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Beyond The Shadows (Realms Beyond #2)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 121 ratings · 22 reviews

Commander Yara has spent years living without the distraction of caring for anything - or anyone. It's a sacrifice she's willing to make. Yara has honed herself into the perfect heir to the Azralen throne, but a bloody coup could destory everything she's worked so hard for. She must return home quickly to prevent war, but the only ship available belongs to an Earthlen trad...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 4th 2010 by Berkley Trade (first published 2010)

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May 16, 2010 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keepers

Excellent SF read - has a nice balance between the action and relationship subplots and characters you would like to know. I loved the first book and this one equaled and even surpassed it. Cyn [the hero:] is frighteningly intelligent and powerful but still vulnerable. Yara [the heroine:] has been brainwashed into the elitist policies - women, especially Elite women, rule by the right of superiority.

Cyn has been fomenting a revolution to bring justice and equity to the planet. Pretending to be...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Cyp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, 2011-reads, another-world, 4-star, futuristic, sci-fi

In a world where the female population ruled,

Yara was all set and ready to ascend the throne. Cyn has gathered and amassed an entire nation ready to rebel against the Grand Sister, the Matriach, and the Elite.

When Cyn "kidnaps" Yara, she was forced to see the ugly side of her beloved Azra; Being sold to the flesh traders and all that. And when it was time to choose sides, she chose him, and conveniently for the greater good of Azra.

Yara's journey towards the great realization that not every part...more In a world where the female population ruled,

Yara was all set and ready to ascend the throne. Cyn has gathered and amassed an entire nation ready to rebel against the Grand Sister, the Matriach, and the Elite.

When Cyn "kidnaps" Yara, she was forced to see the ugly side of her beloved Azra; Being sold to the flesh traders and all that. And when it was time to choose sides, she chose him, and conveniently for the greater good of Azra.

Yara's journey towards the great realization that not every part of Azra was ruled as justly and orderly as she was taught in Training was fraught with a lot of doubts, but there was the humor bits that leveled the seriousness. All those snark comments from the cold Yara was funny in a serious way, haha, if that even makes sense. She is a good fighter, and she lives up to her regal bloodline of Yarine the Just(if i remember her name correctly..which i dont think i did..oh well). But under all that, she is rather naive and soft(in a good way), which made her rely on Cyn a lot in the outside world(universe in this case) and ultimately falling in love with him in the end.

Cyn is a headstrong, INCREDIBLY witty, protective, selfless, heartwarming, loving, brainy man. He is awesome. He leads the rebellion like a true leader, he talks like a charmer, he loves so swoon-worthy-ly, and yeah the list goes on.

The Grand Sister(or the Grand Bitch, as Cyn calls her), was plenty wicked. I mean, this is one of those books where they portray the real ugliness of the baddies of humankind with less reservations. And her ending was WOO! COOL! READ THAT PART!! She had more than what..20 knives thrown into her!

The ending was kind of weird..but still very satisfactory. It ended without the war that seemed so inevitable. The final fight was wicked, i totally loved it. It lasted long enough for my violent side to be sated enough:)

Overall: The fighting bits were vivid, suspenseful and i totally fell in love with both of them when they fought. The lovey dovey part wasn't overly mushy and excessive.

.:THIS IS A BOOK TOTALLY WORTH READING:.(less)

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May 12, 2010 Kristiej rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved Beyond the Rain and was overjoyed to see a new Futuristic/SciFi author on the scene. I had barely finished it when I started thinking how much I wanted to read Cyn's story. He's the brother of Cyani, the heroine of Beyond the Rain and although we didn't get a chance to see to much of him, we did learn that he is the leader of a rebellion on the planet Azra, a matriarchal society where women rule. Unfortunately, the woman who is the current ruler was a tyrant who persecuted the people of...more I loved Beyond the Rain and was overjoyed to see a new Futuristic/SciFi author on the scene. I had barely finished it when I started thinking how much I wanted to read Cyn's story. He's the brother of Cyani, the heroine of Beyond the Rain and although we didn't get a chance to see to much of him, we did learn that he is the leader of a rebellion on the planet Azra, a matriarchal society where women rule. Unfortunately, the woman who is the current ruler was a tyrant who persecuted the people of Azra, subjecting many of them to horrendous living conditions, thus sewing the seeds of rebellion.

Yara is a member of the "elite", the highest class level who had been dispatched to hunt down Cyn, the leader of the upcoming rebellion. All this happened in Beyond the Rain, but I don't think you need to have read it to pick up where this book begins. I do recommend it though since it's a great book.

Beyond the Shadows starts up with Yara trying to find a way off the military base and return to Azra. But Cyn has arranged it that he has the only ship leaving and under his guise as Cyrus Smith, an Earthlan trader, he tricks her into walking into the trap he has set. But it doesn't take long for him to realize that Yara isn't the cold hearted woman he believed her to be. Stubborn yes, focused on her duty, indeed, but he is surprised to learn she also has a heart.

I'm in awe at how well done Ms. Granger has done with the character of Cyn. Although he comes from a place where women are the rulers and leaders, he doesn't lack in manly manliness for one moment. Rather he is alternately masculine, tender, brave, intelligent and in short, all things that make a great hero. He rose from the depths of despair to be a true leader of people. I ADORED him and I think many a reader will love him just as much as I did.

And just as well drawn as Cyn is, so is Yara. Due to the way she was trained her entire life, she is a loner who has never had the chance to enjoy life. Political intrigue rules her life. She has been led to believe that the lower echelon of Azra are criminals and degenerates who deserve the despairing life they lead. But as she and Cyrus travel to different worlds, her eyes are opened to many of the injustices in the galaxy, softening her to seeing that Azra may just be one of the worst offenders of them all.

The romance between Yara and Cyn is poignant and almost heartbreaking. They come from two very different places. His goal is to lead the rebellion against everything she has known and hers is to track down the rebel leader and maintain the status quo. Cyn is the first to fall for Yara, but he feels the weight of lying to her as to who he is and what his real goal is. Yara starts out as rather arrogant, a product of her upbringing and does her best to deny her growing feelings for Cyn. She knows he can't be a part of her future. You can feel the longing between them.

I really admire authors who tackle this genre. Although they are bound by the rules of a romance story, other than that, they make up their own worlds, their own rules, their own types of people. And Jess Granger excels at making this world she has created totally believable. As readers, we are excited to find new authors who write well written stories that can take us away from our daily lives when we need to 'get away'. And I'm very excited to have found Jess Granger. Even if you don't normally read this genre, I HIGHLY urge you give this book a try. It represents everything I love about this genre. As with her first book, once again she knocked this one out of the park. As much as I loved her first book, I think I love this one just a tiny wee bit more.(less)

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Jun 25, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cyn is the rebel leader, known better as Cobra, who longs to free the lower classes of his home planet of Azra from the ruling class run by a female dominated society. Cyn was raised on Earth after his mother escaped from Azra and will stop at nothing until the evil Grand Sister, who rules Azra with an iron fist, is stopped. His plan is to kidnap Commander Yara, the heir to the Azralen throne.

Yara needs passage on a ship back to Azra before her rival Palar tries to take over. Yara longs to bring...more Cyn is the rebel leader, known better as Cobra, who longs to free the lower classes of his home planet of Azra from the ruling class run by a female dominated society. Cyn was raised on Earth after his mother escaped from Azra and will stop at nothing until the evil Grand Sister, who rules Azra with an iron fist, is stopped. His plan is to kidnap Commander Yara, the heir to the Azralen throne.

Yara needs passage on a ship back to Azra before her rival Palar tries to take over. Yara longs to bring peace and harmony to Azra and feels she can as the next Grand Sister. But she is stranded on a military base and has no one to turn to. Unfortunately the mysterious Cyrus Smith offers to take her home for the right price. Because Yara has run out of options, she and her scout, the feline Tuz will go with him.

Cyn enjoys pushed Yara's buttons by calling her pixie (because of her green colored hair) and keeping important facts about his past and who he is from her. Yara doesn't trust him as far as she can throw him, but she learns fairly quickly that this Earthlen male has her back when pirates attack them and she is taken hostage and to be sold as a sex slave. Cyn's feelings for Yara have grown into something deeper where he has to decide how honest he should be and convince her to join him and his people to stop a revolution that could kill many.

