Shabin

The Reluctant Prince of Rhime

On a distant planet, a scientist embarks on a project to splice human and alien DNA, in his quest to extend human life. However, in the process, he creates a human hybrid with an unusual mental power. Centuries later, the experiment has allowed the descendants of his creation to use the Mirre–an ability offering those who possess it to access projections of live people within a dreamscape who, once in this realm, are easily manipulated.

As the young heir to the Shabin family’s lucrative empire, Jason’s artificially-given ability provides him and his family with wealth, influence, and seemingly unstoppable power. But when he witnesses his unstable father murder his beloved uncle, he is forced to abandon his home, privilege, and protection. Jason embarks on a galaxy-wide journey to freedom, only to find himself followed by those who seek to hunt him for his unique abilities. And if they do find him–the fate of the galaxy is at stake.

©2018, 2019, 2020 Andrew Heister (P)2024 Andrew Heister

Twisty, interplanetary escape from responsibility

How many narrators are credited? *Checks notes* Only Caius Ashburn? Amazing. It sounds like at least two people, possibly more, provided the voices of the reluctant prince, his unlikely romantic fixation, the family members trying to pull him into the empire's circle of control, and various other characters met along the way. With an unexplained murder and nearly constant pursuers to evade, the young prince has a murder to solve, a war to squelch, a woman to entrance, and mysterious alien powers to keep a secret. Overall, a unique and entertaining escapade. [Disclosure: I received this title for free and listened at 2.0x.]

Enjoyable enough, but not quite the story I hoped for

Shabin: The Reluctant Prince of Rhime is one of those books that sits comfortably in the “glad I read it, but not something I’d revisit” category. There is a lot here to appreciate: the worldbuilding is imaginative, the political tensions in Rhime have real texture, and Shabin himself is a compelling protagonist when the story leans into his internal conflict and the weight of expectation placed on him.
Where the book wobbles is in its heavy emphasis on teenage romance; the coming‑of‑age arc is expected, even welcome. However, the narrative devotes so much space to Shabin’s first summer-like tryst, the longing looks, the breathless encounters, the swirl of lust and confusion, that it often overshadows the richer threads of the story. Instead of deepening the plot, the romance sometimes feels like it stalls, diverting attention from the political intrigue and character development that could have made the novel more memorable.
That said, the book isn’t without charm. When the author focuses on Shabin’s struggle between duty and desire, or the broader stakes of Rhime’s future, the story shines. There are moments of genuine emotional resonance and flashes of a more layered narrative that I wish had been explored more fully.
In the end, Shabin is a decent read, enjoyable in parts, occasionally frustrating, and ultimately just okay. Readers who love YA romance will likely connect with it more deeply, but those looking for a more balanced blend of fantasy, politics, and character growth may find themselves wishing for less swooning and more substance.

Light hearted with a fun ending twist

It did seem a little fast paced not that it hurt the story but it could have easily been longer to build more character relationships and develop the mere I think it spelled a little more. I enjoyed that the tech wasn’t badly explained it just was what it was so you didn’t find inconsistencies and such. Overall I enjoyed it , it’s more story than science and that’s perfectly fine with me.