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A cyborg drowning in emotions and an abducted Earth woman trying not to feel.
Abducted, enslaved, and constantly worried for her daughter, scientist Dr. Simone Li has had a rough few months. Now that she and her daughter, Grace, have been rescued by the fierce cyborgs of the House of Rone, she’s trying to make a life for them on the desert world of Carthago. But guilt and worry are eating at her…Toren—a once-emotionless cyborg—was injured rescuing them from the dangerous Edull aliens. Now, he’s inundated with emotions and not coping. Drawn to the wounded cyborg, Simone must find a way to help him and still protect her battered heart.
Bred to be a warlord’s personal cyborg, Toren has prided himself on being a cool, precise fighter dedicated to his house and imperator. Now his entire life has been torn apart. He’s broken, useless, and sidelined as an elite House of Rone cyborg. Every minute of every day, he struggles through a deluge of unfamiliar emotions and wants revenge…and only one woman calms the storm.
Desperate to bring down the Edull and rescue another abducted woman, Toren and Simone go undercover in the desert. Despite the dangers around them, these two tortured souls can no longer fight their intense attraction and the pull of fierce, overwhelming emotion. But Toren will soon have a choice to make: risk it all for love or go back to being the emotionless warrior he’s always been.
The Galactic Gladiators Science Fiction Romance Series: Science Fiction Romance, Action Adventure Romance, Space Opera, Futuristic Romance, Fantasy Romance, Military Romance and Paranormal Romance
Abducted, enslaved, and constantly worried for her daughter, scientist Dr. Simone Li has had a rough few months. Now that she and her daughter, Grace, have been rescued by the fierce cyborgs of the House of Rone, she’s trying to make a life for them on the desert world of Carthago. But guilt and worry are eating at her…Toren—a once-emotionless cyborg—was injured rescuing them from the dangerous Edull aliens. Now, he’s inundated with emotions and not coping. Drawn to the wounded cyborg, Simone must find a way to help him and still protect her battered heart.
Bred to be a warlord’s personal cyborg, Toren has prided himself on being a cool, precise fighter dedicated to his house and imperator. Now his entire life has been torn apart. He’s broken, useless, and sidelined as an elite House of Rone cyborg. Every minute of every day, he struggles through a deluge of unfamiliar emotions and wants revenge…and only one woman calms the storm.
Desperate to bring down the Edull and rescue another abducted woman, Toren and Simone go undercover in the desert. Despite the dangers around them, these two tortured souls can no longer fight their intense attraction and the pull of fierce, overwhelming emotion. But Toren will soon have a choice to make: risk it all for love or go back to being the emotionless warrior he’s always been.
The Galactic Gladiators Science Fiction Romance Series: Science Fiction Romance, Action Adventure Romance, Space Opera, Futuristic Romance, Fantasy Romance, Military Romance and Paranormal Romance
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2020
445 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
162 books2,900 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 98 reviews
April 3, 2020
I usually enjoy this series, but as I said befoore, right in this moment I'm unable to...
So, this rating is maybe due to that...
I didn't enjoy the heroine.. her survivor's guilt was OTT! And her wanting to help was really a hindrance since she was not a fighter.
What I liked was her daugther. Grace was great with her making bombs and her accpeting her new home without any whining!
So, this rating is maybe due to that...
I didn't enjoy the heroine.. her survivor's guilt was OTT! And her wanting to help was really a hindrance since she was not a fighter.
What I liked was her daugther. Grace was great with her making bombs and her accpeting her new home without any whining!
April 20, 2022
Paladin is book four in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone by Anna Hackett.
Dr. Simone Li and her young daughter were abducted and enslaved. Now they are both safe and under House of Rune Protection. Toren was an emotionless cyborg, who was damaged during the daring rescue of Simone and her daughter, and now he feels everything. Their romance is one of friendship to lovers.
I adore this series and Hackett’s writing. It’s so well developed and balanced. We get just the right amount of action, suspense, and romance. I was so glad to dive back in. The books do need to be read in order; because the world and characters build, develop, and we meet the characters in previous books; before they get their own storyline.
Toren was quiet, controlled, but now he’s out of control. He couldn’t control all the feelings, except when he’s with Simone. It was nice to see the emotionless cyborg feel and watch his interactions with Grace, Simon's daughter. Simone is strong, smart, and a single parent. I really enjoyed her and her daughter Grace. Together these two help heal each other and find love. We learning some valuable information about the Edull, the race that’s causing trouble.
I treasured reading Paladin and can’t wait to read the next installment. If you love Sci-Fi Romance then I highly recommend Hackett's Sci-Fi.
Rated: 4 Stars
Dr. Simone Li and her young daughter were abducted and enslaved. Now they are both safe and under House of Rune Protection. Toren was an emotionless cyborg, who was damaged during the daring rescue of Simone and her daughter, and now he feels everything. Their romance is one of friendship to lovers.
I adore this series and Hackett’s writing. It’s so well developed and balanced. We get just the right amount of action, suspense, and romance. I was so glad to dive back in. The books do need to be read in order; because the world and characters build, develop, and we meet the characters in previous books; before they get their own storyline.
Toren was quiet, controlled, but now he’s out of control. He couldn’t control all the feelings, except when he’s with Simone. It was nice to see the emotionless cyborg feel and watch his interactions with Grace, Simon's daughter. Simone is strong, smart, and a single parent. I really enjoyed her and her daughter Grace. Together these two help heal each other and find love. We learning some valuable information about the Edull, the race that’s causing trouble.
I treasured reading Paladin and can’t wait to read the next installment. If you love Sci-Fi Romance then I highly recommend Hackett's Sci-Fi.
Rated: 4 Stars
June 17, 2025
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.
With intense action sequences, and the raw emotions of frustration, pain, and suffering, all interspersed with moments of unexpected romance.
Paladin (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #4) 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.
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.
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.
With intense action sequences, and the raw emotions of frustration, pain, and suffering, all interspersed with moments of unexpected romance.
Paladin (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #4) 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.
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.
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.
March 24, 2020
Four and a half
Simone, Toren and of course the adorable Grace step into the spotlight in this latest story and its a wonderful read that adds so much to this series. If you want action alongside your hot romance then this story certainly delivers. I'm really enjoying the newest set of bad guys for these cyborgs to battle because they constantly surprise and do amazing things with technology. It's also a joy to see these characters face their fears and realise just how strong together they can really be. Yes its exciting but it's also edge of the seat at times but most of all this was a truly enjoyable read with characters to care about and who doesn't want that ?
