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Avanti Chronicles #1
Corin's Chance
Posted to some stars awful cruiser, Dr. Corin Talovich hoped to serve his time quietly and get on with his life, but fate stepped in and decided otherwise.
Crashing into an unknown planet was the last thing Corin expected. With only his friend, Lieutenant Commander Tate Riven, by his side, they face the unexplored world and new enemies bravely, leading them to the Derin Clan, where they’re welcomed by the leader’s son.
Kel isn't sure about the strange men, but he isn't about to send them away, especially when the bond between Corin and himself is something he can't ignore.
When another clan wages an attack, Kel is forced to make some hard choices which nearly costs him everything he holds dear. Together, with their allies, Corin and Kel fight, focusing on the future they desire, knowing failure not only dooms their love, but also those around them. Side by side, they work to destroy the evil threatening to keep them apart and becoming the family both men desire.
Crashing into an unknown planet was the last thing Corin expected. With only his friend, Lieutenant Commander Tate Riven, by his side, they face the unexplored world and new enemies bravely, leading them to the Derin Clan, where they’re welcomed by the leader’s son.
Kel isn't sure about the strange men, but he isn't about to send them away, especially when the bond between Corin and himself is something he can't ignore.
When another clan wages an attack, Kel is forced to make some hard choices which nearly costs him everything he holds dear. Together, with their allies, Corin and Kel fight, focusing on the future they desire, knowing failure not only dooms their love, but also those around them. Side by side, they work to destroy the evil threatening to keep them apart and becoming the family both men desire.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2015
141 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 19, 2018
** 3.75 stars **
I enjoyed this book for the most part. The world-building is amazing here, so many facts create a distinctive picture of the new space world with different species of people, humanoids and new breeds of animals. This particular planet where the main action takes place reminds me a lot of medieval Scotland with clans, their clothes and weapons and unfortunate healthcare (way too many quack doctors not knowing their a$$ from their elbow). So basically after the Avanti team escapes the battleship in their pods almost entire reference to space travel disappears. That was one point I didn't like, it was not bad just wanted more technology.
The relationships between MCs, and Tate and Corin make this book very amusing and good fun. I liked how Kel and Corin came together, they were so sweet and hot! But then plenty of intrigue and other people's machinations rip them apart with seemingly no way to get back to each other. Up to 65% of the book I flew through the pages, I simply could not stop reading, it was so fascinating to know this world, these new people and their way of life. But after that point there was just too much information, too much inner monologue that I frankly started to become bored. And there were points in the story where it was so sweet that my teeth hurt. For this type of romance I wanted a little bit of rough and I was left slightly wanting. Also want to mention the fact that there were many POVs from different characters and the change was so sudden between them that I sometimes got confused whose POV I was reading, so that was a bummer.
The fighting was described in great detail and I enjoyed the turmoil and angst of everybody trying to stay alive and save their friends and home. Even the end was wrought with peril for Kel and Corin and it was a very nice solution that came about with the help of old and new friends and allies. All in all this was a very good and solid new beginning of a very good (hopefully) series. I recommend it!
P.S. This is also MPreg romance so be in the know! :-)
I enjoyed this book for the most part. The world-building is amazing here, so many facts create a distinctive picture of the new space world with different species of people, humanoids and new breeds of animals. This particular planet where the main action takes place reminds me a lot of medieval Scotland with clans, their clothes and weapons and unfortunate healthcare (way too many quack doctors not knowing their a$$ from their elbow). So basically after the Avanti team escapes the battleship in their pods almost entire reference to space travel disappears. That was one point I didn't like, it was not bad just wanted more technology.
The relationships between MCs, and Tate and Corin make this book very amusing and good fun. I liked how Kel and Corin came together, they were so sweet and hot! But then plenty of intrigue and other people's machinations rip them apart with seemingly no way to get back to each other. Up to 65% of the book I flew through the pages, I simply could not stop reading, it was so fascinating to know this world, these new people and their way of life. But after that point there was just too much information, too much inner monologue that I frankly started to become bored. And there were points in the story where it was so sweet that my teeth hurt. For this type of romance I wanted a little bit of rough and I was left slightly wanting. Also want to mention the fact that there were many POVs from different characters and the change was so sudden between them that I sometimes got confused whose POV I was reading, so that was a bummer.
The fighting was described in great detail and I enjoyed the turmoil and angst of everybody trying to stay alive and save their friends and home. Even the end was wrought with peril for Kel and Corin and it was a very nice solution that came about with the help of old and new friends and allies. All in all this was a very good and solid new beginning of a very good (hopefully) series. I recommend it!
P.S. This is also MPreg romance so be in the know! :-)
dnf
October 28, 2018DNF @19%
I really wanted to like this but it was like a B movie or maybe a bad porn movie in book form. The dialogue, the characters even the little girl made me cringe.
I really wanted to like this but it was like a B movie or maybe a bad porn movie in book form. The dialogue, the characters even the little girl made me cringe.
October 10, 2015
DNF 70%
This book was hugely disappointing to me. I really liked how it started off. The characters seemed interesting and I enjoyed learning some of the Avanti team's background. The main character, Corin, seemed strong and capable and was able to fit in with a group of super soldiers. These things were why I bought the book, but they fell apart pretty quickly.
After Corin crash lands on Kel's planet, he and one of the Avanti are separated from the other four team members. Without spoiling much, they eventually meet up with Kel and this is where I really started to dislike the book. Corin and Kel fall in insta-love and apparently Kel's horrifically overpowering manliness turns Corin from a strong military surgeon to a whiney bitch prone to bouts of sudden crying. The dialogue is painfully stilted and awkward in places and some of the villains seem to do things for no real reason that I can figure out. Frankly, this reads like it started out as poorly written fanfiction.
Overall, a book that started out decent, but quickly lost its way with an overabundance of man-crying, overly sappy declarations of love and devotion, nonsensical actions taken by the characters, and bad dialogue. I would not recommend this book.
This book was hugely disappointing to me. I really liked how it started off. The characters seemed interesting and I enjoyed learning some of the Avanti team's background. The main character, Corin, seemed strong and capable and was able to fit in with a group of super soldiers. These things were why I bought the book, but they fell apart pretty quickly.
After Corin crash lands on Kel's planet, he and one of the Avanti are separated from the other four team members. Without spoiling much, they eventually meet up with Kel and this is where I really started to dislike the book. Corin and Kel fall in insta-love and apparently Kel's horrifically overpowering manliness turns Corin from a strong military surgeon to a whiney bitch prone to bouts of sudden crying. The dialogue is painfully stilted and awkward in places and some of the villains seem to do things for no real reason that I can figure out. Frankly, this reads like it started out as poorly written fanfiction.
Overall, a book that started out decent, but quickly lost its way with an overabundance of man-crying, overly sappy declarations of love and devotion, nonsensical actions taken by the characters, and bad dialogue. I would not recommend this book.
September 23, 2015
The Avanti series is going to blow your mind, I know this and can speak the truth because I’ve read the first book three times and it still takes my breath away. It’s so many things, so much more than a romance or sci fi adventure, it’s world building at its best. Think Tolkien and Terry Pratchett. The level of back story and the fine details which have gone into this series is just as good, and through the series that just grows and grows. A whole universe has been created and it’s all down to one amazing person. Hannah Walker.
This book walks you through a cast of characters which all feel like the main stars. There’s no half arsed attempts at passing off a walk in part, there’s no extras, they’re all the Brad Pitt mega stars and they all have their turn in the spotlight. There’s no one box this fits into, I could choose ten categories and there still wouldn’t be enough. There’s something and someone in here for every taste, and it will make you turn the page with its weaving plot and spectacular cast.
This book walks you through a cast of characters which all feel like the main stars. There’s no half arsed attempts at passing off a walk in part, there’s no extras, they’re all the Brad Pitt mega stars and they all have their turn in the spotlight. There’s no one box this fits into, I could choose ten categories and there still wouldn’t be enough. There’s something and someone in here for every taste, and it will make you turn the page with its weaving plot and spectacular cast.
September 21, 2015
This is what I've been looking for!
I hesitated when I saw this. I see Science fiction and I think cyborgs, aliens and all that stuff, this is NOT that. This is romance, science fiction, fantasy, and so much more. This book is an amazing adventure where we follow a group of galaxy warriors after they crash on a strange planet. From the first moment this book captures you and pulls you in. There is adventure, romance, suspense, comedy, you get it all. The world building is unlike much seen in the gay fiction world. It grows with each word, and you long to know more about everything and everyone. The love and relationships are fun and strong. You feel the emotions, you scream at the pages. It's not just one couple either, it's a group of friends we get to know, each with a story to tell. This is just a fantastic book and I can't wait to read more from this author. This is what the gay fiction community has been waiting for.
