Review of Amaya's Legacy

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 15 Sep 2023, 10:17

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Amaya's Legacy" by Fiona Forbes.]

4 out of 5 stars

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A hot, sweet romance that crosses much more than galaxies

Amaya's Legacy by Fiona Forbes is the most stunning story I've read this year - for at least five reasons.

First, its opening scene teleports you right into the action. You're beamed down into a Baqnian ship on course to colonize Earth. Although the Honorable Rameda Wenz (age: 267 Baqnian years) is convinced that the planet's warring, destructive human inhabitants need to be brought in line with Federation regulations for their own good, inter-species negotiator Zhan questions the ethics of subduing an intelligent species.

Despite the sense of superiority to Earth, there's more to Planet Baqnia than its by-the-book "Mainstream" would admit. Tall and humanoid, Baqnians also have feline DNA whose origins are the stuff of the legends told by the Teneri tribe Zhan descends from on one side. While Mainstream Baqnians take pains to suppress their naheem - symbionts with properties mostly beyond human(oid) understanding - the Teneri know naheem are much more than a force balancing two types of DNA. Mixed-origin Zhan can sense others' energy to the point of synaesthesia. When he tastes "hot-and-sweet shari spice" (p.12) even from a hologram of earthling Leana (Lee) Barry, he can't get her out of his mind.

This brings me to this book's second great strength, its complex and intriguing characters. As athletic as she is academically gifted, Lee is a headstrong and independent female protagonist. Even as she and Zhan feel irresistibly drawn to one another, she remains wary of his true intentions and nature. Thanks to some deft plotting (a third major plus), so does the reader. While "irresistible attraction" may seem a romantic cliche, our heroes' affinity is the product of a history so complex that the shocks keep coming right up to the end of the novel. Sometimes Zhan and Lee's love play got a little cringeworthy, yet that's forgivable in that it provided some comic relief from the tension building in another plotline involving the resistance to the Baqnian invasion. This brings me to a fourth strength of this story, namely, its pacing and variety. While everything fitted logically into the fictional world, the action was never predictable.

In that connection, this book includes some violence and gore as well as sex scenes, making it suitable for a mature audience. Indeed, those who have grown up with the classics like Star Trek, Star Wars or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will love the nods to those sources of inspiration. To give just a couple of examples, Star Wars mavens may have already noted the "Federation" and "the resistance", while the "slobbering spiked rindero" references popping up throughout are delightfully reminiscent of Hitchhiker's. Strong point number five would be the book's language.

"Rindero" is just one of the colourful words included: Zhan is forever cursing in Baqnian. On another note, he laments the paucity of Earth words for "love", and only Baqnian words can do justice to the full love spectrum. Forbes has a knack for creating original, vivid images, such as, "Courage was failing fast, like the last glimmer of sunlight before a moonless night." (p.146). In this way she depicts her characters' emotions as the story explores moral and spiritual themes. Mostly she uses clever devices to convey information about the book's world. For example, a young, enthusiastic computer technician is only too keen to walk Lee through Baqnian culture. However, Forbes occasionally errs on the side of info-dumping, with explanations for the reader's benefit bloating characters' conversations. This was only a slight and occasional downside that would not have led me to reduce the star rating. Based on its many strengths, I would have liked to give this book a perfect score, but unfortunately site policy obliges me to go down to four out of five stars because I found more than ten typos. However, these were not overly distracting.

Science fantasy fans, I urge you to take the trip to this world of humanoids with feline attributes, of invasion and resistance, of energies of attraction and repulsion, the life-affirming battling the life-destroying as science snarls at legend and reason struggles with passion. I hope you return from the voyage as deeply impressed as I was. This is the first book in a series, and I eagerly await the adventures to come.

******
Amaya's Legacy
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 19 Sep 2023, 14:54

I'm fascinated by the description of this blend of genres and subgenres with characters who seem like blends as well, in their case, of different species or at least bits of different DNAs. I'll most certainly look into this series. Thank you for your great review!

