BioCybe

by Imogene Nix

Can a cyber-enhanced warrior and a ship's captain find love together? Levia Endrado never wanted to be a warrior, but at seventeen she was deemed suitable for battle. After intense training and multiple enhancements, which gave her superior strength and healing ability, she was sent off to defeat the enemy-a killing machine with a mission. When the war was over, she had to find a new life. At twenty-seven she's a washed-up veteran without a future. Or she was, until she met Sandon Daria. Serving as a pilot aboard Sandon's spaceship the Golden Echo makes Levia long for a different and gentler life. But old hurts and even older enemies aren't so easily forgotten. Particularly when they come back for her. Sandon is determined to show Levia that she's more than just a BioCybe...she's the woman who completes him. Getting close is just the first step, keeping her alive is an even bigger challenge, but one he's willing to take because the prize is their combined future. Content Warning: This book contains a broken heroine, a sexy hero, and a happy ever after that'll melt even the hardest heart.

Genres: Science Fiction Romance, Science Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2015

Reviews

[Lyndi W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I think more time should have been spent on the external conflict of the murdery guy than on the internal conflict of ... having emotions.

[Celestine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imogene Nix covers a lot of territory in 182 pages of her female cyborg book BioCybe, but plot and character development suffer a little along the way. If you are a hardcore cyborg romance reader, you will probably enjoy this book regardless because the most completely developed aspects of the book relate to Levia's enhancements and the post-traumatic stress she suffers after the war has ended. Interestingly, it is never called PTSD, but Levia exhibits many of the behaviors, including sleeplessness, guilt, detachment and more.

There is an origin story. There is a war. There is a veteran seeking employment. There is a romance. There is discrimination against the biocybes. There is a bad guy chasing the good guys. Add in space travel, the obligatory best friend cyber wiz, a few crewmen hitting on the pretty girl....okay, I'm going to stop now. You get the idea - a LOT happens in this novella. The story is told chronologically, and it might have been more effective to relate some things as flashbacks in order to bring the H/h closer.

Levia's story is compelling. Her enhancements are interesting, and how they came about pretty terrifying. Nix does a good job of illustrating how the cybe/machine part of Levia is balanced by the bio/human side. Levia is competent and decisive yet burdened by adjusting to her place in a society that fears her past and the potential she has for violence. She doesn't like showing her vulnerabilities, but sexy space captain Sandon is paying close attention to his new pilot.

Sandon's story is largely a blank. We never learn much about him or his civilization, other than they are neutral in the war. Building more background for Sandon definitely would have given a big boost to the romance. I didn't feel very invested in the love story because Sandon was a nice guy and a good boss, but bland beyond that.

If you like female-driven or cyborg stories, pick this book up. If you are into finding your next book boyfriend, this might not be the novel for you.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biocybe by Imogene Nix is an amazing scifi book. I loved the character of Levia. Her transformation from innocent girl to cyborg warrior touched my heart. I really felt her pain, her fear, and her determination. I liked that through all she went through she still remains a loving caring person. It is just harder to see that later on. You have to get through all of her barriers she has erected.
Sandon needs a new pilot. This is how he meets Levia. They do not get together right away. I liked that this is a gradual process. We really get to know them both before there is a love story. Sandon is a fair-minded captain. He is brave, sweet, and completely lovable.
He is softer than Levia and I think he needs to be. It helps Levia find the woman inside herself. I liked that very much. I can say the emotional connection and great world building made me fall in love with this book. I really highly recommend it to all that love a great romance with some scifi in it. I hope there is more in this world. I think there is a lot that can be done, and I would love to read it.

Five Shooting Stars

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received and ARC copy of this for an honest review.
My rating : 5 stars.

This book was fantastic! It was flawlessly written and engaged the reader, taking you along for the journey. The scenes in this book were described really well, some were action-packed, emotional and some were steamy! This had a great mix all blended into one great read.

I enjoyed the fact that the heroin in this story is a really strong female, rather than the usual helpless virgin. It was refreshing.

Levia is a BioCybe and ex assassin who is looking for a different path in life. She encounters Sandon and his ship and soon a relationship between the two starts to blossom.

"Swiping at the remains of the theatrical makeup covering her face, she faced what she was. A BioCybe. Part woman and part machine. All weapon."

Levia struggles to let anyone close to her because of what she is. Yet Sandon stays dedicated to her. Despite the rocky nature of things and the spanner that is thrown in the works, things slowing take off between these two.

Sit down and enjoy this bumpy adventure.

[Helena Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.