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Fighting for love, loyalty, and freedom on the galaxy’s lawless outer rim…
When Quinn Bennett’s exploration ship is attacked, the security chief finds herself abducted by alien slavers. Unable to save her crew, she is taken across the galaxy and sold to a desert scavenger on the lawless planet of Carthago. Driven by her guilt and failure, she’ll do anything to escape and save the other abductees from her ship. Chained and forced into servitude, she’s waiting for her chance to strike, when across a dusty trading post, she comes face to face with a big, cyborg gladiator...
Jaxer Rone’s loyalty is to his imperator - the man who saved him from a lethal cyborg military program. Jax works tirelessly for his gladiatorial house and would die for his fellow cyborgs. His emotional dampeners have never functioned well, but while he feels some emotion, he never lets it get in the way of his duty. Right now, his mission is to find the stolen humans from Earth. But when he rescues the fierce, relentless Quinn, he starts feeling a rush of emotion he’s never experienced before...
Quinn and Jax join forces to track down the aliens holding the other Earth women captive. Side by side, they venture into the desert and uncover a desire hotter than the desert suns. But the aliens who captured Quinn want her back. In order to protect Quinn, will Jax embrace his newfound feelings or shut them off to keep her safe?
Audible Audio
First published July 21, 2019
852 people are currently reading
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About the author
Anna Hackett
164 books2,923 followersI’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
March 3, 2020
Sentinel is book one in the Galactic Gladiators; House of Rone series by Anna Hackett.
This new series is in the same world as her Galactic Gladiators. Here we get to dive into the House of Rone; which is the home of the Cyborgs. They have been an active member with the House of Galen in locating the human's captured and enslaved
I loved the House of Galen and was, so excited to meet the Cyborgs and get their stories. These are the men who are more machine then human.
Jaxer is one of the few Cyborgs who freely admits that he is more in touch with his emotions then most Cyborgs, yet he has no idea how much a human female can change his world.
Quinn is determined to escape her captors and find the others who were captured with her. She’s tough and determined.
This is another fast-paced standalone romance that was so much fun to read. Quinn was a delight and one of the authors more formidable females. She doesn’t know when to quit and she proves this time and time again. Jaxer and Quinn were perfect. They are such a kick-ass couple.
Jaxer and all the other Cyborgs were fun. I liked getting to meet the Cyborgs in the House of Rone. They each have unique abilities that make the action scenes that much more outstanding. The world Hackett has created just keeps expanding.
Sentinel was another fun, sexy, and all-around fabulous read. If you are looking for a Science Fiction Romance series to try then I highly recommend this spin-off series.
Rated: 4 Stars
This new series is in the same world as her Galactic Gladiators. Here we get to dive into the House of Rone; which is the home of the Cyborgs. They have been an active member with the House of Galen in locating the human's captured and enslaved
I loved the House of Galen and was, so excited to meet the Cyborgs and get their stories. These are the men who are more machine then human.
Jaxer is one of the few Cyborgs who freely admits that he is more in touch with his emotions then most Cyborgs, yet he has no idea how much a human female can change his world.
Quinn is determined to escape her captors and find the others who were captured with her. She’s tough and determined.
This is another fast-paced standalone romance that was so much fun to read. Quinn was a delight and one of the authors more formidable females. She doesn’t know when to quit and she proves this time and time again. Jaxer and Quinn were perfect. They are such a kick-ass couple.
Jaxer and all the other Cyborgs were fun. I liked getting to meet the Cyborgs in the House of Rone. They each have unique abilities that make the action scenes that much more outstanding. The world Hackett has created just keeps expanding.
Sentinel was another fun, sexy, and all-around fabulous read. If you are looking for a Science Fiction Romance series to try then I highly recommend this spin-off series.
Rated: 4 Stars
July 27, 2019
It’s Jax’s story!
If you following, the previous House of Galen’s gladiators before, you already knew about Jax, Magnus’s second in command!
Still following the story formula, but who care?
I’m sucker for these yummy cyborg gladiators and their equally strong leading ladies from Earth:)
❤️❤️❤️
If you following, the previous House of Galen’s gladiators before, you already knew about Jax, Magnus’s second in command!
Still following the story formula, but who care?
I’m sucker for these yummy cyborg gladiators and their equally strong leading ladies from Earth:)
❤️❤️❤️
March 11, 2024
This was an average, OK 3 stars for me. Not my favorite series start of hers by far. This may be because I haven't read the series this is a spinoff of yet, Galactic Gladiators, but to Anna Hackett's credit, you definitely could read this as a standalone set up of a new series with only limited confusion. You probably just won't feel nostalgia towards appearances of previous characters, which I didn't.
The plot was basic, nothing too in depth, and the romance suffered because of that for me, where I just didn't really feel much of anything towards anyone. That's not to say Anna Hackett's writing suffered, her words are still super digestible and flow nicely, making it an easy reading experience, and a good, albeit slightly boring and one-dimensional, palate cleanser.
The plot was basic, nothing too in depth, and the romance suffered because of that for me, where I just didn't really feel much of anything towards anyone. That's not to say Anna Hackett's writing suffered, her words are still super digestible and flow nicely, making it an easy reading experience, and a good, albeit slightly boring and one-dimensional, palate cleanser.
July 22, 2019
Four and a half
It’s fabulous to return to the Gladiators of Carthago but this time there’s a difference. No longer are we following the House of Galen but instead we get to meet the Cyborgs behind the House of Rone. Jaxer is the Cyborg who features here and he is one who freely admits that he is more in touch with his emotions than most of his Cyborg brothers but nevertheless he has no idea just how much a human female can change his world.
Quinn will never get used to being a slave and is determined to escape and find the others who were captured with her. She’s tough and determined and when a chance to flee shows up she grabs it but with strange robotic creatures roaming about Quinn could use some help. Luckily Jax has tracked her down but she’s injured and when she wakes up trust me those big, bad Cyborgs are about to get a shock !
