Different from the first book in this series (which seemed more like a parody than "real" sci-fi to me), this second volume focuses less on the alien/human and slave/master themes, and more on the building of a relationship between two very different sentient beings with cultures that are truly light-years apart. Learning about the Finoc race and their preconceptions and beliefs was fun, and I truly enjoyed the relationship dynamics in this book. The story is set in the same world as book one, and the characters from the first volume are mentioned, but there is no interaction.

Ranic is from the planet Finoc, a place of unbelievable xenophobia, restrictions, and laws so tightly held up that nobody can escape. At least not while they remain on planet, which, luckily, Ranic has decided not to do. He ventures out, wanting one last opportunity to do the things that are so utterly forbidden on his home world. He wants to know what it's like to be held and loved by a man, an act punishable by death on Finoc. The only way he can think of making that happen is by buying a slave on another world. Little does he know that he will find so much more...

Jarrett is a human abducted from Earth at the moment of his death. He would not make a good slave at all, but he is curious about Ranic from the moment he meets him. His careful questions and loving way of teaching Ranic about love shouldn't mean as much to him as they do - but for some reason that is the case and he has a difficult decision to make. Does he want to return to Earth or does he want to stay with Ranic? Except he soon realizes that it isn't a decision he can make anymore; his heart has already decided.


This is a very sweet, romantic story at heart, with a good dose of inter-species surprises and multicultural differences thrown in for good measure. If you enjoy stories including an abduction that turns into the best thing that ever happened to both the "victim" and the man who buys him from his kidnappers, if you like relationships between men who struggle to understand each others' cultures as well as the other man, and if a sweet love story is what you're looking for, you will probably enjoy this book. ( )