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Simone, Toren and of course the adorable Grace step into the spotlight in this latest story and its a wonderful read that adds so much to this series. If you want action alongside your hot romance then this story certainly delivers. I'm really enjoying the newest set of bad guys for these cyborgs to battle because they constantly surprise and do amazing things with technology. It's also a joy to see these characters face their fears and realise just how strong together they can really be. Yes its exciting but it's also edge of the seat at times but most of all this was a truly enjoyable read with characters to care about and who doesn't want that ?
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 26, 2020
Simone and her daughter have been rescued from slavery by the House of Rone cyborgs, but they're not entirely out of the woods yet. The Edull still have humans and other slaves in their grasp and Simone can't stand by and do nothing when she knows how bad their particular brand of slavery is.
Simone's also a little jumpy when it comes to potentially entering into a relationship after her last relationship crashed and burned. Seeing as how Toren is trying his best to go back to the emotionless existence he had before he was tortured by the Edull, them entering into blissful coupledom doesn't seem like it would be in the cards.
Except, you know, it is. Because Simone likes Toren and Toren likes Simone and Simone's daughter and neither of their hearts care about all the other stuff they're dealing with.
Another human finds her place on Carthago and another cyborg finds that it's not so bad falling for a human woman. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Simone's also a little jumpy when it comes to potentially entering into a relationship after her last relationship crashed and burned. Seeing as how Toren is trying his best to go back to the emotionless existence he had before he was tortured by the Edull, them entering into blissful coupledom doesn't seem like it would be in the cards.
Except, you know, it is. Because Simone likes Toren and Toren likes Simone and Simone's daughter and neither of their hearts care about all the other stuff they're dealing with.
Another human finds her place on Carthago and another cyborg finds that it's not so bad falling for a human woman. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
March 30, 2020
So many unexpected surprises!
Toren and Simone both had such a hard path, but they were seriously explosive (😉) together. I loved every twist and unexpected turn, and am excited for Bellamy and Maxons story next!
Toren and Simone both had such a hard path, but they were seriously explosive (😉) together. I loved every twist and unexpected turn, and am excited for Bellamy and Maxons story next!
March 29, 2020
A good enjoyable addition to the series.
Recommended.
Recommended.
November 17, 2021
4 Stars
April 25, 2020
Loved It!!
Love these series and the characters. The plots of these stories are very well defined and the stories are always very interesting and exciting. The characters in these books are very realistic and life like. Can't wait for the next one!
Love these series and the characters. The plots of these stories are very well defined and the stories are always very interesting and exciting. The characters in these books are very realistic and life like. Can't wait for the next one!
April 23, 2021
Paladin is the story centering Dr. Simone Li and Toren (a cyborg of the House of Rone). After being tortured and injured rescuing Simone from the Edull in the previous book, Toren moves from being an emotionless Cyborg to feeling everything all at once. He suffers from the trauma of his experience and is healing both emotionally and physically. Simone tries to help him. Their relationship grows from friendship to lovers--and boy is there steam. Toren is a virgin btw. Take that! An alpha virgin hero! It's a great read and true to form, Anna Hackett, includes lots of action and the best fight scenes. The continued story of the House of Rone's fight against the Edull progresses and is fun to read. The steam between Simone and Toren is great! This is not one of my favorites of Anna's. But, it is still a solidly entertaining story. A different feature in this book is that the heroine has a daughter. She is a fun brave little girl. I loved the addition. Her friendship with Toren is precious. I love seeing him heal more emotionally as he opens himself to love--the love of a daughter-figure and the love of a good woman. In the end, Toren has to decide if he'll return to having his emotions suppressed or if he'll remain open to all he's experienced. You'll have to read it to learn what he decides.
March 30, 2020
Paladin is the fourth book in the House of Rone / Galactic Gladiators world. Anna Hackett has delivered another great read with just the right amount of romance and thriller. Toren is still healing from the battle with the Edull the freed Simone and her daughter Grace. He is experiencing emotions for the first time and having trouble adapting to them. Because he's unpredictable, Toren hasn't had his weapons system re-implanted which causes him to doubt his worth and contributions to the House of Rone. Grace is doing her matchmaking best to get Toren and Simone together and in doing so help both Toren and her mother to heal. Simone is drawn to Toren and determine to help him learn about and accept his emotions whilst fighting her attraction to him. And the Edull just keep coming.
September 29, 2022
UPDATE ~ This was a reread for me.
I’m starting to see a pattern in these stories. The FMC feels she “needs” to be actively involved of the rescue of the the remaining “missing” humans. This usually puts that character in a huge position of risk for which they are not capable of defending (most characters being civilians rather than military trained). This action then, puts their entire group at risk as none of the MMCs will allow any FMC to become injured or captured without attempting a rescue. And so it goes.
I Do enjoy the world building, the conflicts (more so when the characters didn’t bring the conflict upon themselves), and the character romances. (Although these characters get more sexy times in a week than anybody I know - lol). This series is a good, quick “escape” read. I find them light, enjoyable and a useful venting mechanism- since the Good Guys always Win and the Evil Bad Guys reap their just reward (defeat and death).
ORIGINAL POST:
MY RATING GUIDE: 3.5 Stars rounded to 4.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Paladin is #4 in Anna Hackett’s action-packed Space Opera Romance with a 2nd Chances theme. The 2 main characters are entirely different individual types both with tragic pasts, coming together to find healing, acceptance and love. Paladin contains more sexy scenes than previous titles in the House of Rone. It was fun, but not one of my “most” favorites in this series. Yet I definitely plan to continue reading. :D
For years an alien race, the Thraxians, have been capturing humans in space and selling them as slaves for profit. Prior to the beginning of Sentinel, book #1 in House of Rone, Helios an earth exploration ship was attacked in flight by the Thraxians and the survivors were taken and sold individually to slavers on the desolate planet of Carthago (very far from earth). The human survivors of the Helios became scattered among the population of Carthago and have been suffering as either abused slaves or as actual “lab rats” for their owners. But a group of assembled powerful and wealthy cyborg residents, known as the House of Rone, hate slavers (each once having been slaves themselves). Since discovering the predicament of the Helios survivors (in Sentinel, #1), the House of Rone cyborg warriors have made a concentrated effort to rescue the last of the surviving human slaves now scattered on the desert planet of Carthago.
