In The Legacy of Thrax, Nicolette Adelar and Samuel VonTesmar learn that curiosity can devastate a loving friendship. For a moment I got caught up in the blackness and spinning of Nicolette. This was certainly a whirlwind of a story. Perhaps trusting a hypnotic voice is not always as it appears.

In Black Thirteen, Alena Varian discovers that pride and the need for willpower costs more than they are worth. This read, with the gambling and the roulette betting, in a way reminded me of selling one's soul to the devil. Black Thirteen is a most interesting read.

A Rock and A Hard Place, Dar Nelek's distaste at his boss', Siran's greed and conceited ego modifies his future. Whew, all the way to the grinding of the teeth, the chilly fingers and the icy smile, I could feel the intensity as Dar cast his boss those seventeen stories. This was a chiller. In Domination and The Bar, Alexandra T'Kayn as a treasure hunter and adventurer, realizes that desire and fondness does not esteem bureaucratic truths. Sometimes when death is so close to a person, the prickles of hair can be felt on the back of the neck. Luckily, Alexandra has someone watching over her. The Bar: Just a pinch of heat seasons in this story making the reader want to know more, while still showing that the woman is far from being a weaker sex.

In Incident at Aquila, Teren'tei ships clutch a madman's dementia and callous neglect at an outrageous personal expense. When a battle breaks lose, one man refuses to surrender to a lunatic, even after numerous casualties fall left and right. And with the final countdown before self-destruction, with 8 minutes down to 2 minutes before a maniac destroys everything, can anyone survive? Hurry Scotty; beam me aboard another ship. Where are the survivors? This is a spellbinding read.

In Tempus Fugit, a past comrade of Alexandra discloses his gluttonous hunger for power.

Intense heat, spinning action and a feisty woman make this one excellent read. One should never underestimate the power of a woman.

The Appointment and Sparring has Gaston Von Tesmar making a path amid impertinence and integrity with the Director. Sometimes things are best left untouched. Then there are other times that people will not leave well enough alone and will try their best to egg a person on until they break them down. These two stories are thought provoking.

In Random Encounters, Alexandria confesses decency in a dictator, wretched revenge in a onetime companion and blood craving from an unforeseen antagonist. This tale puts you right into the setting, all the way down to the violin music. Strong writing, romantic intrigue and powerful ties abound in this tale, making it a sensational read.

The ending wraps up with The Blood of Thrax, an eerie tale of the effect of evil coming from beyond the grave. Quite an engaging tale that leaves a slight chill with these enticing characters.

Diranda: Tales From the Fifth Quadrant are tales that hold much mystery and suspense. The selection of colorful characters bewitch and leave such a lasting impression with the reader. The setting is wonderfully detailed, putting the reader in the center of each tale. Ms. Bradley has penned such a captivating read in Diranda: Tales From the Fifth Quadrant that it was hard putting this book down. She combines elements of disloyalty, fascination, and romantic intrigue, that spin these vehement stories with orbiting action and some spicy heat. Anyone that loves tales of the universe with all its splendid aura of galactic performance, with a blend of dark fantasy and science fiction will love Ms. Bradley's creation of characters in this fascinating read. Spellbinding and provocative, with arousing warmth to keep it a page-turner, as your mind travels to unknown places that will really challenge the mind.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Linda L.
February 4, 2006