Review: Children of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy

Children of Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus #2)

by Sara Creasy

Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: April 1st 2011 by Harper Voyager

ISBN 0061934747

Courtesy of NetGalley

Edie Sha'nim believes she and her bodyguard lover, Finn, coiuld find refuge from the tyranny of the Crib empire by fleeing to the Fringe worlds. But Edie's extraordinary cypherteck ability to manipulate the ecology of evolving planets makes her far too valuable for the empire to lose. Recaptured and forced to cooperate - or else she will watch Finn die - Edie is shocked to discover the Crib's new breed of cypherteck: children. She cannot stand by while the oppressors enslave the innocent, nor can she resist the lure of Scarabaeus, the first world she tried to save, when researchers discover what appears to be an evolving intelligence. But escape - for Edie, for Finn, and for the exploited young - will require the ultimate sacrifice...and a shocking act of rebellion.

-GoodReads-

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My thoughts:

Sara Creasy continues the fascinating story of Scarabaeus with more action, more suspense and more romance.

Children of Scarabaeus follows the events of Song of Scarabaues, so I would definitely recommend you reading Song first.

Edie Sha’nim and Finn have escaped Scarabaues, Rovers and the Crib with fellow ally Cat Lancer. Now they are on the run, hoping to reach the Fringe and use the cryptoglyph Finn has in his head to help liberate them from the Crib. Without the Neuroxin though, from Edie’s home planet of Talas, she is on the verge of death, and the Crib is the only ones that carry the supply.

When a Crib fleet pools into port they sneak aboard a cargo vessel, going into cryosleep to avoid detection. But after 13 months Edie is re-captured by the Cris and awakens to find herself once again in Natesa's control. And to keep Finn alive she agrees to help in the terraforming of Project Ardra, Natesa’s last-ditch effort to save her reputation.

Together Edie and Finn quickly make plans to escape but when Edie discovers that there is a group of children from her home planet under Crib control she cannot leave without them. Determined to set Finn free from the deadly leash that connects and save the children, Edie must make a choice and her decision will cost someone their freedom.

I loved Song of Scarabaeus, my first ever sci-fi read, and the sequel Children of Scarabaeus did not disappoint. Edie’s and Finn’s relationship has progressed at a frustrating slow pace, for the characters and readers alike. The leash that connects them to each other causes painful feedback for Finn whenever Edie’s emotions run high so this causes makes for a major mood killer and buku sexual tension. Edie is terrified for his safety; and is willing to sacrifice herself over and over again to protect him, and Finn is no different. Their relationship is sweet and realistic; and the characters are well developed and easy to connect with.

Sarah Creasy has built an incredible world around these characters and describes it with her smooth writing style that makes it easy to picture and understand, even with all the new scientific terms and for someone like me who is a newbie to this genre. The story line moves a bit slow but is very intriguing. Oh, and one more thing... Finn is just so delish! I'm adding him to my harem of book boyfriends!

I look forward to more from the Aussie author!

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses - Loved It!