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The Mandrake Company #5.5
The Pirate Captain's Daughter
Firefighter and mercenary Marat Azarov thinks he’s being noble when he rescues a beautiful slave woman from certain torture. Alas, she turns out to be more than she appears and does not appreciate his interference. In an attempt to redeem himself—and perhaps win her regard—he concocts a plot that even his grenade-flinging colleague Striker deems unwise. Soon, he’s blowing up androids, being shot at by pirates, and earning the wrath of his own boss, and he’s not even sure if the woman likes him.
Some days, it doesn’t pay to be a mercenary.
Some days, it doesn’t pay to be a mercenary.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
76 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 7, 2015
Meh. This was short and boring.
The male hero was vastly uninteresting, and the female was supposed to be a kick-ass revenge-seeking Asian chick.
She came across as vastly stupid and incompetent. Her plan for revenge was so incredibly badly thought out.
And just one thing: Being a chemist who can mix poisons might be nice as a sideline, but for being a true assassin, it might be convenient to have some other strengths at your disposal.
*shaking my head*
The male hero was vastly uninteresting, and the female was supposed to be a kick-ass revenge-seeking Asian chick.
She came across as vastly stupid and incompetent. Her plan for revenge was so incredibly badly thought out.
And just one thing: Being a chemist who can mix poisons might be nice as a sideline, but for being a true assassin, it might be convenient to have some other strengths at your disposal.
*shaking my head*
September 2, 2025
The Pirate Captain's Daughter is book 5.5 in the Mandrake Company Sci Fi series. A bunch of misfits with specialised talents form the mercenaries of this story. With women who find themselves amongst these men who will do anything to protect them, but the women aren't shy about getting their hands dirty.
It is a lot of fun, packed with action and some steamy times, and humour.
It is a lot of fun, packed with action and some steamy times, and humour.
August 6, 2020
Yikes, this one was tough for me. Our first scene is in a slave auction and I never got past that, particularly since the hero is appalled but pretty accepting that this is a thing in this world -- for example, he rescues one woman but there are a bunch of others that he just leaves. I was extra uncomfortable that this series is fairly white, and light on references to race, but the enslaved women that were mentioned were explicitly mentioned as people of color.
After this opening, the rest is a pretty fun enemies-to-lovers romance with some good hate chemistry between the protagonists, and a fierce heroine that is not at all helpless. But the first scene left such an awful taste in my mouth I spent the whole book wishing the author had set up the situation in a slightly different way.
Thanks to Goodreads and Ruby Lionsdrake -- I won a copy of the complete Mandrake series and am slowly working my way through all 7 books.
After this opening, the rest is a pretty fun enemies-to-lovers romance with some good hate chemistry between the protagonists, and a fierce heroine that is not at all helpless. But the first scene left such an awful taste in my mouth I spent the whole book wishing the author had set up the situation in a slightly different way.
Thanks to Goodreads and Ruby Lionsdrake -- I won a copy of the complete Mandrake series and am slowly working my way through all 7 books.
January 4, 2017
While I usually have no problems with Ruby Lionsdrake's (AKA: Lindsay Buroker) writing, this story left me feeling very uncomfortable. While I really liked Azarov and his blundering do-good-ness and I had to admire Ying and her determination…not all was well.
While Ying decries loudly and repeatedly that she doesn't need nor want help, she really does want it and as is made painfully obvious later, needs it desperately. Of course. Well, Azarov needs a reason to get involved. I could overlook that (I mean, really, why would a woman be able to accomplish anything on her own. [/sarcasm] Excuses for the bitterness, please.) except for one major issue: In her plan to seek revenge, she's setting herself up to be raped. She admits it. She admits that she probably won't have the chance to kill the guy before he rapes her. Repeatedly, perhaps. (Likely, in fact. With some torture thrown in for good measure too, if I'm reading him right. Including the possibility of a sedative. What fun.) And she still doesn't try for another plan. She goes along blithely as though rape isn't really a big deal. As though because she's aware of this, it's not really rape.
(I can't believe how poorly this was handled and now I'm wondering if the attempted rape and forced arousal in The Assassin's Salvation was handled as well as I remember it being.)
While Ying decries loudly and repeatedly that she doesn't need nor want help, she really does want it and as is made painfully obvious later, needs it desperately. Of course. Well, Azarov needs a reason to get involved. I could overlook that (I mean, really, why would a woman be able to accomplish anything on her own. [/sarcasm] Excuses for the bitterness, please.) except for one major issue: In her plan to seek revenge, she's setting herself up to be raped. She admits it. She admits that she probably won't have the chance to kill the guy before he rapes her. Repeatedly, perhaps. (Likely, in fact. With some torture thrown in for good measure too, if I'm reading him right. Including the possibility of a sedative. What fun.) And she still doesn't try for another plan. She goes along blithely as though rape isn't really a big deal. As though because she's aware of this, it's not really rape.
(I can't believe how poorly this was handled and now I'm wondering if the attempted rape and forced arousal in The Assassin's Salvation was handled as well as I remember it being.)
July 6, 2016
1.75 stars rounded to 2. This was a little boring, but definitely not as bad as book five of this series. It's so strange that I'd find a story about a mercenary and pirate captain's daughter dull, but it is what it is. However, I must say that I found the MCs' backstories more compelling than some of the MCs in previous books. There was an emotional component that was missing in all the stories except for book three, with Jamie and Sergei.
I enjoyed the alternating povs told in the third person and the slow burn romance. I'm not sure if that's enough for me to read the next book though.
I enjoyed the alternating povs told in the third person and the slow burn romance. I'm not sure if that's enough for me to read the next book though.
March 26, 2016
I had a lot of fun reading this opposites attract romance. The hero is a beta hero which I love and the heroine is a kick ass pirate who does not need to be rescued at all.
And then they both learn about trust. It is sweet romance with lots action.
I challenge this author to make Striker into a hero. Striker is a crude and clueless. It would be fun to see him get his own book.
Really enjoying this series.
And then they both learn about trust. It is sweet romance with lots action.
I challenge this author to make Striker into a hero. Striker is a crude and clueless. It would be fun to see him get his own book.
Really enjoying this series.
September 27, 2015
I've been enjoying this series, but found this one to be weaker than the others I've read so far. Marat is book smart and world stupid. Despite his education and military experience, he keeps finding himself in unexpected and questionable situations. He kind of falls for Ying at first sight when she's being auctioned off at a slave fair. Ying is supposed to be an experienced assassin, yet shows no ability for sizing up her prey or realistic planning. Both are idealistic and neither have realistic plans that are thought through. Ultimately they both need help to get out of their situations, and I didn't feel that Ying's attraction to Marat was based on anything likely to be long-lasting. At least the villain was truly irredeemable. ugh.
The best parts were when Striker was spitting out his unaware and thoughtless comments, and the brief glimpse of the captain of the Mandrake.
The best parts were when Striker was spitting out his unaware and thoughtless comments, and the brief glimpse of the captain of the Mandrake.
November 20, 2017
This was an engaging quick short story. However I think this is the one story out of everything I’ve read by the author, under both pen names, that I wasn’t too wild about. There were a couple of things that I just couldn’t get…. otherwise there were some aspects that I was used to reading and enjoying so it messed with how I felt regarding the book as a whole.
It was good to see that Ankari finally got her cook. The hero being a character from a previous book, and one newly introduced, was a surprise for the most part. I found Marat endearing and sweet. He has a real white knight syndrome going on and it was interesting to show it working against Striker’s jerkiness. Some of the lines had me wondering if there is more going on in that little brain of his than has previously been shown though.
I wasn’t too wild about Ying’s only strength being as a chemist or poisoner for her father. If she was an assassin wouldn’t she have a better knowledge of how to get things done? I didn’t like how she had these grandiose plans to avenge her father that turned out to be half-baked and pretty lame. I mean there was that one point where she was trussed up and pretty much helpless…. I wasn’t too keen on her accepting that she had to put up with the possibility of being sexually tortured/raped. It was pretty brazen to plot to be sold as a slave for that purpose … I would think that if you were going to plan to have to deal with that part that you would do a lot more preparation…. I would also think that a sane person would try to figure something else out, but I guess it might’ve been more of a salacious and sensationalistic sort of plot for a story. I don’t want to say anything bad about the author, I have loved her books for years and years, and nothing pleases everyone all of the time so there is bound to be something that bothers someone and this bothered me.
