Review: Fantastic World Building, Intriguing Suspense and an Engaging Love Story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2014
I have long awaited the sequel to Alpha Trine because I fell in love with the characters, the worldbuilding and the plotting.  This is most definitely a Sci-Fi Romance, but the feel of it is that of a Romantic Suspense.  There are twists, intrigues, thrilling adventure and secrets that are slow to be revealed all hyping up the tension.This sequel should definitely not be read out of order or the reader will struggle to catch up to the story.  Striker was a total set up book in ways and it takes a long time to build.  The first half is full of little slower paced moments will all the excitement saved for the latter half.  I was more than happy to sit back and be patient as more of the author's creative world building was expanded and the romantic trio had the time to strengthen their relationship which is nearly unheard of in romance books today.When it came to the romance, I got the what happened after that happily ever after moment.  The threesome now takes the time to get to know each other and work out their relationship and place in the relationship.  Alpha's story is really teased out and there are a lot of surprising answers there.  Zeus' hidden history gets revealed too and yep, more exciting reveals.  Zeus is almost a different personality in this one as he adapts to the changes in his life.  He becomes more assertive and his hidden strengths come to the forefront.  Alpha personality is further revealed and he is a mixture of aggression and appeasement as needed.  And Dargon took a softer role even when he wanted to be part of the excitement since he is the caregiver of this new little family.  The passion is still hot and unique because of the make-up of their threesome coming from three different races.Now, what to say so that I don't give up the good stuff...The story opens with the Oethra 7 and its crew still on board the Marsani ship with Zeus' brothers as they rush to deliver the Fal' Almoric royal family and what they have discovered about the enemy into the hands of the rulers of Vasparia.  Time is running out on the search for Prometheus, Zeus' brother, who needs to take his place ruling the Galactic Alliance.  Zeus worries about the safety of his mates during their vulnerable time of Alpha's pregnancy.  He feels the pressure of enemies waiting for them and enemies chasing them.  Then their is the unsettling visit with his lost brother through his dreams warning him and advising him how to gain allies for the war that is to come.Canry's advice leads Zeus and the crew to a little known world to treaty with a race made up of crystals.  The visit proves dangerous and reveals another betrayal among other things.  The time counts down to the moment the two opposing sides will face off and Zeus is aware that his side is vastly outnumbered unless all their allies can assemble in time.As I said earlier, this is a set up book feeling much like the way a chessboard is being set for the bigger moves to come.  But, there is also an ending feel to it as well.  The main conflicts are still in place, but yet so many answers and resolves came in this one too.  Not sure about what is to come, but I now wonder if some of the secondary characters will get their stories and whether the perspective will shift to the mysterious Prometheus who has been hidden for years.  I confess that my romantic little heart wants to dart off in like five directions right now to see some of those secondary relationships wrapped up and see the escalating war through to the end.  The next book will now be impatiently waited on just like this one.  Sigh...All in all, this was a good installment in the series.  Those who enjoy m/m sci-fi romance with spectacular world building, strong suspense, memorable characters and spicy romance should grab this series up.My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my honest review.