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The Phoenix Adventures #1
At Star's End
Dr. Eos Rai has spent a lifetime dedicated to her mother's dream of finding the long-lost Mona Lisa. When Eos uncovers tantalizing evidence of Star's End--the last known location of the masterpiece--she's shocked when her employer, the Galactic Institute of Historic Preservation, refuses to back her expedition. Left with no choice, Eos must trust the most notorious treasure hunter in the galaxy, a man she finds infuriating, annoying and far too tempting.
Dathan Phoenix can sniff out relics at a stellar mile. With his brothers by his side, he takes the adventures that suit him and refuses to become a lazy, bitter failure like their father. When the gorgeous Eos Rai comes looking to hire him, he knows she's trouble, but he's lured into a hunt that turns into a wild and dangerous adventure. As Eos and Dathan are pushed to their limits, they discover treasure isn't the only thing they're drawn to...but how will their desire survive when Dathan demands the Mona Lisa as his payment?
42,000 words
Dathan Phoenix can sniff out relics at a stellar mile. With his brothers by his side, he takes the adventures that suit him and refuses to become a lazy, bitter failure like their father. When the gorgeous Eos Rai comes looking to hire him, he knows she's trouble, but he's lured into a hunt that turns into a wild and dangerous adventure. As Eos and Dathan are pushed to their limits, they discover treasure isn't the only thing they're drawn to...but how will their desire survive when Dathan demands the Mona Lisa as his payment?
42,000 words
137 pages, ebook
First published March 31, 2014
87 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
159 books2,919 followersI’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 7, 2014
The first book in Anna Hackett's The Phoenix Adventures series. Dr. Eos Rai is searching for Star's End and the ancient relics and art and treasures contained there. She needs help and who better to help than the legendary treasure hunters, the Phoenix brothers. Dathan Phoenix is reluctant at first but when he realizes she may actually have the information to find the mythical place, he agrees.
Quite a nice little adventurous and sexy Science Fiction Romance novella. Just enough big science sounding words to convince me but not too many to confuse me. The writing was easy and fast pace and the characters were likable. Sure, it's predictable and just a bit cheesy at times but I really enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it to Romance fans who enjoy the Science Fiction Romance genre.
I received this through Netgalley for an honest review.
Quite a nice little adventurous and sexy Science Fiction Romance novella. Just enough big science sounding words to convince me but not too many to confuse me. The writing was easy and fast pace and the characters were likable. Sure, it's predictable and just a bit cheesy at times but I really enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it to Romance fans who enjoy the Science Fiction Romance genre.
I received this through Netgalley for an honest review.
July 5, 2014
Originally published at Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly
Space pirates and the Mona Lisa. Now there’s a combination that doesn’t turn up everyday!
At Star’s End is a rollicking space piracy adventure wrapped around a hot romance between an archeologist and the pirate captain. Although the emphasis in the story is on the action/adventure and the romance, the science fiction aspects provide just the right sauce, along with a touch of pathos.
Star’s End is a place. A mythical place where the first Earth colony ships, loaded with the most beautiful art and artifacts of our dying planet, ended up. By the time period of this story, Star’s End is a lost legend. It appears in history books, it’s treasures are mostly known through surviving computer files, but no one has ever found the actual place. It seems to be literally at the stars’ end.
Archeologists’ careers have come to unhappy ends in the fruitless search for the lost Terran treasure, including the career and life of Dr. Eos Rai’s mother. Eos has devoted herself to proving her mother’s theories correct. And at last she has a lead on the trove--but her bosses at the Galactic Institute of Historic Preservation refuse to back an expedition.
That’s where the Phoenix brothers come in. Dathan Phoenix, along with his brothers Niklas and Zayn are pretty legendary themselves. Legendary treasure hunters, that is. The Phoenix brothers search for treasure and historic artifacts for purely mercenary motives; they’re in it for the money.
Eos is in it for the thrill of the hunt, and for the glory of getting her latest finds into the museum. But without museum backing, the Phoenix brothers are her only choice for this personal mission. A mission that becomes even more personal when she and Dathan can’t seem to stop the spark of attraction that flares up between them.
They’ve always been on opposite sides of the fence, but opposites definitely do attract.
Treasure hunts also attract poachers, including a hunter who is as much after brother Niklas as any treasure they might discover. (I hope this story turns up in a later book).
As they get further away from civilized space, the chase gets more and more dangerous. Too many rivals try to kidnap Eos for the secret she holds. But no matter how difficult the hunt, Eos never gives up or gives in.
Except to what she feels for Dathan.
Escape Rating A-: Another review called At Star’s End the love child of Indiana Jones and Firefly, and that’s a pretty good description. The universe by the time of the story has gotten kind of dark and gritty, much like the background of Firefly. But the adventure part of the story is pure Indiana Jones’ treasure chasing, non-stop action and danger, with a heroine who gets herself into, and out of, every kind of trap and trouble imaginable.
This is Eos’ story. Her information, her find, and often her danger. It’s about what she wants, and what she thinks she wants. Does she just want to find Star’s End, or is she trying to validate her mother’s career? Does she want to go back to the Museum, or does she want a more interesting, and more dangerous, future with Dathan? If he’s looking for a long-term relationship, and not just a fling, that is.
If you love the action/adventure type of science fiction romance, let these space pirates steal you away, and steal your heart.
Space pirates and the Mona Lisa. Now there’s a combination that doesn’t turn up everyday!
At Star’s End is a rollicking space piracy adventure wrapped around a hot romance between an archeologist and the pirate captain. Although the emphasis in the story is on the action/adventure and the romance, the science fiction aspects provide just the right sauce, along with a touch of pathos.
Star’s End is a place. A mythical place where the first Earth colony ships, loaded with the most beautiful art and artifacts of our dying planet, ended up. By the time period of this story, Star’s End is a lost legend. It appears in history books, it’s treasures are mostly known through surviving computer files, but no one has ever found the actual place. It seems to be literally at the stars’ end.
