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She wants both sides of her cyborg—the medic AND the beast.
***
A fully functional cyborg is balanced. His machine half and his organic half work together to produce the perfect warrior.

Doc isn’t fully functional.

The G Model operates at the two extremes. When his machine is in complete control, he’s the logic-driven medic, saving lifespans. Once his organics take charge, he becomes the savage beast…and beings die.

Both sides of Doc want to be the first to claim his female.

Allinen is one of the few beings in her small settlement who wasn’t born with a fated mate. Determined to belong somewhere, she has crafted a plan to leave the planet.

That plan doesn’t involve a huge stormy-eyed male who alternates between cool seduction and out-of-control ravishment. Doc isn’t her fated mate. Allinen knows that. But his dual nature and forbidden embraces tempt her to forget forever and indulge in more immediate delights.

Neither side of Doc views their relationship as being temporary. Her conflicted cyborg is prepared to battle her family, her planet and death itself to keep her.

***

Doc’s Orders is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the second of five core stories in the Cyborg Space Exploration Series.
Book 1: Choosing Chuckles
Book 2: Doc’s Orders
Book 3: Dominance And Dissent
Book 4: North Bound
Book 5: Testing Truth

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2019

176 people are currently reading
150 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
191 (45%)
4 stars
149 (35%)
3 stars
65 (15%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
1,353 reviews38 followers
July 13, 2019
The warship Reckless was going to Khambalia 5 to gather information on the beings, the vegetation, and the terrain. The Chief Medic - Doc - was leading a team of three cyborgs: himself, Truth and Dissent. The planet is full of toxic vegetation, strange creatures, none dangerous to cyborgs. When he sees Allinen, Doc knows right away that she's his genetically compatible mate. Doc hadn't found a mate because he's too damaged. He's has always had a problem with his two halves, his machine and his organic halves never meshed; he works hard at keeping them separate. And uh-oh, Doc's organic half threatens to emerge in Allinen's presence. His brutal, violent half; his beast. Allinen, wants to leave her planet, Khambalia 5, as soon as her niece no longer needs her. There is no mate for Allinen on her settlement, so she is ignored, unwanted; she wants to belong, to be happy. What of the outsider?

Oh but this is a marvellous story! Cynthia Sax has pulled all the stops with DOC'S ORDERS: a solid plot with tragic and happy events, shocking revelations, wonderful characters, and one of the most extraordinary worlds I have ever seen. While it is connected to other series, and is book two of Cyborg Space Exploration, it easily stands on its own. The planet Khambalia 5 is simply stunning; its beings, its culture, its society are fascinating, and the creatures blew my mind; so creative and ingenious. I was engrossed from page one, and it only got better from there. Allinen's plight touched me deeply; she is a beautiful, sensitive being; loyal and strong yet shunned. Doc is truly admirable; he battles his beast fiercely, he cares, and even when his organics take over, he is kind. He could teach a lot of heroes about control and respect. Doc's cohorts are terrific as well; Truth is a riot! And what about Dissent and Gnaw!

Doc and Allinen together are perfect together; theirs is a very convincing romance, and there are some "processor-melting" times, as expected. But Doc and Allinen also have compelling individual stories, where some very ungrateful beings play a part. While there is a little of Beauty and the Beast, Doc is more Jekyll and Hyde, and it succeeds on all counts. The dialogues are worth a special mention, because there's a bit of a language barrier, and some exchanges are hysterical. DOC'S ORDERS is dazzling, enchanting, captivating; the worldbuilding is spectacular, the romance heart-warming; it is storytelling at its finest. Cynthia Sax never disappoints, and DOC'S ORDERS is one of the author's finest offerings. If you've never read any sci-fi romance, start with DOC'S ORDERS; it has all the feels, I guarantee you will not regret it. I want more of Doc and Allinen!

Profile Image for Jan.
2,081 reviews13 followers
July 22, 2019
Doc and his brethren are sent down to the planet to take samples and get data from the species that live there. Allinen is learning about the new comers but her dialect isn’t all that great. All Doc knows is that she is his and no one is taking her away from him.

