ASSASSIN (Outcasts #4) by Cyndi Friberg-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 4 2019

Torrin’s simple mission is seriously complicated when he finds Arrista, a lovely Sarronti female, in need of rescue. The Sarronti resent the Outcasts and continually sabotage their efforts to build a settlement on the primitive planet. But Arrista isn’t just any Sarronti. She’s the personal servant of one of the most powerful Sarronti. The information Arrista can provide would be vitally important to the Outcasts, so Torrin is ordered to use their mutual attraction to question her.

Arrista has been taught to fear and mistrust the savage Outcasts, so why does she find Torrin so fascinating, so desirable? It’s not just his muscular body and rugged features. He is kinder and more protective than any male she has ever known. She is drawn to him by a force so compelling it leaves her no choice but surrender. She wants him, needs him, but can she trust him not to break her heart?

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REVIEW: ASSASSIN is the fourth instalment in Cyndi Friberg’s adult OUTCAST sci-fi, fantasy, romance series. This is Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid assassin Torrin Havier, and Niffal Sarronti female Arrista’s story line. ASSASSIN can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order. The OUTCASTS series is a spin-off from the authors BATTLE BORN series. Arrista was first introduced in TRACKER book 3.

SOME BACKGROUND: The humanoid aliens known as Rodytes needed a home and settled on two uninhabited planets they would name Scarlett and Rhett. Without any available mates, the male only Rodytes sent teams of Outcasts to kidnap any and all human females in an attempt to repopulate and find mates for their struggling males but procreation came at a price including the need for genetically matched DNA, a mutual metamorphosis, and magical intervention. A test for compatibility is filed and there may be as many as five males matched to a single female DNA. Outcasts were battle born-their mothers were Bilarrian prisoners forced to breed, with their Rodyte captors, in the hopes of restoring magic to the Rodyte people.

Told from several third person perspectives including Torrin and Arrista ASSASSIN follows the building relationship between Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid Torrin Havier, and Niffal Sarronti female Arrista. Rescued from the Sarronti ‘underground’ alongside human female Heather (Tracker #3) Arrista believes she, along with Sarronti General Alonov’s son Farlo, are prisoners of the Rodyte Overlord Kage Razel but meeting Torrin Havier, an enhanced Ontarian/Bilarrian hybrid found our heroine hoping for something more. A palpable sexual attraction between our leading couple is met with reservation and worry when it is discovered that Arrista is not in control of all of her actions. What ensues is the building relationship between Arrista and Torrin, and the potential fall-out Farlo’s would-be rescuers have something else planned for our story line heroine.

Arrista is a Sarronti Niffal-the lowest class of citizens, considered slaves to the people in charge. Believing she is meant to serve and obey Arrista struggles with her place in Rodyte society including the freedom she is accorded by Torrin Havier, freedom she believes comes at a cost. Torrin knows that Arrista is his fated mate but convincing the Overlord is another matter. Genetic testing aside, Torrin and Arrista find themselves immediately attracted to one another but Torrin is willing to take it slow in the face of events in Arrista’s past. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and strong secondary and supporting characters including Arton and Lily (Heretic #1), Rex and Thea (Maurader #2), Xorran and Sara (Tracker #3), Torak, and Overlord Kage Razel; Arrista’s sister Merella, mistress Lady Isolaund, Farlo and General Alonov, as well as battle cat Certrice and her cubs Luppa and Wenny,

The world building continues to focus on the Rodytle’s struggle to find suitable and genetically matched mates, as well as the political structures of the Sarronti Underground, and the Rodyte Outcast civilizations where three thousand males and their potential mates live and work. The supernatural aspect of the character’s abilities, and the series premise is reminiscent of two of Christine Feehan’s paranormal romance offerings.

ASSASSIN is a story of struggle, discrimination, power and control. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are colorful and animated; the romance is passionate and fated. ASSASSIN is an impassioned look at fate and determination in desperate times.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of Book one-HERETIC

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy