Click here to buy this book! Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Download from Smashwords (eBook) Amazon Lulu Category:  Fantasy Publisher: TC Southwell Type: Fiction Pages: 130 Copyright: Dec 17, 2010 A backwater planet’s Queen & a broken, deadly cyborg pitted against tyrant kings. When Queen Tassin is forced to flee her kingdom on the backwater planet of Omega V, she has no idea that the strange warrior who helps her is a cyborg; the deadliest hi-tech killing machine ever created. Her world has forgotten the technology that almost destroyed it, but then a freak accident damages the micro-supercomputer that controls Sabre, and he is free to take charge of his destiny… Excerpt “More monsters have come from the Death Zone, Sire.” King Litham Alrade looked up at his trusted advisor. Lines of weariness mapped his parchment-pale skin, and steel-grey brows drew together above dark blue eyes that had lost their lustre. Shadows of pain lurked in their depths, reflecting that which gnawed at his innards and loosened his hold on life. The doctors had withdrawn from the sickbed and stood in affronted unwillingness to admit their failure. Indigo velvet curtains covered the windows and kept the wood-panelled bedchamber gloomy, adding to the sense of doom. Smoking braziers burnt incense, thickening the air with cloying scent. Bottles, vials and pots cluttered the bedside table, testament to the doctors’ futile ministrations. King Litham’s swift illness had taken everyone by surprise, wasted the flesh from his powerful frame at an alarming speed and robbed him of his strength. The King’s eyes wandered over his long-time friend’s face, as if seeking an answer in his elderly features. Despair flared in his eyes. “What can I do about it now, Pervor? All that I can, I have done. Did you meet the wizard?” Pervor nodded. “He agreed to help. He told me that he would send a tool, some sort of magical device, and it will appear in our dungeons when it is ready. Do you truly trust this man, Sire? You leave the fate of your kingdom and your daughter in his hands.” Litham sighed. “What choice do I have? The gods have decided to take me from this mortal plane, and none can gainsay them. Certainly not that brood of incompetents that lurk in the shadows. I only wish I could stay to see it through. Tassin does not deserve this burden on her reign, she is too young.” Anger brought blood to stain the old King’s cheeks for a moment before it drained away again. His wheezing broke the hush. “Tassin is strong,” Pervor said. “She comes from a long line of warrior kings and queens. She will win.” Litham shook his head and closed his eyes. “She is frailer than you think. Her mother was as fragile as a flower, and as easily crushed. Why do you think she died after birthing Tassin, who was such a small baby? Tassin tries to be a warrior princess, but she is too small, like her mother, her blows too puny. Mandon, bless him, makes her feel good when she does her sword training, but he tells me that she can hardly cleave a butterfly in half.” “But she has your blood in her too, My King. She will be strong when she has to.” “She will try. I pray that she does not kill herself in the process. Pervor, swear to me.” The advisor fell to one knee. “Anything, Sire, just name it.” “Protect her, and if you cannot, since you are old, find a mighty warrior who will. One who will stand beside her and kill her enemies when she cannot. She will have troubles aplenty, and not merely the monsters from the Death Zone that ravage our land. The kings will fight for her hand, and none are good. Find someone. Be he mage or warrior, prince or miracle worker. She will need him. Swear this to me.” Pervor bowed his head. “I swear, My King, upon my life and the lives of my children, to do my utmost.” “Tell her of the weapon as soon as she is Queen. Help her to use it, and defeat the Death Zone. I leave her in your care.” Pervor nodded, frowning as the King’s breath rattled, and one of the healers who hovered nearby stepped closer to bend over him. “Send for the Princess,” the doctor said. The advisor retreated into the shadows as a manservant ran out. The King lay shrunken and pale on the huge bed, the doctors gathered around him like vultures about a corpse. * * *

Couldn't put it down!
The Cyber Chronicles is filled with dry humour that lightens the dire situation Queen Tassin finds herself in. At the start of the book, she's a spoilt cow who expects to get her way at all times (as all rulers do), yet I found myself liking her as the story progressed, despite not wanting to. Sabre is the perfect companion for Queen Tassin, since he takes no nonsense and refuses to give in to any of her demands if he thinks it will cause harm to her. He's a cyber warrior, after all, whose sole purpose is to protect Tassin.

An enjoyable read that I couldn't put down, as with all this author's books. I recommend this to anyone who can read, even if fantasy isn't one of your favourite genres - this is the author who first hooked me on fantasy, and now I know what I was missing out on all those years and kicking myself.