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Star Guardians #1
Orion
Tattooed, muscled, and fierce, they look like felons, but these highly trained agents are humanity’s protectors, the only ones standing between Earth and the threats of the galaxy. They are the Star Guardians.
***
A born geek, Juanita has dreamed of exploring the stars for as long as she can remember. Getting kidnapped by slavers from another planet? Not so much. If she’s lucky, she might be able to convince the hot guy protecting her from the others to help her escape.
A bounty hunter allied with the Star Guardians, Orion is undercover on the slavers' ship, plotting to end their kidnapping trips to Earth. He didn’t expect to meet someone as funny, sexy, and determined as Juanita among the victims. He wants to protect her from the thugs molesting her, but that could blow his cover and jeopardize his mission. He must choose between keeping her safe and dooming Earth to be a target for slavers forever.
***
A born geek, Juanita has dreamed of exploring the stars for as long as she can remember. Getting kidnapped by slavers from another planet? Not so much. If she’s lucky, she might be able to convince the hot guy protecting her from the others to help her escape.
A bounty hunter allied with the Star Guardians, Orion is undercover on the slavers' ship, plotting to end their kidnapping trips to Earth. He didn’t expect to meet someone as funny, sexy, and determined as Juanita among the victims. He wants to protect her from the thugs molesting her, but that could blow his cover and jeopardize his mission. He must choose between keeping her safe and dooming Earth to be a target for slavers forever.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2017
707 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
July 26, 2017
Juanita is kidnapped along with other women by alien slavers. One of the slavers seems different than the rest. Orion is a bounty hunter but is undercover to capture the slavers.
I loved Ms. Lionsdrake's Mandrake series so I was pleased to see this series. I was a little disappointed in the abrupt ending but overall it was a good read and I enjoyed it. There is not exactly a cliffhanger at the end but the story continues to the next book.
I loved Ms. Lionsdrake's Mandrake series so I was pleased to see this series. I was a little disappointed in the abrupt ending but overall it was a good read and I enjoyed it. There is not exactly a cliffhanger at the end but the story continues to the next book.
January 23, 2018
This was pretty run of the mill in terms of originality. There wasn't anything particularly memorable or necessarily compelling about this story. Indeed, the weird preoccupation with space and utter lack of a normal sense of self preservation in the h made this story just a tad weird. And yet I found myself chuckling at all the funny sci-fi references. Being a huge Star Trek and SG-I fan, I adored the geeky jokes and that is really what saved this from being a one star read.
I found this very readable, enjoyed the dual povs told in the third person, and the relatively slow burn compared to other sci-fi romance I've read in recent memory. There was only one sex scene (which I skipped), but I do appreciate that this isn't really erotica and I don't have to skip half the book. Haha. You really have to suspend disbelief to enjoy this, but Ruby Lionsdrake makes you want to do just that.
I found this very readable, enjoyed the dual povs told in the third person, and the relatively slow burn compared to other sci-fi romance I've read in recent memory. There was only one sex scene (which I skipped), but I do appreciate that this isn't really erotica and I don't have to skip half the book. Haha. You really have to suspend disbelief to enjoy this, but Ruby Lionsdrake makes you want to do just that.
June 17, 2017
Adventure of a lifetime
If you enjoyed Ruby Lionsdrake's Mandrake Company series or if you are a fan of Anna Hackett, I predict you will enjoy this book. The irreverent banter between the galactic soldiers is back and as entertaining as ever. RL can also write an incredible series of original and daring action scenes. She spices them up with exotic locales and a mix of smarts, and low-tech and high-tech solutions. I will pickup an RL book for the fight scenes alone.
I also like how there is a linked past between the captive women, the slavers and the Star Guardians. The little glimpses of connection - Olympics anyone - were inspired. It will be interesting to see this angle explored in future books.
The romance between Orion and Juanita didn't have the same punch for me that some of RL's other romantic couples have had in other books. Orion didn't have the presence that I expected, and maybe this was hampered by his ongoing rivalry with his older brother. Juanita was such a Star Trek fan - and referenced it so often - that I was rolling my eyes like her fellow captive, Tala. While I loved Juanita's sense of adventure, she seemed a little aimless at the same time.
