Pathfinder (M/M SciFi) - J.A. Jaken 4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

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Shai finds out the hard way that he is a pathfinder, he has been told that he has to have a guide who will be bonded with him, and Shai has no choice about whom that guide will be. Being a pathfinder places him in danger when a crime syndicate snatches him, and tries to force a bonding with their very own guide. Now Shai is on the run with an Outrider guide, a guide who doesn’t want a bond to form, and who Shai is beginning to trust.

This is a great science fiction story of a lost science which scientists are trying to revive. Shai is just slightly different from the others, sometimes he just knows things, he works quietly at The Hunted Lord until the night the Agency sweepers come looking for him, and from then on it is a journey of discovery, fear and resentment. Lorne is an Outrider, his clan lives out in the outside roaming the land and avoiding the city; Lorne was captured during a raid for medical supplies. Together they escape from their captor and begin a reluctant partnership.

The characters are all well written and the storyline is brilliant, it isn’t a nice and easy relationship and it isn’t a happily ever after. Both Shai and Lorne are in a position that neither of them wanted, but they try to make a go of it even while they both try to decide what they want to do. Shai has no choice, but to find a guide and Lorne might be the only one that he has any real choice in, Lorne doesn’t want another pathfinder as his last bond-mate died, but as they get to know each other they decide to take a chance. It isn’t easy for any of them though as they have the Agency and a crime syndicate looking for them.

I will give everyone fair warning Shai is 16 years old and to some of you that will be underage, there is also rape and dubious consent. But being honest it actually adds to the plot and storyline, it is all drawn together and makes an unfortunate kind of sense, no matter how you look at it the baddies are desperate and only care for results. The characters are all good and you can see where the Agency is coming from, but it doesn’t mean you agree, and the Outriders seem to be the only ones who are still truly free and believe in free will.

I will recommend this to those who love futuristic, science fiction, escapes, chases, trying to make the right choices and having a slight hope of a true romance.