Hand of Raziel (Daughter of Mars #1)

The Hand of Raziel (book one in a series) is set on Mars in the future. Two large Earth governments are controlling Mars. In addition there is a movement to try and liberate Mars from the control of these outsiders. The movement is the Mars Liberation Front or the MLF. Risa (Black) is the central figure in this story and she is working for the MLF. While basically human she has had a lot of cybernetics/ devices incorporated into her "being". This gives her a large number of extra powers/abilities which give her the edge on those who would like to end her missions. She has an additional advantage - an angel, Raziel - talks to her and helps her.
I actually find this book quite hard to review in some ways. There is plenty going for it in a positive sense. Risa is a good enough character. The story is action packed and entertaining with quite a degree of humour at times. The writing is vivid enough to make you feel as though you are there in many of the scenes. It is frequently tense and fast paced. While working for Martian liberation Risa is on her own quest into her past at the same time and this adds a very good dimension to the story for me.
I'm still not quite sure why I was not completely "sold" on this book. I did find the story rather slow to get going and while Risa is well fleshed out some of the other characters seem less so. I'm left with the feeling that otherwise it is the multi genre nature of this that is not grabbing me. It is sci-fi - fine, it has fantasy in it - fine, however it is also billed as romance and maybe the three genres just don't quite do it for me. It is an entertaining book which I enjoyed reading in the main, the author is obviously good and many folk will love it I'm sure

Nore - Amazon review is posted, just not showing yet!

Angel of Vengeance meets Savior of the world in this Dystopian story set in the red dirt of Mars. Risa is an orphan whose father's life was taken by horrible means. Now without feeling and a heart of stone, she choses to go through life emotionless. That is until the angel Raziel begins to show up. Of course, she is the only one who can see him and this angel has a plan for her. To overthrow the ones ruling Mars and to set her people free... at least that's what she is hoping he wants.

A rather different type of story, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Risa is tough as nails and someone I could see myself liking. Much like Katniss from Hunger Games, she cares more than she lets on. The description of Mars works well as does the author explanation as to why they can live there. Much enjoyed!!

This was a slow starter but it did pull me in.
The characters were complex and the heroine was brilliant with all her faults.
Really enjoyed this and could not put it down.