Archeologists’ careers have come to unhappy ends in the fruitless search for the lost Terran treasure, including the career and life of Dr. Eos Rai’s mother. Eos has devoted herself to proving her mother’s theories correct. And at last she has a lead on the trove--but her bosses at the Galactic Institute of Historic Preservation refuse to back an expedition.
That’s where the Phoenix brothers come in. Dathan Phoenix, along with his brothers Niklas and Zayn are pretty legendary themselves. Legendary treasure hunters, that is. The Phoenix brothers search for treasure and historic artifacts for purely mercenary motives; they’re in it for the money.
Eos is in it for the thrill of the hunt, and for the glory of getting her latest finds into the museum. But without museum backing, the Phoenix brothers are her only choice for this personal mission. A mission that becomes even more personal when she and Dathan can’t seem to stop the spark of attraction that flares up between them.
They’ve always been on opposite sides of the fence, but opposites definitely do attract.
Treasure hunts also attract poachers, including a hunter who is as much after brother Niklas as any treasure they might discover. (I hope this story turns up in a later book).
As they get further away from civilized space, the chase gets more and more dangerous. Too many rivals try to kidnap Eos for the secret she holds. But no matter how difficult the hunt, Eos never gives up or gives in.
Except to what she feels for Dathan.
Escape Rating A-: Another review called At Star’s End the love child of Indiana Jones and Firefly, and that’s a pretty good description. The universe by the time of the story has gotten kind of dark and gritty, much like the background of Firefly. But the adventure part of the story is pure Indiana Jones’ treasure chasing, non-stop action and danger, with a heroine who gets herself into, and out of, every kind of trap and trouble imaginable.
This is Eos’ story. Her information, her find, and often her danger. It’s about what she wants, and what she thinks she wants. Does she just want to find Star’s End, or is she trying to validate her mother’s career? Does she want to go back to the Museum, or does she want a more interesting, and more dangerous, future with Dathan? If he’s looking for a long-term relationship, and not just a fling, that is.
If you love the action/adventure type of science fiction romance, let these space pirates steal you away, and steal your heart.
May 25, 2014
Ancient treasures from long ago Earth are hidden in a mysterious place called Star’s End. Is this a place of fantasy or does it really exist? When a nuclear disaster forces Earth inhabitants to flee for their lives, it was said they took priceless pieces of their history with them to Star’s End, where they formed their own colony. Are treasures and works of art really still in existence? Could this mean the Mona Lisa still existed? Dr. Eos Rai’s late mother believed it and she is determined to fulfill her mother’s lifelong quest. In order to do so, she must hire the infamous Phoenix brothers to take her on her journey. Legend in space, these men are daring, reckless and far more intelligent than people give them credit for.
To say that opposites attract would be an understatement as Eos and Dathan, one of the brothers butt heads at every turn, all while sensing a sexual chemistry that threatens to explode like a solar flare. Dathan is dashing, arrogant and so not Eos’ type, while Eos is all business, determined and prickly, everything that just grinds at Dathan. Too bad she was also beautiful, mysterious and intriguing, too! Will their own self-doubts keep them apart or will their chemistry burn like a supernova? Will this dangerous mission come between them, as treasures often do? More importantly, is it possible the Mona Lisa will outlast Earth?
At Star’s End by Anna Hackett sizzles with tension, action and danger, all while adding the sparks of a sometimes sweet, but always exciting budding romance. Ms. Hackett has taken us on a wonderful, fantasy journey to places unknown with a cast of characters that will make you smile, then have you in awe of their serious sides when the danger ratchets up. Dathan is tough, but there is an underlying fear that makes him extremely vulnerable. Eos is gutsy, intelligent and determined to clear her family’s good name while being lonely and insecure in her own right. Ms. Hackett’s imaginative world is like taking a trip into space!
So strap in, enjoy the heat of romance and the daring of this group of space travellers! I feel safe to say, this was an out of this world experience and a highly enjoyable,” quick escape” read that will have you back on Earth in no time!
Publication Date: March 31, 2014
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN-13: 9781426898105
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance/Fantasy
Print Length: 137 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
To say that opposites attract would be an understatement as Eos and Dathan, one of the brothers butt heads at every turn, all while sensing a sexual chemistry that threatens to explode like a solar flare. Dathan is dashing, arrogant and so not Eos’ type, while Eos is all business, determined and prickly, everything that just grinds at Dathan. Too bad she was also beautiful, mysterious and intriguing, too! Will their own self-doubts keep them apart or will their chemistry burn like a supernova? Will this dangerous mission come between them, as treasures often do? More importantly, is it possible the Mona Lisa will outlast Earth?
At Star’s End by Anna Hackett sizzles with tension, action and danger, all while adding the sparks of a sometimes sweet, but always exciting budding romance. Ms. Hackett has taken us on a wonderful, fantasy journey to places unknown with a cast of characters that will make you smile, then have you in awe of their serious sides when the danger ratchets up. Dathan is tough, but there is an underlying fear that makes him extremely vulnerable. Eos is gutsy, intelligent and determined to clear her family’s good name while being lonely and insecure in her own right. Ms. Hackett’s imaginative world is like taking a trip into space!
So strap in, enjoy the heat of romance and the daring of this group of space travellers! I feel safe to say, this was an out of this world experience and a highly enjoyable,” quick escape” read that will have you back on Earth in no time!
Publication Date: March 31, 2014
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN-13: 9781426898105
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance/Fantasy
Print Length: 137 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
December 17, 2023
At Star’s End was the 2nd Phoenix Treasure Hunter novel I’ve read and I loved it - Great fun! (Among Galactic Ruins, is #1). At Star’s End moved quickly with plenty of action and obstacles. The main characters were believable and, importantly, I liked them and wanted them to succeed with their hunt and their HEA. I have purchased and look forward to the next book in the Phoenix series, a new favorite of mine. I recommend At Star’s End for readers of action-adventures-romance novels, light fantasy romances or light Space Opera romances with HEAs. At Star’s End is more about the Space adventure but sexual intimacy is present, on-scene & somewhat steamy. Therefore I do not recommended it for young readers or those who prefer Clean novels.
