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Darkstar Mercenaries #3
Fractured Souls
Alexis Carter is a long way from home, and she doesn't quite understand how she got here. All she knows is that she died once, and now she's alive.
She's woken into a nightmare, trapped on a dark ship full of terrifying aliens. With their silver skin and fire-colored eyes, they look a lot like the monsters that once attacked her on Earth.
One Kordolian in particular stands out... he's huge, he doesn't talk much, and his job is to guard her.
From what, exactly?
The voices inside her head?
Fractured Souls is Book 3 in the Darkstar Mercenaries series. It features a lethal silver-skinned alien hero, a human heroine, and the usual action, violence, steamy sex scenes, and HFN ("happy for now") ending. It will probably make more sense if you read Book 2 (Shattered Silence) first.
She's woken into a nightmare, trapped on a dark ship full of terrifying aliens. With their silver skin and fire-colored eyes, they look a lot like the monsters that once attacked her on Earth.
One Kordolian in particular stands out... he's huge, he doesn't talk much, and his job is to guard her.
From what, exactly?
The voices inside her head?
Fractured Souls is Book 3 in the Darkstar Mercenaries series. It features a lethal silver-skinned alien hero, a human heroine, and the usual action, violence, steamy sex scenes, and HFN ("happy for now") ending. It will probably make more sense if you read Book 2 (Shattered Silence) first.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2019
568 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Anna Carven
60 books1,252 followersAnna Carven is a daydreamer. So much so that she's decided to make a living from it.
She has a penchant for big bad alpha heroes who reserve their secret soft gooey centers only for their fated mates and treasured little ones.
To stay in touch and find out about future releases, you can find her on Facebook, or join the mailing list.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacarvenau...
Mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bQaHP5
She has a penchant for big bad alpha heroes who reserve their secret soft gooey centers only for their fated mates and treasured little ones.
To stay in touch and find out about future releases, you can find her on Facebook, or join the mailing list.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacarvenau...
Mailing list: http://eepurl.com/bQaHP5
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
February 5, 2024
A crazy alien world
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙❤️💚💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😊😘😟😄🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The Hero: Nythean - he is a Kordolian and was one of ten in the first division. He is a mercenary and one of the most brutal fighters in the nine galaxies. The general assigns him to guard the revenant, a woman who was brought back from the dead when a Tharian was put into her.
The heroine: Alexis - she was a detective on Earth who had come across some Kordolians that had been gruesomely murdering, torturing and enslaving humans. She was abused by one of the monsters and barely escaped with her life. She left Earth on the starship Malachi and was on her way to a new life when the ship was bombarded and smashed by meteorites. She died and her body was taken by the Kordolians who were still loyal to the now defunct Kordolian empire. Her body and one of the other women were rescued by the mercenary Kordolians.
The Story: Enki from Shattered Silence, had a Tharian consciousness inside him and the only way to get it out was to let it move to a better host. That host was Alexis. She is now alive again and sharing her consciousness with the Tharian. She remembers nothing from her old life. The Tharian inside Alexis is determined to return to Tharos. Also, Alexis left Earth because of the Kordolians. She has some past trauma at the hands of a Kordolian.
This one wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t bad. I just didn’t really like the whole Tharian storyline as much as the first two books. Though I did really like the character of Nythean. He was a big brute of a man, but a genuinely nice guy and I liked how he cared for Alexis. One thing I do love about this series is the focus on the story, with the steamy parts not overwhelming the book.
This audiobook was done in dual points of view via Solo narration. Like the first books in this series, it was narrated by J.F. Harding. Though I do like dual or duet narration a lot more than Solo narration, I really liked J.F. Harding’s narration. He has a deep voice and is very good at showing emotion through his voice and great at doing different voices for different characters.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙❤️💚💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😊😘😟😄🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The Hero: Nythean - he is a Kordolian and was one of ten in the first division. He is a mercenary and one of the most brutal fighters in the nine galaxies. The general assigns him to guard the revenant, a woman who was brought back from the dead when a Tharian was put into her.
The heroine: Alexis - she was a detective on Earth who had come across some Kordolians that had been gruesomely murdering, torturing and enslaving humans. She was abused by one of the monsters and barely escaped with her life. She left Earth on the starship Malachi and was on her way to a new life when the ship was bombarded and smashed by meteorites. She died and her body was taken by the Kordolians who were still loyal to the now defunct Kordolian empire. Her body and one of the other women were rescued by the mercenary Kordolians.
The Story: Enki from Shattered Silence, had a Tharian consciousness inside him and the only way to get it out was to let it move to a better host. That host was Alexis. She is now alive again and sharing her consciousness with the Tharian. She remembers nothing from her old life. The Tharian inside Alexis is determined to return to Tharos. Also, Alexis left Earth because of the Kordolians. She has some past trauma at the hands of a Kordolian.
This one wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t bad. I just didn’t really like the whole Tharian storyline as much as the first two books. Though I did really like the character of Nythean. He was a big brute of a man, but a genuinely nice guy and I liked how he cared for Alexis. One thing I do love about this series is the focus on the story, with the steamy parts not overwhelming the book.
