But I’m not lonely. Not exactly. I have my mom. She’s my rock, my best friend, my partner. She helps me do what needs to be done, and she’s never afraid when it feels like I’m always afraid.

Because I hear my father whispering my name each night, his taunts echoing through the spiritual realm. He’s hunting me, and I know the day will come when I must face him again.

Every portal I open could be the one that finally pulls me back to Hell, and I wonder if I will be brave enough, strong enough, good enough to fight him.

My name is Samantha Catherine Lopez, and I am Nephilim. This is my story.

Aileen Erin's Invocation is the first installment in the author's Days of Iron and Clay series. Even though it is said that you do not have to have read the Alpha Girls series, it would be nice to understand the world this story takes place. Especially since a bunch of characters from the Alpha Girls series play pivotal parts in this story. The world recently woke up to the news that supernaturals like werewolves, witches, vampires, and other supernaturals are real. 

The story follows Samantha Lopez who is not exactly human, but something else. A Nephilim. Samantha just happens to be the daughter of a human and a fallen angel named Astaroth who is willing to do anything to get his wayward daughter back in hell where he thinks she belongs. Samantha also appeared in a short novella called Two More Days. 8 years ago, Samantha escaped from Hell and the man who claims to be her father. To this day, Sam hears his voice when she is trying to relax. 

Samantha, who is the resident demonologist, is the person you call if you are demon possessed or in trouble. She's so good, that she is constantly busy sending lower & higher demons back to Hell from where they escaped. Samantha is destined to be an important, extraordinary person who is set on protecting innocent humans from demon infestations and evil spirits - via exorcisms and creating portals to Hell. With Heaven & Hell battling for millennia, Sam and her friends are all that stand in the way of the apocalypse.

Sam, who helped Tessa McCaide (Alpha Werewolf who has visions of the future) defeat her father, now lives in a supernatural community in Texas called The Sanctuary. Sam's friends/family include her mother/partner Elena Gomez, Phoenix Herrera (former soccer phenom), Frank (Priest), Eli (Archon Warrior Angel), Gabe (Demon-dead Nephilim), Dastien (Tessa's mate), Cosette (Fey princess), Claudia (Witch), Lucas (Peruvian Alpha), Axel, and Chris (Werewolf). As I said, all of these characters were part of the Alpha Girls series. 

There is something of a dramatic event that happens at the beginning of this book which ends up with the story skipping years before ending in the present. Later, Sam is forced to rescue another friend, Van (Fey Warrior) from Hell after her father captures him, and uses him as bait and trap for Sam. Sam is not perfect. She gets into situations that end up with her in trouble. But she is a spiritual being, whose powers are spiritual, and even though Eli is her friend and protector, there are things that not even he can do without without becoming one of the Fallen.

I have every intention of continuing this story once the sequel releases next winter.  

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#Review - Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin #YA #Paranormal

Series: Alpha Girl # 1
Format: Kindle, 350 pages
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Publisher:  ‎ Ink Monster, LLC
Source: Kindle
Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal

One stupid party. One stupid boy. One stupid kiss. And my life was virtually over.

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with psychic visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into a shapeshifter and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Ailbe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

Becoming Alpha, by author Aileen Erin, is the first installment in the authors Alpha Girl series. 17-year-old Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Tessa has always been the outcast at school because she has a gift but her peers perceive it as making her a freak. When she touches someone, she has visions of things they have done. She can’t turn it off so she wears gloves at all times. Her brother who is also her best friend is about to go off to college so her parents announce that they are moving to Texas. 

Her first few days at her new school seem to go alright until she attends a party and meets Dastien Laurent. She instantly feels a pull to him and sitting next to him she gets her first kiss. But this kiss changes her life. You see, Dastien is a werewolf, and he has chosen Tessa for his mate. He didn’t mean to, but when they kiss, he bites her. And the bite causes her to change into a werewolf as well. But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. 

Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves. Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into a shapeshifter and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent. When vampires attack St. Ailbe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

Most everyone at St. Alibe’s are great people but there are a few that has it out for Tessa and will do whatever it takes to take her down or get her thrown out. Imogene, ex-girlfriend/best friend of Dastien, still wants him and tries to let Tessa know by getting her face at every opportunity. Her father seems to have a long game in play which just might find the leadership at St. Alibe's tested in ways they never imagined. Tessa is thrust into a new life with things she never knew existed.