This is yet another fast paced, standalone romance that is just so easy to read. I loved Quinn as she’s definitely one of this authors more formidable females. She just doesn’t know how to quit and proves time and time again that to underestimate her is just crazy. Jax and the other Cyborgs were such fun to read about as they each have unique abilities that really made any action scenes come gloriously to life. I very much enjoyed reading about Jax as he never felt like a machine although funnily enough his perplexed manner and confusion around Quinn at times just added so much humour although for this reader it was the action scenes that I enjoyed the most. I’m very happy that the author has been inspired to bring the Cyborgs of Carthago to life and sincerely look forward to reading more.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
It’s fabulous to return to the Gladiators of Carthago but this time there’s a difference. No longer are we following the House of Galen but instead we get to meet the Cyborgs behind the House of Rone. Jaxer is the Cyborg who features here and he is one who freely admits that he is more in touch with his emotions than most of his Cyborg brothers but nevertheless he has no idea just how much a human female can change his world.
Quinn will never get used to being a slave and is determined to escape and find the others who were captured with her. She’s tough and determined and when a chance to flee shows up she grabs it but with strange robotic creatures roaming about Quinn could use some help. Luckily Jax has tracked her down but she’s injured and when she wakes up trust me those big, bad Cyborgs are about to get a shock !
This is yet another fast paced, standalone romance that is just so easy to read. I loved Quinn as she’s definitely one of this authors more formidable females. She just doesn’t know how to quit and proves time and time again that to underestimate her is just crazy. Jax and the other Cyborgs were such fun to read about as they each have unique abilities that really made any action scenes come gloriously to life. I very much enjoyed reading about Jax as he never felt like a machine although funnily enough his perplexed manner and confusion around Quinn at times just added so much humour although for this reader it was the action scenes that I enjoyed the most. I’m very happy that the author has been inspired to bring the Cyborgs of Carthago to life and sincerely look forward to reading more.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
August 16, 2019
4.5 stars 🌟.
A fantastic beginning.
Looking forward to the next one.
Recommended.
A fantastic beginning.
Looking forward to the next one.
Recommended.
June 17, 2025
Sentinel (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #1) is a captivating sci-fi universe that masterfully weaves together an array of compelling elements. The narrative includes a diverse cast of bizarre creatures, skilled gladiators, kidnapped humans and harrowing trials that put characters to the ultimate test. With intense action sequences, and the raw emotions of frustration, pain, and suffering, all interspersed with moments of unexpected romance.
The multi-perspective storytelling is a significant strength of this narrative, allowing readers to explore the inner thoughts and feelings of various characters. This depth enriches the overall experience, creating a more immersive and well-rounded story.
Life as a gladiator is portrayed as incredibly dark and perilous, where every moment is shadowed by deception and hidden agendas but they will do anything for the one that has brought them back to life.
If you are in search of a gripping read that offers a blend of excitement and emotional depth, I highly recommend diving into this book.
The multi-perspective storytelling is a significant strength of this narrative, allowing readers to explore the inner thoughts and feelings of various characters. This depth enriches the overall experience, creating a more immersive and well-rounded story.
Life as a gladiator is portrayed as incredibly dark and perilous, where every moment is shadowed by deception and hidden agendas but they will do anything for the one that has brought them back to life.
If you are in search of a gripping read that offers a blend of excitement and emotional depth, I highly recommend diving into this book.
August 8, 2019
It's always the same, but it's still good!
The difference here is that the heroine wasn't raped, but used as labour force. I liked that! And she's a fighter like Harper!
The hero here is a cyborg! Loved that too!
This one is low on angst and high on heroine's power
I'm looking forward to Mace's book! :)
The difference here is that the heroine wasn't raped, but used as labour force. I liked that! And she's a fighter like Harper!
The hero here is a cyborg! Loved that too!
This one is low on angst and high on heroine's power
I'm looking forward to Mace's book! :)
January 11, 2023
This is the first book in the Galactic Gladiators, House of Rone series and on off shoot of the previous series. I've read a ND enjoyed the first series and it's been a while so I'm ready for this one. Although somewhat formulatic, I find them very addictive and Setinel is no exception.
The basis of the series is a group of women from Earth working on space ships and spa e ships were attacked, separated and sold as slaves by an evil alien race. One at a time they are rescued by a group of alien Gladiators. Now in this series, the Gladiators are all cyborgs as well. Don't ask me why but I have a special fondness for cyborg alien heroes.
Quinn is the heroine in this book. In her previous life she was held of security on a space station but now she's a slave in the desert section of the planet. Her fellow teammates on the space station have been trying to find and rescue her. Jax, the second in command of the House of Rone Gladiator team is the one in charge of finding her. Of course he does, rescues her and so goes the story.
While I don’t think it's necessary, it's probably better if you read the previous books. There are a number now but don't let that intimidate you if you're interested in giving them a try. They are fairly quick reads, quite a great bunch of books to read with lots of adventure, great camaraderie and of course some swoony romance. They are all available on KU so price for so many books isn't a factor. I'm quite enjoying them and quite a fan of Anna Hackett. If you're a fan of alien romance, I know you'll enjoy these ones.
The basis of the series is a group of women from Earth working on space ships and spa e ships were attacked, separated and sold as slaves by an evil alien race. One at a time they are rescued by a group of alien Gladiators. Now in this series, the Gladiators are all cyborgs as well. Don't ask me why but I have a special fondness for cyborg alien heroes.
Quinn is the heroine in this book. In her previous life she was held of security on a space station but now she's a slave in the desert section of the planet. Her fellow teammates on the space station have been trying to find and rescue her. Jax, the second in command of the House of Rone Gladiator team is the one in charge of finding her. Of course he does, rescues her and so goes the story.
While I don’t think it's necessary, it's probably better if you read the previous books. There are a number now but don't let that intimidate you if you're interested in giving them a try. They are fairly quick reads, quite a great bunch of books to read with lots of adventure, great camaraderie and of course some swoony romance. They are all available on KU so price for so many books isn't a factor. I'm quite enjoying them and quite a fan of Anna Hackett. If you're a fan of alien romance, I know you'll enjoy these ones.
July 23, 2019
Every new release by Anna Hackett is a sweet treat for my brain.
I came across her work with the very first book in the first Galactic Gladiators series, Gladiator.
Since I have read them all and I’m a sucker for these alpha beings.
Jax was introduced in the previous books, despite his enhanced body as a cyborg slave, his creators were unable to dampen him from having feelings.
