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Mind + Machine #2
The Wayward Prince
Spaceships, daring heists, and interstellar intrigue!
Since murderous AIs drove humanity from Earth more than a century before, people have been rebuilding civilization. That doesn't mean the galaxy is anywhere close to being civilized.
A liar and a scoundrel - and he's the good guy.
The thing that Captain Sebastian Garcia values most of all is his ship, The Wayward Prince, and like most of his possessions, it's something that he stole. Now the ship's original owner has found Sebastian and he's looking to collect what he's owed.
When you want something stolen, call a professional.
Ren is someone Sebastian never expected to see again, and the one he never could forget. But Ren's not offering forgiveness. Unless Sebastian can pull off an impossible heist on a distant planet he'll lose everything - including a second chance with the man he once betrayed and still cares for.
Since murderous AIs drove humanity from Earth more than a century before, people have been rebuilding civilization. That doesn't mean the galaxy is anywhere close to being civilized.
A liar and a scoundrel - and he's the good guy.
The thing that Captain Sebastian Garcia values most of all is his ship, The Wayward Prince, and like most of his possessions, it's something that he stole. Now the ship's original owner has found Sebastian and he's looking to collect what he's owed.
When you want something stolen, call a professional.
Ren is someone Sebastian never expected to see again, and the one he never could forget. But Ren's not offering forgiveness. Unless Sebastian can pull off an impossible heist on a distant planet he'll lose everything - including a second chance with the man he once betrayed and still cares for.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2018
66 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Hanna Dare
22 books114 followersHanna Dare writes what she loves to read: well-written, character-driven stories of men exploring their identities and discovering their own unique kind of happily ever afters… usually through sexytimes. Find Hanna on the internet enjoying pretty pictures, procrastination and caffeinated beverages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
February 23, 2019
4 Stars
I think I must have Firefly goggles on….
Apparently, I’m a fan of space and smugglers and a motley crew of outcasts with their own code of honor and their own brand of family.
This time around, the focus is on Captain Sebastian Garcia (aka Captain Mal Reynolds), and I dug his charming personality, his on-the-fly ability to adapt to any situation. Though he may project he’s all about nonchalant charisma with nary a care in the universe, Sebastian holds deep inside all his failings and regrets. He’s not a bad person per se, but he’s done some not so nice things.
One of those things was charming a prince and relieving (ok, really stealing) him of his ship, for all good intentions and purposes of course. Prince Ren comes looking for Sebastian, not necessarily for revenge but for help. Someone stole a priceless artifact from his home planet, and Sebastian’s loose morals, profiteering self is just the guy for getting it back in return for not going to jail.
This was not as serious and gritty as the first installment and sadly, nowhere near as smexy. WTH Ms. Dare? WTH? Anyhoo, this had a good romantic progression filled with longing and doubt, as Sebastian and Ren try to resist caring for one another again.
What this excelled at were the lighter funnier moments, the action and suspense - with me holding tight to those goggles I’ve been wearing in the useless hope of ever seeing a Firefly revival in my lifetime. However, this pretty much scratched that itch for the time being.
Obviously, I was entertained, especially relishing every scene the ship’s crew was in, slowly building everyone’s background adding layers to this quirky onion. I really enjoyed their misadventures of planning to do wrong but always ending up doing right. Looks like bounty hunter Xin, and high ranking Commonwealth agent Jonathan, are up next! Woot!
I think I must have Firefly goggles on….
Apparently, I’m a fan of space and smugglers and a motley crew of outcasts with their own code of honor and their own brand of family.
This time around, the focus is on Captain Sebastian Garcia (aka Captain Mal Reynolds), and I dug his charming personality, his on-the-fly ability to adapt to any situation. Though he may project he’s all about nonchalant charisma with nary a care in the universe, Sebastian holds deep inside all his failings and regrets. He’s not a bad person per se, but he’s done some not so nice things.
One of those things was charming a prince and relieving (ok, really stealing) him of his ship, for all good intentions and purposes of course. Prince Ren comes looking for Sebastian, not necessarily for revenge but for help. Someone stole a priceless artifact from his home planet, and Sebastian’s loose morals, profiteering self is just the guy for getting it back in return for not going to jail.
This was not as serious and gritty as the first installment and sadly, nowhere near as smexy. WTH Ms. Dare? WTH? Anyhoo, this had a good romantic progression filled with longing and doubt, as Sebastian and Ren try to resist caring for one another again.
What this excelled at were the lighter funnier moments, the action and suspense - with me holding tight to those goggles I’ve been wearing in the useless hope of ever seeing a Firefly revival in my lifetime. However, this pretty much scratched that itch for the time being.
Obviously, I was entertained, especially relishing every scene the ship’s crew was in, slowly building everyone’s background adding layers to this quirky onion. I really enjoyed their misadventures of planning to do wrong but always ending up doing right. Looks like bounty hunter Xin, and high ranking Commonwealth agent Jonathan, are up next! Woot!
March 27, 2019
***4 - 4.5 Stars***
I LURVED THIS!!!
*adds a certain rakish scoundrel turned captain of a spaceship turnedpirate -umm, smuggler- to her list of favorite characters*
No running-into-a-glass-door-vibe twists in the romance between Sebastian and Ren for me this time. It was way deeper and better developed than in the first book and the last chapters gave me all the feelz! Adding one of my favorite tropes - okay, I won't let you guess for too long: it's heists! - to the mix sooo didn't hurt either. ;-)
And with my hands rubbing in glee I'm so ready for book #3 now!!!
I LURVED THIS!!!
*adds a certain rakish scoundrel turned captain of a spaceship turned
No running-into-a-glass-door-vibe twists in the romance between Sebastian and Ren for me this time. It was way deeper and better developed than in the first book and the last chapters gave me all the feelz! Adding one of my favorite tropes - okay, I won't let you guess for too long: it's heists! - to the mix sooo didn't hurt either. ;-)
And with my hands rubbing in glee I'm so ready for book #3 now!!!
December 24, 2018
Hanna Dare certainly is on a roll because the second book in the series is still awesome. 👏 I admit that it’s not as exciting as book 1 or not that heavy in sci-fi aspect like it. However, Captain Garcia has intrigued me since book1 and I’m just happy to see him getting a happily ever after of his own. And who doesn’t like a prince as a main character in a novel? 😁 I certainly did and I loved the slow-burn tug and pull romance between Ren and Sebastian. And the palace treachery was quite intriguing. Overall, a solid sci-fi romance book with a healthy dose of space adventures and enemies to lover trope. Greatly enjoyed it. 😉
4 I love you more than my kingdom stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 I love you more than my kingdom stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 15, 2018
Just as good as the first book
Oooh this one is a fabulous piece of Sci-Fi romance and action all rolled into one.
I had no idea where the narrative was going here, unlike with book one, which had a very specific focus, but that just made it all the more enjoyable.
This is a twist on the whole fairy tale Prince riding to the rescue and it pulls elements of the unworthy heir and the rogue who finds his true value is maybe a shade lighter than the grey he's been operating under.
Lots of great fight scenes, a new villain who is still at large, a throw away reference to bounty hunter Xin and this one made me really happy.
Bring on book three!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Oooh this one is a fabulous piece of Sci-Fi romance and action all rolled into one.
I had no idea where the narrative was going here, unlike with book one, which had a very specific focus, but that just made it all the more enjoyable.
This is a twist on the whole fairy tale Prince riding to the rescue and it pulls elements of the unworthy heir and the rogue who finds his true value is maybe a shade lighter than the grey he's been operating under.
Lots of great fight scenes, a new villain who is still at large, a throw away reference to bounty hunter Xin and this one made me really happy.
Bring on book three!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
March 10, 2019
*4,5 stars*
For me book 2 felt somehow ... more romantic and somehow deeper.
The plot is definitely a lot more relationship-based and Sebastian, the Captain of the Wayward Prince, and Ren, are fabulously drawn characters.
Yes, I admit, the age gap is always something that tickles my fancy button, and the theme of a more experienced older guy with a younger, more 'innocent' one always appeals! There's also great UST going on for quite a good part of the story, and that first kiss was gorgeous! So - plenty of chemistry and sizzle there!
There is a lot of soul-searching going on for both of these guys, and they have to get past their history together. To be honest it was difficult to see how they can possibly end up together! However, Hanna Dare surprises with plot twists at every corner, and I could not believe where she eventually takes us!
So - great sci-fi with an excellent amount of heart-warming romance.
It also seems that the author turned up the dry humour in this one:
Sebastian thinks he is dying ...
"Shit," he said. Which as a last word was a bit obvious. "Fuck me to the end of time," he managed to sputter out. A little bit better.
In the moment of tense action ...
"Hurry." (Ren)
"Thank you for the suggestion. Otherwise I was planning to take my time, maybe reflect on my existence, have a snack,"Sebastian replied.
Short verdict: another hugely entertaining book!
For me book 2 felt somehow ... more romantic and somehow deeper.
The plot is definitely a lot more relationship-based and Sebastian, the Captain of the Wayward Prince, and Ren, are fabulously drawn characters.
Yes, I admit, the age gap is always something that tickles my fancy button, and the theme of a more experienced older guy with a younger, more 'innocent' one always appeals! There's also great UST going on for quite a good part of the story, and that first kiss was gorgeous! So - plenty of chemistry and sizzle there!
There is a lot of soul-searching going on for both of these guys, and they have to get past their history together. To be honest it was difficult to see how they can possibly end up together! However, Hanna Dare surprises with plot twists at every corner, and I could not believe where she eventually takes us!
So - great sci-fi with an excellent amount of heart-warming romance.
It also seems that the author turned up the dry humour in this one:
Sebastian thinks he is dying ...
"Shit," he said. Which as a last word was a bit obvious. "Fuck me to the end of time," he managed to sputter out. A little bit better.
In the moment of tense action ...
"Hurry." (Ren)
"Thank you for the suggestion. Otherwise I was planning to take my time, maybe reflect on my existence, have a snack,"Sebastian replied.
Short verdict: another hugely entertaining book!
July 2, 2019
This was such a fun read! I loved The Wayward Prince ship history, and AI Dub was so adorably sweet. There is nothing like a loyal crew of misfits that love, tease and save your neck every time you need it. I loved the bond they all shared, and all throughout the book each team member revealed just how they came to be on this awesome stolen ship smuggling goods all over galaxy.
I liked Sebastian Garcia despite his many flaws. Yes, he stole, lied, cheated and worse, and yet... he managed to live his life to the fullest, created his own family and did what he loved. He maybe a smuggler but underneath all the bravado there is a heart of gold and slightly skewed moral compass. But space can be a lonely place, and there was once a man whom he never forgot, but the chance is long gone. Or maybe not?
Prince Ren never seemed to fit. What everyone would call a charmed life filled with riches feels like gilded cage getting smaller day by day. He yearns for something more, but his one time trying left him humiliated and with a broken heart. But when unexpected events threaten his family and country, he has to seek out the man who turned his back on him. He thought that time dampened the feelings, and they were not even together that long... But one glance, and the old feelings are back.
The book is filled with dangerous flying maneuvers, sleazy criminals, royal palace intrigues and a second chance at love and life filled with adventures. After first awkwardness between Seb and Ren, both men form a truce that turns into passion in no time. I loved the daring escapes and easy humor, a little bit of angst and the worlds Ms Dare created. It was a wonderful read. I recommend it! I can't wait what to see what she comes up with next!
I liked Sebastian Garcia despite his many flaws. Yes, he stole, lied, cheated and worse, and yet... he managed to live his life to the fullest, created his own family and did what he loved. He maybe a smuggler but underneath all the bravado there is a heart of gold and slightly skewed moral compass. But space can be a lonely place, and there was once a man whom he never forgot, but the chance is long gone. Or maybe not?
Prince Ren never seemed to fit. What everyone would call a charmed life filled with riches feels like gilded cage getting smaller day by day. He yearns for something more, but his one time trying left him humiliated and with a broken heart. But when unexpected events threaten his family and country, he has to seek out the man who turned his back on him. He thought that time dampened the feelings, and they were not even together that long... But one glance, and the old feelings are back.
The book is filled with dangerous flying maneuvers, sleazy criminals, royal palace intrigues and a second chance at love and life filled with adventures. After first awkwardness between Seb and Ren, both men form a truce that turns into passion in no time. I loved the daring escapes and easy humor, a little bit of angst and the worlds Ms Dare created. It was a wonderful read. I recommend it! I can't wait what to see what she comes up with next!
November 22, 2018
3.5 stars
I’m still enjoying this series, although while reading this book I’ve realized how little I remembered about the first one, despite reading it only a few months ago and liking it so much that I finished it in one day.
It took a while for all the details about the crew and the world-building to come back, but I didn’t have any problems following the story because the relevant info was provided with brief and strategic recaps, without the massive info-dump that sometimes gets really annoying when you read a series back-to-back.
In this second book the focus is on the eclectic crew captain, Sebastian, and Ren, the man Sebastian stole the ship from a few years before.
I liked Sebastian a lot as a secondary character in the first book, but I wasn’t sure I’d stand him as an MC in his own book, so I was glad to realize that he’s not so OTT in his own head as he presents himself on the outside; he has a self-depreciating side that gives him depth without steering into insecure-mess territory. Not too much at least.
I really liked Ren as well and, while it was predictable where his character growth would take him, watching him getting there made for an entertaining read. Also, his home-planet was a great addition to the series’ world-building.
Plot-wise, this book didn’t disappoint, it has its share of action and improvised plans and I’m sure .
The only thing I would have changed is the ending. Not so much how it ended, it was pretty obvious how it would end, but how . I understood what was happening as soon as , but I kept hoping I was mistaken because for me it was frankly ridiculous.
I would have preferred . It wouldn’t have had quite the same impact, and in that respect I can see how it’s in character with Sebastian’s flair for dramatics and Ren’s desire for adventure, but I didn’t like it. Not enough to ruin the book, just an eye-rolling moment.
Don’t know how much I’ll remember about this book when the next one comes out, but I'm rounding the rating up because there’s just something about the story-telling and the characters that makes this series very much entertaining and I’m looking forward to more adventures with this crew of misfits and their cheeky, strong-headed AI.
I’m still enjoying this series, although while reading this book I’ve realized how little I remembered about the first one, despite reading it only a few months ago and liking it so much that I finished it in one day.
It took a while for all the details about the crew and the world-building to come back, but I didn’t have any problems following the story because the relevant info was provided with brief and strategic recaps, without the massive info-dump that sometimes gets really annoying when you read a series back-to-back.
In this second book the focus is on the eclectic crew captain, Sebastian, and Ren, the man Sebastian stole the ship from a few years before.
I liked Sebastian a lot as a secondary character in the first book, but I wasn’t sure I’d stand him as an MC in his own book, so I was glad to realize that he’s not so OTT in his own head as he presents himself on the outside; he has a self-depreciating side that gives him depth without steering into insecure-mess territory. Not too much at least.
I really liked Ren as well and, while it was predictable where his character growth would take him, watching him getting there made for an entertaining read. Also, his home-planet was a great addition to the series’ world-building.
Plot-wise, this book didn’t disappoint, it has its share of action and improvised plans and I’m sure .
The only thing I would have changed is the ending. Not so much how it ended, it was pretty obvious how it would end, but how . I understood what was happening as soon as , but I kept hoping I was mistaken because for me it was frankly ridiculous.
I would have preferred . It wouldn’t have had quite the same impact, and in that respect I can see how it’s in character with Sebastian’s flair for dramatics and Ren’s desire for adventure, but I didn’t like it. Not enough to ruin the book, just an eye-rolling moment.
Don’t know how much I’ll remember about this book when the next one comes out, but I'm rounding the rating up because there’s just something about the story-telling and the characters that makes this series very much entertaining and I’m looking forward to more adventures with this crew of misfits and their cheeky, strong-headed AI.
November 20, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
When this second book in the Mind + Machine series came up for review, I was quick to snatch it up. I adored the first book and I couldn’t wait to see what Dare had in store for us next. The author delivers again, and in spectacular fashion. The world building follows from the first book and continues to grow. I’m in awe of all the little nuances and additions the author has included to really immerse the reader in this world.
This book really can’t be read as a standalone. Even though there’s enough detail to know what happened in the first book (and without boring exposition, which is a complete plus) it’s a continuation in a way. With different MCs at the center, and a whole new job/mystery to unravel, it almost works on it’s own. But there are a bits and pieces that are much more appreciated having read Machine Metal Magic, especially the last quarter of this book. So do yourself a favor and read them both.
I loved the dichotomy between the MCs. Sebastian has always had bad luck, and he’s done a lot of disreputable things. He’s charming and engaging, and he’s the king of fun, snarky banter. Part of that is a front to hide his insecurities and how he knows he’s unworthy. I truly appreciated his layers, and the way the author fleshed his character out in a natural way.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
When this second book in the Mind + Machine series came up for review, I was quick to snatch it up. I adored the first book and I couldn’t wait to see what Dare had in store for us next. The author delivers again, and in spectacular fashion. The world building follows from the first book and continues to grow. I’m in awe of all the little nuances and additions the author has included to really immerse the reader in this world.
This book really can’t be read as a standalone. Even though there’s enough detail to know what happened in the first book (and without boring exposition, which is a complete plus) it’s a continuation in a way. With different MCs at the center, and a whole new job/mystery to unravel, it almost works on it’s own. But there are a bits and pieces that are much more appreciated having read Machine Metal Magic, especially the last quarter of this book. So do yourself a favor and read them both.
I loved the dichotomy between the MCs. Sebastian has always had bad luck, and he’s done a lot of disreputable things. He’s charming and engaging, and he’s the king of fun, snarky banter. Part of that is a front to hide his insecurities and how he knows he’s unworthy. I truly appreciated his layers, and the way the author fleshed his character out in a natural way.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
dnf
June 26, 2019DNF @ 35%
I set this aside for a month before picking it back up to give it another chance. But it's just not working for me. I'm not sure why. I'm not a huge fan of heist stories, and I think I was permanently spoiled for them by Six of Crows -- nothing could top that, so I don't have much patience for lesser efforts. Also, I'm finding these characters annoying rather than interesting.
It makes me grumpy to quit, because I actually preordered this, after enjoying the first in the series. But it would make me even grumpier to keep reading, so…
I set this aside for a month before picking it back up to give it another chance. But it's just not working for me. I'm not sure why. I'm not a huge fan of heist stories, and I think I was permanently spoiled for them by Six of Crows -- nothing could top that, so I don't have much patience for lesser efforts. Also, I'm finding these characters annoying rather than interesting.
It makes me grumpy to quit, because I actually preordered this, after enjoying the first in the series. But it would make me even grumpier to keep reading, so…
December 9, 2018
Another lovely sci-fi romance from Hanna Dare. This one between the captain of the infamous smuggling spaceship, Sebastian, and the runaway prince, Ren.
These two have a bit of a history. That infamous smuggling ship? It actually belongs to Ren because Sebastianstole smuggled it away while leaving Ren warm and toasty in his bed. 😒
So who does Ren turn to first when he needs a stolen royal heirloom recovered? ☠️ There be pirates ahoy!
:-)))
I have to say, the romance in this one was really good. There was also plenty of action and some heart stopping scenes. The intrigue just added the icing on the cake.
My only complaint is the amount of line errors/typos in the book. It needs a good copy editing before it's ready for publication.
3.5 stars rounded down because of those typos.
These two have a bit of a history. That infamous smuggling ship? It actually belongs to Ren because Sebastian
So who does Ren turn to first when he needs a stolen royal heirloom recovered? ☠️ There be pirates ahoy!
:-)))
I have to say, the romance in this one was really good. There was also plenty of action and some heart stopping scenes. The intrigue just added the icing on the cake.
My only complaint is the amount of line errors/typos in the book. It needs a good copy editing before it's ready for publication.
3.5 stars rounded down because of those typos.
August 2, 2019
Hm. I really wish I did love this series more. The thing that makes me feel so mean that I don't is that it is quite likely that I would have devoured this idk 6 years ago. But 6 years are a lot of books under the bridge and though there is absolutely nothing wrong with the books, they just don't wow me that much because this kind of story is not really new to me. In addition to that I made myself wait until book 3 is out because I wanted to read them back to back. By that I may have jinxed myself a little because I was so much looking forward to the series as a special treat.
So that absolutely can mean that it's me and not the books. They are solidly written with more than a handful of great one-liners and likeably characters. The story flows nicely and if you are in the market for books with a certain Firefly vibe, you will enjoy them.
So that absolutely can mean that it's me and not the books. They are solidly written with more than a handful of great one-liners and likeably characters. The story flows nicely and if you are in the market for books with a certain Firefly vibe, you will enjoy them.
February 12, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Ren needs to find an important relic for his monarchy and asks Sebastian and his crew of "The Wayward Prince" for help. He does have a bit of a past with Sebastian, though.
On an adventurous heist to steal the relic and bring it back to Ren's home world, they work through their trust issues.
This was a mostly fast paced story, most of the characters were interesting, and especially Sebastian was awesome.
I usually rate books that I could imagine to read again 4 or 5 stars. I don't think I would feel the need to read this book again, but I can really not find any fault in it to rate it down - so 4 stars it is despite a spark I am missing.
This story had very little descriptive sex, which I highly appreciate!
Edit-errors: words missing in sentences about every 4 to 5 pages.
Humor: n/a
General writing style: 4 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 3 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Annoy factors: barely any. 4.5 stars
R-rated content: a couple short and mostly brushed over scenes
Narration: 3rd Sebastian & Ren alternating POV, past tense
Main Location: spaceship and planets, some several hundred years in the future
Main protagonists: Sebastian Garcia, Captain of a smuggler crew, 35;
Ren, Prince, 25, LGBTQ+ spectrum was not considered worth mentioning (best kind of MM romance!)
Ren needs to find an important relic for his monarchy and asks Sebastian and his crew of "The Wayward Prince" for help. He does have a bit of a past with Sebastian, though.
On an adventurous heist to steal the relic and bring it back to Ren's home world, they work through their trust issues.
This was a mostly fast paced story, most of the characters were interesting, and especially Sebastian was awesome.
I usually rate books that I could imagine to read again 4 or 5 stars. I don't think I would feel the need to read this book again, but I can really not find any fault in it to rate it down - so 4 stars it is despite a spark I am missing.
This story had very little descriptive sex, which I highly appreciate!
Edit-errors: words missing in sentences about every 4 to 5 pages.
Humor: n/a
General writing style: 4 stars
Story line idea: 4 stars
Story line execution: 3 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Annoy factors: barely any. 4.5 stars
R-rated content: a couple short and mostly brushed over scenes
Narration: 3rd Sebastian & Ren alternating POV, past tense
Main Location: spaceship and planets, some several hundred years in the future
Main protagonists: Sebastian Garcia, Captain of a smuggler crew, 35;
Ren, Prince, 25, LGBTQ+ spectrum was not considered worth mentioning (best kind of MM romance!)
January 13, 2021
I really like this universe!
May 24, 2019
3.5 stars
The first book showed a lot of promise, and this one continues to build on that. It still reads a lot like Firefly fanfic (with some Skynet shenanigans thrown in) but I'm enjoying it. Capt. Sebastian is still firmly rooted as Capt. Malcolm Reynolds in my mind, and Mags as Zoe and Simi as Kaylee. The other characters I have no issues seeing as themselves, but they also don't get as much page time, though we did get to know Lydia a bit more in this one. We also get to see Rylan and Jaime, but the focus of this book is Sebastian and his one-time lover Ren, from whom he stole his ship. Ren has a job for Sebastian and his crew - stealing back the Heart of Arcadia, the literal family jewel and heirloom to the monarchy.
Of course, things go wrong and there's much hijinks, and that was all fun. But I mostly enjoyed seeing more into Sebastian's head and getting to know Ren, who we meet here for the first time. Sebastian's got a lot of guilt over stealing the ship and running out on Ren the first time and is determined to make it up to him. Ren's trying to figure out where he fits in the 'verse, since finding the Heart of Arcadia will throw some complications into his life he'd rather avoid. The romance is pretty standard as far as M/M goes, but the MCs are engaging.
The first book showed a lot of promise, and this one continues to build on that. It still reads a lot like Firefly fanfic (with some Skynet shenanigans thrown in) but I'm enjoying it. Capt. Sebastian is still firmly rooted as Capt. Malcolm Reynolds in my mind, and Mags as Zoe and Simi as Kaylee. The other characters I have no issues seeing as themselves, but they also don't get as much page time, though we did get to know Lydia a bit more in this one. We also get to see Rylan and Jaime, but the focus of this book is Sebastian and his one-time lover Ren, from whom he stole his ship. Ren has a job for Sebastian and his crew - stealing back the Heart of Arcadia, the literal family jewel and heirloom to the monarchy.
Of course, things go wrong and there's much hijinks, and that was all fun. But I mostly enjoyed seeing more into Sebastian's head and getting to know Ren, who we meet here for the first time. Sebastian's got a lot of guilt over stealing the ship and running out on Ren the first time and is determined to make it up to him. Ren's trying to figure out where he fits in the 'verse, since finding the Heart of Arcadia will throw some complications into his life he'd rather avoid. The romance is pretty standard as far as M/M goes, but the MCs are engaging.
April 11, 2020
3.5/4 ⭐
Not as good as the first one, less tech-y, but still a good book!
Not as good as the first one, less tech-y, but still a good book!
November 25, 2018
Twisty plot and jaunty writing. I sure liked the space adventure parts of this book, but had a slightly harder time buying into the romance parts. This is a great series, though, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment. After all, there's still a bad guy to catch!
April 1, 2022
3.5 Stars
Review:
Sebastian was my fave character in the first book. A thief, a smuggler, but always so dramatic, and entertainingly so. I love it. He also endeared himself to me in the first book when he tried to protect his crew, rather than take them down with him. He’s a rakish rogue with questionable morals and some mistakes in his past but ultimately a good heart. So I was really happy to see him get his own story and happy ending.
I also liked Ren. He was a good person. Now that I’m thinking about it, he actually just felt kinda like a normal person, in a good way. Somewhat relatable, despite being a prince, which balanced Sebastian’s flair.
The story had its fun moments. The romance was sort of a second chance romance with a bit of angst, and I do love angst. I got to know Sebastian a bit more. I got to know the whole crew a bit more, actually. There was kind of a heist. There were space adventures. Overall, it was another enjoyable sci-fi romance book!
*Even though each book in this series focuses on different characters and functions as a standalone, I recommend reading them in order, or you might be lost in regards to the world and character/relationship backgrounds.*
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Hanna Dare's Mind + Machine series. Anyone who likes adventures in space, quirky found family space crews, m/m romance, and second chance romance.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
Sebastian was my fave character in the first book. A thief, a smuggler, but always so dramatic, and entertainingly so. I love it. He also endeared himself to me in the first book when he tried to protect his crew, rather than take them down with him. He’s a rakish rogue with questionable morals and some mistakes in his past but ultimately a good heart. So I was really happy to see him get his own story and happy ending.
I also liked Ren. He was a good person. Now that I’m thinking about it, he actually just felt kinda like a normal person, in a good way. Somewhat relatable, despite being a prince, which balanced Sebastian’s flair.
The story had its fun moments. The romance was sort of a second chance romance with a bit of angst, and I do love angst. I got to know Sebastian a bit more. I got to know the whole crew a bit more, actually. There was kind of a heist. There were space adventures. Overall, it was another enjoyable sci-fi romance book!
*Even though each book in this series focuses on different characters and functions as a standalone, I recommend reading them in order, or you might be lost in regards to the world and character/relationship backgrounds.*
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Hanna Dare's Mind + Machine series. Anyone who likes adventures in space, quirky found family space crews, m/m romance, and second chance romance.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
April 16, 2022
3.5 stars
Entertaining hokum. I fell for the dry humour in a big way:
The writing was 4*, but let down by the plots, which each occupy half the book with little organic connection between them. They are also resolved too glibly. The central relationship is - well, it's not central, for a start, since the book's just a bit too plot-heavy, and most of the emotional heft seems to have happened off-page four years earlier.
Still, I liked this enough to look out another by Hanna Dare.
Entertaining hokum. I fell for the dry humour in a big way:
“Rylan doesn’t kill people,” Sebastian put in helpfully. “He is, however, perfectly willing to shoot them in slightly less lethal areas and punch them into unconsciousness. It’s a moral gray area that we try to work within.”or
Ren sighed. “That was a joke, Sebastian.”
“It was an excellent one, Your Worship. We may need to work on your delivery — just a shade too much dead in the deadpan.”
The writing was 4*, but let down by the plots, which each occupy half the book with little organic connection between them. They are also resolved too glibly. The central relationship is - well, it's not central, for a start, since the book's just a bit too plot-heavy, and most of the emotional heft seems to have happened off-page four years earlier.
Still, I liked this enough to look out another by Hanna Dare.
November 24, 2018
Captain Sebastian Garcia has an ex problem. Mostly in that he has a lot of them, and most of them are not particularly fond of him. This is exemplified in Ren, a young man who he met, seduced, and then stole from, years earlier. The prize he stole? His ship, The Wayward Prince. Now Ren is back and looking for Sebastian to help him out with a little problem. The problem? Well, Ren is need of a group of morally ambiguous people to help him steal back a gem from Ren’s homeworld that has gone missing. The payment? A withdrawal of the bounty on the ship and Sebastian. As well as enough credits to keep the crew in cheap coffee and dubious alcohol for a while. With an offer like that, what could Sebastian say but yes? If only things stayed that simple…
I was pretty sold on this story when I realized I was going to get a jewel-heist in space. That is just…all kinds of yes. But while that didn’t take up nearly as much page time as I thought it would, I found the story beneath and around it to be compelling enough to not really care.
First off, this was all kinds of fun. Spaceships, jewel-heists, exes coming back from the past, and double dealing going on in the shadows. Can’t really say no to any of that.
This story takes a lot of the elements of the first book in the series and draws them closer in so it is not so dependent on this cosmic-danger, but instead on things vital to a smaller group of people. Ren’s world needs the jewel, Sebastian wants to help Ren out, and the crew would really like to get paid. I never really felt like the fate of the universe was held in the balance, and I liked that. The jewel does becomes a bit of a MacGuffin, but since the action it propels thru the story is so entertaining, I can’t say I care all that much. I really like scifi stories like this, that make the stakes more personal to the characters and don’t focus so much on big cosmic, life-ending matters.
I’ve also become increasingly intrigued by the universe in which this series is set. As I learn more about the Singularity and its ramifications on the humans left in the aftermath, I find myself desperately wanting to know more. This world where technology exists, but alongside it is a deep-seated fear of AI, is very compelling. We don’t get a lot more information in this second book, but it certainly builds on the ideas presented in the beginning of the series. I can only hope that we get more books set here so that I can learn more. What had started off as an interesting idea is growing into something truly fascinating.
Lastly I think the two romantic leads in this story were very well done. Not as nearly combustible as Rylan and Jamie in Machine Metal Magic, but the more quieter pining between Ren and Sebastian is still great to watch. Their somewhat interesting pasts makes for a good set of obstacles to overcome, and as the trust between them grows you can really start to see a viable connection between them start to take hold. There chemistry is never in doubt, but by the end there is finally a foundation for something deeper and more lasting.
I can’t help but recommend this book to lovers of scifi, especially if you are in the mood for something a bit lighter. It has some very compelling ideas going on in the background dealing with science and technology–and how humans react to it–but is also good at focusing on characters that make you connect with the story on the whole. This series is probably best read in sequence, though, so you might want to go back and read the first book if you have not done so yet. It has a bit bigger scope, in terms of stakes, but it is just as well written as this one. And after you have caught up, you can join me in waiting for whatever Hanna Dare has in store for us next.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I was pretty sold on this story when I realized I was going to get a jewel-heist in space. That is just…all kinds of yes. But while that didn’t take up nearly as much page time as I thought it would, I found the story beneath and around it to be compelling enough to not really care.
First off, this was all kinds of fun. Spaceships, jewel-heists, exes coming back from the past, and double dealing going on in the shadows. Can’t really say no to any of that.
This story takes a lot of the elements of the first book in the series and draws them closer in so it is not so dependent on this cosmic-danger, but instead on things vital to a smaller group of people. Ren’s world needs the jewel, Sebastian wants to help Ren out, and the crew would really like to get paid. I never really felt like the fate of the universe was held in the balance, and I liked that. The jewel does becomes a bit of a MacGuffin, but since the action it propels thru the story is so entertaining, I can’t say I care all that much. I really like scifi stories like this, that make the stakes more personal to the characters and don’t focus so much on big cosmic, life-ending matters.
I’ve also become increasingly intrigued by the universe in which this series is set. As I learn more about the Singularity and its ramifications on the humans left in the aftermath, I find myself desperately wanting to know more. This world where technology exists, but alongside it is a deep-seated fear of AI, is very compelling. We don’t get a lot more information in this second book, but it certainly builds on the ideas presented in the beginning of the series. I can only hope that we get more books set here so that I can learn more. What had started off as an interesting idea is growing into something truly fascinating.
Lastly I think the two romantic leads in this story were very well done. Not as nearly combustible as Rylan and Jamie in Machine Metal Magic, but the more quieter pining between Ren and Sebastian is still great to watch. Their somewhat interesting pasts makes for a good set of obstacles to overcome, and as the trust between them grows you can really start to see a viable connection between them start to take hold. There chemistry is never in doubt, but by the end there is finally a foundation for something deeper and more lasting.
I can’t help but recommend this book to lovers of scifi, especially if you are in the mood for something a bit lighter. It has some very compelling ideas going on in the background dealing with science and technology–and how humans react to it–but is also good at focusing on characters that make you connect with the story on the whole. This series is probably best read in sequence, though, so you might want to go back and read the first book if you have not done so yet. It has a bit bigger scope, in terms of stakes, but it is just as well written as this one. And after you have caught up, you can join me in waiting for whatever Hanna Dare has in store for us next.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 19, 2018
4.5*
I really enjoyed book one... but I enjoyed this one so much more. I knew i was going to love it from the get-go. Sebastian has been my #1 in this series from the first time we meet him. I was SO excited that we got his story right away, and I absolutely WAS NOT disappointed. I mean, how can you NOT love Sebastian..Just ask Ren. He stole Ren's ship and took off on him, and yet Ren STILL can't be compelled by Sebastian's charm.
The story is based 4 years after Ren's and Sebastian's first meeting, you know, after the theft of one Wayward Prince. Ren seeks out Captain Garcia for his assistance in the theft of something important to Ren's planet and monarchy. This gang of unruly misfits are more than up for the job and accept right away. Sebastian cracks me up. How he manages to get through these jobs alive is beyond me. Nothing ever seems to go right for them, yet they wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm not crying, you're crying!
That last chapter or so really got me in the feels. The heart to heart with Mags (surprising, I know) just really did me in. Our story comes full circle though, with more than one Wayward Prince. I just wonder who will be next, if anyone.
I really enjoyed book one... but I enjoyed this one so much more. I knew i was going to love it from the get-go. Sebastian has been my #1 in this series from the first time we meet him. I was SO excited that we got his story right away, and I absolutely WAS NOT disappointed. I mean, how can you NOT love Sebastian..Just ask Ren. He stole Ren's ship and took off on him, and yet Ren STILL can't be compelled by Sebastian's charm.
The story is based 4 years after Ren's and Sebastian's first meeting, you know, after the theft of one Wayward Prince. Ren seeks out Captain Garcia for his assistance in the theft of something important to Ren's planet and monarchy. This gang of unruly misfits are more than up for the job and accept right away. Sebastian cracks me up. How he manages to get through these jobs alive is beyond me. Nothing ever seems to go right for them, yet they wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm not crying, you're crying!
That last chapter or so really got me in the feels. The heart to heart with Mags (surprising, I know) just really did me in. Our story comes full circle though, with more than one Wayward Prince. I just wonder who will be next, if anyone.
July 8, 2019
I liked the first book in the series better but this was still enjoyable.
July 29, 2019
4.5 Stars
I really love this series.
I really love this series.
July 16, 2019
4.5 Stars
Captain Sebastian Garcia isn’t a pirate, he just does an excellent impression of one, and there’s not a thing wrong with the mental picture of him that author Hanna Dare draws for readers through her narrative. Garcia is a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel, a liar, and his moral compass rarely, if ever, directs him towards the most virtuous route in his business transactions, but the man just has a certain je ne sais quoi. And, he’s a smuggler, not a pirate; to him that distinction is relevant. He and the crew of The Wayward Prince have hit a slow streak, though, not a smuggling job in sight as the story begins, and the ship is starting to run lean, but that’s about to break wide open when the greatest regret of Garcia’s life turns up to hire him to pull off a heist that will either mean enriching himself and his crew, or will break his heart.
Or both.
The odds of both are ever in Garcia’s favor.
Dare has scored another great caper in The Wayward Prince, as well as offering up more of her imagination to entertain us SciFi junkies and enrich the character and world-building in this series. We also now have a long arc that will carry us into and through book three, and it’s a compelling one. I loved Garcia’s story every bit as much as I anticipated I would, and then some. Getting to know him, his backstory, his mind, and getting an intimate look at how he sees himself behind the façade of charm and humor only served to make him a more likeable character, and because he’s bold and cheeky (he and Han Solo probably would know a lot of the same clientele, if they existed in the same -verse), or, perhaps despite it, he inspires a lot of loyalty in his misfit crew. Garcia being approached by the man whose ship he’d stolen ‘four years, six months, and three days’ earlier—but who’s counting?—sets the action/adventure, not to mention the romance, in motion.
Ren was a young runaway when he first ran across the dashing and older Captain Garcia, and his own backstory is full of intrigue and a good amount of self-esteem issues. The weight of Ren’s responsibilities and his failure to live up to expectations always makes for a character that’s easy to empathize with, and that’s the case here. The desire to do the right thing for the many while resisting the urge to do what’s right for oneself is a relatable human condition, and that’s Ren to a T, making this not only a lovely age gap romance but a story of opposites attracting too.
Sleeping together wasn’t in the plans, at least not in Garcia’s, when Ren first encountered the captain, but the best-laid schemes of mice and men, as the poem goes, went awry. When things got complicated Garcia bolted, took Ren’s ship with him along with his broken heart, and that’s a shame that Garcia has never been able to shake. So, when Ren shows up again, unannounced and unexpected, Garcia knows Ren’s proposal is nothing at all like a second chance. There is no making amends for what he’d done all those years ago. But, he can do this for Ren, Garcia can steal back an important relic that was stolen from Ren’s family on the planet of Arcadia, and if he can do something good for Ren while making a little money for himself and his crew, all the better.
The subsequent action unfolds in swashbuckling detail and offers up plenty of suspenseful moments for it. As the lines between benefactor and hired thief begins to blur, the relationship between Ren and Garcia takes on a new tone, and Dare does an excellent job of baring hearts and confessing truths between them, rebuilding Ren and Garcia into something new and stronger. As I already mentioned, the long arc of the series has been set up, which also sets things up nicely for book three. Rylan’s brother Jonathan was introduced in Machine Metal Magic as was the bounty hunter Xin. The story arc promises that they will come together in none too simple ways, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Hanna Dare has in store for them. As a fan of character and action driven reads, this series is checking off a lot of boxes.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
Captain Sebastian Garcia isn’t a pirate, he just does an excellent impression of one, and there’s not a thing wrong with the mental picture of him that author Hanna Dare draws for readers through her narrative. Garcia is a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel, a liar, and his moral compass rarely, if ever, directs him towards the most virtuous route in his business transactions, but the man just has a certain je ne sais quoi. And, he’s a smuggler, not a pirate; to him that distinction is relevant. He and the crew of The Wayward Prince have hit a slow streak, though, not a smuggling job in sight as the story begins, and the ship is starting to run lean, but that’s about to break wide open when the greatest regret of Garcia’s life turns up to hire him to pull off a heist that will either mean enriching himself and his crew, or will break his heart.
Or both.
The odds of both are ever in Garcia’s favor.
Dare has scored another great caper in The Wayward Prince, as well as offering up more of her imagination to entertain us SciFi junkies and enrich the character and world-building in this series. We also now have a long arc that will carry us into and through book three, and it’s a compelling one. I loved Garcia’s story every bit as much as I anticipated I would, and then some. Getting to know him, his backstory, his mind, and getting an intimate look at how he sees himself behind the façade of charm and humor only served to make him a more likeable character, and because he’s bold and cheeky (he and Han Solo probably would know a lot of the same clientele, if they existed in the same -verse), or, perhaps despite it, he inspires a lot of loyalty in his misfit crew. Garcia being approached by the man whose ship he’d stolen ‘four years, six months, and three days’ earlier—but who’s counting?—sets the action/adventure, not to mention the romance, in motion.
Ren was a young runaway when he first ran across the dashing and older Captain Garcia, and his own backstory is full of intrigue and a good amount of self-esteem issues. The weight of Ren’s responsibilities and his failure to live up to expectations always makes for a character that’s easy to empathize with, and that’s the case here. The desire to do the right thing for the many while resisting the urge to do what’s right for oneself is a relatable human condition, and that’s Ren to a T, making this not only a lovely age gap romance but a story of opposites attracting too.
Sleeping together wasn’t in the plans, at least not in Garcia’s, when Ren first encountered the captain, but the best-laid schemes of mice and men, as the poem goes, went awry. When things got complicated Garcia bolted, took Ren’s ship with him along with his broken heart, and that’s a shame that Garcia has never been able to shake. So, when Ren shows up again, unannounced and unexpected, Garcia knows Ren’s proposal is nothing at all like a second chance. There is no making amends for what he’d done all those years ago. But, he can do this for Ren, Garcia can steal back an important relic that was stolen from Ren’s family on the planet of Arcadia, and if he can do something good for Ren while making a little money for himself and his crew, all the better.
The subsequent action unfolds in swashbuckling detail and offers up plenty of suspenseful moments for it. As the lines between benefactor and hired thief begins to blur, the relationship between Ren and Garcia takes on a new tone, and Dare does an excellent job of baring hearts and confessing truths between them, rebuilding Ren and Garcia into something new and stronger. As I already mentioned, the long arc of the series has been set up, which also sets things up nicely for book three. Rylan’s brother Jonathan was introduced in Machine Metal Magic as was the bounty hunter Xin. The story arc promises that they will come together in none too simple ways, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Hanna Dare has in store for them. As a fan of character and action driven reads, this series is checking off a lot of boxes.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
November 30, 2018
Typically, I hate reading books that switch main characters from book to book. If I want to continue reading a series it’s because I resonated with something that I read so, in my mind, why switch characters? HOWEVER, I actually enjoyed this book. The 1st book in this series follows Jaime & Rylan. This book is focused on Sebastian & Ren (Jaime & Rylan still make appearances) the author does a really good job writing characters that you want to follow on an adventure & want to be friends with. i am still hoping for more Jaime and Rylan at some point. Also, as with the last book, this book is FILLED with diversity in the characters & I absolutely love it. I think way more authors need to realize that you don’t feel invited to the party if you don’t see yourself reflected in the literature. Why would someone be drawn in something they don’t see themselves in at all? I think Dare did a good job of including skin tones, ethnicities, etc & if her writing continues like this, I will continue to support her.
November 11, 2018
Sebastian is stranded in space. His suit barely keeping him alive. His ship, the Wayward Prince, just out of his reach. Of course he is rescued, he has another adventure to attend too.
Ren (a prince) goes looking for the man who stole his ship and his heart. He’s not admitting the latter though. He needs Sebastian to help him retrieve a priceless jewel from an impenetrable lair. Things go wrong, they always go wrong. While nothing goes as planned, they do discover that there is still something between them.
I enjoyed the story of Sebastian and Ren. I mean who doesn’t love a sci-fi/love story with adventure, intrigue and hot guys lovin on each other. The whole crew is entertaining and I’m curious who the next story will be about.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Ren (a prince) goes looking for the man who stole his ship and his heart. He’s not admitting the latter though. He needs Sebastian to help him retrieve a priceless jewel from an impenetrable lair. Things go wrong, they always go wrong. While nothing goes as planned, they do discover that there is still something between them.
I enjoyed the story of Sebastian and Ren. I mean who doesn’t love a sci-fi/love story with adventure, intrigue and hot guys lovin on each other. The whole crew is entertaining and I’m curious who the next story will be about.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
July 9, 2019
🤩
Ohhh.. this was delightful! I seem to have started smack dab in the middle of this series but it’s not too bad. I would definitely go back and read book one which I’ve passed over time and time again. Silly me! 🤪
This was just truly delightful. I love how much thought and detail went into the world building. The characters all had character. I just don’t know where this one goes next! Lucky me, the next book is due out this month! 🥳
I love how truly a mess Sebastian is. I mean, he tries, bless him. And while his plans typically somewhat always work, it’s always comical and/or a close shave. Both of which aren’t mutually exclusive 😂
I love this story! Looking forward to the next one. But in the meantime, I shall go read the first book and probably prequel?
Ohhh.. this was delightful! I seem to have started smack dab in the middle of this series but it’s not too bad. I would definitely go back and read book one which I’ve passed over time and time again. Silly me! 🤪
This was just truly delightful. I love how much thought and detail went into the world building. The characters all had character. I just don’t know where this one goes next! Lucky me, the next book is due out this month! 🥳
I love how truly a mess Sebastian is. I mean, he tries, bless him. And while his plans typically somewhat always work, it’s always comical and/or a close shave. Both of which aren’t mutually exclusive 😂
I love this story! Looking forward to the next one. But in the meantime, I shall go read the first book and probably prequel?
December 27, 2021
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, but that's entirely due to me and my personal preferences. Past relationship is one of my least favorite tropes, particularly when it involves one of the partners betraying the other in some way. I almost never feel like the partner who did the betraying adequately makes amends so as to earn back the trust and second chance, which is an entirely personal thing. I liked the characters here, and found the expanded world building interesting, but I never could 100% get behind Sebastian and Ren getting back together. I do think the author does a good job showing change/regret/etc. but it still wasn't quite enough for me, and so it was hard to really love this one. Though as an aside, so far I'm very much loving all the casual bisexual rep.
September 24, 2019
I jumped right into the Wayward Prince immediately after reading book one, Machine Metal Magic. I couldn't wait to follow the crew into more space adventures. Even though this story was more relationship-based between the Captain and Ren, it still managed to be fast paced and full of action.
I love the theme of a more experienced older guy with a younger guy and throw in a 2nd chance romance and I'm a happy camper! We also learn how each team member came to be on this awesome stolen ship smuggling goods all over galaxy.
Off to next book... I can't wait to read more adventures with this motley crew! Highly recommended
I love the theme of a more experienced older guy with a younger guy and throw in a 2nd chance romance and I'm a happy camper! We also learn how each team member came to be on this awesome stolen ship smuggling goods all over galaxy.
Off to next book... I can't wait to read more adventures with this motley crew! Highly recommended
March 15, 2021
Great universe and an entertaining space adventure but the romance didn't grab me like it should.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
August 5, 2020
Big damn heroes. I love this crew.
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