Rebel's Quest

by Gun Brooke

Book Overview

In a world torn by war, two women discover a love that defies boundaries, challenges allegiances, and that just might mean the survival - or destruction - of all they hold dear. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933110678
• ISBN13: 9781933110677
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

What a Find!

When I first picked this book up, I read the first few pages and almost put down. I was put off by the obvious Star Trekisms. However, I stuck with it, and I'm very glad I did. The reader can see the influence of Star Trek through out the book, but the author is talented enough so the reader soon forgets to notice them. Even if you're not a huge SciFi fan, you will find the characters engaging and well written. The plot is different than other SciFi efforts I've read and is so well, the book is hard to put down. One warning, however. Keep a box of Kleenex nearby as you near the 320 page mark. You'll need it. Over all, another excellent book from a very talented writer.

A good one!

This book is definitely one of the better lesbian sci fi stories available. It was fun to read and enough "sci" to be curious without getting bored from lengthy scientific descriptions. I personally love books were you'll be able to sense how much work the author put in the development of the characters and Gun Brooke did a very good job here. Beside that the plot is very well developed and open nearly till the end. While reading it I could not stop imagining a certain red haired captain and a certain blond Borg from a certain series; but that doesn't do anything bad to the story at all.

Action, Adventure, Science Fiction and Romance that you can't put down

This is a real page turner. At over 350 pages the story is fully satisfying. The action is non-stop and the characters wonderfully drawn. The main characters exude a warmth that I found utterly endearing and I didn't want the story to end. This is a perfect read for the beach, or on a long airplane trip or an evening at home. It is nominated for a Golden Crown Literary Award www.gclscon.com This from the publishers site - A space adventure filled with suspense and a daring intergalactic romance. When fired upon during a space journey, resolute Commodore Rae Jacelon of the Gamma VI space station apprehends a stunning, but decidedly lethal, Gantharian woman fleeing from her home planet together with an unusual young boy. Kellen O'Dal is prepared to cut any deal or commit any crime to carry out her duty and keep the child with her. Having lived for her career in the Supreme Constellation, a vast union of planets, Rae risks her future and offers Kellen a solution with unanticipated ramifications. High-stake power games among bitter planetary rivals further complicate the unexpected attraction that develops between the women. While the powerful Council debates how to take advantage of the politically explosive situation, Rae and Kellen embark on a dangerous mission to save the child, and ultimately, each other.

Just the right blend of science, adventure and romance

I have to say this was a great book. I was leery to start it because so far all of the lesbian Sci-fi/Fantasy I've read was either too unrealistic, or too much on the science and too little on the fantasy. Gun gave just enough description and information to create a good picture of how things worked. Anyone who enjoys reading Star Trek books and Star Wars books will enjoy this book very much. The book, is very character driven. All of the characters had a strong impact on me. There is the relationship; which is not the usual love/hate relationship, but more a matter of trust and priorities. And each woman is strong, talented and independent in their own right. Sometimes there are characters that pick up their suitcases and plant themselves inside your brain. But then there are those few characters that just pick up their suitcases and move inside your head. In this book, Kellen, Rae - and their whole family did that to me. The interaction between the characters is very real, and very complex as each character carries a good deal of personal baggage with them - both emotional and professional. Equally important is the very complex storyline, it isn't something you necessarily see coming. Yes, you figure out that there is obviously something about the boy - the reader learns things at the same time Rae learns them. And just just when you think all is well and it's safe...well...maybe not. While she didn't leave me hanging at the edge of suspense for the next book; (thankfully - because I really hate that) she did prepare a good set-up for the next book which left me hungry more. I look forward to the next book - I believe it's going to be a trilogy.

Winning Combination of Solid Characters and Brilliant Plot

Gun Brooke has done it again with only her second novel; Protector of the Realm hooked me at once with the riveting opening scenes of an intergalactic space fight where Commodore Rae Jacelon takes Kellen O'Dal prisoner. The action never ceases until the last pages are read. When Rae captures Kellen and holds her on her space station, she learns that Kellen is wanted on kidnapping charges. She has abducted Armeo M'Aido, a young boy, and future heir to the kingdom, supposedly in her care. Kellen's accuser Ambassador M'Ekar claims that Armeo is a relative through his deceased wife, and has been pursuing Kellen. The story doesn't ring true to Rae after she discovers that Kellen was seriously injured trying to escape from M'Ekar. With conflicting accounts from both parties, Rae Jacelon, with the help of her father, Admiral Jacelon, tries to get to the bottom of the truth, but there are forces working against her. To protect Kellen and Armeo from further injury or possible death, Rae is forced to marry her and remain that way for five years so she can become a Supreme Constellation citizen with rights. Neither woman is happy with that choice, but the young Armeo must be shielded from any potential harm. Gun Brooke has fashioned an enticing love story filled with electrifying conflicts to get this reader's heart racing. The action progresses from the rapid-fire battles, to a possible romance beginning with a forced marriage. While the author sets it up as a marriage of convenience, we are not fooled because the tension is present between Rae and Kellen instantly. Using the characters' thoughts, the reader is treated to a promise of eventual passion. But Protector of the Realm doesn't give away anything too early, keeping the reader completely engrossed throughout. Character development and the smooth interweaving of multiple plots are the book's strengths. Rae Jacelon is truly a heroic character. She is honorable and noble and chooses to protect Kellen and Armeo because it is right, never questioning whether she will put herself in danger by doing so. While Kellen doesn't trust Rae throughout most of the story because of her fear for Armeo's safety, Rae is above reproach, and the reader sees that immediately. Kellen and Rae's mutual distrust of each other, along with Rae's deep seated feeling of unworthiness, cause much angst for the two. Both are tortured by their developing feelings that they do not act on. It takes some time for the passion to ignite fully, but the doubts still linger. Brooke handles this well by giving the reader sweet release along the way, but drawing out all of Rae's and Kellen's issues and insecurities. Their pasts must be examined and revealed before they can hope for a future. We slowly and methodically find out the truth behind who Armeo, Kellen and M'Ekar are and how they are connected. The answers are complicated and show the strength of Brooke's storytelling abilities. She never takes the straight path and develops a