Quinn is from the second batch of kidnapped Earth women, because of her fighting personality she was considered unredeemable and sold into slavering to some trash alien.
Yes, each book follows the same premises but it is so good to read about how they will reach their HFN and to watch a big alpha fall hard for his no-damsel-in-distress.
I breath with the obstacles they face and cheer when they won.
One more great win!
Can’t wait for more and I have already marked my books scheduled calendar with the next release on August, 20.
4.5 stars
I came across her work with the very first book in the first Galactic Gladiators series, Gladiator.
Since I have read them all and I’m a sucker for these alpha beings.
Jax was introduced in the previous books, despite his enhanced body as a cyborg slave, his creators were unable to dampen him from having feelings.
Quinn is from the second batch of kidnapped Earth women, because of her fighting personality she was considered unredeemable and sold into slavering to some trash alien.
Yes, each book follows the same premises but it is so good to read about how they will reach their HFN and to watch a big alpha fall hard for his no-damsel-in-distress.
I breath with the obstacles they face and cheer when they won.
One more great win!
Can’t wait for more and I have already marked my books scheduled calendar with the next release on August, 20.
4.5 stars
July 20, 2020
Джаксър (Джакс) Рун и Куин Бенет
Джакс е дясната ръка на Императора на Къщата на Рун. Къщата на Рун се намира в Кор Магна, най-голямият град на Гладиаторската пустинна планета. Рун са познати още и като къщата на Киборзите, тъй като всеки един от гладиаторите в нея има някакво киборг допълнение. За Джакс това е крака му. Роден и обучаван да бъде воин, и експериментален войник от киборг армия, щом губи крака си, той е оставен на произвола на съдбата. Тогава го намира Магнус, императорът на Къщата на Рун. Заради киборг допълненията си, гладиаторите от къщата на Рун не могат да участват в гладиаторските боеве, но те имат нещо друго, с което са известни, а именно най-добрите майстори на кибер крайници, и снабдяват всеки, който има нужда от кибернетичен крайник, който да изгуби липсващият им.
След като Магнус намира любовта и щастието, сред отвлечени жени от Земята, всички в къщата на Рун са готови да дадат живота си, за да освободят останалите отвлечени жени, тези от космическият кораб, който е унищожен след нападението над станция Фортуна.
Джакс и останалите имат само една следа, знаят, че капитана на кораба, Куин е била продадена на търговци на скраб, като робиня.
Куин мрази пленничеството си в подземната база за роби дълбоко в пустинята. Тя прави куп опити да избяга и на края бива продадена на отвратителен търговец на скраб, който се отнася с нея по-зле отколкото с животно. Бивайки спасена от киборзите на къщата на Рун, тя има само едно желание, да открие останалите жени от кораба й, едната от които е Джейна. Заедно с Джакс, Куин обръщат града в търсене на Джейна, а докато трае опасното им приключение, малко по малко се влюбват един в друг.
Вече знаем познатият рефрен от предишната поредица, всяка героиня опитва да намери една от другите жени, и след като я спасят книгата е за нея. Тук всеки от героите ни има киборг част. Джаксър освен изкуствен крак има и уникална татуировка, която произвежда електричество, и го прави мнооого готин герой. Подозирам, че в тази поредица героините ни ще преживяват доста и ще губят крайници. Още тук разбрахме за това как Джейна е изгубила ръка, докато е била в плен, и имайки предвид, че къщата на Рун се занимава главно с поставяне на киборг крайници и органи... ох предстои ни доста тежко, но предполагам, че ще е и много вълнуващо приключение.
Като двойка Джакс и Куин бяха готини, макар че в началото всеки бе доста нерешителен. Харесва ми срещата с предишните двойки и очаквам с нетърпение всеки от тези изстрадали киборзи да намери своята идеална половинка с жена от земята. Дано само жените да не страдат толкова, колкото подозирам, че ще страдат.
Джакс е дясната ръка на Императора на Къщата на Рун. Къщата на Рун се намира в Кор Магна, най-голямият град на Гладиаторската пустинна планета. Рун са познати още и като къщата на Киборзите, тъй като всеки един от гладиаторите в нея има някакво киборг допълнение. За Джакс това е крака му. Роден и обучаван да бъде воин, и експериментален войник от киборг армия, щом губи крака си, той е оставен на произвола на съдбата. Тогава го намира Магнус, императорът на Къщата на Рун. Заради киборг допълненията си, гладиаторите от къщата на Рун не могат да участват в гладиаторските боеве, но те имат нещо друго, с което са известни, а именно най-добрите майстори на кибер крайници, и снабдяват всеки, който има нужда от кибернетичен крайник, който да изгуби липсващият им.
След като Магнус намира любовта и щастието, сред отвлечени жени от Земята, всички в къщата на Рун са готови да дадат живота си, за да освободят останалите отвлечени жени, тези от космическият кораб, който е унищожен след нападението над станция Фортуна.
Джакс и останалите имат само една следа, знаят, че капитана на кораба, Куин е била продадена на търговци на скраб, като робиня.
Куин мрази пленничеството си в подземната база за роби дълбоко в пустинята. Тя прави куп опити да избяга и на края бива продадена на отвратителен търговец на скраб, който се отнася с нея по-зле отколкото с животно. Бивайки спасена от киборзите на къщата на Рун, тя има само едно желание, да открие останалите жени от кораба й, едната от които е Джейна. Заедно с Джакс, Куин обръщат града в търсене на Джейна, а докато трае опасното им приключение, малко по малко се влюбват един в друг.
Вече знаем познатият рефрен от предишната поредица, всяка героиня опитва да намери една от другите жени, и след като я спасят книгата е за нея. Тук всеки от героите ни има киборг част. Джаксър освен изкуствен крак има и уникална татуировка, която произвежда електричество, и го прави мнооого готин герой. Подозирам, че в тази поредица героините ни ще преживяват доста и ще губят крайници. Още тук разбрахме за това как Джейна е изгубила ръка, докато е била в плен, и имайки предвид, че къщата на Рун се занимава главно с поставяне на киборг крайници и органи... ох предстои ни доста тежко, но предполагам, че ще е и много вълнуващо приключение.
Като двойка Джакс и Куин бяха готини, макар че в началото всеки бе доста нерешителен. Харесва ми срещата с предишните двойки и очаквам с нетърпение всеки от тези изстрадали киборзи да намери своята идеална половинка с жена от земята. Дано само жените да не страдат толкова, колкото подозирам, че ще страдат.
April 17, 2021
Love this hero. Jaxer is an alpha with compassion for the marginalized and oppressed. He is my favorite kind of hero. I hated reading the things that Quinn endured. But despite it all, she is a strong and resourceful character. Anna Hackett’s books are so good because she writes great characters then wraps them in plenty of action, world class world-building, and steamy fulfilling romance. She is the best of this genre.
March 19, 2025
Series: Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #1
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
“I’d swim through molten metal to come for you.”
Cyborg Jaxer Rone is determined to find the enslaved humans and rescue them. When he rescues the fierce and deadly Quinn he starts to understand what emotions can do to a man.
This series is connected to the Galactic Gladiator series but features the cyborgs of the House of Rone. I highly recommend reading the previous series to understand everything that has happened to these humans and gladiators but it isn’t necessary. This book was a great start for the series and it introduced us to the House of Rone cyborgs. The cyborgs are fascinating and so unique so I am really glad we are getting their stories.
Jaxer is one of the few cyborgs who still has his emotions but he can dampen them when necessary. He also tries to help his fellow cyborgs understand emotion. Jax was a great hero because he was protective of Quinn but still let her fight her own battles. I love a hero who can appreciate a woman’s strength and fight her own battles. These two make a great team and you know they will stop at nothing to save the rest of the enslaved humans.
Quinn Bennett struggles with guilt because she wasn’t able to protect the people on the Helios. When she is rescued it gets worse because she knows they still suffer. Jax helps her work through her guilt and realize there was nothing she could do. Her determination to save her crew is admirable and I really like that about her.
This book was a fast-paced action romance that I couldn’t put down. This world is fascinating and the characters are all amazing. I highly recommend this series, or any of Hackett’s books, if you are looking for fast paced action romances.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
“I’d swim through molten metal to come for you.”
Cyborg Jaxer Rone is determined to find the enslaved humans and rescue them. When he rescues the fierce and deadly Quinn he starts to understand what emotions can do to a man.
This series is connected to the Galactic Gladiator series but features the cyborgs of the House of Rone. I highly recommend reading the previous series to understand everything that has happened to these humans and gladiators but it isn’t necessary. This book was a great start for the series and it introduced us to the House of Rone cyborgs. The cyborgs are fascinating and so unique so I am really glad we are getting their stories.
Jaxer is one of the few cyborgs who still has his emotions but he can dampen them when necessary. He also tries to help his fellow cyborgs understand emotion. Jax was a great hero because he was protective of Quinn but still let her fight her own battles. I love a hero who can appreciate a woman’s strength and fight her own battles. These two make a great team and you know they will stop at nothing to save the rest of the enslaved humans.
Quinn Bennett struggles with guilt because she wasn’t able to protect the people on the Helios. When she is rescued it gets worse because she knows they still suffer. Jax helps her work through her guilt and realize there was nothing she could do. Her determination to save her crew is admirable and I really like that about her.
This book was a fast-paced action romance that I couldn’t put down. This world is fascinating and the characters are all amazing. I highly recommend this series, or any of Hackett’s books, if you are looking for fast paced action romances.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
January 9, 2021
This can be read as a stand-alone, but it is even more fun when the stories are read in order. This story launches a new major story arc, but as always with Anna’s stories, each one features a different couple. Despite how many books have come along in the series so far, each one is as exciting and fresh as the first. Packed with action, suspense, humor, twists, survival, strength (not just physical), aliens, high and low tech, and romance.
July 30, 2019
Great story
This is a great story about survival. Quinn is definitely a strong survivor and is incredibly driven. I am definitely impressed with her.
Jax is awesome too. He has a deeply caring core, and it shows with Quinn.
This is a great story about survival. Quinn is definitely a strong survivor and is incredibly driven. I am definitely impressed with her.
Jax is awesome too. He has a deeply caring core, and it shows with Quinn.
September 14, 2019
I love this series. Quinn and Jax are both a bit broken but discover love does conquer all.
July 28, 2019
Originally published at Reading Reality
In my review of Cyborg, one of the last books in the Galactic Gladiators series – and the direct precursor to Sentinel – I opined that the series could continue indefinitely without feeling thing and stretched the way that the author’s Hell Squad series has begun to feel, at least for this reader.
And here we have that continuation, and it’s every bit as much fun as the series from which it sprang.
The premise of the Galactic Gladiators series was that a temporary wormhole opened up between far, far distant Carthago and Jupiter Station in our own solar system. The wormhole was exploited by the slave-trading Thraxians, who kidnapped a bunch of humans from Jupiter Station and dragged them back to Carthago before the wormhole closed.
By the end of the final book in the series, Imperator, all of the humans who had been rescued from the Station had found their HEA with the gladiators of the House of Galen and their allies. One of said allies is Magnus Rone, cyborg and Imperator of his own gladiatorial house.
In Alien Hunter, part of the novella duo Hunter that bridges between the Galactic Gladiators series and the new House of Rone series, our friends discover that Jupiter Station was not the only place in our solar system that the Thraxians raided. At least one ship on it way to Jupiter from Earth was also picked up on that raid – so there’s a whole new batch of Earth humans to find and rescue.
A journey that begins in Sentinel, the first book of the House of Rone.
The House of Rone, in general, offers a deeper dive into the science fictional world that the author has created. Galen’s house is primarily a gladiatorial house. That’s how they make their money, and that’s how they support all of the members of the house and its operations, including the underground mission of not just rescuing Earthan refugees, but of buying and freeing as many people as possible who have been enslaved in the less-savory gladiatorial houses.
All of the gladiators in Galen’s house are free. They fight willingly – and very successfully – in the Kor Magna Arena.
The House of Rone has a more multifaceted operation. Magnus Rone and his fellow cyborgs are not allowed to fight in the arena. They have an extremely unfair advantage because of their cybernetic enhancements. Which does not mean that the House of Rone doesn’t compete in the arena. Magnus has plenty of unenhanced but skillful and effective fighters who compete under his House’s banner.