Toren/MMC is a cyborg humanoid who was snatched by a powerful warlord in his youth, surgically altered into cyborg form and had his emotions shut down. Emotionless and without choice, Toren was then trained, ultimately serving the warlord as personal bodyguard for years. When an impassioned conflict among warlords occurred, Toren fell badly injured. The House of Rone cyborgs investigated, found Toren among the dead and dying and returned to their base with him. Still emotionless but otherwise healed, Toren is now a free cyborg. He chose to remain and has since been serving as one of the dedicated warriors of the cyborg House of Rone ever since. Simone/FMC was a medical scientist serving on the earth ship, the Helios before its mid-air attack and capture. Simone and her young daughter, Grace were among the ship survivors sold by the Thraxian slavers to the vicious Edull. At the end of the last book, Centurion, #3, while searching for remaining Helios survivors the House of Rone cyborgs located and rescued a number of various-planet slaves from an Edull factory. Simone and Grace were among them. Paladin, #4 is Toren, Simone, and Grace’s story.
Paladin, #4 read quickly, bursting with action and adventure with fantastic elements requiring indulgence all in good fun (think Marvel Comic characters). The romance stewed and sizzled throughout while the intensity continually increased toward a much deserved HEA. As previous titles in this series, Paladin contained an endless assortment of evil and malicious robots created by the sadistic Edull slavers yet manages to not feel too dark. At this time, the House of Rone series contains 6 books (Aug 6, 2020). The author recommends reading the books in order. For complete understanding of Simone’s recent ordeal prior to her rescue, I recommend first reading at least Centurion, #3 in the House of Rone. Paladin, #4 could possibly be read as a standalone novel but Simone’s rescue, the overall story arc, and the interweaving 2ndary character interactions would be missed - thus less enjoyment.
I recommend the House of Rone novels to readers who enjoy fast moving Space Operas, fantasy based action/adventure or romance suspense novels, HEAs, and are okay with a good does of sexy-steam (as Paladin has a fair amount throughout). I truly enjoyed this Space Opera novel but readers who prefer Clean fiction should probably skip this series, particularly Paladin, #4 which carries more steam than some of the other titles.
Reader Cautions -
Violence - Abductions and hand-to-hand battles. PG-13 level similar to Sci-fi movies. Not truly graphic.
Profanity - Yes. Strong language is used.
Sexual situations - Yes. Repeated, brief, on-scene intimacy between the 2 main characters.
I’m starting to see a pattern in these stories. The FMC feels she “needs” to be actively involved of the rescue of the the remaining “missing” humans. This usually puts that character in a huge position of risk for which they are not capable of defending (most characters being civilians rather than military trained). This action then, puts their entire group at risk as none of the MMCs will allow any FMC to become injured or captured without attempting a rescue. And so it goes.
I Do enjoy the world building, the conflicts (more so when the characters didn’t bring the conflict upon themselves), and the character romances. (Although these characters get more sexy times in a week than anybody I know - lol). This series is a good, quick “escape” read. I find them light, enjoyable and a useful venting mechanism- since the Good Guys always Win and the Evil Bad Guys reap their just reward (defeat and death).
ORIGINAL POST:
MY RATING GUIDE: 3.5 Stars rounded to 4.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Paladin is #4 in Anna Hackett’s action-packed Space Opera Romance with a 2nd Chances theme. The 2 main characters are entirely different individual types both with tragic pasts, coming together to find healing, acceptance and love. Paladin contains more sexy scenes than previous titles in the House of Rone. It was fun, but not one of my “most” favorites in this series. Yet I definitely plan to continue reading. :D
For years an alien race, the Thraxians, have been capturing humans in space and selling them as slaves for profit. Prior to the beginning of Sentinel, book #1 in House of Rone, Helios an earth exploration ship was attacked in flight by the Thraxians and the survivors were taken and sold individually to slavers on the desolate planet of Carthago (very far from earth). The human survivors of the Helios became scattered among the population of Carthago and have been suffering as either abused slaves or as actual “lab rats” for their owners. But a group of assembled powerful and wealthy cyborg residents, known as the House of Rone, hate slavers (each once having been slaves themselves). Since discovering the predicament of the Helios survivors (in Sentinel, #1), the House of Rone cyborg warriors have made a concentrated effort to rescue the last of the surviving human slaves now scattered on the desert planet of Carthago.
Toren/MMC is a cyborg humanoid who was snatched by a powerful warlord in his youth, surgically altered into cyborg form and had his emotions shut down. Emotionless and without choice, Toren was then trained, ultimately serving the warlord as personal bodyguard for years. When an impassioned conflict among warlords occurred, Toren fell badly injured. The House of Rone cyborgs investigated, found Toren among the dead and dying and returned to their base with him. Still emotionless but otherwise healed, Toren is now a free cyborg. He chose to remain and has since been serving as one of the dedicated warriors of the cyborg House of Rone ever since. Simone/FMC was a medical scientist serving on the earth ship, the Helios before its mid-air attack and capture. Simone and her young daughter, Grace were among the ship survivors sold by the Thraxian slavers to the vicious Edull. At the end of the last book, Centurion, #3, while searching for remaining Helios survivors the House of Rone cyborgs located and rescued a number of various-planet slaves from an Edull factory. Simone and Grace were among them. Paladin, #4 is Toren, Simone, and Grace’s story.
Paladin, #4 read quickly, bursting with action and adventure with fantastic elements requiring indulgence all in good fun (think Marvel Comic characters). The romance stewed and sizzled throughout while the intensity continually increased toward a much deserved HEA. As previous titles in this series, Paladin contained an endless assortment of evil and malicious robots created by the sadistic Edull slavers yet manages to not feel too dark. At this time, the House of Rone series contains 6 books (Aug 6, 2020). The author recommends reading the books in order. For complete understanding of Simone’s recent ordeal prior to her rescue, I recommend first reading at least Centurion, #3 in the House of Rone. Paladin, #4 could possibly be read as a standalone novel but Simone’s rescue, the overall story arc, and the interweaving 2ndary character interactions would be missed - thus less enjoyment.
I recommend the House of Rone novels to readers who enjoy fast moving Space Operas, fantasy based action/adventure or romance suspense novels, HEAs, and are okay with a good does of sexy-steam (as Paladin has a fair amount throughout). I truly enjoyed this Space Opera novel but readers who prefer Clean fiction should probably skip this series, particularly Paladin, #4 which carries more steam than some of the other titles.
Reader Cautions -
Violence - Abductions and hand-to-hand battles. PG-13 level similar to Sci-fi movies. Not truly graphic.
Profanity - Yes. Strong language is used.
