Beyond the Shadows Book Review *Jess Granger*

Cyn is the rebel leader, known better as Cobra, who longs to free the lower classes of his home planet of Azra from the ruling class run by a female dominated society. Cyn was raised on Earth after his mother escaped from Azra and will stop at nothing until the evil Grand Sister, who rules Azra with an iron fist, is stopped. His plan is to kidnap Commander Yara, the heir to the Azralen throne.

Yara needs passage on a ship back to Azra before her rival Palar tries to take over. Yara longs to bring peace and harmony to Azra and feels she can as the next Grand Sister. But she is stranded on a military base and has no one to turn to. Unfortunately the mysterious Cyrus Smith offers to take her home for the right price. Because Yara has run out of options, she and her scout, the feline Tuz will go with him.

Cyn enjoys pushed Yara's buttons by calling her pixie (because of her green colored hair) and keeping important facts about his past and who he is from her. Yara doesn't trust him as far as she can throw him, but she learns fairly quickly that this Earthlen male has her back when pirates attack them and she is taken hostage and to be sold as a sex slave. Cyn's feelings for Yara have grown into something deeper where he has to decide how honest he should be and convince her to join him and his people to stop a revolution that could kill many.

Beyond the Shadows (Realms Beyond #2) is perfect for those science fiction fans that enjoy intergalactic action and suspense with two warrior type characters. Even though Cyn is deceitful to Yara, right up to the moment where they act on their desire for one another, he knows he can't lose focus on his mission. Too many lives are at stake and that is where Yara is given a hard choice to make. Yara is one amazing heroine who doesn't back down from danger. But there was some confusion on my end in regards to Yara's important status. Because Yara is next in line to rule a planet, why would she be alone all and vulnerable, without any bodyguards, since she knows she has a rival who wants to get rid of her? The way Cyn was able to reach her and convince her to trust him is shaky even with the reasoning given.

Cyn and Yara are equals in almost every way from the way they fight to the way they love. There aren't many love scenes, but the tension and attraction between these two is definitely there. These are two characters you can get behind and root for. I continue to look forward to more future books from Jess Granger and found Beyond the Shadows to be an enjoyable read.

Final Grade: B

A few other Beyond the Shadows reviews:
All About Romance
Dear Author
Smexy Books