This audiobook was done in dual points of view via Solo narration. Like the first books in this series, it was narrated by J.F. Harding. Though I do like dual or duet narration a lot more than Solo narration, I really liked J.F. Harding’s narration. He has a deep voice and is very good at showing emotion through his voice and great at doing different voices for different characters.
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October 6, 2019
I was cruising right along....and then I realized that I've now read all the books in the OG Dark Planet Warriors series as well as this spinoff, and.... I want more.
In this installment, the focus is on Alexis, a former Enforcement officer on Earth who's been forced to flee because there's a hit out on her...ordered by Kordolians (the others still loyal to the old Empire). She's on the same doomed flight as Layla, the heroine from the previous book, and dies. But she ends up becoming the host to a Tharian who needs her to get home and deal with the continued fallout of the collapse of the Kordolian Empire. Nythian is assigned to protect the skittish, traumatized human and he's not sure how he can possibly do that when she's terrified of all Kordolians. But, you've probably guessed it, they grow closer, end up in danger and yep, romance happens.
I LOVED that Alexis is a black woman, continuing to show some diversity in the human heroines in this series (that cover is *chef's kiss*). I love that Nythian, while one of the most aggressive and short tempered First Division warriors, manages to be gentle and protective and supportive to Alexis. His support, admiration and love for her was just what I want from these heroes and the story really starts to move the needle on the overarching storyline and left me wanting to find out what's next. Ms. Carven has crafted my latest sci-fi rom crack addiction and I'm lining up to see what's next. If you also have an addiction to this alien sci-fi rom in general, and this series in particular, you may enjoy this as much as I did.
Now I just have to wait for the next one....hmph...
October 22, 2019
I loved the new twists and revelations in Fractured Souls and the path the main plot is headed. I adored Alexis and Nythian but at the same time, I wanted more from them while knowing that nothing would ever be enough for me.
And I need the next installment in this series so badly! Please, Ms. Carven, write as fast as you are able to... for my sanity's sake, you know.
And I need the next installment in this series so badly! Please, Ms. Carven, write as fast as you are able to... for my sanity's sake, you know.
January 11, 2022
'Black nanites were already rippling across his skin, forming the seamless exo-armor that could stop most things—except Callidum blades and Xargek claws and close-range repeated plasma blasts, and of course their own Callidum-impregnated claws.
That was a lot of things, actually.'
Once more, this was another rollicking, intense adventure that dives even further into the lore and history in this world I think I like better than all the other alien romances? It's probably because this writer tends to focus heavier on the plot & world-development than the romance which makes it such a strong series that has stood up time and time again to my preferences and reading desires.
Now, only to wait for that Zharek book that better be coming . . .
That was a lot of things, actually.'
Once more, this was another rollicking, intense adventure that dives even further into the lore and history in this world I think I like better than all the other alien romances? It's probably because this writer tends to focus heavier on the plot & world-development than the romance which makes it such a strong series that has stood up time and time again to my preferences and reading desires.
Now, only to wait for that Zharek book that better be coming . . .
February 20, 2021
Solid sci fi romance. A bit of woo woo stuff which is never my favorite.
August 16, 2019
When two broken minds collide, how can they find their way to another.
I know I am outside my usual romance genre but some authors caught my attention from the beginning and each new release is candy to my mind.
How I love Mrs Anna Carven’s universe, her silver horned and fanged alien warriors never disappoint.
I follow the Darkstar warriors since its first series, and I have never enough of these callous and merciless silver aliens and the human mates who capture their heart.
Nythian is a perfect first division soldier. Like all the other, he is one of few words, arrogant but rightly, with enough darkness to turn a normal mind crazy and so many secrets.
Alexis is more than a survivor, she was revived. And now she is no more alone, with a symbiont risking to corrupt her mind and surround by the same aliens whom made her life a hell back on heart.
Their story was just magnificent, they are drawn to another by a powerful pull they are unable to fight. But the more they come to learn another, the more they respect him.
Nythian becomes Alexis protector, even outside his duty, he is bond to her like never ever before but he also trusts her to defend herself and he helps her to attain the confidence she needs.
Alexis is Nythian’s savior, his light to his darkness . Despite how things went wrong, she slowly warms to the ruthless and easily angered warrior, when she should fear him, she craves his warmth and soon he moves from her duty bond guard to her anchor in this new world she struggles to comprehend every offshoots when she becomes his reason to breath.
What I adore about these mixed couples is there is no insta recognition, there is of course a certain chemistry but both side have to work to create a real connection beyond physical attraction. And in the meanwhile , each newly found love find some peace outside a complicated healing process.
One more striking addition to this wonderful series, each highlighting a powerful warrior with his human destined mate.
A well deserved 5 fat stars.
https://m.facebook.com/42983013427283...
I know I am outside my usual romance genre but some authors caught my attention from the beginning and each new release is candy to my mind.
How I love Mrs Anna Carven’s universe, her silver horned and fanged alien warriors never disappoint.
I follow the Darkstar warriors since its first series, and I have never enough of these callous and merciless silver aliens and the human mates who capture their heart.
Nythian is a perfect first division soldier. Like all the other, he is one of few words, arrogant but rightly, with enough darkness to turn a normal mind crazy and so many secrets.
