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Fact #257 - Allie Sai should have been named "Unlucky."

Prison sucked. She should've known better than to try and run from her future, should've known that the government would catch her. A failed escape attempt leaves her chained to an airship chair with nothing but a vial of her family's super moonshine.

Fact #372 - Sometimes moonshine is not the answer.

Numbing her fear and plotting her revenge against the man who caught her seemed like a brilliant idea - until pirates attack her ship looking for goods of the female variety. Her only options? Fight or give in to the hot males demands. Decisions, decisions... Allie had never been one to roll over.

Fact #401 - Pirates aren't princes. They're extortionists.

It was just one sip... maybe two.

When fantasy and reality blur, can Allie save herself?

Mixologists and Pirates Series
1. Amber Vial
2. Emerald Bane
3. Scarlet Venom
4. Cyan Toxin
5. Onyx Elixir
6. Indigo Alloy

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2018

363 people are currently reading
657 people want to read

About the author

Jei Anders

7 books4 followers

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5 stars
232 (31%)
4 stars
209 (28%)
3 stars
193 (26%)
2 stars
60 (8%)
1 star
36 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for Mandie.
692 reviews34 followers
August 5, 2018
What a fun, amazing read! It was short and sweet! I wish it would if been longer, but none the less, it was action packed and left me wanting more!!
Profile Image for kay!.
363 reviews73 followers
June 3, 2022
3.5 Stars
this is actually- really fun
Profile Image for Hetal.
804 reviews112 followers
July 24, 2018
I enjoyed this! Allie and her friend Jer are the female friendship you always wanted.

Recommended to those who like short stories, because It's not your typical book with all the details. A lot is skipped over and the plot really could be more fleshed out, but we shall see where it goes. I really do think I'll enjoy this story, but I am definitely not a fan of small bits being released throughout the year. I just want to read a big chunk at one time. Despite the style of it's release not sitting well with me, I will be continuing to read what's in store for Allie Sai and her friends.
Profile Image for Bethany Hoeflich.
Author 13 books80 followers
July 9, 2019
An interesting premise, but way too short.

When I first started reading, I didn’t realize that the author had basically taken a single full-length book and cut it into ‘episodes’.

What we’re left with is an introduction to the characters and world, but next to no meaningful action.

The characters are likable and the concept is unique, but the overall execution fell flat for me.
Profile Image for Karen  ⚜Mess⚜.
940 reviews69 followers
April 18, 2019
I am currently working on depleting my novella TBR list and this little sad thing was hiding in there disguised as something good.

The cover looked kind of cool. The story ended up being YA (which is mostly ugh to me) and as ridiculous as the author's name.

Profile Image for ☆ Ceri.
41 reviews3 followers
August 2, 2018
A young woman, Allie is moving to a new world, not wanting to but has to regardless. She leaves behind loved ones which is hard in her. Allie is clumsy and has a good sense of humour, the author made me laugh a few times with her.
Allie is afraid of flying so encounters a Lock who forces her onto the spaceship much to her dismay. Along the way she meets a red head woman called Jer. To help her nerves about flying, Allie, drinks some whisky and it was her first time in doing so.
After that things become strange, pirates attack and abroad the ship yet only seems to care for her and her new redheaded friend. Yet she wakes up and it was just a dream...or was it?

I need more, I need to know if it was just a dream or if she really happened. The author wrote it well, so that the readers are guessing if it was real or not. The only thing I would say is that the book was way too short. I need to know what happens next, but I definitely will be reading the next instalments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,357 reviews98 followers
February 8, 2019
What did I just read!? This was hilarious and fun!! The MC is so preciously awesome! She isn't evil... but she does execute vengeance!! Allie is one scared girl who is venturing into the unknown, at least for her. Along the way she causes a few scenes and meets some very interesting people! I loved this first book! It's the first that I've ever read from this author, but most certainly will not be the last! Ms. Kay writes with humor and detailed insight 💝
Profile Image for Stephanie Hotz.
86 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2018
*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I knew before reading this that it’s in novella/serial form. It's my first time reading a serial, but I was pleasantly surprised by the first installment. The writing is enjoyable and I look forward to reading the others. The reason I'm giving this 4 stars is because it's often difficult for me to know whether I will remain interested in story until i'm about 30% or 100 pages of the way through; given that this is so short (about a 45 minute read) I don't feel like I have a full grasp of the quality of the story/plot. So I suppose this is more of a critique on the form, not as much on the story at this point.
Profile Image for Judy.
772 reviews41 followers
July 27, 2023
not good but it was over before it had the chance to annoy me too much so at least there's that. sometimes you just gotta read the shortest thing featuring aliens you can find!
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,588 reviews66 followers
November 2, 2019
Totally fun. I’m glad I came across this book. I can see a wonderful book romance about to bloom.
Profile Image for Ornella.
1,346 reviews81 followers
January 24, 2019
I feel so cheated. Here I was expecting a full length novel and all I get are 50 pages. This is what I get for just reading a synopsis.
Profile Image for Izzy.
450 reviews43 followers
November 27, 2018
I'm described as a quick reader but I'm generally able to read 100 pages in 1 hour. This took me 15 minutes to read. So at a guess, I would say 'Amber Vial' contains 25 - 35 pages. (Plus two chapters of the sequel, which I didn't read) Which means it's clearly a novella/novelette broken up into three parts. And the author is pricing each part at least £1.50!! This is outrageous!

But here's the thing that makes me so angry: nothing happens. Yes, it has a bit of world-building and introduces secondary characters but that's it. There's a scene with the pirates but it was wrapped up in a way that the character thought it was a dream. This is actually a pet peeve of mine so this is another reason why I didn't like 'Amber Vial'.

I thought the writing was mediocre. I did grimace at author's use of "popping her p" as a character spoke. I've only seen that used by amateur writers on sites like wattpad.
There was one obvious error, "He cutut through my shirt."

I don't like serials so I stay far away from them. But what I hate even more are authors who try to dress up their serial as novels or novellas.
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,107 reviews34 followers
January 10, 2019
Amber Vial is a science fiction novel by Frost Kay and book one in her Mixologists and Pirates series. The author immediately introduces the reader to Allie Sai, human, daughter to famous whiskey makers…incompetent at the art of mixing herself. Allie has a problem though and it’s not one that she can run from.
Amber Vial is an enjoyable introduction to Mixologists and Pirates by Frost Kay. Allie is a feisty character, but not one without her issues. I can totally relate to her on the fear of flying. Haha! The difference is I’ve never flown and in this story, she’s being forced. I love that the title of the story is tied to the story itself. The pace of the story keeps me engaged and the introduction of the aliens has me hooked. I’m eager to learn more about them and the future situation that Allie is about to find herself in based on her choices and decisions.
There is nothing I don’t like about this book. The storyline is fun, engaging, and well-paced. I’m eager to read Emerald Bane which the author teases with a tiny taste of at the end of this book.
I am rating this short and sweet book 5 out of 5 stars. Definitely a winner in my book.
Profile Image for Tracy D..
364 reviews54 followers
January 15, 2019
3.5/5

Amber Vial is a short story. Seemingly, it is a prequel or prologue to the Mixologogists and Pirates series. The author includes the first 2 chapters of the next book in here, so you can get a better feel for the story.

The idea that the crooked government of Earth spies on you for your information, and then illegally mandates people to populate an alien planet by way of a dating application in a women's magazine, was comical and original.

The protagonists actions and reactions seamed appropriate. The banter between the MC and support characters was entertaining. I enjoyed the whole moonshine/poison aspect, too. The MCs fear of flight was slightly annoying, although funny.

There is plenty of potential with this series, but it didn't hook me as some other stories have done. I feel like I needed MORE than what was presented to figure out if I would continue reading the series or not. With that being said, I might pick up the next book. Might not.



Profile Image for Arceli.
1,571 reviews11 followers
January 9, 2019
*I have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a great first installment to an awesome science fiction series. This series is something i have needed for a long time. There is a spunky heroine who is super strong and good world building with emphasis on awesome action. I really liked how the world is built and the unique technology there in the book. It isn't cliched at all. In addition, the dystopian element really made the novel feel like a really good roller coaster ride. It was truly unique and not at all a redo of The Hunger Games . In fact, it was better than that. I also liked how there was a smidgen of romance. It was slow burn and didn't take over the book. I am now onto the second book because this novel so awesome.
Profile Image for Sandra.
3,341 reviews12 followers
August 11, 2018
Novella and obviously part of a series so we are left hanging with many unanswered questions. It does break in a place that makes sense but the story has definitely got plenty more to say. I enjoyed what I read, I want to know more but I really , really HATE episodic serials. I read books for the story. I have spend my whole life reading books for a story and when I read I want a COMPLETE DAMN STORY. Series are fine - you just have to give a story that wraps up in each book. You can have bits that cross over or lead into new stories in the next book but i need an actual story or I just feel cheated not enticed.
195 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2018
Such an intriguing short story. There are so many elements that grabbed me in so little time! First you have Allie. She sucks at her family business and manages to accidentally apply to an program to migrate to an alien world. She's a mix of timid and spunky all at the same time. Then you have potential run ins with aliens that could be just a dream but is likely real that sends sparks flying. You also get the start of a solid female friendship and several interesting alien races on her new planet. I cannot wait to see where this goes!
Profile Image for Allison Bumpus.
226 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2018
How can one short story pack such a punch?!! This is indeed a very short story and you'll read through it very quickly, but the attachment to the characters is instant and lasting. I already Wanna be besties with Allie!
350 reviews24 followers
August 27, 2018
Too short for the cost