He has also funded a highly sought after medical service that sells cybernetic limbs to the wealthy and provides replacement limbs free of charge to those who need them but can’t afford them. While the research into cybernetics is self-serving in that he and his inner circle all require those services themselves, using that same research to help others is very much not.
Magnus began his house by rescuing his fellow cyborgs, starting with Jaxer, the hero of Sentinel. Most of the cyborgs in the House of Rone have faulty programming – much like Magnus himself. They were supposed to be programmed not to feel, but underneath – or in one case outside of – the enhancements they are men and not machines.
When the faults in Jaxer’s programming became so obvious that he was about to be terminated, Magnus rescued them both and brought them to Kor Magna. All of the stories in the House of Rone series look like they will be about the cyborgs of Magnus’ inner circle discovering just how many messy emotions are hiding under their usually impassive exteriors.
Jax is the first. His programming has always been the flakiest, so he has both hero-worshipped his rescuer Magnus and feels duty-bound to help shoulder some of his rescuer’s burdens now that Magnus has found his own surprising HEA. Magnus promised Galen that he would continue the search and rescue of the Earthan refugees and Jax intends to take over as much of that effort as he possibly can.
And that’s what sends him into the path of Quinn Bennett, the former ship’s security chief and now slave on Carthago. In spite of her terrible circumstances, Quinn is beaten but not bowed. Her spirit is still alive and fighting, and when she sees the cyborgs, she does her best to help them, in spite of the beating that follows.
Jax sees her – and now he has a specific woman to rescue – not just the duty of rescuing faceless people he’s never met. Not that he won’t, and not that they don’t deserve rescue. But in spite of everything he tells himself, over and over, Jax wants to rescue Quinn for himself.
Even if he doesn’t think he deserves her. Especially because he doesn’t think he deserves her. But who is he to tell Quinn what she needs, wants or deserves?
Escape Rating B+: I realize that I’ve written a lot about the setup of this story. Consider that a sign that in spite of Sentinel being the first book of a new series, the majority of the worldbuilding for this series is in the previous series. In other words, Sentinel is probably not the best place to start. I’m not sure you’d have to read the entire Galactic Gladiators series to get into Sentinel, but at least the first one or two plus Cyborg and the novella Alien Hunter in Hunter.
Why not just begin at the beginning at binge? This series is a whole lot of fun from beginning to current end – and I expect the fun to continue in future entries.
One of the things that I continue to love about this series is that in spite of so many strikes against them, the refugees from Earth are not damsels in distress. They don’t need “rescue” in the traditional sense, they just need a little help rescuing themselves. And they are active participants in everything that happens from that initial intervention to adapting to their new world to finding their HEA and claiming it.
They are all kickass, but they are not all kickass in the same way. Some have been warriors, but they’ve also been engineers and computer geeks and doctors and pretty much everything else. There’s no one way to be a heroine in this series (or in any of this author’s work)
However, one thing about the Galactic Gladiators series as a whole, including the House of Rone spinoff, that’s starting to stretch my willing suspension of disbelief just a tiny bit – although certainly not enough to keep me from continuing to enjoy the series.
Jupiter Station, and any ships en route to or from it, would presumably have had crews consisting of all genders. But all of the books in the series, with the notable exception of Champion, have featured an Earthan female and a male from somewhere in the wider universe. Only in Champion is that reversed.
If there were extremely few men on Jupiter Station and the ships servicing it – why? If the Thraxians chose to only capture females – why? I find the second possibility more likely than the first, but there must be a reason. Especially since I’d love to see one of the books in this series feature a female warrior and a male who is not. There are certainly plenty of female gladiators to make this a possible scenario.
Consider the above comment my the first item on my “wish list” for this series. Because I do love it and want to see it go more places and do more things. It’s a big galaxy!
The House of Rone continues in Defender, coming in August. Oooh!, something for me to look forward to, to bring me out of my post-WorldCon blahs!
In my review of Cyborg, one of the last books in the Galactic Gladiators series – and the direct precursor to Sentinel – I opined that the series could continue indefinitely without feeling thing and stretched the way that the author’s Hell Squad series has begun to feel, at least for this reader.
And here we have that continuation, and it’s every bit as much fun as the series from which it sprang.
The premise of the Galactic Gladiators series was that a temporary wormhole opened up between far, far distant Carthago and Jupiter Station in our own solar system. The wormhole was exploited by the slave-trading Thraxians, who kidnapped a bunch of humans from Jupiter Station and dragged them back to Carthago before the wormhole closed.
By the end of the final book in the series, Imperator, all of the humans who had been rescued from the Station had found their HEA with the gladiators of the House of Galen and their allies. One of said allies is Magnus Rone, cyborg and Imperator of his own gladiatorial house.
In Alien Hunter, part of the novella duo Hunter that bridges between the Galactic Gladiators series and the new House of Rone series, our friends discover that Jupiter Station was not the only place in our solar system that the Thraxians raided. At least one ship on it way to Jupiter from Earth was also picked up on that raid – so there’s a whole new batch of Earth humans to find and rescue.
A journey that begins in Sentinel, the first book of the House of Rone.
The House of Rone, in general, offers a deeper dive into the science fictional world that the author has created. Galen’s house is primarily a gladiatorial house. That’s how they make their money, and that’s how they support all of the members of the house and its operations, including the underground mission of not just rescuing Earthan refugees, but of buying and freeing as many people as possible who have been enslaved in the less-savory gladiatorial houses.
All of the gladiators in Galen’s house are free. They fight willingly – and very successfully – in the Kor Magna Arena.
The House of Rone has a more multifaceted operation. Magnus Rone and his fellow cyborgs are not allowed to fight in the arena. They have an extremely unfair advantage because of their cybernetic enhancements. Which does not mean that the House of Rone doesn’t compete in the arena. Magnus has plenty of unenhanced but skillful and effective fighters who compete under his House’s banner.
He has also funded a highly sought after medical service that sells cybernetic limbs to the wealthy and provides replacement limbs free of charge to those who need them but can’t afford them. While the research into cybernetics is self-serving in that he and his inner circle all require those services themselves, using that same research to help others is very much not.