Alexis is more than a survivor, she was revived. And now she is no more alone, with a symbiont risking to corrupt her mind and surround by the same aliens whom made her life a hell back on heart.
Their story was just magnificent, they are drawn to another by a powerful pull they are unable to fight. But the more they come to learn another, the more they respect him.
Nythian becomes Alexis protector, even outside his duty, he is bond to her like never ever before but he also trusts her to defend herself and he helps her to attain the confidence she needs.
Alexis is Nythian’s savior, his light to his darkness . Despite how things went wrong, she slowly warms to the ruthless and easily angered warrior, when she should fear him, she craves his warmth and soon he moves from her duty bond guard to her anchor in this new world she struggles to comprehend every offshoots when she becomes his reason to breath.
What I adore about these mixed couples is there is no insta recognition, there is of course a certain chemistry but both side have to work to create a real connection beyond physical attraction. And in the meanwhile , each newly found love find some peace outside a complicated healing process.
One more striking addition to this wonderful series, each highlighting a powerful warrior with his human destined mate.
A well deserved 5 fat stars.
https://m.facebook.com/42983013427283...
August 18, 2019
Was hoping for more. Looking towards the next book now.
Yep. I went there. 3 stars I believe is the lowest star I’ve given any of AC’s Dark Planet or Dark Star books. But Nythian wasn’t all that special or unique sounding. Still super sexy since he’s one of the First Division.
Alexis did not sound attractive to me and I didn’t like how her physical characteristics continued to be mentioned during the book.
I also didn’t like how she had such a hard time with her skin on her one hand changing to the skin of the symbiote species.
There just in general seemed to be a lot of questions left unanswered and it just was not as smooth as her other works.
Does she always have to wear that glove thing now?
Why didn’t she never get to kick any butt and actually USE the hands abilities against a bad guy?
Abby again is annoying as crap and in everyone’s business and pushy. Why does she assume all humans need and/or want her involved? She’s all busting into scenes and pushing conversations. Let me when Alexis is back in stasis getting a procedure done, here she comes pushing into the scene when Alexis is basically nude and in pain. But here comes Abby annoying as always like her bustling in helps. It doesn’t. BACK OFF ABBY. GAH. Let them develop their relationship.
Loved Tarak being in the book a little. And I ADORED ASHRAEL being in part of the book too! Even if he did get made to look a bit like a chump in fight scene. You’d think that poison wouldn’t bother him from the other general.
So this just wasn’t as smooth of a ride and the characters left something to be desired.
Really looking forward to Lodan and Tasha’s book. Hoping she’s a Bada§§ and gosh knows let’s hope Abby isn’t involved.
Yep. I went there. 3 stars I believe is the lowest star I’ve given any of AC’s Dark Planet or Dark Star books. But Nythian wasn’t all that special or unique sounding. Still super sexy since he’s one of the First Division.
Alexis did not sound attractive to me and I didn’t like how her physical characteristics continued to be mentioned during the book.
I also didn’t like how she had such a hard time with her skin on her one hand changing to the skin of the symbiote species.
There just in general seemed to be a lot of questions left unanswered and it just was not as smooth as her other works.
Does she always have to wear that glove thing now?
Why didn’t she never get to kick any butt and actually USE the hands abilities against a bad guy?
Abby again is annoying as crap and in everyone’s business and pushy. Why does she assume all humans need and/or want her involved? She’s all busting into scenes and pushing conversations. Let me when Alexis is back in stasis getting a procedure done, here she comes pushing into the scene when Alexis is basically nude and in pain. But here comes Abby annoying as always like her bustling in helps. It doesn’t. BACK OFF ABBY. GAH. Let them develop their relationship.
Loved Tarak being in the book a little. And I ADORED ASHRAEL being in part of the book too! Even if he did get made to look a bit like a chump in fight scene. You’d think that poison wouldn’t bother him from the other general.
So this just wasn’t as smooth of a ride and the characters left something to be desired.
Really looking forward to Lodan and Tasha’s book. Hoping she’s a Bada§§ and gosh knows let’s hope Abby isn’t involved.
September 8, 2019
Oh man. Alexis and Nythian worked for me. She's dealing with A LOT of stuff (you know, besides being resurrected from the dead and all that) and, for all he's a hardcore warrior, he's her oasis of calm when things get too chaotic in her head. I sincerely adore when fierce, seemingly stoic warriors show their softer side to their special someone. *heart eyes so hard*
As for Alexis, she's been living a hellish existence of running and watching the people around her die since a routine scouting mission back on Earrth went bad. The fact that the mission in question revolved around a not-very-nice Kordolian makes waking up on a Kordolian ship surrounded by Kordolians kind of hard for her to wrap her head around. Throw in the alien entity sharing space in her head and things get really sticky.
As for Nythian, he's a typical First Division warrior. He's big. He's scary. He has lethal skills. And he's been put on babysitting duty for the traumatized, possibly dangerous human. As you can probably guess, he's not thrilled with the job, but he does what he's been ordered to do and ends up seeing that Alexis is more than just an unlucky woman now playing host to an alien consciousness.
She's kind of his match and she's pretty darn fierce in her own way.
I really REALLY like the Kordolians and their deadly straightforwardness. They protect those they see as theirs and kill anything that threatens their mates. AWESOME.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
As for Alexis, she's been living a hellish existence of running and watching the people around her die since a routine scouting mission back on Earrth went bad. The fact that the mission in question revolved around a not-very-nice Kordolian makes waking up on a Kordolian ship surrounded by Kordolians kind of hard for her to wrap her head around. Throw in the alien entity sharing space in her head and things get really sticky.
As for Nythian, he's a typical First Division warrior. He's big. He's scary. He has lethal skills. And he's been put on babysitting duty for the traumatized, possibly dangerous human. As you can probably guess, he's not thrilled with the job, but he does what he's been ordered to do and ends up seeing that Alexis is more than just an unlucky woman now playing host to an alien consciousness.
She's kind of his match and she's pretty darn fierce in her own way.
I really REALLY like the Kordolians and their deadly straightforwardness. They protect those they see as theirs and kill anything that threatens their mates. AWESOME.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 6, 2019
I 💜 this series
I enjoyed reading about life on the Silence warship. Nythian and Alexis are a perfect match for each other without realizing it. Great read.
I enjoyed reading about life on the Silence warship. Nythian and Alexis are a perfect match for each other without realizing it. Great read.
February 7, 2021
Pretty good
This story continues where they left off in the previous book. Alexis must battle her own demons and return Anuk back to her planet. In the mean time she finds a kindred spirit and the love of her life with Nythian. The book has happy ending for now. It also ends with a cliffhanger.
This story continues where they left off in the previous book. Alexis must battle her own demons and return Anuk back to her planet. In the mean time she finds a kindred spirit and the love of her life with Nythian. The book has happy ending for now. It also ends with a cliffhanger.
September 29, 2021
Alexis Carter has a Tharian spirit stuck in her head. It's driving her nuts.
Two years earlier she snd her team had been attacked by a couple of Kordolians. Somehow she managed to survive and left Earth on the spaceship Malachai to hide out on a secret planet. Her ship was torn apart and she died. Now she is alive. How?
General Akkadian has assigned Nythian to guard the human woman some refer to as the revenant. The one who returned from the dead. The alien spirit that was transferred to Alexis' body is somehow transforming her body. The Tharian spirit tells Alexis and the Mercenaries that she must return to Tharos before it is too late.
During the return to Tharos Nythian and Alexis get to know eachother better. Nythian gives her battle training. Alexis tells Nythian about her missing sister who was the reason she had become a detective.
I liked the action scenes in the last third of the story. Some of it would have been great to see in a video, except for the really gory parts. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Two years earlier she snd her team had been attacked by a couple of Kordolians. Somehow she managed to survive and left Earth on the spaceship Malachai to hide out on a secret planet. Her ship was torn apart and she died. Now she is alive. How?
General Akkadian has assigned Nythian to guard the human woman some refer to as the revenant. The one who returned from the dead. The alien spirit that was transferred to Alexis' body is somehow transforming her body. The Tharian spirit tells Alexis and the Mercenaries that she must return to Tharos before it is too late.
During the return to Tharos Nythian and Alexis get to know eachother better. Nythian gives her battle training. Alexis tells Nythian about her missing sister who was the reason she had become a detective.
I liked the action scenes in the last third of the story. Some of it would have been great to see in a video, except for the really gory parts. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
September 27, 2019
Fractured Fairy Tale🐉🎠
Having read most or all of the Dark Planet Warriors🌑, and now the Darkstar🌑 Mercenaries series, I was a bit disappointed in this book.
There are a few aspects of this book that were left hanging, maybe for another book? Alexis💃💋 is brought back from the dead, only to be taken over by a parasitical alien.
The experience leaves her with a hand that is supposed to be a super ✋hand but the author doesnt have her do any super deed with it.
Also don't like that Abby, the annoying wife of the Kordolian leader, Akkadian, sticks her nose in where it isn't wanted.
The one part I really did like, was the flashback that Nythian🐺🍆⛲ had that took him back to being a boy on their wasteland of a planet. That's the type of sci-fi story I like. Alas, it's a very short episode in the overall book.
Some of these books are better than others, for sure.
Having read most or all of the Dark Planet Warriors🌑, and now the Darkstar🌑 Mercenaries series, I was a bit disappointed in this book.
There are a few aspects of this book that were left hanging, maybe for another book? Alexis💃💋 is brought back from the dead, only to be taken over by a parasitical alien.
The experience leaves her with a hand that is supposed to be a super ✋hand but the author doesnt have her do any super deed with it.
Also don't like that Abby, the annoying wife of the Kordolian leader, Akkadian, sticks her nose in where it isn't wanted.
The one part I really did like, was the flashback that Nythian🐺🍆⛲ had that took him back to being a boy on their wasteland of a planet. That's the type of sci-fi story I like. Alas, it's a very short episode in the overall book.
Some of these books are better than others, for sure.
October 16, 2019
Pink Lips
Overall an enjoyable read. A lot of action and a strong female lead. I was between and 3/4 star but the description of the black woman with pink lips was too much. It seemed that they just replaced Olive with dark skin then printed the book.
