Shamara

Rating:
Summary: Best world building futuristic romance book
Review: "Shamara" is one of the few well written world building futuristic romance books. Of Spanglers first 4 books, "Shamara" is the best book in the series.

Some authors believe that to be a Futuristic, all you need are some lasers and space ships. That is not what a futuristic sci-fi world is all about.

In "Shamara", Spangler describes: Eirine's world on Travern, where the women are like slaves; the culture of the Leors; life of a prostitue in a Pleasure Dome; the genocide of Enhancers & Shielders; the mental powers of the Enhancers & Shielders; laranxs; smugglers; alien enemies & bounty hunters; the Shens on Aldon; and much more.

There was a discussion on the Paranormal Romance Lists that if you take out the sci-fi out of a futuristic romance, can the story work, or is it really just another romantic plot that could be placed in any time period. This is one book that is truly a futuristic, it would not be able to exist if there were not any sci-fi elements. Spangler surpasses herself by creating a richly detailed universe.

Not only was the sci-fi level in this book great, but as a romance, it had just the right touch of angst, love, and loyalty.

Jarek, is a sympathetic hero, and although he is not a complete Alpha male, he will take control and do anything in his desperation to save the extermination of his people. Eirene, the heroine, loves him for his sincerity and loyalty to his race.

Both H/H were very fleshed out 3 dimensional characters. The reader could understand both characters emotions and actions. A lot of romance books tell you about the Hero being arrogant, take charge, dominating, stubborn, and courageous. While the heroine, is always fighting off her emotions and being basically stubborn as well. In "Shamara" the actions and emotions are felt by the reader and not just told like the typical romance novel. We see Jarek's desperation for an Enhancer's help and why he's attracted to Eirene. We also see Eirene's desperation in hiding her powers, her fear of the powers, her fear of being found by the Leor who her uncle sold her to, and why she is attracted to Jarek who is completely different from any of the men from her home planet. You also feel her confusion and anger when she finds out that Jarek was involved in her father's death. Both the character's had a rhyme and reason, and all I can think of is "Finally!"

They both fight their attraction for another not just because the typical they don't want to get involved, but because they are determined to carry out their mission: Jarek in saving his people, and Eirene in becoming a healer.

I cried when Jarek hid Eirene and Rani then tried to suicide. It was a very enjoyable and well written book in both the futuristic and romance category. I would highly recommend this book. It is not necessary to read any of the other books in the series to read this one.

Rating:
Summary: Catherine Spangler does it again!
Review: Catherine Spangler is a genius! Her SHIELDER series is just brilliant! I looked for the first book of this marvelous series forever and finally Catherine sent it to me herself when she asked me to review SHADOWER, the second book of this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this whole series and SHAMARA is no exception.

SHAMARA is the story of Jarek san Ranul and Eirene Kane and what a story it is! This story takes us all over the galaxy and back again. Eirene is an Enhancer but she does everything in her power to try to hide the fact. Controllers have already wiped out the Enhancer population but a few still pop up every now and again. When Jarek suspects what Eirene is, he tries his best to get her to help but she's denied the fact that she is an Enhancer for so long she refuses and tells him he's mistaken. Unfortunately circumstances are working against Eirene and time is of the essence to Jarek. Jarek cannot let the Controllers wipe out any more Shielder colonies. It is just too heartbreaking to hear about another whole colony being decimated without one survivor. Pretty soon the Shielder population will be as non-existent as the Enhancer population. Can Jarek finally convince Eirene to help him and can they eventually admit their love for each other? What will Eirene do when she finds out that Jarek killed her father? How will Jarek tell her that her father was a traitor to the Shielder population and an evil man and that Jarek had to kill him so he wouldn't kill another Shielder.

This world that Catherine Spangler has created is as real to me as it can be. The characters are amazing and the fact that I can visit all of the beloved characters over again in each and every book is just a bonus in my opinion. Even though each story is a stand alone, the books are all that much better when they are read together! I eagerly look forward to Catherine Spangler's next book. Courtesy of The Best Reviews

Rating:
Summary: Sheilders, Shadowers, Enhancers, Oh MY!
Review: Catherine Spangler is a genius! Her SHIELDER series is just brilliant! I looked for the first book of this marvelous series forever and finally Catherine sent it to me herself when she asked me to review SHADOWER, the second book of this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this whole series and SHAMARA is no exception.

SHAMARA is the story of Jarek san Ranul and Eirene Kane and what a story it is! This story takes us all over the galaxy and back again. Eirene is an Enhancer but she does everything in her power to try to hide the fact. Controllers have already wiped out the Enhancer population but a few still pop up every now and again. When Jarek suspects what Eirene is, he tries his best to get her to help but she's denied the fact that she is an Enhancer for so long she refuses and tells him he's mistaken. Unfortunately circumstances are working against Eirene and time is of the essence to Jarek. Jarek cannot let the Controllers wipe out any more Shielder colonies. It is just too heartbreaking to hear about another whole colony being decimated without one survivor. Pretty soon the Shielder population will be as non-existent as the Enhancer population. Can Jarek finally convince Eirene to help him and can they eventually admit their love for each other? What will Eirene do when she finds out that Jarek killed her father? How will Jarek tell her that her father was a traitor to the Shielder population and an evil man and that Jarek had to kill him so he wouldn't kill another Shielder.