Also, the death knell for me was the shower scene… Using a washcloth there … really? Did anyone else not cringe at that??
So, this is the story that I like least out of everything I’ve read by the author and it pains me to have to say that because I admire the others a lot.
It was good to see that Ankari finally got her cook. The hero being a character from a previous book, and one newly introduced, was a surprise for the most part. I found Marat endearing and sweet. He has a real white knight syndrome going on and it was interesting to show it working against Striker’s jerkiness. Some of the lines had me wondering if there is more going on in that little brain of his than has previously been shown though.
I wasn’t too wild about Ying’s only strength being as a chemist or poisoner for her father. If she was an assassin wouldn’t she have a better knowledge of how to get things done? I didn’t like how she had these grandiose plans to avenge her father that turned out to be half-baked and pretty lame. I mean there was that one point where she was trussed up and pretty much helpless…. I wasn’t too keen on her accepting that she had to put up with the possibility of being sexually tortured/raped. It was pretty brazen to plot to be sold as a slave for that purpose … I would think that if you were going to plan to have to deal with that part that you would do a lot more preparation…. I would also think that a sane person would try to figure something else out, but I guess it might’ve been more of a salacious and sensationalistic sort of plot for a story. I don’t want to say anything bad about the author, I have loved her books for years and years, and nothing pleases everyone all of the time so there is bound to be something that bothers someone and this bothered me.
Also, the death knell for me was the shower scene… Using a washcloth there … really? Did anyone else not cringe at that??
So, this is the story that I like least out of everything I’ve read by the author and it pains me to have to say that because I admire the others a lot.
April 18, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 Stars. I read a lot of genres but I love a fun & fast moving Space Opera Romance. :D
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Mandrake Co mercenaries become involved in a remote Space Station slave market auction when shore-leave crew Striker and Marat Azarov attempt to rescue one of 8 auctioned female slaves, Eng Way. The fallout of Marat’s impulsive actions anger the furious winning bidder, sadistic mercenary Capt Wolf and pull Azarov’s new boss, Victor Mandrake, into the fray. Neither mercenary Captain is happy with Azarov’s actions, but for different reasons and it looks like the consequences of Marat’s good deed will result in more than one death.
Comments ~
1) THE PIRATE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER is bk6 in Ruby Lionsdrake’s Mandrake Company Space Opera series. It could be enjoyed as a Standalone title but for better enjoyment of character developments, I prefer reading in order.
2) I find the overall tone in this series both fun and light. It’s fast moving with non-graphic action, dry humor and light romance. I found both Marat Azarov and Eng Way characters I could identify with. I don’t care one way or another about a main character’s appearances but I do prefer they be honorable, capable, spunky, either street-smart and/or intelligent rather than inept or a drama-queen/diva.
3) Jill Redfield again did a wonderful job with the voices, pulling me in. I am pleased that she continues through the next/last book in the series. This is a series I have enjoyed and wish it was a few books longer.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG. Yes but not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. A detailed intimacy scene in the final chapter.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Mandrake Co mercenaries become involved in a remote Space Station slave market auction when shore-leave crew Striker and Marat Azarov attempt to rescue one of 8 auctioned female slaves, Eng Way. The fallout of Marat’s impulsive actions anger the furious winning bidder, sadistic mercenary Capt Wolf and pull Azarov’s new boss, Victor Mandrake, into the fray. Neither mercenary Captain is happy with Azarov’s actions, but for different reasons and it looks like the consequences of Marat’s good deed will result in more than one death.
Comments ~
1) THE PIRATE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER is bk6 in Ruby Lionsdrake’s Mandrake Company Space Opera series. It could be enjoyed as a Standalone title but for better enjoyment of character developments, I prefer reading in order.
2) I find the overall tone in this series both fun and light. It’s fast moving with non-graphic action, dry humor and light romance. I found both Marat Azarov and Eng Way characters I could identify with. I don’t care one way or another about a main character’s appearances but I do prefer they be honorable, capable, spunky, either street-smart and/or intelligent rather than inept or a drama-queen/diva.
3) Jill Redfield again did a wonderful job with the voices, pulling me in. I am pleased that she continues through the next/last book in the series. This is a series I have enjoyed and wish it was a few books longer.
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG. Yes but not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. A detailed intimacy scene in the final chapter.