This book is one episode in the saga of the kidnapped Arizona women. The next book takes up immediately in a continuous time frame with a new couple. I felt like the story of Orion and Juanita was unfinished, but perhaps we will see more of them in Book 2. The book I really want to read is Tala's and Sage's, since they both need to relax a little, make that a lot. RL could have so much fun making that happen!
3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
Book source: Kindle Unlimited subscription.
If you enjoyed Ruby Lionsdrake's Mandrake Company series or if you are a fan of Anna Hackett, I predict you will enjoy this book. The irreverent banter between the galactic soldiers is back and as entertaining as ever. RL can also write an incredible series of original and daring action scenes. She spices them up with exotic locales and a mix of smarts, and low-tech and high-tech solutions. I will pickup an RL book for the fight scenes alone.
I also like how there is a linked past between the captive women, the slavers and the Star Guardians. The little glimpses of connection - Olympics anyone - were inspired. It will be interesting to see this angle explored in future books.
The romance between Orion and Juanita didn't have the same punch for me that some of RL's other romantic couples have had in other books. Orion didn't have the presence that I expected, and maybe this was hampered by his ongoing rivalry with his older brother. Juanita was such a Star Trek fan - and referenced it so often - that I was rolling my eyes like her fellow captive, Tala. While I loved Juanita's sense of adventure, she seemed a little aimless at the same time.
This book is one episode in the saga of the kidnapped Arizona women. The next book takes up immediately in a continuous time frame with a new couple. I felt like the story of Orion and Juanita was unfinished, but perhaps we will see more of them in Book 2. The book I really want to read is Tala's and Sage's, since they both need to relax a little, make that a lot. RL could have so much fun making that happen!
3.5 rounded to 4 stars.
Book source: Kindle Unlimited subscription.
August 4, 2025
Orion is the first book in the Star Guardians series.
Getting kidnapped and waking up in a strange place is bad, but it's even worse when you are in the hands of Aliens. But then you end up in the hands of humans who do not even live in your galaxy; things get interesting. If you are a sci-fi fan and writer, things become fascinating.
There is plenty of action, danger, and violence. It is also sexy, has chemistry, and humour.
Got a few hours spare, then grab a book and get stuck in.
Getting kidnapped and waking up in a strange place is bad, but it's even worse when you are in the hands of Aliens. But then you end up in the hands of humans who do not even live in your galaxy; things get interesting. If you are a sci-fi fan and writer, things become fascinating.
There is plenty of action, danger, and violence. It is also sexy, has chemistry, and humour.
Got a few hours spare, then grab a book and get stuck in.
July 24, 2017
This was a fun story following the adventures of one of a group of human women captured by aliens. The alpha-male is actually a reasonable guy most of the time.
The women are mostly independent and have enough individual characteristics that they don't all blend together, which makes the following books in the series look promising.
The women are mostly independent and have enough individual characteristics that they don't all blend together, which makes the following books in the series look promising.
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June 19, 2018I made it through to 72% of this book and then skipped to the end at which point I’m officially declaring it a DNF and have come to the conclusion that there will never be a romance between this author and me. I checked and I’d attempted another book and gave it 1 star too. I find this such a shame as it showed such great potential at the beginning and it was the potential that kept me going but the more I read, the less hope I had. The premise, our heroine Juanita is scooped along with a number of other women by galactic slave traffickers. Things are looking pretty grim until she realizes that one of the traffickers is actually helping
Orion is the dude in question only he’s not really a slave trafficker but rather a bounty hunter undercover who is working the galactic good guys. Juantita is attracted to him – she describes him as looking rather like Ronin Dex from Stargate Atlantis and for those the role was played by Jason Mamoa – so ‘hell’ – I’m all on board with that visual. And Ronin – oops – Orion thought she was the bees knees. But by 72% they had exchanged one kiss and very few conversations. Orion was constantly warned off Juanita by his stuffy brother who just happened to be head of the galactic good guys and he pretty much stays away. As a romance this one is such a dud – at least up to as far as I got. This drove me nuts – I mean a Jason Mamoa look-alike with no romance?? Such a waste. Equally annoying was her CONSTANT references to all the different sci-fi romances over the years. I’m a fan of the sci-fi genre in romance, movies, TV shows but this is way overdone to the point of overkill. It’s like the author gave herself a shot every time she mentioned a sci-fi series/movie.
