This is a romance novel, not usually the sort of thing I read, but the Sci-Fi aspects of the story drew me to it. It turned out to be a well written story that didn't let the romance elements overwhelm the action and the world building of the story. Gillie and Mac are both strong and well written characters that you easily and quickly like.
AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS successfully mixes a number of different genres and is both an enjoyable and worthwhile read and romance that is not too soppy or too reliant of bedroom scenes to tell its story.
Although the book is a sequel to "Wintertide", you don't need to read the latter to follow the story (I did read it afterwards, however, out of curiosity for all things Raheiran - and loved it, but maybe not as much as this one). Apart from the great adventure the book unfolds for the reader, retrospectively speaking I particularly liked the fact that the author managed to maintain the coherence of Rahieran culture, and built on it to include technological elements in a quite original manner.
Despite the fact that, apart from Gillie and Simon, all the other characters are a bit stereotypical (the good guys are very good, the bad guys are ... well... very bad), this is one story in which these stereotypes play really well against each other. What holds the story together is Gillie's incessant (and quite funny) telepathic scheming with Simon, which manages to give the impression that everything is narrated from Gillie's perspective, while in fact the story is told in the third person. It's a nice trick, and it gets the reader to really like the main characters. Another nice thing is that the supporting characters get exactly the amount of attention needed to spice up the plot, but not to clout the story unnecessarily. Overall, the book conveys the impression that it was written in one breath, and that's precisely how it makes us read it. I regretted it when the story was over, and I truly hope we'll see a sequel.
I loved this book! Gillie wants to be an average girl, hang out in the bars, play pool, drink and have a boyfriend. But because she is the military advisor for the Khalar and has the important task of saving them from the attacks lead by the Fav'lhir and their planned inhalation, pretty much everyone gives her space and treats her as untouchable. They can't see beyond the power she wields to the woman she is. Finding herself 352 years forward in time has its advantages as long as the people on the space station don't find out the Goddess they worship isn't dead after all. Makerian or Mack is a man set on accomplishing everything set before him. He has control and the responsibility of converting an old space station into a functioning military facility as well as dealing with a crew that doesn't answer to his leadership, and if that isn't enough has to deal with a shrine that he is getting pressured into building to honor the Goddess Kiasidira. When Gillie shows up his already not functioning so perfect life can only get worse. Gillie is just the sort of woman he needs.
Ms Baker has woven together a wonderful story that will have you laugh one minute and cry the next as you discover what makes the difference between a witch, a sorceress, a mageline and a Kiasidira. I need to point out that it is because of authors like Ms Baker I love reading paranormals so much. AN ACCIDNTAL GODDESS is so creative and different. She writes with wit and charm. There are so many things I loved about this story. Gillies' ship, Simon, who is trying from the beginning to set Gillie up with Mack; and then there is Macks' jealousy of the mysterious Simon Gillie keeps talking about. There are parrots that plague the station (I am going to compare them to mosquitoes - they never go away!). And Gillie trying to deal with the fact she is a Goddess - with a raunchy consort she is constantly thwarting (just so there isn't any confusion, this isn't Mack!)! Excellent book, I can't recommend it enough!