Sexual situations - Yes. Repeated, brief, on-scene intimacy between the 2 main characters.
October 17, 2020
Will try my luck with the next book.
The first book in the series that I DNF at 52%, do not ask me why. I just could handle the h, not sure why she just was getting on my nerves with all her survivor guilt. Toren was okay.
The first book in the series that I DNF at 52%, do not ask me why. I just could handle the h, not sure why she just was getting on my nerves with all her survivor guilt. Toren was okay.
May 11, 2020
Enjoyable as ever, I particularly enjoyed the set up for the next book. Also, I tend to find adorable daughter characters annoying, but Grace's tendency to believe that difficult situations can be solved with a bomb was actually adorable, in a weird way.
December 8, 2021
I've really enjoyed this series but this is not my favourite.
The books in the series go through a predictable cycle. Meet the cyborg. Convince everyone there is a forever here. Place the heroine in peril. Save the girl and save the world.
I didn't understand why she was placed in peril. It didn't make sense. It made no use of her "special human powers/knowledge". She didn't need to be there. And neither did he. And why would she place herself in danger when she had Grace to think of?
I didn't get it. It annoyed me.
The books in the series go through a predictable cycle. Meet the cyborg. Convince everyone there is a forever here. Place the heroine in peril. Save the girl and save the world.
I didn't understand why she was placed in peril. It didn't make sense. It made no use of her "special human powers/knowledge". She didn't need to be there. And neither did he. And why would she place herself in danger when she had Grace to think of?
I didn't get it. It annoyed me.
August 7, 2021
PALADIN was a good read but it doesn't stand out for me among the other Galactic Gladiator books; in fact it felt a bit like I'd already read it before. While I wasn't super engaged with the plot, I did like Simone a lot -- she's smart, feisty, and a good mother and Toren makes a good hero for her. Overall, I think I'm just getting a little tired of the repeated format to this series.
March 29, 2020
Originally published at Reading Reality
I decided on Paladin today because I knew exactly what I would be getting from this latest entry in Hackett’s swords, sandals and occasionally spaceships series. Considering that yesterday’s book and tomorrow’s book are both a bit out there in terms of storytelling, I really felt like something a bit straightforward here in the middle.
Not that gladiators in space is exactly straightforward, but the storytelling in this series, like all of this author’s marvelous stories, reliably goes from point A to point B to point C – usually meaning SF (or occasionally action-adventure) meets romance, two lonely and/or somewhat scarred people meet (often briefly in the previous book in their series), figure out that they make each other strong in their broken places, get themselves in serious hot water with the big bad of the series, rescue each other and live happy for now with a happy ever after on the horizon when the series wraps up and the big bad is sent to whatever version of hell their beliefs and ours say they have definitely earned and certainly deserve.
And so it is in Paladin, with the added fillip that all the romances in the House of Rone spinoff from the Galactic Gladiators series feature cyborg warriors discovering that they have hearts and emotions after all, no matter how successfully they’ve managed to pretend otherwise until now. And in this particular entry in the series, the female refugee from Earth comes with her very own plus-one in the form of her daughter Grace.
Grace the budding little chemist with a penchant for making things explode. A skill that is bound to come in plenty handy on Carthago.
Grace’s mother Simone has survived the one-way trip from our Solar System as well as captivity and enslavement by the big bad for this series, the evil bot-making Edull. She’s just starting to get her feet under her again, but her involvement with Toren, the cyborg who was wounded while rescuing her, may set her back emotionally as much as she moves forward physically.
The damage that the Edull inflicted on Toren during her rescue has stripped away his primary cyborg weapon and the emotional distance that was part and parcel of his many, many implants. Now that he suddenly has emotions, he’s unable to control them and unfit for being part of the security that keeps the House of Rone and its inhabitants safe from the dark things that thrive in the shadows of Carthago and the Kor Magna Arena.
Dark and deadly things – and people – like the Edull and their bots.
Toren claims to want nothing more than to be stable enough to regain all his implants and the emotional lockdown that goes with them. But Simone can’t seem to stop herself from reaching out to him, no matter how much his need to pull himself away reminds her of the worst of her marriage back on Earth.
But in investigating their current lead to both the Edull and the female Earth engineer that they know is still a captive, Toren and Simone are forced to rely on each other and get past their emotional blocks.
Whether they can save the day – or even each other – forms the beating heart of this entry in this nonstop action/adventure/science fiction romance.
Escape Rating B: As much as I ALWAYS enjoy this author’s work, I’m not having nearly as much fun with the House of Rone as I did with the first series on Carthago, Galactic Gladiators.
And it seems to come down to two things. The first is that as interesting as each of the individual cyborg heroes are in the House of Rone, they are ALL coming from a very similar headspace and lack of heart space. They either haven’t had emotions or have had to suppress their emotions all of their adult lives, only to discover with the advent of the refugees from Earth that, well, the Tin Man has a heart after all. It feels like they need a Scarecrow and a Cowardly Lion to balance things out. Or someone coming from a different place.
Not that the women they fall for don’t show plenty of variety, because they certainly do. But the men, not so much.
The other thing that makes this series less compelling for me are the villains. As a reader, I don’t know why the Edull do what they do or are what they are. In the author’s Hell Squad series, I may hate the invading Gizzida but I know enough about their motivations to know that they make sense from their perspective. They are evil from our perspective, but not from their own.
The Edull seem to be a race of mad scientists, or at least mad engineers, who are evil for evil’s sake. There’s a piece missing and it makes them less comprehendible. I need to see that from their own point of view they are more than just BWAHAHA evil – and I’m not there yet.
Maybe in the next book in the series, later this year.
I decided on Paladin today because I knew exactly what I would be getting from this latest entry in Hackett’s swords, sandals and occasionally spaceships series. Considering that yesterday’s book and tomorrow’s book are both a bit out there in terms of storytelling, I really felt like something a bit straightforward here in the middle.
Not that gladiators in space is exactly straightforward, but the storytelling in this series, like all of this author’s marvelous stories, reliably goes from point A to point B to point C – usually meaning SF (or occasionally action-adventure) meets romance, two lonely and/or somewhat scarred people meet (often briefly in the previous book in their series), figure out that they make each other strong in their broken places, get themselves in serious hot water with the big bad of the series, rescue each other and live happy for now with a happy ever after on the horizon when the series wraps up and the big bad is sent to whatever version of hell their beliefs and ours say they have definitely earned and certainly deserve.