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 20 Sep 2023, 08:11

NetMassimo wrote: ↑19 Sep 2023, 14:54 I'm fascinated by the description of this blend of genres and subgenres with characters who seem like blends as well, in their case, of different species or at least bits of different DNAs. I'll most certainly look into this series. Thank you for your great review!

It was a fantastic mix! Thank you for your kind comment.

RutvikPatel · Post by **RutvikPatel** » 22 Sep 2023, 00:08

Your review provides a detailed and positive assessment of the book's opening scene, character complexity, plot development, and pacing. It effectively highlights several strengths of the book, making it clear why you found it engaging and enjoyable.You start by praising the book's opening scene for its ability to immerse readers in the action and introduce them to the conflict between Earth and the Baqnian ship, effectively setting the stage for the narrative.

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 22 Sep 2023, 00:34

RutvikPatel wrote: ↑22 Sep 2023, 00:08 Your review provides a detailed and positive assessment of the book's opening scene, character complexity, plot development, and pacing. It effectively highlights several strengths of the book, making it clear why you found it engaging and enjoyable.You start by praising the book's opening scene for its ability to immerse readers in the action and introduce them to the conflict between Earth and the Baqnian ship, effectively setting the stage for the narrative.

Yes, it does! Thanks for commenting.

Post by **Meghan Soderholm** » 25 Sep 2023, 13:04

Alice, Your reviews are always brilliant in detail and captivating to read. This is the second sci-fi review I have read, which has sparked my interest in reading. I'm compelled to read more about "the complex and intriguing characters." Your review was a pleasure to read.

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 25 Sep 2023, 14:09

Meghan Soderholm wrote: ↑25 Sep 2023, 13:04 Alice, Your reviews are always brilliant in detail and captivating to read. This is the second sci-fi review I have read, which has sparked my interest in reading. I'm compelled to read more about "the complex and intriguing characters." Your review was a pleasure to read.

Thank you for your appreciative comment - so glad to see something genuine among all the AI rubbish that's getting thrown around, bleh.

Cara Wilding · Post by **Cara Wilding** » 27 Sep 2023, 12:24

Alice Heritage wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 10:17 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Amaya's Legacy" by Fiona Forbes.]

Although the Honorable Rameda Wenz (age: 267 Baqnian years) is convinced that the planet's warring, destructive human inhabitants need to be brought in line with Federation regulations for their own good, inter-species negotiator Zhan questions the ethics of subduing an intelligent species.

While "irresistible attraction" may seem a romantic cliche, our heroes' affinity is the product of a history so complex that the shocks keep coming right up to the end of the novel.

Indeed, those who have grown up with the classics like Star Trek, Star Wars or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will love the nods to those sources of inspiration.

On another note, he laments the paucity of Earth words for "love", and only Baqnian words can do justice to the full love spectrum.

I very much appreciate it when a book has an exciting opening scene that throws the reader right into the action! From the sounds of your review, the character development and worldbuilding are exceptional. The inter-species negotiator you provided as an example is an interesting and well-developed vision of the future! Admittedly, I'm not big on romance, but your review has framed this book in a way that I could see myself taking a chance on it. Your description of the affinity being a product of a complex and shocking history leaves me feeling desperate to know what it is!

I also liked how you made connections to some of the well-known classics that most of us can relate to, especially fans of science fiction. Your mention of the paucity of Earth's words for love made me think of another book I'd read about how the absence of a word for something didn't prove its nonexistence. The brain's incredible ability to draw connections from your entire body of knowledge can make reading a truly unique and individual experience! Thanks so much for sharing your review!

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 27 Sep 2023, 12:42

Cara Wilding wrote: ↑27 Sep 2023, 12:24
Alice Heritage wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 10:17 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Amaya's Legacy" by Fiona Forbes.]

Although the Honorable Rameda Wenz (age: 267 Baqnian years) is convinced that the planet's warring, destructive human inhabitants need to be brought in line with Federation regulations for their own good, inter-species negotiator Zhan questions the ethics of subduing an intelligent species.

While "irresistible attraction" may seem a romantic cliche, our heroes' affinity is the product of a history so complex that the shocks keep coming right up to the end of the novel.

Indeed, those who have grown up with the classics like Star Trek, Star Wars or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will love the nods to those sources of inspiration.

On another note, he laments the paucity of Earth words for "love", and only Baqnian words can do justice to the full love spectrum.
I very much appreciate it when a book has an exciting opening scene that throws the reader right into the action! From the sounds of your review, the character development and worldbuilding are exceptional. The inter-species negotiator you provided as an example is an interesting and well-developed vision of the future! Admittedly, I'm not big on romance, but your review has framed this book in a way that I could see myself taking a chance on it. Your description of the affinity being a product of a complex and shocking history leaves me feeling desperate to know what it is!

I also liked how you made connections to some of the well-known classics that most of us can relate to, especially fans of science fiction. Your mention of the paucity of Earth's words for love made me think of another book I'd read about how the absence of a word for something didn't prove its nonexistence. The brain's incredible ability to draw connections from your entire body of knowledge can make reading a truly unique and individual experience! Thanks so much for sharing your review!

Thank you for leaving such a detailed and thoughtful comment!

MercyNdungu · Post by **MercyNdungu** » 29 Sep 2023, 12:50

Alice Heritage wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 10:17 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Amaya's Legacy" by Fiona Forbes.]

4 out of 5 stars
Share This Review

A hot, sweet romance that crosses much more than galaxies

Amaya's Legacy by Fiona Forbes is the most stunning story I've read this year - for at least five reasons.

First, its opening scene teleports you right into the action. You're beamed down into a Baqnian ship on course to colonize Earth. Although the Honorable Rameda Wenz (age: 267 Baqnian years) is convinced that the planet's warring, destructive human inhabitants need to be brought in line with Federation regulations for their own good, inter-species negotiator Zhan questions the ethics of subduing an intelligent species.

Despite the sense of superiority to Earth, there's more to Planet Baqnia than its by-the-book "Mainstream" would admit. Tall and humanoid, Baqnians also have feline DNA whose origins are the stuff of the legends told by the Teneri tribe Zhan descends from on one side. While Mainstream Baqnians take pains to suppress their naheem - symbionts with properties mostly beyond human(oid) understanding - the Teneri know naheem are much more than a force balancing two types of DNA. Mixed-origin Zhan can sense others' energy to the point of synaesthesia. When he tastes "hot-and-sweet shari spice" (p.12) even from a hologram of earthling Leana (Lee) Barry, he can't get her out of his mind.

This brings me to this book's second great strength, its complex and intriguing characters. As athletic as she is academically gifted, Lee is a headstrong and independent female protagonist. Even as she and Zhan feel irresistibly drawn to one another, she remains wary of his true intentions and nature. Thanks to some deft plotting (a third major plus), so does the reader. While "irresistible attraction" may seem a romantic cliche, our heroes' affinity is the product of a history so complex that the shocks keep coming right up to the end of the novel. Sometimes Zhan and Lee's love play got a little cringeworthy, yet that's forgivable in that it provided some comic relief from the tension building in another plotline involving the resistance to the Baqnian invasion. This brings me to a fourth strength of this story, namely, its pacing and variety. While everything fitted logically into the fictional world, the action was never predictable.

In that connection, this book includes some violence and gore as well as sex scenes, making it suitable for a mature audience. Indeed, those who have grown up with the classics like Star Trek, Star Wars or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will love the nods to those sources of inspiration. To give just a couple of examples, Star Wars mavens may have already noted the "Federation" and "the resistance", while the "slobbering spiked rindero" references popping up throughout are delightfully reminiscent of Hitchhiker's. Strong point number five would be the book's language.

