Blackstar: <title>Blackstar: Future Knight

A little bit contemporary romance, a little bit time travel, a little bit fantasy, a little bit futurist equates with Cheyenne McCray’s totally hot Blackstar: Future Knight. This book has something for everyone all wrapped up in one spectacular package.

Beginning in a time way into the future after Earth has been destroyed following the Age of Sorcery, Adan Valnez is not only the leader of one of the clans who has found a new home on the planet Blackstar, he is also the knight who will lead his planet to a verdant new beginning. Blackstar is a planet of ice and snow. While the Sanor, its native inhabitants, live below the surface, the Earth survivors live above the surface. The powerful, dark-haired Adan is sent back through the time arch gifted to the former Earthlings by the Sanor leader, their Cwen. His mission, to retrieve a crystal that will restore Blackstar to a lush and thriving planet as well as a most “precious treasure.” As Adan crosses through time, back to the Earth of the present, he arrives in the home of blond haired Kara Marks.

Kara is a thoroughly modern Earth woman and a workaholic to boot. Growing up in an orphanage after being abandoned by her parents, Kara divides her time between visiting the local orphanage, hanging out with her two close friends Jan and Sheri, and her job. At first, she believes Adan is only a remembered image from her dreams. When he returns to her night after night she begins to realize he is no dream, he is a living, breathing and entirely compelling man. At first, Adan’s goal is only to retrieve the crystal, yet one night, as he prepares to cross back in time he realizes Kara is in danger. Indeed, as he arrives he sees Kara taken prisoner by warriors of the vengeful Ice Witch.

Initially Kara presents as a bit of a bubble headed Barbie. Through the story, as Kara learns of her origins and true place on Blackstar she develops into a person to be reckoned with. She seeks balance between the opposing forces on Blackstar and yet retains her caring, compassionate nature as she works with children of Blackstar. Kara’s growth and development to the story is well told through Ms. McCray’s writing.

So too does Adan grow within the story from a man who seeks only an object to finding and holding on to the woman he is destined to spend his life with.

The Ice Witch is an entirely intriguing personality. It would be delightful for a sequel to feature this wonderful character. Like all of the characters in Ms. McCray’s story, T’ni Leal, the Ice Witch is multi-layered and totally enjoyable to read about.

Additionally Ms. McCray creates an amazingly detailed and fascinating world on Blackstar. A planet of ice and snow, the images of white buildings, snow covered tress and iced ponds come vividly alive in the pages.

If there is one weak point in the story, it is the ending, which I found a bit unsatisfying. After an encompassing build up to the restoration of Blackstar to the verdant, lush planet it once was, it is unclear whether any part of the transition occurred. After wondering her whole life about why her parents abandoned her, Kara loses her mother before any of their issues can be resolved. However, I wondered if perhaps the Cwen was not her real mother but rather, T’ni Leal was. What an interesting twist that would present in a sequel!

Clearly, this reviewer looks forward to a sequel or even a series with these wonderful characters. From the Ice Witch, to whether the Cwen actually died, to Adan’s two friends. So many possibilities!

Something for everyone and then some, Blackstar: Future Knight is a do not miss.

Reviewed by: Regan