And so it is in Paladin, with the added fillip that all the romances in the House of Rone spinoff from the Galactic Gladiators series feature cyborg warriors discovering that they have hearts and emotions after all, no matter how successfully they’ve managed to pretend otherwise until now. And in this particular entry in the series, the female refugee from Earth comes with her very own plus-one in the form of her daughter Grace.
Grace the budding little chemist with a penchant for making things explode. A skill that is bound to come in plenty handy on Carthago.
Grace’s mother Simone has survived the one-way trip from our Solar System as well as captivity and enslavement by the big bad for this series, the evil bot-making Edull. She’s just starting to get her feet under her again, but her involvement with Toren, the cyborg who was wounded while rescuing her, may set her back emotionally as much as she moves forward physically.
The damage that the Edull inflicted on Toren during her rescue has stripped away his primary cyborg weapon and the emotional distance that was part and parcel of his many, many implants. Now that he suddenly has emotions, he’s unable to control them and unfit for being part of the security that keeps the House of Rone and its inhabitants safe from the dark things that thrive in the shadows of Carthago and the Kor Magna Arena.
Dark and deadly things – and people – like the Edull and their bots.
Toren claims to want nothing more than to be stable enough to regain all his implants and the emotional lockdown that goes with them. But Simone can’t seem to stop herself from reaching out to him, no matter how much his need to pull himself away reminds her of the worst of her marriage back on Earth.
But in investigating their current lead to both the Edull and the female Earth engineer that they know is still a captive, Toren and Simone are forced to rely on each other and get past their emotional blocks.
Whether they can save the day – or even each other – forms the beating heart of this entry in this nonstop action/adventure/science fiction romance.
Escape Rating B: As much as I ALWAYS enjoy this author’s work, I’m not having nearly as much fun with the House of Rone as I did with the first series on Carthago, Galactic Gladiators.
And it seems to come down to two things. The first is that as interesting as each of the individual cyborg heroes are in the House of Rone, they are ALL coming from a very similar headspace and lack of heart space. They either haven’t had emotions or have had to suppress their emotions all of their adult lives, only to discover with the advent of the refugees from Earth that, well, the Tin Man has a heart after all. It feels like they need a Scarecrow and a Cowardly Lion to balance things out. Or someone coming from a different place.
Not that the women they fall for don’t show plenty of variety, because they certainly do. But the men, not so much.
The other thing that makes this series less compelling for me are the villains. As a reader, I don’t know why the Edull do what they do or are what they are. In the author’s Hell Squad series, I may hate the invading Gizzida but I know enough about their motivations to know that they make sense from their perspective. They are evil from our perspective, but not from their own.
The Edull seem to be a race of mad scientists, or at least mad engineers, who are evil for evil’s sake. There’s a piece missing and it makes them less comprehendible. I need to see that from their own point of view they are more than just BWAHAHA evil – and I’m not there yet.
Maybe in the next book in the series, later this year.
December 9, 2023
Paladin
I've been reading this series all at once. Sci-fi romances are interesting because there are two things going on - world building and relationship building. Each author will balance these as they see fit and each reader will like whatever balance they like. These books have a lot of fighting in them because, you know, they're about gladiators. For me, the fight scenes go on too long and there are too many. I think the thing that feels painful to me is that many of the fight scenes (that are not in the arena) are like a tug of war - they almost win, and then they don't, and then they almost get free and then they don't, they defeat one awful thing and then another shows up, and another, and another.
I appreciate that in each book they vanquish a boss villain, and that it takes so much determination for the main characters to keep going on until they succeed. However, since I'm identifying with the characters and I have plenty of things in real life that require plodding endurance and constantly dealing with thwarted intentions, I only want so much of this in the books I read. So for me as a reader, I prefer to have the number of pages dedicated to world building and the romance be more on the side of the romance, the relationship building. Instead of 50/50, maybe 65/35. That 35 still needs to be really good, but I want it in service to the relationship building. Otherwise I would go read sci-fi not-romance.
And now about the relationship building. I would think one of the hardest challenges for romance writers creating inside of a genre with specific tropes and plot structures, is to make each relationship novel and memorable for the reader while still falling into the comfort and familiarity of the genre. In other words, how does one write dozens of books that don't feel repetitive? I have no idea or suggestions, but I will say this book felt much like the last several. I stopped reading at 60 percent, went and read some other alien abduction romances for a couple weeks, and then came back (because I like to finish things).
With all that said, I am forever hopeful and looking forward to the MFC and MMC of the next book. My favorite line comes from her to him,
“Well, you’re good at weapon design, not bad at flying, either. Shame about the grumpiness.”
I've been reading this series all at once. Sci-fi romances are interesting because there are two things going on - world building and relationship building. Each author will balance these as they see fit and each reader will like whatever balance they like. These books have a lot of fighting in them because, you know, they're about gladiators. For me, the fight scenes go on too long and there are too many. I think the thing that feels painful to me is that many of the fight scenes (that are not in the arena) are like a tug of war - they almost win, and then they don't, and then they almost get free and then they don't, they defeat one awful thing and then another shows up, and another, and another.
I appreciate that in each book they vanquish a boss villain, and that it takes so much determination for the main characters to keep going on until they succeed. However, since I'm identifying with the characters and I have plenty of things in real life that require plodding endurance and constantly dealing with thwarted intentions, I only want so much of this in the books I read. So for me as a reader, I prefer to have the number of pages dedicated to world building and the romance be more on the side of the romance, the relationship building. Instead of 50/50, maybe 65/35. That 35 still needs to be really good, but I want it in service to the relationship building. Otherwise I would go read sci-fi not-romance.
And now about the relationship building. I would think one of the hardest challenges for romance writers creating inside of a genre with specific tropes and plot structures, is to make each relationship novel and memorable for the reader while still falling into the comfort and familiarity of the genre. In other words, how does one write dozens of books that don't feel repetitive? I have no idea or suggestions, but I will say this book felt much like the last several. I stopped reading at 60 percent, went and read some other alien abduction romances for a couple weeks, and then came back (because I like to finish things).
With all that said, I am forever hopeful and looking forward to the MFC and MMC of the next book. My favorite line comes from her to him,
“Well, you’re good at weapon design, not bad at flying, either. Shame about the grumpiness.”
April 7, 2020
This is Simone and Toren’s book
He was mangled by the Edull at the end of previous book
His nerve endings were so damaged that the medical staff can’t heal him.
So he is feeling the full weight of having feelings for the first time.
He does not handle it well.
Simone seems to calm him... she tells him to stop fighting emotions and use them.
He is not allowed to have his weapons as he loses his temper too often.
They have identified a rich man, Alev, who is helping the Edull by allowing Edull bots attack the House of Rone. Toren and Simone find out Alev is building battle bots using slaves as organic parts.... they stow away on his ship and get to Bari Bari and discover the city is hiding in sink holes, raised by magnets.. they get captured, then are rescued by Bellamy, she keeps bots working at the arena, she installs a laser in Toren’s shoulder, they get out of the city after Simone falls into the arena but they are all picked up by security bots and taken into the desert where they are ‘fed’ to a creature... Simone is injured, Bellamy is almost taken by a bot when Maxon flies in on his new flier followed by the rest of the cyborgs... how did they know where Toren and Simone were.?? Curious
Just when everyone is getting introduced and Simone is being looked after, a group of Edull erupt out of the desert wearing body armour and one of snatches Bellamy and dives down into the sand... she is lost to them...
Simone had to stay in the regen tank for a long time.. Grace is happy that Simone and Toren are in love... she is home early from lessons... she might have had a small accident at school... oops! She is good at blowing stuff up!
Maxon wants to go and rescue Bellamy... all the houses are going to join forces to rid the planet of the Edull... next book is the final book in this series. That’s sad news, the book will be released in July 2020
He was mangled by the Edull at the end of previous book
His nerve endings were so damaged that the medical staff can’t heal him.
So he is feeling the full weight of having feelings for the first time.
He does not handle it well.
Simone seems to calm him... she tells him to stop fighting emotions and use them.
He is not allowed to have his weapons as he loses his temper too often.
They have identified a rich man, Alev, who is helping the Edull by allowing Edull bots attack the House of Rone. Toren and Simone find out Alev is building battle bots using slaves as organic parts.... they stow away on his ship and get to Bari Bari and discover the city is hiding in sink holes, raised by magnets.. they get captured, then are rescued by Bellamy, she keeps bots working at the arena, she installs a laser in Toren’s shoulder, they get out of the city after Simone falls into the arena but they are all picked up by security bots and taken into the desert where they are ‘fed’ to a creature... Simone is injured, Bellamy is almost taken by a bot when Maxon flies in on his new flier followed by the rest of the cyborgs... how did they know where Toren and Simone were.?? Curious
Just when everyone is getting introduced and Simone is being looked after, a group of Edull erupt out of the desert wearing body armour and one of snatches Bellamy and dives down into the sand... she is lost to them...
Simone had to stay in the regen tank for a long time.. Grace is happy that Simone and Toren are in love... she is home early from lessons... she might have had a small accident at school... oops! She is good at blowing stuff up!
Maxon wants to go and rescue Bellamy... all the houses are going to join forces to rid the planet of the Edull... next book is the final book in this series. That’s sad news, the book will be released in July 2020
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2020
Toren is a cyborg from the House of Rone. He was recently taken prisoner by the Edull, and they ripped out a lot of his emotional dampeners. They also damaged his cyborg parts, and he’s having a hard time figuring out what his worth is, since he’s temporarily banned from fighting, and he’s missing parts of himself. Simone was also being held as a prisoner of the Edull, and she and her daughter, Grace, are trying to figure out their new normal.
Something about Simone helps to calm Toren. He is totally unused to feeling anything, much less the emotional onslaught that is hitting him right now. Being with Simone calms him. Simone somehow teaches him to use those emotions and to channel them. He uses them when he needs them in a fight, and he channels them when in danger.
Simone and Toren are sent on a dangerous mission. They are supposed to only observe, but when the chance comes to get closer to where they need to be to help rescue another human, they jump at the chance—which naturally puts them in danger. While each story in this series is unique, certain aspects of the stories are getting somewhat predictable. Regardless, they are still a creative escape from the mundane. Ms. Hackett has an incredible imagination and does a fantastic job at world-building. The reader remains invested in making sure these cyborgs from the House of Rone all find happiness, and in making sure the Edull’s fall—although that story is still to come!
Something about Simone helps to calm Toren. He is totally unused to feeling anything, much less the emotional onslaught that is hitting him right now. Being with Simone calms him. Simone somehow teaches him to use those emotions and to channel them. He uses them when he needs them in a fight, and he channels them when in danger.
Simone and Toren are sent on a dangerous mission. They are supposed to only observe, but when the chance comes to get closer to where they need to be to help rescue another human, they jump at the chance—which naturally puts them in danger. While each story in this series is unique, certain aspects of the stories are getting somewhat predictable. Regardless, they are still a creative escape from the mundane. Ms. Hackett has an incredible imagination and does a fantastic job at world-building. The reader remains invested in making sure these cyborgs from the House of Rone all find happiness, and in making sure the Edull’s fall—although that story is still to come!
March 23, 2020
Toren is having a hard time with all these new emotions he's having since he was injured. His team no longer seem to trust him either as he has been relieved of his duties. His one bright spot is Simone. She seems to soothe his jangled nerves and calm the storm inside him. Gracie, her daughter, is another bright spot in his life. She is so curious but her genius IQ tends to lead to a lot of explosions!
The Edull are still on the loose and House of Rone are determined to find Bellamy and any other random earthlings they find along the way.
Simone is getting used to her new normal. She knows she is safe but after the number her ex husband did on her, her self esteem - when not relating to her work - is rock bottom. She is swearing off men but somehow Toren keeps getting through her walls.
When she and Toren are sent into the desert undercover to try and truce Bari Batu they get a whole lot closer and Simone's walls crumble further. This virgin cyborg is no slouch in the bedroom - he has done a LOT of theory reading, LOL.
I loved Toren and Simone (and Gracie). They are each a bundle of raw emotions, salved by the other. The final fight scene is brilliant. So looking forward to Bellamy being recovered.
The Edull are still on the loose and House of Rone are determined to find Bellamy and any other random earthlings they find along the way.
Simone is getting used to her new normal. She knows she is safe but after the number her ex husband did on her, her self esteem - when not relating to her work - is rock bottom. She is swearing off men but somehow Toren keeps getting through her walls.
When she and Toren are sent into the desert undercover to try and truce Bari Batu they get a whole lot closer and Simone's walls crumble further. This virgin cyborg is no slouch in the bedroom - he has done a LOT of theory reading, LOL.
I loved Toren and Simone (and Gracie). They are each a bundle of raw emotions, salved by the other. The final fight scene is brilliant. So looking forward to Bellamy being recovered.
March 24, 2020
This book tells the story of Toren and Simone, and is the fourth book in the “Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone” series.