It seems as though werewolves aren’t the only mystical creatures walking our earth. There are also bad guys, very bad guys, vampires, and it is up to werewolves to police the supernatural world. Also, Tessa is different in that part of her family belongs to a Bruja witch coven. Tessa, who may become the strongest Alpha around, may have an alliance with them if she can find a way to control her new abilities.    

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#Review - On Destiny (Aunare Chronicles #4) by Aileen Erin #SyFy

Series: Aunare Chronicles # 4
Format: Paperback, 464 pages
Release Date:  July 19th 2022
Publisher: Ink Monster
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction / Alien Contact

When Amihanna di Aetes first got to Sel’Ani, she never thought she’d have the full support of the Aunare, but she does. She never thought that she’d fall in love, get married, or become the High Queen, but she did. She never thought that she’d be planning something so stupid as her return to Earth, but that’s exactly what she’s doing.

With the Alliance broken, SpaceTech has fully retreated to their home planet, but the chaos of war will descend again. Amihanna and Lorne know they don’t much time to plan their next move. Everything in their guts tells them to head straight to Earth but going into the heart of SpaceTech’s territory is stupid, reckless, and very likely deadly.

Amihanna and Lorne have one chance to end this war quickly, protect the Aunare, free the Earther’s from SpaceTech’s rule, and save Declan, Ahiga, and the missing ABQ Crew members. Trying to do it all feels impossible, but Amihanna has never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when defeating SpaceTech was never just her mission. It’s her destiny. 

On Destiny is the final installment in author Aileen Erin's Aunare Chronicles. The story revolves around two characters: Amihanna di Aetes, the new High Queen of Aunare and Lorne ni Taure, the High King of the Aunare. It has been 3 weeks since Ami nearly died after being exposed to a bio-weapon created by SpaceTech. Ami is still mourning the loss of her guards who sacrificed themselves to save her. But time moves on, and so doesn't the threat from SpaceTech. 

When Ami first got to Sel’Ani, she never thought she’d have the full support of the Aunare, but she does. She never thought she would forgive her father Rysden for leaving her behind on Earth, but she has. She never thought that she’d fall in love, get married, or become the High Queen, but she did. She never thought that she’d be forced to return to Earth where she was hunted for 13 years, but that’s exactly what she’s doing. 

After a visit from a Bactah dignitary who can control minds, Ami is told that in order to help her in her war on SpaceTech, she needs to find a way to remember the time before she spent on Earth with her mother hiding from SpaceTech. Ami must face her own past before she can deal with the future or she'll constantly feel as though she's not safe anywhere. Even if it forces her to face painful memories. Ami is always prepared to flee in a moments notice. She has go-bags everywhere that will allow her to escape in a moments notice. 

Recently, Lorne and her guards have begun doing the same thing. Unfortunately for Ami and Lorne, their honeymoon ends too soon, and now allies have chosen a different side, which leads to attacks on the planet of Sel'Ani and other colonies which forces Ami to move up her plans on going to Earth. Ami also finds out that Declan and her ABQ crew is in big trouble. Declan has after being captured by his brother Jason who wants to use Declan to lure Ami into an inescapable trap on Earth. 

The rest of the crew is in hiding or on the run. Ami knows the only way to stop her hated enemy, Jason Murtagh and SpaceTech, she needs to find a way to get humans, Aunare, and hybrids on Earth and its colonies to rise up and take back their freedoms. To do so, Ami will have to rely on her ABQ crew to get to places she needs to be. While on Earth, Lorne still has some serious regrets about not being able to find the girl he watched grow up, one who would be his rival in power when she grew up. So, he tends to be overly protective of her, and that often grates on my nerves.

The author ends the series on a pretty nice moment. I won't spoil it for you, but Ami's new Destiny is just beginning! It's also kind of fun watching Ami's best friend Roan, and Lorne's sister Nori, hit it off which makes Lorne's head explode. The only negative commentary I have about this series is Ami's fatalism. She often puts herself in harms way, and that leads to explosive moments with Lorne feeling that he's not strong enough to keep her out of trouble. Technically, this is the 5th installment in the series, but one of the books, In Command, is a novella that should be read between Off Balance and On Mission. 