Between a romance-less romance and an overkill of plot mentions I go to the point where I just couldn’t anymore with this book. I went back and read the review for the other book by this author and my objections were very similar. Silliness + no romance romance = DNF
Orion is the dude in question only he’s not really a slave trafficker but rather a bounty hunter undercover who is working the galactic good guys. Juantita is attracted to him – she describes him as looking rather like Ronin Dex from Stargate Atlantis and for those the role was played by Jason Mamoa – so ‘hell’ – I’m all on board with that visual. And Ronin – oops – Orion thought she was the bees knees. But by 72% they had exchanged one kiss and very few conversations. Orion was constantly warned off Juanita by his stuffy brother who just happened to be head of the galactic good guys and he pretty much stays away. As a romance this one is such a dud – at least up to as far as I got. This drove me nuts – I mean a Jason Mamoa look-alike with no romance?? Such a waste. Equally annoying was her CONSTANT references to all the different sci-fi romances over the years. I’m a fan of the sci-fi genre in romance, movies, TV shows but this is way overdone to the point of overkill. It’s like the author gave herself a shot every time she mentioned a sci-fi series/movie.
Between a romance-less romance and an overkill of plot mentions I go to the point where I just couldn’t anymore with this book. I went back and read the review for the other book by this author and my objections were very similar. Silliness + no romance romance = DNF
September 21, 2017
This book was not really for me. Here is the story of geeky Juanita and bounty hunter Orion. Juanita is kidnapped by slave traders but rescued by Orion and the Star Guardians.
Why only two stars?
Well the plot was nothing original. The world-building was sparse. It all felt borrowed from television series. I guess that was one of the main elements of slight comedy in the book. Geeky Juanita kept comparing things to sci-fi tv shows from earth. I actually found this annoying, but I can see that most would find it funny.
Juanita was plucky I give her that. She didn't wait to be saved and had some kickass moments of bravery, whilst retaining a high level of optimism throughout every traumatic event thrown her way. But she also came across as a bit silly and immature. When asked if he likes the alien planet she is on she replies: 'The green sky is neat'. What is she? 12?. She had no real concept of danger which made the whole story seem a bit farcical. I like some brevity in my stories, not endless witty remarks. But again, that's just my preference.
Orion was pretty alpha hero swoon-worthy, but his banter also seemed to make the whole sci-fi nature of the book not seem real to me. He also falls for the h instantly. Sigh... another connection which doesn't seem based on very much.
I found myself skipping through the story, looking for the 'erotic' parts of the story which were sadly few.
I am not totally against reading more by this author but I might have a rest and see how I feel about it later.
Why only two stars?
Well the plot was nothing original. The world-building was sparse. It all felt borrowed from television series. I guess that was one of the main elements of slight comedy in the book. Geeky Juanita kept comparing things to sci-fi tv shows from earth. I actually found this annoying, but I can see that most would find it funny.
Juanita was plucky I give her that. She didn't wait to be saved and had some kickass moments of bravery, whilst retaining a high level of optimism throughout every traumatic event thrown her way. But she also came across as a bit silly and immature. When asked if he likes the alien planet she is on she replies: 'The green sky is neat'. What is she? 12?. She had no real concept of danger which made the whole story seem a bit farcical. I like some brevity in my stories, not endless witty remarks. But again, that's just my preference.
Orion was pretty alpha hero swoon-worthy, but his banter also seemed to make the whole sci-fi nature of the book not seem real to me. He also falls for the h instantly. Sigh... another connection which doesn't seem based on very much.
I found myself skipping through the story, looking for the 'erotic' parts of the story which were sadly few.
