House Valdis Origins: Xenobia by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Xenobia has the sixth sense to avoid falling victim to betrayal. At a young age, she knew not to trust anyone. That is, until Urd became her new roommate at the training center. Headmistress Xiomara assigns Xenobia to make sure that Urd learns the rules; she would be responsible for anything Urd failed. Somehow, Xenobia lets down her guard with Urd, and they become best friends. Unfortunately, every slave’s happiness comes to an end when the Chief Slave Traders arrive. Headmistress Xiomara takes Urd early in the morning. Xenobia worries throughout the day, and Urd enters the room after the night is half over. Xenobia notices a red welt on Urd’s back. The following morning, Urd doesn’t eat with Xenobia but goes to kneel before the Chief. Later that evening, Xenobia sees the man strike Urd. Xenobia attacks him and is thrown into an outbuilding in chains.
The girls are sent to their new master together when they learn that Xenobia can heal Urd’s wounds. One evening, they learn that Prince Xavion is coming, and Xenobia knows they have to escape because Xavion’s reputation for his treatment of slaves is dire. Xenobia had hoped to find the rumored Underground so they could be freed from slavery. Now, they don’t have time and must escape before the prince arrives.
 
House Valdis Origins: Xenobia makes a solid foundation for the series by featuring Xenobia’s early life. Xenobia’s attachment to Urd becomes almost as though they are sisters. It becomes evident that Xenobia isn’t human since she has blue skin, can heal wounds, and has a feral anger that causes fangs to appear. The detail is excellent and doesn’t overwhelm the unpredictable plot. The novella is a quick read but is full of emotion and action that held my interest and left me eager to read the sequel.

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