Magnus began his house by rescuing his fellow cyborgs, starting with Jaxer, the hero of Sentinel. Most of the cyborgs in the House of Rone have faulty programming – much like Magnus himself. They were supposed to be programmed not to feel, but underneath – or in one case outside of – the enhancements they are men and not machines.
When the faults in Jaxer’s programming became so obvious that he was about to be terminated, Magnus rescued them both and brought them to Kor Magna. All of the stories in the House of Rone series look like they will be about the cyborgs of Magnus’ inner circle discovering just how many messy emotions are hiding under their usually impassive exteriors.
Jax is the first. His programming has always been the flakiest, so he has both hero-worshipped his rescuer Magnus and feels duty-bound to help shoulder some of his rescuer’s burdens now that Magnus has found his own surprising HEA. Magnus promised Galen that he would continue the search and rescue of the Earthan refugees and Jax intends to take over as much of that effort as he possibly can.
And that’s what sends him into the path of Quinn Bennett, the former ship’s security chief and now slave on Carthago. In spite of her terrible circumstances, Quinn is beaten but not bowed. Her spirit is still alive and fighting, and when she sees the cyborgs, she does her best to help them, in spite of the beating that follows.
Jax sees her – and now he has a specific woman to rescue – not just the duty of rescuing faceless people he’s never met. Not that he won’t, and not that they don’t deserve rescue. But in spite of everything he tells himself, over and over, Jax wants to rescue Quinn for himself.
Even if he doesn’t think he deserves her. Especially because he doesn’t think he deserves her. But who is he to tell Quinn what she needs, wants or deserves?
Escape Rating B+: I realize that I’ve written a lot about the setup of this story. Consider that a sign that in spite of Sentinel being the first book of a new series, the majority of the worldbuilding for this series is in the previous series. In other words, Sentinel is probably not the best place to start. I’m not sure you’d have to read the entire Galactic Gladiators series to get into Sentinel, but at least the first one or two plus Cyborg and the novella Alien Hunter in Hunter.
Why not just begin at the beginning at binge? This series is a whole lot of fun from beginning to current end – and I expect the fun to continue in future entries.
One of the things that I continue to love about this series is that in spite of so many strikes against them, the refugees from Earth are not damsels in distress. They don’t need “rescue” in the traditional sense, they just need a little help rescuing themselves. And they are active participants in everything that happens from that initial intervention to adapting to their new world to finding their HEA and claiming it.
They are all kickass, but they are not all kickass in the same way. Some have been warriors, but they’ve also been engineers and computer geeks and doctors and pretty much everything else. There’s no one way to be a heroine in this series (or in any of this author’s work)
However, one thing about the Galactic Gladiators series as a whole, including the House of Rone spinoff, that’s starting to stretch my willing suspension of disbelief just a tiny bit – although certainly not enough to keep me from continuing to enjoy the series.
Jupiter Station, and any ships en route to or from it, would presumably have had crews consisting of all genders. But all of the books in the series, with the notable exception of Champion, have featured an Earthan female and a male from somewhere in the wider universe. Only in Champion is that reversed.
If there were extremely few men on Jupiter Station and the ships servicing it – why? If the Thraxians chose to only capture females – why? I find the second possibility more likely than the first, but there must be a reason. Especially since I’d love to see one of the books in this series feature a female warrior and a male who is not. There are certainly plenty of female gladiators to make this a possible scenario.
Consider the above comment my the first item on my “wish list” for this series. Because I do love it and want to see it go more places and do more things. It’s a big galaxy!
The House of Rone continues in Defender, coming in August. Oooh!, something for me to look forward to, to bring me out of my post-WorldCon blahs!
August 10, 2023
Okay read. Idk why it just didn't do it for me.
Didn't get the emotional pull with both leads although they separately had sad stories. Just didn't seem authentic how they suddenly ended up in a full blown relationship in what seemed like days of meeting after her enslavement and horrible treatment. During the battle/fight scenes for a seasoned professional security chief, found it so annoying thatthe female lead found that time to try to be seductive, express her desire to the male or say how sexy he was for doing his 'cyborg thing'. Like woman why does he repeatedly have to tell you not was not the right time. Also every time they kissed someone was interrupting them. It became overdone by the 3rd time.
Recollection of the various relationships between beings and humans felt exhausting as I didn't read those stories yet, but saw this was #1book in this series. I may or may not check out the others. By chapter 14 (of 19) I was seriously contemplating stopped but the other male cyborgs - mace? and Aton were described well - cold, tough, impenetrable emotionally so curious to see if the missing human female that's broken would be with one of them.
Didn't get the emotional pull with both leads although they separately had sad stories. Just didn't seem authentic how they suddenly ended up in a full blown relationship in what seemed like days of meeting after her enslavement and horrible treatment. During the battle/fight scenes for a seasoned professional security chief, found it so annoying thatthe female lead found that time to try to be seductive, express her desire to the male or say how sexy he was for doing his 'cyborg thing'. Like woman why does he repeatedly have to tell you not was not the right time. Also every time they kissed someone was interrupting them. It became overdone by the 3rd time.
Recollection of the various relationships between beings and humans felt exhausting as I didn't read those stories yet, but saw this was #1book in this series. I may or may not check out the others. By chapter 14 (of 19) I was seriously contemplating stopped but the other male cyborgs - mace? and Aton were described well - cold, tough, impenetrable emotionally so curious to see if the missing human female that's broken would be with one of them.
February 26, 2020
After enjoying the gladiator series, I'm looking forward to seeing the world expand further, and glad we're not saying goodbye just yet. This time we get to see inside the house of Rone where a majority of the members are cyborgs. I have been curious about the cyborgs since they were first introduced, and as we get to know the personalities and characters, I'm looking forward to seeing their stories develop. As usual the author creates a fun and action filled story, this time around two broken people looking for a way to heal. Once again we discover a new batch of humans that need to be saved and a new enemy for the house to go up against. The Edull come across as a good enemy but I'm interested to hear more about them as the arc develops as we only get glimpses into them in this book. I found that I didn't connect with these characters as well as others and they wont be high on my list of favourites but there were some sweet moments between them as a couple as they struggle to balance their relationship with duty.
