Excellent SF read - has a nice balance between the action and relationship subplots and characters you would like to know. I loved the first book and this one equaled and even surpassed it. Cyn [the hero] is frighteningly intelligent and powerful but still vulnerable. Yara [the heroine] has been brainwashed into the elitist policies - women, especially Elite women, rule by the right of superiority.

Cyn has been fomenting a revolution to bring justice and equity to the planet. Pretending to be from Earth, Cyn intercepts Yara before she can return to take her place as the most likely heir to the Grand Sister [ruler]. Over time the adventures they share bring them steadily closer, and Yara begins to recognize injustice and Cyn begins to hope she'll forgive his deceptions...

I really enjoyed both books - there is a setup for a third book so I'm hoping there will be more. Order is not hugely important but reading Rain first will make a few points clear that would be fairly murky without it.

Beyond the Rain (2009)
Beyond the Shadows (2010)

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Good book but felt a bit rushed. I liked the characters and felt we could have gotten to know them better. It feels like there was another story coming with Xan but couldnt find more. Still, an enjoyable read and glad we could see more of Cyn.

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Futuristic romance by Jess Granger, and sequel to Beyond the Rain. I am only halfway through the book. Yara is from the female dominant planet of Azra, and in line for the throne. She is also an officer in the military. Cyn, is also from Azra, but masquerading as Human. His goal is to cause civil war on Azra and break the Female Dominant ways. Yara thinks Cyn is a Human cargo hauler giving her a ride home. She gets kidnapped, and sold to Slavers. There are parts of the book that I feel to not come together, and I find offensive. As Cyn barters with a flesh trader, in an effort to rescue Yara he thinks, " She was too beautiful to suffer this way." What??? If she were plain or unattractive, it would be OK?? I think the author has lost me here. Second, if Yara is such a strong female, trained fighter and warrior, why does she fall apart emotionally when faced with adversity? Where is the anger,the strenght of will to save herself? I'm sorry to say, I'm not impressed thusfar. Beyond the Rain was better.

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