The PHOENIX BROTHERS are the most notorious treasure hunters in the galaxy.
NIKLAS Phoenix - Astro-archeologist and former co-worker and a trusted expert at the Galactic Institute for Historical Preservation. Niklas is a conservative thinker, the sensible and oldest brother. He is a rugged version of Dathan with a studious bent.
ZAYN Phoenix - former Galactic Strike Wing Fighter pilot, thrill seeker, the youngest brother, refuses to carry firearms but is lethally trained in hand-to-hand combat.
DATHAN PHOENIX - adventurer, a treasure hunter with an innate ability to sniff out authentic relics, legendary across the Exodus quadrant and cursed for it among academia. Dathan is lean and hard muscled gained by regular physical effort rather than salons or treatments, possesses a charm used often in negotiations, various exploits and with the ladies. Dathan was raised by a treasure hunter. Hunting it is his life and his passion.
Although the Phoenix brothers hunt together, At Star’s End is Dathan’s story.
DR. EOS RAI is an astro-archeologist on a temporary LOA from her employer Galactic Institute for Historical Preservation. She has just invested all her personal funds toward what other experts believe is an outrageous search for an ancient Terran treasure created long ago by Leonardo da Vinci - the last remaining fragment of the lovely Mona Lisa. Dr. Eos comes from a matriarchal society on a calm, peaceful planet. Her people are born with elegant arm patterns and intricate swirling back tattoos unique to their race. She is intelligent, determined, and curious, wanting to prove her deceased mother’s belief regarding the lost Terran treasure is true.
The Phoenix brothers Treasure Hunter’s headquarters is located on Kahn, an orbiting moon of a large planet, Souk, on the outer edge of the galaxy. Souk attracts explorers, daredevils, and colonists from all over the galaxy to its diverse and plentiful white and grey market items, as the last restocking point available once an adventure begins. Dr Eos gets herself to Kahn, the Phoenix brothers headquarters, and convinces them to fly her into uncharted space chasing after the mystery that killed her mother - the missing Mona Lisa. Against all odds Eos believes the lost shipment (named At Stars End) of the Mona Lisa and other Terran treasures ended up in a buried moon colony only recently discovered by mining scans - well past the fringe of space, beyond the outer rim into uncharted space. Dr Eos and the Phoenix brothers risk their lives chasing Dr Eos’ dream. Will they succeed or will one of many deadly obstacles triumph instead - space irregularities, the Devil’s Nebula horrors and slavers, sandstorms, giant sand vipers (think Tremors) opposing treasure hunters, various booby traps.
Profanity- Yes. Strong language on occasion.
Violence - Yes, occasional but not dark or graphic in tone. Slavery (a brief slave auction scene occurs, a woman escapes), hand to hand fighting with knives and blasters (think Star Wars, PG/PG-13).
Sexual situations - Yes. Intimacy between the 2 main characters several times as their relationship develops (beginning before 50%).
The PHOENIX BROTHERS are the most notorious treasure hunters in the galaxy.
NIKLAS Phoenix - Astro-archeologist and former co-worker and a trusted expert at the Galactic Institute for Historical Preservation. Niklas is a conservative thinker, the sensible and oldest brother. He is a rugged version of Dathan with a studious bent.
ZAYN Phoenix - former Galactic Strike Wing Fighter pilot, thrill seeker, the youngest brother, refuses to carry firearms but is lethally trained in hand-to-hand combat.
DATHAN PHOENIX - adventurer, a treasure hunter with an innate ability to sniff out authentic relics, legendary across the Exodus quadrant and cursed for it among academia. Dathan is lean and hard muscled gained by regular physical effort rather than salons or treatments, possesses a charm used often in negotiations, various exploits and with the ladies. Dathan was raised by a treasure hunter. Hunting it is his life and his passion.
Although the Phoenix brothers hunt together, At Star’s End is Dathan’s story.
DR. EOS RAI is an astro-archeologist on a temporary LOA from her employer Galactic Institute for Historical Preservation. She has just invested all her personal funds toward what other experts believe is an outrageous search for an ancient Terran treasure created long ago by Leonardo da Vinci - the last remaining fragment of the lovely Mona Lisa. Dr. Eos comes from a matriarchal society on a calm, peaceful planet. Her people are born with elegant arm patterns and intricate swirling back tattoos unique to their race. She is intelligent, determined, and curious, wanting to prove her deceased mother’s belief regarding the lost Terran treasure is true.
The Phoenix brothers Treasure Hunter’s headquarters is located on Kahn, an orbiting moon of a large planet, Souk, on the outer edge of the galaxy. Souk attracts explorers, daredevils, and colonists from all over the galaxy to its diverse and plentiful white and grey market items, as the last restocking point available once an adventure begins. Dr Eos gets herself to Kahn, the Phoenix brothers headquarters, and convinces them to fly her into uncharted space chasing after the mystery that killed her mother - the missing Mona Lisa. Against all odds Eos believes the lost shipment (named At Stars End) of the Mona Lisa and other Terran treasures ended up in a buried moon colony only recently discovered by mining scans - well past the fringe of space, beyond the outer rim into uncharted space. Dr Eos and the Phoenix brothers risk their lives chasing Dr Eos’ dream. Will they succeed or will one of many deadly obstacles triumph instead - space irregularities, the Devil’s Nebula horrors and slavers, sandstorms, giant sand vipers (think Tremors) opposing treasure hunters, various booby traps.
Profanity- Yes. Strong language on occasion.
Violence - Yes, occasional but not dark or graphic in tone. Slavery (a brief slave auction scene occurs, a woman escapes), hand to hand fighting with knives and blasters (think Star Wars, PG/PG-13).
Sexual situations - Yes. Intimacy between the 2 main characters several times as their relationship develops (beginning before 50%).
September 7, 2021
Space adventure romance. This reminded me of two of my fav scifi romance authors--Linnea Sinclair and Jayne Castle. Hackett had me going a mile a minute with each chapter...and I really want to know about Darc.