Overall an enjoyable read. A lot of action and a strong female lead. I was between and 3/4 star but the description of the black woman with pink lips was too much. It seemed that they just replaced Olive with dark skin then printed the book.
September 16, 2019
Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved this book, but i want my unfeeling broken heroes back, where are my general look alike?
August 1, 2022
3.75 Stars. (BW/ Silver alien). An Audible audiobook narrated by J. F. Harding. The world building, character development, pacing and the chemistry between the hero, Nythian, and heroine, Alexis, is great. I like reading stories populated by a cast of diverse characters and I am pleased to read an alien fantasy story where the heroine or love interest is Black. Kudos to the author. My issue with this story is the element of the forced parasitic symbiotic relationship between Alexis and the parasitic intelligence that was placed in her body. Alexis was unknowingly made to host and entity that would have taken total control of every aspect of her being were Alexis not a strong willed person and had she not won the fight for dominance. Alexis is a law enforcement who had to leave Earth because her life was in danger for killing a member of a dangerous group of Kordolians. Nythian is the First Division Warrior assigned to protect her. I enjoyed the on the page development of the romance between Alexis and Nathan, their banter, the way they challenged, supported and looked out for each other was so good and well written.
May 1, 2023
3 stars.
The backstory of our human heroine is a bit convoluted. She started off as a detective looking into female abductions (her half-sister was abducted when they were kids) and ended up being abducted by alien slavers and then killed. But somehow, she's brought back to life by an incorporeal alien being who needed a physical body in order to get back to her home planet. I found the whole explanation a bit difficult to understand but I did like that at last, we have a heroine who's a fighter.
I'm finding the heroes in this series so far are pretty much interchangeable. Almost indestructible and once they decide the heroine is their mate, it's all about making their mate safe and happy. There's a bit of a backstory with him too but it's pretty much the same as the other First Division warriors, being unwillingly experimented on by a sicko alien scientist who's now working with them.
I find the most interesting part of the story was at the very end when she's reunited with her sister and grandmother. Those two seem formidable and I would want to read about what happens next with them in space.
The backstory of our human heroine is a bit convoluted. She started off as a detective looking into female abductions (her half-sister was abducted when they were kids) and ended up being abducted by alien slavers and then killed. But somehow, she's brought back to life by an incorporeal alien being who needed a physical body in order to get back to her home planet. I found the whole explanation a bit difficult to understand but I did like that at last, we have a heroine who's a fighter.
I'm finding the heroes in this series so far are pretty much interchangeable. Almost indestructible and once they decide the heroine is their mate, it's all about making their mate safe and happy. There's a bit of a backstory with him too but it's pretty much the same as the other First Division warriors, being unwillingly experimented on by a sicko alien scientist who's now working with them.
I find the most interesting part of the story was at the very end when she's reunited with her sister and grandmother. Those two seem formidable and I would want to read about what happens next with them in space.
August 26, 2019
3 1/2 stars. Nice build of a romance as two very troubled souls forge a connection. There is not insta-love here which I appreciate. Plus, this is very much an action-packed story as well as a romance. You can read it for just that alone. Carven has continued to expand her universe and introduced an interesting new race.
Alexis would not be an easy character to write. She wakes up knowing she's been pulled from a wonderful, peaceful place and that she was dead. Plus, she has a creature in her mind. If that wasn't enough to send someone insane, I don't know what would. Particularly because she isn't sure if the creature is to be trusted or not. Then her arm mutates into something that can kill. I would be ready to have my arm chopped off. Looking at the thing would be a constant, hysterical causing symbol of the alien in my head.
My problem with Alexis is that enough wasn't made of her being traumatized about coming back to life. She was dead for a while and remembers it was a good place. Now she pulled back into something that is a nightmare. Why isn't she a little bit more resentful? I wish Alexis was able to show off some of her own fighting skills, even if they aren't up to the Kordolian standards. I also didn't buy why one faction of the Kordolians were so set on destroying Alexis even with what is learned near the end.
Still, a good edition to the series.
Alexis would not be an easy character to write. She wakes up knowing she's been pulled from a wonderful, peaceful place and that she was dead. Plus, she has a creature in her mind. If that wasn't enough to send someone insane, I don't know what would. Particularly because she isn't sure if the creature is to be trusted or not. Then her arm mutates into something that can kill. I would be ready to have my arm chopped off. Looking at the thing would be a constant, hysterical causing symbol of the alien in my head.
My problem with Alexis is that enough wasn't made of her being traumatized about coming back to life. She was dead for a while and remembers it was a good place. Now she pulled back into something that is a nightmare. Why isn't she a little bit more resentful? I wish Alexis was able to show off some of her own fighting skills, even if they aren't up to the Kordolian standards. I also didn't buy why one faction of the Kordolians were so set on destroying Alexis even with what is learned near the end.
Still, a good edition to the series.
September 12, 2019
3.5 stars
It was a pretty good read but for some reason it didn’t capture me like some of the other books in the series. I struggled to finish it if I’m honest. I just didn’t get invested in the storyline, the characters or the romance. Very unfortunate.
It was a pretty good read but for some reason it didn’t capture me like some of the other books in the series. I struggled to finish it if I’m honest. I just didn’t get invested in the storyline, the characters or the romance. Very unfortunate.
October 21, 2019
I enjoyed this book immensely !!
I thought that this story was a very nice addition to the Darkstar World!! Full of old , and new characters that I have grown to love 💘 . And I love to see the growth !! If you are a fan of Anna Craven , this is a must read !!!
I thought that this story was a very nice addition to the Darkstar World!! Full of old , and new characters that I have grown to love 💘 . And I love to see the growth !! If you are a fan of Anna Craven , this is a must read !!!
August 17, 2019
Not what I expected? I'm disappointed.
August 25, 2019
Another fabulous book, I can’t get enough of these aliens 😍
August 27, 2019
Loved this book! It started off with a bang and ended with a happily ever after. What more could you want.
September 16, 2019
Great Book
Why Amazon insist on 20 words for a review via kindle, I don't know. Especially when I just want to say I really enjoyed this book.
Why Amazon insist on 20 words for a review via kindle, I don't know. Especially when I just want to say I really enjoyed this book.
December 3, 2019
Much better! Also hooray for a black heroine!
May 24, 2021
It's been quite a while since I read the previous book, but this one was pretty meh for me. There was nothing really wrong with the characters, but neither of them really held my interest. And the story itself also didn't pull me in. What keeps me going with this spin off is Tarak. Because I love him.
Alexis is a detective on Earth when she stumbles upon a cloaked Kordolian ship in the middle of the woods while out trying to find information on numerous missing persons. It's bad timing to say the least. Before her and the other two cops with her are able to leave, the bad Kordolians return. And they're kidnapping a couple more human females. The three know they have no chance against the two aliens but their backup is too far off and they can't allow more people to be taken. But before they can even make a move they're already being attacked. Of the five, Alexis is the only one to survive, and it was a hard won survival on her part. One that has not only thoroughly traumatized her, but also gained her a heavy bounty on her head. It comes to a point when the loss of life and expenses to keep her alive is no longer working or worth it. So the plan becomes to have her start a new life off planet. And Alexis ends up on the same doomed flight as Layla. And while I read the previous book over 2 years ago and can't remember the specifics, it's Alexis that the Tharian residing in Enki takes over at the end of that book.
The Tharian cannot be trusted and Alexis's mental stability is iffy, so Tarak always has a guard posted on her. That's where Nythian's role comes in. He's less than thrilled to be assigned as a babysitter but he's a soldier that will obey orders. Now, at this point, Alexis doesn't trust any of the Kordolians because of her trauma, and Nythian wants nothing to do with the human. Yet somehow, I think it was even the very first night he was her guard, these two become immediately close to each other. All of a sudden Nythian becomes the ground Alexis needs to maintain her cool and her calm, and Alexis becomes someone that Nythian would even disobey Tarak for. It just didn't make sense. I wouldn't call it insta-love, but it was pretty darn close.
Most of this book centers around Alexis and the Tharian inside of her. The Tharian needs to go home, it's changing Alexis's body on a DNA level, and also giving her the power to kill with a touch. So all of that needs to be worked out while these two try and figure out their relationship and work on Alexis's training. There are very few action filled moments, but they're pretty good. The whole Tharian thing was interesting, but not to the point where I actually want more of it. And the ending was not my favorite. The whole thing with Alexis's sister is sketchy and, honestly, I'm not sure I like where I think it'll be heading. If I'm lucky, we won't get her in a book for a while.
Of course, I'm still going to check out the next book. I'm just going to hope it's a lot better than this one.
Alexis is a detective on Earth when she stumbles upon a cloaked Kordolian ship in the middle of the woods while out trying to find information on numerous missing persons. It's bad timing to say the least. Before her and the other two cops with her are able to leave, the bad Kordolians return. And they're kidnapping a couple more human females. The three know they have no chance against the two aliens but their backup is too far off and they can't allow more people to be taken. But before they can even make a move they're already being attacked. Of the five, Alexis is the only one to survive, and it was a hard won survival on her part. One that has not only thoroughly traumatized her, but also gained her a heavy bounty on her head. It comes to a point when the loss of life and expenses to keep her alive is no longer working or worth it. So the plan becomes to have her start a new life off planet. And Alexis ends up on the same doomed flight as Layla. And while I read the previous book over 2 years ago and can't remember the specifics, it's Alexis that the Tharian residing in Enki takes over at the end of that book.
The Tharian cannot be trusted and Alexis's mental stability is iffy, so Tarak always has a guard posted on her. That's where Nythian's role comes in. He's less than thrilled to be assigned as a babysitter but he's a soldier that will obey orders. Now, at this point, Alexis doesn't trust any of the Kordolians because of her trauma, and Nythian wants nothing to do with the human. Yet somehow, I think it was even the very first night he was her guard, these two become immediately close to each other. All of a sudden Nythian becomes the ground Alexis needs to maintain her cool and her calm, and Alexis becomes someone that Nythian would even disobey Tarak for. It just didn't make sense. I wouldn't call it insta-love, but it was pretty darn close.
