Born Of Silence
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Grand Central, May 1 2012, $24.99
ISBN: 9780446573313

Darling Cruel was heir to the Caronese Empire until his Uncle Arturo committed fratricide. Over the years since the assassination of his father, his uncle has brutally abused his nephew; he has accepted the torment and even pretended to be a homosexual to keep his mother Natale and his siblings (Drake and Lise) safe. Now twenty-eight years old, Darling is still considered a minor and under his uncle’s vicious thumb.

Ever since her family was murdered, resistance leader, Zarya Starska is obsessed with destroying the cruel family running the empire with iron fists who killed them. Zarya has allied with legendary masked Sentella warrior Kere. She is perhaps the only one to see the warrior unmasked. However, when the Resistance captures Darling, they treat him as inhuman as his uncle has. As his mind teeters on a breakdown, Darling vows vengeance against the Resistance and his uncle.

The latest Born of League outer space thriller (see Born of Night, Born of Shadows, Born of Fire and Born of Ice) is loaded with action, intrigue and romance. Darling is an intriguing protagonist who shows signs of insanity from the latest betrayal. Zarya is the only hope to bring him back from the brink, but she has issues too. The lead pair makes for an exciting emotional roller coast ride. No matter what Ms. Kenyon writes readers know it will be a winner.

Harriet Klausner