As Born to Rule the Storm by Cate Baumer SFINCs2 Book Review
- Tabitha Tomala
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
This review is part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”. This is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.).
To see more information on my team Behind the Musings check out this post!
Blurb for As Born to Rule the Storm
The star-crossed temporal romance of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR meets the vintage setting and yearning of DIVINE RIVALS in AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM.
Cadet Charlotte Amsel will trade her life to win a war- but not all at once. As part of an elite group of experimental soldiers, she can move through time, with each jump taking months from her own fated lifespan as she struggles to prevent the cold war from boiling over into an apocalypse. With her own side just as untrustworthy as the enemy, the only thing she cares about is keeping her best friend and fellow soldier (and in some timelines, lover) safe. But each time loop adds violent complications, and saving anyone before she runs out of life to give may prove impossible.
As Born to Rule the Storm Book Review
Charlotte is involved in a war she never enlisted in and has a power she never asked for. Forced to fight alongside fellow super powered soldiers, the army sees them as nothing but tools. Each use of their power takes something away, draining away pieces of being. Yet the army doesn't care. If they die, a relative will inherit their power and be conscripted to start the vicious cycle over once more. Charlotte is coerced into using her power of time to live multiple lives in the future, trying to counteract an unfavorable outcome for her side. But in the process she will discover unknown things about herself that will change everything.
While the novella focuses on Charlotte, her pain and suffering are only a fraction of what takes place. Cate Baumer does a beautiful job showing the tragedy surrounding the secondary characters as much as the first. Charlotte's tale serves as the focus point, yet also emphasizes the mental and physical hardships the soldiers face. Forced to see people she loves die over and over again, timeline and timeline again is terrifying.
Within a short amount of time, As Born to Rule the Storm builds a bleak and dangerous world. One where people desperate for money are experimented on, leaving future generations to suffer for their choices. The characters will win their way into your heart with their steadfast love and connection to each other. And just a quickly cause heartbreak at what they must endure in each timeline as well as the utter disrespect and belief they are even human.
I recommend As Born to Rule the Storm for those who enjoy militaristic stories featuring emotionally captivating characters and a grim dark feel.
To Purchase: Author's Website
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