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#Review - On Mission (Aunare Chronicles #3) by Aileen Erin #YA #SyFy

Series: Aunare Chronicles # 3
Format: E-Book, 450 pages
Release Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Ink Monster
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

Amihanna di Aetes has finally accepted her place in the Aunare world. In a matter of weeks, she’ll marry Lorne and become their High Queen, but no matter how hard she tries, she finds that she’s always doing the wrong thing. At least that’s what the High Council keeps telling her…

There’s only so much rejection a girl can take, which means she’s spending her days trying to get out of High Council meetings. She’s going back to what she does best: teaching and training. Preparing to invade Earth is a much better use of her time.

But when SpaceTech tries to attack her again, it sets off a chain of events no one can stop.

After weeks of refusing Lorne’s request for a meeting, the Aunare’s allies invite them to a neutral system, but nothing can stop this war now. Amihanna’s done pretending to be a politician and can only be who she is. A fighter. A leader. A warrior.

Amihanna isn’t the queen the Aunare want. But she is the queen the Aunare need. 

 

On Mission, by author Aileen Erin, is the third installment in the authors Aunare Chronicles series. Amihanna di Aetes is used to fighting, surviving, and relying on her strength to get through the hard times. She thought the worst was over when she accepted her engagement to Lorne ni Taure, the High King of the Aunare, and claimed her place as the future High Queen. But her fight against Jason Murtagh and SpaceTech isn't finished yet. Ami is tired of the Aunare High Council's bigotry and intolerance towards her because of her dual heritage, and believes that they are leaking information to their enemies. 

 

It is time for them to go. While she's made peace with her father, and forgiven him for 10 years of abandonment on Earth, she's tired of allies making excuses for why they are not amiable to joining the fight. It's time for them to step up or become enemies. We friends like these allies, who needs enemies? She's angry that her people have been hunted down and killed for the past 13 years on SpaceTech planets while Aunare's former King sat on his hands and did nothing. 

 

While Ami showed he entire world what SpaceTech did to her while she was hiding out on Earth for 10 years, it may have moved people to understand her better and accept who she is, but it's still taking way too long to gather the help and assistance she needs.  She knows with all her heart that a war with Jason is winnable despite what others are saying. She's tried to prove herself that she's capable of being the Queen of Aunare. She's taken it upon herself to make friends with certain media outlets, and she's decided to take time out of her hectic day to train students to fight. 

 

When Ami finds out that her friends on are in trouble, (including Declan, Haden & Ahiga) she's steadfast in her determination that the next move is hers and the next destination is Earth where she will reign hell down on SpaceTech. However, after being called to an alleged allies home planet for a peace conference, Ami once again finds out that Jason will do whatever is in his power to target her for removal. Killing Ami would have a devastating effect on Lorne.

The problem actually lies with Lorne and his failure to declare war after several attacks on Aunare and assassination attempts which continue on Ami. Lorne is desperately trying to fix his mistakes. Nothing is working. According to a treaty that was signed years ago, Lorne has 2 days to declare war. He didn't. Lorne is having no luck in convincing alleged allies that SpaceTech is moving towards war because of that failure. He literally gives them proof that their ships are on the border. SpaceTech attacked Ta'Shena. 

 

They slaughtered people on Sa'Shotain. They have SpaceTech operatives and spies literally on the streets of Sel'Ani waiting for the perfect moment to capture or kill Ami. When they attack Ami with an lucole bio-weapon that leads to her being poisoned and nearly dying, again, Lorne has had enough. Lorne also discovers a secret; Ami has been running secret war games against SpaceTech. She's been training hard along with her guards and others for the day when she will finally get a chance to go after Jason and try to get people on Earth to join the cause against SpaceTech. 

 

Ami has become so quick and powerful she sometimes forgets to refuel. When Lorne and Ami travel to a distant planet for a conference, pretty much everyone knows that this is the perfect opportunity for Jason to spring another attack on Ami and Lorne who would die without her. It is fair to say that one should keep an eye out for some unusual characters who appear to be friendly and allied with Ami & Lorne. I am encouraged that Lorne seems to understand that war with SpaceTech on Earth is inevitable. 