Most of this book centers around Alexis and the Tharian inside of her. The Tharian needs to go home, it's changing Alexis's body on a DNA level, and also giving her the power to kill with a touch. So all of that needs to be worked out while these two try and figure out their relationship and work on Alexis's training. There are very few action filled moments, but they're pretty good. The whole Tharian thing was interesting, but not to the point where I actually want more of it. And the ending was not my favorite. The whole thing with Alexis's sister is sketchy and, honestly, I'm not sure I like where I think it'll be heading. If I'm lucky, we won't get her in a book for a while.
Of course, I'm still going to check out the next book. I'm just going to hope it's a lot better than this one.
October 12, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is part of a plethora of books, novellas, and at least two spin off series related to Dark Planet Warriors. I do not recommend it as a standalone, it should especially be read after Shattered Silence. It is the third book of the second series, DarkStar Mercenaries, though there is a novella, Interlude, that fits between the two series that is considered a prequel to the second series.
In the previous book, a spirit of a dying Tharian entered Alexis’ body. She had died in a spaceship crash and when the spirit of the Tharian enters her body, she is revived. She lives in her body as well as the Tharian.
Nythian is assigned to watch over Alexis and quickly realizes she is his mate. When he and others talk to the Tharian, they realize the only way to get the spirit out of Alexis’ body is to return her to her home planet. The process requires a ceremony at a particular place.
Alexis had been a detective on earth. She left earth when she came to the evil attention of two Kordolians. Kordolians have splintered into two groups with Nythian being one of the good guys and Alexis’ attackers being one of the bad guys. When Nythian and his boss decide to send Alexis to Tharian, the bad guys want to stop them.
The pace of the book is fast. The point of view alternates between Alexis and Nythian.
The idea of what happens to the Tharian raises some religious questions.
Note: Alexis’ adopted sister, Tasha, is the main character in another book of the series, Hyperspeed Dreams.
Tarak, the leader of the Kordolians and hero of 3 of the books in the prior series as well as a couple short stories/novellas, appears in this book. He continues to be awesome.
I think it would be nice for the author to include a reference list in the books. Included could be the names of the different male and female main characters, planets mentioned, aliens mentioned, and maybe a few word translations (siv, etc) that the Kordolians use.
I plan to read the next book.
This book is part of a plethora of books, novellas, and at least two spin off series related to Dark Planet Warriors. I do not recommend it as a standalone, it should especially be read after Shattered Silence. It is the third book of the second series, DarkStar Mercenaries, though there is a novella, Interlude, that fits between the two series that is considered a prequel to the second series.
In the previous book, a spirit of a dying Tharian entered Alexis’ body. She had died in a spaceship crash and when the spirit of the Tharian enters her body, she is revived. She lives in her body as well as the Tharian.
Nythian is assigned to watch over Alexis and quickly realizes she is his mate. When he and others talk to the Tharian, they realize the only way to get the spirit out of Alexis’ body is to return her to her home planet. The process requires a ceremony at a particular place.
Alexis had been a detective on earth. She left earth when she came to the evil attention of two Kordolians. Kordolians have splintered into two groups with Nythian being one of the good guys and Alexis’ attackers being one of the bad guys. When Nythian and his boss decide to send Alexis to Tharian, the bad guys want to stop them.
The pace of the book is fast. The point of view alternates between Alexis and Nythian.
The idea of what happens to the Tharian raises some religious questions.
Note: Alexis’ adopted sister, Tasha, is the main character in another book of the series, Hyperspeed Dreams.
Tarak, the leader of the Kordolians and hero of 3 of the books in the prior series as well as a couple short stories/novellas, appears in this book. He continues to be awesome.
I think it would be nice for the author to include a reference list in the books. Included could be the names of the different male and female main characters, planets mentioned, aliens mentioned, and maybe a few word translations (siv, etc) that the Kordolians use.
I plan to read the next book.
March 30, 2021
Better
*****Spoilers*****
This one in the series was the best I thought. The first two I read because the summary of #2 said it would be best to read it before this one so I just started from the first one in this series. Those two books were okay but this one was my favorite of them. It felt like I got more information but that could just be cumulative across the other two books. I will say that this one is a lot more passionate and intense with more sex but I enjoyed reading about who Alexis was and her background early in the book. She was a detective with a horrible introduction to Kordolians in that she was brutalized and almost killed. She opens to Nythian a bit more easily than I would have expected given her terror when she awakened from the stasis and being confronted with more aliens just like the one she just managed to kill.
Alexis was on a ship to another world to escape assassination attempts, the Kordolian she killed had recorded her face and bio data before he died and transmitted it across the Galaxy. Alexis had died on that ship but was brought back to life by a spirit from another world, the same being that had inhabited Enki's mind for some time.
I still don't know how the Kordolians know their mates but I'm guessing it's physical skin to skin contact that triggers the mating for the males. Nythian and Alexis bond over his obvious care for her well being and more develops from there. Nythian gets to fight and Alexis trains and in between, they move the needle on the universe on some divine path that's but entirely clear. Anuk, the being in Alexis's mind leaves to Alexis and dies but it doesn't impact Alexis's life that was restored. Apparently, Anuk's people have that ability to restore their true hosts and once the beings truly die, the host is left to live on.
