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Proud to be a Vampire
Rangers Over Regulus
Liberty is a vampire living on a space station where those who seek to avoid the government always land, and spends his days working for the assassin who runs the place. Life is as peaceful as a colony of thugs at the edge of civilization can get. Then a Ranger shows up…
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2013
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 15, 2014
Libs is an (almost) 500 year old vampire. His kind was hunted, murdered, tortured, experimented upon for as long as he can remember. Barely escaping with his life from a research facility, he now lives on an officially abandoned space station/mine colony.
However, Libs is not alone. Plenty of other people live here, too. Mostly outcasts, outlaws and just your average criminals and crime lords, anyone who wants nothing to do with the authorities and the law for whatever reasons.
Libs is in employ of a local crime lord, Jane, who rules the largest out of three settlements with an iron (and very bloody) fist.
Now, Lib is not a bad guy, it's just that he was blackmailed into the servitude by this tiny itsy bitsy puny human female. Jane knows his "secret" and so Libs bends backwards for her.
Newsflash, Libs!!! You are a vampire and a damn good sniper! You should have been able to take her out in the first paragraph and then in each and every damn paragraph (save a couple maybe) after that. I never use TSTL tag, never. But this? How did Libs survive for 500 years? How? Natural selection should have put him down centuries ago, yet he was allowed to linger to annoy the hell out of readers :/
The only two people I rooted for in this book were the badass bartenders.
Others? I can't care less if Janes offs them all and dies of her own stupidity (which she did anyway).
1.5 stars.
However, Libs is not alone. Plenty of other people live here, too. Mostly outcasts, outlaws and just your average criminals and crime lords, anyone who wants nothing to do with the authorities and the law for whatever reasons.
Libs is in employ of a local crime lord, Jane, who rules the largest out of three settlements with an iron (and very bloody) fist.
Now, Lib is not a bad guy, it's just that he was blackmailed into the servitude by this tiny itsy bitsy puny human female. Jane knows his "secret" and so Libs bends backwards for her.
Newsflash, Libs!!! You are a vampire and a damn good sniper! You should have been able to take her out in the first paragraph and then in each and every damn paragraph (save a couple maybe) after that. I never use TSTL tag, never. But this? How did Libs survive for 500 years? How? Natural selection should have put him down centuries ago, yet he was allowed to linger to annoy the hell out of readers :/
The only two people I rooted for in this book were the badass bartenders.
Others? I can't care less if Janes offs them all and dies of her own stupidity (which she did anyway).
1.5 stars.
February 26, 2015
3,5 stars for the plot, about 2 for the romance
I really liked the plot part of this book. It was coherent, well executed and enjoyable. Good fighting scenes and nice strong female character that is so rare in M/M romance. Stella is my absolute favourite from the bunch. The bartenders weren't bad either, but Stella really shone to me.
That was the good. After that the romance part was god awful. Both of the MCs' transformed into blabbering idiots when ever they were near each other and even while away they made stupid decisions and their thoughts were sugary mess oozing syrup on the top with some pink glitter thrown into the mix. It was like watching train wreck and thinking how much more stupid could they become. And you don't want to know the answer...
And I couldn't agree with Murmurella enough. Liberty's relationship with Jane should have ended in her death about 10 minutes after she threatened him in the Saloon all those years ago. There was no logic whatsoever in the way Liberty acted towards Jane. ugh
I really liked the plot part of this book. It was coherent, well executed and enjoyable. Good fighting scenes and nice strong female character that is so rare in M/M romance. Stella is my absolute favourite from the bunch. The bartenders weren't bad either, but Stella really shone to me.
That was the good. After that the romance part was god awful. Both of the MCs' transformed into blabbering idiots when ever they were near each other and even while away they made stupid decisions and their thoughts were sugary mess oozing syrup on the top with some pink glitter thrown into the mix. It was like watching train wreck and thinking how much more stupid could they become. And you don't want to know the answer...
And I couldn't agree with Murmurella enough. Liberty's relationship with Jane should have ended in her death about 10 minutes after she threatened him in the Saloon all those years ago. There was no logic whatsoever in the way Liberty acted towards Jane. ugh
May 21, 2023
Enjoyable enough. This has been on my Kindle for a few years and I was encouraged to read it because of the Popsugar Reading Challenge, for which it ticks a box. Anyway, I enjoyed it, but I wasn't super excited about it. I absolutely loved one of Alex Powell's earlier books and had high hopes, but this one was just okay. A vampire on a wild west space station is a neat idea, though.
April 9, 2024
I think this may be the book with the most bookshelf tags out of my entire library...