 

Technically, there is a fourth installment/novella called In Command. In Command is a 40K novella that takes place between Off Balance and On Mission. While some say that you don't have to actually read novellas, I encourage you to do so in this case. A major part of Ami's background and history is revealed in the story itself which sets up On Mission. I can't help but like Ami. She's been through way too much stuff in her short time alive. She even keeps go-bags filled with necessities in case her enemies get too close. One of the key moments in this book is when Ami is asked, 'What is your mission in this life?' I think we should all do the same of our own lives.

 

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#Review - In Command: An Aunare Chronicles Novella by Aileen Erin #YA #SyFy

Series: Aunare Chronicles #2.5
Format: Kindle, 216 pages
Release Date: February 23rd 2021
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA / Science Fiction

An Aunare Chronicles Novella*

Amihanna di Aetes is used to fighting, surviving, and relying on her strength to get through the hard times. She thought the worst was over when she accepted her engagement to Lorne ni Taure, the High King of the Aunare, and claimed her place as the future High Queen.

It should be easy to slide into her new role. How hard can it be living in luxury with your soulmate after growing up alone on the streets?

But the more she learns about the Aunare and their politics, the more she realizes that the true test of her strength is just beginning.

Amihanna di Aetes is in for the battle of her life if she wants the Aunare to accept her.

In Command is a 40K word novella that takes place between Off Balance and On Mission (Book 3 of the Aunare Chronicles). This story takes place entirely on Aunare. 20-year old Amihanna di Aetes as accepted the fact that she will marry Loren ni Taure and become Queen of Aunare. Ami is super focused on making war on Jason Murtagh and SpaceTech for what they've done to her, her mother, and her people. She knows that SpaceTech is slowly closing in on Aunare borders, and unless they gets allies behind them, Aunare may end up going it alone.

However, the list of people who want her dead has gotten pretty long. This book really ends up with Ami releasing all of her pent up aggression that's been building up for 13 years. 13 years since she was left behind by her father Rysden. She's had enough of the High Council which seems to be working with SpaceTech, and not trying to find a way to prevent them from submitting to Jason Murtagh's machinations. She's had enough of the local media treating her as the enemy, instead of the Queen she is fated to be. 

As the camel back finally breaks with the people of Aunare wondering why she can't even speak their language, and her popularity not getting any better no matter what she does, Ami and her best friend Roan finally reveals to Aunare, Lorne, and her father what really happened to her and her mother Catherine during the 13 years she was stuck on Earth while being hunted down by SpaceForce. It's a brutal reminder of how awful SpaceForce is, and the lengths they went to in order to scare Earthers into believing those from Aunare are a threat. In way way, Ami gives hope as well as absolution to the people of Aunare for how they've been treating her. 

This book also has several chapters from Lorne's POV. Lorne is having issues with convincing allies that they need to step up and help Aunare even though SpaceTech has already attacked them. Thanks to the former King, if Aunare and SpaceTech go to war, Aunare may find themselves at war with allies thanks in large part to an alliance signed by the former King. Lorne is also trying hard to make Ami understand that part of her job as Queen is facing the High Council no matter how much she hates them, and they look down their noses at her. 

I'm glad that the author wrote this book to hold us over until On Mission releases sometime this year. It was a good thing that Ami and Roan did in order to make Lorne and her father understand that even though she can't speak the language, she was born on Aunare, and will always be part of Aunare. It will be an interesting discovery to find out what happens next now that we've seen the truth behind what Ami and her mother experienced on Earth. Will the allies step up? With the High Council stop treating her as garbage? Or, will Ami end up going it alone? 

 The Aunare Chronicles

1. Off Planet
2. Off Balance
3. In Command
4. On Mission
5. On Destiny

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#Review - Off Balance by Aileen Erin #YA #SYFY

Series: Aunare Chronicles #2
Format: Paperback, 450 pages
Release Date: February 11, 2020
Publisher: Ink Monster
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

Broken, beaten-down, and plagued by nightmares, Amihanna di Aetes is surrounded by the Aunare race that makes up the other half of her heritage, but she feels alien amongst them. She’s not sure which is worse: SpaceTech’s overt hatred of Aunare or the Aunare’s covert hatred of halfers. She hears their whispers whenever she enters a room and sees her death reflected in their eyes. Amihanna doesn’t know who to trust anymore, but she hasn’t survived this long by ignoring the warning signs all around her, especially when her instincts are screaming that a familiar choice is coming: flee or fight.

