On a Rogue Planet

Phoenix Adventures #3

by Anna Hackett

COMING SOON IN 2026 - slightly revised re-release.
This edition will be no longer in print.

Unlucky-in-love salvage mechanic, Malin Phoenix, didn’t intend to get caught up in a coup and kidnapped by a sexy cyborg. But she finds herself swept into an adventure to help the deadly, emotionless CenSec, Xander Saros, retrieve an ancient Terran artifact and save his planet.

Soon she’s racing across uncharted space and is magnetically drawn to the cyborg whose strong arms and muscled body ignite a desire that burns brighter than a supernova. But Mal can never let herself forget that she can’t fall in love with a cyborg who can never love her back.

The crowning glory of the Centax Security program, Xander is heavily enhanced, his emotions dampened to nothing to allow him to be the most efficient, lethal killer in the galaxy. As he and Malin hunt for the remnant of the galaxy’s first computer, the Antikythera Mechanism, their quest leads them into the lair of a dangerous technomancer. But Xander can’t identify his greatest threat—the enemy or the fascinating woman who’s making him feel.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Aliens, Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy, Adventure, Space Opera

218 pages, ebook

First published November 16, 2014

About the author

I’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

Reviews

[Blacky *Romance Addict* · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artefact in this book is the world's first computer. In the book, they picked it up in their hands when actually the first computer was as big as a room. A huge room lol. Guess those astroarcheologists REALLY suck at their job haha

[new_user · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was between stars because this author doesn't get gritty or very complex -I actually like her climaxes best where she plumbs the emotional depths a bit- but she is much better at action than many I've read lately and what can I say, I love cyborgs and Anna Hackett actually develops their abilities, limits, etc. Also, love female mechanic characters. Sometimes you need a steamy, feel-good space adventure. Four stars.

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it’s quite an old series but it hasn’t dated and the writing is good. The characters were very easy to like and empathise with and it was very easy to buy into the connection between them.

The balance of action and steam was perfect, I will definitely be continuing with the series.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

UPDATE: ON A ROGUE PLANET was a reread for me. This is one of Anna Hackett’s earliest series and among my favorite of hers. On A ROGUE PLANET includes pretty incredible world building, one of the things I enjoy most about Anna’s books. The sexcapades and language is pretty salty and hot, and not for the faint of heart. Less intimacy scenes would improve the book, IMO. I end up skimming those.

ORIGINAL POST:
4 stars for ON A ROGUE PLANET which I truly enjoyed! The Phoenix family plans and executes their treasure and relic hunts together, but ON A ROGUE PLANET is truly cousin Malin Phoenix’s story.

Malin Phoenix/FMC is gathering salvage on a world filled with junked spaceships and discarded aircraft components when an inter-planet coup erupts. A high-level security cyborg/MMC, Gen. Xander Saros, intercepts Malin as she flees. He requests the assistance of her cousins, the Phoenix brothers, well known Treasure Hunters. An ancient Terran relic (which allows anyone in possession of it to rule his planet CenTax) was stolen during the initial attack on their capitol. Gen. Xander wants the Phoenix brothers to help him get it back, to regain his Prime leader’s right to rule, that he might vanquish the usurpers.

ON A ROUGE PLANET moved quickly with plenty of action, twists, and surprising obstacles for our heroes. The main characters Malin and Gen. Xander Saros (a security cyborg from a high-tech world) were believable as a couple and, importantly, I liked them and wanted them to survive their hunt and win their HEA. I have purchased and look forward to the next books in the Phoenix series, a new favorite of mine. I recommend ON A ROGUE PLANET for readers of action-adventures-romance novels, light fantasy or shifter romances, or light Space Opera romances with HEAs. The Phoenix series novels are always exciting, fast moving Space adventures but sexual intimacy is present, on-scene, quite frequent & steamy, especially Malin’s story with her (previously) emotionally-deadened cyborg. Therefore, I do not recommended this for young readers or those who prefer Clean novels.

ON A ROGUE PLANET could be read as a standalone title, but characters introduced earlier in the series play an important role in ON A ROGUE PLANET, as well. This is a series that continues to add depth to each character with every additional book.

