"Barry's first book has fire and soul"

I started out reading C.J. Barry's Un-series with UNEARTHED. A delightful Sci-Fi fantasy, that has the kick a** feel of a female Indiana Jones in space, yet managed to keep all the sensuality, the romance that should be typical, and so often is lost when a writer brings in a strong adventure. You noticed small things, like her chicken dance, that gave the book a more polished feel, yet sprinkling the story with enchanting humor. From that book on, I have been a Barry fan, and eagerly await her next Un- book!

However, UNEARTHED was not the first UN-book, UNCHAINED was. It was out in e-book form, showing once again, e- books are fostering some marvelous talent.

Barry's first book, might show a few first time writers flaws, but frankly I tend to ignore that. What I am seeking is story. When a good story grabs me, then I could care less if there is a POV (point of view) shift or maybe it was not pristinely edited. WHO CARES! It's the story that matters and if that is not there, not matter how perfect the presentation, you won't be entertained. And Barry's tale has story in spades. The book opens with Cidra Faulkner's family home being attacked. She has been trained to use the escape tunnels, to save herself. She does. Huddled, she awaits her father, mother and brothers. Only they don't come. Cidra is rescued by Syrus, a gentle man, but also a warrior and teacher. He carries Cidra away, hides her by telling all Cidra is his niece and trains her in the way of the Kin-Sha, near mythical warriors.

Now ten years later, Cidra's life is going to take another drastic turn due to Syrus' intervention, this time, nearly from beyond the grave. Just before Syrus' death, he contact his former student, Grey Stone, and traps Grey into carrying Cidra away from the planet, he fears a danger nearing. Grey arrives to find Cidra burying their mentor, and knows despite who she was -- the daughter of the man he holds responsible for the death of nearly everyone on his planet -- that he has to honor his vow to Syrus. Grey is an intergalactic treasure hunter. He knows he must try to hide Cidra's true identity or those who killed her family would soon be after her. After she learns information Syrus left to her, she vows to track down the people that saw her father condemned for a crime he didn't commit, and see justice done his memory. Grey is bound to help her as he discovers the man who killed her family is the same one responsible for the death of Grey's people.

Barry's first work may not be quite as polished as her other UN books but it has something that's more precious -- it's that first book, a first love when a writer is not worrying about word count, POV or if it will please the masses, but is writing straight from the heart. That is what makes UNCHAINED one of Barry's greatest efforts.

Simply great storytelling, with passion, heart and soul.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted January 2, 2005

Summary

Cidra Faulkner saw her family murdered and her people condemned for a crime they didn't commit. Now a skilled Kin- Sha warrior, she vows to track down the true culprit and exact justice, both for her family and all the Kin-Sha. Intergalactic treasure hunter Grey Stone had no intention of helping Cidra until his old mentor tricked him into it. Now he's trapped into helping the daughter of the man who brought about the downfall of his people -- a woman whose very presence jeopardizes all he's worked for. But honor won't let him say no. And love won't let him turn back.