“If your friends and family were disappearing in droves, wouldn’t you worry? Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to stop it?”

Sympathy filled her eyes. “Of course I would.” She lowered her voice. “Unless…I understood the whole picture.”

–The Overtaking (The Overtaking Series) By Victorine E. Lieske (p. 16).

The people of the planet Maslonia are being kidnapped by the thousands, having their memories, powers, and their planet stolen from them. And the young foot soldiers of the Dyken’s believe they are doing it for their own good. This is the premise for the Sci-Fi/Romance “The Overtaking” by New York Times Bestselling author, Victorine Lieske.

Title and Cover:

The title for this book is interesting and the cover is beautiful, but considering this is a book by an already bestselling Self-Published author this makes sense. Many Self-Published authors could learn a thing or two from her on how to market a book.

Plot: B (A- for a Romance)

Why the distinction? Ms. Lieske bestseller is a Romance/Thriller. Her talent for Romance does come through clearly in “The Overtaking,” but there are choices she makes which a more experienced Sci Fi author wouldn’t. From the first chapter Lieske gives away a lot of what is going on removing chances of intrigue and leaving the first chapter a bit dry and rushed. The story doesn’t really begin until chapter two, but because of the opening chapter the reader knows almost too much. However, if the story is enjoyed more as a Romance than a Sci Fi story, the knowledge the reader learns early on makes the scenes between the two love interests more compelling.

The ending also seems to work better in the plot of a pure Romance novel than a Sci Fi novel. The conflict between the two lovers ends in a satisfying way. The main plot however seems to just stop, leaving the heroes to solve all of their problems in another book.

So if you are looking for pure Sci Fi, you may find the plot a bit lackluster. If you pick up this book for a Romance with a hint of Sci Fi Flavoring, you will not be disappointed.

Characters: B+

Lieske does have a talent for making her lead characters feel like real people, which is important in a Romance.

Shayne Bartlet is a powerful telepath, and all around nice guy. He is handsome, resourceful, heroic, and everything you want in a romantic leading man. He comes home to discover his mother and much of the population of his planet has gone missing. Motivated by his loss, he joins with the Council working to stop the abductions. However, by the end of chapter one he is captured.

Chapter Two begins with Shayne’s memory wiped and beginning his new life, unaware that he is a telepath or a prisoner.

As the story progresses he learns of his abilities and situation, taking it all in stride and cleverly trying to thwart his captors and regain his freedom.

He isn’t too angry with all of his captors however, because he is falling in love with one of them.

Danielle Darmok came to Maslonia intending to save the people of this supposed war torn planet from themselves. When she captures Shayne, in chapter one, she is almost instantly attracted. In chapter two she is assigned to watch over his people’s integration into their new home. As she interacts with Shayne, her attraction blossoms into love. But can their love work when everything between them, including Shayne’s life, is a lie?

Danielle is strong, kind, smart, and attractive, basicly everything you want in a romantic leading lady. My only issue with her is how easily she and her fellow Dyken soldiers are fooled by the true villains of the piece.

The romance between Shayne and Danielle is entertaining and touching. Coming from someone who doesn’t normally read Romance, that is a high compliment.

The other characters sadly, do not get the same focus as Shayne and Danielle. I think part of the problem is how the point of view jumps around between the other characters. None of them receive the same focus that the too leads receive, which makes sense for a Romance, but leaves the secondary characters a bit flat. Lieske does try to present poignant scenes for these other characters, but they don’t work as well. Perhaps if some of these characters had been combined and focused on more they would have worked better. The most glaring example of this problem is found in the ending. The underdeveloped villain has a confrontation with a secondary character. It is a scene important to the plot but I had a hard time feeling invested in it.

World Building/Setting: A

Lieske does an excellent job of putting the reader into the story. The technology is well defined without the need of techno-babble. Everything that seems scientifically questionable in earlier chapters is explained well, but not overbearingly, in later chapters. This element of Sci-Fi Lieske got right.

Theme: B-

The themes are subtle, maybe even a bit too subtle. The ideas of “forgiveness,” “don’t be fooled by appearances,” and “those you fight may not really be as bad as you think” are all there, but only lightly. This isn’t thought provoking Sci-Fi, but it doesn’t really need to be.

Grammar/Style/Word Usage: A

You would hope a bestselling author’s second book would be well edited.

Overall: B+

I did enjoy “The Overtaking.” If Lieske does publish sequels, I do hope she sharpens up the plot and develops the secondary characters a bit more. Nonetheless if you are looking for a compelling Sci-Fi/Romance, you won’t be disappointed.

“The Overtaking” is Available at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Overtaking-Series-ebook/dp/B0050P4ZEC

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/overtaking-victorine-lieske/1101186976?ean=2940012413246

And Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/89215