PLANETARY WARS: RISE OF AN EMPIRE BY MARY ANN BERNAL
Caught up in a whirlwind romance, Anastasia Dennison, M.D., does not realize her husband is the terrifying dictator, Jayden Henry Shaw, who rules the galaxy with an iron fist while pretending to defend the vulnerable against the Imperial Forces of the Empire.
Denying the existence of widespread suffering, Anastasia ignores her principles as she embraces the spoils of war and takes her rightful place among the upper echelon of Terrenean society.
Will Anastasia continue to support her husband’s quest for complete domination of every world within the cosmos, or will she follow her conscience and fight the evil invading her home?
Denying the existence of widespread suffering, Anastasia ignores her principles as she embraces the spoils of war and takes her rightful place among the upper echelon of Terrenean society.
Will Anastasia continue to support her husband’s quest for complete domination of every world within the cosmos, or will she follow her conscience and fight the evil invading her home?
"It was only a
matter of time before the inhabitants succumbed to the oppressor, yet with
tyranny came dissension. In the end, freedom had to prevail, whatever the
cost."
But when Doctor Anastasia Dennison falls in love
with a handsome stranger, the last thing on her mind is the freedom of her
planet. All she can think about is Henry, and when she will next see him
again.
But while Anastasia dreams of a happy-ever-after,
she ignores the subtle warnings that whisper to her that Henry is not who he is
pretending to be.
With the future of her planet at stake, will
Anastasia's eyes be opened in time to see the monumental mistake she is making?
Or will she continue to turn a blind eye and embrace the life that Henry has
promised her?
Filled with strife, tested loyalties and subtle
acts of defiance, Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire by Mary Ann Bernal has a
lot to recommend it. In this majestic universe Bernal has created, there are
two opposing sides — The Imperial Forces verse the Freedom Fighters. While The
Imperial Force has the military advantage, the Freedom Fighters are determined
not to be thwarted. This intense and violent struggle between the two sides is
a theme that one often finds in Science Fiction novels which gives this book a
sense of comforting familiarity.
Bernal has given us a host of characters in this
book, some I liked, some I loathed and others I had mixed feelings about. But,
each character, whether it be the protagonist, the antagonist or the supporting
characters, brought something rich to this tale.
Talking of characters... For a brilliant and
capable woman, Doctor Anastasia Dennison is incredibly naive. She is an
incurable romantic who lets love blind her to the truth. This is a time of
desperate war, but Anastasia is very free with the information she gives to a
man she had just met — a man she has never seen before — which left me slightly
bemused. She is either very trusting or a complete and utter fool. At least her
friend and colleague, Doctor Sophia Loft, had the sense to question this
stranger's motives. But, even then, Anastasia brushes Sophia's concern aside.
She refuses to pause and take a moment to consider if the story her beloved
told her about himself is credible. Her inability to see Henry for who he
really was baffled me because all the signs are there. Yes, Anastasia had never
seen a photograph of the dictator of the universe, but still...! Anastasia is
completely taken in by the story Jayden Henry Shaw has woven, and she is, for
want of a better word, brainwashed. Bernal has not given us a strong and
determined character in Anastasia, but instead, she has given us a woman who
allows herself to be so blinkered that she no longer sees the suffering around
her — her life is perfect, therefore what does it matter if other lives are
being crushed? And for that reason, I found myself annoyed with her rather than
sympathising with her plight. This, I think, is exactly what Bernal wants her
readers to feel.
Jayden Henry Shaw is a compelling antagonist. He is
incredibly ambitious and is not the sort of man who takes no for an answer. He
is determined to not only rule the universe but to do so on his terms, and if
anyone dares to oppose him, he quickly vanquishes them. He can be cruel and yet
when it comes to Anastasia, we glimpse a different side to his character.
Bernal has made Shaw real in the telling by giving him the ability to love, and
despite all the lies, Shaw does love Anastasia. Shaw really closed the deal on
this book for me. I thought his depiction was brilliant and demonstrated
Bernal's ability at creating very flawed characters.
If you are looking for a gentle introduction into
Science Fiction, then check out Planetary Wars Rise of an Empire by Mary Ann Bernal.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
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