I hesitated when I saw this. I see Science fiction and I think cyborgs, aliens and all that stuff, this is NOT that. This is romance, science fiction, fantasy, and so much more. This book is an amazing adventure where we follow a group of galaxy warriors after they crash on a strange planet. From the first moment this book captures you and pulls you in. There is adventure, romance, suspense, comedy, you get it all. The world building is unlike much seen in the gay fiction world. It grows with each word, and you long to know more about everything and everyone. The love and relationships are fun and strong. You feel the emotions, you scream at the pages. It's not just one couple either, it's a group of friends we get to know, each with a story to tell. This is just a fantastic book and I can't wait to read more from this author. This is what the gay fiction community has been waiting for.
March 8, 2016
Well, Hannah Walker tried. And really, her ideas are good. She's just not very good at conveying them. I liked the premise and the universe she created, but the writing is lackluster. Plot points are confused, characters are inconsistent, and Corin is a Marty Stu. Seriously, the guy is some kind of doctor of the gods, he can do no wrong, he's sweet and compassionate and kind and heroic, and everyone just fucking loves him...except for the cartoon villains whose motives are transparent and whose plans could've been thwarted with very little effort and forethought.
Eyes change colors, one minute there's no clan doctor, then there is, then there isn't, and in one day, a few men manage to handcraft an entire suite of nursery furniture. We're talking rocking chair, crib, and several chests. Actually, not even in a full day. I believe they started in the morning, and were finished by the end of the afternoon.
Now that's talent.
Eyes change colors, one minute there's no clan doctor, then there is, then there isn't, and in one day, a few men manage to handcraft an entire suite of nursery furniture. We're talking rocking chair, crib, and several chests. Actually, not even in a full day. I believe they started in the morning, and were finished by the end of the afternoon.
Now that's talent.
September 26, 2017
Good intro to this series
There's a lot of great world building in this book which is why it perhaps felt a bit messy at times.
Corin was just a bit too perfect and it felt on occasion that the whole world was just falling at his feet wanting to be his friend.
Kel felt a bit more rounded as a character and the secondary characters and setting was very well done. The Avanti squad are all varied characters I'm going to be interested in reading about.
I believe this was the author's first published book and, having read some of her other works, I think that goes some way to explaining the rougher edges.
The dialogue gets a bit overblown in some of the speeches and I have to admit that 'cute child speak' just grated on my nerves each time she opened her mouth.
But, overall, I enjoyed this first foray into a new series.
There's a lot of great world building in this book which is why it perhaps felt a bit messy at times.
Corin was just a bit too perfect and it felt on occasion that the whole world was just falling at his feet wanting to be his friend.
Kel felt a bit more rounded as a character and the secondary characters and setting was very well done. The Avanti squad are all varied characters I'm going to be interested in reading about.
I believe this was the author's first published book and, having read some of her other works, I think that goes some way to explaining the rougher edges.
The dialogue gets a bit overblown in some of the speeches and I have to admit that 'cute child speak' just grated on my nerves each time she opened her mouth.
But, overall, I enjoyed this first foray into a new series.
May 29, 2025
"There was no hurried pace, no awkwardness, no frantic jerky movements and no desperation. It was simply a kiss, a kiss that tasted of love and belonging."
After escaping an attack on their spaceship. Corin and Tate crash on a planet separated from their friends.
They come across a little girl that's been kidnapped by nasty aliens. They bring her to her home and find out something fishy is going on in the clan.
Who would want to kidnap the lil princess, and why?
Kel is the chief's son. His father has arranged for him to marry a woman from another clan...but the minute Kel meets Corin, everything changes.
Will they be able to be together?
Wow, this was very wordy n long. But I liked it! I loved Kel, Corin, and all the Avanti members. This has everything I like to read packed in..
Aliens.
Fated/true mates.
Mpreg.
Fun weiners.
Verse mates.
Found family.
Banter.
Interesting plot.
Good world building.
Some Mystery and Action.
I had a lot of fun.
It's told from multiple POVs. I usually hate that, but I loved getting to know all the guys. I'm looking forward to reading more in this world.
No cheating, no sharing, and no OM drama. Kel is set to marry a woman and breaks Corin's heart for a bit, but nothing happens.
After escaping an attack on their spaceship. Corin and Tate crash on a planet separated from their friends.
They come across a little girl that's been kidnapped by nasty aliens. They bring her to her home and find out something fishy is going on in the clan.
Who would want to kidnap the lil princess, and why?
Kel is the chief's son. His father has arranged for him to marry a woman from another clan...but the minute Kel meets Corin, everything changes.
Will they be able to be together?
Wow, this was very wordy n long. But I liked it! I loved Kel, Corin, and all the Avanti members. This has everything I like to read packed in..
Aliens.
Fated/true mates.
Mpreg.
Fun weiners.
Verse mates.
Found family.
Banter.
Interesting plot.
Good world building.
Some Mystery and Action.
I had a lot of fun.
It's told from multiple POVs. I usually hate that, but I loved getting to know all the guys. I'm looking forward to reading more in this world.
No cheating, no sharing, and no OM drama. Kel is set to marry a woman and breaks Corin's heart for a bit, but nothing happens.
February 10, 2016
OK, well I thought the first half of this book was great...interesting characters, friendships forming, some action and plot going on, solid world building, you name it. Then, it slowly began turning into a different story, one filled with melodrama, dialogue that was waaaaayyy too long (started skimming when I saw it was long paragraphs of the same talk over and over), and lots and lots of tears - from so many men! Corin's crying is kinda explainable, but it all got to be a bit...much. I think this could have been a tighter story with some editing, so it wasn't so...wordy? I'm going to give the second one a try though, and see how the series goes!
December 16, 2015
Excellent Debut
Excellent world building and character development. Well thought out and full of details that made the story. Sexy, sweet and emotional.
Excellent world building and character development. Well thought out and full of details that made the story. Sexy, sweet and emotional.
May 22, 2017
This has a lot of things that are typical in Mpreg stories such as insta-love, fated mates, and jokes about uncomfortable pregnancies. But it also has a wide assortment of fun characters. Also Corin although sweet isn't a fragile character. He is doesn't wail and descend into hysteric when things go wrong. He is also capable of taking care of himself and others. The thing that this story does fairly well is world building and set up for other future stories. I wasn't confused about the dynamics of the world and didn't mix up the characters even though there is a vast array of them.
October 11, 2017
As several of my GR circle have said the book starts off interesting but devolves into a boring story. I did a LA-HOT of skimming...but there are some enjoyable parts as well. The world building is good and the characters sound very promising but as one of my GR peeps Lizzie says 'the humor is cheesy' and I quite agree. The romance is tepid and I was more interested in the second couple Tate and Dariux, until the end when Tate derails a promising romance for what I think was a stupid reason. Of course its a build up for his book, and I may check that out at some point but for the size of the books vs. quality, I think I will wait. There was enough pull though to keep me mostly vested in the story and the characters, if this had been better fleshed out I really would have enjoyed it more! Solid 3 stars overall.
December 3, 2015
I don't often write book reviews and I think that is because I like to read just for fun; plot lines, character development, continuity, and the oh, so many other things that reviewers often write about just aren't that important to me...at least not enough to spend time I could be reading the next book to write about the one I just finished. But I think that this author has some real potential and based upon some of the other reviews written about this book I felt compelled to add my proverbial two cents.
There are a couple of things that I did not care for in this book. First, had I known that the book would involve male pregnancy I probably would not have read it, which would have been a shame. I'm a gay man who likes to read stories about men who have relationships with men; and men don't get pregnant. Okay, I get that in our reality they don't crash land on other planets, shift into wolves, or are vampires or warlocks (all genres I enjoy), but pregnancy is just too womanized for my tastes (but more power to those who do like it!)
My other challenge with the book is the excessive crying and pages long proclamations of love and "...how can I live without you" drama. Sometimes a character will literally go on and on for a page and half. I love my husband more than anything in the world and tell him that every day, but if I went on like that as often as these characters do I would end up with a sock stuffed in my mouth! It is particularly difficult to reconcile in a story that is supposed to be about these great warriors. For me, I like my men to be men, something that I think that all of the great female authors (Kage Harper, Kindle Alexander, Eli Easton, Marie Sexton, just to name a few) of male/male romance understand. They write beautifully romantic stories while still retaining their characters masculinity and/or their maleness. I truly hope that this is something that this author considers as she continues her writing career.
The things that I liked about this book were pretty much everything else. Any sci-fi book that includes a glossary of terms and a cast of characters list has got to be good; Lynn Gala and Angel Martinez do this with their books and I think that they are are two of the best m/m sci-fi writers out there. The blend of starships and castles was fun and the story lines were good; I wasn't expecting Asimov or Tolkien so there was nothing here to disappoint. It was fun and I didn't want to put it down.
I think that this author has a lot of potential with this series, and with her future story lines. I'm definitely in for the rest of this series, and I really hope that she takes these thoughts, and those of other reviewers who were critical of the work, into consideration as the story develops. I want to see more, and I hope others help support this author by reading this book.
There are a couple of things that I did not care for in this book. First, had I known that the book would involve male pregnancy I probably would not have read it, which would have been a shame. I'm a gay man who likes to read stories about men who have relationships with men; and men don't get pregnant. Okay, I get that in our reality they don't crash land on other planets, shift into wolves, or are vampires or warlocks (all genres I enjoy), but pregnancy is just too womanized for my tastes (but more power to those who do like it!)
My other challenge with the book is the excessive crying and pages long proclamations of love and "...how can I live without you" drama. Sometimes a character will literally go on and on for a page and half. I love my husband more than anything in the world and tell him that every day, but if I went on like that as often as these characters do I would end up with a sock stuffed in my mouth! It is particularly difficult to reconcile in a story that is supposed to be about these great warriors. For me, I like my men to be men, something that I think that all of the great female authors (Kage Harper, Kindle Alexander, Eli Easton, Marie Sexton, just to name a few) of male/male romance understand. They write beautifully romantic stories while still retaining their characters masculinity and/or their maleness. I truly hope that this is something that this author considers as she continues her writing career.
The things that I liked about this book were pretty much everything else. Any sci-fi book that includes a glossary of terms and a cast of characters list has got to be good; Lynn Gala and Angel Martinez do this with their books and I think that they are are two of the best m/m sci-fi writers out there. The blend of starships and castles was fun and the story lines were good; I wasn't expecting Asimov or Tolkien so there was nothing here to disappoint. It was fun and I didn't want to put it down.
I think that this author has a lot of potential with this series, and with her future story lines. I'm definitely in for the rest of this series, and I really hope that she takes these thoughts, and those of other reviewers who were critical of the work, into consideration as the story develops. I want to see more, and I hope others help support this author by reading this book.
January 12, 2016
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was a awesome start to this series!
This is a warning this is a MPEG novel which I know some are okay with and some not so much. For me I thought it worked perfectly in this book.
Corin is a doctor who got in trouble for something he really should have not been in trouble for. He is assigned a new job on a ship which is where he meets his new friends. They must abandon ship and take a pod to the closet planet which is where is meets Kel.
I have to say the world this author created in this book was amazing!
You get so much action with this book and meet so many new characters. There really so much going on with this book but the way everything worked so well together was perfect.
Now I will say the way he had the baby and how the baby needs to feed was very odd.. But their aliens so I rolled with it lol. I loved the way the author wrote these characters with all their little quirks but also the way they all cared for each other like they were family.
Once I started this book I was on the edge of my seat until I finished this. Now I can not wait to find out what will happen with Taylor, Dax and the other Avanti.
All together I loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!
This book was a awesome start to this series!
This is a warning this is a MPEG novel which I know some are okay with and some not so much. For me I thought it worked perfectly in this book.
Corin is a doctor who got in trouble for something he really should have not been in trouble for. He is assigned a new job on a ship which is where he meets his new friends. They must abandon ship and take a pod to the closet planet which is where is meets Kel.
I have to say the world this author created in this book was amazing!
You get so much action with this book and meet so many new characters. There really so much going on with this book but the way everything worked so well together was perfect.
Now I will say the way he had the baby and how the baby needs to feed was very odd.. But their aliens so I rolled with it lol. I loved the way the author wrote these characters with all their little quirks but also the way they all cared for each other like they were family.
Once I started this book I was on the edge of my seat until I finished this. Now I can not wait to find out what will happen with Taylor, Dax and the other Avanti.
All together I loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this book!
April 24, 2016
Entertaining and enjoyable story
This was a very enjoyable read and I am very much looking forward to continuing the series.
The world building and character development are intriguing and the storyline kept me interested and entertained.
There are elements of science fiction and the world building seems to depend mostly on fantasy but this is, at it's core, a romance. That is unfortunately where the author lost me.
The storyline and character development could have been so much more if the author hadn't relied so heavily on everyone constantly proclaiming their undying love, friendship and brotherhood to each other. GAH! At times my teeth hurt and I could feel the cavities developing from all the sugar.
I don't want to go into gender roles or men should be the 'strong silent type' or that rather disgusting comment I've seen used that the men 'acted like women' because none of that stereotyping applies here. This is all the way through an MM love story, my problem lies in the author's over dependence on constant verbal declarations of how much everyone loves everyone else. We get it. It's a giant love fest.
I did enjoy the book and will recover from the sweetness overload enough to get right into the next book in the series. I just cannot give it more than 3 stars.
This was a very enjoyable read and I am very much looking forward to continuing the series.
The world building and character development are intriguing and the storyline kept me interested and entertained.
There are elements of science fiction and the world building seems to depend mostly on fantasy but this is, at it's core, a romance. That is unfortunately where the author lost me.
The storyline and character development could have been so much more if the author hadn't relied so heavily on everyone constantly proclaiming their undying love, friendship and brotherhood to each other. GAH! At times my teeth hurt and I could feel the cavities developing from all the sugar.
I don't want to go into gender roles or men should be the 'strong silent type' or that rather disgusting comment I've seen used that the men 'acted like women' because none of that stereotyping applies here. This is all the way through an MM love story, my problem lies in the author's over dependence on constant verbal declarations of how much everyone loves everyone else. We get it. It's a giant love fest.
I did enjoy the book and will recover from the sweetness overload enough to get right into the next book in the series. I just cannot give it more than 3 stars.
September 5, 2017
Finished reading this while I was on vacation. Enjoyed this so going to move on to the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Recommended.
February 8, 2017
**GRammar**
This book was long and I mean REALLY long and most of the time there was a repetition of speeches and scenes. The romance was the focus of the book, and I liked it but sometimes the speeches were too sweet and unrealistic, no one talks like that not even to the person they love.
Said that, I found the story interesting also if dragged too much and this is only the first book....
All starts with Corin, one of the best surgeon of the Alliance, being demoted bcs he took care of another patient before the Admiral. The other man had had more serious injuries, but still the Admiral had ordered Corin to focus on him, the doctor had refused and the Admiral had been so pissed, to demote him.
Now Corin is on this unknown ship going he isnt sure where, but at least he will still be able to do his job.
On the ship, a lot of people ignore him bcs also if they dont know the truth behind the Admiral's tale, they still believe him. For all, Corin is at fault, only a group of 5 men seems to think otherwise. These men are the Avanti.
Dax their captain, Tate, Bray, Hunter and Bell, know that Corin did the right thing, the man he saved was one of their friends and for this reason they become friends with him. Weeks pass and they spend a lot of time together, they also try to train Corin, and is in one of this occasion, when Tate and Corin are training and the others are watching them, that shit hits the fan.
Their ship gets hit and soon they understand they need to leave or they will die.
The lifeboats can take 2 person each so they need to divide. Corin will go with Tate that is badly hurt, while Dax with Bell and Hunter with Bray. They put on the lifeboats's computers the same destination, the first habitable planet they can find and then say goodbyes.
Soon we understand that there is something wrong with Corin and Tate's spaceship. Corin is doing all he can to keep Tate's alive and he doesnt know how to fix the spaceship. They crash on the planet, but luckily they are still alive.
For the next days Corin's strenght and quick thinking is the only thing that keeps them alive. Corin's is hurt but still he drags Tate, now again unconscious, to a cave. There they hide and try to heal. Few hours later or maybe a day, Corin starts to hear some noises and he tries to understand what's going on. Soon he finds out that some men kidnapped a little girl.
To make this shorter, or I stay here all day and maybe all night too...
Tate and Corin save the little girl, and thanks to her directions, they are able to take her back home.
There is some misunderstanding and Tir, the girl's father, thinks that they are protecting the one who kidnapped his daughter,he punches Tate, and his wounds open again. Corin's skills save the man.
Later Tir will tell them that he is sorry.
Despite the Chaos around him, Corin cant stop staring at Kel, Tir's younger brother. He doesnt know that is the same for Kel. They are experiencing love at first sight. They are truemates.
Days pass, Tate heals, Corin and Kel become friends and then something more.
They are happy, till one day, Kel's father tells him that he needs to mate with the daughter of the Chieftain of the neighboring clan.
Kel doesnt want to, but his father will hurt Corin and probably kill him if he doesnt. Kel doesnt tell anything to Corin, but his mate knows that something is wrong. Kel thinks that maybe he will be able to refuse the mating but he still doesnt have a plan and just follows his father.
Few days later Kel and his father leave. When they come back they are not alone.
Kel's father was a jerk, who didnt care about his sons happiness but only about power.
When Corin finds out about the mating, he is shocked.Tate and Niko (Kel and Tir's bestfriend) know that Teriva, the woman that Kel will mate, and her father, will kill Corin if they find out about his relationship with Kel, so they help him escape.
Corin doesnt want to talk, he wants to be alone and cry, but at the same time he is pissed. Kel didnt talk to him, didnt explain what was going on and he had to find out about his future mating in that awful way, infront of everyone.
Tate knows that his friend is hurting but he doesnt know how to help him, so he decides to give him time.
Niko takes them to his clan, his father is the Chieftain and one of my favourite characters. He was nice, sweet and kind. He loves his son and soon "adopts" Corin as his second son.
Weeks pass and Corin starts to feel ill, he had already been ill when Kel had left with his father, but this time things are different. In the end he understands that he is pregnant with Kel's child. He knows that Kel never loved him, he left him for that woman, but at least he will have a memory of them, he will love his child and protect him/her.
When the others find out about his pregnancy they are shocked, but happy for him. Few days later they hear news from Dax and Bell. They are alive and soon they will meet them again.
Now only Hunter and Bray are missing, but the other guys still hope that they are ok.
While we see Corin's drama, we also read about what is happening in Tir's clan. Kel is ill and in a coma, he lost consciousness, 2 days after Corin left, he is experiencing the matesickness and he still isnt mated with Teriva since he postponed the mating using excuses and now he is too ill to mate. Tir's father died in a riding accident, but we all knows that there is Teriva's father behind it.
Tir decides to send Niko a message. When the messanger arrives and explains to Niko and his father what's happening in Tir's clan, the other men are surprised and at the same time they know they need to do something. Niko and Tate had sent a message to Tir, the same day they had left with Corin. Corin had recognized the man who had kidnapped Tir's daughter, and the man had been Teriva's father.
Now is clear that the messanger had been killed.
Kel only hope is Corin. Only his mate can cure him. Corin knows it and also if he thinks that Kel doesnt love him anymore he still wants to save him. His baby needs his other father.
Few days later Corin and Tate arrive to Tir's clan. Corin is able to heal Kel and when the man finally opens his eyes and sees him, he tells him he is sorry, and explains to him why he followed his father's orders.
Then he tells Corin that he didnt mate Teriva and that he missed him and doesnt want to leave him again. Corin cries, replies that he is mad, that Kel was wrong to act without consulting him, but that he still loves him, then he reveals his big secret. Kel will soon become a father. Kel thinks that he is still dreaming, that maybe this is an hallucination bcs he is seeing all he ever wanted, but when he understands that is the reality he cant stop crying for the happiness.
They are back together and this time they are ready to fight to stay that way.
And they really fight.
Teriva and her father want Tir's clan and want Kel. That spoiled woman wants Kel as her mate and her father wants the clan's lands.
They give Tir's an ultimatum. 48 hours to decide to surrender or fight.
There were some scenes that made me laugh, one of them was when Teriva's father starts talking and pratically explaining to them all about his plans, what he will do and how and why...a really long speech and an absurd one too.
I cant understand why the others didnt grab him while he was talking and put him in jail...
2 days later, they are fighting for their lives.
Niko's father sent a message to the King, Kastain, and they are hoping the man will come to help them. Teriva's father has more men that they thought and other clans are helping him.
Corin is treating the injured, and Dariux with some other men, are guarding him. All around them they can hear battle noises and explosions.
Dariux tells Corin that he needs to leave, but the man refuses, he cant leave his patient, not before he closes his wound or the man will die. When the patient can finally be moved, is too late. They are surrounded. One of the enemy soldiers, tries to kill Corin, but Dariux protects the doctor and the baby with his body.
Soon after Kel, Tate and Niko arrive and kill the other enemies. Then when Tate sees Dariux he goes into shock. In the other pages we had already understood that something was going on btw Tate and Niko's bestfriend, but now we see his panic and desperation while thinking that the man he loves is dead.
Luckily he isnt and Corin is able to save him. In the 2nd book we will understand why Tate, also if in love with Dariux, doesnt want to be with him and tries to repress his feelings.
They have won this little battle, but they are losing the war. The ememy has too many men. All seems lost, till Kastain arrives and has Hunter and Bray with him.
They win the war and put Teriva into jail. They cant find her father.
In the next pages, we see our guys explaining to the King all that happened till that moment and then Hunter and Bray tell them their story.
Few days later Corin has a panic attack. They dont have anything ready for the baby and he and Kel are still not mated. All the stress he has accumulated in the past months, and all his concerns are taking their toll.
The king's doctor,thanks to Kel's help, is able to stop the panic attack.
Later, while Corin is sleeping, his friends build for his baby the perfect nursery and plan the mating cerimony.
2 days later Corin is mating the man he loves, infront of their friends and new families. Soon after the mating ceremony ends, we see Teriva's father enter the room with his men and the Conclave. The man lied to the Conclave, making them believe that Kel was already promised to his daughter. There is a discussion, then a fight, but in the end the Conclave understands that the man was only lying.
While all this is happing and there is a battle, Corin goes into labour. Thanks to the king's doctor he is able to give birth to a beautiful son. He and Kel will name him Chance.
Bcs the fact that Corin's spaceship crashed on this planet and he found Kel was only a Chance.
Like I said before, the book wasnt bad but too damn long. Some scene made me laugh bcs were absurd, and some annoyed me, like the continuous repetition of the same romantic speeches. Too many words....
Next!
Ps= The first time tag is about Kel bottoming for the first time. He and Corin had already been with other men, but with his mate is the first time he gives himself like that.
This book was long and I mean REALLY long and most of the time there was a repetition of speeches and scenes. The romance was the focus of the book, and I liked it but sometimes the speeches were too sweet and unrealistic, no one talks like that not even to the person they love.
Said that, I found the story interesting also if dragged too much and this is only the first book....
All starts with Corin, one of the best surgeon of the Alliance, being demoted bcs he took care of another patient before the Admiral. The other man had had more serious injuries, but still the Admiral had ordered Corin to focus on him, the doctor had refused and the Admiral had been so pissed, to demote him.
Now Corin is on this unknown ship going he isnt sure where, but at least he will still be able to do his job.
On the ship, a lot of people ignore him bcs also if they dont know the truth behind the Admiral's tale, they still believe him. For all, Corin is at fault, only a group of 5 men seems to think otherwise. These men are the Avanti.
Dax their captain, Tate, Bray, Hunter and Bell, know that Corin did the right thing, the man he saved was one of their friends and for this reason they become friends with him. Weeks pass and they spend a lot of time together, they also try to train Corin, and is in one of this occasion, when Tate and Corin are training and the others are watching them, that shit hits the fan.
Their ship gets hit and soon they understand they need to leave or they will die.
The lifeboats can take 2 person each so they need to divide. Corin will go with Tate that is badly hurt, while Dax with Bell and Hunter with Bray. They put on the lifeboats's computers the same destination, the first habitable planet they can find and then say goodbyes.
Soon we understand that there is something wrong with Corin and Tate's spaceship. Corin is doing all he can to keep Tate's alive and he doesnt know how to fix the spaceship. They crash on the planet, but luckily they are still alive.
For the next days Corin's strenght and quick thinking is the only thing that keeps them alive. Corin's is hurt but still he drags Tate, now again unconscious, to a cave. There they hide and try to heal. Few hours later or maybe a day, Corin starts to hear some noises and he tries to understand what's going on. Soon he finds out that some men kidnapped a little girl.
To make this shorter, or I stay here all day and maybe all night too...
Tate and Corin save the little girl, and thanks to her directions, they are able to take her back home.
There is some misunderstanding and Tir, the girl's father, thinks that they are protecting the one who kidnapped his daughter,he punches Tate, and his wounds open again. Corin's skills save the man.
Later Tir will tell them that he is sorry.
Despite the Chaos around him, Corin cant stop staring at Kel, Tir's younger brother. He doesnt know that is the same for Kel. They are experiencing love at first sight. They are truemates.
Days pass, Tate heals, Corin and Kel become friends and then something more.
They are happy, till one day, Kel's father tells him that he needs to mate with the daughter of the Chieftain of the neighboring clan.
Kel doesnt want to, but his father will hurt Corin and probably kill him if he doesnt. Kel doesnt tell anything to Corin, but his mate knows that something is wrong. Kel thinks that maybe he will be able to refuse the mating but he still doesnt have a plan and just follows his father.
Few days later Kel and his father leave. When they come back they are not alone.
Kel's father was a jerk, who didnt care about his sons happiness but only about power.
When Corin finds out about the mating, he is shocked.Tate and Niko (Kel and Tir's bestfriend) know that Teriva, the woman that Kel will mate, and her father, will kill Corin if they find out about his relationship with Kel, so they help him escape.
Corin doesnt want to talk, he wants to be alone and cry, but at the same time he is pissed. Kel didnt talk to him, didnt explain what was going on and he had to find out about his future mating in that awful way, infront of everyone.
Tate knows that his friend is hurting but he doesnt know how to help him, so he decides to give him time.
Niko takes them to his clan, his father is the Chieftain and one of my favourite characters. He was nice, sweet and kind. He loves his son and soon "adopts" Corin as his second son.
Weeks pass and Corin starts to feel ill, he had already been ill when Kel had left with his father, but this time things are different. In the end he understands that he is pregnant with Kel's child. He knows that Kel never loved him, he left him for that woman, but at least he will have a memory of them, he will love his child and protect him/her.
When the others find out about his pregnancy they are shocked, but happy for him. Few days later they hear news from Dax and Bell. They are alive and soon they will meet them again.
Now only Hunter and Bray are missing, but the other guys still hope that they are ok.
While we see Corin's drama, we also read about what is happening in Tir's clan. Kel is ill and in a coma, he lost consciousness, 2 days after Corin left, he is experiencing the matesickness and he still isnt mated with Teriva since he postponed the mating using excuses and now he is too ill to mate. Tir's father died in a riding accident, but we all knows that there is Teriva's father behind it.
Tir decides to send Niko a message. When the messanger arrives and explains to Niko and his father what's happening in Tir's clan, the other men are surprised and at the same time they know they need to do something. Niko and Tate had sent a message to Tir, the same day they had left with Corin. Corin had recognized the man who had kidnapped Tir's daughter, and the man had been Teriva's father.
Now is clear that the messanger had been killed.
Kel only hope is Corin. Only his mate can cure him. Corin knows it and also if he thinks that Kel doesnt love him anymore he still wants to save him. His baby needs his other father.
Few days later Corin and Tate arrive to Tir's clan. Corin is able to heal Kel and when the man finally opens his eyes and sees him, he tells him he is sorry, and explains to him why he followed his father's orders.
Then he tells Corin that he didnt mate Teriva and that he missed him and doesnt want to leave him again. Corin cries, replies that he is mad, that Kel was wrong to act without consulting him, but that he still loves him, then he reveals his big secret. Kel will soon become a father. Kel thinks that he is still dreaming, that maybe this is an hallucination bcs he is seeing all he ever wanted, but when he understands that is the reality he cant stop crying for the happiness.
They are back together and this time they are ready to fight to stay that way.
And they really fight.
Teriva and her father want Tir's clan and want Kel. That spoiled woman wants Kel as her mate and her father wants the clan's lands.
They give Tir's an ultimatum. 48 hours to decide to surrender or fight.
There were some scenes that made me laugh, one of them was when Teriva's father starts talking and pratically explaining to them all about his plans, what he will do and how and why...a really long speech and an absurd one too.
I cant understand why the others didnt grab him while he was talking and put him in jail...
2 days later, they are fighting for their lives.
Niko's father sent a message to the King, Kastain, and they are hoping the man will come to help them. Teriva's father has more men that they thought and other clans are helping him.
Corin is treating the injured, and Dariux with some other men, are guarding him. All around them they can hear battle noises and explosions.
Dariux tells Corin that he needs to leave, but the man refuses, he cant leave his patient, not before he closes his wound or the man will die. When the patient can finally be moved, is too late. They are surrounded. One of the enemy soldiers, tries to kill Corin, but Dariux protects the doctor and the baby with his body.
Soon after Kel, Tate and Niko arrive and kill the other enemies. Then when Tate sees Dariux he goes into shock. In the other pages we had already understood that something was going on btw Tate and Niko's bestfriend, but now we see his panic and desperation while thinking that the man he loves is dead.
Luckily he isnt and Corin is able to save him. In the 2nd book we will understand why Tate, also if in love with Dariux, doesnt want to be with him and tries to repress his feelings.
They have won this little battle, but they are losing the war. The ememy has too many men. All seems lost, till Kastain arrives and has Hunter and Bray with him.
They win the war and put Teriva into jail. They cant find her father.
In the next pages, we see our guys explaining to the King all that happened till that moment and then Hunter and Bray tell them their story.
Few days later Corin has a panic attack. They dont have anything ready for the baby and he and Kel are still not mated. All the stress he has accumulated in the past months, and all his concerns are taking their toll.
The king's doctor,thanks to Kel's help, is able to stop the panic attack.
Later, while Corin is sleeping, his friends build for his baby the perfect nursery and plan the mating cerimony.
2 days later Corin is mating the man he loves, infront of their friends and new families. Soon after the mating ceremony ends, we see Teriva's father enter the room with his men and the Conclave. The man lied to the Conclave, making them believe that Kel was already promised to his daughter. There is a discussion, then a fight, but in the end the Conclave understands that the man was only lying.
While all this is happing and there is a battle, Corin goes into labour. Thanks to the king's doctor he is able to give birth to a beautiful son. He and Kel will name him Chance.
Bcs the fact that Corin's spaceship crashed on this planet and he found Kel was only a Chance.
Like I said before, the book wasnt bad but too damn long. Some scene made me laugh bcs were absurd, and some annoyed me, like the continuous repetition of the same romantic speeches. Too many words....
Next!
Ps= The first time tag is about Kel bottoming for the first time. He and Corin had already been with other men, but with his mate is the first time he gives himself like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2018
first for me from this author the world building and characters were interesting enough to keep me reading and i am going get the next book what i would say though if your a tender hearted soul and love lots of sap and crying men then grab tissues and i your like me you may get eye ache from all the eye rolling your gonna do ;-)
May 11, 2024
2020 = 2 stars
2021 = 2 stars
A MM Sci-Fi Romance that reads like a MM historical novel set in Scotland. With lairds, clans, kilts, sword fighting, and a castle.
The first 60% = 3 stars.
The last 40% = 2 stars.
By 70%, I was ready for it to be over.
When I skimmed to the end:
THE PLOT: A group of Avanti warriors crash-land onto planet Landran. Corin is an Alliance doctor. He ends up being a truemate to Kel, a laird.
Truemates = insta-love. Corin finds out that he's part of a race, where the men can get pregnant (Mpreg).
At 60%, it turns lovey-dovey. The MCs have OTT feelings for each other. Everyone in the brotherhood is all about love, loyalty and comradeship. The battle-hardened warriors shed lots of tears, and there were plenty of eye-rolling declarations. Ugh, it got to be too much. 😬🙄
A Few Examples:
♥ "Can't you tell I'm completely captivated by you? You're in my mind, my heart, my soul."
♥ "“I love you, Corin. You are my heart, my soul, my breath. You are the very reason my heart continues to beat. Nothing will ever change that."
♥ “I love you too,” Corin breathed against his lips. “You are everything I never knew I wanted or needed. You make me whole, make me feel like I can take on the world. You are my one, my only and always will be."
♥ "You consume me. Every thought, every breath, every moment I exist, I do so for you. You are my world, my heart, my very breath. You my dear, sweet, sweet, man are everything to me. This life means nothing if you are not in it."
♥ "You have given me everything I have ever dreamed of. You are everything I ever wanted. My heart, my soul, stay with me, be my mate, let me keep you and our family safe, protected, but most of all let me love you.”
The story is fairly interesting. If it hadn't turned into such a cheesefest, and wasn't so wordy and drawn out, I would've enjoyed it more.
Overused Words: "babe," "handsome" and "his man."
Babe was used 80 times. It felt SO out of place for an advanced alien race. All the characters talked like 21st century Americans. If you're looking for a realistic sci-fi novel, this ain't it.
This is the second book by H.W. that I rated 2-stars. She doesn't write male characters very well. I doubt I'll be trying a third.
2021 = 2 stars
A MM Sci-Fi Romance that reads like a MM historical novel set in Scotland. With lairds, clans, kilts, sword fighting, and a castle.
The first 60% = 3 stars.
The last 40% = 2 stars.
By 70%, I was ready for it to be over.
When I skimmed to the end:
THE PLOT: A group of Avanti warriors crash-land onto planet Landran. Corin is an Alliance doctor. He ends up being a truemate to Kel, a laird.
Truemates = insta-love. Corin finds out that he's part of a race, where the men can get pregnant (Mpreg).
At 60%, it turns lovey-dovey. The MCs have OTT feelings for each other. Everyone in the brotherhood is all about love, loyalty and comradeship. The battle-hardened warriors shed lots of tears, and there were plenty of eye-rolling declarations. Ugh, it got to be too much. 😬🙄
A Few Examples:
♥ "Can't you tell I'm completely captivated by you? You're in my mind, my heart, my soul."
♥ "“I love you, Corin. You are my heart, my soul, my breath. You are the very reason my heart continues to beat. Nothing will ever change that."
♥ “I love you too,” Corin breathed against his lips. “You are everything I never knew I wanted or needed. You make me whole, make me feel like I can take on the world. You are my one, my only and always will be."
♥ "You consume me. Every thought, every breath, every moment I exist, I do so for you. You are my world, my heart, my very breath. You my dear, sweet, sweet, man are everything to me. This life means nothing if you are not in it."
♥ "You have given me everything I have ever dreamed of. You are everything I ever wanted. My heart, my soul, stay with me, be my mate, let me keep you and our family safe, protected, but most of all let me love you.”
The story is fairly interesting. If it hadn't turned into such a cheesefest, and wasn't so wordy and drawn out, I would've enjoyed it more.
Overused Words: "babe," "handsome" and "his man."
Babe was used 80 times. It felt SO out of place for an advanced alien race. All the characters talked like 21st century Americans. If you're looking for a realistic sci-fi novel, this ain't it.
This is the second book by H.W. that I rated 2-stars. She doesn't write male characters very well. I doubt I'll be trying a third.
November 7, 2021
October 13th 2021
So, I re-read this book - as well as the whole series.
And...I liked it better this time around. Although, I still think Kell was behaving like an idiot. And that part of the book had too much needless drama; at least for me.
All in all, I liked the story.
February 12th 2019
After reading and loving another series written by this author, I just had to try this esp. as I love MM and Sci-Fi Romance.
The book started okay. And I liked the space part and Avanti warriors just fine. I didn't like the whining and "drama" that happened later.
Kel, was behaving like an idiot. Keeping your "mate" safe is one thing, but going to sacrifice yourself and your love (without telling why) is a selfish and assholish (is that a word?) move.
I didn't like that part of the story. As well as, the mostly insta-love feel. Meh.
The fighting/battle towards the end was good again. I did like the easy friendship between the guys. The camaraderie. The "family-feeling" without being blood related. That was good.
Also, I want to see how this continues. So, I'm giving this 2 stars and hope the next book will be better.
So, I re-read this book - as well as the whole series.
And...I liked it better this time around. Although, I still think Kell was behaving like an idiot. And that part of the book had too much needless drama; at least for me.
All in all, I liked the story.
February 12th 2019
After reading and loving another series written by this author, I just had to try this esp. as I love MM and Sci-Fi Romance.
The book started okay. And I liked the space part and Avanti warriors just fine. I didn't like the whining and "drama" that happened later.
Kel, was behaving like an idiot. Keeping your "mate" safe is one thing, but going to sacrifice yourself and your love (without telling why) is a selfish and assholish (is that a word?) move.
I didn't like that part of the story. As well as, the mostly insta-love feel. Meh.
The fighting/battle towards the end was good again. I did like the easy friendship between the guys. The camaraderie. The "family-feeling" without being blood related. That was good.
Also, I want to see how this continues. So, I'm giving this 2 stars and hope the next book will be better.
October 26, 2017
This was longer than I expected. Not that I didn't know the page numbers but it FELT long.. perhaps longer than strictly necessary.
For all that this is about Corin meeting the Avanti and crashing onto a neutral world and meeting Kel... there ISN'T a lot of Kel in it. After Kel's decision to protect Corin by agreeing to a political mating pressured by his father, they separate. It then takes quite a while to get to the point of them being back together.
Now, I'm all for a man showing emotion and having a cry but Dayam... there's an awful lot of crying going on for these badass Avanti group. Corin can be forgiven moreso cuz he's pregnant but all the freaking crying is just a detraction from the masculinity for me. Since I've actually started book 2 as I finally get to writing thoughts on this one, it is possible that there isn't quite as much crying in this one but overall... I can say there's gonna be TOO MUCH..
For all that this is about Corin meeting the Avanti and crashing onto a neutral world and meeting Kel... there ISN'T a lot of Kel in it. After Kel's decision to protect Corin by agreeing to a political mating pressured by his father, they separate. It then takes quite a while to get to the point of them being back together.
Now, I'm all for a man showing emotion and having a cry but Dayam... there's an awful lot of crying going on for these badass Avanti group. Corin can be forgiven moreso cuz he's pregnant but all the freaking crying is just a detraction from the masculinity for me. Since I've actually started book 2 as I finally get to writing thoughts on this one, it is possible that there isn't quite as much crying in this one but overall... I can say there's gonna be TOO MUCH..
December 21, 2017
Rating: 3.5 stars
The Mpreg in this story took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting it from this author. That being said, it actually made sense in the context of the story. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once it got going I really enjoyed it. I loved all the characters from the Avanti to the inhabitants of the planet they crash landed on. I really loved Corin. He was such an awesome character. I liked Kel well enough, but thought the choices he made were a bit stupid.
I really thought this a good start to the Avanti Chronicles and I am looking forward to reading Tate’s story next.
The Mpreg in this story took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting it from this author. That being said, it actually made sense in the context of the story. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once it got going I really enjoyed it. I loved all the characters from the Avanti to the inhabitants of the planet they crash landed on. I really loved Corin. He was such an awesome character. I liked Kel well enough, but thought the choices he made were a bit stupid.
I really thought this a good start to the Avanti Chronicles and I am looking forward to reading Tate’s story next.
April 20, 2016
Author "Hannah Walker" tried to write a sci-fi romance which did not give me much of satisfying feeling after ending it.
Why not:
- the story plot is wash out,
- romance between the main couple is too simple so it moves toward boring,
- the main bad guy is some stupid old man who want's to take over some other clan - boring.
I had a please to read similar story plots with a more satisfying outcome.
Why not:
- the story plot is wash out,
- romance between the main couple is too simple so it moves toward boring,
- the main bad guy is some stupid old man who want's to take over some other clan - boring.
I had a please to read similar story plots with a more satisfying outcome.
October 2, 2015
I'll give it this much... the story kept me interested but the writing is a little annoying. These are soldiers not women.... all I'm saying!
April 30, 2017
Reread April 2017; So flowerly. No one talks like this. Couldn't finish the reread :(
January 31, 2016
Not my cup of tea. It starts out well but the dialog drags and feels forced. The humor is...cheesy.
September 1, 2016
DNF at 27% ... i am gay ... but this is to much "gay" for me ... and i'm not talking about sex...bunch of pussies ... sorry , honest opinion no hard feelings Hannah Walker!
August 9, 2025
The Avanti series is definitely one of my firm favourites, and one of the series that established my favour for sci-fi MM romances. These characters also helped establish my preferences, a good mystery/crime plot with men who have many green flags. Are there character flaws? Of course. A relatable and loveable character is someone who has flaws but chooses to be a better person regardless of those flaws. And many of these Avanti, perhaps all of them, have a story behind who they are and what drives them, they have their flaws and their great features and behaviours, and more importantly, they treat each other and everyone they meet with respect. It is always nice to read about a character/characters who treat others how they themselves would like to be treated.
And Corin's Chance establishes a pattern that the author Hannah Walker continues throughout the series. Corin our main character in the first book of the series is an apex surgeon, and I agree with the less favourable reviews that he is perhaps too good. I dislike Mary-Sue's and the male equivalent, but I have never considered Corin a Mary-Sue in prior reads as, although he is talented, he does struggle and fail throughout the book and does not simply overcome an issue through some convenient memory or gaining of power. And his character is defined within the first chapter, when he prioritises truly injured people over an Admiral who has a sore leg. This may seem over-dramatized and foolish, but in all honestly, many people in charge believe their needs come above everyone else's. I know one manager who gets away with s**t because it costs the company more to train and pay a new manager than it would be to replace the staff, so it is not so farfetched that a superior in the military would consider a broken leg more important than someone bleeding out.
Corin is briefly ostracised at the beginning of the book, though he is quickly honoured by and adopted by the Avanti clan travelling on the same space-vessel as Corin. And here we have a friendship between two characters that arguably is one of the best in the series. Our serious surgeon Corin and the Avanti clan's clown and talented sniper, Tate. This friendship, in my opinion, is pretty much integral to the plot of several books in this series. And often times, when these two characters talk, words of wisdom come.
But the book is full of cliche and beautiful words of love and wisdom. The Avanti series just seems to be Hannah Walker's playground, she's constantly creating new ways to strike us with cliched words and hard-hitting quotes. Some of which I will use in my review.
Now, I am very biased because I love the characters and these books have been a firm favourite for years. However, this is not only my favourite due to the characters. I also like the political mystery. Granted it may not be as intricate or have a too-startling twist at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the unravelling plot in the series, the discovery of different enemies, some beneath their noses, even, and the machinations of their known enemies. More importantly, it is good to see the constant depiction that these native male denizens of the planet they are later trapped on continually disregard the threat that comes from female characters. In terms of battle, political or physical, a small dagger/woman can be as devastating as a sword but many men still deem the larger sword/man the threat. It is interesting to see a woman repeatedly being an unknown factor in the political strife upon the planet.
Now, there is a mystery from the get-go, with a sudden attack from the depths of space shooting down the ship and by sheer chance, coincidence, or perhaps even by intention, it is the Avanti that survive the destruction of the ship and all its hands, minus Corin and the Avanti. And then when they crash down, Corin has to perform literal miracles with his hands to keep Tate alive. They find a child, who was kidnapped by beast men, only to find out later that her kidnapping was a political manoeuvre in an effort for our main antagonists to gain power over a certain tribe. A tribe who includes Corin's love interest, Kel.
Now admittedly, the relationship is a little rushed. It is kind of like a soulmate story, where their eyes meet and both fall irrevocably in love. Actually, now I think on it, it is a soulmate story, only Walker calls them true mates. It is something that has become a myth on this world, something that used to happen often but through division and social standing, true mates rarely if ever meet. A blacksmith is not likely to dance with the daughter or son of a noble, so their souls never meet and they never realise they were meant to be. So, Kel has no idea Corin is his true mate. He suspects but he cannot place a myth above his loyalty to his clan and his father, the clan leader, wants Kel to mate with Teriva, the daughter of another clan leader Martellon. Like with any royal family, this mating would tie to powerful clans together, increasing political standing in front of other tribes/clans, as well as ensuring a steadfast alliance between their clans.
And yet, Kel cannot resist. Drawn to Corin, he tells our talented surgeon, '...The way you are for others, your integrity, your honesty, your determination, your spirit, your compassion, it all adds up to a beautiful package.' (page 91).
They spend several nights together, which ends up being a bad thing because they are true mates and by consummating their love for one another, they've tied themselves together. The one negative thing I can put here, that I truly dislike, is that we later find out Corin is not full human, in fact he just happens to be half alien and that other half allows him to become pregnant. Pregnancy is a big no for me in most books, it is often handled poorly or becomes a character’s only defining feature but my love for this series, the political machinations and green-flag men mean that I can endure mpreg in this particular series.
However, in another way, the true mate bond saves Kel, he is later made comatose by his distance from his true mate Corin and is therefore unable to consummate a relationship with Teriva, it is here we now see the truth of the matter. Martellon has set his sights on claiming Kel's clan for his own, he does not want an alliance, he wants control. And his daughter? Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and Teriva is a tactless spoiled brat whose constant whining exposes Martellon's plans. And believe it or not, she will be the constant buzzing in the ears, the annoyance who is a bigger threat than the male denizens of this alien world realise. As Corin later points out to them:
'You ignored her because she is a woman. You forget women can be just as devious, manipulative, cold-hearted and vicious as men. Do not ever let her appearance fool you. Part of me thinks we have only just taken the sheen off her behaviour- corner her and I dread to think how she will react. We need to deal with her. She cannot be allowed to try and play the 'poor me, I was just doing what my father wanted' card.' (Page 293).
Of course, as this is a 'happy ending' series where the guy gets they guy, Martellon is exposed and Kel and his brother, Tyr stand up to Martellon and Teriva, culminating in a fantastic speech that shows the honour these characters hold dear as Tyr tells Martellon,
'We. Will. Fight. We will stand up for those around us, we will harbour every man, woman, and child, safely, if they wish to be here. We will drive you from our lands. We will send you running back to your own keep like the coward you are. Walk away, Martellon, walk away, or be prepared to battle. To battle a clan that you have tried, and failed to take away, a clan which remains strong and true to those around them. A clan that is prepared to fight to their dying breath to defend their way of life.' (Page 306)
The battle that follows, is of course, terrible, and for a moment it seems as if Kel's clan will fail, until we look to the horizon and see the King of this world arrive with two Avanti at his side. Kastain demands the battle end, and while Kel's clan agrees, many of the invading clan who serve Martellon flee with their leader. And again, we see Martellon's true colours when he leaves his daughter to the tender mercies of the clan he dared to try and destroy, and the King.
We end the story with Kel's clan being victorious and the knowledge that Martellon escaped, meaning he is free to continue his scheming and evil ways. However, Corin now has his man and he is pregnant with Kel's child. Meanwhile Tate is struggling with his own awakening feelings for Dariux one of the warriors who came to the aid of Kel's clan.
There are some wonderful sweet moments in this book, alongside some wonderful quotes and heartfelt statements. I have always enjoyed the element of political mystery and manipulation combined with a sweet love story. Hannah Walker's books were some of the few that I felt combined both a good plotline and good romances and kept them balanced. Oftentimes, other romances, both MF and MM, miss the mark. Either the romances are too cliche or poorly written or the plot just falls to pieces and the book reveals itself to be a PWP (porn without plot). That's not to say there is anything wrong with a PWP, but Walker's work helped me realise that my preference is always for a good plot alongside a great romance. And while I can acknowledge some of its flaws, like Corin's incredible talent in surgery, the unwanted mpreg, and how cliche and sickly sweet the romances are, Walker's Avanti Series is still one of my firm favourites.
And Corin's Chance establishes a pattern that the author Hannah Walker continues throughout the series. Corin our main character in the first book of the series is an apex surgeon, and I agree with the less favourable reviews that he is perhaps too good. I dislike Mary-Sue's and the male equivalent, but I have never considered Corin a Mary-Sue in prior reads as, although he is talented, he does struggle and fail throughout the book and does not simply overcome an issue through some convenient memory or gaining of power. And his character is defined within the first chapter, when he prioritises truly injured people over an Admiral who has a sore leg. This may seem over-dramatized and foolish, but in all honestly, many people in charge believe their needs come above everyone else's. I know one manager who gets away with s**t because it costs the company more to train and pay a new manager than it would be to replace the staff, so it is not so farfetched that a superior in the military would consider a broken leg more important than someone bleeding out.
Corin is briefly ostracised at the beginning of the book, though he is quickly honoured by and adopted by the Avanti clan travelling on the same space-vessel as Corin. And here we have a friendship between two characters that arguably is one of the best in the series. Our serious surgeon Corin and the Avanti clan's clown and talented sniper, Tate. This friendship, in my opinion, is pretty much integral to the plot of several books in this series. And often times, when these two characters talk, words of wisdom come.
But the book is full of cliche and beautiful words of love and wisdom. The Avanti series just seems to be Hannah Walker's playground, she's constantly creating new ways to strike us with cliched words and hard-hitting quotes. Some of which I will use in my review.
Now, I am very biased because I love the characters and these books have been a firm favourite for years. However, this is not only my favourite due to the characters. I also like the political mystery. Granted it may not be as intricate or have a too-startling twist at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the unravelling plot in the series, the discovery of different enemies, some beneath their noses, even, and the machinations of their known enemies. More importantly, it is good to see the constant depiction that these native male denizens of the planet they are later trapped on continually disregard the threat that comes from female characters. In terms of battle, political or physical, a small dagger/woman can be as devastating as a sword but many men still deem the larger sword/man the threat. It is interesting to see a woman repeatedly being an unknown factor in the political strife upon the planet.
Now, there is a mystery from the get-go, with a sudden attack from the depths of space shooting down the ship and by sheer chance, coincidence, or perhaps even by intention, it is the Avanti that survive the destruction of the ship and all its hands, minus Corin and the Avanti. And then when they crash down, Corin has to perform literal miracles with his hands to keep Tate alive. They find a child, who was kidnapped by beast men, only to find out later that her kidnapping was a political manoeuvre in an effort for our main antagonists to gain power over a certain tribe. A tribe who includes Corin's love interest, Kel.
