Staying alive won't be hard. All she has to do is abandon the children. Crossing the Nullarbor desert, Jess McTiernan does not expect to become the unwilling guardian of a child Empress from a different world. Jess is leaving her old life, job and abusive husband behind when the Empress Vi and her murderous pre-teen soldier companion fall into her life. On their heels are General Utara and a squad of vicious soldiers, determined to bring home the Empress's head - with or without the rest of her attached - and ...
Read More
Staying alive won't be hard. All she has to do is abandon the children. Crossing the Nullarbor desert, Jess McTiernan does not expect to become the unwilling guardian of a child Empress from a different world. Jess is leaving her old life, job and abusive husband behind when the Empress Vi and her murderous pre-teen soldier companion fall into her life. On their heels are General Utara and a squad of vicious soldiers, determined to bring home the Empress's head - with or without the rest of her attached - and leave no witnesses behind. Fighting to stay one step ahead of Utara's forces, while avoiding both the police and a shadowy government agency with mysterious goals, they will find the greatest danger lies much closer at hand. The Crystal Crown is the first book in The War of the Exiles , a four-book modern-day sci-fi action adventure. Our world and theirs collide in this character-driven, fast-paced and thought-provoking high-concept novel. Discover the fate of The Crystal Crown today.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Crystal Crown: Large Print Edition to cart. $30.05, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Terra Scriptum Publishing.
Add this copy of The Crystal Crown: Large Print Edition to cart. $47.50, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Terra Scriptum Publishing.
Jess McTiernan embarks on a journey in the heart of Australia's Nullarbor desert, seeking freedom from her confining and turbulent past. However, her straightforward escape becomes entangled when she encounters Vi, a young empress from another realm, and her steadfast guardian, Aran. The pair is pursued by the relentless General Utara and her dedicated soldiers. As their stories intertwine, Jess faces a challenging decision: leave Vi to her perilous fate or stand as her unexpected guardian.
The Crystal Crown by Dan Payne blends science fiction elements with action-adventure, appealing to young adult readers. Notable inspirations from works like the Frank Herbert Dune series and The Hunger Games are evident, offering readers a rich tapestry of familiar yet fresh narrative elements.
Jess emerges as a formidable female lead, echoing the strength and resilience of characters like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. The novel adeptly explores themes of liberation and self-discovery, which are manifested in Jess's encounter with Vi and Aran. This meeting advances the story and prompts Jess's introspection into her true self.
While I enjoyed the story, I think it would make it more enjoyable if some of the action sequences flowed more naturally and if the dialogue was more consistently compelling. However, the bond that grows between Jess and Vi stands as a testament to Payne's storytelling prowess. Their relationship forms the novel's emotional core, making Jess's eventual choice both powerful and plausible.
The Crystal Crown is the first in this new captivating series by Dan Payne, blending action and adventure with Science Fiction. Given the strength of this narrative, it's exciting to anticipate further installments in this series from Payne.