So I'd like to start this review by saying I didn't even know this book existed until I went to Read & Write with Pride in the summer. Powell read an excerpt from this book and I wanted to buy it on the spot. I got one of the last copies AND they autographed it for me <3. Also, queer Canadian author, so this book is just all kinds of awesome.
Normally I'm not that into or tolerant of fluff, but I guess this book caught me at a good time. It's a bit like Firefly with the space cowboys, but instead of zombie-like Reavers, vampires exist. And one is the main character. Though he shares the spotlight with his "nemesis", a Ranger, basically a space sheriff. The female characters in this book are strong and no one really needs anyone to save them. You have to be able to survive on your own on this space station, and that's done very well. What shocked me was how much of a doofus the Ranger was, actually.
Don't get me wrong, though. I use the term affectionately, for once. Rory is just so optimistic and naive you can't help but love him. He's like Prince Charming except that instead of an asshole, he's a teddy bear. You're urging for him and Liberty to get together from the first page really.
Why I call this book fluff is because it was fun, but not that serious. It takes you on a romp through space where there are some surprises, though not too many, and not too shocking, but also a fair share of predictable events. I wouldn't say I was ever concerned for any of the characters' wellbeing, or even emotionally involved with any of the characters. But I enjoyed them all and the journey they went on. Plus there's a talking horse who can deal more damage than a vampire, so you know. There's a lot of stuff going on in this book. I think if it had been more serious, or longer, it would have been a totally different book. It works as a feel-good pick me up.
My one gripe would be the lack of connection to the characters. And maybe that's just me. I get so far into my character's heads in my own stories that a common complaint of mine when reading others' stories is I'm not deep enough in their minds to understand them. Which is not to say that thoughts or motivations are kept from the reader, because they aren't. But I definitely would have loved to see deeper ones, though that probably would have taken away some of the fluff.
So I'd like to start this review by saying I didn't even know this book existed until I went to Read & Write with Pride in the summer. Powell read an excerpt from this book and I wanted to buy it on the spot. I got one of the last copies AND they autographed it for me <3. Also, queer Canadian author, so this book is just all kinds of awesome.
Normally I'm not that into or tolerant of fluff, but I guess this book caught me at a good time. It's a bit like Firefly with the space cowboys, but instead of zombie-like Reavers, vampires exist. And one is the main character. Though he shares the spotlight with his "nemesis", a Ranger, basically a space sheriff. The female characters in this book are strong and no one really needs anyone to save them. You have to be able to survive on your own on this space station, and that's done very well. What shocked me was how much of a doofus the Ranger was, actually.
Don't get me wrong, though. I use the term affectionately, for once. Rory is just so optimistic and naive you can't help but love him. He's like Prince Charming except that instead of an asshole, he's a teddy bear. You're urging for him and Liberty to get together from the first page really.
Why I call this book fluff is because it was fun, but not that serious. It takes you on a romp through space where there are some surprises, though not too many, and not too shocking, but also a fair share of predictable events. I wouldn't say I was ever concerned for any of the characters' wellbeing, or even emotionally involved with any of the characters. But I enjoyed them all and the journey they went on. Plus there's a talking horse who can deal more damage than a vampire, so you know. There's a lot of stuff going on in this book. I think if it had been more serious, or longer, it would have been a totally different book. It works as a feel-good pick me up.
My one gripe would be the lack of connection to the characters. And maybe that's just me. I get so far into my character's heads in my own stories that a common complaint of mine when reading others' stories is I'm not deep enough in their minds to understand them. Which is not to say that thoughts or motivations are kept from the reader, because they aren't. But I definitely would have loved to see deeper ones, though that probably would have taken away some of the fluff.
February 6, 2015
4.5 rounded to 5.
Length: 51,000 words
Characters: Liberty and Rory Dalhart
POV: Limited Third
Sub-Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Kisses: 4.5—very good. You liked it and would recommend it. Stronger plot and interesting characters.
Review:
Having read the blurb, I was unsure about purchasing “Rangers Over Regulus” but now I’m glad I did take advantage of the Author of the Month sale and buy it. Somehow the author managed to give a science fiction space station a Western (as in cowboys and Indians) edge. Alex Powell obviously put a lot of thought into the story, the world, and the characters, and it shows. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to ruin the story, but I would definitely recommend this story if you like westerns, crime, science fiction, paranormal, or all of the above.
Liberty is an great example of what I feel a vampire should be: he drinks blood for a living and doesn’t feels the slightest bit of compassion for his food. As an assassin, he takes pride in his skills, and he is feared by those on the station as both a vampire and an assassin, yet he has an interesting friendship with the person who maintains his weapons. As an interesting contrast, Rory is a Ranger who, while aware of how corrupt and vicious people can be, still does his best and sticks to his personal morals.
Keep an eye out for the horse. She almost steals the show.