We met Toren in one of the previous books in the series, where he was seriously hurt by the Edull. Simone and her daughter Grace, were slaves of the Edull, and were rescued in the same book, by the house of Rone gladiators.
Simone and Toren are coming to terms with their new realities, and both want to make sure that the Edull can never make their infernal machines, nor run their illegal arena games, ever again.
Like most of Anna’s books, this is a fast paced sci-fi romance, heavy on the story and with a few sexy scenes thrown in.
It’s a quick read, but no less enjoyable for that fact, and the world building is incredible, well thought out and detailed.
The characters are likeable, no shrinking violet heroines, and best of all, they’re strong without being stupid!
This isn’t a stand alone book. For best enjoyment, I recommend working through the original Galactic Gladiator series, before starting on the House of Rone spin-offs, although the latter can be read by itself.
If you enjoy sci-fi romance, and post-apocalyptic style worlds, then you’ll enjoy all of the Galactic Gladiators books!
We met Toren in one of the previous books in the series, where he was seriously hurt by the Edull. Simone and her daughter Grace, were slaves of the Edull, and were rescued in the same book, by the house of Rone gladiators.
Simone and Toren are coming to terms with their new realities, and both want to make sure that the Edull can never make their infernal machines, nor run their illegal arena games, ever again.
Like most of Anna’s books, this is a fast paced sci-fi romance, heavy on the story and with a few sexy scenes thrown in.
It’s a quick read, but no less enjoyable for that fact, and the world building is incredible, well thought out and detailed.
The characters are likeable, no shrinking violet heroines, and best of all, they’re strong without being stupid!
This isn’t a stand alone book. For best enjoyment, I recommend working through the original Galactic Gladiator series, before starting on the House of Rone spin-offs, although the latter can be read by itself.
If you enjoy sci-fi romance, and post-apocalyptic style worlds, then you’ll enjoy all of the Galactic Gladiators books!
April 18, 2020
What a read!!
From the moment Cyborg and Scientist meet, there is an instant connection. Although each of these books can be read and can stand alone, in many ways they are not, as the next romantic couple meet at the end of the previous book. This is the case with Simone and Toren. He is part of the rescue team and he hits it off with Grace, Simone's daughter and an absolute genius!! But the rescue goes awry and he is damaged. His inability to deal with his emotions are the result of this damage but he finds that Simone has a calming effect on him. Yet again, all cyborg hands are wanting to rescue yet another captive who they could not take before. So we are privy to plans to destroy the Edull fighting arena and rescue those people and aliens who are slaves of the villainous aliens. Another great plot. Some may say that Ms. Hackett's books are formulaic but.they pack an emotional story and marry successfully some strong characters with great action.I have enjoyed every book of hers, whether it be the Team 52, or the Gladiator series, or the Treasure Hunters. The characters are fun, larger than life and the men are the same!! Love them all!!
From the moment Cyborg and Scientist meet, there is an instant connection. Although each of these books can be read and can stand alone, in many ways they are not, as the next romantic couple meet at the end of the previous book. This is the case with Simone and Toren. He is part of the rescue team and he hits it off with Grace, Simone's daughter and an absolute genius!! But the rescue goes awry and he is damaged. His inability to deal with his emotions are the result of this damage but he finds that Simone has a calming effect on him. Yet again, all cyborg hands are wanting to rescue yet another captive who they could not take before. So we are privy to plans to destroy the Edull fighting arena and rescue those people and aliens who are slaves of the villainous aliens. Another great plot. Some may say that Ms. Hackett's books are formulaic but.they pack an emotional story and marry successfully some strong characters with great action.I have enjoyed every book of hers, whether it be the Team 52, or the Gladiator series, or the Treasure Hunters. The characters are fun, larger than life and the men are the same!! Love them all!!
March 24, 2020
SUSPENSE - ACTION - FIERY PASSIONATE ROMANCE
Gripping Suspense, thrilling action, witty banter, fabulous character interaction, life-threatening incidents, emotional up and downs, sizzling romance, and a happy forever make "Paladin" an entertaining read.
Heroic cyborgs save Simone and her daughter Grace from the vicious Endull aliens. They are now safe living a free life in The House of Rone. Toren, a hot, powerful cyborg, suffered an injury during the rescue. Unfortunately, this injury has his emotions running wild. He also begins to have fiery desires for the beauty Simone which he does not understand. Simone has trust issues in the matter of the heart. Her daughter Grace is full of fun surprises. Toren and Simone face a few hurdles before reaching their happy forever.
Fun, well-written read with a great plot. Simone and Toren's chemistry glows in this sci-fi story. Love Grace's antics. The author does a fantastic job showing trust plays a huge part in love relationships. Finding this to be a gratifying read, I voluntarily reviewed a pre-release copy via the author.
Gripping Suspense, thrilling action, witty banter, fabulous character interaction, life-threatening incidents, emotional up and downs, sizzling romance, and a happy forever make "Paladin" an entertaining read.
Heroic cyborgs save Simone and her daughter Grace from the vicious Endull aliens. They are now safe living a free life in The House of Rone. Toren, a hot, powerful cyborg, suffered an injury during the rescue. Unfortunately, this injury has his emotions running wild. He also begins to have fiery desires for the beauty Simone which he does not understand. Simone has trust issues in the matter of the heart. Her daughter Grace is full of fun surprises. Toren and Simone face a few hurdles before reaching their happy forever.
Fun, well-written read with a great plot. Simone and Toren's chemistry glows in this sci-fi story. Love Grace's antics. The author does a fantastic job showing trust plays a huge part in love relationships. Finding this to be a gratifying read, I voluntarily reviewed a pre-release copy via the author.
March 29, 2020
First of all, I’m a huge fan of this series and the prior series that started this world. I have read every book and while this is standalone, I liked reading them in order since the supportive cast is recurring.
