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Cyborg Sizzle #9.5

Dark Arsenal

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A cyborg warrior and a Rebel female’s first mission together might be their last.

Arsenal considers himself to be a disposable cyborg. He drifts from assignment to assignment, forming no connections to anything or anyone. When the cyborg council requires a warrior for a high-risk mission, Arsenal volunteers. He believes no one will miss him if he dies.

He doesn’t realize he’s one female’s fantasy.

The moment Vicuska glimpses Arsenal’s image, she knows he’s the male she wants to spend her last moments in the universe caressing. The Rebel female craves the cyborg’s grim-lipped kisses, desires the touch of his hands, hears his deep voice in her dreams.

Their mission will end in explosions and death. That is certain if they fail or if they succeed. Whether or not they’ll find love during their dangerous assignment is the unknown.

Dark Arsenal is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Taking Vengeance. It is also a Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2018

275 people are currently reading
261 people want to read

About the author

Cynthia Sax

169 books1,512 followers
USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes steamy cyborg and alien romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, on TV, and numerous romance top ten lists.

When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.


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5 stars
255 (43%)
4 stars
186 (31%)
3 stars
108 (18%)
2 stars
28 (4%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,418 followers
October 28, 2024
Arsenal has seen himself as disposable. He's got no female, no offspring, no future. He signs up for dangerous missions, taking risks that those with families should avoid, and almost invites death. His future starts looking up when his latest mission brings him in close contact with the one woman meant for him. Vicuska is beautiful and determined and the perfect match for him. Their adventure together was scary and fun. I wonder if the Nora A.I. will feature in any other books?
3,210 reviews67 followers
December 15, 2018
Loved this short story with great leads. The H is grumpy and taciturn, believes he is doomed to be alone. The h is a flirt and takes one look at him and that's it for her. He doesn't believe it at first, and because she's human he underestimates her. Sweet love story.
1,353 reviews38 followers
December 13, 2018
Arsenal, a K model cyborg has nothing to lose: most of his friends are dead, others have found their mates, so when he is asked to go on a deadly mission, he accepts. When he sees that that the captain of the spaceship is a human female, he is stunned, but not precisely as he expected. The captain, Vicuska, unsettles his components: he knows right away that she is his female. Vicuska is a fearless human and she is very pleased that Arsenal is everything she had hoped for; she had looked very carefully to find the perfect cyborg for this mission: she is nearly overcome with lust!

This is brilliant and so much fun! Arsenal, the stoic cyborg, and Vicuska, an effervescent and voluble human, together with Nora, – the ship’s computer – a very prickly and snarky guidance system prone to puns! Vicuska, yet another of Cynthia Sax’s strong and independent women, is delightful! I loved how she came to choose Arsenal as her flightmate; so clever!

DARK ARSENAL shows Cynthia Sax at the top of her form, with her writing is possibly at its finest. DARK ARSENAL is: exciting action scenes, scorching sexy times, fabulous characters, eternal true love, and giggles along the way. Even though this is a novella, there is quite a bit of character growth, and much valuable information as well. If you’re new to Cynthia Sax’s world, you will not feel lost for one minute, and you will understand why we love this series so much! Enjoy!
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,660 reviews227 followers
January 10, 2019
I have a massive soft spot for these strong, damaged cyborgs who have been so terribly abused by the humans who created them. It's just so fun to watch them realize that they have worth and they're not destined to be simply the mindless soldiers they were created to be.

And if they get to have sexy times aboard a space ship with a lady friend who likes them A LOT, so be it.

Arsenal has some self-worth issues. He thinks of himself as one of many, interchangeable and nothing special. He's a little grim and foreboding, but he's a solid choice if you want a mission completed.

Meeting Vicuska and her energetic, brutally forthright ways sort of throws him for a loop. Because she specifically chose him to be her partner on this mission and she's not afraid to tell him that he matters.

Danger, some bloodshed, a little controlled (and not-so-controlled) mayhem, and a WHOLE LOT of sexy times once these two get down to it. My type of cyborg romance, man.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for shannon  Stubbs.
1,961 reviews12 followers
September 20, 2020
Not bad

This story has insta love, steamy scenes, and rescuing. It's also trashy and full of plot holes just the way I like it.
Profile Image for Frances Law.
1,123 reviews14 followers
December 9, 2018
Suicide mission!

Arsenal is the perfect cyborg. He never shows emotion because that gets you killed! He seldom speaks because that can also get you killed. In fact, having seen so many of his brethren terminated for showing emotion he now takes every high risk mission hoping that this will be the one he doesn’t survive.
Then Vicuska comes into his life. As son as she steps out of her shuttle and he catches a whiff of her perfume, that’s it. His body reacts in a way that it never has before, and he can’t control it! Vicuska, on the other hand, has already decided that if this is to be her last mission then Arsenal is to be her last lover! She is completely drawn to this cold faced cyborg because, when she looks at his eyes, they are far from cold.
So Arsenal and Vicuska set out on their mission but very soon are trying to work out how they can keep each other alive.
And don’t let’s forget Nora, the guidance system who provides the humour to the heavy passion of Arsenal and Vicuska.
A very pleasant, 18+ rating, read.
Profile Image for Jan.
2,078 reviews13 followers
December 11, 2018
Arsenal was disposable. He was to go on a mission that he may not come back from. He certainly didn’t expect her. Vicuska picked Arsenal from a huge inventory of pics that the council had. She saw in him not only strength but the prefect cyborg/male. This was just a mission to Arsenal but with his feeling for Vic growing, they found a bond.

You have to love it when the cyborgs find their mates. Arsenal is not expendable. He is as much of a commodity as any other. Vic sees that in him. Vicuska is a big flirt and once she finally gets him to loosen up, they finally connect. But the mission is still at hand and is still dangerous. Blowing up a World Ender and not getting caught it a suicide mission. And then you have Vic’s ship Nora. She is sassy. I love these cyborgs.
Profile Image for JML.
1,292 reviews24 followers
March 11, 2019
Vicuska & Arsenal's story 💖💖💖💖💖

I've really e Moyer the entire cyborg sizzle series, but this little novella is one of my absolute favorites. I was intrigued by Arsenal in the last book Taking Vengeance his character captured my notice and held it and I was hoping he would have his own story. No one and I mean no one should ever feel disposable, interchangeable or unlovable! Vicuska new the minute she laid eyes on her cyborg in video that he was hers! To watch Arsenal grow to understand he was a precious individual worthy of love was amazing. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read more of Cynthia Sax's books!💖💖
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
December 9, 2018
Wonderfully deadly

Arsenal and V (cuz I can’t spell her name haha) have tragic histories that make each of them feel alone and uncared for. Together, they combust, shooting flames high into the air that the reader feels scorched by, just from reading about their chemistry. The story was wonderfully bloody, as expected from this author, and had a storyline that captured and held my attention from the very first page.
Profile Image for Jannie Cv.
1,080 reviews29 followers
December 11, 2018
A Sizzling Cyborg story! 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟

Two ‘disposable’ beings on a virtually impossible mission. Vicuska figures since survival is unlikely, she may as well enjoy the time she has left. What a beautiful connection she and Arsenal have! Although it did start a bit rough. Arsenal couldn’t figure out what to make of her.
I love this story! It may not be long, but it’s packed with excitement, hot exuberant beings with no time to waste, a sassy AI, and a deadly mission to complete. Classic Sax!
Profile Image for Emily Lindsey.
Author 4 books21 followers
January 17, 2019
A cool story, lots of action, I am loving this series! I'm reading them all out of order, but I don't even care, each story is great on its own! Arsenal and his female, Victoska? are amazing together and their mission is sure to end in death. She is hot for him before she even meets him, and he gets with the program almost immediately. The scenes in the Worldender are worthy of an action movie, this is one of my favorite books so far in this series.
Profile Image for Janet.
1,977 reviews3 followers
January 3, 2019
The story is only six chapters long but they are something else. I loved this story. A cyborg (Arsenal) and a female human (Vicuska) fighting to rid there worlds of the Humanoid Alliance. To take out something that's called a World-ender. A really, really good story. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,841 reviews34 followers
March 15, 2019
Second verse, same as the first

I am a huge fan of Cynthia Sax's Cyborg Sizzle series, with her unique cyborg's-eye view of a galaxy at war, and the role cyborgs take in the conflict. Her inspired use of a being-inclusive vocabulary, as well as uniquely cyborg-based expressions, paints a dangerous, dramatic, and emotionally engaging series of cyborg-human romantic pairings set in the story arc of the cyborg quest for freedom from Human Alliance brutality. Dark Arsenal follows this pattern, but after twelve previous iterations, the wear-and-tear is becoming evident. I'd have liked it better had the author elected to make some dramatic progress on the series plot, because there is unfortunately nothing new or different about Arsenal the cyborg's steamy attraction to the very sexy Vicuska, who is equally attracted to him. It's "Hi - We're fated mates - It's Sex, Dominance, and Rock'n'Roll time" with a pretty predictable trajectory toward HEA. If cyborgs aren't interchangeable numerically designated units, shouldn't their love stories be unique too? Imaginative writing, superb world-building, and steamy sex can't hide the cookie cutter, but Dark Arsenal isn't a bad read, and those new to the series will find it more enjoyable the I did.
Profile Image for M.T..
Author 13 books175 followers
February 2, 2019
Dark Arsenal was an interesting peek into the world of alien romance. I've wanted to read a bit more widely in this niche/genre, and browsed several. Glad I got this one among some others, a light and somewhat easy read, with brilliant spots and fantastic expressions that really popped out, and a solid story. I think I might have liked some more complexity in the plot, and also, the characters went from getting to know each other into being in love in a rather fast-forward style, and I would have welcomed some more light on their journey, but all in all, a great story. Most loved about this one: the moving stories of the characters. Arsenal coming from his background thinks of himself as disposable. Vicuska, at this point in life, is a desperate soul, hoping to still find some beauty in her days while fulfilling the only meaningful task imaginable. Both go on the mission accepting the circumstances, and then...
Profile Image for Sony.
382 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2019
These Cyborg's are so dang sexy!

This is book 13 in the "Cyborg Sizzle" series. As with the others I've read in this series, I was not disappointed. I feel this book could be read as a standalone. Arsenal has been a character I've been wanting to read about but I could say that about all the unmated Cyborgs. I love the heroine in this story, she is funny, brave, and goes after what she wants. I enjoyed her interact with her ships main frame "Nora". These three make the perfect team and proved they can get a big job done. If you are like me and enjoy the sci-fi sizzles, this is a book you are going to enjoy reading.
Profile Image for LaBlue.
1,040 reviews23 followers
September 26, 2019
It was to short to enjoy.

This whole story was so rushed. Every scene was not given the time to charm the reader into falling in love with the characters. Because of that it was predictable and simply a boring read. Nothing to invest in. Why bother writing it, if you’re not going to do it justice?

“Being Green”, was a short story too (by this same author) and it sucked me in! I reread it all the time. That story is so good that the shortness of it is a plus because I can enjoy the whole story without interruptions from beginning to end.

This book failed to deliver that same level of enjoyment.
Profile Image for Goddess of Chaos.
2,846 reviews12 followers
December 24, 2018
There's a lot to enjoy in this quick read

Arsenal is a Cyborg from a disposable series, as a result he doesn't have the greatest self esteem... but when he starts to see himself through Vicuska's eyes his life changes in countless ways.

Vicuska has lost everyone she cares about. Decisions about the future are easy when you have no one... but what happens when your new partner becomes someone you care about, and suddenly your perspective on your future changes?

I really enjoyed how these two people could understand one another's pain, and yes it in a positive way.
Profile Image for Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads).
3,352 reviews180 followers
January 15, 2021
Series: Cyborg Sizzle #9.5
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it

This was a very short novella featuring Arsenal, the K-Model cyborg that was introduced in Knowing Zip. Arsenal finally finds his mate and they go on a dangerous mission against the Humanoid Alliance. I really liked Vicuska. She doesn’t hesitate to embrace what happiness she can find, especially since she knows this might be her last mission. Overall, this was a cute novella and I really liked the couple.

You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
752 reviews9 followers
December 7, 2018
Although short, this story is packed full with the part description of a whole universe, its inhabitants and follows two of them on a suicide mission. On the way to their destination they "explore" each other in depth! And find a surprising compatibility.
And I would like to know the punchline of the, "a human, a machine, and a Humanoid Alliance male walked into a beverage outlet station" joke!?
Profile Image for Jamsu.
862 reviews38 followers
June 25, 2019
Dark Arsenal is another little book about finding a mate. I don't remember much about this series since it has been awhile but somehow these cyborgs know which woman is theirs and it's not different with Arsenal when he meets Vicuska.

“Those are my nanocybotics. They heal, pleasure, claim. Other cyborgs will detect them.”

“They’ll know I’m yours.”


This novella is a very quick read but I couldn't really connect with the story.
Profile Image for ˚✧₊⁎ѕαи∂у⁎⁺˳✧༚.
297 reviews11 followers
August 1, 2023
Short story, not bad 👍

I liked the ship's computer system Nora. The heroine is a loose flirt. It's one of those insta love. Their mission is to blow up a World Ender. Yes, it's possible. Star Wars, people! Like action with romance. This time not sure. Maybe the day I had. 🤷 There were moments of excitement, and others of blah. I've enjoyed this series; so it's most likely me. Night nite 🌙✨
2,374 reviews20 followers
December 23, 2018
Loved It

It was short, sweet, but it holds your attention from beginning to end with enough action and drama to keep you on your toes? A romance that captures your heart with steamy hot scene that are not over the top with awesome characters. Highly recommended and waiting anxiously for the next book in series.
855 reviews
December 28, 2018
Love found in the darkest moment

Exciting adventure with incredible characters who fall in love on sight,defy the odds of survival,and have the happy ending with a future! Loved this beautiful story and highly recommend this author for her gift of love with other types of creatures ❤️❤️
Profile Image for Leanna H.
30 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2019
Awesome

I loved this! It's perfect how the worlds crossed and then Arsenal found his human!! Viruska was such a mixed bag back in Dark Fire, but I'm glad she found her HEA and didn't just die not knowing how she would complete her mission. I'm just so happy. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,704 reviews
January 29, 2019
He is convinced his forever mate has been lost to him so he has nothing to live for. All of her family is gone. She is all alone. She sees Arsenal's picture for the suicide mission and decides she could fight and die with him. She volunteers for the mission. Action packed twists of fate. One of the best of this series. I love this series and keep up with new releases.
Profile Image for Kelly McCord.
752 reviews17 followers
September 14, 2020
While I always enjoy the books in the Cyborg Sizzle series, I am nearly always disappointing in the novellas. The Hero has been established as an interesting character but because the story is so short there is none of the relationship or plot line elements that I've enjoyed in the other stories.

I wish she'd skip the novellas and just go with the fully fleshed out stories in this series.
117 reviews
March 17, 2021
The start of a new beginning

Beautiful emotional short story of two soul on a deadly mission who realize they can overcome the challenges and start a new life with the love they both always wanted, absolutely love this series and all the wonderful characters have read this series many times,Thank you for another awesome journey even though it was way to short.💖💖
Profile Image for Shyla.
715 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2022
Dark Arsenal

It is a very short story but very well written and spell binding. They are on a mission to destroy the World Ender weapon so no one else can die. Can they actually get the explosion to wait until they are safely gone? Will they become more than colleagues? Highly recommend this book and series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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