Scout’s Pride – Chorillan Cycle Book #2

During Kay’li’s missions on distant planets she learns who she is as she grows into her rank…

Kay’li’s peaceful childhood is interrupted when she becomes aware that her mother, Miranda is dying. She overhears her parents discussing the need for Ian, her father, to make a hasty departure from the Chorillan planet with Kay’li. Ian is a Scout and disliked by Miranda’s remaining family. Kay’li’s maternal grandmother has plans to separate Kay’li from her father as soon as possible.

Sadly, Kay’li knows that when they leave she will truly miss her only friend, Lucas Aidan. He had recently undergone a radical medical treatment to prevent a painful transition known as Phase, and it was Kay’li that helped to pull him through. The youngsters swear a blood oath of friendship on the day of her departure.

Ian and Kay’li soon meet up with the Esat’es’cai, a space vessel commandeered by extended family members. Kay’li greets her cousin Alexa, who is a Leaper, for the first time. When tests are performed on her, it is determined that Kay’li has both Leaper and Scout blood, but the Leaper is not strong so she will never be a Leaper Captain. Kay’li had always been enthralled by her father’s tales of his days as a Scout whilst she was growing up. Reality hits hard when Ian is sent to help save a New Rim Settlement from attack. Ian does not want to tell his little girl about the gory sights that he has seen on his mission and wonders why it was so glamorous in hindsight. When she sneaks off the space craft with Alexa and attempts to help in the adults’ mission, Kay’li proves that she has listened carefully to the advice given in her father’s stories and that she will one day become someone of merit.

Kay’li’s journey to find herself and her place in the universe is quite daunting. She must live up to the reputation of her father and expectations of her mixed blood. Time after time she proves that she is more than worthy of the respect shown to her. Her sense of duty and honor has been ingrained since childhood and she will never let her father down. Yet her thoughts always go back to Lucas and the need to return to Chorillan to solve the sufferings of Phase. Michelle L. Levigne has created an immense universe with unique concepts which require considerable explanations to understand. The main focus of the book is on Kay’li’s growth and drive, serving as a transition to link Azuli Eyes – Chorillan Cycle Book #1 with the expected third book in the Chorillan series. This story line has piqued my interest and I will be continuing to read more of the series as they are released.

Reviewed by: Naomi