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The Galactic Captains #1
Siege Weapons
Captain Ales is a lonely smuggler at the galaxy’s Outer Verge, and the last of his people. He’s been trying to move on from a life of drugs and meaningless sex, but finding love in this forgotten corner of the galaxy is difficult.
When he’s sent on a mysterious smuggling mission to a world under siege, he’s enticed by promises of the domination he craves. But soon Ales finds himself entwined in a galactic power struggle that could cost him everything.
Book Length: Novella.
When he’s sent on a mysterious smuggling mission to a world under siege, he’s enticed by promises of the domination he craves. But soon Ales finds himself entwined in a galactic power struggle that could cost him everything.
Book Length: Novella.
143 pages, ebook
First published September 24, 2018
17 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Harry F. Rey
30 books98 followersHarry F. Rey is an author of over a dozen fiction novels. He's a graduate of Penguin WriteNow 2020, a member of the TV Foundation's New Writers Collective 2024, and has been Pushcart-nominated for his short stories.
Harry's main works include the MM royal drama series The Line of Succession from Deep Desires Press, the queer sci-fi series The Galactic Captains from Nine Star Press, the WWII-era gay historical novel Why in Paris? from Encircle Publications and the historical romance Six Days in Jerusalem.
His debut young adult gay romance - Of Gods and Boys - from Deep Hearts YA recently topped the Amazon teen charts. His other works include the rom-com All the Lovers from Deep Desires and the forthcoming sci-fi thriller The Dorvethan Conspiracy from Rebel Satori Press.
Harry's work has also been featured in anthologies including Not Meant for Each Other from Lost Boys Press and Queer Life, Queer Love from Muswell Press.
Harry can often be found scouring second-hand bookshops for the lost classics of gay literature, which he blogs about on his website and social media.
Harry's main works include the MM royal drama series The Line of Succession from Deep Desires Press, the queer sci-fi series The Galactic Captains from Nine Star Press, the WWII-era gay historical novel Why in Paris? from Encircle Publications and the historical romance Six Days in Jerusalem.
His debut young adult gay romance - Of Gods and Boys - from Deep Hearts YA recently topped the Amazon teen charts. His other works include the rom-com All the Lovers from Deep Desires and the forthcoming sci-fi thriller The Dorvethan Conspiracy from Rebel Satori Press.
Harry's work has also been featured in anthologies including Not Meant for Each Other from Lost Boys Press and Queer Life, Queer Love from Muswell Press.
Harry can often be found scouring second-hand bookshops for the lost classics of gay literature, which he blogs about on his website and social media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 16, 2024
My nonexistent balls fled right up inside my body upon reading one scene in this story. Read Drusilla’s review if you want details.
Captain Ales is a solitary figure navigating the desolate stretches of the galaxy's Outer Verge. As the last survivor of his people, Ales is a complex character wrestling with his past—a life steeped in drugs and one-night stands.
This is a VERY unique story of a man attempting to rebuild his life amidst the emptiness of space, where finding genuine connection proves nearly impossible.
I was broken inside and empty from the ache of sadness. Heavy from the lost burdens I still carried.
Ales is dispatched on a mysterious smuggling mission. What begins as a routine assignment quickly escalates into a high-stakes galactic power struggle…all while battling the demons of his past.
Gay main character
Very different alien species
Political maneuvering
Not really a romance
Scenes of mm but also mmm
Spanking, kicking, punching, orgasm denial, caging
This story switched between philosophical thinking, warmongering, political manipulation, and a very odd placement of bdsm. If I could take all of the pain/sex play out of this story, this would be a phenomenal sci-fi.
I DO understand what the author was trying to create here, it just didn’t work for me.
Captain Ales is a solitary figure navigating the desolate stretches of the galaxy's Outer Verge. As the last survivor of his people, Ales is a complex character wrestling with his past—a life steeped in drugs and one-night stands.
This is a VERY unique story of a man attempting to rebuild his life amidst the emptiness of space, where finding genuine connection proves nearly impossible.
I was broken inside and empty from the ache of sadness. Heavy from the lost burdens I still carried.
Ales is dispatched on a mysterious smuggling mission. What begins as a routine assignment quickly escalates into a high-stakes galactic power struggle…all while battling the demons of his past.
Gay main character
Very different alien species
Political maneuvering
Not really a romance
Scenes of mm but also mmm
Spanking, kicking, punching, orgasm denial, caging
This story switched between philosophical thinking, warmongering, political manipulation, and a very odd placement of bdsm. If I could take all of the pain/sex play out of this story, this would be a phenomenal sci-fi.
I DO understand what the author was trying to create here, it just didn’t work for me.
February 13, 2024
First of all, this is not a MM romance, but a gay sci-fi.
Spaceship Captain Ales is a very lonely and broken character. I find him very fascinating. And the character fits perfectly with the writing style, which doesn't give everything up straight away. You actually have to invest a little in the story to understand what's actually going on and why Ales is the way he is. I love it.
Where was he, my rescuer? The one who would fight through life with me, make the pain of past dissipate to mere atoms. 🥺
“You push people away, Ales. The people who care. The ones who want to care. No one can get into your orbit.”