Beyond the Shadows (Realms Beyond #2) is perfect for those science fiction fans that enjoy intergalactic action and suspense with two warrior type characters. Even though Cyn is deceitful to Yara, right up to the moment where they act on their desire for one another, he knows he can't lose focus on his mission. Too many lives are at stake and that is where Yara is given a hard choice to make. Yara is one amazing heroine who doesn't back down from danger. But there was some confusion on my end in regards to Yara's important status. Because Yara is next in line to rule a planet, why would she be alone all and vulnerable, without any bodyguards, since she knows she has a rival who wants to get rid of her? The way Cyn was able to reach her and convince her to trust him is shaky even with the reasoning given.

Cyn and Yara are equals in almost every way from the way they fight to the way they love. There aren't many love scenes, but the tension and attraction between these two is definitely there. These are two characters you can get behind and root for. I continue to look forward to more future books from Jess Granger and found Beyond the Shadows to be an enjoyable read.(less)

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Feb 16, 2013 Charlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-romance

I recently won an autographed copy of Beyond the Shadows at Jess Granger’s Butterfly Blog. I was very excited because this is second in a series and picks up characters I fell in love with in Beyond the Rain.

Yara is focused and determined. The weight of her world is on her shoulders. But when she is captured and given to slavers, she isn’t so focused on her goals that she can’t push aside her own concerns to offer compassion to a young boy whose spirit is nearly broken.

Cyn seems like a rogue bu...more

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May 30, 2011 Netanella rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-romance

Excellent read. I love the whole Glenn Danzig look of the cover with the tats and the studded bracers. But the dude needs a forehead.

Cyn, the twin brother of Cyani from the first novel, takes on the Elite of his homeworld and foments revolution. Yara is the Elite bloodhunter sent to take him down, but instead slowly learns of the real shadows that haunt her world and those of other planets whose people have been subjected.

There's lots of cool imagery in this book, particularly the treed canopy...more

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Jun 10, 2010 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2010, sci-fi-rom

Jess Granger does it again, writing a great romance with a well-developed sci-fi setting. The author continues to write main characters that are very appealing~ heroes with character and heroines who are strong without turning hard. There is plenty of well-written action and some deeper issues to ponder. I especially like how Ms. Granger gets the reader to contemplate the subjugation of one sex by turning the well-known scenario on its head~ it's the men of Azra who are kept "in their place."

Thi...more

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May 10, 2010 Karagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: futuristic-romance, read-in-2010, read-in-2010_05

Just like the first, Beyond the Shadows is filled with a colorful assortment of characters that each play into the charms and quirks of the heroes, Cyn and Yara. Cyn is a guy so deceptive that even his allies wonder what name to address him with. Meanwhile, Yara proves herself to be anything but the cold Elite she has been trained to be.

The best of this book is by far the witty trades between the two which kicks off the book and continues for a good while until everything turns serious and cont...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alpha-male, erotica, paranomal-rom, space, other-worlds

I have been looking for this book forever! I finally decided to buy it at the Borders that was closing which I got for 30% off!!!

The first book I haven't read for awhile so I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to get into the book but this wasn't the case. While it is connected the stories don't really cross over story lines or delve to much into what happened previously. However some of Cyn's reasoning will not be understood or Yara's upbringing not be understood if you haven't read the fi...more I have been looking for this book forever! I finally decided to buy it at the Borders that was closing which I got for 30% off!!!

The first book I haven't read for awhile so I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to get into the book but this wasn't the case. While it is connected the stories don't really cross over story lines or delve to much into what happened previously. However some of Cyn's reasoning will not be understood or Yara's upbringing not be understood if you haven't read the first story since it is from a female (Cyanni Cyn's sister) like Yara's point of view which explains a lot of the culture of this world.

I loved the first book and I must say that this one was just as good! When authors deal with tough situations without making it too easy to resolve or rush the story I really am satisfied. All through this book you know that the two are at odds with each other politically (he wants to over throw her and her government so the poor can be helped)and can't see how they can overcome it. The whole build up to the end and the final resolution to this was great and was not rushed or feel unrealistic.

I did feel that Yara should have been able to tell sooner that Cyrus was Cyn but I gave her the benefit of the doubt because she was being bombarded with feelings she hadn't felt before and where really not allowed her in culture. I loved Tuz the cat and Bug the two side kicks and the interactions with them and each other were really funny.

The relationship was built pretty slow and simmered between the two of them and they didn't get into the sexual right away which I like in a story like this. They needed to trust each other before a relationship could start. I don't know how to say it but Cyn was so sweet yet...dominant(?) to Yara and while he didn't want to get involved he knew he was and didn't push it with Yara like some alpha males can.