--
A long long time ago I read a book about a girl who sought an artifact that would save her family's reputation as antiquity dealers and hopefully their debt. I'll be damned if I can remember the name of the book (and I can't even remember when I read it only know it was before I was logging into Goodreads religiously...so that's like 20 years or so of reading journals written BY HAND to dig through), but it left me with this simmering sort of want for books about girls exploring and finding romance and being historically inclined.
So basically a female Indiana Jones.
At Star's End is kind of my karma cookie for waiting for it. There's action, adventure, tension, romance, space battles, weird cultures, weirder human eccentricities, family politics you shouldn't broach to save your soul, female merc, legends and above all a character named Dr. Eos Rai who is just all kinds of cool. I wouldn't call this perfect - at one point, to avoid a worse fate, Eos is put into a position that forced her to place all her trust in the Phoenix brothers after a very short amount of time that if they had cut their losses would have left her in a situation of extreme degradation...but after some angry words its more or less hand waved away. Either Eos had been in WORST situations or it was a plot point of convenience to push a couple of other points along.
Regardless Eos is my kind of gal. Not once did she back down from the belief that finding the Mona Lisa fragment, and Star's End in general, was what she needed to accomplish. Pirates, slavers, crazy mercs who the Phoenix brothers were constantly in contention with be damned she WOULD get there and prove her mother's words true. I got a little tired of the trope "I find him attractive but wait wait don't let it on!!", since Dathan pretty much said "I dig you, you dig me, let's explore this". Her reasoning was sound - Dathan also said it was going to be a short fling - it didn't feel like a genuine response from her.
Dathan was both attractive and infuriating at the same time. He spent an awful lot of time comparing everything Eos said or did against an arbitrary set of guidelines born from dislike of "her kind" (Museum people). He didn't acknowledge the true reason behind his fear of falling for her until literally everyone in the book had told him that's why he was pushing her away. I mean seriously, Eos forgave him (whether I liked it not) for practically selling her int slavery at one point - how much more reason do you need to know a girl won't run out?
I did like the tidbits of world building Hackett wove in. Eos' people for instance are born with intricate tattoos - something that had evolved over the generations since leaving Earththat was. The rest is pretty standard sci fi space romance stuff, though the Phoenix brothers seemed to have some nifty gadgets running around. Niklas (who Eos had worked with previously for a short time at the Museum, before he either quit, was booted or some combo therein) was a bit of a cipher for me. He wavered back and forth between charming good boy charms and brooding recluse. Zayn, who was definitely more my cup of tea, was brash and humorous and sarcastic.
In all this was a fun adventure with just enough romance to not be overwhelming that built had a believable rate given the situation (emotions run high!). I'm interested to see what happens next for the Phoenix Bros...tho Hackett already laid the groundwork for Niklas' romance I believe.
--
A long long time ago I read a book about a girl who sought an artifact that would save her family's reputation as antiquity dealers and hopefully their debt. I'll be damned if I can remember the name of the book (and I can't even remember when I read it only know it was before I was logging into Goodreads religiously...so that's like 20 years or so of reading journals written BY HAND to dig through), but it left me with this simmering sort of want for books about girls exploring and finding romance and being historically inclined.
So basically a female Indiana Jones.
At Star's End is kind of my karma cookie for waiting for it. There's action, adventure, tension, romance, space battles, weird cultures, weirder human eccentricities, family politics you shouldn't broach to save your soul, female merc, legends and above all a character named Dr. Eos Rai who is just all kinds of cool. I wouldn't call this perfect - at one point, to avoid a worse fate, Eos is put into a position that forced her to place all her trust in the Phoenix brothers after a very short amount of time that if they had cut their losses would have left her in a situation of extreme degradation...but after some angry words its more or less hand waved away. Either Eos had been in WORST situations or it was a plot point of convenience to push a couple of other points along.
Regardless Eos is my kind of gal. Not once did she back down from the belief that finding the Mona Lisa fragment, and Star's End in general, was what she needed to accomplish. Pirates, slavers, crazy mercs who the Phoenix brothers were constantly in contention with be damned she WOULD get there and prove her mother's words true. I got a little tired of the trope "I find him attractive but wait wait don't let it on!!", since Dathan pretty much said "I dig you, you dig me, let's explore this". Her reasoning was sound - Dathan also said it was going to be a short fling - it didn't feel like a genuine response from her.
Dathan was both attractive and infuriating at the same time. He spent an awful lot of time comparing everything Eos said or did against an arbitrary set of guidelines born from dislike of "her kind" (Museum people). He didn't acknowledge the true reason behind his fear of falling for her until literally everyone in the book had told him that's why he was pushing her away. I mean seriously, Eos forgave him (whether I liked it not) for practically selling her int slavery at one point - how much more reason do you need to know a girl won't run out?
I did like the tidbits of world building Hackett wove in. Eos' people for instance are born with intricate tattoos - something that had evolved over the generations since leaving Earththat was. The rest is pretty standard sci fi space romance stuff, though the Phoenix brothers seemed to have some nifty gadgets running around. Niklas (who Eos had worked with previously for a short time at the Museum, before he either quit, was booted or some combo therein) was a bit of a cipher for me. He wavered back and forth between charming good boy charms and brooding recluse. Zayn, who was definitely more my cup of tea, was brash and humorous and sarcastic.
In all this was a fun adventure with just enough romance to not be overwhelming that built had a believable rate given the situation (emotions run high!). I'm interested to see what happens next for the Phoenix Bros...tho Hackett already laid the groundwork for Niklas' romance I believe.
May 16, 2024
I always love the action and adventure in Anna Hackett's books and AT STAR'S END was no different. I was already in love with Dathan when he was just a young and arrogant treasure hunter in AMONG GALACTIC RUINS and now that he's an older but still arrogant treasure hunter I really enjoyed watching him meet his match in Dr. Eos Rai. Dathan is strong, confident, and a total alpha while still being for the most part a really nice guy. Growing up with a drunk and abusive father has made Dathan tough but it's also caused him to push relationships away, worried that he'll turn into his dad. The specter of his father haunts Dathan's actions quite a bit throughout the story and it takes him a while to finally let go of the past and see what's right in front of him.