“You’re wrong,” I said, one foot already out the door. “No one’s ever been worth letting in.” 😢
I didn’t even want to touch myself. It would not even come close to filling the emptiness inside me. A hundred men could not do that, nor could one. I was broken inside and empty from the ache of sadness. Heavy from the lost burdens I still carried. 😭
This book contains various sexual scenes that do not meet the "usual" BDSM norms. To put it mildly. It's sci-fi, so it's just different anyway. Ales' preferences go in the general direction of a darker form of impact play and have absolutely nothing to do with affection, just as a warning.
“You said you crave real domination; someone who will take you with no mercy and turn you into their slave.” 🖤😳🖤
Without warning, his boot connected with my balls. I moaned. My cock as hard as it could get, and the idea of not being able to touch it without permission or even protect myself from this brought my deepest fantasies to the surface. 🖤😳🖤
Apart from that, this book has everything that makes it perfect for me. Very different characters and species, different worlds, violence and the start of galaxy altering events.
There is no cliffhanger, but you should be aware that you have to read the series as a whole, that's my understanding, before you get the big picture. So this book is just the prelude and Ales will also reappear later.
It's definitely not made for everyone, but I don't understand the sometimes bad reviews. Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered this and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series unfolds for me.
Spaceship Captain Ales is a very lonely and broken character. I find him very fascinating. And the character fits perfectly with the writing style, which doesn't give everything up straight away. You actually have to invest a little in the story to understand what's actually going on and why Ales is the way he is. I love it.
Where was he, my rescuer? The one who would fight through life with me, make the pain of past dissipate to mere atoms. 🥺
“You push people away, Ales. The people who care. The ones who want to care. No one can get into your orbit.”
“You’re wrong,” I said, one foot already out the door. “No one’s ever been worth letting in.” 😢
I didn’t even want to touch myself. It would not even come close to filling the emptiness inside me. A hundred men could not do that, nor could one. I was broken inside and empty from the ache of sadness. Heavy from the lost burdens I still carried. 😭
This book contains various sexual scenes that do not meet the "usual" BDSM norms. To put it mildly. It's sci-fi, so it's just different anyway. Ales' preferences go in the general direction of a darker form of impact play and have absolutely nothing to do with affection, just as a warning.
“You said you crave real domination; someone who will take you with no mercy and turn you into their slave.” 🖤😳🖤
Without warning, his boot connected with my balls. I moaned. My cock as hard as it could get, and the idea of not being able to touch it without permission or even protect myself from this brought my deepest fantasies to the surface. 🖤😳🖤
Apart from that, this book has everything that makes it perfect for me. Very different characters and species, different worlds, violence and the start of galaxy altering events.
There is no cliffhanger, but you should be aware that you have to read the series as a whole, that's my understanding, before you get the big picture. So this book is just the prelude and Ales will also reappear later.
It's definitely not made for everyone, but I don't understand the sometimes bad reviews. Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered this and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series unfolds for me.
October 4, 2018
4.5 Stars
This is an interesting novella, it straddles well written sci-fi and erotica. I enjoyed it a whole lot because it was interesting, different, and the world building blew me away. Not romance. Some aggressive kink on occasion, but overall a well balanced narrative, complete with a subtle yet strong emotion from Ales. Everything was explored well without spoon-feeding.
I'm really looking forward to more in the next book.
Review at
This is an interesting novella, it straddles well written sci-fi and erotica. I enjoyed it a whole lot because it was interesting, different, and the world building blew me away. Not romance. Some aggressive kink on occasion, but overall a well balanced narrative, complete with a subtle yet strong emotion from Ales. Everything was explored well without spoon-feeding.
I'm really looking forward to more in the next book.
Review at
September 19, 2018
2,5 stars
I really thought it could be at least a 4 stars read for me. The idea was good, the blurb sounded promising and the first half of the book was not bad, but unfortunately the second part of it didn't fulfill my expectations and towards the end it felt rather like a story without a proper concept.
What was more important: a sudden sexual submissive part (without any logic in the plot) or a decent story-line? I am a bit angry about the direction the book took. Honestly, the plot had a lot of potential, the writing was not bad, but....it is why my disappointment is difficult to hide.
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
September 29, 2018
This book was provided for free by the publisher and Love Bytes in exchange for an honest review.
This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.
One of my favorite romantic dramas of 2018 so far is Harry F. Rey’s first novel of the year, Line of Succession, which I reviewed very favorably. When I realized he’d written a gritty sci-fi story for NineStar Press, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. This is a completely different type of story from Rey’s other recent release, but it certainly contains some of the dark drama, human bitterness, and kinky sex scenes that Rey really excels at writing. It doesn’t have a completely satisfying character arc, but it’s still an incredibly enjoyable piece of erotic sci-fi.
I think Captain Ales is a really interesting, complex character. He’s not our typical tragic hero, though he is indeed tragic. He’s a man with such messed-up ideas of freedom, control, and choice that he has no idea what he wants or what he truly believes in. As the last surviving citizen of his destroyed home planet, he’s been wandering aimlessly for years, making money as a trader for a shady alien boss and trying to find fulfillment in the form of sex, drugs, and travel. He ends each day with a traditional prayer of his people, showing how he’s still grieving his lost world and struggles to preserve it while trying to survive.
When it comes to love and men, Ales is a total wreck. He’s still waiting on Ukko, a man who gave him the kind of sexual release he can’t find anywhere else, yet he constantly checks this universe’s version of Grindr, hoping for something better. He falls into bed with old friends (and their new boyfriends), avoiding the emotions that come along with his actions. He obviously craves submission and release, but every time he has sex with someone, the emptiness comes crawling back. I was actually moved to tears a few times as Ales seems to find someone, someone who will take care of him and allow him to just let go, only to realize he’s alone yet again. It’s a pervasive kind of loneliness—the sort of loneliness that comes with being one small man in an unfathomably huge galaxy.
I’m not totally in love with Turo, the man who Ales meets at a hotel on a trade gone terribly wrong. Turo isn’t characterized much beyond dominant and confident, and the ease in which Ales submits to him feels more like defeat than release. Their sexual dynamic is sizzling, and their scenes together are intense, but at this point in the story, I don’t trust Turo as much as Ales does. And the push-pull, give-take of their dynamic doesn’t always 100% work for me. Since Ales is a black character, some of the master/servant dynamic between him and Turo made me a little uneasy. I didn’t mind the extreme BDSM at all, especially since it is there for both erotic and storytelling purposes, but the choice of language didn’t always settle right with me.
I can’t say Ales’ characterization develops completely by the end, but since this is only the beginning of a series, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment too much. I love stories with characters who are seeking something and they have no idea where to find it—but by the end, they’ve found it at an unexpected source. In this case, Ales seems to fill that endless loneliness with even more dissatisfaction. It’s an odd ending, and one that I don’t think a lot of readers will click with. It isn’t an unhappy ending, but it leaves us slightly uneasy, like a calm before the storm.
Though he reaches some level of happiness by the end, I’d definitely say our Captain Ales is a man who is still searching for something. And I’d love to read future books in this series to see him grow and develop.
This review was first posted to Love Bytes: LGBTQ Book Reviews. It has been slightly edited here for content.
One of my favorite romantic dramas of 2018 so far is Harry F. Rey’s first novel of the year, Line of Succession, which I reviewed very favorably. When I realized he’d written a gritty sci-fi story for NineStar Press, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. This is a completely different type of story from Rey’s other recent release, but it certainly contains some of the dark drama, human bitterness, and kinky sex scenes that Rey really excels at writing. It doesn’t have a completely satisfying character arc, but it’s still an incredibly enjoyable piece of erotic sci-fi.
I think Captain Ales is a really interesting, complex character. He’s not our typical tragic hero, though he is indeed tragic. He’s a man with such messed-up ideas of freedom, control, and choice that he has no idea what he wants or what he truly believes in. As the last surviving citizen of his destroyed home planet, he’s been wandering aimlessly for years, making money as a trader for a shady alien boss and trying to find fulfillment in the form of sex, drugs, and travel. He ends each day with a traditional prayer of his people, showing how he’s still grieving his lost world and struggles to preserve it while trying to survive.
When it comes to love and men, Ales is a total wreck. He’s still waiting on Ukko, a man who gave him the kind of sexual release he can’t find anywhere else, yet he constantly checks this universe’s version of Grindr, hoping for something better. He falls into bed with old friends (and their new boyfriends), avoiding the emotions that come along with his actions. He obviously craves submission and release, but every time he has sex with someone, the emptiness comes crawling back. I was actually moved to tears a few times as Ales seems to find someone, someone who will take care of him and allow him to just let go, only to realize he’s alone yet again. It’s a pervasive kind of loneliness—the sort of loneliness that comes with being one small man in an unfathomably huge galaxy.
I’m not totally in love with Turo, the man who Ales meets at a hotel on a trade gone terribly wrong. Turo isn’t characterized much beyond dominant and confident, and the ease in which Ales submits to him feels more like defeat than release. Their sexual dynamic is sizzling, and their scenes together are intense, but at this point in the story, I don’t trust Turo as much as Ales does. And the push-pull, give-take of their dynamic doesn’t always 100% work for me. Since Ales is a black character, some of the master/servant dynamic between him and Turo made me a little uneasy. I didn’t mind the extreme BDSM at all, especially since it is there for both erotic and storytelling purposes, but the choice of language didn’t always settle right with me.
I can’t say Ales’ characterization develops completely by the end, but since this is only the beginning of a series, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment too much. I love stories with characters who are seeking something and they have no idea where to find it—but by the end, they’ve found it at an unexpected source. In this case, Ales seems to fill that endless loneliness with even more dissatisfaction. It’s an odd ending, and one that I don’t think a lot of readers will click with. It isn’t an unhappy ending, but it leaves us slightly uneasy, like a calm before the storm.
Though he reaches some level of happiness by the end, I’d definitely say our Captain Ales is a man who is still searching for something. And I’d love to read future books in this series to see him grow and develop.
zz-dnf
October 8, 2022DNF @ 19%
I think this author has a lot of potential, but the writing style doesn't quite work for me.
I think this author has a lot of potential, but the writing style doesn't quite work for me.