April 1, 2024
3 1/2 ⭐️
In a lot of ways, I really did enjoy this book. It was very inventive and descriptive and pretty much well written. The story kind of lost me about 60% in but I did manage to finish it.
The reason it didn’t get higher markings from me is that the sex scenes were kind of lacking and basic, and nothing to write home about.
But the worst part was the dialogue. It was just absolutely basic and lacking in depth, and it just felt very forced and elementary. None of the dialogue felt that it really fit with the characters that were speaking it. All the men spoke as if they were coming from a woman’s point of view, and that just didn’t fit with their characters and then being gladiators.
It was also just very plain and contrived. And meant to say it again there was just a major lack of depth, and none of the characters had distinct personalities, and spoke from their/that point of view. I’m not completely sure if I’m explaining it correctly but the dialogue was just really really bad.
And if I had to hear her call him my cyborg, one more time, I was going to scream.
In a lot of ways, I really did enjoy this book. It was very inventive and descriptive and pretty much well written. The story kind of lost me about 60% in but I did manage to finish it.
The reason it didn’t get higher markings from me is that the sex scenes were kind of lacking and basic, and nothing to write home about.
But the worst part was the dialogue. It was just absolutely basic and lacking in depth, and it just felt very forced and elementary. None of the dialogue felt that it really fit with the characters that were speaking it. All the men spoke as if they were coming from a woman’s point of view, and that just didn’t fit with their characters and then being gladiators.
It was also just very plain and contrived. And meant to say it again there was just a major lack of depth, and none of the characters had distinct personalities, and spoke from their/that point of view. I’m not completely sure if I’m explaining it correctly but the dialogue was just really really bad.
And if I had to hear her call him my cyborg, one more time, I was going to scream.
March 5, 2020
3.5 stars.
The world of the Galactic Gladiators continues with the House of Rone run by cyborg boss Magnus...
This book is about Jax, Magnus's 2IC who is trying to find the humans on an explorer ship that were captured and enslaved by the Thraxian slavers. Our heroine, Quinn, was the security chief on board.
I do like that there were so many females on the security teams in the future! However, I did find the story somehow familiar although more believable that Quinn was sold rather than Mina's story in the previous book Hunter: Desert Hunter / Alien Hunter / Glactic Gladiator Christmas. I also enjoy reading how a cyborg comes to a realisation that he's in a relationship and in love.
Another easy and enjoyable read.
The world of the Galactic Gladiators continues with the House of Rone run by cyborg boss Magnus...
This book is about Jax, Magnus's 2IC who is trying to find the humans on an explorer ship that were captured and enslaved by the Thraxian slavers. Our heroine, Quinn, was the security chief on board.
I do like that there were so many females on the security teams in the future! However, I did find the story somehow familiar although more believable that Quinn was sold rather than Mina's story in the previous book Hunter: Desert Hunter / Alien Hunter / Glactic Gladiator Christmas. I also enjoy reading how a cyborg comes to a realisation that he's in a relationship and in love.
Another easy and enjoyable read.
May 8, 2020
Awesome story about Cyborg finding love
Sentinel is first in the series about cyborgs living on a planet with other Cyborgs/gladiators helping human that were sold a slaves. Jaxer or Jax is a cyborg trying to find a human named Quinn who was a security officer on board a spaceship that was attracted by aliens and sold as slaves.
Quinn is rescued, but finds herself driven to find another of her crew from slavery. Will Max and Quinn find the missing woman?
The characters are fascinating, unique, and relatable. The plot is a vivid and fast-paced drama that keep the reader engaged. I especially like the fighting scenes against the cyborg's enemies with fast-heart beating action. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Highly recommended if the reader la action packed science fiction with a punch and bit of romance.
bookwormsuzy
Sentinel is first in the series about cyborgs living on a planet with other Cyborgs/gladiators helping human that were sold a slaves. Jaxer or Jax is a cyborg trying to find a human named Quinn who was a security officer on board a spaceship that was attracted by aliens and sold as slaves.
Quinn is rescued, but finds herself driven to find another of her crew from slavery. Will Max and Quinn find the missing woman?
The characters are fascinating, unique, and relatable. The plot is a vivid and fast-paced drama that keep the reader engaged. I especially like the fighting scenes against the cyborg's enemies with fast-heart beating action. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Highly recommended if the reader la action packed science fiction with a punch and bit of romance.
bookwormsuzy
November 8, 2023
Good.
Great series, good book. Jax is out looking for the missing women of Earth who were abducted by Thraxians. He finds his HEA in the chick he rescues. Then they go rescue one more. Now, they must wait to see what info this one can provide to help rescue the next human. There is a new enemy called the Edull, so they must all work together to bring them down and finish wiping Slave trading out of the world. So far, in the Galactic Gladiators, we read about 2 breeds of enemies being dismantled, and now we have one more. This series has interesting characters and good world building. There are too many sexy times for either series to be truly appreciated to its full extent. But if you want to read the story without it, then just skip over those pages and read on. The story itself will have you wishing you had more pages to read.
Great series, good book. Jax is out looking for the missing women of Earth who were abducted by Thraxians. He finds his HEA in the chick he rescues. Then they go rescue one more. Now, they must wait to see what info this one can provide to help rescue the next human. There is a new enemy called the Edull, so they must all work together to bring them down and finish wiping Slave trading out of the world. So far, in the Galactic Gladiators, we read about 2 breeds of enemies being dismantled, and now we have one more. This series has interesting characters and good world building. There are too many sexy times for either series to be truly appreciated to its full extent. But if you want to read the story without it, then just skip over those pages and read on. The story itself will have you wishing you had more pages to read.
May 4, 2020
It is what it is really! I was sucked in by the whole premise of cyborg gladiators in space romance ( i mean, who wouldn't be!?!) and found a series that was a very similar premise to the Blackdagger Brotherhood, in that each book tells the story of a different one of the characters and they are a group of very muscular guys who have formed a "brotherhood" after each being rescued from their own tortured pasts etc. I didn't HATE the book but my brain did feel like mush when I had finished; our main "heroine" Quinn was abducted when aliens attacked her spaceship and she was sold as a slave until for one reason or another our friendly-but-badass cyborg gladiator brotherhood rescue her.
