Review: Hers to Choose
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 28, 2013
Hers to Choose by Patricia KnightThe planet Verdantia is sentient and can communicate with specific highly evolved beings while they are performing certain complex sexual rites designed to channel the planet's energy into diamonte stones.  These stones are then used for everything from heating to operating appliances. Modern technology does not work on Verdantia due to the high energy currents running throughout the planet.The planet is currently ruled by a Tetriach, three people, who together perform the rituals necessary to maintain all the security barriers around the planet thus protecting the planet from invasion. Prior to the Tetriarch's rule, Verdantia was invaded and many of her people kidnapped and sold into slavery. It took many years to locate most of the planet's people.Doral DeLorion, one of the members of the Tetriach, managed to rescue his sister, Sophi, from an invading Haarb pirate ship after a search lasting three years. When at last she was found, she had been tortured so brutally she was no longer able to function normally in society. Doral took her to live with the Oshtash, a people who did not depend upon the ancient rites for any of their needs.Now, he needs her to return home and marry within one of the genetically appropriate families so their world can be repopulated and the many rites continued. There are only a few bloodlines that can communicate with Verdantia, so Sophi has been assigned a husband, Eric DeStroia.DeStroia was Commander of the Queen's Guard and was sent to retrieve Sophi from the Oshtash. While he, too, was being forced to marry, he vowed to do whatever necessary for his country and for the Tetriarch.Patricia Knight has, once again, created a beautiful, passionate science fiction story that transports the reader into another world. This world becomes completely believable as passion ignites a room's lighting system, and planetary invaders use hostages as egg depositories.The plights of Sophi and of Eric, through Knight's writing, become real and viable. The needs of varying cultures on Planet Verdantia become more than just something relevant in science fiction. Knight writes in a way that brings to light flaws with unilateral thinking in any society; her world building skills become more profound with each tale.The couple's relationship is not based merely upon passion. There are mature discussions, and interactions, though often with a variety of tertiary characters. Knight's scenes of love-making are passionate and beautifully descriptive.Hers to Choose is so captivating readers may be surprised to discover how quickly the time flies while reading it. Knight manages to enthrall and entertain readers with an exciting adventure that doesn't end until the pages can no longer be turned.I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed within this review are mine.