Title: Firebird
Author: Pelaam
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: Novella (128pgs)
Publisher: Silver Publishing (1st September 2012)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Cassian finds he is to be the bait when his Monarch wants to trap a Firebird. But are Firebirds merely beasts or will Cassian find that real monsters exist much closer to home?
Palace Scribe Cassian is stunned to be called before his ruler, Great Monarch Maurus, to be the bait to trap a Firebird, a dangerous predator and beast of legend that lives high in the mountains on his country’s border.
Injured as he climbs the mountain, a rescued Cassian discovers Firebirds are not animals. Instead, he uncovers Arturri, an intelligent being from another world, living as a castaway. But Cassian is helpless to prevent Arturri’s capture by Maurus’s dangerous and evil head of security, Phrixus.
Maurus is more monstrous than even Cassian ever imagined when the secret beneath the palace is revealed. Who can he trust? Can he save not just Arturri, but the other prisoners of Maurus?
CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains scenes of rape or near rape.
Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/895
Review: Cassian is ordered to be used as bait to lure the Firebird out of hiding. But, Cassian is given no choice in what he does, so accepts what his king has ordered. But, when he is rescued by the Firebird from a dangerous predator he learns that Arturri is just a lost soul who just wants to return home. Arturri has been stranded on this hated world for many long years. His entire family is gone, some captured by the evil men and others perished. When he discovers Cassian, he rescues him and learns the truth. it is just the kingdom he has landed in that is evil and over the mountains is his means of escape.
This is a wonderful science fiction story of an alien who has just landed in the wrong part of the world, and ends up helping to release a kingdom from its tyrannical reign. Cassian lives in a kingdom where the king reigns with an iron fist. Nobody is free and everyone lives in fear. When he is called before the king, he is terrified and has no choice but to do as ordered and he sets off to be bait in a trap. Arturri discovers Cassian in the forest and takes care of him and the two falls in love. But, they discover that they can’t just escape and Arturri ends up captured and Cassian has to do what he can to protect his love.
Cassian for me is the greatest character, as he showed an enormous amount of bravery and devotion throughout the book. Arturri is a wonderful character and your heart goes out to him for the emotional turmoil he must have been through to have been stranded on a planet and then to lose all his family. All the while knowing what his fate might be if he is ever captured, after witnessing the savagery of the natives. Cassian and Arturri do make a great couple, even though they are separated by a cage and two vicious men.
The storyline is great, the characters are wonderful, even the ones who are self-motivated, and there is danger, rescues, escapes and chases with close shaves. Cassian is a true hero, when he discovers what is being kept hidden under the castle, and he puts his life in danger so others might escape. There are some uncomfortable moments where the king’s head of security, Phrixus, looks like he might get his way *shudder* and some instances of violence.
So, if you love science fiction, hot sexy men, escapes from evil men, rescues, danger, hot sex, and a very happy ending then this is the book for you.