Shadow Assassins

The Elders are determined to hold to the old ways where woman are kidnapped from the surface, mated to a warrior and after they bear a child they are returned to the surface with their memories erased. Varrik’s brother tried to challenge the Elders about their policies and was executed. Now Varrik has his own plan.

While taking a breather from the wedding festivities, Echo is kidnapped by Varrik and taken to his world. Fighting against her captivity and forced submission, she finds herself feeling sensations and emotions that both shock and intrigue her. And there is this plan…

Picking up a book from Cyndi Friberg, one is guaranteed a story that will sweep the reader away from their every day life, SHADOW ASSASSINS is no exception! As the start of a new series, this reviewer is hooked. The world Ms. Friberg has created is complex and intriguing, and the characters multidimensional and easy to relate too.

Echo is a strong woman who knows her own mind and plays her cards close to her chest. Even though she is fascinated by her captor, she is loath to reveal her abilities except as needed. This reviewer was surprised and delighted by Echo more than once.

Even though he was raised in a harsh environment designed to turn out supreme mercenaries, Varrik manages to maintain his humanity by hiding it from the Elders. While readers will not tend to agree with the means Varrik plans to use to accomplish his goals, the reasons, the goal itself, and his treatment of Echo will enable him to worm his way into readers’ hearts. By the end of the book, this reviewer would have happily volunteered to be kidnapped by him.

This reviewer highly recommends SHADOW ASSASSINS to any reader of futuristic romances. This book is first rate and guaranteed to please.

December 2006