The Scorpion’s Lullaby by Juliet Vane was a fast-paced and engaging heroine’s journey. Joella is a member of a group called the Scorpion Raiders, who ride massive scorpions through the jungles of their land, raiding caravans and pillaging villages. Joella’s mum encouraged her to train from a young age so she could join the Raiders, and find safety in life.

After Joella shows mercy during a village raid by returning necessary medicine to the village healer, her Monsieur (read tribal leader) tasks her with scouting a caravan to see if it has valuables. It carries a heavily guarded strongbox. The ensuing raid goes poorly when deadly mists creep through the area. All tribes have the same mist rule- run fast, run far. If the mist touches a living creature it sickens them, turning them mindless and violent. Joella finds herself far from home, with Marc, the strongbox’s main guard. The contents turn out to be an ancient book of legends. Can Joella reach her tribe again? After being exposed to Marc, and to various other tribes, does she really want to?

Joella started out as a warrior who had mostly forsaken the ways of her people in honouring the goddess Beline. She was convinced she was destined to be chosen by Lucien, her Monsieur, to be his Madame and lead the tribe with him. After she’s separated from them, she slowly begins to change, first subtly, then more noticeably. She loses her masculine anonymity and begins to embrace her feminine side once more. As she and Marc travel, they read the stories from the book, and learn the truth behind the legends the tribes know. They come into contact with some much rougher tribes too. The Lesprit try to coerce them to stay, or plot to kill them if not. The O’Sacree enslave them after they discover horrible truths about the tribe, truths that could free the lands of the mists forever. Through it all, Joella’s values begin to change, and she finds a family and tribe of her own.

I loved Joella’s inner journey. Marc shows her that brute strength isn’t the only kind. She begins to see that the death of her family by the mists after she left to join the Scorpion Raiders as not her fault, nor the goddess Beline’s fault. She realises the way of the Raiders is a shallow one and she no longer wants to lead them alongside Lucien. I enjoyed the outer journey as well. This is a world and set of cultures that I just fell into. Giant (possibly fire-breathing) scorpions? I’m sold. The use of French words was an interesting combination with the hot jungle setting and inclusion of insects as staple food items. I particularly enjoyed that touch. They are considered a great source of protein after all. (No, I’ve not had insects, but I’d be willing to try). Overall a very enjoyable read. Recommended!

***Many thanks to the publisher and author for providing an ecopy for a fair and honest review. Reviewed via Silver Dagger Tours.