Her parents assure her everything is okay—that there won’t be any reason for her to fight, let alone flee—but with Amihanna’s sudden return, questions arise among the Aunare: who should be blamed for the start of a full-scale war with SpaceTech, how much danger will the war bring, and is Amihanna truly fit to be the next high queen?

Honestly, Amihanna wants to forget all the politics, her betrothal to Lorne, and the possibility of being queen. Her needs are much more basic. All she wants is a solid night’s sleep where she doesn’t wake up screaming with the phantom pain of her skin burning. All she needs is to live without fear of a mob tearing her away from her family. All she hopes for is a chance to dream of a future instead of constantly fighting for her right to live.

Off Balance is the second installment in author Aileen Erin's Aunare Chronicles. What you should know. The beginning of this story takes place 13 years ago on Earth. Lorne knows it is time to leave Earth before Liberation Week where all Aunare will be rounded up. Earth is getting more & more violent towards the Aunare, but for some reason, 6 year old Amihanna di Aetes, daughter of Rysden and Elizabeth, is about to be left behind instead of being brought back to Aunare where she will be safe. This one mistake will cost Amihanna/Maité and her mother years of terror. 

 

They will spent the next 13 years living on the streets, hungry, and fighting every step of the way to avoid being captured by SpaceTech who knows if they find Ami, they will have leverage over the King of Aunare as well as her own father who should be ruling. Trouble peeks for Ami when, one night, while waitressing in a greasy diner, Jason Murtah gets handsy with her. She reacts without thinking and runs. Ami is soon arrested and sentenced to a year on Abaddon, the dung heap of the galaxy where she meets Declan and Ahiga.

 

Fast forward to the present. Amihanna di Aetes, now 20, is on Aunare where she isn't liked and she has zero memories of the past. It has been 3 weeks since she escaped Abaddon with the help of Lorne who is apparently her betrothed but her nightmares are keeping her from doing anything logical or constructive except to hide away in her room, or spend hours every day training. Lorne needs Ami in order to take down his father who has been spending way too much money and time getting cozy with Jason Murtagh and SpaceTech.

Ami doesn't remember the people, the culture, or even the language. The media hates her, but the news isn't as big a problem as the people themselves--the ones who want her dead. Ami also has to get used to the fact that Lorne, her shalshasa, is the man whose talents and energies are perfectly balanced with her own. This story actually alternatives between Lorne and Ami. Lorne has so much to deal with. His people don't want Ami as their Queen. Ami is all but pushing him away until her nightmares only get better when the two are in the same room. 

The only person Ami seems to trust is her best friend Roan who knows how much pain and suffering she's had to deal with on Earth, on Abaddon, and now on Aunare. Ami also finds that she is being used for a much bigger mission. She may be the one hope that the Aunare needs to survive an all out war with SpaceTech. Without her, all hope might be lost.

Ami has a lot on her plate, as you can tell. She faces several assassination attempts. She faces near capture by SpaceTech who are on the planet. 

 

But, the best parts of this story for me is when Ami runs a challenge that she's never seen or trained for and finally comes out and tells the Aunare people everything that happened to her on Earth after she was left behind. This may or may not be the starting point for Ami to prove that her supposed intelligence, her ability to process problems and to strategize are not a figment of Lorne's imagination but a real tool that enemies of hers might want to think twice about before coming for her again. 

Let me be honest by saying that Lorne is the character whom you will like a whole lot. He's driven, intelligent, caring and above all patient. He's in love with Ami and has been his entire life. He will do anything to protect her even if it means constantly asking her to marry him, and becoming Queen so that they can overthrow his corrupt father who has done so much damage. The relationship between the two grows slowly over the course of the story to the point where even Ami has to admit that she's his, and nothing will change that. There's even a graphic sex scene with absolutely surprised me.

 

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#Review - Off Planet by Aileen Erin #YALIT #SyFy

Series: Aunare Chronicles #1
Format: Paperback, 350 pages
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Publisher: Ink Monster
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

Maité Martinez has always yearned for more than waitressing in a greasy diner, especially when most people have left the polluted ruins of Earth behind for a better life on other planets. It’s not just working at the diner that’s making life hard for her. Being a half-human, half-alien girl has never been trickier. With the corporate government hunting down the last of her father’s alien Auanare race living on Earth, hiding her growing special abilities has become a full-time job on its own.