From the very beginning, Eos proves she's an independent and strong woman and that she can handle Dathan and whatever he wants to throw at her. Losing her mother was devastating for Eos but it only encouraged her to be a better astro-archeologist and to push herself to be the person she truly wants to be. Even though she loves to study ancient artifacts, Eos also enjoys the adventure of finding lost treasure. Eos and Dathan may butt heads at the start but they soon realize they make a great team.
Content Warning: Dathan was abused as a child
From the very beginning, Eos proves she's an independent and strong woman and that she can handle Dathan and whatever he wants to throw at her. Losing her mother was devastating for Eos but it only encouraged her to be a better astro-archeologist and to push herself to be the person she truly wants to be. Even though she loves to study ancient artifacts, Eos also enjoys the adventure of finding lost treasure. Eos and Dathan may butt heads at the start but they soon realize they make a great team.
Content Warning: Dathan was abused as a child
June 3, 2014
At Star's End is a rip-roaring space opera from sci fi romance author Anna Hackett. First in The Phoenix Adventures series, this novella sets the scene for the rest by introducing us to the hunky Phoenix brothers - three men in the space salvage business. Dathan Phoenix takes the lead in At Star's End, clashing brilliantly with Doctor Eos Rai, who's dumped her Insitute friends in preference for the brothers, hoping to finish her mother's dream of finding the long-lost Star's End and the treasures it allegedly holds.
Though Eos has a tendency of getting into scraps - she manages to get kidnapped three times - she remains a strong character; looking to get herself out of trouble rather than sitting around waiting for rescue (though this happens as well). Her attraction to Dathan is immediate, and she doesn't hang around waiting for him to make the first move either.
Against the backdrop of their relationship, the hunt for Star's End is an exciting, thrill-packed ride. There are slavers and pirates, sand storms and monsters, and a hard treasure hunter by the name of Nera Darc, who I highly suspect will feature largely in one of the sequel stories.
I'm greatly looking foward to read that. ;)
This book was provided by the author for an honest review.
Though Eos has a tendency of getting into scraps - she manages to get kidnapped three times - she remains a strong character; looking to get herself out of trouble rather than sitting around waiting for rescue (though this happens as well). Her attraction to Dathan is immediate, and she doesn't hang around waiting for him to make the first move either.
Against the backdrop of their relationship, the hunt for Star's End is an exciting, thrill-packed ride. There are slavers and pirates, sand storms and monsters, and a hard treasure hunter by the name of Nera Darc, who I highly suspect will feature largely in one of the sequel stories.
I'm greatly looking foward to read that. ;)
This book was provided by the author for an honest review.
March 31, 2014
AT THE STAR’S END is a sci-fi fantasy novel by author Anna Hackett is a March 2013 release.
Eos was thrown out of the institution but she is determined to find the treasure her mum believed in. The treasure believed to be on Star’s End. She hires the famous but notorious treasure hunters of the outer galaxy, the Phoenix brothers. But would the brothers take this job?
At first Dathan, one of the brothers was skeptical about the truth of Eos claim. Then he decided to take it on to find the long lost Mona Lisa. He is attracted by Eos, and the treasure. But what will happen to their desire and passion as Dathan demands the very treasure they are looking for as his payment.
AT THE STAR’S END is a very fast-paced action filled story. It is a thrill to read.
Recommended to all lovers of the genre.
Eos was thrown out of the institution but she is determined to find the treasure her mum believed in. The treasure believed to be on Star’s End. She hires the famous but notorious treasure hunters of the outer galaxy, the Phoenix brothers. But would the brothers take this job?
At first Dathan, one of the brothers was skeptical about the truth of Eos claim. Then he decided to take it on to find the long lost Mona Lisa. He is attracted by Eos, and the treasure. But what will happen to their desire and passion as Dathan demands the very treasure they are looking for as his payment.
AT THE STAR’S END is a very fast-paced action filled story. It is a thrill to read.
Recommended to all lovers of the genre.
February 23, 2015
Really 3.5 stars.
Three brothers & an archeologist go on a quest to find a lost colony of Earth, called Star's End.
Along the way Dr Eos Rai is kidnapped by space pirates and sold as a slave, kidnapped by a female rival treasure hunter twice, almost becomes lunch for a massive sand snake and survives a sand storm.
Dathan Phoenix, one of the brothers is there to save her or keep her company, depending on the emergency.
Nice fun shortie space opera and I can see a recurring theme with our rival treasure hunter Darc having a good time beating up Nik Phoenix, the eldest brother.
Very reminiscent in style of the Indiana Jones franchise.
Three brothers & an archeologist go on a quest to find a lost colony of Earth, called Star's End.
Along the way Dr Eos Rai is kidnapped by space pirates and sold as a slave, kidnapped by a female rival treasure hunter twice, almost becomes lunch for a massive sand snake and survives a sand storm.
Dathan Phoenix, one of the brothers is there to save her or keep her company, depending on the emergency.
Nice fun shortie space opera and I can see a recurring theme with our rival treasure hunter Darc having a good time beating up Nik Phoenix, the eldest brother.
Very reminiscent in style of the Indiana Jones franchise.
December 22, 2014
3 1/2 stars. I learned about this series today from a comment on the SBTB blog and picked up a copy. It really like an outer space Indiana Jones adventure if you had Han Solo with a bunch of brothers instead. While the relationship and romance are nothing new, the adventures are fun, as is the treasure hunting. One of the brothers clearly has something going with a competitor, and it looks like that may be a theme that runs through several books. Overall, I'm looking forward to reading more of them.
August 30, 2015
Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
They say opposites attract and I guess that even holds true in the future. I have to say that although I am not normally a fan of anything Sci-Fi/Futuristic, I was pleasantly surprised with Ms. Hackett’s story. It was written in such a way that for someone like me I found myself drawn into the story looking forward to what was going to happen next.