I am not totally against reading more by this author but I might have a rest and see how I feel about it later.
January 24, 2023
trying too hard to be quirky.
The world building was somewhat unique, but also unbelievable because of how it related to earth. Can’t say much more without spoilers. The FMC was a terrible version of the manic pixie dream girl and was obviously coded to be autistic. The MMC was annoying AF and too wrapped up in his own personal issues to be a support to what should have been a traumatized FMC, instead requiring her to provide emotional support. I can stand behind some fast burn sci fi romances, but this was ridiculous.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: SA, abdvction, imprisonment, violence
The world building was somewhat unique, but also unbelievable because of how it related to earth. Can’t say much more without spoilers. The FMC was a terrible version of the manic pixie dream girl and was obviously coded to be autistic. The MMC was annoying AF and too wrapped up in his own personal issues to be a support to what should have been a traumatized FMC, instead requiring her to provide emotional support. I can stand behind some fast burn sci fi romances, but this was ridiculous.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: SA, abdvction, imprisonment, violence
Want to read
July 14, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/14/2019)! 🎁
July 10, 2017
There was nothing very original about this one. It felt like tons of others I've read in this genre. I may still check out another book in the series though. At least it was offered as a kindleunlimited.
August 13, 2017
Not bad but I got bored around 70% mark so I put it down and grabbed the second book. The male mc came off like a whiny baby sibling and the chicks actions were a bit juvenile...some might say TSTL? But it showed that the series had promise. And it does, I'm on book three now. Kindle UL.
July 10, 2017
This book was pretty fun. I loved all the TV show references. Looking forward to the others in this series.
November 9, 2017
Cute!
I liked the heroine Juanita for her references to the Earth SF literature/movies! :)
I liked the heroine Juanita for her references to the Earth SF literature/movies! :)
December 2, 2017
Space adventure, some romance
August 27, 2017
Wasn't really a fan of the characters. I couldn't help picturing Orion and Juanita(I laughed every time i read her name for some reason) as 16 year old teenagers and it just took away from the story. The plot was okay i guess. Nothing too exciting or original. Glad it was an unlimited read and i didn't have to pay money for it.
June 25, 2017
Five Amazing Stars to Superior Lady Geek Juanita. Orion has the title but I'm thinking Juanita owns the story. For sure! Hope the series keeps going . . . please give me at least 6-7 books. . .
August 1, 2017
This is a 2.5 on a good day.
June 16, 2017
Whoo-hoo! Human ladies who are (somewhat unwillingly) whisked from Earth and end up in the clutches of some dastardly slavers...wait, that part was completely unwillingly. Because slavers are bad. Especially ones looking to hand over their cargo to a species who enjoy feasting on human flesh.
But the Star Guardians (and Orion) kinda make up for it with their heroic rescue. Kinda. I mean there's still the abduction thing (which sucks) and the ladies are stuck in space for a while, but...you know what? Just go with it. Sometimes you have to accept that you're going to get captured by space pirates if you want to have a thrilling adventure among the stars.
Juanita takes all the experiences thrown at her--both good and bad--and waves her fangirl geekdom flag high. She's open minded enough to be flexible when she runs into new things (and there are plenty of new things out in the galaxy!) and she steps up when she has to. Especially when it comes to Orion.
Speaking of which, Orion and his bro have some issues. Mainly that Sagitta is kinda uptight and rigid. Orion's a little more flexible with the rules and that causes a bit of friction between them. (To say I'm VERY curious how Sage's romance is going to play out might be understating things.)
Stinky slavers, morally upright captains, and a mismatched band of stolen women are only the start. Throw in a curious geek and a bounty hunter with something to prove and you have the seeds for a FUN adventure.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But the Star Guardians (and Orion) kinda make up for it with their heroic rescue. Kinda. I mean there's still the abduction thing (which sucks) and the ladies are stuck in space for a while, but...you know what? Just go with it. Sometimes you have to accept that you're going to get captured by space pirates if you want to have a thrilling adventure among the stars.