Length: 51,000 words
Characters: Liberty and Rory Dalhart
POV: Limited Third
Sub-Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Kisses: 4.5—very good. You liked it and would recommend it. Stronger plot and interesting characters.
Review:
Having read the blurb, I was unsure about purchasing “Rangers Over Regulus” but now I’m glad I did take advantage of the Author of the Month sale and buy it. Somehow the author managed to give a science fiction space station a Western (as in cowboys and Indians) edge. Alex Powell obviously put a lot of thought into the story, the world, and the characters, and it shows. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to ruin the story, but I would definitely recommend this story if you like westerns, crime, science fiction, paranormal, or all of the above.
Liberty is an great example of what I feel a vampire should be: he drinks blood for a living and doesn’t feels the slightest bit of compassion for his food. As an assassin, he takes pride in his skills, and he is feared by those on the station as both a vampire and an assassin, yet he has an interesting friendship with the person who maintains his weapons. As an interesting contrast, Rory is a Ranger who, while aware of how corrupt and vicious people can be, still does his best and sticks to his personal morals.
Keep an eye out for the horse. She almost steals the show.
September 12, 2016
4.5* Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
Liberty has spent the last fifty years living on the fringes of occupied space in order to survive. Recruited and forced to work for Jane, the woman in charge of the station he’s living on, Liberty hates that he has no choice but sees no other option for himself other than death. When a Ranger unexpectedly shows up to survey the station, his appearance stirs up more than just Jane’s animosity; he also catches Liberty’s eye. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, Liberty finds himself with a difficult choice; take a stand against the tyranny running rampant on the station and chance being killed or side with the Ranger that makes him feel something other than the need for his own survival. Either way, there’s no way Liberty will be coming out unscathed.
With such a minimal blurb to go on, it was kind of a chance to read this one but I’m really glad I did! :) This story was a blending of science fiction and western elements which I found intriguing and, even better, the author managed to pull it off successfully. I liked the entire story from start to finish and barely put it down the entire time I was reading; the setting was interesting and I was happily drawn into the world the author had created.
The characters were great, too. Liberty was both your typical vampire and yet so very different. He claims to be a monster yet has more morals than a lot of the people in the station where he lives. The Ranger, Rory, could also be considered a monster by today’s standards with all of the implants and tech he’s riddled with. Going against the norm in what most people would do when faced with a vampire, he doesn’t see Liberty as a monster and doesn’t feel the need to either kill him or experiment on him. I liked these two together quite a bit and could see a great partnership coming out of their acquaintance. I do wish there had been a bit more switching up of roles when they were together but those scenes were still good so I didn’t mind too much.
The story itself was paced really well and was completely entertaining and my only complaint is that I wish there was more! This was a decent sized book but I can’t help but want more of these characters and this universe. I’ve enjoyed both books I’ve read by this author so far so if you like science fiction, you might want to give them both a look. If you want something with a bit of a paranormal flair, however, I’d certainly recommend this one.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/09/0...
Liberty has spent the last fifty years living on the fringes of occupied space in order to survive. Recruited and forced to work for Jane, the woman in charge of the station he’s living on, Liberty hates that he has no choice but sees no other option for himself other than death. When a Ranger unexpectedly shows up to survey the station, his appearance stirs up more than just Jane’s animosity; he also catches Liberty’s eye. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, Liberty finds himself with a difficult choice; take a stand against the tyranny running rampant on the station and chance being killed or side with the Ranger that makes him feel something other than the need for his own survival. Either way, there’s no way Liberty will be coming out unscathed.
With such a minimal blurb to go on, it was kind of a chance to read this one but I’m really glad I did! :) This story was a blending of science fiction and western elements which I found intriguing and, even better, the author managed to pull it off successfully. I liked the entire story from start to finish and barely put it down the entire time I was reading; the setting was interesting and I was happily drawn into the world the author had created.
The characters were great, too. Liberty was both your typical vampire and yet so very different. He claims to be a monster yet has more morals than a lot of the people in the station where he lives. The Ranger, Rory, could also be considered a monster by today’s standards with all of the implants and tech he’s riddled with. Going against the norm in what most people would do when faced with a vampire, he doesn’t see Liberty as a monster and doesn’t feel the need to either kill him or experiment on him. I liked these two together quite a bit and could see a great partnership coming out of their acquaintance. I do wish there had been a bit more switching up of roles when they were together but those scenes were still good so I didn’t mind too much.
The story itself was paced really well and was completely entertaining and my only complaint is that I wish there was more! This was a decent sized book but I can’t help but want more of these characters and this universe. I’ve enjoyed both books I’ve read by this author so far so if you like science fiction, you might want to give them both a look. If you want something with a bit of a paranormal flair, however, I’d certainly recommend this one.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/09/0...