Good concept but too short. I feel a bit cheated and would have preferred one longer book instead of novellas that take less than an hour to read.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews360 followers
September 8, 2018
Afraid of both flying and aliens, Allie Sai stared at the huge silver alien airship. How could something that big actually fly? Why did she ever sign up for the draft to help repopulate and colonize new planets? It was supposed to just be a joke – it was just a dating profile! Figuring no one would miss her, she spun around to lose herself in the crowd but instead bumped into a hard chest as she fell and scraped the skin off her hands. He was a gorgeous man, but she had to escape while she could before a Lock found her. But as she turned to leave, he held her arm and spoke her name. How did he know her name? And then she saw the chain on his neck with the obsidian wings – he was a Lock! And he was specifically assigned as her escort since they found her to be a flight risk for having filed so many appeals to get out of the colonization program. When nothing persuaded her, he put her over his shoulder and carried her onboard.

Allie was frantic as the ship launched. She kept saying she was going to be sick, and the passenger below her urged her not to! They tried to talk her into being sedated but she preferred knowing what was happening to her. But at the passenger next to her, Jer, asking her if she had something to settle her down, she thought of the moonshine her family made and sent along with her! A sip or two would help.

The next thing she knew, Jer was trying to wake her, saying they were under attack! The door was forced open and 5 aliens pushed their way in! Kidnapped by space pirates – what more could happen to her? Will she be taken captive? Where will she end up? What will they do to her?

I think this book was fun! Allie was such a sassy girl that she kept me laughing. Her “battle” and plan for “vengeance” with the Lock for preventing her escape led to a fun banter between them. Despite the short story, it was engaging and I’ll gladly read future such stories by this author.
22 reviews
March 31, 2020
Dear Frost Kay (and all authors, really),

Firstly, I liked to start by saying that I did really enjoy Allie as a character. She's definitely got the Southern charm and endearing smile going for her. It's just off-putting to read/hear her say "bloody" or "rubbish" instead of something like "freakin'" or "bulls***". Definitely makes these books (and others) kind of difficult to enjoy at times. I honestly thought you were from Europe due to your vocabulary choices.

Now for my rant...Southerners (and most Americans in my experience) do not use the words "bloody", "snigger", "niggle," or "rubbish" in conversational language. I should know, I was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and have lived there for almost 30 years. Honestly, I don't know why anyone uses the word "snigger" (it has an incredibly offensive word in it that white people should NEVER use). Do us all a favor, and go through the text before publishing and find/replace it with "snicker" and save us all the skin-crawling sensation we get from reading that awful word over and over again. Similar things can be said for the word "niggle". Furthermore, the only time the word "bloody" comes out of my mouth is when I'm referring to actual blood. And "rubbish" is reserved for British people in my mind (e.g. when they refer to the "rubbish bin"). I've never heard an American (much less a Southerner) even use the word rubbish, except in the case of authors of fiction novels.
Profile Image for Samantha Corkin.
145 reviews
February 11, 2019
This is the first book in the series and I must say that I loved this book. I loved how the main character is terrified of flying, and I can see why Allie has this fear as the more you think about it the more scary it becomes in my eyes anyways. Other people may not agree but oh well.

The style of writing was fast paced and I really enjoyed it. The characters that we were introduced to in this first book were reasonably developed I’d love to find out more about them and how they socialise with one another, but so far I quite enjoy them considering how short the book is.

The story seems to good as well considering not much has happened but then it seems the major set up has been sorted which I find really nice that this has been done all in the first book and I really can’t wait to read the others.

Certain scenes in this book were extremely funny and I can’t wait to read future scenes. I found though that the setting reminded me of the 100 series slightly because they were been sent back to earth and that they make come across other species. But I’m going to take the book as it’s own and try not to compare them to each other as the styles are very different.

The moonshine is quite a good thing to include and I’d love to learn more about it and how if you don’t mix it right that it can poison you.

