This book totally ROCKS!!
You Are Mine
by Janeal Falor
My thoughts:
Go get this book already, for cryin' out loud. I mean, if you like tension and romance and think the human race is made up of equals... you're going to love this!!
The author takes the idea of slavery and creates this world where men who can wield magic are the only who's who worth giving orders. There's a complicated hierarchy and without ever saying "my land, your land" the impression of the way things are here vs. there is so profound, it's like a punch in the gut.
Like... in Serena's world, women are supposed to be punished regularly. It's not in the law, per se, but that's how things are done. I love the way "normal" is re-created into something haunting and horrible and so lifelike it made me feel sick to my stomach. :-) Amazing!
This is enhanced when the barbarians enter the scene. They actually value every person's life. Like, the women, the marked slaves, even the men with no magic!! *gasp* Well, there weren't any men with no magic skills, but I can imagine they'd be rescued by this thoughtful, kind, slightly-confused and a bit over-his-head, gun-slinging, hot barbarian.
:-D
I have a sneaky suspicion that this author also wanted to highlight a new magical clothing line that seriously makes me want to wear stuff from the past century.
Want some gritty details? The romance hovers around YA with interesting exceptions. There's torture and harassment and general very bad manners which I would consider older YA
Best part? I couldn't put this book down!!! :-)
4.95 Stars: 5 for speed, 5 for tension, 5 for delivery. My only very minor complaint was that the author has such a beautiful grip on slavery, but freedom is a bit lack-luster in comparison. Similarly, the evil guys are so vibrant, I'm still scared of them days later. Lol. But the good guy... well, it's a good thing he had Serena. I loved seeing his weaknesses, those (to be consistent) are quite vibrant, but it's his strengths that are a little wussy. Hey, it's true.
Here's the scoop on the book:
You Are Mineby Janeal Falor
Paperback, 370 pages
Published May 6th 2013 by Chardonian Press
Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.
Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.