Juanita takes all the experiences thrown at her--both good and bad--and waves her fangirl geekdom flag high. She's open minded enough to be flexible when she runs into new things (and there are plenty of new things out in the galaxy!) and she steps up when she has to. Especially when it comes to Orion.
Speaking of which, Orion and his bro have some issues. Mainly that Sagitta is kinda uptight and rigid. Orion's a little more flexible with the rules and that causes a bit of friction between them. (To say I'm VERY curious how Sage's romance is going to play out might be understating things.)
Stinky slavers, morally upright captains, and a mismatched band of stolen women are only the start. Throw in a curious geek and a bounty hunter with something to prove and you have the seeds for a FUN adventure.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 25, 2019
What was that?
On one hand I enjoyed that this book had an interesting romantic start. A little bit more down to earth. But on the other hand I missed the romance/love at all. Because before the fun and real part even began, the story was over. Just simply over. I am still flabbergasted writing this review.
I loved that the female main character was a sci-fi geek. But at some point it just stepped over the threshold of being funny and rolled right into annoying. Being juvenile didn’t help much either.
And I missed a bigger bandwidths of emotions. The characters were very simplistic and therefor I didn’t care for them at all. I didn’t even got to know them.
We had some interesting side characters, I liked that they played a bigger part in the story. However, this took the story away from the main characters. Before their story began the book was over. I wasn’t able to really get to know the characters and it left me unsatisfied.
This book didn’t impress me at all. I have no interest in continuing the story.
There were some nice creative ideas I enjoyed but it couldn’t keep the book afloat. It appears the author stretched the plot over the following books. This one as a stand-alone didn’t. It barely had a plot. I am a lover of series. But when the books continue staring different characters, I would expect to get at least a finished and satisfying story for each couple.
For such a colourful and powerful cover, the content doesn’t reflect it.
On one hand I enjoyed that this book had an interesting romantic start. A little bit more down to earth. But on the other hand I missed the romance/love at all. Because before the fun and real part even began, the story was over. Just simply over. I am still flabbergasted writing this review.
I loved that the female main character was a sci-fi geek. But at some point it just stepped over the threshold of being funny and rolled right into annoying. Being juvenile didn’t help much either.
And I missed a bigger bandwidths of emotions. The characters were very simplistic and therefor I didn’t care for them at all. I didn’t even got to know them.
We had some interesting side characters, I liked that they played a bigger part in the story. However, this took the story away from the main characters. Before their story began the book was over. I wasn’t able to really get to know the characters and it left me unsatisfied.
This book didn’t impress me at all. I have no interest in continuing the story.
There were some nice creative ideas I enjoyed but it couldn’t keep the book afloat. It appears the author stretched the plot over the following books. This one as a stand-alone didn’t. It barely had a plot. I am a lover of series. But when the books continue staring different characters, I would expect to get at least a finished and satisfying story for each couple.
For such a colourful and powerful cover, the content doesn’t reflect it.
June 13, 2017
4.5 stars!
What a great start to a new series by Ruby Lionsdrake!
The concept of this story is quite interesting. You have Juanita, Tala and Angela who work in a dog shelter in Arizona. One day while Juanita is out walking the dogs, she gets ambushed and captured by what she perceives as aliens. She, along with the other women are placed into cells aboard the ship to be sold into slavery. One of the 'aliens', Orion, takes special interests in Juanita and she ends up learning that things are not always as they seem; that there are advanced things and people beyond Earth that one could never dream of being possible.
If you're a science fiction fan, you'll love this story. Imagine being abducted by aliens and relying solely on your knowledge from TV shows like Star Trek or books to navigate and escape your situation. That's what Juanita does! The story is chock full of humorous instances, action and some really hot and steamy romance. It's an adventure you definitely want to dive into.
**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
What a great start to a new series by Ruby Lionsdrake!
The concept of this story is quite interesting. You have Juanita, Tala and Angela who work in a dog shelter in Arizona. One day while Juanita is out walking the dogs, she gets ambushed and captured by what she perceives as aliens. She, along with the other women are placed into cells aboard the ship to be sold into slavery. One of the 'aliens', Orion, takes special interests in Juanita and she ends up learning that things are not always as they seem; that there are advanced things and people beyond Earth that one could never dream of being possible.