May 30, 2017
Short-ish side story featuring one of the newer members of Mandrake Company. Also, another POC heroine, yay! More explanation about the colonization of this part of space, which is interesting speculation on how humans might actually cooperate to get off of Earth, and what would happen once we found more inhabitable planets. Seems logical that the US would have to cooperate with another world power to make space travel a viable option, and Russia and China are the logical partners at this point in human history. Marat, the hero, seems to have a strong Russian background, whereas Ying, our heroine, is half-Chinese, from a colony that isolated itself and kept many of the old Earth customs and the language.
June 5, 2017
For a short story/novella this was a pretty decent length. More than I was expecting in fact.
I thought that this was a really good way to explain the background of a secondary (very secondary) character. Marat Azarov appeared in the previous book but you never found out how he became part of the company, so I feel that putting him in a novella was a good way of explaining this without it seeming out of place. I like his character, that he seems, for lack of a better word, more decent than some of the other mercenaries. I like the way his relationship developed with Ying. She was a great character, and I hope we get to see a bit more of her in the next book.
This was a fun short story, that is a great addition to the series. I would totally recommend reading this, especially if you have kept up with the series so far. Very enjoyable.
I thought that this was a really good way to explain the background of a secondary (very secondary) character. Marat Azarov appeared in the previous book but you never found out how he became part of the company, so I feel that putting him in a novella was a good way of explaining this without it seeming out of place. I like his character, that he seems, for lack of a better word, more decent than some of the other mercenaries. I like the way his relationship developed with Ying. She was a great character, and I hope we get to see a bit more of her in the next book.
This was a fun short story, that is a great addition to the series. I would totally recommend reading this, especially if you have kept up with the series so far. Very enjoyable.
March 21, 2023
Not bad, but definitely not my favorite in the series. It feels - and reads - like a novella instead of a full length book. The plot had potential, and the action scenes are written just as well as all others in the series, but the story line - and the romance - deserved more development.
All books in the series are supposed to be read as stand alones, but since the characters from previous books make lots of appearances in the following ones, I recommend you to read the whole series in the correct order.
All books in the series are supposed to be read as stand alones, but since the characters from previous books make lots of appearances in the following ones, I recommend you to read the whole series in the correct order.
June 26, 2017
Be careful what you wish for!
The heading was meant to warn folks of pitfalls of hubris. Not everything can be bad. especially when events only presents few good outcomes for your future. Looks can be deceiving when one hasn't all the facts. So when Fortune turns up, just don't wait too friggin long . The unveiling of staunch friends should be celebrated with a ship dinner by the newly hired cook/chef!
The heading was meant to warn folks of pitfalls of hubris. Not everything can be bad. especially when events only presents few good outcomes for your future. Looks can be deceiving when one hasn't all the facts. So when Fortune turns up, just don't wait too friggin long . The unveiling of staunch friends should be celebrated with a ship dinner by the newly hired cook/chef!
October 1, 2017
This was a nice little story in the Mandrake Company world, but the romance happened a little fast for me and But it was nice to get to know Marat a little. Looking forward to seeing how Heath (Tick... I can't stand his nickname any more than Lauren can) wins over Lauren.
December 5, 2017
The Pirate Captain's Daughter:(Mandrake Company,Book 6)by RUBY Lionsdrake
As this series continues with her amazing characters and their situations where they have to go through all kinds of obstacles. You'll be drawn into the story and the different characters. I'm enjoying each addition to the series and so will you. So I'm SO RECOMMENDING THIS SERIES BY RUBY Lionsgate.👏👏👏👏🔟🔟💏💑💟💖
As this series continues with her amazing characters and their situations where they have to go through all kinds of obstacles. You'll be drawn into the story and the different characters. I'm enjoying each addition to the series and so will you. So I'm SO RECOMMENDING THIS SERIES BY RUBY Lionsgate.👏👏👏👏🔟🔟💏💑💟💖
November 5, 2017
Fun read!
The misadventure of a would be assassin captured as a bed slave and a mercenary intent on saving her.
This is the first book I have read from this author, and I can say I will definitely read more from her!
Fast paced story and interesting characters with a happily for now ending make this charming book worth reading.
The misadventure of a would be assassin captured as a bed slave and a mercenary intent on saving her.
