Beyond the Rain

Cultures collide in Granger's debut, an uneven space opera romance. Azralen soldier Cyani's final mission is derailed when she rescues Soren, a Byralen slave whose potent sex hormones have been used by the evil Garulen to create narcotics. Abandoned behind enemy lines, the pair must get Soren home to find the mate he needs to survive. Cyani's plan to help her family and achieve political power through military service is undermined first by her budding romance with Soren and then by her brother's machinations, which completely derail the plot in a rather bewildering fashion. Supposedly empowered Cyani never seems in control of her life, and nurturing hero Soren ends up rather bland, but the intriguing setting and some strong scenes of culture clash may draw readers back for a sequel. (Aug.)