When you need help in recovering some things that have been missing for a while who do you turn to? Well, pirates of course. If they happen to extremely hot that makes it better, right? Perhaps a little bit more enjoyable when going on the adventure to search for the items missing. In this case the ‘Mona Lisa’, which is supposed to be on Star’s End. In the future the pirates to turn to are the Phoenix Brothers.
What makes things more interesting is that said pirates (being that they are pirates) have made enemies over the years so that just adds so much more to the storyline.
Dr. Eos Rai enlists the help of the Phoenix Brothers finding that things aren’t always that simple. Finding that she is very attracted to one Phoenix brother in general, Dathan, drawn to his carefree, don’t follow the rules attitude. Dathan is also attracted to the straight laced Dr. Rai. Both have pasts with skeletons that have made them guard their hearts. But, once that guard is let down…well, then maybe they will find romance and happiness with each other.
I was entertained with this fast paced, fun, light read; which blended romance and treasure hunting in the future in such a way that it wasn’t written over my head. I was able to follow the story in which I was grabbed looking forward to seeing what happens.
Thank-you Ms. Hackett for writing a simplistic futuristic story that was fun and so very entertaining. I would recommend this to anyone scared of those Sci-Fi/Futuristic stories. A good story to get your feet wet with.
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
They say opposites attract and I guess that even holds true in the future. I have to say that although I am not normally a fan of anything Sci-Fi/Futuristic, I was pleasantly surprised with Ms. Hackett’s story. It was written in such a way that for someone like me I found myself drawn into the story looking forward to what was going to happen next.
When you need help in recovering some things that have been missing for a while who do you turn to? Well, pirates of course. If they happen to extremely hot that makes it better, right? Perhaps a little bit more enjoyable when going on the adventure to search for the items missing. In this case the ‘Mona Lisa’, which is supposed to be on Star’s End. In the future the pirates to turn to are the Phoenix Brothers.
What makes things more interesting is that said pirates (being that they are pirates) have made enemies over the years so that just adds so much more to the storyline.
Dr. Eos Rai enlists the help of the Phoenix Brothers finding that things aren’t always that simple. Finding that she is very attracted to one Phoenix brother in general, Dathan, drawn to his carefree, don’t follow the rules attitude. Dathan is also attracted to the straight laced Dr. Rai. Both have pasts with skeletons that have made them guard their hearts. But, once that guard is let down…well, then maybe they will find romance and happiness with each other.
I was entertained with this fast paced, fun, light read; which blended romance and treasure hunting in the future in such a way that it wasn’t written over my head. I was able to follow the story in which I was grabbed looking forward to seeing what happens.
Thank-you Ms. Hackett for writing a simplistic futuristic story that was fun and so very entertaining. I would recommend this to anyone scared of those Sci-Fi/Futuristic stories. A good story to get your feet wet with.
June 18, 2021
I grew up loving all things sci fi and fantasy, so I was particularly excited about this book. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.
I loved the world building in this story. It was not too fantastical that it was unbelievable and there were no weird, unpronounceable made up words. The worlds that were created in the space were believable and I could easily relate to them.
I also loved that the story and world building revolved around what they called "Old Earth" and uncovering Terran artifacts that I knew about.
Eos as a heroine was bright and clever. Dathan as a hero was Indiana Jones meets Space Cowboys. All great fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I loved the world building in this story. It was not too fantastical that it was unbelievable and there were no weird, unpronounceable made up words. The worlds that were created in the space were believable and I could easily relate to them.
I also loved that the story and world building revolved around what they called "Old Earth" and uncovering Terran artifacts that I knew about.
Eos as a heroine was bright and clever. Dathan as a hero was Indiana Jones meets Space Cowboys. All great fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
January 17, 2016
What did I love about this one? Well everything. This was just be a quickie thought...I enjoyed the plot and the characters had some fun chemistry and I enjoyed their bantering with each other. They face some challenges, and I enjoyed the unique "Mona Lisa" theme to the story. A exciting sci fi romance. Looking forward to read the rest of the series and soon.
February 15, 2015
Writing was fine, but there were too many events crammed into this treasure hunting adventure. I never really connected with the characters as they were tossed about from scene to scene.
April 29, 2015
3.5 Stars.
July 12, 2020
There were a few grammatical errors and some sentences that didn’t quite make sense and there were parts of the story that didn’t quite flow.
For example It was said Eos’ people were quite a physically passionate race, but this only came up near the end when she and Dathan were about to get… physically involved. Before this she seemed repressed, or asexual, acknowledging Dathan was handsome but not really going further than that. It just seemed random and out of place to mention it only then. If they are passionate you should say it when the attraction starts.
I also found it hard to understand the flip-flopping of characterisation with Darc. One minute she’s a consummate killer and all-round a bad b*tch. The next she’s wounded and in need of a redemption arc a’la Prince Zuko from ATLA.
Another problem I had with this story was that it never mentioned anything that happened in the Prelude story ‘Among Galactic Ruins’ (I think that was the title). I mean that was his first real hunt and it didn’t even get a name drop at the end (where it would have been perfect) as Dathan saying something like: “Dr Carter would so say I told you so.” Considering she’s the one who told him he’d eventually find a woman.
ALSO! I feel cheated that they mention Eos marrying Dathan, but all we get is an ‘epilogue’ saying Dr. Eos Rai-Phoenix. And her Husband... blah blah blah. CHEATED!!!
Overall this story felt too short and had obstacles that felt out of place and random. Like the Devil’s Nebula... what exactly was the point of being kidnapped and then sold and then escaping? Besides the limited delay to the actual goal? Because I felt like that should have made more sense than it did.
It needs some work. But hey maybe it’s just the editing, because what I’ve said has been a running theme is some of the authors other books and series.
For example It was said Eos’ people were quite a physically passionate race, but this only came up near the end when she and Dathan were about to get… physically involved. Before this she seemed repressed, or asexual, acknowledging Dathan was handsome but not really going further than that. It just seemed random and out of place to mention it only then. If they are passionate you should say it when the attraction starts.
