Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: The Stars Wait Not (The Star Realm Saga Book 1) by Anne Wheeler

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring The Stars Wait Not (The Star Realm Saga Book 1) by Anne Wheeler. This is such a unique book. It's science fiction, but has a really cool fairy tale/fantasy-vibe to it too. I'm loving it! 

About the Book

Ryllis Camden has a secret—she can talk to nature, and it speaks to her in return. But her gift is forbidden by the Vilarian Star Realm who controls her planet, and the penalty is death. When she’s falsely accused of treason and exiled to the Vilarian home world, hiding her power becomes even more critical. But how can she hide anything when she’s forced to toil in the home of the emperor’s youngest son?

Kresten Westermark might be a prince, but long ago he shunned a life of luxury to work as a telepath in the Vilarian Imperial Fleet. His job demands he treat his new prisoner as a slave and test his deteriorating telepathic powers on her, but the only thing on his mind is the growing attraction he feels toward the earnest young woman tending his gardens.

As the mountain winter fades, a reluctant respect between the two becomes trust, and trust soon blossoms into affection. But when the Fleet arrives to arrest Kresten for treason, Ryllis must make an impossible decision.

Save Kresten’s life—or hers.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Ryllis jerked awake at the sound of footsteps in the corridor outside and put her hands over her eyes before the brightness of the light above blinded her.

Friday 56

Lina had brewed her a cup of Kresten's expensive yellow gold tea, and Ryllis didn't want to offend her by not drinking it, but she could do nothing but push the china cup around the kitchen table as it grew colder.

What have you been reading lately?