If you love sci-fi and friendships then this book is 100% for you.
Profile Image for Janine.
517 reviews75 followers
June 29, 2020
Amber Vial feels much more like a prequel or introduction to a larger story than a full story in itself. Despite interesting concepts and Allie and Jer having some interesting characteristics, most of the story fell really flat and dull and I struggled to connect to the narrative despite everything going on. The prose felt a bit of a struggle as well. My favorite part was the idea that due to overpopulation, the government tricks citizens into relocating onto another planet via mundane things like dating applications in a magazine. But for the most part, I dragged through the story, hoping to get at least something out of it, but felt like the first few chapters of a larger story before it just stops. What we got didn’t feel intriguing enough and had little clue what the story is actually about, not even the whole ideal about alcohol. I couldn’t connect to the characters either. There’s little sense of place either. I’m probably not going to read the rest of it sadly, not even the two chapter preview of the next part hooked me.
Profile Image for E.A..
951 reviews27 followers
August 4, 2018
I need this to be a full length book!

Short, sweet, action packed and down right fun as hell, I could not stop reading! I mean till it ended all to short and, I was let felling a little empty. My only complaint is that it was too short!

I'm not going to say much because any detail will ruin with magical little wonder, but know that this book will knock your socks off... in a good way. With a strong sexy heroin and plenty of sass, you're taking on a wild wind adventure that is literally out of this world. Matched with superb writing and rich detail you are transported into this book, no, it's like you become apart of it.

Amber Vial is a must read, on all accounts. It's the mission piece to your book collection and your reading soul.

So please take my super high recommendation that you will fall head over heals for this outer-space wonder, that will have you wanting more!

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh
Profile Image for Ambre.
328 reviews10 followers
February 28, 2021
This is a great start to what looks like a promising series. I bought this entire series just because I like the blurb and the cover art so much. And it's been a wild ride!

Allie Sai is the sassy heiress to a moonshine whiskey empire, just living her best life out on her parents' farm, away from the hustle and bustle of an Earth that's made contact with a wide variety of alien species. What she thought was a simple dating questionnaire turns out to be a one-way ticket to Sars, the home planet of an alien race that has struck up a deal with the Earth to recolonize their planet - using human women....

After an attempted escape, the ship she's on is boarded by a very strange sort of pirate, one that only Allie seems to remember. But she doesn't have time to worry because they soon make it to Sars, where Allie's new life is about to get off to a murderously thrilling new start.

This book is short and sweet, and definitely makes you want a refill!
Profile Image for Maria Garcia.
18 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2018
Great short story! It wasn’t too short and it didn’t drag out! This story reminded me of when i was a little girl and my daddy and me would watch The Twilight Zone! Definitely could of been one of those episodes! Fit just perfectly! Maybe thats why i loved it so much reminded me of better days when my daddy was still here. Anyways i love how it was one of those things where its in the future so such a ridiculous fear to have! I was cracking up so hard! Also i love how it set you up for the dream. She clearly hinted to it before going into it but after reading into it, it felt so weird then the wake up and the hallucination. Thats where i sat up and said “Welcome to the Twilight Zone.” Lol I cant wait to read more installments as they come along! Bravo! You’ve done it again!
Profile Image for Amanda.
133 reviews37 followers
August 6, 2018
This short story is exactly what it claims to be, a short story. Being able to pack this much of a punch in this small amount of space is a feat, and Frost Kay has accomplished just that. We have a fast paced plot, several exciting plot factors, and are left excited to find out what's going to happen in the next one. I wanted a short story that wouldn't consume me and suck me from this world. Something that packed a punch, but wouldn't take 3 days to complete. It's not a cliffhanger ending either, just a promise for the same level of excitement soon! I'll happily be continuing this series! If Star Wars and The Pirates of the Caribbean had a baby... Amber Vial would be it.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews69 followers
December 21, 2018
ONE INCREDIBLY DELIGHTFUL READ!!!
OMG! Holy Moses! I'll get it out eventually. Maybe. Man, talk about a 3 strikes deal. All the drama, uncertainty, determination, fear, angst, danger and suspense increases steadily while tension spirials really make the storyline pop. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that make for one thrilling experience. In a whirlwind of emotions and events really pulls those heartstrings. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Frost did an amazing job bringing this read to life. Fantastic job Frost, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Profile Image for Natasha Clark-French.
211 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2018
The storyline and writing are great. I like the characters and the world building is excellent. But it's so freaking short. It feels like an incredibly written screen play for a 30min TV show rather than a book. I don't get the chance to be invested in the characters but the storyline is enough to have me wanting more and thankfully I have more waiting for me so I'm going to read the next one right now! I'll post a spoiler free review of that one as soon as possible and update this one as to whether I think it's worth it to continue the "episodes" or not.

Update: I've completed the second episode and I'm sorta obsessed. See that review for further details.
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