September 21, 2018
2.5 stars. There were parts that were really good but then a lot of parts that were wrong. I love hard core BDSM but this is not what Turo was doing. First there is a discussion, safe words and expectations. Starting off kicking Ales in the balls with his boot 15 times with no way for him to stop it and then turn around and kick and punch him is straight up abuse. And then I just got way lost. They are sitting at the bar talking about Jansen invading the Verge and Ales says, "this place is the only home I have and we have to fight for our freedom", I’m assuming he’s talking about the Verge as he has never heard of Jansen before. And then Turo starts talking about how Ales told him that he craves real domination. Where did that even come from? That conversation never happened, and that is something that should have been on page not off. This could have been a really good story but it just didn't work for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2019
4.5 stars. A fast-paced, gritty sci-fi with a whole load of MM sex (no romance - yet). Our main character, Ales, the last of his race, is an intriguing mix of vulnerability and bad-ass. We follow him on a simple smuggling mission that quickly goes south - as these things often do! Nicely written, edited well. An author to watch, for sure.
November 24, 2025
(1.5)
Three Reasons to Read this Book
Review copy kindly provided by Harry F. Rey
CWs: dubiously consensual sex, violence, past murder of a child described
Three Reasons to Read this Book
Review copy kindly provided by Harry F. Rey
CWs: dubiously consensual sex, violence, past murder of a child described
September 17, 2018
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This is a very hard one to rate. The writing is solid, the world building and characterization decently done, and it is a quick and easy read. But the book has a very strong dichotomy: it is a moody sci fi merged with gay BDSM porn. Author Rey makes it work but just be aware that both aspects are fully described in detail. In a way, since it feels so niche, it does feel a bit like a Marty Stu. But a decently written one where the sci fi aspects are just as important as the sex.Story: Ales is a courier, crossing the galaxy delivering goods that are more or less legal. Lonely and haunted by being the sole survivor of the destruction of his home planet years ago, he spends most of his days and nights in transit or hooking up with faceless men while dulling the emotional pain with hard drugs. When employed to take a shipment to a blockaded world, he knows he is flirting with serious danger this time: the contraband hidden in his cargo hold would, if found, seal his fate immediately. But then a one-night-stand on the planet turns into something far different: for he has finally found someone to master him completely and satisfy all that he has needed for so long. But his master wants much more from him than he may be ready to give.
First and foremost, this is not a romance. This is a story about an emotionally crippled person looking for the person who can give him what he needs. There are a lot of scenes of random hookups, threesomes, and BDSM. The book does not, however, feel like someone was trying to fit a story around the sex; rather, the sex is integrated into the story seamlessly so it makes a lot of sense. Nor do we have the usual hackneyed heroes or overidealized love interests. This is a cold hard exchange with no build up or sweetness. Ales as a hero uses sex as one does drugs and so the pain of a BDSM relationship is an escape or repentance - perhaps survivor guilt?
The book is an extremely fast read - really a novella rather than a full story. Finished in about an hour, it moves quickly but quite seamlessly as well. Even when we are given the main character's melancholia, the story doesn't drag. Yes, this could have been fleshed out more but for what it is, it is strangely satisfying. Admittedly, the hard core sexual descriptions weren't as interesting to me so I did skip a lot of them, making for an even faster read.
Because it is so short and does feel a bit like a Marty Stu, I think 3 stars is a fair rating. That does not reflect the writing, which is more of a 4 star. And for gay porn, BDSM style, I don't have a lot of experience but it felt authentic and organic. At no time did I feel the sci fi was an attempt to put window dressing on porn - both the sci fi and the porn aspects (really more than erotic - this is porn) were solid. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
June 5, 2020
2.5
Eh. Ok in some regards, icky in others. I'm just gonna start with my big one. There is exactly one black man in this book, the main character. He's possibly one of the few in the solar system. And his goal is to find a master to submit to in a master/slave sexual relationship. I am 100% squicked out by this. Honestly, I don't even feel like the sudden BDSM angle was well integrated into the plot. I also wouldn't call it a romance, even though there is sex in it.
I found the science fiction aspect a lot more palatable. Unfortunately, it's not particularly well developed, as it's not really the main thrust of the book. It's more just the setting for the rest of it.
The writing and editing are perfectly passable though. Some of the dreams didn't read as smoothly as the rest of the text. But I have no other complaints about the writing. All in all, I'd just call this ok.
Eh. Ok in some regards, icky in others. I'm just gonna start with my big one. There is exactly one black man in this book, the main character. He's possibly one of the few in the solar system. And his goal is to find a master to submit to in a master/slave sexual relationship. I am 100% squicked out by this. Honestly, I don't even feel like the sudden BDSM angle was well integrated into the plot. I also wouldn't call it a romance, even though there is sex in it.
I found the science fiction aspect a lot more palatable. Unfortunately, it's not particularly well developed, as it's not really the main thrust of the book. It's more just the setting for the rest of it.
The writing and editing are perfectly passable though. Some of the dreams didn't read as smoothly as the rest of the text. But I have no other complaints about the writing. All in all, I'd just call this ok.
September 17, 2018
I've been trying to think of how to review this book I finished its on Friday night but wasn't sure what to say about its and i always like to be honest in my reviews There were bit I like about its has i love a good space opera and any thing sci-fi. there bits i really didn't like really didn't but i think that's more my taste in a book not the book its self. There a lot of sex in this book which they do warm you about but I've got to be honest and I didn't realise how much there would be. I think if you do like book like that you may like this book I like books with slow burning romances and and a lot of adventure.
September 13, 2019
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This was a ok read.
I do love a good space opera but this was just not for me.
Although the characters are good I just felt the story was a bit slow with too much back history for the characters disrupting the story line.
This was a ok read.
I do love a good space opera but this was just not for me.
Although the characters are good I just felt the story was a bit slow with too much back history for the characters disrupting the story line.
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars
I’ll admit, I’m still not quite sure what to think about this book. Mixed feelings is the best way to describe how I felt about most of this book. Let me just say, I feel like this book is a commentary on perception vs. reality, as I spent most of this book questioning everything and everyone in it.
Take the main character for example. I alternated between disliking Ales to loving him. He’d start by coming across as a one-dimensional asshole and then we’d see a glimpse of his past or he’d show his heroic side, and I’d love him. This happened throughout the book, though the more I learned about him, the more I understood why he was acting the way he did, which just made me care even more. Though just when I felt like I’d gotten to know Ales…there was a bit of a surprise kick in the epilogue that left me questioning what I thought I knew about him. Though I kind of liked the potential side of his character being revealed and where it could go from there…
We didn’t get to spend much time with the other characters, and what time we did spend seemed to introduce differing ideas on who these characters actually were. Take Turo for example. What he was first portrayed as versus how I saw him at the end of the book…very different.
As for the plot, it was varied, alternating between fast-paced action and slower inner reflection/character building, with twists and turns I never saw coming, which kept the story thrilling. Unfortunately, at times this left me trying to figure out what the heck just happened or what this meant. A few times I even had to re-read parts to try and figure out how the heck we got to there because it felt so out of left field.
Part of this I think is due to the fact that details about this world were woven into the action, rather than having a world-setting scene near the beginning of the book. Stuff was thrown at you from beginning to end, which felt a bit rushed and less thought out, as it seemed like “oh yeah, here’s something crucial about this world you didn’t know until now 90% into the book, we need to fix this plot hole.” On the other hand, I also liked this approach because the way things were explained really helped show Ales’ character and kept the story moving.
While I had mixed feelings about the execution of this book, I enjoyed it and am super excited for a sequel, especially with the potential future storylines introduced at the end. I highly recommend giving this book a try if you’re into more unconventional stories or sci-fi. The writing/storytelling style won’t be for everyone, but it’s worth a try for the adventure lying in wait.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I’ll admit, I’m still not quite sure what to think about this book. Mixed feelings is the best way to describe how I felt about most of this book. Let me just say, I feel like this book is a commentary on perception vs. reality, as I spent most of this book questioning everything and everyone in it.
Take the main character for example. I alternated between disliking Ales to loving him. He’d start by coming across as a one-dimensional asshole and then we’d see a glimpse of his past or he’d show his heroic side, and I’d love him. This happened throughout the book, though the more I learned about him, the more I understood why he was acting the way he did, which just made me care even more. Though just when I felt like I’d gotten to know Ales…there was a bit of a surprise kick in the epilogue that left me questioning what I thought I knew about him. Though I kind of liked the potential side of his character being revealed and where it could go from there…
We didn’t get to spend much time with the other characters, and what time we did spend seemed to introduce differing ideas on who these characters actually were. Take Turo for example. What he was first portrayed as versus how I saw him at the end of the book…very different.
As for the plot, it was varied, alternating between fast-paced action and slower inner reflection/character building, with twists and turns I never saw coming, which kept the story thrilling. Unfortunately, at times this left me trying to figure out what the heck just happened or what this meant. A few times I even had to re-read parts to try and figure out how the heck we got to there because it felt so out of left field.
Part of this I think is due to the fact that details about this world were woven into the action, rather than having a world-setting scene near the beginning of the book. Stuff was thrown at you from beginning to end, which felt a bit rushed and less thought out, as it seemed like “oh yeah, here’s something crucial about this world you didn’t know until now 90% into the book, we need to fix this plot hole.” On the other hand, I also liked this approach because the way things were explained really helped show Ales’ character and kept the story moving.
While I had mixed feelings about the execution of this book, I enjoyed it and am super excited for a sequel, especially with the potential future storylines introduced at the end. I highly recommend giving this book a try if you’re into more unconventional stories or sci-fi. The writing/storytelling style won’t be for everyone, but it’s worth a try for the adventure lying in wait.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 21, 2018
A guy waits for a hookup that never shows. Being jealous and lusting after an exes new lover and new life, and being drawn into shady schemes by a mysterious, sexy stranger you met online. It's a typical day in the life of any gay guy, but this is in space, at the edge of the galaxy, and he is a space captain.
What grabbed me first was the realism of it all. Captain Ales narrates the story, and he feels like such an ordinary, relatable person. He hates his job, he hates his boss, who is a heterosapien, eg an alien, as opposed to a homosapien. But since they are so common and the Earth is not a factor in this story it would be weird to call them aliens. It's just one of the clever details the author drops in that adds so much texture and realness to this world. Well, it's bigger than a world. It's an entire galaxy.
I love space opera but I often feel when mm romance meets sci fi you lose out on one side or the other. Not with Siege Weapons. I thought it was a wonderfully enjoyable erotic MM romance book packed with a well developed, plot driven space opera novella. The adventure spills out page after page with thrilling twists and high stakes and it leaves you wanting more.
This is the first book in The Galactic Captains series, and it feels like the start of an incredible gay space epic I can't wait to read more of.
What grabbed me first was the realism of it all. Captain Ales narrates the story, and he feels like such an ordinary, relatable person. He hates his job, he hates his boss, who is a heterosapien, eg an alien, as opposed to a homosapien. But since they are so common and the Earth is not a factor in this story it would be weird to call them aliens. It's just one of the clever details the author drops in that adds so much texture and realness to this world. Well, it's bigger than a world. It's an entire galaxy.
I love space opera but I often feel when mm romance meets sci fi you lose out on one side or the other. Not with Siege Weapons. I thought it was a wonderfully enjoyable erotic MM romance book packed with a well developed, plot driven space opera novella. The adventure spills out page after page with thrilling twists and high stakes and it leaves you wanting more.
This is the first book in The Galactic Captains series, and it feels like the start of an incredible gay space epic I can't wait to read more of.
September 19, 2018
I got this book for free from NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions on this book are my own.
I don't enjoy romance unless it's got a strong subplot, and Siege Weapons absolutely does. It's tightly paced, excellently written, and it's at its heart a story not only of love or intergalactic war, but of an outsider whose home planet has been destroyed, who spends his time searching for a place that could be home, and the surprising places that offer it.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I took a star away for a few instances where I wasn't sold on the protagonist's consent, but the author addresses them in a mostly convincing way after the fact, so it isn't as bad as it could have been.
Read the full review on my blog:
https://thepapervalley.wordpress.com/...
I don't enjoy romance unless it's got a strong subplot, and Siege Weapons absolutely does. It's tightly paced, excellently written, and it's at its heart a story not only of love or intergalactic war, but of an outsider whose home planet has been destroyed, who spends his time searching for a place that could be home, and the surprising places that offer it.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I took a star away for a few instances where I wasn't sold on the protagonist's consent, but the author addresses them in a mostly convincing way after the fact, so it isn't as bad as it could have been.
Read the full review on my blog:
https://thepapervalley.wordpress.com/...
May 31, 2022
DNF. Read everything but the last chapter. The story felt very rushed, with little time or detail spent on major plot points and characters. A high priestess-type character is mentioned a few times before we meet her, for what feels like two minutes of story. The sex scenes are clunky and written like uninspired pillow talk. My quest for quality queer sci-fi continues!
October 29, 2018
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
4.5 stars
I don’t know what exactly I expected after the blurb, but “Siege Weapons” definitely surprised me.
This is one of the publisher’s “literary/genre” titles, so this is more Sci Fi with a gay MC than anything else. Which is something I’m always on the lookout for, so yay. There are several explicit sex scenes, with pretty heavy BDSM in the second half, but no real romance to speak of. The sex was hot but I can see how the BDSM elements might make some people uncomfortable. They aren’t really of the “safe, sane, consensual” sort, even if there’s no rape in this story – past or present.
Ales is a complicated man. I think we barely touched the surface of his personality. There were so many layers of him and new sides kept popping up that I really didn’t expect. I’m not sure I actually liked him in a traditional way, though I certainly cared for him. He’s the most important person of the story and we don’t learn much about the other characters, which don’t get much on-page time.
I like my books to be angsty, so I’ve read some pretty dark stuff. But “Siege Weapons” is a whole different kind of heavy. The flashbacks to Ales’ past really made my hair stand on end. And even though this is set in the distant future, it reminded me a great deal of how our world works atm. I was close to choking up once or twice, which very rarely happens.
The world building was really interesting. We meet all kinds of aliens or “homos”, as they’re called in this universe. Ales could probably called a racist, so a lot of that experience is coloured by his rather negative emotions. We also get a lot of space travel and intergalactic politics. It’s a wonder how the author managed to fit all of those elements into such a short book and make it all seem so natural.
The plot has a pretty good balance between fast-paced action scenes with a fair bit of violence and quiet introspection. There were quite a few twists and turns and that epilogue was very unexpected.
Overall, I really, really liked “Siege Weapons”. It’s solid Sci Fi with a gay MC with a lot of issues. There’s sex, but no real romance. If that’s the sort of thing that makes you sit up and pay attention, then I believe this book is for you. If, however, you’re on the hunt for a solid romance set in space, then you’ll probably want to keep looking.
Personally, I’m really looking forward to the next part in the series. I want to know what happens next!
The cover by Natasha Snow is pretty cool and gives you the right idea about the contents of the book.
4.5 stars
I don’t know what exactly I expected after the blurb, but “Siege Weapons” definitely surprised me.
This is one of the publisher’s “literary/genre” titles, so this is more Sci Fi with a gay MC than anything else. Which is something I’m always on the lookout for, so yay. There are several explicit sex scenes, with pretty heavy BDSM in the second half, but no real romance to speak of. The sex was hot but I can see how the BDSM elements might make some people uncomfortable. They aren’t really of the “safe, sane, consensual” sort, even if there’s no rape in this story – past or present.
Ales is a complicated man. I think we barely touched the surface of his personality. There were so many layers of him and new sides kept popping up that I really didn’t expect. I’m not sure I actually liked him in a traditional way, though I certainly cared for him. He’s the most important person of the story and we don’t learn much about the other characters, which don’t get much on-page time.
I like my books to be angsty, so I’ve read some pretty dark stuff. But “Siege Weapons” is a whole different kind of heavy. The flashbacks to Ales’ past really made my hair stand on end. And even though this is set in the distant future, it reminded me a great deal of how our world works atm. I was close to choking up once or twice, which very rarely happens.
The world building was really interesting. We meet all kinds of aliens or “homos”, as they’re called in this universe. Ales could probably called a racist, so a lot of that experience is coloured by his rather negative emotions. We also get a lot of space travel and intergalactic politics. It’s a wonder how the author managed to fit all of those elements into such a short book and make it all seem so natural.
The plot has a pretty good balance between fast-paced action scenes with a fair bit of violence and quiet introspection. There were quite a few twists and turns and that epilogue was very unexpected.
Overall, I really, really liked “Siege Weapons”. It’s solid Sci Fi with a gay MC with a lot of issues. There’s sex, but no real romance. If that’s the sort of thing that makes you sit up and pay attention, then I believe this book is for you. If, however, you’re on the hunt for a solid romance set in space, then you’ll probably want to keep looking.
Personally, I’m really looking forward to the next part in the series. I want to know what happens next!
The cover by Natasha Snow is pretty cool and gives you the right idea about the contents of the book.
June 4, 2020
Sci-fi done right.
A great start to what I think will make a wonderful Sci-fi series with elements of queer romance added to the mix ( *nerd nirvana +yaoi shipper fantasy).
The story follows the adventures of Ales- captain smuggler and the only remaining member of his race as he gets tangled in a web of conspiracy, pirate trade, galaxy politics and an ongoing siege.
In under 150pgs, the author builds up a wonderful galactic world of the future, people of different races ( Homosapien and Heterosapien HRF. ), Advanced technology, suspense and romance, whilst also tracing the story of Ales- his past and his struggle to identify.
The author's writing style complements the fast paced plot and the amount of research that must have gone into describing the world of MAST drives and cosmic radiation is indeed commendable. As the plot progresses, the detailed descriptions help unfold a whole new sci-fi world that is enthralling but similar in some aspects to the earthly realm we currently habitate.
Highly recommend. *Heads out to binge read book#2*
A great start to what I think will make a wonderful Sci-fi series with elements of queer romance added to the mix ( *nerd nirvana +yaoi shipper fantasy).
The story follows the adventures of Ales- captain smuggler and the only remaining member of his race as he gets tangled in a web of conspiracy, pirate trade, galaxy politics and an ongoing siege.
In under 150pgs, the author builds up a wonderful galactic world of the future, people of different races ( Homosapien and Heterosapien HRF. ), Advanced technology, suspense and romance, whilst also tracing the story of Ales- his past and his struggle to identify.
The author's writing style complements the fast paced plot and the amount of research that must have gone into describing the world of MAST drives and cosmic radiation is indeed commendable. As the plot progresses, the detailed descriptions help unfold a whole new sci-fi world that is enthralling but similar in some aspects to the earthly realm we currently habitate.
|"We had no idea if there was life beyond our galaxy. Yet with enough strife and war going on inside it, few people really cared what might be going on out there. If there was life somewhere else, and I figured there must be, it was probably pretty similar to life here; nasty, brutish, and all too often, cut short."|
Highly recommend. *Heads out to binge read book#2*
February 13, 2023
2.5
Depressing, rushed, and disjointed.
A little confusing, way too much new information delivered in hyper speed, no way to take all that in.
Still, the writing in itself isn't bad, it just needed more time to breathe.
Also I'm very serious about how depressing this is. The main character is broken, and he's not really fixed in the end, even if it is a kind of happy for now scenario, inside he's not really a hundred percent.
Also we never really got to know anything about the other MC, he's introduced, apparently falls instantly in love, and that's that. It happens way to fast for me to either get to know him, or to feel any tension between them. It was seriously lacking in buildup.
But pretty good sex.
I'm very ambivalent if I'm going to read more of this author. I liked the sex, but I needed more. And the depressing aura hovering over the main MC is really hard to take.
Not to mention all that disjointed hyper speed storytelling that is also hard to care about, even if the writing in itself isn't bad.
Hmm.. I seriously don't know.
It isn't good, but it isn't too bad either. It has potential, and it's hard to know if his other books would get better, or if it's more of the same?
Depressing, rushed, and disjointed.
A little confusing, way too much new information delivered in hyper speed, no way to take all that in.
Still, the writing in itself isn't bad, it just needed more time to breathe.
Also I'm very serious about how depressing this is. The main character is broken, and he's not really fixed in the end, even if it is a kind of happy for now scenario, inside he's not really a hundred percent.
Also we never really got to know anything about the other MC, he's introduced, apparently falls instantly in love, and that's that. It happens way to fast for me to either get to know him, or to feel any tension between them. It was seriously lacking in buildup.
But pretty good sex.
I'm very ambivalent if I'm going to read more of this author. I liked the sex, but I needed more. And the depressing aura hovering over the main MC is really hard to take.
Not to mention all that disjointed hyper speed storytelling that is also hard to care about, even if the writing in itself isn't bad.
Hmm.. I seriously don't know.
It isn't good, but it isn't too bad either. It has potential, and it's hard to know if his other books would get better, or if it's more of the same?
April 20, 2019
Great story
I have to laugh at the title now that I know where it comes from in part at least.
I really like this story. The characters are flawed and have history, but they’re excellent because of that. Not one is this perfect hero. They’ve all done questionable things and yet in the end they do what seems to be the right thing.
Ales was a great character and I sympathize with him. Being the last of his race made him make difficult decisions, but he did what he had to in order to survive.
I’m not sure how I feel about Turo and Ukko. I like and dislike them at the same time for various reasons, but I think in the end overall I do like them because of how they are portrayed. Homosapiens don’t always have the best motives or ideals, but it’s what makes us human.
I have to laugh at the title now that I know where it comes from in part at least.
I really like this story. The characters are flawed and have history, but they’re excellent because of that. Not one is this perfect hero. They’ve all done questionable things and yet in the end they do what seems to be the right thing.
Ales was a great character and I sympathize with him. Being the last of his race made him make difficult decisions, but he did what he had to in order to survive.
I’m not sure how I feel about Turo and Ukko. I like and dislike them at the same time for various reasons, but I think in the end overall I do like them because of how they are portrayed. Homosapiens don’t always have the best motives or ideals, but it’s what makes us human.
July 1, 2019
I should read dustcovers before blindly starting LGBTQ+ books...
The content warning at the beginning is no lie: this contains some explicit M4M material. What the content warning was lacking is that most of those encounters are of the BDSM variety. While generally not my kink (and one scene in particular was beyond my comfort zone) I enjoyed this book. It's set in an interesting universe with broken, but believable, characters that set the stage for the steamy scenes -- which is a lovely contrast to some M4M fiction which is all about the steamy scenes and end up with cardboard characters and incredibly flimsy worlds and plots.
The content warning at the beginning is no lie: this contains some explicit M4M material. What the content warning was lacking is that most of those encounters are of the BDSM variety. While generally not my kink (and one scene in particular was beyond my comfort zone) I enjoyed this book. It's set in an interesting universe with broken, but believable, characters that set the stage for the steamy scenes -- which is a lovely contrast to some M4M fiction which is all about the steamy scenes and end up with cardboard characters and incredibly flimsy worlds and plots.
April 4, 2019
Ales is the last of his race. A space smuggler. Looking for love in all the wrong places.
Turo, could be a good guy or a bad guy. Whatever he is he just wants to be Ales’ master.
This was the start of what could be a very interesting series. SciFi with a hefty dose of kink. It was hard to really like either main character. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. The space travel is beyond my scope of understanding but sounds plausible. I pretty sure Ales is going to change the universe. I’m really hoping their story plays out more in future books.
Turo, could be a good guy or a bad guy. Whatever he is he just wants to be Ales’ master.
This was the start of what could be a very interesting series. SciFi with a hefty dose of kink. It was hard to really like either main character. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. The space travel is beyond my scope of understanding but sounds plausible. I pretty sure Ales is going to change the universe. I’m really hoping their story plays out more in future books.
November 2, 2020
Excellent! Space opera, kinky erotica and world building at its finest. I am impressed with Rey’s writing, so realistic so believable for a created universe. I so love a good space opera, and this delivers. There is interplanetary action, intrigue, and suspense. Throw in a character like Ales, a smuggler, a scoundrel, yet lonely and looking for that person to fulfill his needs, makes for one hot read. And like a true space opera saga, the story continues.
September 21, 2018
Recieved from Netgalley. A story about a lost smuggler in space, with plenty of smut moments, a little action and a lot of feelings. Ales was as broken as they come, not sure if I liked the stuff with Ukko. I liked the plot. I did like Turo. I liked the little dream/memory bits too. Favourite non smut bit would be Jally.
November 17, 2018
An enjoyable, sexy read. I really felt for Captain Ales and his loneliness at being the last of his people. I'm glad he found a happy ending...though I feel like his dalliances with Ukko might jeopardize that. Maybe we'll find out in a sequel?
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2018
You can read my full review of “Siege Weapons” at my web site.
April 10, 2019
I love science fiction and erotica, and this is all of that and more. it's a quick fun read with some heat. I loved Ales, he's a great character. would def recommend this book!
January 10, 2022
Dnf'd at 53% or more precisely the boot licking submission. No thank you.
July 1, 2019
Seige Weapons is fine in terms of enjoyment but is a mixed bag overall, albeit with lots of potential. The strongest elements of this novella are the world-building and the complex character(s) (in all honestly, only Ales showed any complexity). I really loved the tidbits about the history of the world as well as the societal context of "homosapiens" and "heterosapiens." Rey's writing is also clean and easily accessible, making it quite easy to speed through.
I think this work would have been a lot stronger as a full-length novel. I felt like I didn't really get a nuanced sense of the powers fighting against each other and their motivations. A deeper exploration into this would have solidified the "high-stakes" atmosphere. However, what was most jarring to me was
Despite some of the flaws, I am still interested in how this series will progress, and I look forward to more world-building and deeper character development, especially for the other side characters.
I think this work would have been a lot stronger as a full-length novel. I felt like I didn't really get a nuanced sense of the powers fighting against each other and their motivations. A deeper exploration into this would have solidified the "high-stakes" atmosphere. However, what was most jarring to me was
Despite some of the flaws, I am still interested in how this series will progress, and I look forward to more world-building and deeper character development, especially for the other side characters.
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