I have to say I am completely blown away that some people say this book's premise is too out-there, too unrealistic. All I can guess is that these people have never or very rarely read science fiction or fantasy novels. And this is a sci-fi romance novel, not just a romance novel.

Here are some of its strengths. The main character is likeable enough; she is no pushover, no doormat, but neither is she some unbelievably tough, annoyingly strong woman. And one thing that I in particular liked was that she wasn't some amazing beauty; too often in romance books, the female character's flaws are presented as something she's insecure about, but that are actually all in her imagination. Nyssa's looks aren't actually a major part of the book or really touched on much after she is initially described.

I like the idea of the chains. I am surprised more people don't. And I wonder how they are "unbelievable" when I'm sure many humans would love something that would show them their soul mate, and let them share emotions and thoughts with them. As it is we can never really, truly know what goes through another person's head, or what they feel in their heart.

I find the world of Zylar to be an interesting one. I hope it is explored and developed more in the rest of the series. Because that is where some of the book's weakness's come in. The book is pretty fast-paced as far as plot-development goes, but it suits it well in the beginning. After that the book's plot seems to go a little too fast. If the author slowed down and lingered over the second half of the book a little more, developing scenes more, the book would have felt a lot more complete and rounded. It would have built up and maintained suspense longer as well.

The development of Nyssa's character is fairly complete and adequate; I wish Tar's had been developed a little more. Some more backstory/history of him and his planet, more details, would have helped.

As for the sex/erotic scenes, they are some of the better one's I have read (and I read a lot. 300 novels a year is my average). If you're so unimaginative that you can't get past the chains or the use of psychic powers, then you may be disappointed, but that is the only way I can see that you would. They are a bit lengthy, so if you don't like sex-scenes, fair warning, they do take up a fair amount of the book. But you could honestly skip past them and the story is still worth reading.

All in all it's a decent fast-paced book with many good characters in an interesting world that has a lot of potential. I am definitely going to read the second book (and then the third, if the second is as good as the first)