A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Vee
Life is strange and there are simply some stories out there that need a recommendation before the synopsis. SHE Of The Forbidden Zone is one of them. This sci-fi, chicklit-ish yarn is a creative, hilarious romp where women rule supreme. Full of puns, colorful characters, funny situations and references to pop culture, SHE Of The Forbidden Zone is a delightful read.
It's one of those off-the-wall books that will likely have avid fans but also those who don't "get it."
SHE is a High Priestess who yearns to travel the stars. Unfortunately, SHE has duties at home; one of which is to have a child. If she doesn't get pregnant she must hand over her responsibilities to her war-mongering sister.
Sure, no problem, if only she could mate before fanging her suitor to death. It's not like she wants to kill the guys, it's just her spidery beast side coming out.
Enter Arkos. The best of the best he's been groomed for life to woo and mate with a high priestess. The mating isn't the hard part, he's a natural at that, it's the getting past the fangs that has proven difficult especially with SHE.
Meanwhile, her sister, Vashti, who dreams of taking SHE's place as High Priestess, is hoping for another fanging which would officially end SHE's reign.
With plotters plotting and SHE and Arkos both reluctant yet dutiful, the story spirals headlong through space delivering one entertaining scene after the next.
May 12, 2009 |
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for SHE of the Forbidden Zone
In a universe controlled by women, the GRAND FAHD reigns supreme over her HIGH PRIESTESSES, whose bellies display the red hourglass of the black widow spider. Each High Priestess reigns over her clan for a specified period during which time they mate within a cycle to produce a child - for what woman can be the mother to her clan if she is not a mother to a child. Fahdian women can only conceive if they take a capsule of Essence, which simultaneously seduces their partner. Once they conceive, they can remain a High Priestess, but if they remain virgins or fail to conceive, they are removed from their obligations to the Sisterhood & another takes their place. Males are groomed as studs & bring a dowry. Only the most skilled & wise can evade the fangs of a High Priestess & live on as her beloved Consort - even then more protection is desirable.
SHE, the Grand Fahd’s right hand High Priestess, is a virgin at the end of her reigning cycle. She has promised her younger sister, VASHTI, the next mating choice, but the Grand Fahd forbids it, planning to mate her own son, cocky ARKOS, whose sperm only produces highly prized females, to She. But Arkos is injured & instead She will mate with JOX. Fortunately the mating goes awry. Cat burglar NIRVANA, hired by Vashti who can succeed She as High Priestess only if She remains barren, steals Jox’s dowry of diamonds. Vashti is secretly in league with other High Priestesses who need her deciding vote for war against the CONFEDERATION OF QUEENS. The Grand Fahd learns of the scheme & prefers subterfuge to confrontation, especially when Nirvana ultimately answers to the Grand Fahd. She’s passion turns to rage when Jox deflects her question about the dowry. Jox is fanged & dies. She looks forward to the next phase of her life: retirement as a High Priestess, able to explore the galaxy & no longer answer to the Grand Fahd, though she wonders about the missed sexual delights. The Grand Fahd has other plans & encourages the recovered Arkos to explore the Forbidden Zone, where he can choose to mate with a High Priestess, if pursued. Arkos is confident that he will not be fanged; he has his FATHER’S Anti-Essence & his father still lives!
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