Thursday 10 March 2016

Review: The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station by Edward Hoornaert


When pirates conquer Farflung Space Station, security chief 'Duke' Dukelsky fights back with only two allies. One is Lockey, a kick-ass princess who lusts for Duke's body. The other is Sandrina, a mysterious and alluring waif with more secrets--and secret powers--than the rest of Farflung Station put together.

Some of Sandrina's secrets might free the station and Lockey's repressed needs--yet at the same time, enslave Duke's heart forever.

*****

Edward Hoornaert is a new-to-me romance writer. The Guardian Angel of Farflung Station works for me in many ways.

It's filled with humour (maybe I shouldn't have snort-laughed at "Greatest need: To shove his intestines back into his belly" but I did. Not sorry.) I adore Sandrina and her plarking bad (err) mouth. As a woman who can't speak, we rely on her inner dialogue and the reactions of others in order to understand her. From her inner dialogue to her body language she's completely expressive and endearing.

I found Lockey to be a pleasant surprise. The depth of her character grew as the story went on and even when she became someone unexpected, I found she stayed "in character" and new revelations about her built other existing character without turning her into someone unrecognizable. Since we don't get the impression her greatest need has ever been met, there's also an appealing innocence about her. She's never explored the joys and pitfalls.

I liked how Duke looks after Farflung Station and everyone on it yet he seems desperately incomplete. He gravitates to Sandrina and recognizes her strengths. He doesn't let anything minimize her abilities. He's the heart of Farflung Station as much as she is.

Hoornaert makes Farflung Station real in both its scope and culture. It's a great setting and he lets us discover it through his characters eyes.

I enjoyed this action filled SFR with a sweet HEA. The followup, Escapee, comes out on April 19. It's based in the same SF world and can be read standalone.





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