A distant star explodes. The ripples of its passing will rock the Empire.
Eye of the Mother is a fast- paced, high-stakes space opera with romance woven through the action. Tian Axmar and Brent Walker team up to stop a killer who wants Humans and Yrmaks at war.
About the book
When fate throws Brent Walker and Tian Axmar together, it’s strictly a business arrangement. She’s an Imperial agent with a problem to solve, he’s a space jockey with an empty bank balance and a tramp freighter for hire.
Someone’s murdering Yrmaks and Humans, leaving a cryptic calling card and a trail of chaos designed to spark war. To stop it, Tian and Brent must delve deep into Yrmak culture—and into danger.
As the conspiracy unravels, loyalty, love, and the fate of two species hang in the balance. Before it’s over, both will face choices that will change them forever.
This novel introduces Brent Walker and Tian Axmar. Like the other Dryden books, it’s a space opera full of action and adventure, with a romance thrown in. Look for the next Brent and Tian book, For the Greater Good
Or buy the book at Your choice of vendor
FAQ
Genre and details
- Space opera with science fiction romance elements
- Action, political tension
Is this the first book in the series
It is a stand-alone short story
Who are the Yrmaks
The Yrmaks are an alien species with its own culture and traditions. They tend to be warlike, fighting amongst themselves. They are often pirates and slavers. Read more here.
Is there romance?
Yes. Tian and Brent team up to solve a murder mystery and love develops along the way
Is there sex
Yes, but the scenes are non-specific and focused on emotion and character.
Is this hard science fiction
The science is realistic but the story focuses on character, action, and political tension. Readers who enjoy smart SF with heart tend to settle in quickly.
What themes does the book explore?
Prejudice, fear, and the cost of mistrust between species
Duty versus personal desire
Found partnership, two loners learning to rely on each other
Moral choices in a politically charged investigation
Cultural understanding, seeing an alien society from the inside
Violence as manipulation, how a hidden hand can push worlds toward war
What formats is it available in
Ebook and paperback. Audiobook status depends on future plans.
Tropes and elements
- Forced partnership, two people who would never team up under normal circumstances
- Slow-burn attraction that builds through danger
- Murder investigation with political stakes
- Alien-culture immersion, especially Yrmak society
- Space-freighter pilot meets disciplined Imperial agent
- Conspiracy that uses violence to trigger a larger conflict
- High-risk fieldwork far from safety or backup
- Two characters learning to trust each other when trust is hard to give
Reader praise
“This is a well written story like all her other books. Was not disappointed. And it had a wonderful ending.”