READER CAUTIONS - NOT recommended for those who prefer Clean fiction. Not appropriate for YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language used.
VIOLENCE - Yes. The setting moves to a world of violent “pit” (illegal arena) fighting - to the death - and onto other similarly dangerous worlds in the search for the stolen artifact.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Adult situations beginning in Chapter 9. ON A ROGUE PLANET is a Space Opera adventure story with a strong sexual romance - the awakening of a cyborg’s love.

[Mstcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and quick review of On a Rogue Planet by Anna Hackett. On a Rogue Planet is the story of Malin Phoenix, female cousin to the Phoenix brothers. It is also the third book in the The Phoenix Adventures. Malin is a salvage mechanic whose love interest is a cyborg. Yes, a CYBORG! Okay, I seriously love this series. It's so much fun! We have action, adventure, and of course love. The characters are well developed and they are characters that you care about. The author has a great voice and is a master at writing sci-fi romance. I could go on and on singing the praises of this book, but action, adventure, and love pretty much sums it up.

This isn't a stand-alone title in my opinion so I think you'll want to read the first two books of the series for full enjoyment. That said, if you are a fan of sci-fi and romance don't worry you won't be disappointed! I'm giving this a 4 out of 5 rating.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review*

[Gail Koger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Nice, Fast paced book. I enjoyed the characters and story line. I look forward to reading more in the series

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the character of Xander. Felt like the writing veered into wattpad territory at some points when the author started describing the dresses and makeup Malin was wearing in excruciating detail always followed up with how she’d prefer to be in her coveralls.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ON A ROGUE PLANET was a great action packed sci-fi romance and I particularly liked the storyline and characters in this one so they made it extra good for me. I loved the concept of the planet Centax, where everyone gets enhancements and cyborg parts. But the more enhancements a person gets, the more their emotions are dampened. Xander is covered in enhancements and he only knows duty, loyalty, and honor to his planet and his people. But when he meet Malin, things start to get complicated and he finds himself at odds with his priorities.

I loved how Malin treated Xander like a human from the very beginning and never looked down on him for his mechanical parts. She had a genuine appreciation for Centax from her previous visits with her father and the salvage relationships she had developed. She accepted Xander exactly as he was and I loved that. Xander quickly developed and accepted his emotions even considering all we're told about his emotionless state. I would have liked a little more tension and struggle in this area of Xander's life but considering this was only about 200 pages there's only so much space.

We also get introduced to the "other Phoenix brothers" who are cousins to the brothers. They're a little wild, intense, and always up for the challenge and I can't wait for their books!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am COMPLETELY in love with the crazy that pops up in these books. I mean, I was smitten with the treasure hunting alone. When cyborgs get thrown into the mix, I'm downright giddy. (That's a not-so-subtle hint to all the authors reading this that I am LONGING for more cyborg books. LONGING FOR THEM!)

So. Xander and Malin. Malin is an adventurous woman with a big heart. Xander is the supposedly emotionless cyborg who needs her help. Given his lack of social skills (because what do emotionless cyborgs need with social skills?), Xander makes plenty of mistakes with Mal. But his brutal honesty about what he wants also wins her over. His muscles might have helped, too.

Flat out, I liked Xander's battle with his feelings. He clearly feels something, but a good CenSec can't let emotion get in the way of his mission. But Mal's like magnetic north and he can't resist her.

I love it when the big, stoic ones fall.

Sexy times, a dangerous game of cat and mouse (err, person and robot?), and Xander's mission to save his planet had me hooked. *slow thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say... I obviously have a thing for emotionally cold heroes that eventually see the light and fall in love *dreamy sigh*. Plus cyborgs. Like come on. Cyborgs! Cannot resist that.
Seriously though? I liked the hero. But I like the heroine more. She was so fierce, so strong, awfully smart and capable, and endured every hardship without complaint. She was very realistic towards the whole "adventure" and "fling" thing and I liked how she didn't go into girly fits and giggles. Of course some chapters still required some facepalms and muttered choice words, because well..me. If I could choose the best man from the guys in the series, it would be Xander. He took everything so literally, it was hilarious :D However, his fierce loyalty, dedication, single minded focus on heroine's happiness and safety... I am in fictional love...