I also found it hard to understand the flip-flopping of characterisation with Darc. One minute she’s a consummate killer and all-round a bad b*tch. The next she’s wounded and in need of a redemption arc a’la Prince Zuko from ATLA.
Another problem I had with this story was that it never mentioned anything that happened in the Prelude story ‘Among Galactic Ruins’ (I think that was the title). I mean that was his first real hunt and it didn’t even get a name drop at the end (where it would have been perfect) as Dathan saying something like: “Dr Carter would so say I told you so.” Considering she’s the one who told him he’d eventually find a woman.
ALSO! I feel cheated that they mention Eos marrying Dathan, but all we get is an ‘epilogue’ saying Dr. Eos Rai-Phoenix. And her Husband... blah blah blah. CHEATED!!!
Overall this story felt too short and had obstacles that felt out of place and random. Like the Devil’s Nebula... what exactly was the point of being kidnapped and then sold and then escaping? Besides the limited delay to the actual goal? Because I felt like that should have made more sense than it did.
It needs some work. But hey maybe it’s just the editing, because what I’ve said has been a running theme is some of the authors other books and series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2018
Seeing as this is one of my favorite treasure hunters in space series, I have NO IDEA why it took me so long to read book 1 (yes, I read them out of order. I don't want to talk about it.). It could be in part because I felt like I already knew Dathan and Eos from the later books. (It could also be because I have a weird aversion to finishing series because I DON'T WANT IT ALL TO END. Which is a little odd in this case seeing as how it was the first book I skipped and...you know what? This is getting wordy even for me. Let's move along.)
Swashbuckling romance isn't about the destination, though, but the journey, amirite? And Dathan and Eos have a verrrrrry interesting journey. One involving pirates and kidnapping and a certain persistent mercenary who has an interest in Niklas. But that's another story for another book.
The Phoenix brothers are at their best when they're hunting treasure in the darkest corners of space. It's like all that adrenaline has them kicking their charm into high gear. Eos is certainly charmed by Dathan. I mean, it takes a little for her to let his charm influence her, but it's there. IT'S THERE.
On the other side of the coin, Dathan very very very much doesn't want to end up like his father. So he closes himself off and tries to keep things light and, YEAH, buddy, that's not going to work.
Danger, ancient booby traps, untold treasure, and a hearty dose of romance. Everything I want in my treasure hunters.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Swashbuckling romance isn't about the destination, though, but the journey, amirite? And Dathan and Eos have a verrrrrry interesting journey. One involving pirates and kidnapping and a certain persistent mercenary who has an interest in Niklas. But that's another story for another book.
The Phoenix brothers are at their best when they're hunting treasure in the darkest corners of space. It's like all that adrenaline has them kicking their charm into high gear. Eos is certainly charmed by Dathan. I mean, it takes a little for her to let his charm influence her, but it's there. IT'S THERE.
On the other side of the coin, Dathan very very very much doesn't want to end up like his father. So he closes himself off and tries to keep things light and, YEAH, buddy, that's not going to work.
Danger, ancient booby traps, untold treasure, and a hearty dose of romance. Everything I want in my treasure hunters.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
August 17, 2021
Series: Phoenix Adventures #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Dr. Eos Rai has spent a lifetime searching for the long-lost Mona Lisa. When she uncovers evidence of Star’s End, the last known location of the masterpiece, she has to turn to the notorious Phoenix brothers to find it.
This was a wonderful, action packed adventure set in space. I liked Dathan when he was young in Among Galactic Ruins, and now older Dathan is just as arrogant and determined as he was then, just more experienced now. I really enjoyed watching him fall in love and struggle with his feelings.
“Every adventure I’ve ever had pales in comparison to you.”
Eos was a wonderful heroine. She was smart, courageous, and really dedicated to her work of preserving history. I found her markings to be interesting and I like that we are seeing more of the different types of life in this world.
I think my favorite thing about this series is the artifacts. It is fascinating to see normal Terran (Earth) things being famous pieces of history, like a watch. Anna Hackett always does an amazing job at creating wonderful worlds filled with great characters, and great treasure hunts.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Dr. Eos Rai has spent a lifetime searching for the long-lost Mona Lisa. When she uncovers evidence of Star’s End, the last known location of the masterpiece, she has to turn to the notorious Phoenix brothers to find it.
This was a wonderful, action packed adventure set in space. I liked Dathan when he was young in Among Galactic Ruins, and now older Dathan is just as arrogant and determined as he was then, just more experienced now. I really enjoyed watching him fall in love and struggle with his feelings.
“Every adventure I’ve ever had pales in comparison to you.”
Eos was a wonderful heroine. She was smart, courageous, and really dedicated to her work of preserving history. I found her markings to be interesting and I like that we are seeing more of the different types of life in this world.
I think my favorite thing about this series is the artifacts. It is fascinating to see normal Terran (Earth) things being famous pieces of history, like a watch. Anna Hackett always does an amazing job at creating wonderful worlds filled with great characters, and great treasure hunts.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
June 11, 2018
At Star’s End is the first book in the Phoenix Adventures Series. This book follows Eos Rai, formerly employed by the Galactic Institute of Historic Preservation, as she works to finish her mother’s quest to find the only known remaining piece of the Mona Lisa, believed to have been evacuated from Terra before the final nuclear wars. Rumor said that there was a settlement called Star’s End, and that many Terran treasures were hidden away on this settlement. However, Star’s End seems to be a myth, and her mother died while on a mission to find the location. When her employer won’t back her in her search, she hires the Phoenix brothers. This book mostly follows Dathan and Eos as they travel to and search the ruins of Star’s End in order to successfully find the Mona Lisa. The characters were likeable and it was an easy read.
June 1, 2024
For what is essentially a novella, this book packs a lot of action and adventure into the plot. We get some intriguing backstory, a few great side characters (Zayn was rather limited so I'm hoping we get to see more of him in the next book) and a well-written romance. As in the prequel, I believed in the attraction between Eos and Dathan but I didn't fully buy into them having fallen in love. I know the author is revamping this series so I'm hoping it includes some additional low-key scenes of them interacting together.