"Rindero" is just one of the colourful words included: Zhan is forever cursing in Baqnian. On another note, he laments the paucity of Earth words for "love", and only Baqnian words can do justice to the full love spectrum. Forbes has a knack for creating original, vivid images, such as, "Courage was failing fast, like the last glimmer of sunlight before a moonless night." (p.146). In this way she depicts her characters' emotions as the story explores moral and spiritual themes. Mostly she uses clever devices to convey information about the book's world. For example, a young, enthusiastic computer technician is only too keen to walk Lee through Baqnian culture. However, Forbes occasionally errs on the side of info-dumping, with explanations for the reader's benefit bloating characters' conversations. This was only a slight and occasional downside that would not have led me to reduce the star rating. Based on its many strengths, I would have liked to give this book a perfect score, but unfortunately site policy obliges me to go down to four out of five stars because I found more than ten typos. However, these were not overly distracting.

Science fantasy fans, I urge you to take the trip to this world of humanoids with feline attributes, of invasion and resistance, of energies of attraction and repulsion, the life-affirming battling the life-destroying as science snarls at legend and reason struggles with passion. I hope you return from the voyage as deeply impressed as I was. This is the first book in a series, and I eagerly await the adventures to come.

******
Amaya's Legacy
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Your review of "Amaya's Legacy" by Fiona Forbes is detailed, insightful, and showcases your deep engagement with the story and its elements. Here's a response to your review:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on "Amaya's Legacy." Your review provides a comprehensive and compelling overview of the book's strengths and areas for consideration.

The opening scene you describe indeed sounds captivating, immersing readers into the story's action right from the start. The ethical dilemmas presented through characters like Rameda Wenz and Zhan add depth and complexity to the narrative, making readers ponder the consequences of colonization and intervention.

Your praise for the complexity of the characters, especially Lee and Zhan, is well-founded. It's evident that their relationship is layered with history and intrigue, which keeps readers engaged throughout the story. Your acknowledgment of the deft plotting that keeps the reader guessing about the characters' true intentions is a testament to the author's storytelling skills.

The mention of comic relief through the love play between Zhan and Lee adds an interesting dimension to the narrative, balancing the tension in other plotlines, such as the resistance to the Baqnian invasion. Your appreciation for the book's pacing and variety is indicative of its ability to keep readers engaged without predictability.

You mention the book's suitability for a mature audience due to the inclusion of violence, gore, and sex scenes, which is valuable information for potential readers. The nods to classic science fiction sources like Star Trek, Star Wars, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy add a layer of nostalgia for fans of those works.

Your praise for the book's language, with its original and vivid imagery, highlights the author's skill in creating a rich and immersive world. Your mention of slight info-dumping as a minor downside is a constructive observation that the author could consider for future works.

Your rating of four out of five stars reflects the book's strengths and the few typos you encountered. It's clear that you were deeply impressed with "Amaya's Legacy" and are eagerly anticipating the adventures to come in the series.

Thank you for sharing your thoughtful review, which will undoubtedly assist other science fantasy fans in deciding whether to embark on the journey into this world of humanoids, invasion, and resistance. Your passion for the story shines through, and your insights are valuable.

Post by **Jennifer Coxon** » 01 Oct 2023, 02:53

Thanks for the fascinating review. The complete mix of science-fiction, romance, action and slight comic relief sounds like a combination I would enjoy. I do like it when authors metaphorically tip their hats to those who inspired them.

I also really enjoyed the structure of your review, it was a refreshing change.

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 01 Oct 2023, 04:10

Jennifer Coxon wrote: ↑01 Oct 2023, 02:53 Thanks for the fascinating review. The complete mix of science-fiction, romance, action and slight comic relief sounds like a combination I would enjoy. I do like it when authors metaphorically tip their hats to those who inspired them.

I also really enjoyed the structure of your review, it was a refreshing change.

Thanks for reading and commenting! The author combined all those elements in an engaging way: this is a promising start to a series.