The Barren

Kelderan Runic Warriors, Book 2

By: Jessie Donovan

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Jeremy York

Vala Yarlen is one of the Barren -- an infertile female ostracized from the rest of Kelderan society with others of her kind. So when she's given the opportunity to join the new colony on a human-occupied planet, she jumps at the chance for a new start. The only downside is that she has to serve General Thorin Jarrell for the duration of the journey. The cool, distant male goes out of his way to show his disdain of her. But for the chance at freedom, Vala endeavors to endure.

Thorin Jarrell is the general in command of the Kelderan colony transport ship. After years of concealing his true parentage and working his way through the ranks of the army, Thorin will do anything to make his mission a success. What he didn't count on was to find the female assigned to clean his quarters unconscious on the floor. The reason why throws his life into disarray.

Yet as Thorin tries to help Vala recover, the ship encounters trouble. Will they ever reach Jasvar alive? And if so, will Thorin and Vala find a way to be together despite the mountain of obstacles standing in their way?

©2017 Jessie Donovan (P)2017 Mythical Lake Press, LLC

Good series book 2!

This second audiobook in this new sci-fi romance series was a good story with god narration. The author is building an interesting new world with memorable characters and believable scenes. The hero in this story is a half-Kordolian hybrid (which would mean he would be ostracized if found out) who manages to become a general in the Kordolian military. He wants nothing to remind him of his rapist fathers background and is loyal to the Kordolian world he was raised in. The heroine is one of the Barren, women who are unable to have children, and is part of society that is looked down on by the average citizen. They are on their way to the colony planet of Jaspar, where she plans to live in more freedom, when she is overcome by one of his traits that come from his fathers heritage. Then he is bound to trying to hide that she was affected by him and convinces her that she has to help him. There is a lot of action, drama and some sex scenes that aren’t too graphic. The story resolution is a good one and I’m looking forward to listening to the next book in this series.

Keep this series coming!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Barren to be better than the print version?

Yes! Love having 2 narrators, one for the hero,and one for the heroine.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vala was a well rounded character. Enjoyed the perspective of one of the barren.

Have you listened to any of Emma Wilder and Jeremy York ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not heard these narrators before.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book!

Any additional comments?

Am listening to the third book. Keep them coming

Vala & Thorin

I loved this story so much! It was exactly what I needed/loved, and the male narrator was perfection! Vala was such a breeze of a main character and easy to go with the flow. Thorin, though, I disliked in the first book he grew on me. I go for the broody type too often, the ones with the brokenness within. Damn I got a type lol. I would definitely recommend especially with how the storyline picks up from here.

Another great book

I loved this book as much as the firSt please keep writing and making them into audio loved it

The Barren's new life

Listening to the audio of a book I couldn't wait to come out after reading the book. It was all I hoped and more! Thank you, Jessie Donovan, for this wonderful story of love for those who didn't think they could ever have it. I admit I wasn't so sympathetic to Thorin until I read his story. Can't tell you why you'll have to find out for yourself.

Vala is a Barren. Literally a labeled class of women who could not bear children, an imperative in their society. They were marked-yes, an actual tattoo on their forehead that identified them to all. No man would ever marry one of them. Vala had an invitation to a new society on a world who could give her chances she'd never have in her own world.

Thorin is the General in charge of the transport ship Vala is traveling to her new life. She is assigned to tend to his needs. Although some Barren did more than clean the room, Vala did not. The happening that brought the two together was pure genius. The author made the situation so strong. The choices were no choices at all. It forced them together. Enough said.

Learning about the man, having sexual feelings is new to Vala. Can she succumb? When trouble shows can he protect this woman who draws him? The danger is worse because he doesn't know the source.

The storyline is compelling. The characters captivating. The steam all-consuming. The secrets critical. Plan to sit back and enjoy listening start to finish. Putting it down is going to be as hard as solving their problems.

While addicted to the author's dragons, this series has my heart as well. I want these people living such constricted lives to find freedom and love. My message to Ms. Donovan, More, please.
The Narrators brought, even more, life to the characters and were all I could have hoped.

Love it

Love the story overall regarding Thorin and Vala. Though I just wonder how she and the other were rescued but other than that this book is very intriguing and keeps you wanting to know what what will happen next. The audio performance is okay but the majority it sounds like a robot is reading it. Anyways can’t wait to read the next installment.

Loved it!

I am a fan of the author and she does not disappoint. The plot was engaging and the narrator does a great job. I am looking forward to the next book.

love it.

I loved the book and also loves the audiobook. both actors did a great job!!

Slow and unemotional

I’ve read at least three other books with very similar plots: The heroine is some lower class servant or slave caught on a spaceship and held captive by a high ranking officer who has sex with her until they ultimately fall in love and live happily ever after.

The male narrator lacked emotion.

This doesn’t feel like a Jessie Donovan book. Her character and world building in her dragon books are fascinating and endearing. I do not see the same talent in this book. I will be returning it.