This is the first book I have read from this author, and I can say I will definitely read more from her!
Fast paced story and interesting characters with a happily for now ending make this charming book worth reading.
Read
May 10, 20223am
I’ve read this series so many times I’ve lost count. I review one of the books anytime that they move me. There could be 20 books in this series and I would want more. Understanding that sometimes the characters are silent and the series ends. But what if one of the characters wakes up and says “ I’m ready for my story now!”? That’s my question.
I’ve read this series so many times I’ve lost count. I review one of the books anytime that they move me. There could be 20 books in this series and I would want more. Understanding that sometimes the characters are silent and the series ends. But what if one of the characters wakes up and says “ I’m ready for my story now!”? That’s my question.
June 13, 2017
I do love this bunch of mercenaries. This book had a bit of doldrum in the middle and I put it down for a long while. Ying is feisty and seems to fit right in with the rest of the quirky bunch of misfits so I came back read the last part and was pleased with the ending.
August 1, 2017
The pirate captains daughter
A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but long still enjoyable read
A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but long still enjoyable read
September 4, 2017
It was fun to see Mandrake from an outside perspective, and to have a quick romance. The plot was a little shaky (that was her plan? really? it was a terrible plan), but the resolution leaves more fun characters rattling around the mercenary ship.
December 28, 2017
Ruby Lionsdrake is on my auto buy list.
I've really liked and enjoyed the Mandrake company series it has action, romance, and humor what else could you want. It is a fun series but an adult one not for younger readers due to sexual content.
I've really liked and enjoyed the Mandrake company series it has action, romance, and humor what else could you want. It is a fun series but an adult one not for younger readers due to sexual content.
March 11, 2018
I somehow missed this since it's not a full part of the official series, so it was a treat to discover it hiding away in a corner! Lots of space swashbuckling, fun character scenes (in the air ducts with spiders), and a sweet romance. Perfect as usual!
April 10, 2018
The Pirate Captain's Daughter is part of the Mandrake Company series. While it can be read as a standalone, it will make more sense if you have read the previous books. There is violence and sex. The storyline is average but worth reading, especially if you have read the rest of the series.
April 15, 2018
Romantic
This is romance Mandrake Company style. The recipe, One damsel in distress plus one Mandrake soldier throw in lots of destruction and a bit of mayhem ,flame for a while and you get the next Mandrake couple. 10 stars !
This is romance Mandrake Company style. The recipe, One damsel in distress plus one Mandrake soldier throw in lots of destruction and a bit of mayhem ,flame for a while and you get the next Mandrake couple. 10 stars !
July 15, 2019
The saga continues
I enjoyed learning more about characters introduced in previous books and meeting new ones. As always lots of action and war like violence.
Personally I would appreciate less explicit sex although I find it fairly to skim past.
I enjoyed learning more about characters introduced in previous books and meeting new ones. As always lots of action and war like violence.
Personally I would appreciate less explicit sex although I find it fairly to skim past.
October 29, 2020
2.5 stars
Marat seems pretty sweet to Ying's fiestiness, but overall, it was an okay novella.
I started this book to escape from another book and was bummed it wasn't longer (didn't realise it was a novella), but there was not much else to the plot, to be honest.
Marat seems pretty sweet to Ying's fiestiness, but overall, it was an okay novella.
I started this book to escape from another book and was bummed it wasn't longer (didn't realise it was a novella), but there was not much else to the plot, to be honest.
May 2, 2021
I will never attempt to read another book by Melissa E Beckwith - Ruby Lionsdrake. The cavalier way she introduced a character wanting to purchase a slave was downright unnecessary and disrespectful. Oh yes, and wouldn't you know these slaves were black women...muscular black women.
December 1, 2022
2. I didn’t realise that Ruby is a pseudonym for Linsdsay Buroker. It’s a short read but I didn’t think it was particularly interesting. It’s written well but the characters are not likeable and the plot very superficial. Humour seems forced and pretentious. Unable to recommend to the normal crew.
August 18, 2023
mf - sci fi - Asian FMC/white MC - low steam - POV: third dual - child free - divorced MC - enemies to lovers - grumpy heroine - he falls first - military. Himbo hero with an ass kicking heroine. Lots of fun but Striker has GOT TO GO.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews