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Cicatrix Duology #1
Finding Hekate
Mia Foley is running away from the attack that changed her life. She’s captain of a new spaceship when the Acedians find her and try blasting her peaceful crew from the black. She must sever her bonds in order to run, again. But she’s grown fond of this crew, particularly Cassidy Gates. Staying with them will jeopardize their safety, and they have much closer fears than the Acedian hunters. Mia’s time is running out. She’s becoming one of them.
254 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2016
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Kellie Doherty
7 books28 followersKellie Doherty is a bisexual writer living in Eagle River, Alaska. Her work has been published by Desert Palm Press, Queer Sci Fi, and Pathos Literary Magazine, among others. She's currently writing a five-book intertwined standalone fantasy series; book four is her next WIP! She works full time as a marketing assistant and part time as a freelance editor. In her (mostly non-existent) spare time, she likes to read, play games, hang with her cats, and watch way too much YouTube. She also writes fanfiction under the name SerenityQuill.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 19, 2016
Science fiction isn’t my favorite. I often have a hard time expanding my little brain and falling into make believe worlds of sectors, quadrants, and intergalactic planets. With that being said, I know that there are amazing books out there that in this genre, I just often just skip over them. I am so glad that I did not pass on Finding Hekate by Kellie Doherty. This book is outstanding! The sci-fi book has romance, crime, drama, tragedy all rolled into one. Oh it was good!
Captain Mia Foley has had nothing but tragedy in her life. Her childhood was marred as her entire family and small community were killed by an evil villain, the leader of the Acedians. This monster, Charles Donivan, boarded her family’s shuttle craft and murdered everyone, only the teenaged Mia survived. Before her escape however, Mia was tortured endlessly and branded by this maniacal man. The dark and broody Mia has had to spend the next years running from his people as they ruthlessly hunt her and kill anyone she meets. While she should be still on the move, she cannot for the life of her break free from the friendships she has developed with her new crew, especially her first mate Cassidy Gates.
Cassidy is keenly intelligent. She watches Mia, and has learned a lot about the Captain in the six months they have been working together. Cassidy’s easy manner and good humor has endeared her to everyone, even the somber Mia. She works to pull the true manner from the captain and changes her for the better. Cassidy hasn’t had an easy life either. Maybe they see this in one another and are bonded by the pain they both have endured. Cassidy is a ray of light in Mia’s dark existence. Their interactions are sweet and heartfelt. You can literally feel their unspoken love for one another.
This book pulls you in right from the get go. I was totally engrossed in this book fairly early in Finding Hekate and I had no intention of putting it down. What makes this book so good is it is so multifaceted and smart. It has a strong romance. Mia and Cassidy’s push and pull towards each other is very well done. You really feel for Mia and the horrible way she has had to live to escape capture from the Acedians. She had had to make tough decisions to continue, she is not without remorse. The blame and guilt she feels is gut wrenching at times, but as the reader, it gives you so much insight into the character and you become her champion. I love books that make you feel and this is definitely one of them. This is a sci-fi book yes, but it is so much more too. I highly recommend this one!
I was given this book by the publisher, Desert Palm Press, in return for an honest review.
Captain Mia Foley has had nothing but tragedy in her life. Her childhood was marred as her entire family and small community were killed by an evil villain, the leader of the Acedians. This monster, Charles Donivan, boarded her family’s shuttle craft and murdered everyone, only the teenaged Mia survived. Before her escape however, Mia was tortured endlessly and branded by this maniacal man. The dark and broody Mia has had to spend the next years running from his people as they ruthlessly hunt her and kill anyone she meets. While she should be still on the move, she cannot for the life of her break free from the friendships she has developed with her new crew, especially her first mate Cassidy Gates.
Cassidy is keenly intelligent. She watches Mia, and has learned a lot about the Captain in the six months they have been working together. Cassidy’s easy manner and good humor has endeared her to everyone, even the somber Mia. She works to pull the true manner from the captain and changes her for the better. Cassidy hasn’t had an easy life either. Maybe they see this in one another and are bonded by the pain they both have endured. Cassidy is a ray of light in Mia’s dark existence. Their interactions are sweet and heartfelt. You can literally feel their unspoken love for one another.
This book pulls you in right from the get go. I was totally engrossed in this book fairly early in Finding Hekate and I had no intention of putting it down. What makes this book so good is it is so multifaceted and smart. It has a strong romance. Mia and Cassidy’s push and pull towards each other is very well done. You really feel for Mia and the horrible way she has had to live to escape capture from the Acedians. She had had to make tough decisions to continue, she is not without remorse. The blame and guilt she feels is gut wrenching at times, but as the reader, it gives you so much insight into the character and you become her champion. I love books that make you feel and this is definitely one of them. This is a sci-fi book yes, but it is so much more too. I highly recommend this one!
I was given this book by the publisher, Desert Palm Press, in return for an honest review.
May 19, 2016
3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
I feel a little ambivalent about this book. First, I didn't connect to Mia, especially at first. She was so withdrawn and closed off that it was difficult to empathize with her at all. And her vacillating feelings for Cassidy made me like her even less. I couldn't get into the book at first. Even after her fight on the first planet they were on, it didn't engage me. It wasn't until she found the stowaway that I started being drawn into the story. There was something about the enhancements to her strength and speed that really started catching my interest. That said, I wasn't sure about the reactions of the other people Mia came into contact with. Jeff became so angry, and while I understand some of it, it seemed like it was more than the situation merited. Will became withdrawn and passive, and I'm not sure I understand that reaction either. The last portion of the book was exciting, and based on that and the extremely brief description of the next book, I would probably be interested in picking it up. It ends kind of abruptly and with no real feeling of satisfaction. More like a to-be-continued episode instead of having any sort of natural pause in the story. It did make me care about the story, and even the people in the story, even if I like Cassidy a bit more in this book than Mia. But it's hard to feel like I'd be able to connect anymore to Mia in the next book since she's becoming even more unemotional as her transformation progresses. Like I said, ambivalent.
I received a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads in return for an honest review.
I feel a little ambivalent about this book. First, I didn't connect to Mia, especially at first. She was so withdrawn and closed off that it was difficult to empathize with her at all. And her vacillating feelings for Cassidy made me like her even less. I couldn't get into the book at first. Even after her fight on the first planet they were on, it didn't engage me. It wasn't until she found the stowaway that I started being drawn into the story. There was something about the enhancements to her strength and speed that really started catching my interest. That said, I wasn't sure about the reactions of the other people Mia came into contact with. Jeff became so angry, and while I understand some of it, it seemed like it was more than the situation merited. Will became withdrawn and passive, and I'm not sure I understand that reaction either. The last portion of the book was exciting, and based on that and the extremely brief description of the next book, I would probably be interested in picking it up. It ends kind of abruptly and with no real feeling of satisfaction. More like a to-be-continued episode instead of having any sort of natural pause in the story. It did make me care about the story, and even the people in the story, even if I like Cassidy a bit more in this book than Mia. But it's hard to feel like I'd be able to connect anymore to Mia in the next book since she's becoming even more unemotional as her transformation progresses. Like I said, ambivalent.
July 28, 2016
3.5
This is a well-done science fiction tale with a side order of romance.
Mia Foley has had a life of the run since her family was murdered by the Acedians and their leader captured and branded her. She has gone from ship to ship, crew to crew, always escaping at the last moment at any cost.
But Mia’s current crew are different, they have crept inside her heart and she doesn’t quite know how. Her slow burn attraction to Cassidy, the small time trader Mia is transporting, isn’t helping mia’s decision to run again. But then she also knows Cassidy would be safer if she did.
The world building is good, the story complex and interesting, and there is a tension throughout. Being part of a duology there are loose ends and an only partially resolved ending, but Ms Doherty definitely gives us enough good to make us want to read the next installment
.
A very good first novel and I look forward to part II.
This is a well-done science fiction tale with a side order of romance.
Mia Foley has had a life of the run since her family was murdered by the Acedians and their leader captured and branded her. She has gone from ship to ship, crew to crew, always escaping at the last moment at any cost.
But Mia’s current crew are different, they have crept inside her heart and she doesn’t quite know how. Her slow burn attraction to Cassidy, the small time trader Mia is transporting, isn’t helping mia’s decision to run again. But then she also knows Cassidy would be safer if she did.
The world building is good, the story complex and interesting, and there is a tension throughout. Being part of a duology there are loose ends and an only partially resolved ending, but Ms Doherty definitely gives us enough good to make us want to read the next installment
.
A very good first novel and I look forward to part II.
May 6, 2016
Four Stars: f/f sci fi
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Some times you read a book to take you away from the mundane and into the unknown. This book catapults you into the stratosphere. It is full of excitement, thrills, the unexpected and throughout the entire book throbs a passionate undercurrent. A growing love that one person can't acknowledge and the other can't deny.
The plot is very intricate, the characters strong and resolute. Ms Doherty weaves a tale that is as imaginative as it is innovative.
I have to admit that although totally intrigued and absolutely unaware of the creative ending I was also a little disappointed. I personally would have liked to see more resolution. However Ms Doherty certainly succeeded in making me need to read the next book in the series, which I will be awaiting in great anticipation.
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Some times you read a book to take you away from the mundane and into the unknown. This book catapults you into the stratosphere. It is full of excitement, thrills, the unexpected and throughout the entire book throbs a passionate undercurrent. A growing love that one person can't acknowledge and the other can't deny.
The plot is very intricate, the characters strong and resolute. Ms Doherty weaves a tale that is as imaginative as it is innovative.
I have to admit that although totally intrigued and absolutely unaware of the creative ending I was also a little disappointed. I personally would have liked to see more resolution. However Ms Doherty certainly succeeded in making me need to read the next book in the series, which I will be awaiting in great anticipation.
November 17, 2016
I have never read a sci fi romance before, and I had a lot of fun with this! The action sequences, particularly in the last quarter of the book, were really engaging, especially because the villain was so powerful. The plot was well structured and it left me wanting to know more about the book's universe. Cassidy and Mia had good chemistry, and I was a little impatient for them to get together (which may have been the point). The ending was very strong and left me wanting to see what happens in the next book.
July 21, 2025
This was... OK. 2.5 stars maybe. It was disjointed and weird and a lot of stuff just wasn't explained and there's a lot of "I'll save you (and almost die)" "No! You can't die! I'll save you and almost die" back and forth kinda stuff, or like a sort of unkillable mary-sue ness to the battle.... IDK. I might read the 2nd one just to see where it goes and if it gets better. There's BARELY any romance here. The characters are both kind of ciphers - I guess we know some stuff about the MC but barely know anything about her love interest at all, other than that, I guess she loves her. They never pine, they don't really get together, IDK. I think this is more straight sci-fi with some queer representation than lesbian romance, and maybe that's my fault reading it for the wrong reasons. I also didn't really like or care about either of the brother characters, and their both disrespect towards and then immediate anger/hatred and then just... OK I guess we got over it? -ness of their journey made no emotional sense to me. Anyway. I read this.
April 17, 2022
I did not expect this book to be so thrilling and dark, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit, especially the slow burning romance between Mia and Cassidy. I also liked Will, but not so much Jeff. Maybe he'll grow on me in the sequel. Mia was an exceptionally interesting character and her development throughout the novel, how she went from denying caring for her crew to finally admitting they were important to her, was well done. Cassidy was such a sweet and loyal person and she never gave up on Mia. I'm curious to see how their relationship will develop in the future.
Overall, an engrossing novel with amazing characters. I'm off to buy the sequel.
Overall, an engrossing novel with amazing characters. I'm off to buy the sequel.
July 30, 2019
Slow to start, but about half way through picked up setting and development. I am hope ywith the next installment we get even more character and setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 19, 2017Finding Hekate offers a sound insight into how we justify terrible things we've done, and constructs a gutting narrative of the theft or loss of identity. I will certainly read the next book in this series.
I think the author should take some time to strengthen her dialogue skills to provide for more natural speech patterns and, as I read an uncorrected proof, make sure that the book passes strict grammar inspection! Congratulations on a promising debut, Kellie!
I think the author should take some time to strengthen her dialogue skills to provide for more natural speech patterns and, as I read an uncorrected proof, make sure that the book passes strict grammar inspection! Congratulations on a promising debut, Kellie!
April 29, 2016
Loved it
Very well written, I felt for Mia and the decisions that she's had to make to survive. Though it may seem she could have chosen to flee at every opportunity, she clearly felt there was no other way. Cassidy seems to be Mia's beacon of hope and light in changing life, the one person who may save her at the end. Looking forward to the sequel.
Very well written, I felt for Mia and the decisions that she's had to make to survive. Though it may seem she could have chosen to flee at every opportunity, she clearly felt there was no other way. Cassidy seems to be Mia's beacon of hope and light in changing life, the one person who may save her at the end. Looking forward to the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews