Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza – [Review]

Book Information

Book Title: Empress of a Thousand Skies

Author: Rhoda Belleza

Summary:

“Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an wants vengeance.

The only surviving heir to an ancient Kalusian dynasty, Rhee has spent her life training to destroy the people who killed her family. Now, on the eve of her coronation, the time has finally come for Rhee to claim her throne – and her revenge.

Alyosha is a Wraetan who has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a DroneVision show. Despite his popularity, Aly struggles with anti-Wraetan prejudices and the pressure of being perfect in the public eye.

Their paths collide with one brutal act of violence: Rhee is attacked, barely escaping with her life. Aly is blamed for her presumed murder.

The princess and her accused killer are forced to go into hiding – even as a war between planets is waged in Rhee’s name. But soon, Rhee and Aly discover that the assassination attempt is just one part of a sinister plot. Bound together by an evil that only they can stop, the two fugitives must join forces to save the galaxy.”

According to GoodReads

Length: 314 pages

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Space Opera, Romance

Series: Empress of a Thousand Skies #1

Spice Level ( If applicable): 0 / 5 *

Overall Rating: 7.5 / 10

What’s the Buzz about this book?

The Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza follows two main characters, with multiple side characters. We follow Crown Princess Rhiannon “Rhee” and Refugee Wraetan and famous star, Aloysha “Ally” as they navigate the world. Alongside these two, we have a self-learning robot Pavel, Fellow co-star Vincent, and amnesiac Kara.

The world created is expansive with a printed map of the universe, and a list of major characters and planets for readers viewing pleasure. I was intrigued by the use of memory cubes attached to brains, a technology that removes the need to remember anything naturally. A challenging piece of technology that becomes an important piece to the plotline.

Rhee and Ally are challenged on multiple fronts. Rhee goes from Crown Princess to a fugitive from the law when a failed assassination attempt. As a character, Rhee makes choices that have impacts on the people around her, and she is blinded by her need to avenge the death of her family. I struggled to understand Rhee. She was a tad frustrating to me after her multiple hot-headed choices, but she is growing as those choices impact her. Ally goes from being a famous star to being a wanted fugitive. He is framed with the ‘murder’ of Rhee. He decides to try and clear his name and ends up learning more about the destruction of his planet, Wraeta, and meets the mysterious Kara.

There are lots of questions: what happened to the family of Rhee? What about the missing memories of Kara? What will happen to the universe, will there be war? Will Rhee end up being Queen? Will Rhee, Ally, and Kara be able to stop the science experiments?

I cannot wait to see when Rhee, Ally, and Kara go in the second book. I am excited to see if Rhee and Ally meet each other (as of this moment in the series, they have yet to meet each other?!) What will happen when Kara and Rhee meet? What about the science experiments that practically lobotomize people, how will that be stopped?

*How Spicy was the read?

Not really a spicy adventure with only a few kisses and yearning.

Favourite Quote(s):

” People always measured war in terms of the number dead. Maybe they should measure it in terms of the people left behind.”
Page 206

Spoilers Bee-ware!

You have been swarmed. Reading past this post means that you understand that you might spoil the book for yourself.

Stats + Facts:

The Book is divided into parts:

The Betrayed
The Marked
The Departed
The Avenged

Multiple Perspectives: Rhiannon has 14; Aloysha has 13; and Kara has 1.

1 kiss between Kara and Ally, on page 302

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