Review: Badlands by Seleste deLaney
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 1, 2011
Ever is a warrior and has been patrolling the borders of the Badlands for the past seven years. The Badlands is a separate country, near Texas. It is her job to take the men the United States sends to prison, and keep them secure in the prisons of the Badlands. She is not afraid to kill men  - anything to keep her Queen and the Badlands safe. But someone is out to overthrow the monarchy, and soon her Queen is dead. Badly injured, Ever needs to get to Philadelphia to retrieve the princess to restore order, for without a ruler, chaos ensues.Making a run in his dirigible to the Badlands, Captain Spencer Pierce needs the money he will make off of unloading cargo in this dangerous land. His ship, the Dark Hawk is not really his yet - still owned by Congressman Mason. While making this run, he sees a very badly injured woman, and picks her up to save her. In doing this, he is unable to unload his cargo as the atmosphere is rife with violence. But if he helps Ever recover the princess, he will be compensated, able to secure the Dark Hawk as his. As they go forth in this dangerous mission, they both reluctantly build an attraction.Badlands starts right in the middle of action. Boom! You are immersed in this steampunk world. For this reason, it took me a little while to grasp the world and exactly who and what Ever is fighting for - but Seleste deLaney soon lays out this world - and it is a really fun one. The Badlands lie south of the United States - ruled by a Monarchy. Ever is one of many female warriors who take the worst of the worst prisoners the US has to offer. However, most of the book takes place aboard the Dark Hawk ship and I kind of wish Badlands had been explored more.Ever is a fabulous heroine. So fierce, stubborn and smart. No time for frills or feminine behavior - she has an in your face attitude that I loved. She loves the Badlands, and her former Queen and will risk anything to deliver the princess back to her land. Although she is grateful for the help from the Dark Hawk crew, they give her more than she bargained for.The romance is not rushed and is flows really well. I love how Ever and Spencer each care about their own separate missions yet it is fun to watch the romance slowly become foremost on their minds. For a shorter book, the romance is very believable.I think there is so much to explore in the actual Badlands I hope there is another book that dives into the world. But for now, I definitely recommend this one.Rating: B