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.5-4 for me. I'd like to rate it higher because I really enjoyed the strong scifi aspect but I just didn't really get into the story.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS: + Xander and Malin are awesome!
Cyborg General Xander Saros heads Security on his home planet of Centax, where his brother Axton is the leader. No one messes with the Cyborgs, especially their renowned General Xander Saros, until they do. The Giant monster race, the Rahl, has invaded the planet and stolen their most valued artifact. The holder of the sacred Terrian artifact rules the country. The Rahl are using a new weapon that is disabling the cyborg military, including Xander. He manages to escape the fight and get off the planet with the help of Malin Phoenix. Malin is salvage shopping at her favorite junk yard on Centax when the war breaks out.
Xander’s enhancements are down, and he has feelings he doesn’t know how to compute. Malin is helping him get back online, but being this close… to this man… is knocking her off balance, too. Xander hires the Phoenix brothers to help him find their sacred relic so he can save his planet. Mixed in the hunt and the fighting are several evil bad guys, but the worst one you never want to party with is tech genius Blon Arar, owner of the Rogue Planet.
Meanwhile, Xander and Malin fall in like, in lust, and in love. Malin is Xander’s equal.
LOTS of action in this story. The Phoenix brothers are all involved in searching and rescuing, as are the Phoenix cousins from way up at the galaxy’s edge. I love the happy ending for Xander and Malin. Great quirky characters in this series. Linda

[Phillis A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read As Always

Love this series about the Phoenix family! A bit of Indiana Jones meets Star Wars with historical artifacts mix that Anna Hackett has blended flawlessly. While all of the series so far are great this book featuring sweet mechanic and cousin, Malin Phoenix and deadly (not to mention very sexy, wink, wink) CenSec cyborg Xander is so far my favorite! I was also amazed that the latest Phoenix hunt featured the Antikythera device. Not many people are familiar with the device that is believed to be the world’s very first computer. I’ve known about it for several decades only because of a “once upon a time” interest in aliens and the occult waaaay back in my misspent youth, lololol. Anyway, the device is most definitely a wonder (that actually still works by the way) and a mystery. As a plot “device” though this time it was brilliant in my opinion. Can’t wait for the next book in this series and whatever hidden or overt treasures may be found in the Phoenix family’s escapades!

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salvage mechanic Malin Phoenix thought she was content with her job fixing starships for her cousins, but her encounter with Xander awakened something within her that she believed was lost, proving to her that she yearned for something more, but would it be within her reach? I appreciated that Malin proved herself to be every bit the equal of her cousins in terms of skill and knowledge. The cyborg didn't surprise me much, given how overprotective he turned out to be, but he did make me smile several times, despite the internal struggle he was waging with himself. The introduction of the cousins, who appear to be quite different from the other Phoenixes, left me intrigued. I enjoyed and was very entertained by this fascinating story, which features adventure, action, intense battles, strange artifacts, danger, the requisite unhinged villain, emotional drama, and passion.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

Take a smidgen of Firefly, a pinch of Babylon 5, a tiny bit of Deep Space Nine and a heaping helping of Linnea Sinclair’s Games of Command, and you’ll have something that might get within a couple of parsecs of Anna Hackett’s On a Rogue Planet - and I mean that in a totally awesome way.

So far, this series has simply been oodles of science fiction romance fun, while still telling a terrific science fiction story.

We have a bunch of space mercenaries, except these aren’t your usual mercenaries, well, not unless Indiana Jones was conducting his treasure hunting in outer space. (Wait a minute, there was this ship with the funny name and the furry co-pilot...but I digress, just a bit)

The Phoenix brothers, as introduced in the first two books of this series, (At Star's End and In the Devil's Nebula) are intergalactic treasure hunters. One brother is the business brains - also the captain - one is the pilot, and one is the xenoarchaeologist. Notice that none of these guys is a mechanic.

Phoenix Enterprises is a family company, so their engineer is also family. Malin Phoenix is more than a bit like Kaylee in Firefly, but not quite as innocent. She also isn’t just a mechanic or engineer, she also a genius at salvage, which is where this story begins.

