In amongst all the Sandman reading, I also finished Heart Quest by Robin D. Owens.

This is book five in Owens’s popular Celta series about Heart Mates on a remote planet. I don’t usually like fantasy/sci-fi hybrids, but I enjoy Owens’s world, with its mix of technology and magic (aka flair). Also, she has talking animals. And who doesn’t love a good talking animal? :scooby:

This one is about Black Ilex Winterberry, the middle class guard who’s assigned to deal with the First Families (aka bigtime powers) of Celta. Winterberry knows that his destined Heart Mate is Trif Clover, who’s several years his junior. Through his flair, Winterberry has seen his own death, so he doesn’t want to get involved with Trif, since Heart Mates rarely live longer than a year after their spouse passes. But Trif is determined to find her Heart Mate no matter what. Add in some nasty murders, and you’ve got lots of conflict.

There was a lot to like about this book, especially the way Owens refers to characters in previous books, while introducing new, future couples. I also like her haughty cat characters, although they can be a bit grating after a while.

I liked Winterberry’s character a lot, but I didn’t really connect with Trif that much. I kept wanted to shake her and say “He’s right in front of you!” I wish Trif had been a little more mature and not so naive, but that was her character.

Still, thumbs up.

Up next: You guessed it. More Sandman.