TRUE BLOOD

Author: Patricia Waddell ISBN: 0765354640 9/2006 FUTURISTIC Publisher: TOR

She's a diplomat… Danna MacFadyen of the League of Planets is assigned to investigate the explosion of a space freighter. She must use her psychometric skills to determine whether this was an accident or terrorism -- but for Danna, the hardest part of this assignment is working with Korcian Enforcer Cullon Gavriel. He's a warrior… Fighting isn't just in a Korcian's blood -- it's in his very soul. Cullon Gavriel already knows the freighter explosion was terrorism -- targeted at the Korcian prince traveling incognito aboard the ship. Cullon's single goal: to discover who is killing Korcian True Bloods. He never expects to become enchanted with a beautiful Terran female who has the ability to step into the past. As the pieces of an explosive puzzle fall into place... Danna and Cullon realize they have uncovered a conspiracy that stretches across the galaxy. The trail leads to the capitol city of the Korcian Empire, where shocking secrets lie hidden-- and where the lines between politics and love cross unexpectedly.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Frankly, I am uninspired by TRUE BLOOD. Not that it is bad; it just doesn't provoke emotion in me, whatsoever. It's like being forced to read a book in school that you could care less about, but don't hate either. I quite simply could take it or leave it.

It is not exciting or gripping, yet it's not completely yawnsville either. The characters are not engaging or multi-faceted, but, thank goodness they aren't stupid or given meager dialogue. As for the plot, well, that too is just okay. Not a thrill a minute, but at least since it's futuristic I can pronounce some of the words.

TRUE BLOOD is one of the books that I term "good for killing time." For what it's worth, I have read much better futuristic romance books, but I have also read much worse. It just doesn't inspire a gushy love review, nor does it force me into a rant about how awful it is. Take that for what it's worth, I guess.

Shannon Johnson