Karn’al: Jed’s Revenge

Erin and Kate traveled to their mother’s barbaric home world to try and honor her last wish. When they are caught and told that if either of them are virgins they will be sold to a sadistic slaver, Kate has to do the unthinkable; rid herself of her virginity with a stranger. She is taken to a cell and told to use the prisoner inside and do whatever is needed to get rid of her virginity.

Jed has been taken by the brutal Pagan’s and beaten mercilessly. When the soft voice of a woman sounds through his cell he knows that it’s just one more trick by the Pagans to try and break him. He refuses to respond to her caresses, but in the end has no choice. He will never forget the woman who took what she needed from him and left him tied spread eagled to a table.

Six years later and Jed has escaped and finally healed. Kate has not been able to have a meaningful relationship and is on her way to a cruise in hopes of changing her life. Jed has spent the time wreaking vengeance on the Pagans. Now that he’s become a bogeyman to the Pagans, he’s decided to take revenge on the woman who took what wasn’t hers. He’s found her on Earth and will take his vengeance upon her, no matter how he feels.

Not only is Karn’al: Jed’s Revenge a great book in itself, but it is also a wonderful setup for a fascinating series. The Pagans are an abominable race and make great villains. The idea of cybernetically enhanced men is intriguing. Beverly Havlir does a wonderful job of making you understand the pain that Jed went through and has to get over in order to go on with his life. There were times I wanted to slap him, but I still enjoyed him. Kate is a strong woman who did what she needed to in order to survive. Not only that, but she’s compassionate enough to understand that she hurt him and that she does owe him; perhaps not what he demands, but something. As a whole I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books set in this universe and time.

Reviewed by: Serena