Now admittedly, the relationship is a little rushed. It is kind of like a soulmate story, where their eyes meet and both fall irrevocably in love. Actually, now I think on it, it is a soulmate story, only Walker calls them true mates. It is something that has become a myth on this world, something that used to happen often but through division and social standing, true mates rarely if ever meet. A blacksmith is not likely to dance with the daughter or son of a noble, so their souls never meet and they never realise they were meant to be. So, Kel has no idea Corin is his true mate. He suspects but he cannot place a myth above his loyalty to his clan and his father, the clan leader, wants Kel to mate with Teriva, the daughter of another clan leader Martellon. Like with any royal family, this mating would tie to powerful clans together, increasing political standing in front of other tribes/clans, as well as ensuring a steadfast alliance between their clans.
And yet, Kel cannot resist. Drawn to Corin, he tells our talented surgeon, '...The way you are for others, your integrity, your honesty, your determination, your spirit, your compassion, it all adds up to a beautiful package.' (page 91).
They spend several nights together, which ends up being a bad thing because they are true mates and by consummating their love for one another, they've tied themselves together. The one negative thing I can put here, that I truly dislike, is that we later find out Corin is not full human, in fact he just happens to be half alien and that other half allows him to become pregnant. Pregnancy is a big no for me in most books, it is often handled poorly or becomes a character’s only defining feature but my love for this series, the political machinations and green-flag men mean that I can endure mpreg in this particular series.
However, in another way, the true mate bond saves Kel, he is later made comatose by his distance from his true mate Corin and is therefore unable to consummate a relationship with Teriva, it is here we now see the truth of the matter. Martellon has set his sights on claiming Kel's clan for his own, he does not want an alliance, he wants control. And his daughter? Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and Teriva is a tactless spoiled brat whose constant whining exposes Martellon's plans. And believe it or not, she will be the constant buzzing in the ears, the annoyance who is a bigger threat than the male denizens of this alien world realise. As Corin later points out to them:
'You ignored her because she is a woman. You forget women can be just as devious, manipulative, cold-hearted and vicious as men. Do not ever let her appearance fool you. Part of me thinks we have only just taken the sheen off her behaviour- corner her and I dread to think how she will react. We need to deal with her. She cannot be allowed to try and play the 'poor me, I was just doing what my father wanted' card.' (Page 293).
Of course, as this is a 'happy ending' series where the guy gets they guy, Martellon is exposed and Kel and his brother, Tyr stand up to Martellon and Teriva, culminating in a fantastic speech that shows the honour these characters hold dear as Tyr tells Martellon,
'We. Will. Fight. We will stand up for those around us, we will harbour every man, woman, and child, safely, if they wish to be here. We will drive you from our lands. We will send you running back to your own keep like the coward you are. Walk away, Martellon, walk away, or be prepared to battle. To battle a clan that you have tried, and failed to take away, a clan which remains strong and true to those around them. A clan that is prepared to fight to their dying breath to defend their way of life.' (Page 306)
The battle that follows, is of course, terrible, and for a moment it seems as if Kel's clan will fail, until we look to the horizon and see the King of this world arrive with two Avanti at his side. Kastain demands the battle end, and while Kel's clan agrees, many of the invading clan who serve Martellon flee with their leader. And again, we see Martellon's true colours when he leaves his daughter to the tender mercies of the clan he dared to try and destroy, and the King.
We end the story with Kel's clan being victorious and the knowledge that Martellon escaped, meaning he is free to continue his scheming and evil ways. However, Corin now has his man and he is pregnant with Kel's child. Meanwhile Tate is struggling with his own awakening feelings for Dariux one of the warriors who came to the aid of Kel's clan.
There are some wonderful sweet moments in this book, alongside some wonderful quotes and heartfelt statements. I have always enjoyed the element of political mystery and manipulation combined with a sweet love story. Hannah Walker's books were some of the few that I felt combined both a good plotline and good romances and kept them balanced. Oftentimes, other romances, both MF and MM, miss the mark. Either the romances are too cliche or poorly written or the plot just falls to pieces and the book reveals itself to be a PWP (porn without plot). That's not to say there is anything wrong with a PWP, but Walker's work helped me realise that my preference is always for a good plot alongside a great romance. And while I can acknowledge some of its flaws, like Corin's incredible talent in surgery, the unwanted mpreg, and how cliche and sickly sweet the romances are, Walker's Avanti Series is still one of my firm favourites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
Ok. Love the plot. Politics, murder, dumbasses doing dumb stuff, parents losing their marbles, space, interspecies sideways tango, kidnapping, all good stuff.
However, did not think too highly of Kel and Corin. I was denied my confrontation dammit. Forgiveness was too easily given. Where was Kel’s punch in the throat? Why was Corin being a wet poo? How could Corin whinge about lies and deceit and then just be like, “yeah s’all good to lie to me, humiliate me and disrespect me like that, in front of the entire clan”. Fine, forgive the dumbass move, but the lies? He’s pregnant, not stupid. I pushed through the endless repetitive monologuing, the lack of nuance, subtext or inference, the strange jumping of POV from paragraph to paragraph, the awkward interruptions of characters joking in between getting on with the plot or an explanation, and the unnecessary scenes that didn’t really add anything to the story. The book could have been half the length, and I would have enjoyed it more.
But to make this a positivity sandwich, I must say the story was good for me. I skimmed a fair bit (like skipped the mating, that woman just went on!), but the battle was fun and engaging, could have done with more of that. I really wanna read this, the demon and the rebellion series though, love these kind of stories. Hopefully, fewer monologues.
However, did not think too highly of Kel and Corin. I was denied my confrontation dammit. Forgiveness was too easily given. Where was Kel’s punch in the throat? Why was Corin being a wet poo? How could Corin whinge about lies and deceit and then just be like, “yeah s’all good to lie to me, humiliate me and disrespect me like that, in front of the entire clan”. Fine, forgive the dumbass move, but the lies? He’s pregnant, not stupid. I pushed through the endless repetitive monologuing, the lack of nuance, subtext or inference, the strange jumping of POV from paragraph to paragraph, the awkward interruptions of characters joking in between getting on with the plot or an explanation, and the unnecessary scenes that didn’t really add anything to the story. The book could have been half the length, and I would have enjoyed it more.
But to make this a positivity sandwich, I must say the story was good for me. I skimmed a fair bit (like skipped the mating, that woman just went on!), but the battle was fun and engaging, could have done with more of that. I really wanna read this, the demon and the rebellion series though, love these kind of stories. Hopefully, fewer monologues.
March 12, 2023
Space Romance
Corvin is a doctor for the galactic alliance. He is assigned to a old beaten up battleship due to an unjust demotion from a crooked general who has power.
On the ship are a battalion of elite soldiers called Avanti, whe befriend Corvin and protect him from crew judgement.
For reasons Never explained, the ship is attacked, rendered helpless and destroyed. Corvin and Avanti use escape pods to flee the ship and crash land on the planet (Landren??).
Separately in pairs they work to reunite. Corvin and Tate are rescued by the Derwin clan , grateful that the two rescued the clan Chieftains granddaughter from kidnappers.
Kidnappers, evil chieftains, Machiavellian plots, true mates, insta love ensue.
I enjoyed this story but it was weird with way to many contradictory things going on.
Space travel and clans aware of galaxy populations but no modern technology. Modern medical equipment, the only transport are horse like creatures. Guns and explosives but use “pony express “ style riders to send messages.
Overall a very unclear picture of the world building. Also a lot of “toughest in the galaxy warriors “ who cry and swan dramatically.
With all this I still enjoyed the guys fun personalities and the humor and comaraderie every much. Mpreg in this story and I sure hope it’s featured in the next ones.
Corvin is a doctor for the galactic alliance. He is assigned to a old beaten up battleship due to an unjust demotion from a crooked general who has power.
On the ship are a battalion of elite soldiers called Avanti, whe befriend Corvin and protect him from crew judgement.
For reasons Never explained, the ship is attacked, rendered helpless and destroyed. Corvin and Avanti use escape pods to flee the ship and crash land on the planet (Landren??).
Separately in pairs they work to reunite. Corvin and Tate are rescued by the Derwin clan , grateful that the two rescued the clan Chieftains granddaughter from kidnappers.
Kidnappers, evil chieftains, Machiavellian plots, true mates, insta love ensue.
I enjoyed this story but it was weird with way to many contradictory things going on.
Space travel and clans aware of galaxy populations but no modern technology. Modern medical equipment, the only transport are horse like creatures. Guns and explosives but use “pony express “ style riders to send messages.
Overall a very unclear picture of the world building. Also a lot of “toughest in the galaxy warriors “ who cry and swan dramatically.
With all this I still enjoyed the guys fun personalities and the humor and comaraderie every much. Mpreg in this story and I sure hope it’s featured in the next ones.
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