*****Spoilers*****
This one in the series was the best I thought. The first two I read because the summary of #2 said it would be best to read it before this one so I just started from the first one in this series. Those two books were okay but this one was my favorite of them. It felt like I got more information but that could just be cumulative across the other two books. I will say that this one is a lot more passionate and intense with more sex but I enjoyed reading about who Alexis was and her background early in the book. She was a detective with a horrible introduction to Kordolians in that she was brutalized and almost killed. She opens to Nythian a bit more easily than I would have expected given her terror when she awakened from the stasis and being confronted with more aliens just like the one she just managed to kill.
Alexis was on a ship to another world to escape assassination attempts, the Kordolian she killed had recorded her face and bio data before he died and transmitted it across the Galaxy. Alexis had died on that ship but was brought back to life by a spirit from another world, the same being that had inhabited Enki's mind for some time.
I still don't know how the Kordolians know their mates but I'm guessing it's physical skin to skin contact that triggers the mating for the males. Nythian and Alexis bond over his obvious care for her well being and more develops from there. Nythian gets to fight and Alexis trains and in between, they move the needle on the universe on some divine path that's but entirely clear. Anuk, the being in Alexis's mind leaves to Alexis and dies but it doesn't impact Alexis's life that was restored. Apparently, Anuk's people have that ability to restore their true hosts and once the beings truly die, the host is left to live on.
September 4, 2020
An absolute must have series for all Alien RomanceLlovers
Dark Planet Warriors and Darkstar Mercenaries are a great series of books . Starting with book one the " General's story " a formidable soldier of an Empire known for it's cruelty and habit of subjugation of many worlds .An Empire led by a mad Empress who believes al beings except the nobles from planet are inferior and subject to slavery .A group of young boys are horribly experimented on and changed into super soldiers .These men grew up hating the Empire and ultimately bring about its destruction . In the mean time this group of Uber alpha males descend on earth making a place for themselves .This first set of books is about the Elites finding and falling in love with their human mates . This spinoff series ( Darkstar Mercenaries ) are after the soldiers have ended the old Empire and have started a business of mercenary work on Earth.They command a high price because they are pretty much indestructible . I think it's important to read each book in order so you come to understand the fantastic world this author has created .
Dark Planet Warriors and Darkstar Mercenaries are a great series of books . Starting with book one the " General's story " a formidable soldier of an Empire known for it's cruelty and habit of subjugation of many worlds .An Empire led by a mad Empress who believes al beings except the nobles from planet are inferior and subject to slavery .A group of young boys are horribly experimented on and changed into super soldiers .These men grew up hating the Empire and ultimately bring about its destruction . In the mean time this group of Uber alpha males descend on earth making a place for themselves .This first set of books is about the Elites finding and falling in love with their human mates . This spinoff series ( Darkstar Mercenaries ) are after the soldiers have ended the old Empire and have started a business of mercenary work on Earth.They command a high price because they are pretty much indestructible . I think it's important to read each book in order so you come to understand the fantastic world this author has created .
March 17, 2023
Though I enjoyed the story of this book, I was concerned that in reading the series, the only book so far that includes a Black character, that character requires resurrection and is unable to bear children. Though all of the heroines in these books endure significant trauma and strife, it is concerning to me that the only character that cannot reproduce in this new world happens to be one of color. Though I enjoyed the book, as a Black woman, this saddens me and in a moment eliminated the feel of escapism these books usually offer because even in this fantastical world, I feel a bit erased. It is surreal to me that when this character encountered a being that possessed her and was able to heal her in so many ways and resurrect her from the dead, there was no conversation about the healing of her reproductive organs. It seemed an interesting point to make that she would not be able to have children. Still a good book, but unfortunate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
Alexis and Nythian
Looking for the kidnappers of human women, Earth Enforcement Officer Alexis finds a Kordolian ship. While calling her find in here comes two Kordolian with two human women in tow. Alexis and her other two team members take them on before they disappear. They manage two kill one before he kills her two backup officers. She manages to kill the second on her own but not before he manages to send off a bounty on her. Now Alexis is always one step ahead of the bounty hunters.
Her superiors eventually send her off to a distant planet but in route her ship is destroyed. Once retrieved (that’s the story in Shattered Silence) Nythian is put in charge of training her. Then the mating bond kicks in.
There is so much more going on in this story. It was so good to read a book with a real plot and complex (not broken) characters.
Looking for the kidnappers of human women, Earth Enforcement Officer Alexis finds a Kordolian ship. While calling her find in here comes two Kordolian with two human women in tow. Alexis and her other two team members take them on before they disappear. They manage two kill one before he kills her two backup officers. She manages to kill the second on her own but not before he manages to send off a bounty on her. Now Alexis is always one step ahead of the bounty hunters.
Her superiors eventually send her off to a distant planet but in route her ship is destroyed. Once retrieved (that’s the story in Shattered Silence) Nythian is put in charge of training her. Then the mating bond kicks in.
There is so much more going on in this story. It was so good to read a book with a real plot and complex (not broken) characters.
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