Before I get into my review, I have exciting news! Samantha Marshall has generally accepted my invitation for an author Q&A, which you'll find at the bottom. :D

Review
Ever since she was soulmerged with Caelum, a dearken who speaks (and he speaks his own mind pretty often!), Arcana has been unable to find a place among her own people - or indeed anywhere. But then she meets Fenris, an injured Guardian from the Timeless Kingdom. Arcana's unusual magic may just be the key to saving Fenris' home - and maybe even the entire galaxy.

This reminded me of retro space/fantasy adventures - and that's a good thing! I've always had a soft spot for magic and stars sharing the same setting. Arcana is the snarkiest, kick-arse heroine since Aelin Galathynius (but a lot more mature!) and I adore Caelum. He had a particularly touching journey that I won't spoil, because it was really quite lovely. The storyline also took some delightfully unexpected turns.

I do think, however, that this might have been better as two books instead of one.

Click "read more" for a Q&A with the author!

​Our intrepid heroes are hurting after losing one of their own and are now branded as terrorists, which makes moving about the galaxy somewhat difficult. What more can possibly go wrong? Oh, a LOT more. Kal's sister is super keen about hunting him down, Aurora might not be the first Trigger and war just might break out.

This book is pretty much The Empire Strikes Back of the Aurora Cycle. That is probably the highest compliment I can give it. Aurora Rising left me a little cold, but the problems I had with it are not present in the sequel. I'm also a huuuuge sucker for romance being imperilled by secrets. And I love mental-based powers. I will probably re-read this one a lot. Ughhh I need #3 right now.