The fifth 'Thresl Chronicles' book is as exciting as the first four, and I get more interested with each volume as the hunt for the traitors selling Thresls into slavery intensifies. The duke who was accused to be a ring leader at the end of book four is one of the main characters in this story, and the revelations of what he has and has not done held me captive from page one. Adding the gentle medic, Balaze, to the mix made the combination action/adventure/romance a great success for me. Not to mention that Friln and his mate Nelrin, as well as King Vohne play their parts – guaranteed to make this newest installment even better.

Duke Hellbur, a somewhat remote and possibly even somewhat intimidating figure in the previous book, really comes into his own here. His past was pretty rough and what he has done to make sure the Thresls are as safe as possible is amazing. Not that it helps when he is accused of selling them off, but he is determined to prove his innocence – no matter what the cost. His attraction to Balaze is unexpected, since he'd already had a mate, but he decides to "go with the flow" so to speak, only to discover what being mated really means. If only they'd manage to catch the traitor so he can spend more time with his new mate!

Balaze is a dedicated doctor, loves to help people, and can be a very strict task master where his patients are concerned. He feels drawn to the duke, but can’t quite believe he really has a second mate, nor does he want to face the possibility of more heartbreak. The most urgent concern is helping Hellbur find the traitor, and even though Balaze isn’t a fighter, he wants to help. He certainly is determined enough for two men and ends up doing a great job.

The adventure that brings these two men ever closer is exciting, has many twists and turns, and gives some great glimpses as to what might happen in the next book. None of these external distractions can keep Balaze and Hellbur from exploring each other, and their passions flares as intensely as their anger when they do find the culprit.

If you like stories with an evil plot, a futuristic setting, and paranormal elements, if you enjoy reading about alien cultures in the far future who seem to struggle with some of the same issues we do, and if you're looking for a hot read with two men who discover they have more in common than physical attraction, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )