Rating: 5 stars Uniquely satisfying, wish I had talked to the author at ConDFW, but his booth led me to buy the ebooks. I'll happily read them many more times in the future.
Rating: 4 stars The author knows his way around military action, and does so wonderfully with a female, alien protagonist. I liked it.
Rating: 4 Cups Mikial Haran is a Dathia Qurl. Born and bred to fight for her people, she sometimes wishes for a simpler life. Her warrior’s body places her solidly with the Datha, but a change is coming her way that neither she nor her Holding could ever anticipate. Her Holding being one of eight territories on the planet Dessa. Dalen Goss is a member of the Cothra Qurl. His talents lie in the construction of gliders, but like most Cothra his engineering skills encompass everything from weaponry to architecture. Mikial is a natural born warrior. However her head strong nature tends to lead her on a troubled path, no matter how hard she tries to fit into her community. She would love nothing more than to learn her dances, and be as free in nature as her best friend Paleen. She feels alive while dancing, and would rather be a skilled dancer than a warrior. However fate has a much different course for her to follow. Mikial and Dalen push the envelope of safety and freedom to launch an airship that has so far been banned by the Shandi. This ship gives Mikial the first indication of real trouble ahead. With her people on the cusp of a civil war, Mikial learns the true history of the Qurls. Everything she knows and everything she is comes into question as she fights for not only her life, but also the existence of her entire race. Life on a far distant planet is spectacularly displayed in this amazing story. The characters are brought to life in vivid detail. Mikial’s appearance as well as her thoughts and emotions are depicted in such a way that the reader instantly connects with her character. The cities, mountain ranges, and costal villages make a perfect backdrop for the diversity of life on the planet. I very much enjoy the depth of emotion and the quirky personalities that Mr. Tolan instills in his characters. I certainly feel this is a must read for any Sci-Fi fan!
Lototy - Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer, for Karen Find Out About New Books
Today I’m reviewing a Science Fiction novel by K.M. Tolan. The book is published by Champagne books, and it is one Sci-Fi read that fans of the genre won’t want to miss. Blade Dance is an action packed book that is a truly imaginative novel, and it doesn’t follow some of the nerve-grinding conventions of this type of book. One of my biggest pet peeves with science fiction is the fact that so many books follow the same story line as the last one you read. With Blade Dancer you move away from those boring conventions and you get a truly original story that will draw you in from page one on. The book tells the story of Mikial a female Datha warrior (and no I’m not going to explain the terminology - you’ll have to read it for yourself) who seems to always be struggling between what’s right, and what duty tells her she should be doing. Throughout the book you are taken with Mikial on a journey through war, to distant lands regularly untraveled by her people, and ultimately to success. I’m not going to share any more of the story line, but I will say this is one Sci-Fi eBook that should be in your library.
Rating: 5 Reviewer: Katherine Petersen
While her people considered their recent battle against a “servant race” victorious, Mikial felt she acquitted herself poorly. Her mentor died to save her, and she’d hid as the enemies withdrew. The fact that the servant race had far more powerful weapons than her people had ever seen didn’t console her. She saw a chance to salvage her self-esteem by piloting an air vehicle, created from forbidden technology, to determine if more enemies threatened their borders. Rather than receiving accolades for her initiative, Mikial is exiled to a far-flung outpost to serve as a scout. But Mikial continually struggles between what she believes is right and her dictated duty and strikes out on an adventure that will not only shatter many of her people’s teachings but also show her that there are many gray areas between black and white. She will make both unlikely friends and enemies, test long-standing friendships, find love and develop an inner strength that would never have been possible without her experiences. K.M. Tolan delivers a terrific fantasy tale in Blade Dancer. He has a keen talent for both world-building and complex character development, so readers often see multiple facets of situations. He touches on the broad themes of prejudice, change and the reasons for war. Will societies repeat actions of their predecessors or do something different based on past consequences? Blade Dancer is also a coming-of-age story as Mikial makes up her own mind, is rejected by many, experiences love for the first time and must discern whom she can trust. Tolan has written a complex plot rife with danger, violence, heartbreak and love. With vivid descriptions and a brilliant imagination, Tolan will mesmerize readers with this story and leave them begging for more. Luckily, more is on the way with Rogue Dancer due out soon.