Fun, mind numbing brain candy!
Fun, mind numbing brain candy!
February 9, 2020
2.5 stars
I haven't read one of her books in a while and I'm reminded why I quite reading her books. It's not that they're not any good they're well written. It's because they're so dern repetitive it's frustrating, she can't create interesting worlds and great characters but she can't change up the plot from time to time? It's always the same each and every book from each and every series I started off with the gladiator series I can't remember the name of the series but I've read quite a few of them so I know what I'm talking about if she would just change her writing up things might be better
I haven't read one of her books in a while and I'm reminded why I quite reading her books. It's not that they're not any good they're well written. It's because they're so dern repetitive it's frustrating, she can't create interesting worlds and great characters but she can't change up the plot from time to time? It's always the same each and every book from each and every series I started off with the gladiator series I can't remember the name of the series but I've read quite a few of them so I know what I'm talking about if she would just change her writing up things might be better
March 24, 2021
Several battle scenes that both should be dead, end saves and just bad. Unluckily it it's about 1/3 of the story. The romance erotica is just good, not really good at all. Doesn't make up for the dead and actually boring parts of the fight scenes.
Argh, what a pull your hair out battle scene where no one notices that one of the people get pull off, by her shirt, and wrapped up in it, and pulled off more, what kind of fighter has that vulnerability and that was just the worst of 3 drawn out battle scenes that don't add to the story and are pretty poorly drawn.
Just Ok, the couple are good but the erotic again is tame.
Argh, what a pull your hair out battle scene where no one notices that one of the people get pull off, by her shirt, and wrapped up in it, and pulled off more, what kind of fighter has that vulnerability and that was just the worst of 3 drawn out battle scenes that don't add to the story and are pretty poorly drawn.
Just Ok, the couple are good but the erotic again is tame.
November 22, 2021
Cyborg Sentinel…
This is an off shoot from Anna’s Galactic Gladiator series and wow it’s still as exciting as the other series as we are now in the cybernetic House of Rone.
Jaxer is second in command with the task of finding the human women who have been taken and enslaved and in this story he finds Quinn a security commander now slave to a mean and unpleasant Edull owner..
Quinn is one strong, independent, smart and feisty as she escapes her captor in an effort to find her friends she is saved by Jaxer and nursed back to health..
This story has the usual waves of action and thrills that keep me coming back for more and i can’t wait to read the next book…
This is an off shoot from Anna’s Galactic Gladiator series and wow it’s still as exciting as the other series as we are now in the cybernetic House of Rone.
Jaxer is second in command with the task of finding the human women who have been taken and enslaved and in this story he finds Quinn a security commander now slave to a mean and unpleasant Edull owner..
Quinn is one strong, independent, smart and feisty as she escapes her captor in an effort to find her friends she is saved by Jaxer and nursed back to health..
This story has the usual waves of action and thrills that keep me coming back for more and i can’t wait to read the next book…
January 5, 2022
A good read for this series
I enjoyed Quinn and Jax’s story. The books are really similar. I do wish the author would have added so more variation from story to story. Quinn is a security expert who feels guilty because she couldn’t protect her people from the space invasion. Because Quinn tried to escape so much she was sold to a horrible owner, who is working to break her and her spirits. . Jaxer, the BF of Magnus, is trying to prove his worth and thanks to Magnus now with the baby and Ever. Jaxer is determined to find Mina’s friend and Security officer Quinn. The best thing about Jaxer is that he did not go off alone but with backup. Read On!
I enjoyed Quinn and Jax’s story. The books are really similar. I do wish the author would have added so more variation from story to story. Quinn is a security expert who feels guilty because she couldn’t protect her people from the space invasion. Because Quinn tried to escape so much she was sold to a horrible owner, who is working to break her and her spirits. . Jaxer, the BF of Magnus, is trying to prove his worth and thanks to Magnus now with the baby and Ever. Jaxer is determined to find Mina’s friend and Security officer Quinn. The best thing about Jaxer is that he did not go off alone but with backup. Read On!
July 24, 2022
Amazing series
I've never been a sci fi fan, but Anna Hackett is so good. I can't help but fall in love with all her Sci fi books. Love the entire gladiator series and this continuous of the house of Rone is perfection. Jax and Quinn are two really great characters, and I love a strong, intelligent woman who can fight her battles, whether it's physically or using her brains. Jax is a sweetheart cyborg who learns how to be more "human". Love this start of the spin off series, and the whole series is brilliant.
I've never been a sci fi fan, but Anna Hackett is so good. I can't help but fall in love with all her Sci fi books. Love the entire gladiator series and this continuous of the house of Rone is perfection. Jax and Quinn are two really great characters, and I love a strong, intelligent woman who can fight her battles, whether it's physically or using her brains. Jax is a sweetheart cyborg who learns how to be more "human". Love this start of the spin off series, and the whole series is brilliant.
October 24, 2022
This is a well written book that continues the stories of strong Earth women who have been abducted by evil aliens and sold as slaves. Quinn is enslaved by an evil Ednull. She is saved by the cyborgs of the House of Rone. She is immediately attracted to Jax who tries to resist Quinn but fails miserably. They work together to help find and save any other humans who were abducted and they fall in love during their adventures. I love both characters, Quinn and Jax. They are both powerful on their own and make a great team. Great book with lots of action and steamy romance.
December 3, 2021
I just really enjoy these books.
The Gladiator series was Bikies in Space. Bad Boys Doing Good Things.
House of Rone follows the Cyborg characters as they find (and save) their human women. It's more a Military Romance in Space. Think Hostage Rescue by Enhanced Marines. On an alien planet.
The characters are interesting and the story is engaging. Sex happens but isn't the focus of the story.
There is a tendency towards InstaLove but I'm okay with that.
It's a good book in a good series.
The Gladiator series was Bikies in Space. Bad Boys Doing Good Things.
House of Rone follows the Cyborg characters as they find (and save) their human women. It's more a Military Romance in Space. Think Hostage Rescue by Enhanced Marines. On an alien planet.
The characters are interesting and the story is engaging. Sex happens but isn't the focus of the story.
There is a tendency towards InstaLove but I'm okay with that.
It's a good book in a good series.
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