This world that Catherine Spangler has created is as real to me as it can be. The characters are amazing and the fact that I can visit all of the beloved characters over again in each and every book is just a bonus in my opinion. Even though each story is a stand alone, the books are all that much better when they are read together! I eagerly look forward to Catherine Spangler's next book. Courtesy of The Best Reviews

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous read...only better!
Review: I don't normally read futeristic romances, but I picked up Catherine Spangler's Shamara and found myself swept away! Jarek san Ranul is a larger than life hero on a mission to save his people. Eirene Kane has a big secret and is the key to Jerek's goal. You won't soon forget these two endearing characters--or their breathtaking story. Catherine Spangler knows how to spin a tale that captivates and entertains. I highly recommend this book and will definitely be looking for all the others in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating! and they keep getting better!!!
Review: I loved Catherine's first 2 books (Shadowder and Sheilder) and was looking forward to this one. I am so impressed, that as much as I loved the first 2, Shamara is even better! It was great to see Jarek get his own story, Eirene is a wonderful heroine and I loved the secondary characters, esp Lani! I am looking forward to more in this extraordinary series!!!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding -- Gone With the Wind in Space!
Review: I stumbled across Catherine Spangler's second book, SHADOWER, in a used book store. The gal who worked there highly recommended the book, so I gave it a try. WOW! After two days I was hunting for the first book, SHIELDER. Wow, again! Needless to say, I've been waiting for book three ever since.

In SHAMARA, Catherine Spangler has given us more. More romance. More action and adventure. More passion. More intriguing secondary characters. More glimpses into a fascinating world. And then she gives us some more. The spiritual messages and symbolism in this book are truly beautiful, providing an added level of depth to a spicy romance. SHAMARA is the kind of book that makes me say "ahh," when I finish the last page.

If you like your romance deep, complex, hot, funny, and smart, if you like your romance to lift you out of the drudgery of everyday life and take you into a fascinating world where anything ispossible, than SHAMARA is for you. Thanks, Ms. Spangler!

I sure hope there's MORE to come.

Rating:
Summary: More, more, more!
Review: I stumbled across Catherine Spangler's second book, SHADOWER, in a used book store. The gal who worked there highly recommended the book, so I gave it a try. WOW! After two days I was hunting for the first book, SHIELDER. Wow, again! Needless to say, I've been waiting for book three ever since.

In SHAMARA, Catherine Spangler has given us more. More romance. More action and adventure. More passion. More intriguing secondary characters. More glimpses into a fascinating world. And then she gives us some more. The spiritual messages and symbolism in this book are truly beautiful, providing an added level of depth to a spicy romance. SHAMARA is the kind of book that makes me say "ahh," when I finish the last page.

If you like your romance deep, complex, hot, funny, and smart, if you like your romance to lift you out of the drudgery of everyday life and take you into a fascinating world where anything ispossible, than SHAMARA is for you. Thanks, Ms. Spangler!

I sure hope there's MORE to come.

Rating:
Summary: What A Tiresome Twosome!
Review: If you've been reading the author's other Shielder stories, then you can safely give this one a pass-by. The only good thing about it is the small subplot where we find out how Lani and Gunnar of Leor met. For the rest, it's just a tiresome recital of Eirene running away from this person or that planet and/or running away from her past/present, and Jarek tracking her down for the greater good of the Shielder people. Eirene has all of the emotional range of a 13 year old (my apologies to any 13 year olds who are reading this), and Jarek is just so heroic that it's tiresome. Although there's a lot of "action", nothing really ever happens - just a lot of people traipsing back and forth around the same portion galaxy. And please, every humanoid species worships the same god (given that oh-so-original name, "Spirit")? Characters from other stories have bit-part roles, but the main characters are so stereotypically semi-tragic that they become annoying. As to their romance, it's another one of those stories where they go at each other like rabbits in heat but lack the ability to say "I love you" until the last page. By the end of the book, I didn't really care if Eirene lived or died. Don't waste your money on this one.

Rating:
Summary: What A Tiresome Twosome!
Review: If you've been reading the author's other Shielder stories, then you can safely give this one a pass-by. The only good thing about it is the small subplot where we find out how Lani and Gunnar of Leor met. For the rest, it's just a tiresome recital of Eirene running away from this person or that planet and/or running away from her past/present, and Jarek tracking her down for the greater good of the Shielder people. Eirene has all of the emotional range of a 13 year old (my apologies to any 13 year olds who are reading this), and Jarek is just so heroic that it's tiresome. Although there's a lot of "action", nothing really ever happens - just a lot of people traipsing back and forth around the same portion galaxy. And please, every humanoid species worships the same god (given that oh-so-original name, "Spirit")? Characters from other stories have bit-part roles, but the main characters are so stereotypically semi-tragic that they become annoying. As to their romance, it's another one of those stories where they go at each other like rabbits in heat but lack the ability to say "I love you" until the last page. By the end of the book, I didn't really care if Eirene lived or died. Don't waste your money on this one.

Rating:
Summary: Catherine Spangler does it again!
Review: In Shamara, Catherine Spangler takes her world of Controllers, Shadowers, and Shielders, and adds the very elusive Enhancers. This book was far better than I expected! I had thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series, and thought I knew what to expect when I bought this one. Catherine's style has hit its stride. In Shamara, she takes her craft to a whole new level. I can't wait to see what she does next!