REVIEW: Regi’s Huuman (Gods of Misfortune #1) by Lyn Gala

SiriusB Reviews / B Reviews Category / Book Reviewsaliens / Gods of Misfortune / m/m / SFF / space opera5 Comments

Regi has settled into a comfortable life away from his home and family and gods. By choosing to leave the Empire, he chose to leave all those behind and live alone and godless. He still claimed to follow Poque, goddess of wanderers, but he doesn’t expect her to notice him as he serves on Coalition ships. However, when an improbable series of events strands his ship near a black hole with no engines, no communication, and a pirate ship in the area, he must wonder if the gods’ first blessing—misfortune—has found him. If so, he needs to find the second blessing that follows, or the entire crew will die.
Dante had a rather uncomfortable life until aliens kidnapped him, and then it turned downright miserable, but when a ship shows up claiming to be law-enforcement from the Coalition, he wonders if life might improve. The security chief is kind with an expressive face and velvety skin, not that he’s noticing any of that. It’s just that he’s been alone for a long time and having someone touch him with kindness is stirring feelings Dante hasn’t felt for a long time. However, he doesn’t have time for foolishness when they’re on a pirate ship and trying to escape certain death. Danger first, deciding how to ask an alien out on a date second.

Review:

Dear Lyn Gala,

I read and enjoyed a lot of your books by Lyn Gala, but I was happy to see the new one which looks like start of completely new series (as much as I loved several of your series, I did think that for me they all run their course). You can see from the blurb that this is a space opera. I would not call it a m/m romance, not even close yet, just the very beginning of the romance, or I should say a beginning of the friendship so far. Of course if the author is going to turn it into romance, I will not mind at all, but I liked it as is. You could see the affection forming between Dante and Regi very clearly already, in my opinion.

As I said so far, to me, it can just be called a space opera and perfectly stand on its own two feet. Regi is a security officer at the law enforcement ship of the Coalition of the planets. The team who serves on the ship consists of some delightful personalities, and while what we saw of them was fun, I think more layers could be peeled off if the author chooses to do sequels in this universe.

Regi’s ship finds the pirate ship and really they don’t have much choice but engage with the pirates. The team finds Dante on the ship, whom they initially mistake for a pirate and then realize that he was enslaved on the ship. As I mentioned before, Regi and Dante become friends and learn stuff about each other. I would love for them to learn more about each other in many ways. For example I always enjoy when this author plays with how characters from different worlds experience each other’s languages and this book was no exception. That’s just one thing of course; I thought in general they had a lovely chemistry.

Regi however has an important things to deal with which don’t necessarily involve Dante (or so he thinks). See Regi’s people are very religious (they have many fun gods and goddesses from what of their theologies author chose to share, who give some interesting blessings on their followers) and Reggie thinks that one specific goddess has some special favor for him. Regi wants to visit his home planet to confirm his suspicions. Problem is his people don’t particularly care for outsiders and Regi visiting on his ship with his crew can be a little dangerous.

“The gods had blessed them beyond reason. If Regi or the ship attracted many more blessings, they might as well open all the hatches and let the vacuum of space take them to save themselves further grief. “Given the look on your face, I’m assuming this is bad.””

I thought despite some real dangers for the characters this was a very kind and at times quite funny book. Closer to the end we get to observe both Regi and Dante interact with some very interesting hedgehogs ;-).

““Be careful,” Regi called out a warning. If the dop chose to fling quills, his warning would be useless, but he couldn’t stand still while Dante put himself at risk. Instead of reacting as a sane creature might, Dante gave Regi an almost amused expression. “Hedgehogs are about the sweetest creatures ever. If he wanted to do harm, he would have given warning chirps. They don’t like to throw those quills. Do you?” Dante asked the dop. Regi felt as if reality was cracking and he’d entered some dream where the laws of logic had been suspended. He looked around and found other Kowri with their mouths agape as they watched.”

I can’t wait for more adventures. B

AmazonBNKoboBook DepositoryGoogle

Sirius

Sirius started reading books when she was four and reading and discussing books is still her favorite hobby. One of her very favorite gay romances is Tamara Allen’s Whistling in the Dark. In fact, she loves every book written by Tamara Allen. Amongst her other favorite romance writers are Ginn Hale, Nicole Kimberling, Josephine Myles, Taylor V. Donovan and many others. Sirius’ other favorite genres are scifi, mystery and Russian classics. Sirius also loves travelling, watching movies and long slow walks.

→ Sirius