I enjoyed the storyline, loved the main characters and was suitably intrigued by Nera Darc, though with all the foreshadowing I expected her's and Nik's story to be next.
I enjoyed the storyline, loved the main characters and was suitably intrigued by Nera Darc, though with all the foreshadowing I expected her's and Nik's story to be next.
January 3, 2018
A lost masterpiece?
I wasn't as impressed with this book as I am with Ms Hackett's books in general. One thing that I do like is that each book in this series is able to be read as a stand alone! It helps to read them in order for the sake of the back story about the Phoenix brothers and their cousins.
In this book Dathan Phoenix is persuaded by Dr Eos Rai to search for the lost Mona Lisa. The search leads them into uncharted space to a lost colony while they find an unexpected attraction between them.
As usual there is a good bit of action with hot sexual tension between the two protagonists!
I wasn't as impressed with this book as I am with Ms Hackett's books in general. One thing that I do like is that each book in this series is able to be read as a stand alone! It helps to read them in order for the sake of the back story about the Phoenix brothers and their cousins.
In this book Dathan Phoenix is persuaded by Dr Eos Rai to search for the lost Mona Lisa. The search leads them into uncharted space to a lost colony while they find an unexpected attraction between them.
As usual there is a good bit of action with hot sexual tension between the two protagonists!
July 28, 2019
4&1\2🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐
Dathan Phoenix and his brothers find treasures of Earth's past to sell or place in museums. Dr. Eos Rai is an astro-archeologist who believes she's found her mother's life long dream as well as the biggest ancient terran find in centuries. Theses unlikely allies join forces to combat slavers, deserts, and worm like beasts to find diVinci's Mona Lisa and other ancient artifacts that are the priceless relics of their first ancestors. On this action packed adventure Dathan and Eos find more than just priceless treasure. They find a love and passion hotter than all the stars in the sky and a devotion that will transcend time!💖
Dathan Phoenix and his brothers find treasures of Earth's past to sell or place in museums. Dr. Eos Rai is an astro-archeologist who believes she's found her mother's life long dream as well as the biggest ancient terran find in centuries. Theses unlikely allies join forces to combat slavers, deserts, and worm like beasts to find diVinci's Mona Lisa and other ancient artifacts that are the priceless relics of their first ancestors. On this action packed adventure Dathan and Eos find more than just priceless treasure. They find a love and passion hotter than all the stars in the sky and a devotion that will transcend time!💖
dnf
November 29, 2025DNF at 22%. I desperately want more scifi romance, and this one has so much potential! It's a great setup, and I love the archaeology and adventure aspect of it. But I'm just not feeling the execution. It just feels a little forced and rushed, and I'm not sure I like either character all that much, so I'm not super interested in seeing their romance develop. I skipped around to parts of the rest of the book, and nothing made me excited to keep reading. Maybe if it had been a full length book with more character development. It's hard to make the characters feel real when there's this much action and adventure in such a short span.
March 29, 2018
Very good
We meet Dathan Phoenix again. Years later he is reunited with his brothers Zayn and Niklas. Dathan Phoenix is trying too hard to be unlike his father. He is trying so hard he almost looses his greatest treasure. Eos is a independent and smart woman. She is trying to honor her mother while discovering some things are more important than proving to the world she is right.
We meet Dathan Phoenix again. Years later he is reunited with his brothers Zayn and Niklas. Dathan Phoenix is trying too hard to be unlike his father. He is trying so hard he almost looses his greatest treasure. Eos is a independent and smart woman. She is trying to honor her mother while discovering some things are more important than proving to the world she is right.
July 8, 2017
Wow what a awesome adventure!
Nathan Phoenix makes you want to go on a treasure hunt. Dr. Eso wants to find the quadrant her mother was looking for when she died. Read this tale about treasure, danger and love to see if they reach their goals.
Nathan Phoenix makes you want to go on a treasure hunt. Dr. Eso wants to find the quadrant her mother was looking for when she died. Read this tale about treasure, danger and love to see if they reach their goals.
May 29, 2018
Romance, adventure on a planet far far away.
I love Ann's books, full of action, romance and humor. Her characters always seem to grow emotionally while finding the person to match them.
I love Ann's books, full of action, romance and humor. Her characters always seem to grow emotionally while finding the person to match them.
August 21, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and am disappointed I can't find the remainder of the series.
I enjoyed the strong characters both male and female. I have read other series by MS Hackett and this had been my favourite
I enjoyed the strong characters both male and female. I have read other series by MS Hackett and this had been my favourite
June 9, 2025
A surprise story
Anna, you really surprised me with this one. Its cute and sweet but only half as intense as others I've read. But then I think I'm addicted to Hell Squad so there's that. Anyway, I'm glad I read it. Thanks again for sharing your imagination!
Anna, you really surprised me with this one. Its cute and sweet but only half as intense as others I've read. But then I think I'm addicted to Hell Squad so there's that. Anyway, I'm glad I read it. Thanks again for sharing your imagination!
May 20, 2017
2,5 stars ... I've read about 20 of Ms Hackett's books now and I have to say this is the first one I didn't really get into, which is sad because I liked Dathan in his first appearance in the Phoenix Adventure's, and there were moments where I did sort of get him. But it just got too "oh woe is me I have Daddy issues" and honestly I thought Eos lacked that wonderful Anna Hackett heroine moxie, he hurt her, he broke her heart and she shoots herself out into space to run after him?
I am very glad that I read all those other works by this author because I would have missed out on some wonderful reading, as I doubt I would have read another book after this one.
I am very glad that I read all those other works by this author because I would have missed out on some wonderful reading, as I doubt I would have read another book after this one.
May 14, 2017
What Took Me so Long?
Not too sure what took me so long to start reading this series but it is wonderful. Can't wait to read the rest now!
Not too sure what took me so long to start reading this series but it is wonderful. Can't wait to read the rest now!
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