THE PROMISE OF KIERNA'RHOAN By Isabo Kelly LTD Books August 2001 (re-release) ISBN Disk: 1-55316-065-7 ISBN Rocket: 1-55316-932-8 {Click here to buy this book}

In her first book, "The Promise of Kierna'Rhoan", Isabo Kelly gives us a glimpse of her talents as a storyteller. This is a futuristic tale that is primarily located on the planet of Narava, a two-mooned planet colonized by descendants of Earth, but there's no mistaking that the ringed planet of Kierna'Rhoan will be the salvation of thousands of Shifters, if not millions. Kira Farseaker is the accused leader of a group of underground anti-government terrorists. Her ex-husband, Eain Ennoren, the Commander of an elite guard, is determined to see her behind bars, and under his complete control once more. He's motivated more by jealousy than a need to thwart her subversive actions. So when Guard David Cario is sent in on Ennoren's orders to gain Kira's trust the entire operation is put into jeopardy when Kira learns the truth behind her ex-husband's latest deception.

Kira Farseaker is the descendant of one of the first settlers of Narava, and not the first of a long string of women warriors in her family. So it's no wonder that she's put herself in the line of fire when she learns of her ex-husband's desire to see the entire population of Shifters, creatures with the ability to reshape themselves, dead. In a diary entry she asks herself, "Would I have the courage to fight for a belief? To defend with my very life an ideal? To kill for a cause?" When David Cario shows up in her life unexpectedly she must put those questions to the test. But as much of a threat that she thinks he is she can't stop herself from falling for his charms, his promising words and ultimately his heart.

David Cario fell for Kira Farseaker the moment he laid eyes on her at the Guard checkpoint. He had no idea that Commander Ennoren is her ex-husband until Kira herself spars with Ennoren and gets him angry enough to kill her. David admires Kira's bravado, knowing that it could get her killed, but also knowing that Ennoren would never hurt her because he still wants her. When Ennoren orders David to gain access to Kira's underground refuge, to gain Kira's trust long enough to locate where she's hiding the Shifters, David jumps at the chance. Little does Ennoren realize that David has other plans once there.

"The Promise of Kierna'Rhoan" is a fast paced, page turning story. Kira Farseaker is a strong and determined woman. Never once does she fail in anything she sets out to do. David Cario is a character that keeps the reader wondering exactly which direction his loyalties lay right up to the end. He's a likeable character even when you want to question his loyalty. Zep, the main Shifter in the story, was probably one of my favorite sub-characters. He's not only as strong-willed and determined as the woman who's put her life on the line to save him and his kind, he's also funny and charming. The one character I'd like to have gotten to know better was Commander Ennoren. Though his character is obviously the worst possible of villains, I'd like to have learned more about his life with Kira before their divorce and exactly what it is that drives his jealousy of her. His character is brilliantly told here, but I'd still liked to have seen Kelly delve just a little bit farther into this characters mind as he's a major player in this story.