Description
Enemies, marooned together in an inhospitable world must learn to navigate divergent backgrounds, philosophical leanings, and cultural experiences to survive.
Kyran Loyal is the last heir to the lost throne of a forgotten planet, the figurehead of a nomadic people fleeing the galactic tyranny of a brutal regime. Davia Sifane is the unrecognized daughter of an imperial despot. When happenstance pits them against each other in battle, neither expects the outcome: they are the only two people to survive. Marooned on a barren moon, their only hope of survival is to rely on each other, but what they learn will either kill them or change the galaxy forever.
“Virginia Black’s gripping tale of two women from enemy cultures forced into a fragile truce on an inhospitable moon explores not only the outer limits of galactic imperialism but the inner reserves of the mind and spirit. Set against a well-crafted backdrop of brutal political and colonial machinations, Black shows us the possibilities that can take root and flourish in treacherous ground, and the impact that individuals can have on the course of empire. No Shelter But the Stars is a story that will resonate long after the final page is turned.” —Andi Marquette, author of The Far Seek Chronicles
“The stakes couldn’t be higher in this vivid, gripping tale of survival featuring two powerful women, implacable enemies, marooned in a lethal environment with the fate of worlds hanging in the balance. What a story!” —Katherine V. Forrest, trailblazing author of Daughters of a Coral Dawn and Curious Wine
For more information, please visit Virginia online at www.virginiablackwrites.com or Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kelly Aten-Keilen –
5.0 – Exceeded my already high expectations (a rare pure 5 for me)
Admittedly, I’ve been waiting for this novel to come out since I read the original inkling of a story way back when. It was good then, but Black managed to give me even more by expanding this tale and making it truly unique. It’s not a short book but I did read it in one day, that should say something.
I enjoyed watching the development of the main characters as much as I liked seeing each of their histories leading to the moment, they found themselves stranded on an inhospitable rock. The tension was believable, emotion heartfelt, and the angst – oh so real. Without those glimpses of each history, it would have been easy to only root for the righteous and oppressed, Kyran alone, and hate her sworn enemy.
But you could see the tenderness and regard for life that Daria carried with her. If she was guilty of anything, it was in her own self-serving naivety that allowed her to live her life with no regard to what may be behind her family’s power. Sometimes it takes a connection of the heart to pull a reluctant hero from the ashes and that’s exactly what happened to Daria.
The detail involved with Daria’s spiritual and martial knowledge, as well as the overall world Black paints, means this novel has become one of those pure space sci-fi stories that I know I’ll treasure. It may even get a re-read at some point down the road.
Robin Rueger (verified owner) –
This book is so wonderful. The setting took me back to some of my favorite original Star Trek episodes. However, the enemies to lovers theme was unparalleled in its ingenuity- it felt so genuine and realistic. While I was expecting the two MCs to fall in love, I really had no idea how that would happen. It was a true adventure that I got to take with them.
I highly recommend this book.