When I was first reading what she said I was a bit confused till she explained. Then I understood that she had no idea what the strangers were saying when she was observing. Thank goodness Doc was correcting it. Now the story was starting to make sense on her side. UGH! Allinen is tough, brave, and funny. Her people really don’t understand what a Cyborg is and thank goodness our guys have a big heart. And the difference in anatomy, well it was shocking. I thought I read it wrong in the beginning but nope. I didn’t expect the turn that happened in the book. I was shocked. Cynthia, yours Cyborg never cease to amaze me. I love them.
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
July 13, 2019
Sad, interesting, and entertaining

Doc and his little female (whose name I can’t spell haha) are perfect for each other. Both are “damaged” in some way, both need to learn how to accept or overcome those damages, and move on from them. This story was fast paced, funny, sad, and entertaining; exactly what I expect from this author. Awesome story!
2,205 reviews
July 12, 2019
Enjoyable book. The differences between them ( Doc and his female), the cultural do's and don'ts for the indigenous people made for an interesting story anthropologically speaking. I really love these cyborgs and their females.
Profile Image for Lynn Thinking out loud .
1,482 reviews64 followers
July 23, 2019
I'm always giddy when I wake up to find out Cynthia has had a new release.
Doc thinks he's damaged but Allinen thinks he is perfect and falls in love with both sides of him.
Allinen doesn't fit in with her people. She is ready to leave the planet. But first they have trials and tribulations to get through.
Go get this book and find out what happens.
Profile Image for Lucinda.
714 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2020
Just great!

How can you not love one of Me Sax's books?! My rating is actually 4.5 stars but it doesn't allow half stars. I really love the Cyborg Sizzle universe and I keep buying! I do so catching up with some of the previous characters, too. So read!
Profile Image for Jannie Cv.
1,080 reviews29 followers
July 25, 2019
What a thrill!
Allinen is such a unique being - imagine living on such a toxic planet, and how that could change a group of people over time. I enjoy getting a taste of her unusual abilities - it would be fun see more of them over time. Doc. He’s amazing. The two sides of his character are extremes. He makes full use of both to get the outcome he wants. The best part? His mate loves him just like that - no need to fix what is damaged!
Aside from lava pits, things don’t blow up, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone. Be prepared.
I love seeing Dissent and Truth in this story. Truth takes such pleasure in all his tasks - one of the most enthusiastic beings I’ve encountered. I did see a being of interest to me. I wonder if this one will feature in future stories: it seems like that will be so. Do read it, awesome writing - I laughed so much! It is a very emotion-filled book!
Profile Image for Badh.
3,311 reviews66 followers
July 20, 2019
Wonderful

I like Doc, a lot. He might think that he's broken, but I think he is much less broken than he thinks he is, otherwise he wouldn't care about his brothers as much as he does.

I like Allinen, she truly cares for all her people,no matter what. Plus I think she is really brave. She's definitely clever too.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,154 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2019
Awww dang Cynthia you really pulled on the heart strings with Doc's Orders. I so wasn't expecting it. I'm so glad he got his HEA and with such a fireball or should I say Firefly 😁
417 reviews
July 17, 2019
Wonderful!

This is a great book! I’m so excited to see where this world will take us. I also am curious about the Cyborg council’s past decisions. What gives?
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,663 reviews227 followers
January 11, 2020
It's Doc's turn to find his special someone and she's an alien outsider from a dangerous planet. Who glows. Which is kinda cool. Plus, you know, her people have adapted to their extremely hostile environment and she's more than a match for the cyborg who's half machine, half beast.

As the only unmated individual in her settlement, Allinen is used to being an outsider. While she adores her niece, the rest of her small family is kind of rough on her and it's taken its toll. The poor woman wants to leave and see what the universe has to offer, but she's also bound to the settlement by her love for her niece. Which sounds like a not terrible thing, but when things go bad for her people, they go VERY bad and Allinen's status as an outsider among her people doesn't afford her any security.

Frankly, I think she was lucky to have found Doc and the cyborgs when she did. Not just because it protected her in the end (which it did), but because her people were kind of sticklers about protocol and their place in their settlement and she messed everything up by being born different.

