I found the first two books of Siobhan’s series the strongest of the three. I applaud Siobhan’s knack for developing believable love triangles - her depiction of Zane, Cal and Ariana’s anguish and passion are reminiscent of the Edward-Bella-Jacob triangle perfected by Stephenie Meyer in the Twilight saga, and to a lesser degree Suzanne Collins’ depiction of Katniss struggling with her feelings for Gale and Peeta in The Hunger Games. The author’s instincts for creating characters who must grow and struggle with plenty of conflict and danger is rare in so new an author. Siobhan’s love of the YA genre comes through with every page of this compelling story.

Ariana must balance safeguarding her family with her growing feelings for Cal and a need to find the truth about her past, including the identity of a compelling man named Zane who seems to speak to her in her dreams. A full-blown rebellion breaks out by the besieged people left behind on Earth and the “perfect society” on Novo begins to unravel. Soon, Ariana, Cal and other teens are given a directive: to save the human race, they must choose a spouse through a “pageant” or calling and have a family or humanity may risk oblivion. She fights her attraction to another cadet, Cal, a gorgeous but arrogant son of Novo’s military commander. She and all the new residents of Novo have no memory of life before coming to the planet - all part of the government’s vision to start a new life with no pain of those they left behind on Earth. Spirited and independent, Ariana adores her dad and is protective of her little sister.

The main character is 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skye. The story opens on planet Novo, a settlement for Earth’s chosen few located 1,200 miles above the Earth’s surface. She’s the author of the True Calling series, three science fiction romance novels set against the backdrop of post-apocalyptic Earth. Irish writer SIobhan Davis fits the bill. I love to find new authors online - especially those with a fresh voice, fascinating settings and above all, vivid but imperfect characters.

Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis