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Ostakis
The Human Planets Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees Kaj's arrival as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj’s powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath’s son, Arlan does not smooth relations.
Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears in his body the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide. Born Cursed and inherently sinful, Arlan lives without legal rights or property. It enrages Thyenn Sharr Arlan’s father defiantly refuses to submit his son to a cruel act to "redeem” Arlan’s soul. The stakes ratchet when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the legal power of his Church.
Can Kaj navigate the treacherous currents of Ostakian politics and religion to save these human descendants of Earth? And must he chose between Arlan or his mission to do so?
Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears in his body the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide. Born Cursed and inherently sinful, Arlan lives without legal rights or property. It enrages Thyenn Sharr Arlan’s father defiantly refuses to submit his son to a cruel act to "redeem” Arlan’s soul. The stakes ratchet when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the legal power of his Church.
Can Kaj navigate the treacherous currents of Ostakian politics and religion to save these human descendants of Earth? And must he chose between Arlan or his mission to do so?
200 pages, ebook
Published February 18, 2019
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Angelica Primm
5 books12 followersBorn in a century less progressive than her brain is wired, Angelica writes contemporary spicy romances and stories of people in far-flung futures with problems that are unlike and like our own.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 27, 2021
i enjoyed this one a lot!
there is an element of insta-love, but that usually comes with omegaverse/mpreg territory so it wasn't really a surprise, and i thought it was handled very well. this is quite a short novel, so there wasn't a massive amount of world-building, but primm has still managed to create an intriguing futuristic world.
i'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on this author!
there is an element of insta-love, but that usually comes with omegaverse/mpreg territory so it wasn't really a surprise, and i thought it was handled very well. this is quite a short novel, so there wasn't a massive amount of world-building, but primm has still managed to create an intriguing futuristic world.
i'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on this author!
February 12, 2019
As with much of science fiction, the power of the story is actually the indirect addressing of current societal concerns. What happens to a society where there are intersex men who can and do get pregnant? What happens to a society where an extreme religious faction uses sexuality and gender roles as a basis for power and economic struggles? What happens when household power and societal power overlap?
I enjoyed the nuanced descriptions of various relationships in the book: father-intersex son, intersex son-intersex son's friend, man-intersex employee, etc. I am not so keen on the explicit sex, but that is just me being a prude. Most of the book is more concerned with the struggle to make sense of relationships that are political, but just as strongly personal.
If I have any question about the book, it would be what happens to the women? As might be expected in a book that focuses on intersex relationships, with a bisexual-male MC, women are there, but they are largely in the background. Again. Their looks, especially including their clothing, are mentioned and brief allusions to some business roles and power, but they are mostly incidental. I am glad for the focus on intersex males, but it makes me, as a female, feel that part of the necessary change in society is still not included in the discussion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the nuanced descriptions of various relationships in the book: father-intersex son, intersex son-intersex son's friend, man-intersex employee, etc. I am not so keen on the explicit sex, but that is just me being a prude. Most of the book is more concerned with the struggle to make sense of relationships that are political, but just as strongly personal.
If I have any question about the book, it would be what happens to the women? As might be expected in a book that focuses on intersex relationships, with a bisexual-male MC, women are there, but they are largely in the background. Again. Their looks, especially including their clothing, are mentioned and brief allusions to some business roles and power, but they are mostly incidental. I am glad for the focus on intersex males, but it makes me, as a female, feel that part of the necessary change in society is still not included in the discussion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2019
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Ostakis, by Angelica Primm
★★★★☆
208 Pages
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Themes: Sci-Fi, MPREG, religious fanaticism, political intrigue, Bisexual MC, Intersex MC
This was an interesting read for me. It's my first book by Angelica Primm and it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed Ostakis and hope that the inclusion of Human Planets Collective on the cover is the promise of more books to come, even if they focus on new planets and different characters. I'd certainly be willing to read more within this world.
Ostakis is the story of one man entering a new world and turning it upside down; viewing the laws and struggles of their people with fresh eyes, offering the promise of revolution and change. It's the story of love overcoming class, social status and political boundaries, and the story of a friendship so strong that it can weather all storms.
This is, firstly, a novel about political intrigue, with a dash of romance, and a struggle against a rising religious power that threatens to overshadow all decent humanity if not contained quickly. Through the dual POV of both main characters – Arlan, the Cursed; and Kaj, the human representative – we see this new world with fresh and familiar eyes at once. I loved that we got to see some events through both sets of eyes, first through Arlan's and then through Kaj's so that we understood the delicate political and often dangerous nuances of language and political understanding. What slips carelessly from Kaj's lips causes shock and surprise for the Ostakians; while what the Ostakians accept so readily is sometimes abhorrent and inconceivable to Kaj. This was really well handled and introduced the idea that Kaj's mission was much more complex than first thought, while offering something for us readers to rally towards. I was fully committed to the Cursed and their plight, to helping them rise from oppression, long before it even became a plot point in the book.
I'll admit, I had a tough time getting started. The style of writing, and the phrases that are by rights original to the people of Ostakis and this new Earth presented to us, were all unusual to me. The writing is somewhat formal in places, sometimes drifting from past tense to present, but maintaining the style throughout. The choice of words was sometimes odd, to me, but sometimes felt as though it was remaining true to the character's knowledge of language rather than the author deliberately dipping into purple prose or making unconventional phrasing choices. It took me about 20% of the book to really feel comfortable with the style and the phrasing, to grasp what it was doing and to feel familiar around the choices made. Once I did, it flowed really well.
I do wish I'd read the contents page, though, because then I would have found out there is a Glossary of Ostakian terms at the back, which I could have used to help me out. However, saying that, the writing made it clear what each word meant as I was reading, so kudos to the author for making it clear even without the glossary.
Also, when I started, I really wasn't sure about why the letters to Marta were included, what they represented, or what point they had to make. But, as I read on, they became a touching reminder of all that Kaj had sacrificed, all that he'd given up, and all that he'd experienced before his journey to Ostakis. It added another lay to his characterisation that I appreciated.
When it comes to characters, I wasn't so sure about Kaj to begin with. He seemed uncomfortable around the Ostakians and inept for the political dance he had entered into. But as time went on, his authority settled and he became more comfortable in his new role, which was great to see. I loved Arlan immediately. He was sweet and feisty, and I rooted for him the whole way through. Pib was another light in the dark; he was sweet and a great friend to Arlan, making sacrifices but finally asserting himself when it came time. I loved their friendship with each other as much as I loved the not-so-subtle chemistry between Kaj and Arlan. From the first minute they met, the attraction was real and noticeable, but I liked that it wasn't insta-love, either. It blossomed nicely throughout the novel.
The world building was also really well done. I liked that we weren't overwhelmed by info dumps of what Ostakis was, how it functioned and all that it entailed, right at the start. For a while, I wasn't entirely sure what the world was like and what those like Arlan were – if they were shifters or humans – but things became clear as it went on and it proved to be a clever bit of mystery that kept me wondering and reading, intrigued to find out more. When the truth of the Unspoken and the Cursed was finally revealed, I found it all the more interesting because of the little hints along the way.
The story deals sympathetically with the cultural themes of women in power, how intersex people are treated, politics and religion, as well the treatment of aboriginal people by invaders. All subjects are relevant to our world, today, but they were also well explored in the world of Ostakis, showing us as the story developed how this world worked and how it had come to the brink of survival. The interlink between the aboriginals and men like Arlan, creating the Unspoken and the Cursed, was a clever piece of plotting and a great mirror to the prejudices of our own world.
Why didn't I give it five stars?
For me, there were a few niggles that just kept it shy of the five star mark.
1. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with the story and the writing style. We had to learn most of Ostakis through Kaj's eyes, at first, and didn't really understand the world until Arlan's POV entered. 2. There was quite a bit of repetition, sometimes of entire scenes, sometimes of conversations, to explain the delicate nuances that separated Earth understanding for Kaj, and Ostakis understanding for Arlan and everyone else. I do understand why most of it was necessary, but it did mean that I had to read conversations a second time when a thought process or recollection might have been enough. 3. I also would have liked more of an exploration about changing the laws for how women and aboriginals were treated, at the end. 4. I would also have liked some kind of resolution to the Pib and Arlan friendship, that better suited their love for one another and their future children.
I was also surprised by the MPREG storyline, as there was no mention of that in the blurb or in the advertisements I've seen. While I love a good MPREG, I think the author is missing a trick by not advertising it as such; it's a growing market and I'm sure many more people would love to know that there's a sci-fi MPREG out there, with a true intersex character and a storyline that isn't all heat and sex, but is clever and original, while portraying a beautiful romance.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I shall love this man to death and beyond for uttering that one sentence.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Ostakis, by Angelica Primm
★★★★☆
208 Pages
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Themes: Sci-Fi, MPREG, religious fanaticism, political intrigue, Bisexual MC, Intersex MC
This was an interesting read for me. It's my first book by Angelica Primm and it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed Ostakis and hope that the inclusion of Human Planets Collective on the cover is the promise of more books to come, even if they focus on new planets and different characters. I'd certainly be willing to read more within this world.
Ostakis is the story of one man entering a new world and turning it upside down; viewing the laws and struggles of their people with fresh eyes, offering the promise of revolution and change. It's the story of love overcoming class, social status and political boundaries, and the story of a friendship so strong that it can weather all storms.
This is, firstly, a novel about political intrigue, with a dash of romance, and a struggle against a rising religious power that threatens to overshadow all decent humanity if not contained quickly. Through the dual POV of both main characters – Arlan, the Cursed; and Kaj, the human representative – we see this new world with fresh and familiar eyes at once. I loved that we got to see some events through both sets of eyes, first through Arlan's and then through Kaj's so that we understood the delicate political and often dangerous nuances of language and political understanding. What slips carelessly from Kaj's lips causes shock and surprise for the Ostakians; while what the Ostakians accept so readily is sometimes abhorrent and inconceivable to Kaj. This was really well handled and introduced the idea that Kaj's mission was much more complex than first thought, while offering something for us readers to rally towards. I was fully committed to the Cursed and their plight, to helping them rise from oppression, long before it even became a plot point in the book.
I'll admit, I had a tough time getting started. The style of writing, and the phrases that are by rights original to the people of Ostakis and this new Earth presented to us, were all unusual to me. The writing is somewhat formal in places, sometimes drifting from past tense to present, but maintaining the style throughout. The choice of words was sometimes odd, to me, but sometimes felt as though it was remaining true to the character's knowledge of language rather than the author deliberately dipping into purple prose or making unconventional phrasing choices. It took me about 20% of the book to really feel comfortable with the style and the phrasing, to grasp what it was doing and to feel familiar around the choices made. Once I did, it flowed really well.
I do wish I'd read the contents page, though, because then I would have found out there is a Glossary of Ostakian terms at the back, which I could have used to help me out. However, saying that, the writing made it clear what each word meant as I was reading, so kudos to the author for making it clear even without the glossary.
Also, when I started, I really wasn't sure about why the letters to Marta were included, what they represented, or what point they had to make. But, as I read on, they became a touching reminder of all that Kaj had sacrificed, all that he'd given up, and all that he'd experienced before his journey to Ostakis. It added another lay to his characterisation that I appreciated.
When it comes to characters, I wasn't so sure about Kaj to begin with. He seemed uncomfortable around the Ostakians and inept for the political dance he had entered into. But as time went on, his authority settled and he became more comfortable in his new role, which was great to see. I loved Arlan immediately. He was sweet and feisty, and I rooted for him the whole way through. Pib was another light in the dark; he was sweet and a great friend to Arlan, making sacrifices but finally asserting himself when it came time. I loved their friendship with each other as much as I loved the not-so-subtle chemistry between Kaj and Arlan. From the first minute they met, the attraction was real and noticeable, but I liked that it wasn't insta-love, either. It blossomed nicely throughout the novel.
The world building was also really well done. I liked that we weren't overwhelmed by info dumps of what Ostakis was, how it functioned and all that it entailed, right at the start. For a while, I wasn't entirely sure what the world was like and what those like Arlan were – if they were shifters or humans – but things became clear as it went on and it proved to be a clever bit of mystery that kept me wondering and reading, intrigued to find out more. When the truth of the Unspoken and the Cursed was finally revealed, I found it all the more interesting because of the little hints along the way.
The story deals sympathetically with the cultural themes of women in power, how intersex people are treated, politics and religion, as well the treatment of aboriginal people by invaders. All subjects are relevant to our world, today, but they were also well explored in the world of Ostakis, showing us as the story developed how this world worked and how it had come to the brink of survival. The interlink between the aboriginals and men like Arlan, creating the Unspoken and the Cursed, was a clever piece of plotting and a great mirror to the prejudices of our own world.
Why didn't I give it five stars?
For me, there were a few niggles that just kept it shy of the five star mark.
1. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with the story and the writing style. We had to learn most of Ostakis through Kaj's eyes, at first, and didn't really understand the world until Arlan's POV entered. 2. There was quite a bit of repetition, sometimes of entire scenes, sometimes of conversations, to explain the delicate nuances that separated Earth understanding for Kaj, and Ostakis understanding for Arlan and everyone else. I do understand why most of it was necessary, but it did mean that I had to read conversations a second time when a thought process or recollection might have been enough. 3. I also would have liked more of an exploration about changing the laws for how women and aboriginals were treated, at the end. 4. I would also have liked some kind of resolution to the Pib and Arlan friendship, that better suited their love for one another and their future children.
I was also surprised by the MPREG storyline, as there was no mention of that in the blurb or in the advertisements I've seen. While I love a good MPREG, I think the author is missing a trick by not advertising it as such; it's a growing market and I'm sure many more people would love to know that there's a sci-fi MPREG out there, with a true intersex character and a storyline that isn't all heat and sex, but is clever and original, while portraying a beautiful romance.
~
Favourite Quotes
“I shall love this man to death and beyond for uttering that one sentence.”
March 7, 2019
Sci-Fi fantasy stories always give me a humble feeling. They make me feel aware of the infinity of the universe and how small and void we are.
Kaj Deder, ambassador of planet Earth, is sent by the Human Planets Collective, to planet Ostakis, a former colony planet. Ostakis runs out of resources which will ultimately end the human life on that planet. Kaj has to make a business of trading sources to prevent this.
Not everyone on this planet welcomes Kaj, The Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the high priest of the (very conservative) Faith Progressive Church certainly does not. He wants all the power and present their nation as the purest, in other words he only accepts two genders and one kind of connection, all others are cursed and will be denied.
Arlan Klath is the son of Aulkus Klath, the Trademaster of Ostakis. He is one of the Cursed.
When Arlan turns into heat he has only eyes for one man as ‘mine’.
Arlan’s wonderful father gets arrested by the Church, for protecting a Cursed one and now Kaj has to protect Arlan and rescue Aulkus Klath.
Thyenn Sharr, hateful as he is has vicious plans for the whole Klath house.
First I went to the glossary of Characters and Terms, for me this is necessary because I’m a mess with unusual names and titles. This was clarifying so I was quickly into this story.
It was a charming read even with the sharp parts. The main characters were engaging and they interacted with an appealing light sensual flow.
This journey had a good portion of thrill and angst but also a lot of love and true kindness.
The whole scenery was attractive and all the various characters well developed.
A sci-fi fantasy story just how I like them!
Read and reviewed for Diverse Reader
Kaj Deder, ambassador of planet Earth, is sent by the Human Planets Collective, to planet Ostakis, a former colony planet. Ostakis runs out of resources which will ultimately end the human life on that planet. Kaj has to make a business of trading sources to prevent this.
Not everyone on this planet welcomes Kaj, The Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the high priest of the (very conservative) Faith Progressive Church certainly does not. He wants all the power and present their nation as the purest, in other words he only accepts two genders and one kind of connection, all others are cursed and will be denied.
Arlan Klath is the son of Aulkus Klath, the Trademaster of Ostakis. He is one of the Cursed.
When Arlan turns into heat he has only eyes for one man as ‘mine’.
Arlan’s wonderful father gets arrested by the Church, for protecting a Cursed one and now Kaj has to protect Arlan and rescue Aulkus Klath.
Thyenn Sharr, hateful as he is has vicious plans for the whole Klath house.
First I went to the glossary of Characters and Terms, for me this is necessary because I’m a mess with unusual names and titles. This was clarifying so I was quickly into this story.
It was a charming read even with the sharp parts. The main characters were engaging and they interacted with an appealing light sensual flow.
This journey had a good portion of thrill and angst but also a lot of love and true kindness.
The whole scenery was attractive and all the various characters well developed.
A sci-fi fantasy story just how I like them!
Read and reviewed for Diverse Reader
March 13, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
“Ostakis” was a very surprising read. Surprising plot-wise and surprising that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
The main focus of the story lies on the diplomacy, which was actually really interesting. It’s told through both MCs’ POV, so we got to see the society of Ostakis through the eyes of a stranger and of a native. That was a very good choice and made for some interesting insights.
At times, I thought Kaj was a bit undiplomatic. His mission is a very dangerous one, potentially lethal, actually. And yet, he made some rather clumsy mistakes. Like during the very first meal, he refuses to eat the meat he’s served. He’s a vegetarian and I can see why he wouldn’t be happy to eat an animal. But under such circumstances, that’s a little rude and probably not a very wise decision. Not the kind of behaviour I’d expect from an experienced diplomat. And he did seem a little bit judgmental as well, though only in private. Of course the oppressive society of Ostakis is horrible, but I’d have expected him to be a little more open-minded.
Arlan was a really sweet young man. But also rather brave and fierce, despite the oppressive society he’s grown up in.
The world building of Ostakis was well done. The world building surrounding Earth in the distant future was barely there, however, and seemed rather utopian. You have to be quite the optimist to expect humanity to let go of all prejudices for good and embrace diversity of any kind and create a completely equal society.
Most surprising of all, however, were the Cursed. They’re pretty much a third gender and there’s something like Mpreg in this story. Now, I hate Mpreg with a passion and would never pick up a story with it. But in this case, it actually worked for me. Maybe because I didn’t really see the Cursed as males and more something like intersex. Kaj and Arlan are real equals, which is not something I’ve seen in stories of this kind before. Plus, there wasn’t a lot of focus on the pregnancy itself and more on the inequality and oppression of the Cursed.
I really liked the idea behind the story and I think there might just be hope that this is the start of a new series. I really hope so, because I’d love to read more about this idea. Maybe on different planets, so we get to see more of the universe.
The cover by Natasha Snow is very fitting, though maybe a little bit dark.
“Ostakis” was a very surprising read. Surprising plot-wise and surprising that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
The main focus of the story lies on the diplomacy, which was actually really interesting. It’s told through both MCs’ POV, so we got to see the society of Ostakis through the eyes of a stranger and of a native. That was a very good choice and made for some interesting insights.
At times, I thought Kaj was a bit undiplomatic. His mission is a very dangerous one, potentially lethal, actually. And yet, he made some rather clumsy mistakes. Like during the very first meal, he refuses to eat the meat he’s served. He’s a vegetarian and I can see why he wouldn’t be happy to eat an animal. But under such circumstances, that’s a little rude and probably not a very wise decision. Not the kind of behaviour I’d expect from an experienced diplomat. And he did seem a little bit judgmental as well, though only in private. Of course the oppressive society of Ostakis is horrible, but I’d have expected him to be a little more open-minded.
Arlan was a really sweet young man. But also rather brave and fierce, despite the oppressive society he’s grown up in.
The world building of Ostakis was well done. The world building surrounding Earth in the distant future was barely there, however, and seemed rather utopian. You have to be quite the optimist to expect humanity to let go of all prejudices for good and embrace diversity of any kind and create a completely equal society.
Most surprising of all, however, were the Cursed. They’re pretty much a third gender and there’s something like Mpreg in this story. Now, I hate Mpreg with a passion and would never pick up a story with it. But in this case, it actually worked for me. Maybe because I didn’t really see the Cursed as males and more something like intersex. Kaj and Arlan are real equals, which is not something I’ve seen in stories of this kind before. Plus, there wasn’t a lot of focus on the pregnancy itself and more on the inequality and oppression of the Cursed.
I really liked the idea behind the story and I think there might just be hope that this is the start of a new series. I really hope so, because I’d love to read more about this idea. Maybe on different planets, so we get to see more of the universe.
The cover by Natasha Snow is very fitting, though maybe a little bit dark.
September 5, 2023
I'm rounding this up from 3.5. It took me a little bit to really get into this story. I'm glad I kept going with it though. It wound up being an interesting story.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
March 16, 2019
3.5 STARS
This was an interesting read and while it is a science fiction book, the conflict caused by the meshing of politics and religion is certainly a contemporary one that most readers would relate to.
Our main characters are Kaj and Arlan, and the story is presented from both men’s point of view. Kaj is a representative from the Human Planets Collective, an organization that seemed somewhat similar to the European Union, as in you join their group for extra benefits such as trade agreements. He’s been sent to Ostakis, a planet settled then practically forgotten by humans 2500 years ago. His job is to assess their suitability before allowing them to join the collective. At first I thought this was going to be a bit of a commentary on the negative impact of colonization, and I guess it is a little, but that all happened thousands of years in the past. Earth has finally come to acknowledge the danger posed by practicing inequality and fanatical religion, and it is cautiously evaluating human settled planets before forging any agreements. Kaj was already aware that on Ostakis, women were considered lower status than men, but he didn’t understand why certain men also seemed to be included in that discrimination. But Kaj soon discovers that these aren’t men at all, but a third gender, known only as the Cursed.
Arlan is one of the Cursed, considered an abomination by the reigning Ostakis religion. He is considered property rather than a person, and is only saved from physical abuse thanks to the love of his rich father. I actually loved the idea of the Cursed, and how they are so reviled by the majority of the population. How often these days do we hear people say that you are born a certain gender and that’s that? Well here we have people physically born this gender and they are still hated and misunderstood.
I liked these two men together, the way they found strength in each other to stand up for what was right, rather than avoiding rocking the boat. And they had the support of an awesome secondary cast. Even the bad guy was manically interesting whenever he made an appearance.
My only criticism, which is a rather major one, is that I found the beginning of this book very confusing and that confusion carried on for quite some time. The first meeting between Kaj and the representatives of Ostakis is fraught with innuendo and hidden meanings couched in political politeness. Problem was, I just couldn’t understand the feints and hints because I was yet to learn these characters or the rules of the planet. It made it hard to really start enjoying the book and I felt like I was forcing myself to keep wading through. However, having said that, I did end up thoroughly enjoying the story by the time I finished.
I think that the author has created a world that is imaginative and deserves further exploration. Now that I understand the planet of Ostakis better, I truly hopes that Angelica Primm chooses to continue setting stories here so we can find out what happens to the population as they break from the restrictions of the church. I would especially love to get Pib’s story!
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2019/02/1...
This was an interesting read and while it is a science fiction book, the conflict caused by the meshing of politics and religion is certainly a contemporary one that most readers would relate to.
Our main characters are Kaj and Arlan, and the story is presented from both men’s point of view. Kaj is a representative from the Human Planets Collective, an organization that seemed somewhat similar to the European Union, as in you join their group for extra benefits such as trade agreements. He’s been sent to Ostakis, a planet settled then practically forgotten by humans 2500 years ago. His job is to assess their suitability before allowing them to join the collective. At first I thought this was going to be a bit of a commentary on the negative impact of colonization, and I guess it is a little, but that all happened thousands of years in the past. Earth has finally come to acknowledge the danger posed by practicing inequality and fanatical religion, and it is cautiously evaluating human settled planets before forging any agreements. Kaj was already aware that on Ostakis, women were considered lower status than men, but he didn’t understand why certain men also seemed to be included in that discrimination. But Kaj soon discovers that these aren’t men at all, but a third gender, known only as the Cursed.
Arlan is one of the Cursed, considered an abomination by the reigning Ostakis religion. He is considered property rather than a person, and is only saved from physical abuse thanks to the love of his rich father. I actually loved the idea of the Cursed, and how they are so reviled by the majority of the population. How often these days do we hear people say that you are born a certain gender and that’s that? Well here we have people physically born this gender and they are still hated and misunderstood.
I liked these two men together, the way they found strength in each other to stand up for what was right, rather than avoiding rocking the boat. And they had the support of an awesome secondary cast. Even the bad guy was manically interesting whenever he made an appearance.
My only criticism, which is a rather major one, is that I found the beginning of this book very confusing and that confusion carried on for quite some time. The first meeting between Kaj and the representatives of Ostakis is fraught with innuendo and hidden meanings couched in political politeness. Problem was, I just couldn’t understand the feints and hints because I was yet to learn these characters or the rules of the planet. It made it hard to really start enjoying the book and I felt like I was forcing myself to keep wading through. However, having said that, I did end up thoroughly enjoying the story by the time I finished.
I think that the author has created a world that is imaginative and deserves further exploration. Now that I understand the planet of Ostakis better, I truly hopes that Angelica Primm chooses to continue setting stories here so we can find out what happens to the population as they break from the restrictions of the church. I would especially love to get Pib’s story!
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2019/02/1...
February 21, 2019
Title: Human Planets Collective Ostakis
Author: Angelica Primm
Publisher: Nine Star Press
ISBN: 978-1-950412-03-7
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ostakis-Angeli...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Human Planets Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. But in the twenty-five hundred years since Earth lost contact with Ostakis, the people of that colony have dramatically changed. Kaj is tasked with finding the reason for these changes while he forges trade links between the HPC and Ostakis. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees the arrival of Kaj as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj’s powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath’s son, Arlan does not smooth relations.
Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide from the homeworld and the HPC. The Curse of the Unspoken, wrought through the unspeakable acts of the First Colonists, afflicts all Ostakians, but some more strongly than others. Arlan is totally Cursed, considered born sinful and he lives without legal rights or property. He is scrutinized by Sharr who is enraged that Arlan’s father defiantly refuses to submit Arlan to a cruel act to “redeem” Arlan’s soul. The stakes increase when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship that Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the power of his Church.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Ambassador Kaj Deder is about to embark on his first diplomatic position on the Ostakis, an old Earth colony. They lost contact hundreds of years ago and it is hoped they will be wiling to join the Collective for everyone’s benefit. If not eventually the colony is doomed to fail. Kaj is with the second group to approach the colony and is determined to find out what happened. It is painfully apparent that the start that the Faith Progressive Church has a chock hold on the colony in ways that is more than stiflling their development. In the House of Klath, Kaj finds not only allies, but his initial reaction to Arlan, the son of Aulkus Klath. What was remarkable was Arlan looked exactly like the description of the man Kaj’s dead wife told him about so long ago. Things take a strange turn when Kaj begins to realize that Arlan is treated differently then other young men, but when Kaj asks why he is met with silence. The situation quickly spirals out of control when Sharr, the leader of the Faith Progressive Church makes his move against the House of Klath placing Kaj and everyone around him in danger.
This was a fascinating look one possibility of how humanity could evolve in a new world. There are many secrets that the people of Ostakis are keeping from Kaj, but what will he find and is he up to the task head of him. The growing relationship between Kaj and Arlan was both wonderful and mysterious. It was horrifying how the Faith Progressive Church Treated the individuals who they felt were cursed. It reminds me of when society used some groups a scapegoats for all of their problems. This was a wonderful and riveting look into one possible future.
Author: Angelica Primm
Publisher: Nine Star Press
ISBN: 978-1-950412-03-7
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ostakis-Angeli...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Human Planets Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. But in the twenty-five hundred years since Earth lost contact with Ostakis, the people of that colony have dramatically changed. Kaj is tasked with finding the reason for these changes while he forges trade links between the HPC and Ostakis. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees the arrival of Kaj as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj’s powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath’s son, Arlan does not smooth relations.
Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide from the homeworld and the HPC. The Curse of the Unspoken, wrought through the unspeakable acts of the First Colonists, afflicts all Ostakians, but some more strongly than others. Arlan is totally Cursed, considered born sinful and he lives without legal rights or property. He is scrutinized by Sharr who is enraged that Arlan’s father defiantly refuses to submit Arlan to a cruel act to “redeem” Arlan’s soul. The stakes increase when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship that Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the power of his Church.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Ambassador Kaj Deder is about to embark on his first diplomatic position on the Ostakis, an old Earth colony. They lost contact hundreds of years ago and it is hoped they will be wiling to join the Collective for everyone’s benefit. If not eventually the colony is doomed to fail. Kaj is with the second group to approach the colony and is determined to find out what happened. It is painfully apparent that the start that the Faith Progressive Church has a chock hold on the colony in ways that is more than stiflling their development. In the House of Klath, Kaj finds not only allies, but his initial reaction to Arlan, the son of Aulkus Klath. What was remarkable was Arlan looked exactly like the description of the man Kaj’s dead wife told him about so long ago. Things take a strange turn when Kaj begins to realize that Arlan is treated differently then other young men, but when Kaj asks why he is met with silence. The situation quickly spirals out of control when Sharr, the leader of the Faith Progressive Church makes his move against the House of Klath placing Kaj and everyone around him in danger.
This was a fascinating look one possibility of how humanity could evolve in a new world. There are many secrets that the people of Ostakis are keeping from Kaj, but what will he find and is he up to the task head of him. The growing relationship between Kaj and Arlan was both wonderful and mysterious. It was horrifying how the Faith Progressive Church Treated the individuals who they felt were cursed. It reminds me of when society used some groups a scapegoats for all of their problems. This was a wonderful and riveting look into one possible future.
June 14, 2019
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
The entire book reminded me hardcore of "Left Hand of Darkness" by the great and late Ursula K Le Guin - but I'll come back to that later... Kaj is sent to Ostakis, a planet with descendants of human settlers many centuries ago, in order to establish diplomatic exchange and to establish trade in the long run. Etiquette and social norms are very different from earth, especially the so-called Cursed have a problematic role in society, being discriminated against by the Church.
*SPOILERS NOW* Kaj falls in love and has sex with the Cursed son of the most important man of the most important house on the planet. Cursed persons are intersex and have a heat twice a year where they can become pregnant. Pregnant men are therefore not unseen yet in a very unsafe position in society as they are understood as sinful by the church.
Things I liked:
+ Gender/Sex and science-fiction
+ Gay love story
+ Pregnant men
+ The story was really gripping and easy to read - it felt more of a novella than a novel due to its lack of detail, which was also nice and not nice at the same time
+ Intersexuality possible for humans
+ Diplomatic missions
+ Criticism of unreflected religion
+ That humanity has moved on from inequality and
Things that I did not like:
- the story progresses so fast there is no time for real character development
- women are also discriminated against because that's just what you do, right?
- the relationship of Kaj and his former wife remains dubious and blunt, a mere plot device?
- I found this very animalistic take on sexuality as almost 'violent' mating without any reason or control problematic, also very graphic yet not really...tasteful?
- I did not find the entire diplomatic and then assassin plot convincing after the initial parts of the book
- some ideas were very reminiscent of "The Left Hand of Darkness" like: diplomatic mission, humanoid species on an alien planet that was colonized and now has different sex (or gender) modalities, heat = kemmer, love story between two men that is not acted upon (Le Guin) / that is acted upon in a very ouvert fashion (Primm) which can then again be found in Le Guin's "Coming of Age in Karhide" --- and I found that this take on the entire relationship between our two main characters was very straightforward and this unbelievable...
- Kaj from the homeplanet coming to "school" the population of this planet
- Indigenous population of the planet as origin of the intersex abilities of the "Cursed" people - introduced as a mere explanation without any deeper sense, they are portrayed as the mysterious savages whose language and reproduction was assimilated and who are now the "Unspoken" (wtf)
I know that this was a lot of criticism but I just couldn't stop myself comparing it to the utterly beautiful love story in Le Guin's novel and the very rich and detailed and confusing (yet rightly so!) exploration of a diplomat on a foreign planet with foreign rules and a different form of reproduction, sex and love.
3 - 3,5 stars - I'm not really sure right now.
The entire book reminded me hardcore of "Left Hand of Darkness" by the great and late Ursula K Le Guin - but I'll come back to that later... Kaj is sent to Ostakis, a planet with descendants of human settlers many centuries ago, in order to establish diplomatic exchange and to establish trade in the long run. Etiquette and social norms are very different from earth, especially the so-called Cursed have a problematic role in society, being discriminated against by the Church.
*SPOILERS NOW* Kaj falls in love and has sex with the Cursed son of the most important man of the most important house on the planet. Cursed persons are intersex and have a heat twice a year where they can become pregnant. Pregnant men are therefore not unseen yet in a very unsafe position in society as they are understood as sinful by the church.
Things I liked:
+ Gender/Sex and science-fiction
+ Gay love story
+ Pregnant men
+ The story was really gripping and easy to read - it felt more of a novella than a novel due to its lack of detail, which was also nice and not nice at the same time
+ Intersexuality possible for humans
+ Diplomatic missions
+ Criticism of unreflected religion
+ That humanity has moved on from inequality and
Things that I did not like:
- the story progresses so fast there is no time for real character development
- women are also discriminated against because that's just what you do, right?
- the relationship of Kaj and his former wife remains dubious and blunt, a mere plot device?
- I found this very animalistic take on sexuality as almost 'violent' mating without any reason or control problematic, also very graphic yet not really...tasteful?
- I did not find the entire diplomatic and then assassin plot convincing after the initial parts of the book
- some ideas were very reminiscent of "The Left Hand of Darkness" like: diplomatic mission, humanoid species on an alien planet that was colonized and now has different sex (or gender) modalities, heat = kemmer, love story between two men that is not acted upon (Le Guin) / that is acted upon in a very ouvert fashion (Primm) which can then again be found in Le Guin's "Coming of Age in Karhide" --- and I found that this take on the entire relationship between our two main characters was very straightforward and this unbelievable...
- Kaj from the homeplanet coming to "school" the population of this planet
- Indigenous population of the planet as origin of the intersex abilities of the "Cursed" people - introduced as a mere explanation without any deeper sense, they are portrayed as the mysterious savages whose language and reproduction was assimilated and who are now the "Unspoken" (wtf)
I know that this was a lot of criticism but I just couldn't stop myself comparing it to the utterly beautiful love story in Le Guin's novel and the very rich and detailed and confusing (yet rightly so!) exploration of a diplomat on a foreign planet with foreign rules and a different form of reproduction, sex and love.
3 - 3,5 stars - I'm not really sure right now.
February 18, 2019
2.5 stars
As a long-time reader of science fiction, I wanted more from this book.
Ostakis is a sci-fi romance with a focus on diplomacy. Kaj, an ambassador from Earth, comes to a lost colony to bring it into a collected alliance of human planets. What he encounters is a stratified society, with certain individuals—the Cursed—held in a subjugated role based on their physical characteristics. The position of the Cursed is reinforced by a powerful church that views them as inherently sinful, a manifestation of the wickedness of their forebears. Kaj is appalled by their treatment, particularly after meeting Arlan, a Cursed who also happens to be the son of a powerful man who defies the teachings of the church. When Kaj and Arlan develop a personal relationship, the church’s leader sees attacking them as an opportunity to protect his religion in the face of possible change and to amass even more power for himself by getting rid of a powerful rival.
It’s an intriguing premise. Diplomatic sci-fi can be very interesting if done well, and the author does a good job outlining Kaj’s attempts to navigate an unfamiliar culture and the pitfalls and challenges he faces. She also includes a twist involving his mission that I didn’t see coming, always a plus in my book.
As good as that aspect of the novel is, however, the story could use more detail, both in the worldbuilding and in the development of the romance between Kaj and Arlan. There’s minimal description of Ostakis itself, and there’s one aspect of the planet that absolutely demands clearer explanation than is given. The lack of detail is a glaring omission in that particular case. Kaj and Arlan’s initial meeting is handled well, but after their relationship becomes physical, it doesn’t take long before they are professing their love, even though they’ve spent relatively little time together because of all the political upheaval going on around them.
In my opinion, this book would have benefited from being longer, which would have given the author more room to develop the story. I also think that stronger editorial guidance or more input from beta readers would have been helpful in terms of identifying potential weak spots in the narrative.
This is only the author’s second novel, though, and her writing shows enough potential that I’m going to keep an eye out for more of her work.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
As a long-time reader of science fiction, I wanted more from this book.
Ostakis is a sci-fi romance with a focus on diplomacy. Kaj, an ambassador from Earth, comes to a lost colony to bring it into a collected alliance of human planets. What he encounters is a stratified society, with certain individuals—the Cursed—held in a subjugated role based on their physical characteristics. The position of the Cursed is reinforced by a powerful church that views them as inherently sinful, a manifestation of the wickedness of their forebears. Kaj is appalled by their treatment, particularly after meeting Arlan, a Cursed who also happens to be the son of a powerful man who defies the teachings of the church. When Kaj and Arlan develop a personal relationship, the church’s leader sees attacking them as an opportunity to protect his religion in the face of possible change and to amass even more power for himself by getting rid of a powerful rival.
It’s an intriguing premise. Diplomatic sci-fi can be very interesting if done well, and the author does a good job outlining Kaj’s attempts to navigate an unfamiliar culture and the pitfalls and challenges he faces. She also includes a twist involving his mission that I didn’t see coming, always a plus in my book.
As good as that aspect of the novel is, however, the story could use more detail, both in the worldbuilding and in the development of the romance between Kaj and Arlan. There’s minimal description of Ostakis itself, and there’s one aspect of the planet that absolutely demands clearer explanation than is given. The lack of detail is a glaring omission in that particular case. Kaj and Arlan’s initial meeting is handled well, but after their relationship becomes physical, it doesn’t take long before they are professing their love, even though they’ve spent relatively little time together because of all the political upheaval going on around them.
In my opinion, this book would have benefited from being longer, which would have given the author more room to develop the story. I also think that stronger editorial guidance or more input from beta readers would have been helpful in terms of identifying potential weak spots in the narrative.
This is only the author’s second novel, though, and her writing shows enough potential that I’m going to keep an eye out for more of her work.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
February 15, 2019
This was a very enjoyable sci-fi book and it's own version of mpreg and heats. This is not an omegaverse novel. But, the characters are well developed, the world building is done very well, and the writing style is easy to read.
The MCs of this story are from different worlds...at least at this point in time. Kai is sent from Old Earth as an "ambassador" to Ostakis; a planet that had been colonized by humans hundreds of centuries ago, and then left to its own devices. The Humans Planets Collective, or HPC, is trying to find acceptable colonies/planets to open trade and other interests with; as long as they meet their standards.
Arlan is what is known as a Cursed by the religious zealots who hold an exorbitant amount of power over the citizens of Ostakis. He is a sinner who incites men to sin...meaning that when he goes into heat, men can't resist him, which of course is an abomination.
While the premise for the origins of the Cursed is not the first of its nature I have read, it is the reverse of one of my favorite series. In this, the colonists were human and subjugated the aboriginal people in order to survive what was supposed to have been a well researched and planned colonization of a new planet. The original tribes were dual gendered (internally), and became known as the Unspoken. When a Cursed child shows up in a clan, it is seen by many as a sign of the sins of their forebears, and the Cursed are treated as less than servants, with no rights; basically slaves.
This is a story of overcoming extreme social bigotry through first legal action, then fear tactics, violence, and extreme chaos. But, love finds a way through adversity and lies, shared pain, and loss.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained by the twists and turns of what appeared to be real and the actual truth of the matter. I especially enjoyed the ending of the story. I thought it wrapped this book up well and left the reader with room for their own imagination. This being said, the book is not a cliffhanger.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book. *
The MCs of this story are from different worlds...at least at this point in time. Kai is sent from Old Earth as an "ambassador" to Ostakis; a planet that had been colonized by humans hundreds of centuries ago, and then left to its own devices. The Humans Planets Collective, or HPC, is trying to find acceptable colonies/planets to open trade and other interests with; as long as they meet their standards.
Arlan is what is known as a Cursed by the religious zealots who hold an exorbitant amount of power over the citizens of Ostakis. He is a sinner who incites men to sin...meaning that when he goes into heat, men can't resist him, which of course is an abomination.
While the premise for the origins of the Cursed is not the first of its nature I have read, it is the reverse of one of my favorite series. In this, the colonists were human and subjugated the aboriginal people in order to survive what was supposed to have been a well researched and planned colonization of a new planet. The original tribes were dual gendered (internally), and became known as the Unspoken. When a Cursed child shows up in a clan, it is seen by many as a sign of the sins of their forebears, and the Cursed are treated as less than servants, with no rights; basically slaves.
This is a story of overcoming extreme social bigotry through first legal action, then fear tactics, violence, and extreme chaos. But, love finds a way through adversity and lies, shared pain, and loss.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained by the twists and turns of what appeared to be real and the actual truth of the matter. I especially enjoyed the ending of the story. I thought it wrapped this book up well and left the reader with room for their own imagination. This being said, the book is not a cliffhanger.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book. *
April 20, 2019
“Modern and old, wide and close, bright and dark, these were the contrasts of my new home. In which light would I stand in the coming days? Despite the heat, I shivered, because I did not know the answer.” ~ Kaj
It has been quite a while since I have read a science-fiction story and there was something in the blurb for ‘Ostakis’, something merely hinted at, that had me very curious as to what Kaj was going to find on this planet and who the Cursed are. Kaj has come to this planet, originally settled by colonists from Earth, as an ambassador in hopes of setting up trade but also to get a clearer picture of what has happened to the Earth-related humans here in the twenty-five centuries since Earth last had contact. What he finds is something he never could have foreseen.
Kaj is only forty-eight hours into his stay on Ostakis when everything basically goes to hell in a handbasket. Unfortunately, there is a lot to this story that I can’t reveal as it would be gigantic spoilers and I’m not going to ruin the read for another. What I can say is Kaj is disgusted by the culture he sees with some people being more important than others and by a religion that leads by fear, intimidation, and scare tactics. It takes Kaj a while to discover all the secrets this unique world is keeping but he’s determined to understand, not just Ostakian society, but also Arlan.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
It has been quite a while since I have read a science-fiction story and there was something in the blurb for ‘Ostakis’, something merely hinted at, that had me very curious as to what Kaj was going to find on this planet and who the Cursed are. Kaj has come to this planet, originally settled by colonists from Earth, as an ambassador in hopes of setting up trade but also to get a clearer picture of what has happened to the Earth-related humans here in the twenty-five centuries since Earth last had contact. What he finds is something he never could have foreseen.
Kaj is only forty-eight hours into his stay on Ostakis when everything basically goes to hell in a handbasket. Unfortunately, there is a lot to this story that I can’t reveal as it would be gigantic spoilers and I’m not going to ruin the read for another. What I can say is Kaj is disgusted by the culture he sees with some people being more important than others and by a religion that leads by fear, intimidation, and scare tactics. It takes Kaj a while to discover all the secrets this unique world is keeping but he’s determined to understand, not just Ostakian society, but also Arlan.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
February 13, 2019
I received a copy of Ostakis by Angelica Primm via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. I’ve enjoyed first contact stories since I started reading science fiction in fifth grade and Ostakis is an intriguing addition to the genre. The Earth ambassador, Kaj, is obviously carrying a lot of baggage, all of which gets revealed by the end of the book. Also revealed is the secret the colonists of Ostakis try to keep hidden from Kaj. I loved the way Kaj’s mission was successfully accomplished. The author does a good job of combining elements of Earth as we know it and the way Earth culture has evolved into something we might aspire to. There were a few anachronisms, but not many. The world of Ostakis is similarly well developed, as befits the first book in a likely series. The big twist near the end boosted my review to five stars, as I did not see it coming at all.
February 25, 2019
Lots of potential and interesting concepts.
But too much happened to the ambassador in too short a time. I enjoyed it less as the story continued and found a few things pretty implausible nearer the end.
This is the one planet apart from Earth in the known universe with intelligent life, and those creatures are genetically close enough to interbreed with humans? And what's with the ambassador going native and staying long term but deciding he'll simply keep that fact from the new ambassador even though they interact with each other. Isn't his first name going to be a bit of a giveaway. Or someone pointing him out to her as the former ambassador?!
I'd still give this author another go in the future to see how she develops.
But too much happened to the ambassador in too short a time. I enjoyed it less as the story continued and found a few things pretty implausible nearer the end.
This is the one planet apart from Earth in the known universe with intelligent life, and those creatures are genetically close enough to interbreed with humans? And what's with the ambassador going native and staying long term but deciding he'll simply keep that fact from the new ambassador even though they interact with each other. Isn't his first name going to be a bit of a giveaway. Or someone pointing him out to her as the former ambassador?!
I'd still give this author another go in the future to see how she develops.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
I had read the prequel before reading the original novel, Ostakis, so I had gotten some background and wasn't shocked at the revelation that Kaj faced as Earth's ambassador to Ostakis. The revelation was still good though if you decide to read the prequel beforehand. I mean you can't go wrong reading this series. It's so good, so original, so creative and so well-written with great, deep characters.
The only complaint I have with the story is that I fell in love with Segun and Aulkus. I didn't like how their characters turned out but that doesn't take away from the greatness of the story or series. It's just I like these characters and I had wanted more of them.
In Ostakis, we have Segun and Aulkus' son, Arlan, and Kaj. They also have an amazing love story.
The only complaint I have with the story is that I fell in love with Segun and Aulkus. I didn't like how their characters turned out but that doesn't take away from the greatness of the story or series. It's just I like these characters and I had wanted more of them.
In Ostakis, we have Segun and Aulkus' son, Arlan, and Kaj. They also have an amazing love story.
February 18, 2019
At first when I started reading this book. I thought I wasnt getting the gist of the people and their place in the story. When I did, I loved how this author took a taboo subject and brought to light how difficult life can be for those not "socially acceptable". It warmed my heart when I read through to the end and how it ended. I totally recommend this to open minded people. I congratulate this author on a well written story! I hope she builds on this story line. I would love to read more about the different characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2019
This is a well-written, enjoyable Sci-fi romance with an unusual version of Mpreg & it kept my attention. The story-line & plot is well-thought out & written. The author took the time to explain about the “cursed” so the reader is not lost or confused. The unique characters are well-developed & interesting.
There is: political issues, religious issues, twists & turns, intrigue, adventure, action, secrets, attractions, emotional turmoil, discrimination, prejudicial treatment, fear, violence, adversity, deceit, conflict, abduction, defiance, determination, some steam, contentment, happiness & a well-deserved gratifying ending.
There is: political issues, religious issues, twists & turns, intrigue, adventure, action, secrets, attractions, emotional turmoil, discrimination, prejudicial treatment, fear, violence, adversity, deceit, conflict, abduction, defiance, determination, some steam, contentment, happiness & a well-deserved gratifying ending.
March 30, 2021
It’s been so long since I’ve read a good mpreg book that is truly original and not a repeat of every other mpreg book out there.
When I say “mpreg book”, I don’t mean to say that this book is all about mpreg. Far from it, there’s an awesome plot line that keeps you engaged and wanting to learn about the culture and society on this foreign world. There’s politics and bad guys, some romance and mpreg.
The ending is perfect.
I can’t say the whole book was perfect, the writing was pretty brusque, to the point, but it was definitely a wonderful read that I greatly enjoyed. I only wish there were more books out there with original ideas like this one.
When I say “mpreg book”, I don’t mean to say that this book is all about mpreg. Far from it, there’s an awesome plot line that keeps you engaged and wanting to learn about the culture and society on this foreign world. There’s politics and bad guys, some romance and mpreg.
The ending is perfect.
I can’t say the whole book was perfect, the writing was pretty brusque, to the point, but it was definitely a wonderful read that I greatly enjoyed. I only wish there were more books out there with original ideas like this one.
August 28, 2023
First things first, I loved it a lot. Second thing, I found this book because I read an ARC for its prequel and discovered this gem already existed after I finished it. Saying that because it really changed how I saw this story. I was already connected and informed with this new world. But I also got to see the story of Aulkus and his mate, Segun, and because of this, Aulkus’ story broke me a little. Okay, a lot! I feel for Aulkus and Segun in that prequel, so I will say, read them both! Not sure which way I recommend reading it, but Segun should come out sometime September 2023. Anyway, now that I said my peace about Aulkus and Segun, let me tell you my thoughts on Kaj and Arlan. They were fantastic, with some issues to overcome. Kaj is from the home world of Earth and trying to bring trade to Ostakis. Arlan is a Cursed and the son of the trade master, Aulkus. The church is constantly trying to bring down the House of Klath (Arlan’s family). This creates a whole lot of issues for everyone involved. The story is creative and entertaining, while also emotional and sensual, though the sex is a lower spice level. The bond between Kaj and Arlan is fierce. I love Arlan’s family and was thrilled at the wonderful father Aulkus was. The writing is well done, the world building fantastic. This book while set in the future has a formality and themes like it is set well in the past. It is unique in that sense. I highly recommend reading this and the prequel when it is published.
February 15, 2019
Ok, as anyone that regularly reads my reviews knows, I do not read anything about the books before deciding to read them. So this one was a seriously shock to me. But it was definitely worth the read. The political, religious and prejudices that this plot has are all very relevant and hooked me in right away. I adored the outlook that Kaj Deder from Earth has on it all. This was a very good read and I look forward to reading more works from this author in the future.
July 9, 2023
This Book Is Fascinating And Intriguing.
Although I’m not usually a fan of science fiction, I fell madly in love with this story from the very beginning. There are many twists and turns, but I didn’t see any of them coming. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it from cover to cover until I was at the end. Then I read it again because I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Kudos to the author. I loved this book. I highly recommend it.
Although I’m not usually a fan of science fiction, I fell madly in love with this story from the very beginning. There are many twists and turns, but I didn’t see any of them coming. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it from cover to cover until I was at the end. Then I read it again because I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Kudos to the author. I loved this book. I highly recommend it.
February 20, 2019
this was a great read. i love science fiction and political reads. this had both. this book could have been written in our current time. i don't want to give away to much, it was really interesting and well written. i would def recommend this book. first time reading this author and i really enjoyed it.
February 16, 2019
Very Enjoyable
This was a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi story. The storyline was very interesting, the characters were engaging, and the world building was top notch and really drew me in.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi story. The storyline was very interesting, the characters were engaging, and the world building was top notch and really drew me in.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2019
A very well written story that got me completely hooked. It has sci-fi, fantasy, romance, religious matters, political intrigues... All of it joined in a wonderful storyline.
February 18, 2019
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
3.5 -4 stars
I initially struggled to get into the story: the beginning where Kaj was reading inbetween the lines went over my head.
The author explored the ‘cursed’ really well and by the end you get a clearer picture as to how they came to exist.
Arlan and Kaj have a sizzling connection throughout. Kaj was overwhelmed after discovering the truth of the things that were kept from him. I couldn’t blame him for being uncertain, conflicted and confused. The author captured his inner turmoil really well.
My heart broke for Pib; where Arlan was very fortunate to have a father that cared, Pib wasn’t so lucky.
The unfolding events towards the end were devastating and very moving. The ending with Arlan and Kaj was absolutely beautiful and captured the true essence of their loving relationship perfectly.
3.5 -4 stars
I initially struggled to get into the story: the beginning where Kaj was reading inbetween the lines went over my head.
The author explored the ‘cursed’ really well and by the end you get a clearer picture as to how they came to exist.
Arlan and Kaj have a sizzling connection throughout. Kaj was overwhelmed after discovering the truth of the things that were kept from him. I couldn’t blame him for being uncertain, conflicted and confused. The author captured his inner turmoil really well.
My heart broke for Pib; where Arlan was very fortunate to have a father that cared, Pib wasn’t so lucky.
The unfolding events towards the end were devastating and very moving. The ending with Arlan and Kaj was absolutely beautiful and captured the true essence of their loving relationship perfectly.
February 9, 2019
The story had me in its grip from start to finish. An ambassador from Earth arrives at a planet, which has been populated by Earthlings for some time but had lost contact with the mother planet. Right from the start, there was the sense of being a stranger in a strange land with the mystery surrounding the action which is slowly unpacked to eventually reach the climax when we meet the indigenous peoples. The ambassador finds he is attracted to a young man who holds a deep secret, which the locals wish to hide from the new ambassador. But of course, the two get together and there are hot sex scenes which are tastefully portrayed. Amongst this dance of attraction, there is political intrigue, death and almost love lost.
AS usual for this author, Angelica portrays characters which are easily resonated with and ring true to life despite the futuristic far-flung planet the story unfolds upon. This is a great story to escape into that holds romance, mystery, fantasy and sci-fi. I love it.
AS usual for this author, Angelica portrays characters which are easily resonated with and ring true to life despite the futuristic far-flung planet the story unfolds upon. This is a great story to escape into that holds romance, mystery, fantasy and sci-fi. I love it.
February 15, 2019
Beyond the story there were a lot of interesting things to think about in this book. The outsider view of our world was really well done and fascinating. I think the author probably has a lot more hope in humanity than I generally do lol. The story itself was well written and had great pacing. I like how it builds up suspicions. My one complaint would be that the part with the Unspoken seemed a bit too fast and really didn't give them any chance to redeem themselves, but perhaps that's a problem for a sequel.
February 15, 2019
Set far in the future, Ostakis takes us to a world that is slowly dying. With resources running out and a population in decline, the government feels the world can only be saved by joining the Human Planet Collective. Kaj, ambassador for the HPC, finds more than a dying world, he discovers prejudice, bigotry, and sexism. Now Kaj must balance his political duties with his own personal beliefs before time runs out. A well written blend of political intrigue, world-building, and steamy romance, Ostakis is fast paced and engaging.
I found this story to be both engrossing and heartbreaking. The treatment of the Cursed was archaic and horrific and the ending was very satisfying. The author did a wonderful job creating the complex political systems and showing their impact on everyday life in this new society. The ties between the church and government led to devastating treatment on marginalized peoples and the parallels with our politics was spot on.
This book was great! Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.
Ostakis by Angelica Primm is available February 18th from Nine Star Press
I found this story to be both engrossing and heartbreaking. The treatment of the Cursed was archaic and horrific and the ending was very satisfying. The author did a wonderful job creating the complex political systems and showing their impact on everyday life in this new society. The ties between the church and government led to devastating treatment on marginalized peoples and the parallels with our politics was spot on.
This book was great! Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.
Ostakis by Angelica Primm is available February 18th from Nine Star Press
February 17, 2019
This is a good, quick read. I'd characterize it as a sort of psychological study since it shows how people/society react when feeling scared or threatened. Really well-written characters, and excellent, fairly complex plot kept me engaged. Another author with solid talent. Recommended.
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