In this book, Simone was previously rescued but during that time, Toren was tortured and his emotion dampeners damaged. We start with him having a difficult time controlling the emotion. I have to say that I initially didn’t feel the connection between the two, maybe because he was written in such a way that he wanted to escape emotion. But as the action kicked up, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the glimpse at Bellamy ( to be the final book in this series...noooo, I don’t want to leave this group!) and I loved the other cyborgs. And Grace, Simone’s daughter who loves making explosives? Awesome- over the young females are strong and smart! This is the author’s gift- for writing female characters who are strong and smart and help to save the other humans using those skills (even if they lack athletic ability)
In this book, Simone was previously rescued but during that time, Toren was tortured and his emotion dampeners damaged. We start with him having a difficult time controlling the emotion. I have to say that I initially didn’t feel the connection between the two, maybe because he was written in such a way that he wanted to escape emotion. But as the action kicked up, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the glimpse at Bellamy ( to be the final book in this series...noooo, I don’t want to leave this group!) and I loved the other cyborgs. And Grace, Simone’s daughter who loves making explosives? Awesome- over the young females are strong and smart! This is the author’s gift- for writing female characters who are strong and smart and help to save the other humans using those skills (even if they lack athletic ability)
March 27, 2020
After his capture and subsequent torture while rescuing Simone and her daughter Grace from the Edull , Toren is fighting with these emotions he has spent most of his life without because of his cybernetics. Now he is bombarded daily and he if does not get control he is a danger to everyone around him. Simone and Grace are trying to help. They are also dealing with the after marks of being abducted and sold to the Edull. Simone has decided she does not want to fall in love again and Toren has never had an attraction to any woman before. That is about to change for both of them. Fate has thrown them together and both their lives are about to change. The Edull are stepping up their attacks. There are still humans held by the Edull that need rescuing and Simone and Toren will do all they can, along with the rest of the Gladiators to find them. Thank you to Anna Hackett for the totally entertaining review copy. This series is so additive.
March 31, 2020
Enjoyable Series
The story of Toren and Simone is another action packed, sexy installment in the Galactic Gladiators series. Set on the desert world of Carthago, the novel continues the saga of several earthlings stuck across the universe and unable to return to Earth. They each strive to make a new life for themselves, but Simone has the added challenge of making a home for her daughter Grace. Two gladiatorial houses have taken in the majority of the women and one man. Simone was rescued by the house of Rone, which is made up of cyborgs and unenhanced individuals, including Toren. In the rescue operation that liberated Simone and Grace, Toren was seriously damaged. That damage affected his nervous system, flooding him with emotions, something totally unfamiliar to him. Unable to fight until he has healed, he is aided in learning to deal with his emotions by the equally damaged Simone. As they work to rescue another earth woman, will they heal and grow closer?
The story of Toren and Simone is another action packed, sexy installment in the Galactic Gladiators series. Set on the desert world of Carthago, the novel continues the saga of several earthlings stuck across the universe and unable to return to Earth. They each strive to make a new life for themselves, but Simone has the added challenge of making a home for her daughter Grace. Two gladiatorial houses have taken in the majority of the women and one man. Simone was rescued by the house of Rone, which is made up of cyborgs and unenhanced individuals, including Toren. In the rescue operation that liberated Simone and Grace, Toren was seriously damaged. That damage affected his nervous system, flooding him with emotions, something totally unfamiliar to him. Unable to fight until he has healed, he is aided in learning to deal with his emotions by the equally damaged Simone. As they work to rescue another earth woman, will they heal and grow closer?
January 26, 2023
Love this series!!
Grace is such an awesome kid!! I love Terrane and Simone. I kinda feel bad that they went out to rescue more humans but didn't rescue anyone in this book at all. Bellamy got taken back by the Edu so it was a big loss on that part but she did hand over the keys needed to rescue her some other time. Still an awesome book and it gives us more insight into Terrane and Simone. So it's all good. Can't wait for the next book. I have read the frist series starting with Gladiator and ending with Conquer and how each book from these 3 different series is related and I've analyzed it just as much as I've analyzed Ruby Dixon's books and their relations. It is amazing and makes the world feel bigger than what parts you read individually. So I am a huge fan these series and hope there is more to come from this author. I love her books they are just mind blowing!!! A must read series for fans of sci-fi romance.
Grace is such an awesome kid!! I love Terrane and Simone. I kinda feel bad that they went out to rescue more humans but didn't rescue anyone in this book at all. Bellamy got taken back by the Edu so it was a big loss on that part but she did hand over the keys needed to rescue her some other time. Still an awesome book and it gives us more insight into Terrane and Simone. So it's all good. Can't wait for the next book. I have read the frist series starting with Gladiator and ending with Conquer and how each book from these 3 different series is related and I've analyzed it just as much as I've analyzed Ruby Dixon's books and their relations. It is amazing and makes the world feel bigger than what parts you read individually. So I am a huge fan these series and hope there is more to come from this author. I love her books they are just mind blowing!!! A must read series for fans of sci-fi romance.
March 24, 2020
I received this ARC as part of the advance reading team and as usual I am so grateful and happy to have the chance to read those stories. I love the gladiators of Kore's Magna but lately I have been a bit disappointed, thinking a pattern is repeated : a human woman is saved, saw or know of another human(s) being captive, only focuses on saving them, insisting on being part of the mission, falls for a gladiator. It seems to me that this has been the same story over and over again, leaving less space to the alien side, to the gladiator's part, and maybe a different type of adventure. The first books were so unique and full of surprises, I am missing this excitement in the last couple of books.
But I still love the world building, the characters and their values, and of course the hotness ;)
Cheers and hope everyone stays safe and healthy
But I still love the world building, the characters and their values, and of course the hotness ;)
Cheers and hope everyone stays safe and healthy
March 28, 2020
Action adventure and alien cyborgs!
Paladin continues the House of Rone series with an action packed story of two people trying to find peace in a world of insecurity. Trying not to get emotions involved. Trying desperately to find Bari Batu, the Edull city somewhere way out in the desert where their former captors are still holding a friend captive. The addition of an 8 year old and a heroine who is a mom is quite refreshing. The fact that the 8 year old is a scrappy bomb making genius is awesome. So happy to see that in the end, although they find Bari Batu, their plans aren’t perfect- someone gets hurt and someone is enslaved. Just like in real life, everything doesn’t end up perfect. I am super excited to see more action in this book from the surly weapons-maker that has held cameos through the series. The next book will be awesome!!!
Paladin continues the House of Rone series with an action packed story of two people trying to find peace in a world of insecurity. Trying not to get emotions involved. Trying desperately to find Bari Batu, the Edull city somewhere way out in the desert where their former captors are still holding a friend captive. The addition of an 8 year old and a heroine who is a mom is quite refreshing. The fact that the 8 year old is a scrappy bomb making genius is awesome. So happy to see that in the end, although they find Bari Batu, their plans aren’t perfect- someone gets hurt and someone is enslaved. Just like in real life, everything doesn’t end up perfect. I am super excited to see more action in this book from the surly weapons-maker that has held cameos through the series. The next book will be awesome!!!
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