*Previously titled Star Navigator After years of working for the Earthian Space Fleet, Reina spends her days as a back-up pilot. She doesn’t see her life changing, not until she’s approached by her superiors and asked to captain the last mission into the abyss. But she’s not going alone. A broken Cyborg will be journeying with her. Alone. A Cyborg who doesn’t like her. Atlas is the best navigator for the Council and has been working for them for decades in hopes that they will free him. But when the Council forces his hand to undertake a mission that could irrevocably destroy his conscious mind—he endures it. Because the beautiful, lost captain needs his protection. He tries to push her away, but he can’t get her out of his head. He’ll risk a second-death to claim her. To make her his. Even if it means giving up his freedom in the process.
Naomi Lucas is an indie author. She loves being creative whether it’s with painting, writing, or making little jingles about her dog, Barracuda, or her cat, Daliah, in the car.
The following ratings are out of 5: Romance: 🩵🖤❤️💜💚 Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘 World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏 Character development: ☺️😍🥰😁😘
The heroine:Reina - she recently got a cybernetic arm. She was one of the few women left in the Earthian space fleet and the only female pilot. It has been more than Sixty years since the war with the Trentians, and most of the Trentian women are now sterile. It is well known that Trentians and humans can interbreed, so it is dangerous for single women to be in jobs where Trentian males can easily get to them. Reina has had a crush on her boss, but the Earthian council wants her to take on a new mission.
The Story: Reina’s mission is to go into deep space at the edge of the Galaxy to a place called Abyss-105, where many ships have been lost since the end of the war. Her’s is not the first mission to research the disappearances and every mission before hers has failed. If her ship is lost, then both Earthian and Trentian council will take steps to add perimeter and radar blockades to make sure nobody travels through those sectors again and to make sure whatever is destroying those that pass doesn’t come any closer. If Reina is successful and returns, her ship which is specialized to be paired with her cybernetic arm will become part of the fleet with her as commander.
The Hero:Atlas (a.k.a. Automated Transport and Logistical Aid System) - he is a sentient intelligence and will be the co-captain and navigator on Reina’s mission. He was once a cyborg that got shot directly in the heart and his consciousness was uploaded to the network and where still lives. He works for the Earthian council, but just wants to be free, now he is being sent on what could amount to a suicide mission. He considers the ship his since he helped design it and since his rank is higher than Reina’s. Though Reina was told that he was her subordinate.
One thing I don’t quite understand about both this book and some of the cyborg shifter books in the related series, is when a cyborg or an intelligence that is connected to the network and has the ability to get information and data like a computer, how they can not be good a hacking. I mean if the intelligence can learn something in milliseconds, why haven’t they learned how to hack? It just makes no sense to me.
I didn’t think I would like this one at all, because even though Atlas is sentient, he doesn’t have a body. I figured that even if Reina got along with Atlas, and developed a rapport with him, how could there be a romance? But then I found out that he does have a body, that is in cryostasis on the ship. The council is using his body and the promise of returning Atlas to his body as insurance that he and Reina will return. Though I had serious doubts about the council ever letting either of them go even if they did return from the mission. This story took some turns I wasn’t expecting at all and left some questions hanging, but overall it was very good and held my interest throughout.
This one wasn't for me. I felt like the author was trying to jam way too much stuff into one story. All the different concepts, the world she was trying to build- it meant there was no time to explore most of them in any depth. It was over-kill for me.
I love science fiction and I love fantasy, but this left me rather cold. I was given little insight into the characters and their motivation, the heroine was just strange and the whole "becoming part of the machine" was repellant for me. The humanity seemed to be missing.
I found it hard to understand too, how, in the midst of a life and death situation, where you are under attack and running for your ship, you would want to have sex. Right then and there. Under fire. Afterwards, yes. But during? Odd.
The problem was, I couldn't connect to the MCs and didn't care whether they lived or died.
Science fiction can be so emotional and deep. This was just lots of ideas strung loosely together, populated by people who were either strange, cold or lust-crazed. (The doctor's character completely eluded me). A miss for me.
Star Navigator is another engrossing tale by Ms. Lucas, who continues to impress me with her creativity. In this book, we have an erotic romance between a human-neoborg heroine and a sentient intelligence without a cyborg body for most of the book. How can this work? Well, you'll have to read the story to find out, but Ms. Lucas pulls it off fabulously--with her trademark element of horror ever present, too. I did think the ending was rushed and would have liked more closure, but as the series will continue, we might glean more facts about the those sparkling stars in the endless abyss, as well as what happens with those in command of the Earthian Council and where Reina and Atlas go next. Overall, though, job well done, Ms. Lucas. Keep these Stranded in the Stars books coming!
I feel like I have not been given the whole story. It started well enough,progressed nicely,had few ups and downs only to end so abruptly, that I checked several times if truly there are no pages missing. Epilogue is basically a vague skip over ,reader is not given any answers. I so hate that,when in happens, that it is a miracle I gave 3 stars instead of 1.
This book started off so promising. Given the fact that the male protagonist didn’t even have a body, you knew that the romance was going to be more based off personalities than looks. And it really started that way. But then Atlas got pretty controlling (like when he cut of Reina’s conversation with Anders) and over the top alpha male. And then once he got his body back, the book basically became slightly off-putting porn. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other, even in the heat of battle. It’s all they thought about. For me, it really ruined the emotional build up of the first part of the book. Not to mention the ending was super rushed and confusing. It could have been one of the most interesting parts of the book, but it just got glossed over.
I probably won’t be reading this author again :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 stars. Read this on a whim when it showed up as a Kindle recommendation and I'm so glad I that I did! Was not expecting to adore a cyborg love story between a space captain and what was essentially a computer program this much. I love scifi romances though, and this one was fun.
I really enjoyed the scenes with the FMC learn to use her cybernetic connection to her ship, and also the scenes with her connecting with the MMC through those connections and through her implants. It was fascinating.
I was a bit confused in some areas because some of the world around them isn't explained very much. This is the third book in a series of standalones, so it seems that some things were explained in previous books and not explained again here. I was able to keep up with what was happening, but there was definitely an overarching storyline that I wasn't privy to, having not read the previous books.
Also they fell for each other pretty quickly because the first 3 weeks of their time together is rushed past. They fell for each other in that time, but we're only given a few pages of those weeks before they're both really into each other. It's a shame, because their romance was so sweet and tender. They became each other's comfort. I would have loved to have seen it grow to that.
There were a few other aspects that I didn't enjoy, like some body betrayal (excuse me you were just kidnapped and tortured), and what exactly a captain does when the MMC could do it all himself with little thought, but I was able to enjoy the book regardless. Also I tend to lean towards liking more sex scenes in a book anyway. 👹 Overall, this was a fun romantic adventure. I was surprised in many ways with the characters and the circumstances they found themselves in, and I was left wanting to read more.
I love this series! Each one can be read alone, but there are small hints of the other books in the each new book. I love how this series is unfolding. If you love sci-fi and hot romance grab these books! I can't wait for the next one :)
I loved the premise of this story. Maybe I was having a bad day, but about half way through, the story lost me. In the beginning, was fascinated by how things would play out, in what seemed to be a series of impossible situations, but some resolutions seemed too tidy, the hero was Alpha to the point of being frightening, and the sexual dialogue lost me, particularly when it fell in the middle of a scene where sexual dialogue was highly unlikely. I'm not looking for pure realism in my speculative fiction, or in romance, for that matter, but this one fell a little short of plausibility. I'm disappointed. I really wanted to be in love with this book.
As I didn't finish it, I don't think it's fair to give it a low rating.
This book was ridiculous. Reina was a emotional train wreck. I HATE when authors start off with strong independant women only to turn into a horny teen over insta-lust. That was this story. I was also shocked how incompetant she was for a captain of a starship. The author is also inconsistant in her writing. This book could have been great, it started off with promise but then the female protagonist and her bi-polar behaivor ruined it. The whole strong woman turns weak, needy and clingy over a hot guy because of Insta-lust is so OVERDONE. Can we get a female who stands her ground and whose strong-willed and actually stays that way throughout the whole book, please? I'll be skipping this author from now on...sorry but not for me.
This book (titled Deep space in kindle) just wasn’t what I was expecting from this author. 1st No action until 2/3 of the way through...I’m talking serious filler. 2nd No real explanation for why reina was selected as captain. She seemed incapable and being able to connect to a ship should’ve made her valuable. They have cybernetics so they could’ve sent out a fully functional ship without life on it. Also, she’s boring. 3rd ATLAS seemed too valuable to send on the mission. And for a cyborg, he’s awfully emotional. He’s a machismo jerk only thinking of sex 4th. The premise made no sense. 5th long, boring sex scenes...and did I mention long and boring gratuitous sex...and at the weirdest times. Like running for their lives, trying to find the doctor...hurt and bleeding, but Stopping for hot rubbing and thinking of sex? That I’m so hot for you?! Shit was just weird. 6th...this is the final book and it has an an abrupt ending that didn’t tie back to the series and answer questions left nor answer some questions from the book. You are just hanging.
I enjoyed this story but since I had been reading the series, and this book was so different and didn’t have a connection with any of the other characters, it took me a while to warm up to this storyline. I struggled with the lead female character, Captain Reina. She had low self esteem to the point of being painful. Captain seemed to be forced into this mission and forced to accept her new bionic arm. Her arm was not even healed, when it appeared that she was forced to begin the mission. I did like that the Captain was intelligent and was dedicated to being the best in her field. Atlas, the lead male, was an alpha who was wronged and had been denied a replacement cyborg body for far too many years. Atlas was pushed on this mission to support the Captain, but really his own mission came first. Atlas had engineered this high tech ship. He felt the ship belonged to him plus he out ranked the Captain. There were some places in the story that didn’t make sense but the storyline was interesting. Read On!
This story was long. It lulled in places but I understood why cause there was information needed to make sense.
I absolutely love Naomi's writings and her intricate was of telling the story while also giving you background on the character in same scene for understanding.
Reina and Atlas are perfect play of ying yang.
The way Atlas plays with her and keep his distance is creepy at first until you realize that he is integrated into he system and is a voice and a hologram when she needs to see him as close to flesh as she could. Reina is still trying to grasp being part cyborg and being treated as most women are when they are good...expendable. With Atlas' help she comes to love herself, trust him and forgive his secret of wanting his body that was promised after being damaged.
This is not a book you can absently read...but once in your don't want to leave.
I admit I was torn between giving the book four star or three, but in the end I felt Ms Lucas pulled off a decent storyline, was proficient in her world building and in the end made me actually care about the characters. Was it flawless, no, there were some issues with grammar and punctuation, but as I've pointed out it is rare you find works these days that are perfect. It was a good time killing or enjoyable book, with explicit adult situations both sexual a and graphic in a few situations involving knives. Overall, if you are looking for a book that will become a classic, probably not the right genre in general, but still worth the time to read.
Best one out of all of them. And I loved the others. What a fantastic story. The originality of it just blew me away. Atlas and Reina had one of the best character builds I’ve ever read. The story line was packed with action and lust. I could not put this book down. Not as dark as the last one. But just as violent. I didn’t fully understand the aliens at the end, but didn’t feel like it took anything from the story. Sex scenes were so original and passionate I read several over to fully appreciate and immerse myself. Atlas is my favorite. Not once did he sound too alpha or corny or too much of a jerk. This is probably now one of my favorite books. Highly highly recommend.
This author is new to me, and I'm so taken with her writing, I've cruised through everything I've found of hers...All in the last couple days. All her books have several, much appreciated common denominator: First, for me is the tight writing. She never loses focus, in spite of the myriad threads of the story's tapestry, all featuring strange and wondrous beings, situations and settings. No matter how complex the storyline, it's all relevant. Another thing her books share is an excellent balance between erotica and an interesting and well written story I like her writing...a lot!
Absolutely wonderful, I really love how this author can make me fall in love with a monster, and she does it time and time again. Her imagination runs wild which every book she puts out, and I love getting myself lost in them. Never boring and always well written. Atlas and captains love story is the best yet. I find it hilarious that she asks herself how crazy she is being falling in love with a system in her ship, but damn it if I wasn't in her shoes myserlf. And this is one of the best things about Naomi Lucas books, she makes you fall for the abnormal, she makes you see it all in a different light, and it's wonderful
I chose this rating because the author takes you to her world and you aren't able to leave because you don't want to. I started with the first in the series thinking all of the books would be close to the same but gosh I was so surprised. Each book was different and the stories still stayed connected. This is a truly awesome and unique talent for an author to have. I can't wait to read more from her! I would recommend her series to those who love sci-fi, mystery, and romance. You'll love this series!
Another enjoyable read from Ms. Lucas. I didn't like this one as much as Collector of Souls, I think mainly because it had less of her trademark horror element to it. But the sly little nod to the classic story of Frankenstein and his bride was a nice angle for science fiction romance. Her ideas are so unique and her world-building just gets better and better! I can't wait to learn more about the new aliens -- that was so interesting I wish more of the book had been dedicated to it. Oh well, things to look forward to in future installments of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Good sci-fi adventure with h who is part cyborg but she only has part of her story, and is being used by almost everyone around her. Lucky for her she's protected by her ship's AI, not knowing that his human body is also on the ship. Her mission is to go beyond, and this is a full-on adventure, with mutating body parts, space pirates, aliens, cyborgs and lots of technical challenges. It was good, but I skipped some bits perhaps the pace didn't suit me. A bit too long perhaps.
Reina and Atlas were a great couple. Definitely a different story with loads of action and adventure. The world building was fascinating and different from anything I have read before. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I very much enjoyed this book. Some parts I wish were more clear and/or in depth. But otherwise I would recommend this book.
My first novel by her was Ashes and Metal. A mixture of horror and romance,I was hooked. Since then I have made my way through her other books.Ashes and Metal will always be my favorite. Gunner was sexy and scary.Love that. Star Navigator was another hit.Do your self a favor and check her books out. Can't wait for the next cyborg shifter book.
That had to be the weirdest, disturbing but fantastic romance I have read in a long time. The relationship between Atlas and Reina was powerful and transcended a normal relationship. They were like two halves of a whole. It wasn’t really my type of book but I found that I couldn’t put it down.
I loved it, cannot wait for more from Naomi Lucas! Please write faster!!!! This book satisfied my need for romance, adventure, horror, and excitement. I really just loved it. Held my interest and cannot wait to read more about these sexy cyborgs!
4.5 Stars. Monsters, beasts, and aliens oh my! Cyborgs are HOT! I love Atlas and I think I've enjoyed this book the most of all this author's books I've recently devoured so far.
Another great story in this series! I enjoyed the growing relationship between Atlas and his Captain. The ties to the prior 2 books was subtle enough but still leaves you curious to want to know Larik's story!! Hopefully there's one??
Number 3 in the Stranded in the Stars series. Just as exciting and well written as the first two. I love the ingenuity and creativity it has obviously taken to write these books. I love Naomi Lucas and have never been disappointed.
This story was pretty good. Much better than the previous two that are listed as being part of a series. Honestly, it's not a series, all three are stand alone. They are just set in the same universe.