Title: The Lasaran
Author(s): Dianne Duvall
Series: Aldebarian Alliance #1
Also in this series: The Segonian
Narrator(s): Kirsten Potter
Published by Tantor Audio on April 21, 2020
Length: 11 hrs 23 mins
Genre(s): Sci-Fi
Source: Purchase
Format: Audiobook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi series full of action, intrigue, humor, and romance.
Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.
After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.
Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?
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Sci-Fi is not a genre I gravitate towards, but I decided to make an exception for The Lasaran. You see, this is a spinoff of the Immortal Guardian series. Having read a few of the Immortal Guardian books (I really need to catch up on it) I was eager to see what Duvall was bringing to the table with this new series.
Now there’s no need to read the Immortal Guardian books prior to starting this series, as it can stand on its own. However, I must warn you once you read this book you will be tempted to read the books from the Immortal Guardian series. The story introduces Taleon of Lasara who is preparing for a mission to earth to find is sister Amariska. In book one of the Immortal Guardian series the reader was introduced to Amariska and received her full story in the second book. Taleon upon reaching Earth was captured and subjected to a myriad of torturous experiments. Lisa, a graduate student seeking to earn additional funds to help make ends meet too part in several research studies. The latest one involved a study of psychic talents. During a round of testing Lisa was rendered unconscious, with her waking eight months later to find herself in a strange and precarious situation. The one thing giving her hope was her psychic link to the man being held prisoner in another section of the facility.
Wow! What a ride. The Lasaran took the reader on a journey filled with romance, intrigue and humour. Some events noted here coincided with incidents which occurred in the Immortal Guardian series. Majority of the story took place on earth with the reader being treated to suspenseful moments and unexpected twists.
I enjoyed getting to know Taleon and Lisa. Lisa turned out to be resilient, smart and brave, the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. I loved the chemistry between these two and their lively interactions. Their romance despite its complicated nature was sweet and downright adorable.
I chose to listen to the audio version which I have done for all the books I have read for Duvall. Kristen Potter is her narrator of choice, and I can see why. She breathes life into the story.
Overall, The Lasaran was a great start to the Aldebarian Alliance series. I recommend this to fans of Immortal Guardian series and lovers of sci-fi romance.
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About Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter, a graduate of the Boston University School for the Arts, has performed on stage, film, and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy. An award-winning audiobook narrator, Kirsten has won AudioFile Earphones Awards for her reading of The Snowball by Alice Schroeder and her performance as Barbara in George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara. Her other titles include The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley, Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, Sammy’s House by Kristen Gore, and Madapple by Christina Meldrum, which was a Booklist Editors’ Choice for Best Audiobook 2008. Kirsten has received recognition from the American Academy of Achievement and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, as well as numerous regional awards.
About Dianne Duvall
Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. Her debut novel Darkness Dawns, Book 1, was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance – Vampire by The Romance Reviews. Night Reigns, Book 2, was declared an “utterly addictive” Top Pick by RT Book Reviews and was nominated for Best Paranormal Romance 2011 by The Romance Reviews. Phantom Shadows, Book 3, was named a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and Night Owl Reviews. Her Immortal Guardians novella “In Still Darkness” was released in the Predatory Anthology in May 2013. Darkness Rises, Book 4, was also nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance. Night Unbound, Book 5 in the series, will be released on September 2, 2014. When she isn’t writing, Dianne loves all things creative. When her nose isn’t buried in a book, she is very active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.
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[…] on January 19, 2021 by Nadz in Reviews / 0 Comments […]
While I am a huge fan of audiobooks, I tend to steer clear of sci-fi but your wonderful review has left me curious to see where this one goes.
While I am a huge fan of audiobooks, I tend to steer clear of sci-fi but your wonderful review has left me curious to see where this one goes.
I still need to start her first series and yes, this spinoff looks like it is starting out great.
I still need to start her first series and yes, this spinoff looks like it is starting out great.
Yes it is a great start. I am on the second book and it is even better.
Like you, Sci-Fi is not a genre I gravitate towards. I’ve not read the Immortal Guardian series either. The Lasaran doesn’t look like it ticks all the boxes though.
I don’t read this genre, at all, but you have me considering it
oooo I want to add this one to my TBR!
Putting this one on my list! Loved your review!
Thanks Karen. Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Karen. Hope you enjoy it.
I definitely want to read this one here, I do love a good intense filled sci fi romance. Glad you had a good time with this one. I am very intrigued on this author’s writing.
I definitely want to read this one here, I do love a good intense filled sci fi romance. Glad you had a good time with this one. I am very intrigued on this author’s writing.
I have not read any of Dianne Duvall’s books but I am convinced that I would like her writing. This sounds fantastic so I will have to keep it in mind.
I’m so happy this departure from your genres of choice worked for you!
I’m not a sci fi lover unfortunatley. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’m not a sci fi lover unfortunatley. Glad you enjoyed it.
I love a good sci-fi so I am putting this on the list!
I don’t read much sci-fi either, but it seems like you found a good one! Hope this spin-off just keeps getting better and better 🙂
Nadene this is just the right read for me right now. I really need to go out of this world to escape this one. Thanks xo
I love this author and after that ending you need book two. ASAP!