Customer Reviews

The Skypirate (Dreamspun)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE SKYPIRATE by Justine Davis was a satisfying and enjoyable sci-fi romance! In fact, it ranks high on my list of all-time favorites.

Both the hero and heroine in SKYPIRATE were appealing and multi-dimensional. Dax the skypirate was sexy, brave, and goodhearted - while his guilt and fears made him human. The slave, Califa, was strong despite the trials she endured. Not only was she a sympathetic heroine, but she was also someone you could root for. Neither character left you with a sense that they were too good to be true. They each had their faults, and were likable because of it.

The storyline also kept my attention. Basically, Dax unintentionally saves Califa, his enemy, from a dastardly fate, and she helps him discover the fate of his people, who were almost completely annihilated by the evil Coalition. Califa finds herself falling in love with Dax. The problem is, she was once an esteemed Officer in the Coalition, which had destroyed his planet and enslaved his people.

I pretty much enjoyed everything about this story. It was touching and action-packed, as well as satisfying regarding both the love affair and overall conclusion. In fact, I don't have any criticisms. My only suggestion, however, is that you read its prequel, LORD OF THE STORM, first. Califa plays a pivotal role in LORD OF THE STORM, which is referred to often in THE SKYPIRATE. In addition, in LORD OF THE STORM, you get the opportunity to see the "old" Califa (uncaring Coalition officer) versus the "new" Califa (now an escaped slave and freedom fighter) featured in THE SKYPIRATE.

Since both books are out of print, you'll have to buy them used. Don't worry - they are worth the effort!

**For similar reads, look for the sci-fi romances WARRIOR'S WOMAN by Johanna Lindsey or SHIELDER by Catherine Spangler.**

There have been many versions of the classic R&J tale, such has West Side Story etc... But this has to be the greatest and most unique twist of all. Star crossed lovers, one, a hero of the dreaded coalition, the other, its greatest enemy. Usually I hate the combination of romance and sci-fi but to this day,the Skypirate remains my favourite romance novel. This book defies all the conventions of romance. The plot is unpredictable and you can put yourself in the place of califa and dax, you can feel the emotions they feel and this makes the storyline more personal. The use of description is amazing especially if you consider that none of the plot what so ever bares any resembelance to real life so she had no experience to add to this incredible and imaginative book. Califa is the new girl power for the future and Dax is the combination of womens fantasies.

This is the sequel to Lord of the Storm and I loved it. Since I read Lord of the Storm first I had high expectations for this second novel by Justine Davis and it didn't let me down. I was amazed at how the author was able to integrate the ideas of the first novel into this second one everything fit at it should and still we got a wonderful different story. Her style in writing was a little different in this one more like we see with most romances with both the hero and heroines point of view her first novel was concentrated more on the heroines point of view which was surprising but once you got into the story you got used to it. I like knowing what goes on in both the main characters head. Dax the hero is every girls dream but Califa the heroine definately deserved him. I liked very much that both had good stories to their backgrounds and that's what kept them apart other than the usual stupid childish stubborness some romances seem to give their characters to give the story action.
I highly recommend this two great sci fi romances and like another reader mentioned I would like to see a romance on Rina or a romance that finally puts an end to the evil Coalition.

I read scifi and fantasy romance novels all the time, and this is the best one I've ever read. Dax is the kind of hero I wish showed up more often in fiction. In some ways, he reminded me of Roland in Patricia Veryan's _The Dedicated Villain_. There are good scifi romances out there, but this one is truly a cut above the rest.

This book is a true sequel to The Lord of the Storm. It fleshes out the original story, and adds depth to a very interesting set of characters. It is a must read for lovers of The Lord of the Storm as it features a controntation between Califa and Shaylah over the key incident in both their pasts.

That key incident involves a moment when Califa could have turned in Shaylah's name to the Coalition - sort of a Rome-in-space entity that they both were high level officials in. Shaylah was escaping with the slave, Wolf, and should they both have been caught, the story would have been over. In Lord of the Storm, Shaylah worried inordinately about whether Califa would be the one that the Coalition turned to when they were found missing.

Well, it turns out the Coalition did turn to Califa, but she did not betray her one and only friend. Only the Coalition demanded an exchange, a collar for a collar. So proud, slave-owning, slave-punishing, Captain Califa Claxton found the tables turned, and she now a gold-collared slave of the Coalition. What a price to pay for friendship.

When The Skypirate opens, Califa is already a broken women (almost). She is captured/kidnapped by The Skypirate, who is devastated to learn who she truly is, and her role in the mutual past of all denizens of Trios - a planet ripped assunder by the Coalition. But he has a secret of his own that burns through his soul. Thus the two main characters set out on a healing journey. Califa must learn to be a friend, to find a soul within, and to trust/love another individual besides herself. She has to internalize and realize the evil that the Coalition perpetrated, that she was key in moving forward. Becoming a slave was only the first step on that 12-step program (so to speak).

Whereas Lord of the Storm was very sexual, and Shaylah had a sexual journey, The Skypirate is very emotional. Both Califa and Dax have emotional scars to heal. Since it involves so much of the circumstances that plotted Lord of the STorm, this book is a very satisfying read. My only complaint is that I found it too much to believe that the Triotians would ever put Dax on trial, given how few in number they are after the Coalition destroyed their planet.

What a great way to spend an evening! Dax and Califa are electric, the supporting cast is memorable, and Ms. Davis creates a universe that stands on its own. Brava! I just hope I can get my hands on a copy of Lord of the Storm...and I can't wait for her next foray into scifi/romance. Keep it up!

The tragic hero was one of the best character portrayals I've read, and I am very picky about these things. I hope Justine Davis continues with this group of characters and builds on them. The futuristic setting is intriguing, and her character development is first rate

I admit I was disappointed at first, as I was expecting a storyline more like its prequel, Lord of the Storm, which dealt more on the slave collar. This story, while still touching on the battle between the Coalition and Triotans, focuses more on adventure and action. The collar controller was not even used once in the entire story!

After the first few chapters, I was able to appreciate the book. In its own way, the story is a good and enjoyable read. I especially love the last few chapters. I think that the ending came too soon, and I still haven't gotten enough of it! I hope that Ms. Davis would write a story on Rina!

For those who will be reading this book, I suggest that you read first its prequel 'cause The Skypirate already provided a gist of what happened in Lord of the Storm. Reading the prequel first would also make the reader relate to The Skypirate fully.

This book was great, I loved it. It took me about a day to read it, but it was well worth every hour. This book was touching and it stole my heart. I got in to every role, the people in this book were extremely passionate about what they did.

This one I couldn't stop reading till the ending. Then I realized it was 3:30 am. In the spirit of "The Star Wars", it's a fascinating story of a daring and tormented rebel and a woman warrior who has switched sides, only to be scorned by those she now calls her alleys, set in "a galaxy far away". Fantasy romance rather than Sci-Fi. The characters may not be garden-verity, but the questions that torment them are universal.