Review: Intriguing Sci-Fi Premise
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 25, 2013
With Mindscape Tal Valante has crafted an intriguing sci-fi read that uses flashbacks to show the progressive relationship of two soldiers of war that goes from tragedy to uplifting in the blink of an eye.  Along the way we delve into issues of PTSD and the plight of POWs to inject a bit of realism as well as how true love is defined to tug at the reader's heart.Mark and Shane couldn't be more different in their reasons for joining the service.  Mark is doing it merely to pay the rent and keep his younger brother from working to death in the mines.  For Shane it's tradition as his father rose high in the ranks as does he.  Much to Mark's surprise he succeeds too, especially with the knowledge that success means he'll be able to start a relationship with Shane who he's become attracted to.  Their relationship has its ups and downs with injuries leading to PTSD and even deeper mental issues that force them apart just as they're on the road to HEA.This was a quick read that showed an intriguing glimpse at a future society on the brink of war with other planets.  There was a small bit of world-building but not near what I'd hope for a sci-fi read.  The romance was subtle with the physical aspects of the sweet variety.  The majority of this m/m relationship was of the emotional variety instead as Mark's catatonic state is keeping them from their HEA and letting them connect on only a mental level as they're bonded through Resonance (a mutual telepathy the affects only one in a million).  Shane's desperate to bring Mark back on his own terms but soon realizes that he needs the help of another to break down the walls Mark's created to get through the horrors of war in an ending that's a bit flat at first but ultimately concludes in a realistic way that reasserts the true power of love and acceptance.  From start to finish this is an atmospheric story that draws you in but doesn't dig too deep into the individuality of the characters.  It's an entertaining read that shows great promise for Tal Valante's future and has me wanting to read more from this author in the future.