Since I'm all for cyborgs finding their special someone, Allinen and Doc's meeting worked out for everyone in the end. Well, except for half Allinen's tribe, but that wasn't her or Doc's fault so...whoops?

Cyborgs, man. Still loving them and their gruff, grumbly, sometimes bloodthirsty ways.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,841 reviews34 followers
August 23, 2019
"There are none so blind as those who will not see." J. Heywood, c.1546

Doc, the cyborg medic aboard Reckless, is a dedicated healer, but his visceral side, his beast, is a battle-craving juggernaut of death and destruction which horrifies even other cyborgs. He sees himself as defective, but is grateful that his medical duties require him to sublimate his warrior beast. Allinen knows she is defective. On a community of Khambalians, she alone has no genetic mate. Kahambalian life and culture revolves around mated pairs, and she is alone, despised, mocked, and ignored. When Reckless is assigned to map the genetics of Khambalia's native species, Doc and Allinen meet - and Doc knows he's found his female. Against a background cascade of horrific events, they learn that love is not blind; and that when seen through the eyes of love, all creatures are perfect as they are. Cynthia Sax's cyborg universe is a harsh place; prepare for anger and tears, as well as laughter and joy, as Doc and Allinen reach their bittersweet sexy and steamy HEA.
Profile Image for Imee Benzon.
488 reviews21 followers
September 22, 2019
***Doctor Doctor***

Wow I didn't think I would like Doc's story because her female is not human but a humanoid a Kbhalian but I was wrong. Wow doc the most mild mannered cyborg (I thought) turned out to be a beast *roar* so hot. And surprise surprise a B model is introduced that's fantastic and I can't wait for their story to be told. I loved the C model and I'm certain I will adore the B models as much. And the improved Kbhalian who lost their mate, I would love them to meet human females see how their react to an outsiders that might give them a second chance.
Profile Image for Peggy Miller.
636 reviews
January 17, 2020
Docs cure

Another of Cynthia Sax cyborg stories to love. All her tales show their new found freedom and their devotion to the female's they care for. Each stories is interesting and stand alone.
Profile Image for LuDena .
2,413 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2021
Doc

Doc has to co.e to grips with the fact that it is ok for cyborgs to be imperfect while saving g his mates people
Profile Image for Jeniver Maria.
612 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2021
I hate this book especially the heroine. She was treated like a trash by her own family but she still love and caring for them
Profile Image for R.C..
503 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2020
I dove into this because I have a weakness for alien/AI-based scifi romances and it was available during my free Scribd trial. And wow, I was glad I did. I was up WAY past my bedtime last night reading this.

This book is much more than the summary really talks about. Like a lot of this author's books, the summary focuses on the romance tropes it hits (the "beast" within the male lead, the fated mates, the "claiming"), and that's all well and good for trying to hook someone by their kinks, but my kinks include competent, intelligent, emotionally aware people who respect each other and don't act like pouty children, and that's sometimes talked about but not really demonstrated in your average scifi erotica, you know?

This book really succeeds in making the characters interesting, avoiding some of the squicky side effects of the tropes featured (the "losing control" trope was a prime candidate for this, but though Doc does have impulse issues sometimes due to his "beast", he warns Allinen about them in the moment, and he never really "loses control", imho), and doing a more-than-passable job at making both Doc's and Allinen's cultures interesting and more than just "20-21st century human with some extra tech/slang/alien words tossed in". Doc thinks and speaks and prioritizes like I'd imagine a freed cyborg to, and his overly analytical side can be a funny straight foil to the slight communication issues they have. Allinen's viewpoint is just alien enough and steeped in her culture and her environment, which makes her refreshingly strong and bold. Both of them are smart enough to think through the consequences and implications of their actions and the situations they find themselves in. At no time did I toss up my hands and wonder why they were being idiots, and that is never a given in romance, sad to say. There's also enough side character and setting interactions to make these two seem firmly planted in their world, which helps the book feel more like a story than a collection of plot points (I was literally sad that Dissent didn't get to keep his "pet".)

And yeah, this was all done as a nice, comfy nest for some smokin' hot love scenes, not gonna lie.

The book lost a star from me for glossing over some points that could have been better explained. The tech of this universe seemed either incredibly powerful or lacking, depending on what was convenient to the story. Allinen has picked up on a LOT of the common language, for someone who is forbidden to interact with outsiders, and it's not explained why. The fated mates thing is a staple of this series/universe, I gather, but there's no explanation of why/how/what is going on with it or how it works biologically, (and honestly the two of them knowing the other is near by their relevant sex organs tingling is more funny than sexy). But, none of this was un-overlookable, as all of it was grease to the gears of getting these likable characters talking and interacting easily.
Profile Image for Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads).
3,361 reviews181 followers
January 16, 2021
Series: Cyborg Space Exploration #2
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good

TW: epidemic

Doc isn’t fully functional but he hides it well. While investigating an unknown planet he finds his mate. Allinen is one of the only beings in her settlement that is without a mate. She doesn’t belong and is determined to leave if she gets the chance, especially if it's with a sexy cyborg who is a little damaged.

I am really enjoying this new cyborg series. The cyborgs are investigating new planets and interacting with other alien beings, which is always one of my favorite parts of SciFi books. Doc has been a minor background character up to this point but his story was still very good. Doc has little control between his machine side and his organic side, which made for some interesting interactions between him and Allinen. I think that the cyborgs in this series are not 100% perfect makes them so much more interesting characters, especially the ones who can hide their problems.

My favorite part of this story was Allinen though. She is the first mate that isn’t a human. She is an extremely unique, humanoid alien that is also bioluminescent. She also had a very interesting culture that caused some problems in the beginning of their relationship. She was also a very strong willed and smart heroine. Her interaction with her family and town was very heartbreaking and made me appreciate my loved ones even more.

Overall, this was a great sequel for a new series. I can’t wait to learn more about the rest of the crew of the Reckless, especially since they have all been very unique cyborgs so far.

You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
_______________________
Beat the Backlist 2021 - woods/forest important
Popsugar 2021- A book set mostly or entirely outdoors
Profile Image for JML.
1,297 reviews24 followers
July 30, 2019
4&1\2🌟

This is Doc's story! Doc's is a cyborg divided his logical half and his best half struggle for control at all times. He has done really well hiding this because this would be a fault worthy of decommissioning. He on a mission to take readings from planet to see if it can hold life. While on his mission he meets his mate. Allinen, is as different as they come her race is small humanoid and from the description she sounds almost like the Fae of ancient stories beautiful, slightly pointed ears, golden skin and she possess a golden glow. But that's where that comparison stops. She's sassy, funny, compassionate and just what did needs to help him realize he's not broken just different and that different is very very good. Together they make it through some harrowing experiences on her home world and because of those situations develop a true respect, love a d understanding of one another. There was also an element of humor in this story the no asking questions, and her developing understanding of Doc world vocabulary will have you laughing! We also get to see a mysterious B model cyborg and a mystery man that just happens to have some nanohumanics that helps them save many people's lives. This one leave you satisfied and eager for the next book to come out!💖💖
Profile Image for Jhoy.
169 reviews3 followers
September 20, 2024
Doc Orders?

This one I didn’t get. The title that is. What orders? Were they given to the Doc, or did he give them to someone else? Is this about his mission?

But outside of that question(s), which didn’t not come to me until just now, I really liked this story.

This was a short read because when they came together, they weren’t fighting it. They had others to fight.

I like the look of this new race. They sound like elves with interesting colors.

I was upset at how they left the village but this was something that was going to happen. It’s a wonder, but honestly just plot armor, that it hadn’t happened sooner to kill off the female MC.

Before I skipped over the last sex scene, she said something that surprised me. She said something about this is what her ancestors saw when they first arrived on the planet. I was not expecting that. I thought they were natives.

I also questioned how large this planet is. The author made it sound like the other two cyborgs ran around the whole planet in a day at best and the male MC said that the lava has made more land since the time her people got there.

Yes, I’m interested in the details of the planet. And as much as I would hope that they would check back in with the locals, I know they won’t. That is one very burned bridge. Maybe, in a few years. Like 10.
549 reviews3 followers
August 8, 2019
For those who follow this series, you've met Doc before. He always seems detached and dedicated to caring for his cyborg brethren's health. As we get to see more of Doc, we get a glimpse into his struggle to keep his berserker warrior side in check by allowing his detached, clinical and rational machine lead the way the majority of the time. Knowing what he is capable of from past battles, he fights to keep the fighter contained so that he doesn't harm those he cares about the most.

When he finds his genetic match, he's terrified that he will no longer be able to balance the two halves of his personality and will damage the one person who is meant for him.

While a cyborg, Doc's character is infused with humanity - his struggles to come to terms with all aspects of his personality, his desire for belonging, and his need for intimacy and relationships.

As always, this story in the series is packed with action, furthering the larger story of the cyborgs' struggle to maintain their safety and security while following the budding relationship between Doc and his mate.

A great next installment in the series as the cyborgs begin to explore their universe and expand their world.
Profile Image for LaBlue.
1,040 reviews23 followers
December 7, 2019
It just ended!

While I did enjoy this book, I didn’t feel as connected to its characters as in previous books. But by the time it ended it ended before giving me a true finish. I mean to say, where’s the rest of the ending?? They made off together but where’s the meet and greet with the others? Where’s the side mission of seeking help for the others?? Where’s the lead in to the next book??? So many unanswered questions. Grrrr...

Granted, it finished on an implied HEA, but I felt very unfulfilled with it. Anyway, enjoy the read. It was a nice installment in the cyborg universe by Cynthia Sax. I prefer to wait for a few books in the series to come out and then binge read them, so I’m off to read “Dominance and Dissent”, the next book in the series. I couldn’t wait for more than these two to come out.
Profile Image for Shyla.
715 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2020
Doc’s Orders

Doc was always concerned with fixing everyone but thought his damage could not be fixed. His organic side was more primitive than any of the others and he had to control his beast. Doc thought that he was not
worthy of a female because of this damage and sought to heal others of all physical damage no matter if they wanted it or not, until Allinen came into his life while on a mission.
Allinen was told her whole life that other life forms where forbidden and not to associate with them. However; she couldn’t help herself because she was always different from the rest of the colony. She had no mate when everyone had one. Allinen found herself wanting to leave to find a better place for herself and Doc was the prefect person, now he had to agree.
Profile Image for Briana.
214 reviews
July 20, 2019
Toxic planet

I really liked the toxic world and all the little creatures. I liked that Doc had a wild human side instead of a wild cyborg side. I usually read stories with a crazy cyborg.

I can’t say I liked the deaths. And I wish the heroine didn’t have such a hard time in her village. But that’s what made the story.

As the story progressed, I liked how both he and she understood each other and their unique cultures.

Also, I liked Truth, the cyborg as a secondary character.
Profile Image for Esther Phelps.
433 reviews
July 26, 2019
Doc

Once again the mission get a bonus. Doc is gathering information when he senses his mate. She becomes an assistant in gathering further data. Her niece becomes ill, the entire village is stricken. All deaths occur quickly and Doc reaches out to find a cure. He is now in debt to someone he has never met. The team leaves after curing the remaining villagers. Cyborg mates seem to encompass beings from the entire universe. Character's of this genre are strong, protective, and dominant lovers. Heavenly combo!
Profile Image for Elisa.
403 reviews19 followers
August 27, 2021
Sweet innocence prevails

Even with all the cyborgs have been through, they still have a sweet innocence about them that I absolutely adore. Cynthia is one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to reading one of her stories.

Doc's female's acceptance of both sides of himself and their journey to mutual healing of their emotional damage was a story I enjoyed reading very much.
Profile Image for Mary L.
738 reviews13 followers
Read
October 17, 2022
Sorry but I thought I was in the mood or I was also expecting something more fun and fluffy with some smut but what I read was how horrible her own family and tribe treat her and coming from a whole series with the same problem I sooo wasn't in the mood :(
Plus I hate who they make her so primal, sure she is smart but she didn't know what a gun was or a tablet, it felt too weird to me :/
Anyway this was more of a me problem than the book so I will just dnf and that's it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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