Beyond the Book: Sci-Fi anyone?

 

Book Review: Colony on Fire

Blurb:

When she came to Haven Two Dr. Saffia Mandell expected to grimly do her five years of medical service as the colony’s only doctor, work off her medical school debt and leave. Then she’d fallen in love, handled an epidemic and become an accepted member of the community. Now, in her second year, she faces new challenges as the tinder dry planet heads into a fire season and a mysterious food allergy threatens the local restaurant’s reputation.

Chief Ranger Micah Navonn of the Calinurra never expected to fall in love with a human woman but Saffia was a special person who captured his heart and now means everything to him. Not all of his people are as enthusiastic about the situation and his efforts to handle the politics are getting complicated. Add to that an infestation by insects from another world, causing portions of the forest to die off and his plate is full.

When the jet stream shifts course and the fires rage, will the colonists and the Calinurra set aside their differences? With Saffia’s life hanging in the balance, can Micah arrive in time to save her and the colonists in jeopardy? Life on Haven Two never lets up…

This is the sequel to COLONY UNDER SIEGE: INTERSTELLAR VIRUS, which told the story of Saffia’s first year at the colony, but can be read as a standalone. The story is set in my Sectors scifi universe.

My Review

I’ve mentioned before that I like science fiction, and Veronica Scott often piques my attention and compels me to buy her book. This one was no exception. I had read the first book in the series without knowing that it was a series, so when I found this book I bought it. I liked it as much as I had the first book. There are several reasons why I like her work.

First, the book is definitely a science fiction story, but it isn’t what I’d call hard science fiction. By that I mean the majority of the novel isn’t focused on describing complicated technology. I’s a part of the story, but the focus is on the romance between the doctor and the ranger.

Second. her characters are interesting and fairly well-drawn. She does a great job on the bad guys. Her description of some of them was chilling.

Third, her plots are well thought out. Everything hangs together very nicely. 

Last, in the books I’ve read she always finishes with a happy ending. She’s not afraid to kill off her characters if she thinks it’s necessary, but in the end all is well.

What do you think? Could you be happy reading a sci-fi romance?