Space Stories are so few in the romance genre and good ones with sizzling scenes, good world building, and a great story are even more rare. It was no wonder this book was hard to find. I so hope this author writes more whether in this series or in a totally different world. She just needs to write more! (less)

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May 12, 2010 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sharon , a reading enthusiast I met through Twitter is a big fan of this series, and I asked her to do a joint review.

Cyn is a rebel at heart, and wants to start a revolution to remove the Elite, the leaders of his home planet Azra from a position of power. Azra is a female dominant planet, and Commander Yara is the one woman in his way to achieving this goal. The upper classes of Azra have no idea the lower classes are ready to revolt. The people of Azra like Yara, and her transition to leader...more

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Jul 07, 2010 Marissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi, romance

Excellent, quick read. I finished it in a few hours becuase I didnt' want to put it down. I'm impressedby Jess Granger's second book. I couldn't give it the 5 stars I gave to Beyond the Rain, just because it didn't have me weeping. How sad is it that now I reserve the 5 star category for books that make me a snotty mess? Beyond the Rain definietly did that. Beyond the Shadows didn't quite take me that far but it was a great book with an engaging storyline, admirable hero, feisty heroine, despica...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Thedaydreamer3 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: hidden-mistaken-identity

I liked this one a lot! Actually finished it in 2 days (Late at night then continued the next morning..) It did pull me in and did not let me go until the end, but even then i wanted more.
The characters were likeable.
This deals with the "hidden/mistaken" identity.
I gave this book 4 stars( i'm thinking about giving it 5 stars...if i read it again..then i will :))
because it was enjoyable,and the author combined both romance,drama and action/adventure.

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Oct 09, 2011 Darcy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, pnr, futuristic, space-drama

This book didn't measure up to the first book for me. I found it to be a little boring until the last 50 or so pages when Cyn forced Yara to take her blinders off and introduced her to the atrocities that were common place on Azra. It was interesting to see Yara react to the reality of just what was going on her planet. Of course her recent experiences allowed her to understand things on more than one level. The revolution happened in a way that looks to bring true change, not just exchange one...more

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Apr 13, 2010 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hardcopy, ebook, biased-because-i-love-the-author, favorites-all-time

I loved the story, the action, and the characters. There were some surprises. The first couple if chapters made my inner Star Wars fangirl squee. An amazing book and Cyn is an awesome hero. Loved it.

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May 06, 2012 Melanie (Moviemavengal) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars. Extra points for very interesting world building in this sci-fi romance.

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Nov 02, 2011 Karen Desmond rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Mar 24, 2012 Naomi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy, romance

Started out a bit too much like the first book, and the end was just fairytale, but the rest in between was the same fun, fast-paced writing. No setup for another sequel, bummer!

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Nov 14, 2012 MissLizBiz rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Older Teen/Adult

This book was good. Not as good as Granger's first book (Beyond the Rain). But it was still well done. It was more political and more alien jargon, but you get the point and love story. It was a bit more predictable, but still lovable.

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Jul 16, 2011 Hbeebti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: used

This one was good. But for me not as good as the first. Yara got on my nerves. lol Cyn was well just yummy good. Loved their trackers (pets).

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Aug 08, 2011 Anne Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, family, science-fiction-romance, family-science-fiction

I consider Jess a net-friend, so my rating is not precisely unbiased. {Smile}

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Jul 03, 2011 Stacy McKitrick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, sci-fi

Wonderful - read it quickly!

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May 22, 2013 Kaity marked it as to-read

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May 11, 2013 Tamaika rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 08, 2013 Krows Solitude marked it as to-read

Shelves: lusty-aliens, romance-romantica, science-fiction-off-planet-futurist, up-next

May 06, 2013 Rachel Aukes rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 05, 2013 Jasminepara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Apr 29, 2013 Arati rated it 2 of 5 stars

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About Jess Granger

I grew up in a small town in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley in California. As a kid, I spent most of my time reading, swimming, fostering my obsession with horses, and annoying my two brothers. I loved to write, though I’m pretty sure the only “book” I wrote as a child had something to do with a princess hiding behind a tapestry so she could sneak out of her castle because her brother was be...more

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“Cyn always liked watching women move,but there was nothing sexier than an angry woman moving with purpose.” — 2 people liked it

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Beyond The Shadows (Realms Beyond #2)

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