Ulan barely escapes death after Imperial Panthers murder six boys who ignore the curfew. However, when she goes to report the death of the boys to the Prefect, she is seen as a suspect and has to escape death again. Bent on a mission to avenge the boys, Ulan escapes with help from the Prefect and joins the Sanctuary, where she meets Tara and falls in love with her. Subsequently, Ulan develops her gifts and trains to become a formidable fighter. However, she soon experiences another catastrophe, which tests all she learned in her training. Will Ulan find the strength to fight back and punish all those who wronged her? Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling takes readers through an exhilarating chase and revenge-fueled action involving a gifted and strong-willed protagonist.

From life-threatening fights with blood and sand as weapons to intense competitions with water as tools, Ulan is filled with concepts that just blew my mind with their awesomeness! I was completely engaged and eager to see Ulan deliver her vengeance. The book also contains some graphic scenes that intensify the excitement. Imagine being mutilated for hesitating. Yes, the antagonists are that ruthless! The world is well designed with different groups, defined roles, rebels, and an establishment that trains its gifted members thoroughly. I imagine the author must have trained in martial arts because of how detailed the fight scenes are. Every part of the story is quite electrifying as it moves from one unexpected event to another and meanders through different themes: sexual assault, mutilation, vengeance, bullying, friendship, power, love, and more. I'm seriously looking forward to reading more amazing books from Rick Stepp-Bolling.

The Imperial panthers prowled Summia, and on one of those days that they killed six boys. Five of the boys were from Clan Hemite, and they taunted Ulan, while Kip, the sixth one, defended her. Unfortunately, they were out after curfew and carried weapons, costing them their lives and Ulan’s hair. A bigger problem arose when Clan Hemite blamed Ulan for the boys’ deaths. They wanted blood revenge, but the Prefect was quicker. He asked a skilled assassin, Bas, to escape with Ulan, even though she had another plan. Ulan wanted revenge for the death of Kip and her lost hair. She nursed a grievance against the Imperial panthers while Clan Hemite was out to shed her blood. How far can she run? What is her fate? Find out in Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling.

Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling was captivating, action-packed, and fast-paced. The novel was such a smooth ride that I didn’t sleep a wink until I finished it. By the end of this book, I was motivated to sign up for self-defense classes. Many things went down in Ulan, from politics to betrayal, loyalty, survival, romance, deception, humor, and more. I loved the plot, and the storyline was a masterpiece for a prequel! Rick is a fantastic, talented storyteller who drew me in with his writing style and character development. My favorite characters were Ulan, Tara, Mindara, and Shalah because I love alpha females. For a minute, I wished to have some of Ulan’s “copy and paste” ability. Bas was extraordinary, and Kip was a keeper. I had high hopes for Ja, but it is what it is. I’m invested and hope to read more of Rick’s work.

Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling is a well-crafted, engrossing novel about a young Summian girl blamed for the death of six boys from Clan Hemite. The Imperial Panthers are the true murderers. She gets caught up in a blood reckoning and tries to escape with the help of a post-war rebel named Bas. At Sum-Est, the Lore Master named Ja teaches young trainees how to be Lore Mistresses. This is where Ulan realizes she can avenge the boys' deaths by becoming a Lore Mistress. This is where Tara comes into her life. Tara is also new, but she shows Ulan how to make use of the body/mind connection, and how to love.

This is Book 4 in the Patch Man series, and the character of Ulan is so intriguing she makes you feel as if you know her. This is due to Stepp-Bolling's wonderful way with character, story, and world-building. This author builds Ulan so completely and intimately that you can almost predict what she is going to think or say about a situation, but there are still surprises along the way. I like that Ulan feels guilty over not being able to do anything but witness the event, and then she is doubly impacted when she herself becomes an intended victim. I must say Bas is another intriguing character, who teaches her how to fight once she's on the run. The supernatural teachings she receives are intriguing, and the suspense and dread are always in the back of your mind because Red ward stalks her to Sum-Est.

It's so interesting to watch how Ulan progresses into a warrior and assassin, and how she's transformed by it, and by love. The opening scenes are tense and richly descriptive, setting the stage in a vivid way. She's a bit complicated, but that's what makes her an attractive character. So basically, what we have here is an in-depth character study of a standout personality. The drama is gripping, well-paced, and thoroughly entertaining, replete with finely-drawn, intelligent characters that live and breathe. Fans of fantasy and adventure will love Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling.

Ulan by Rick Stepp-Bolling is set in the Summian desert and tells the story of Ulan who is taunted by six boys from the Hemite clan. One of the boys, Kip, decides that what they are doing is wrong and tries to protect Ulan. An orthodox group believes women have no role in fighting and interprets the Tel-Amir from a fundamentalist perspective. The Imperial Panthers, a death squad, come to her rescue but they too are violent and ruthless, killing the six boys to show what happens when their orders are disobeyed. The Prefect will inform the Clan Hemite that their sons are dead. Farah, the head of Clan Hemite, will require an act of blood revenge and enlists Twil instead of the Red Ward. Bas, a Galgahan, takes care of orphaned animals, usually poisoned by neurotoxins, and works for The Prefect. President Gelfson occupied Summia and introduced a curfew imposed on all activities and roving Imperial troops. Ulan informs Kip’s father, Gunn, of Kip’s death. Gunn sees Kip as a hero and gives Ulan his valuable bracelet. Farrah, under the command of President Gelfson, enlists Karn to kill Bas and Ulan. Bas and Ulan travel to Sum-Est, to the Temple of the Lore. Ja, Lore Master of the Temple Sanctuary, educates Tara and Ulan in the art of self-defence so that Ulan can protect herself and avenge the deaths of the six boys.

Ulan is a riveting story, action-packed and filled with excitement from beginning to end as the Hemite clan seek revenge. The interesting array of characters are all well described and easy to relate to, especially Bas and Ulan. The story is smooth flowing and makes for a quick, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the technology and weapons described in the story including the Holo and laser blades. Rick Stepp-Bolling does a fantastic job of explaining the events, locations and landscape – from sand storms to underground rivers. Overall, a fantastic novel, highly recommended to all readers.