*This book was reviewed via Lola’s Blog Tours

**Warning: graphic depictions of rape

Second in The Brajj series, Nightmares of the Queen continues the captivating story of a world ripped asunder, a world that never should have existed in the first place. The storyline bounces between Captain Lewis on Earth, and, Cass and Jeamon on the Brajj world. It has been two months, and Captain Lewis is not doing so well. He has been placed on administrative duty, and he’s begun to hear the voices of the dead left behind on the Brajj world.

Meanwhile, Cass and Jeamon are learning to survive in a world radically changed by Ta’mat. Now, instead of facing the very human threat posed by Master, they face a foe far more implacable and unforgiving- starvation. To help her people, Cass reopens the wormhole and, with Jeamon in tow, goes through to seek out Captain Lewis. Things aren’t quite what they seem, though, and hidden agendas abound. Can Lewis’ Earth withstand the fury of a crazed physicist wielding the ‘magic’ of dark energy? Will the Brajj learn to adjust to their new life?

Continuing from the first novel, the theme of interconnection is woven throughout. I’m a metaphysicist (as my physicist husband calls me), and I see another theme with Ta’mat. She has been disembodied, yet never alone, for centuries, and had the time and ability to learn to manipulate dark matter. Solitary confinement wreaks havoc on even the most introverted person. We are a social species. It seems quite likely that we would also need a physical body to keep us grounded and sane, just as we need mental and emotional connection. Ta’mat has been without a body for a very long time, and that chick is definitely a few french fries short of a happy meal.

This second book affords us a deeper insight into both Lewis, and Jeamon by exposing more of their flaws. We get to spend more time with them. There was less skipping of perspective without clear demarcation, such as paragraph spacing, or the start of a new chapter. Another proofing would not be amiss, but the handful of typos doesn’t take from the story at all. I’m really looking forward to the last in the trilogy.

???? Highly recommended, especially if you are a fan of Dr Who or Stargate, or enjoy sci-fi that involves physics experiments gone awry.