She’s in the salvage yard on Centax, picking out the most excellent scrap with a friend, when the planet is attacked and she ends up running for her life across the salvage yard with a cyborg who wants to hire her brothers to steal the artifact that confers power on Centax.

Except Xander isn’t just a cyborg, he is the head of Centax planetary security, and he just got caught with his figurative pants down as his planet was betrayed. He’ll do anything to get it back. (That his brother is the planet’s political leader and has been captured also figures into his decision just a bit, even though Centax Security cyborgs aren’t supposed to feel much in the way of emotions. Xander clearly starts out with more feelings than he expresses or believes he has.)

When Xander seeks out Malin in the scrap yard, his only intent is to get off planet and hire her cousins. Meeting Malin adds a whole new dimension to his plans. He finds within himself the sense that he MUST protect and save her, no matter what the cost. It’s entirely possible that the EMP weapon that temporarily fried his cyber-circuits knocked out all his emotional filters.

But no matter how hard he tries, he’s never able to get those emotional filters back up. Everything else, absolutely yes. Suppress his growing feelings for Malin, absolutely no.

Malin can’t help but be attracted to Xander, at least when he shows her his more human side. The problem is that Malin knows that Centax Security cyborgs simply don’t have feelings. And even if Xander did, his planet needs him way more than one mechanic possibly could make up for. She knows he’s going to rip her heart out when he leaves. She just doesn’t know if he even has a heart to break.

Escape Rating A-: Just because I recognized some of the story's antecedents doesn’t mean I didn’t have one hell of a good time reading it. And want more.

Linnea Sinclair is an awesome fairy godmother for any SFR story to have. She always did an excellent job of integrating the romance fully into the science fiction world she created, and she always created a fascinating SF world, even if, or perhaps because, some of them were places you wouldn’t want to live in.

Xander Soros is very much like Branden Kel-Patten in Games of Command. Not just because he is a combination of man and machine, but because Xander, like Branden, is not supposed to have emotions. He’s certainly not supposed to feel love or even lust. Discovering that he does feel, and that he can love, is a revelation for Xander, and a miracle that Malin can’t make herself believe in.

She has a history of falling for men who use her, then let her know that they just aren’t interested in a woman with engine grease under her fingernails. As far as she is concerned, Xander is just a different kind of wrong, and she can’t compete with an entire planet that needs him back on his “A” game.

The prize they hunt for is an old Terran computer. While I still can’t figure out which one it might be, the point is that the rulership of Centax still belongs to whoever manages to hold and keep the old thing. Their quest to find it and steal it back leads to a planet without a star that travels its own route through uncharted space. The rogue collector on that rogue planet runs Xander and Malin through a robotic gauntlet that tests their ingenuity, their will to survive, and their ability to work as a team.

When they win through, Xander believes he’s won everything he never knew he wanted. Malin is certain it’s the beginning of the end. Which one of them is right?

If you enjoy SFR, particularly if you miss Linnea Sinclair’s marvelous tales, take a look at Anna Hackett’s Phoenix Brothers. You’ll be glad you did.

p.s. If you’re wondering about that SF pedigree I mentioned at the beginning, well, Malin is Kaylee’s sister from another universe, and they have to go into the uncharted black. By way of a stable wormhole (Deep Space Nine) that operates like a Babylon 5 jumpgate, complete with hardware. Enjoy!

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, in theory, I should have liked this book more than I did. If you like Anna Hackett's Scifi Romance you will probably like this.
I like parts of this book, and I actually really liked both the main characters and the romance. I like scifi space adventure.
But the whole thing just didn't work for me. I have nothing against sex scenes, but after a while it starts to feel like it's interrupting the story, like ok you almost died and are still in the middle of a life or death situation is now really the time? I also tend to dislike when books are just one problem after another to the point of excessiveness.
I'll still continue to read Anna Hackets scifi romances, but this one just wasn't one of my favorites.

[Marybelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute SciFi read. It reminds me of the SciFi books I read as a teenager. The only real difference is the adult content. However, the story, characters, and relationship were very similar to what I remember. The author spends a lot of time delving into the family and friends of Malin, but we know nothing about Xander’s, making the story a little one-sided. I wish there had been a little more time spent on Xander’s return and how those around him reacted to the changes in him. Xander seems like he’s somewhat close to his brother, but the reader does not get to meet him at all. I would be curious as to how Xander’s family and acquaintances would treat Malin. Would they accept her?

Although I enjoyed the read, I’m not sure it’s the type of book I would go back and read again.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xander Saros is a cyborg CenSec
Malin Phoenix is a cousin to Phoenix brothers and their spaceship mechanic.

Xander and Malin ( Cyborg meets human) and the sparks fly from a slow burn to explosive.
Xander is from a planet that do robotic enhancements and supposedly less emotions ( Xander meets Malin) and slowly becomes more emotional.
They are on a mission with the Phoenix brothers to retrieve back the artifact for Xander’s people, to save his planet.
Can they succeed? Can they (Xander and Malin) and have a Happily Ever After?

This book. Has action, suspense, danger and intrigue.

Great Job. Anna Hackett!!!!!

[Serenechaosnyc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved Malin from the first 2 books and was excited that this was her story. Not only that but Xander was so cool- reminiscent of her other sci fi series with the gladiators, one branch of which were cyborgs. What a fun story that traversed to the edge of space! The world created here is vast but the interactions and familial bonds and love are the same as we're used to from this author. The romance is great, the woman is strong and smart, and more so in this book, so competent that she saved Xander so many times. I adore that strength. Looking forward to more of these books, especially now that the cousins are in the mix!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, I think it's my favourite in the series so far. The plot was really good, hooked me from the go, as did the action, plunged you right in and drove the story. the character development was amazing, subtle but there ans I love how Xander went from emotionally stunted to burning over the story!

Xander and Malin's story is the best and I loved the chemistry, the conflict and of course, the technomaze!!! Just wait for that, it's so cool!!

Highly recommend! As always Anna Hackett does it again!

[JML · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Wow! I don't know what I was expecting but this far surpassed it. This was a splendid adventure filled with terrific action and a beautiful love story between two people learning what real love is. I love Anna Hackettt's version of. Cyborgs. She does a wonderful job of exploring feelings and what it means to be human with some extraordinary enhancements. Loved it.

[sharon e hochstetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Loved it.

We only saw Malin briefly before. Now we meet her and feel her spunky determination. She is very smart and very funny. She calls for a cyborg intent on saving his planet and people. Xander enlist the help of the Phoenix brothers and Malin for a very dangerous mission. Loved it!!!!

[Kara Prem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun story with a crazy battle against robots in a maze towards the end of the book. Malin, the Phoenix brother's mechanic cousin happens to be on a planet when a coup occurs. She rescues a CenSec cyborg (well, he finds her and they escape the planet together). In order to restore order to his planet, Xander must find an ancient Earth artifact and does so with Malin and her cousins.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars A solid sci fi romance with feisty salvage mechanic and supposedly emotionless cyborg who fall in love while saving a planet from the bad guys. Rounded up for the very creative addition of the rogue planet that wanders the galaxy and its creepy technomancer owner with his creations and obsessive love turned to deathtrap.

[Aurrora James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and imaginative

I really liked Xander and some of the situations he and Malin got into were so creative and amazing. Especially Krypto. It's a good read but there are some annoying errors that took me out of the story.

[Patricia Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoenix adventures

These are a must read.👍
Indiana Jones eat your heart out....... these would make a fabulous films.
A Planet taken over with the help of mercenaries giants.
Valuable artifact stolen.
There is so much in this book. Great read.

[Jeniver Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book from Anna Hackett🤩.I love it. The action and romance was non stop. The main characters were a possesive alpha male and a loyal and beautiful female. I could not get enough of this book.

[Alaska love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Scrap. What a book!

Malin is at Haax for scrap when a firefight breaks out. Zander rescues her and in turn she rescues him. They must find a priceless artifact that establishes rule for their planet. Many missions ,lots of danger, lots of..... Enjoy

[Jennifer Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malin is great and so is Xander. Non-stop action with a cyborg that isn't quite invincible and a woman that had to save him. The Terren artifact was part of the first computer.