December 1, 2013
3.25 stars.
Liberty, who’s a vampire, still remembers how cruel life was to his kind. That’s one of the reasons why he avoids the government and works as an assassin on a space station. He just can’t imagine another life. But then a Ranger appears on his station and all hell breaks loose.
Rangers Over Regulus started out to be a really great read and I was totally convinced that I would enjoy every page!
But at some point, something changed for me. The story lost this special feeling it had at the beginning. I can’t really put my finger on it, maybe it’s because Liberty and Rory morphed into two lovesick guys, who would rather make out than fight – which isn’t exactly a bad thing… but I wanted a little bit more. Or it was Liberty and his reluctance to change sides. He’s a vampire with superhuman powers. And his boss? Totally human. And even though she knew his “secret” it wasn’t really reason enough for me to make the story believable.
This may sound like I didn’t enjoy the book at all – which is not true! The setting was great and the combination of western and sci-fi was also a winner. There were just some things I didn’t like as much as others.
Liberty, who’s a vampire, still remembers how cruel life was to his kind. That’s one of the reasons why he avoids the government and works as an assassin on a space station. He just can’t imagine another life. But then a Ranger appears on his station and all hell breaks loose.
Rangers Over Regulus started out to be a really great read and I was totally convinced that I would enjoy every page!
But at some point, something changed for me. The story lost this special feeling it had at the beginning. I can’t really put my finger on it, maybe it’s because Liberty and Rory morphed into two lovesick guys, who would rather make out than fight – which isn’t exactly a bad thing… but I wanted a little bit more. Or it was Liberty and his reluctance to change sides. He’s a vampire with superhuman powers. And his boss? Totally human. And even though she knew his “secret” it wasn’t really reason enough for me to make the story believable.
This may sound like I didn’t enjoy the book at all – which is not true! The setting was great and the combination of western and sci-fi was also a winner. There were just some things I didn’t like as much as others.
August 25, 2014
Well, full disclosure: I'm not a huge fan of vampire stories. That said, there was really only one scene that eroticized the blood drinking (one too many for me). There was just too much compacted into this story. It needed a lot more fleshing out. Like I still don't get why Liberty didn't just kill Jane and be done with her. Or anyone could have killed her. She was so repulsive that no one would have had any loyalty to her. So that really didn't seem logical to me. And there were some other logic holes, (Like why didn't they do something with the power generators?) but I won't go into them. There were hints of some interesting and imaginative world building and storytelling, but this book suffered from lack of development. It felt like it was edited down to half of what it should have been and as a result we were missing a lot of the character and relationship building. I'm glad I got it from the library and didn't buy it myself. *^_^*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2013
The Author of this book was unknown to me and I didn't really know what to think about the title of the story but the summary sounded pretty interesting so I gave it a try...and it was totally worth it!
I've enjoyed the story about Rory and Libs, the characters were very likable and the picturing of the surroundings and all the people involved fantastic, it was like watching kind of a science fiction western.
It wasn't a true masterpiece but it was very entertaining and I liked the smooth flow of the story, the ending not a surprise but I loved it. There've been a few things I didn't know what to make of it (like...why Libs wasn't able to take out this Jane-bitch..he was so powerfull and not to forget a vampire and she was "only" a human being..)
But, well, all in all it was a really great, addictive read and I've devoured it in one session.
I've enjoyed the story about Rory and Libs, the characters were very likable and the picturing of the surroundings and all the people involved fantastic, it was like watching kind of a science fiction western.
It wasn't a true masterpiece but it was very entertaining and I liked the smooth flow of the story, the ending not a surprise but I loved it. There've been a few things I didn't know what to make of it (like...why Libs wasn't able to take out this Jane-bitch..he was so powerfull and not to forget a vampire and she was "only" a human being..)
But, well, all in all it was a really great, addictive read and I've devoured it in one session.
June 24, 2014
I'm not real sure why I liked this book as much as I did. It was a mix of weird western and space opera... A lone ranger and his trusty cyborg steed land on played out mining station. The locals live in fear, under the rule of a sadist crime boss and her pet vampire gunslinger. The action is predictable, but the writing style made it entertaining. I'd like to see what this author tries next.
November 8, 2014
It was a nice read. Steampunk, Cowboy Vampire in Space, living in a old west society, fun. Some of the writing was rudimentary. But I liked it, I need to back and look this might be a debut book. That would change my opinion on the writing.
June 19, 2014
Wow! Nice one.
Did Not Finish
November 5, 2013DNF
June 11, 2014
Libro excellente, bravo con forte!
December 6, 2015
2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Want to Read
September 7, 2018testosterone_tea on A03
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