Review: Hers to Choose
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 7, 2013
I read these stories a LONG time ago and recognized the description in other reviews. I read the second one first and loved it. Yes, the prologue really was confusing but the information was needed. It made a big difference to understand why the planet was female and all references to her were in "caps".Sophi and Eric are the lovers in this edition. Sophie has been a captive of Verdantia's enemies for 4 years. During that time, her entire world was overrun by the Haarb, leaving the world in terrible shape. The connection to Verdantia's goddess has been weakened and as a result, the people have lost the power of the crystals, which is done through sexual congress between the members of the aristocracy. I know, it sounds kind of weird, but it really is a beautiful description of the connection between the planet and its people.The story drew me from page to page, kept me up at night, had me worried about Sophi and her flight  of female warriors. The growing relationship between Sophi and Eric was beautiful to watch. Having been tortured and abused, Sophi has been numb to any kind of emotional attachment especially with men. She distrusts Eric but he is such a confident man, he slowly wins her over. Sophi is strong, the leader of her group of women who elected her their Flight Leader because of her strength and ability. Eric honors that in Sophi which begins her emotional growth. His only problem is that she is instinctively active in the defense of the small group of warriors taking her back to her brother and her destiny. He is constantly asking where she is. She is usually saving his neck! And that does not bother him - her skill does not embarrass him - in fact, he often reminds her of her multiple rescues, and how appreciative he is of her skills. If she would just not disappear when it's his job to protect her! It's actually funny and is a consistent conversation between them.What I realized about half way through the story was how the author changed the writing style depending on which main character was her subject. When she spoke about Sophi there was an element of fragility that gradually developed into strength and confidence. Yet Sophi was never weak, just nervous about her growing relationship with Eric. Eric, on the other hand, was treated as a confident, strong, able warrior and man. (Yes there is a difference.) He understands Sophi and yet he is nervous about her reaction to him. He treats her as an equal and yet gently as a woman with a violent past. It made for an very different kind of read.I recommend this book and will be reading both the first and the third which is due out soon.