Every minute Maité stays on Earth is one minute closer to getting caught. The stress is almost more than she can bear, and when a fancy Space Tech officer gets handsy with her at the diner, she reacts without thinking.

Breaking the officer’s nose wasn’t her smartest move. Now she’s faced with three years forced labor on the volcano planet, Abbadon. With the job she’s slotted for, it may as well have been a death sentence.

It doesn’t take Maité long before she realizes there’s more to the mining on Abbadon than Space Tech has let on. As she makes unlikely allies, Maité uncovers Space Tech’s plot to nuke the Aunare homeworld. The firepower stored in Abbadon’s warehouses is more than enough to do the job ten times over.

As the clock ticks, Maité knows that if she can’t find a way to stop Space Tech, there will be an interstellar war big enough to end all life in the universe. There’s only one question: Can she stop the total annihilation of humanity without getting herself killed in the process?

 

Off Planet, by author Aileen Erin, is the first installment in the authors Aunare Chronicles. 19-year old Maité Martinez lives in a reality that makes her very existence, the daughter of a Human mother and an Aunare Man who is second in line to the Aunare King, dangerous to her health. In fact, it could get her killed on sight if the truth ever gets out. But, what's even worse, is that if she is caught, it could lead to a war between Earth and Aunare that will likely see no victors when all is said and done.

For over 10 years, Maité and her mother Elizabeth have been on the run staying in the shadows, changing their names, living in poverty, and worrying that they are one wrong step from being captured by SpaceTech. The same SpaceTech that killed off every single Aunare living on the planet on a day that is being called Liberation Night. SpaceTech controls all of the Earth's governments as well as numerous colonies across the galaxy. Instead of making things better, they have created a world of too much violence, too much corruption, and too much poverty.

While Maité is trying to keep her cover from being blown in Albuquerque, she also teaches martial arts, waitresses at the same cafe as her mother, and is a member of the ABQ gang. She's changed her name so many times, that she sometimes gets confused as to who she really is and why so many people are after her.There are very few people who know of Maite's secrets. One of those people is Roan who is like her brother and best friend rolled into one person. Roan knows that Maité and her mother are high value targets that SpaceTech has offered a very large bounty for information that leads to their capture. But, he values trust over a large reward.

One night while waitressing at her greasy cafe, a customer gets grabby hands with her which triggers an immediate and bloody reaction. Covered in blood, with Roan as her only support, Maité runs without her mother. She is soon arrested and sentenced to a year on Abaddon, the dung heap of the galaxy. Abaddon is literally hell (volcano planet) for those who are sent there. But, it is Maité who ends up getting the worst of the treatment as she is forced to work in over 100 degree heat. Maité knows that she walked into a trap specifically designed for her. 

She is a pawn in a much larger game that will lead to war between Earth and Aunare if she just happens to die on the planet doing a job that only bots are supposed to do. She has to figure out a way to prevent a war while also making some new friends and allies including Audrey, Sebastian, Ahiga, and Tyler who watch as Maité fights and struggles for survival every day without complaining. She has to deal with hostile work environments, sabotage, and those who won't shed a tear if she dies.

I have to say that this story was petty damn good. It was better than I expected. That is until the end when the momentum got lost and the story switched to a Planet that she doesn't remember, a name that she hasn't been called in over 10 years, and a father who is a stranger to her. In the beginning, and for much of the book, Maité is a character who you can easily root for. Maité is also prone to making mistakes. Mistakes due to her lack of control, or the fact that she is tired of hiding and running. 

From her sham of a trial that gets her sent to Abaddon, to her meeting Declan and Ahiga, both who work for SpaceTech, the setting is set for some pretty twisted scenes. Then we meet Audrey and Santiago and Tyler who look at what is happening to Maité and understand that nothing about her situation makes any sense. Her relationship with Declan isn't one that I supported. Declan tries to help, encourages her to fight like hell to stay alive, but isn't there in a pivotal scene which sees another character make his debut.

My least favorite part of this book is the final chapters.
Maité turns into a character who I don't recognize. She now has to deal with lots and lots of things that she never had to think about when she was on the run. The question of the apparent romance angle between Declan and Lorne also must be sorted out as well as her new status as the lost heir of Aunare.  

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