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Fate War: Alliance (2013)

by E.M. Havens(Favorite Author)

3.68 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

061578299X (ISBN13: 9780615782997)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

E.M. Havens Publishing

review 1: Some of the reviews have already included a summary, so I'll skip it.The cons first to get them out of the way: There are some minor bumps in the plot, but nothing terrible. Some of the characters are a little vague and the threat of the Fate is not really explained and you only felt it on the last chapters(why "Fate"? this is unclear). Also, there are some typos in the edition I own, which is distracting. That said, I really really really enjoyed this one. The author shows a very much appreciated respect and love for the words. The dialogue is frank and direct, and the narrator's voice does not intrude. The story flows naturally, and when a cliche seems to appear it is swiflty resolved or used to misguide. I loved Sam. Such a complex, rich, frank, intelligent character!... more Well presented and well developed. Cole is an acquired taste, though, but as the story goes on you understand (as Sam does) that it is not only warmth what he provides. His strength is in his understanding, compassion and patience. He is open and true, and he falls in love with her brain first! There is a deceptively simply constructed world, to wich we are introduced by means of the conflict itself. The romance and the gadgets actually add to the story. There are layers upon layers, feints within feints (yeah it reminded me a bit of Herbert's Dune sometimes).There are a lot of loose ends, which is understandable (albeit frustrating) since this is the beginning of a saga. Cant wait for the next book!This is a good, intriguing, well told story with romance, action and adventure, gadgets and fantasy. Enjoy!
review 2: Fate War: Alliance is a short novel packed full of all the fascinating and wonderful things that make a book memorable. Steampunk, romance and drama are combined to give you a fascinating read that is over much too quickly!The setting. Alliance can be classified as steampunk. While many of the books in this genre tend to be set in an alternative historical setting, Alliance is more of a fantasy setting. This story takes place in the low tech country of Arborea, neighbor of the high tech Perspicians. Emerging technology is becoming more commonplace, but is understood by few. There is the romance between the unique young princess from Perspicia and the prince of Arborea who does not want to be king. They first meet at their wedding. The antiquated and repressive customs of the wedding day both frighten and repel the bride and the groom, Samantha and Cole. Their union starts shakily and they must learn to trust each other if they want to make the marriage into something they can live with. I found this aspect of the story to be sweet, emotional and very romantic. It was also the basis for the character development of the heroine and hero.The romance was a major element of the story, but the conflict with the Fate was the impetus for the entire story. The threat from the highly mechanized Fate army is what caused the brokering of the union of Arborea and Pespicia and the marriage of Sam and Cole. The Fate techology far exceeds anything seen previously and there is no one who knows what must be done to stop it. Even the Alliance may not be enough. It is unclear what the motivation of the Fate Sovereign is, which makes the maniacal Fate war machine something dark and grotesque.It is not a standalone story. Though certain aspects are resolved, I was far from satisfied with the ending. I do plan to read the next book in the series when it comes out. Soon, I hope!I haven't decided if Alliance is a romance set against a conflict on a technologically and socially evolving world. Or is it the story of the of the malevolent Fate, raining down their scourge an on the world, with only a few amazing heros and heroines to prevent the end of the world. Either way, I really enjoyed it! less

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