If you're a science fiction fan, you'll love this story. Imagine being abducted by aliens and relying solely on your knowledge from TV shows like Star Trek or books to navigate and escape your situation. That's what Juanita does! The story is chock full of humorous instances, action and some really hot and steamy romance. It's an adventure you definitely want to dive into.
**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
June 17, 2017
I loved this book and look forward to all that follow.
The one, little, niggling thing I didn’t like much was the insta love bit that Orion had for Juanita, but that is what you get a lot of the time with a romance and the rest of the story was so awesome that it didn’t really bother me all that much to begin with.
I loved how she was a geek and how she used terms for Star Trek, Stargate, and other shows like that as a comparison to explain the tech the “aliens” had. I really found it fascinating that the seeds of humans throughout the universe were from ancient Greek and that most of their religion and mythology is based off of old Greek myths.
Great start to a new series and I’m glad I pre-ordered. Though I will say that most every book I’ve read by this author, including her other names, has been a hit with me so there really was no question about doing so.
The one, little, niggling thing I didn’t like much was the insta love bit that Orion had for Juanita, but that is what you get a lot of the time with a romance and the rest of the story was so awesome that it didn’t really bother me all that much to begin with.
I loved how she was a geek and how she used terms for Star Trek, Stargate, and other shows like that as a comparison to explain the tech the “aliens” had. I really found it fascinating that the seeds of humans throughout the universe were from ancient Greek and that most of their religion and mythology is based off of old Greek myths.
Great start to a new series and I’m glad I pre-ordered. Though I will say that most every book I’ve read by this author, including her other names, has been a hit with me so there really was no question about doing so.
June 18, 2017
This is another take on being captured and taken off Earth. This time it is pirates who capture Earth Women to sell to aliens where they will fight and then get eaten. Not a nice thing to happen. Luckily there is someone planted in the crew who is there to set up the rescue. The rescue happened but the women have not been returned home yet or maybe never. What I liked the most was how humans ended up on multiple planets. Lionsdrake made very good use of mythology to explain how Earth natives, names and gods got scattered around the galaxy. The characters were fun, the danger ever present, and the romance interesting. Book two was released at the same time as Orion so I do not have to wait to see who finds romance next and maybe a clue about returning the women home.
March 14, 2024
3.5*
Orion is a bounty hunter working with the Star Guardians to apprehend a group of smugglers/slavers. These smugglers kidnapped a group of American women to sell to other alien groups. Among the kidnapped is Juanita. She loves anything sci-fi and is an aspiring author. When rescue comes, she views this as a great adventure.
Nice mix of adventure, action, romance. The overall arc of the story (they are still in space and are en route to the Star Guardians homeworld where the fate of kidnapped women will be decided) will continue in book 2, but with different main characters. Ends in a HFN.
Orion is a bounty hunter working with the Star Guardians to apprehend a group of smugglers/slavers. These smugglers kidnapped a group of American women to sell to other alien groups. Among the kidnapped is Juanita. She loves anything sci-fi and is an aspiring author. When rescue comes, she views this as a great adventure.
Nice mix of adventure, action, romance. The overall arc of the story (they are still in space and are en route to the Star Guardians homeworld where the fate of kidnapped women will be decided) will continue in book 2, but with different main characters. Ends in a HFN.
August 12, 2021
I've enjoyed Sci-fi romance in the past, but this one just didn't do it for me. Maybe if I was a Star Trek fan (with all the references to that show), I would have at least thought it was cute, but no.
One of the main reasons for my dislike is that I didn't really like any of the characters. It also didn't really feel like a romance, because I didn't feel the sparks between Juanita and Orion. Yes, we were told that they found one another attractive, but I didn't feel it.
This could be a case of me reading this when I wasn't in the mood for this type of book.
One of the main reasons for my dislike is that I didn't really like any of the characters. It also didn't really feel like a romance, because I didn't feel the sparks between Juanita and Orion. Yes, we were told that they found one another attractive, but I didn't feel it.
This could be a case of me reading this when I wasn't in the mood for this type of book.
June 20, 2017
3.5 stars. Fun space adventure/romance. It is heavy on the romance but there is lots of action and adventure to back it up. I loved all the Stargate references from our nerdy heroine Juanita who is rather excited to find herself in another galaxy (after being rescued from slavers by the good guys of course).
January 10, 2019
This book did not hold my interest. I found it boring and will not be reading the next book in this series. I think alien romances need to walk a fine line of being just realistic enough to capture me as a reader and to realistic or human like that they seem dull. This one was to realistic Orion was way to human to be an alien. The characters were really unmemorable.
September 1, 2021
A fun lil read. I liked that Juanita was a lil nerd , very relatable. I also liked that Orion was a bit of an outcast, a reject in his own family. I wish we had learned more about that, and for some kind of development to happen between Orion and Sage. Oh well.
September 11, 2017
Definitely a cute story and a fast read. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
However, I found Juanita a bit annoying and kind of stupidly risky with some of her decisions. The most annoying was her constant comparisons to the SciFi shows she watched. Luckily it was not so often that I gave up on the book.
However, I found Juanita a bit annoying and kind of stupidly risky with some of her decisions. The most annoying was her constant comparisons to the SciFi shows she watched. Luckily it was not so often that I gave up on the book.
June 16, 2017
*ARC provided by author*
I was very excited when I learned that Ruby Lionsdrake would start another space action adventure series as I have read and enjoyed all the books of the Mandrake Company series (and of course her other books). But after having read it, I feel quite a bit deflated as I didn’t like it as much as I hoped I would. I’m struggling to put my finger on the exact reason why.
So let’s maybe start with the premise which is as cheesy as it sounds: some women, among them a group of friends working for an animal shelter, get abducted by slavers from outer space, only they then get rescued by the Star Guardians, a type of galactic elite law enforcement squad. Furthermore, the Star Guardians turn out to be not some kind of alien life form, but they are of humanoid origin. They were seeded by some nebulous higher existence many thousands of years ago around different galaxies and obviously they evolved at a faster pace than the humans on earth and have achieved space flight. Overall it came across as strange and not completely fortuitous mix of Sci-Fi elements and borrowings from Greek mythology. Somehow what is missing is that spark of originality that sets it apart from other genre fiction of this kind, like the idea of the gut microbes that drives the plot in the Mandrake Company series. It’s like the author tried to jump on the hype of Guardians of the Galaxy but did not succeed in making it her own with some kind of unique angle or special twist, if that makes any sense.
The writing with regard to pacing, action sequences, dialogue, and humor is alright overall. Nevertheless I feel that her prose – compared to her previous books – appears flatter, more simplistic. As the book is written in first person narration the voice of the author is conflated with that of the heroine (Juanita) and she comes across as just a touch too naïve. Despite that I liked her geekiness, her adventurous spirit and her snark. The hero (Orion) on the other hand is too bland, too one-dimensional to be really memorable. He is of course good-looking, built, a superb fighter, a passionate lover, and despite the fact that he seemingly has all these things going for him, he appears very insecure especially with regard to all the hang-ups he has about his much older brother (who just happens to be a war hero and a highly regarded commander). Bottom line is, I just did not care that much about the heroine and the hero as I should have, in fact I found some of the secondary characters, like Treyjon (whose story will be next), and Tala (the former doctor), more intriguing.
Which brings us to the smut: I don’t mind one way or the other whether a book contains any sex scenes, though it should always fit with the flow of the story. As outlined above I could not get overly involved with the two main protagonists and this also colored my view of their love-making. I also did not really feel the attraction between these two, and what really acted like cold water on my mood was the heroine thinking of how grateful she was to the hero for not raping her (when he could have exploited the situation) and protecting her while she was going down on him. No, no, no, a thousand times no. Where’s the “enjoyment” in that and what kind of message does thinking like this send to all the women (and men) out there?!
Ruby Lionsdrake also writes fantasy under another name and in my favorite series of hers the heroine and the hero kiss for the first time in book four or five and though it was just a kiss the sexual – and even more importantly – the emotional tension between those two burned a hundred times hotter than the very explicit sex in this book!
With a heavy heart: 3 ½ stars.
I was very excited when I learned that Ruby Lionsdrake would start another space action adventure series as I have read and enjoyed all the books of the Mandrake Company series (and of course her other books). But after having read it, I feel quite a bit deflated as I didn’t like it as much as I hoped I would. I’m struggling to put my finger on the exact reason why.
So let’s maybe start with the premise which is as cheesy as it sounds: some women, among them a group of friends working for an animal shelter, get abducted by slavers from outer space, only they then get rescued by the Star Guardians, a type of galactic elite law enforcement squad. Furthermore, the Star Guardians turn out to be not some kind of alien life form, but they are of humanoid origin. They were seeded by some nebulous higher existence many thousands of years ago around different galaxies and obviously they evolved at a faster pace than the humans on earth and have achieved space flight. Overall it came across as strange and not completely fortuitous mix of Sci-Fi elements and borrowings from Greek mythology. Somehow what is missing is that spark of originality that sets it apart from other genre fiction of this kind, like the idea of the gut microbes that drives the plot in the Mandrake Company series. It’s like the author tried to jump on the hype of Guardians of the Galaxy but did not succeed in making it her own with some kind of unique angle or special twist, if that makes any sense.
The writing with regard to pacing, action sequences, dialogue, and humor is alright overall. Nevertheless I feel that her prose – compared to her previous books – appears flatter, more simplistic. As the book is written in first person narration the voice of the author is conflated with that of the heroine (Juanita) and she comes across as just a touch too naïve. Despite that I liked her geekiness, her adventurous spirit and her snark. The hero (Orion) on the other hand is too bland, too one-dimensional to be really memorable. He is of course good-looking, built, a superb fighter, a passionate lover, and despite the fact that he seemingly has all these things going for him, he appears very insecure especially with regard to all the hang-ups he has about his much older brother (who just happens to be a war hero and a highly regarded commander). Bottom line is, I just did not care that much about the heroine and the hero as I should have, in fact I found some of the secondary characters, like Treyjon (whose story will be next), and Tala (the former doctor), more intriguing.
Which brings us to the smut: I don’t mind one way or the other whether a book contains any sex scenes, though it should always fit with the flow of the story. As outlined above I could not get overly involved with the two main protagonists and this also colored my view of their love-making. I also did not really feel the attraction between these two, and what really acted like cold water on my mood was the heroine thinking of how grateful she was to the hero for not raping her (when he could have exploited the situation) and protecting her while she was going down on him. No, no, no, a thousand times no. Where’s the “enjoyment” in that and what kind of message does thinking like this send to all the women (and men) out there?!
Ruby Lionsdrake also writes fantasy under another name and in my favorite series of hers the heroine and the hero kiss for the first time in book four or five and though it was just a kiss the sexual – and even more importantly – the emotional tension between those two burned a hundred times hotter than the very explicit sex in this book!
With a heavy heart: 3 ½ stars.
September 28, 2017
Bailed at the 50% mark when I realised I didn't really care for either character.
This book is heavily derivative of TV sci-fi shows, as a consequence there is very little world building and what little there is sometimes does not make any sense. The hero and heroine fell in instalust, so much so the hero seemed unable to control his body. The heroine seemed to be rather juvenile wanting her phone so she could take "selfie's". Because when you've been kidnapped by space slavers, the first thing you want to do upon being rescued is to take selfies.
The constant referencing of TV shows got a little grating.
This book is heavily derivative of TV sci-fi shows, as a consequence there is very little world building and what little there is sometimes does not make any sense. The hero and heroine fell in instalust, so much so the hero seemed unable to control his body. The heroine seemed to be rather juvenile wanting her phone so she could take "selfie's". Because when you've been kidnapped by space slavers, the first thing you want to do upon being rescued is to take selfies.
The constant referencing of TV shows got a little grating.
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