To Read, Perchance to Dream: Book Review: Altered Destiny by Shawna Thomas

Selia has run her family's tavern since she was fifteen and can hunt and fight the equal of any man. When she rescues a badly wounded man and nurses him back to health, she has no idea she's about to change not only her life, but also the destinies of two peoples…The battered warrior is Svistra—a race of bloodthirsty savages determined to destroy her homeland. Or so the stories claim. Jaden reveals a different truth: how his ancestors were driven into the barren northern mountains. Now they are strong and war parties are pushing south wanting their land back.
The son of a Svistra Commander, Jaden is looking for a way to bring peace to both humans and Svistrans. He tries to ignore his growing passion for Selia, but when she is captured he has to decide what he would be willing to sacrifice to save the woman he loves…

In Altered Destiny, the author, Shawna Thomas, has created a rich fantasy world with warring races. Humans believe the Svistrans are savages, bent on destroying all human life. Tales are spread of the horrific slaughterings and beastly ways of the Svistra. Then Selia rescues Jaden, a Svistra who doesn't quite fit the image she's held all her life of his people.

This story brings to mind the conflict between the colonies and the Native Americans in early America. The Svistra's lands were taken away just as the Native Americans' lands were. The settlers saw the Native Americans as barbarians who thrived on the kill and rumors flew, exaggerating them as monsters. Ms. Thomas shows the same thing happening to the Svistrans. It was an interesting analogy, though it wasn't explored extensively.

The characters were great. Selia is a little spitfire, perhaps a bit too stubborn for her own good. Jaden is strong and patient, with a lot of sexy thrown in for us ladies. Oren, Selia's brother, is a total sweetheart that I just wanted to hug!

Altered Destiny is a good read for fans across the genres. There's fantasy, action and adventure, and some romance thrown in for good measure. A little something for everyone to enjoy!

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.