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Starhawke Rogue #1
Arch Allies
Strap in and hold on!
For pilot Natasha Orlov, a starship buried in a sea of sand is her ticket to freedom and independence. Sure, restoring the ship won’t be easy, especially when the Feds figure out she’s running an illegal salvage operation, but she’s never shied away from hard work. Or challenges. Good thing, too. Because she’s on a collision course with her competition.
If you like sailing the black with rogues and rascals, then you’ll love Arch Allies. A must read for fans of Firefly and Star Wars. Pick up your copy today!
For pilot Natasha Orlov, a starship buried in a sea of sand is her ticket to freedom and independence. Sure, restoring the ship won’t be easy, especially when the Feds figure out she’s running an illegal salvage operation, but she’s never shied away from hard work. Or challenges. Good thing, too. Because she’s on a collision course with her competition.
If you like sailing the black with rogues and rascals, then you’ll love Arch Allies. A must read for fans of Firefly and Star Wars. Pick up your copy today!
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2019
362 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Sharpe
25 books49 followersAudrey Sharpe grew up believing in the Force and dreaming of becoming captain of the Enterprise. She’s still working out the logistics of moving objects with her mind, but writing science fiction provides a pretty good alternative. When she’s not off exploring the galaxy with Aurora and her crew, she lives in the Sonoran Desert, where she has an excellent view of the stars. Connect with Audrey on Facebook and visit her website to download a free copy of the Starhawke Rising prequel, COMMANDER
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 18, 2019
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
“If you don’t hear from me in the next two hours, come look for my corpse.”
A great little find! Superb characters, good pace, and intriguing world-building. This was a surprise find and I couldn't be happier.
I'm onto the next!
“Gotta go, girl. Lunatic on the bridge.”
“If you don’t hear from me in the next two hours, come look for my corpse.”
A great little find! Superb characters, good pace, and intriguing world-building. This was a surprise find and I couldn't be happier.
I'm onto the next!
“Gotta go, girl. Lunatic on the bridge.”
March 14, 2025
This is an entertaining novella that packs a lot into ~200pp. Note that this is a spin-off from an established series, and there are some references to the past that are not explained, but can be ignored in this context.
The enemy of my enemy is not to be trusted. Lots of shenanigans and interesting characters. Sneakiness and conniving followed by explosions and dogfights. The hint of a romantic attraction, but they are wary of each other.
I enjoyed this and will explore the rest of the series.
The enemy of my enemy is not to be trusted. Lots of shenanigans and interesting characters. Sneakiness and conniving followed by explosions and dogfights. The hint of a romantic attraction, but they are wary of each other.
I enjoyed this and will explore the rest of the series.
November 6, 2019
Not having read the previous series where Natasha Orlov was introduced, there was a bit of backstory I missed, but on the whole it was easy to get into the story of Nat, her former colleague Isin, and their mission to salvage a ship they had found in the past before their paths took different directions. Now they’re working to repair the ship they both claim, and trying to figure out how they’re going to work out a compromise so they can both come out in good shape, and keep from harming the other. I loved this story, with the spunky, determined Nat and the mysterious Isin - I look forward to learning more about his story and seeing where both of them end up.
August 8, 2024
Fast paced action adventure with a Star Wars vibe - loved it!
Natasha Orlov is a feisty smuggler pilot with unfinished business on Troi. When she returns to the planet, she encounters Isin, her former crew mate and the reason for her capture. The indecisive male who cost her her freedom is much changed - he’s nowTall, Dark and Lethal, a mercenary. They both lay claims to an abandoned starship and have to find ways to work together. Except mercs have no honour, so can Nat really trust the new Isin?
I loved that the book had such a Star Wars space opera vibe. Nat is the female version of Han Solo and it all starts with a starship they need to fix (like the Millennial Falcon) and ofc they have authorities to evade.
The banter between Marlin and Nat reminded me of Han and Luke. Soundbite: “You be optimistic, I’ll be realistic.” The tension, the pace, the doubts, the guessing if he’s the voice of reason in her head - ahhh! Loved it all and defo continuing with the series.
Recommended for lovers of NA space opera and Star Wars adventure with metaphysical themes of trusting in human nature and freedom and a potential enemies to lovers twist (at least I hope there will be in the next book). Isin has dark scarred skin, so, I’m adding bipoc to the keywords.
Natasha Orlov is a feisty smuggler pilot with unfinished business on Troi. When she returns to the planet, she encounters Isin, her former crew mate and the reason for her capture. The indecisive male who cost her her freedom is much changed - he’s nowTall, Dark and Lethal, a mercenary. They both lay claims to an abandoned starship and have to find ways to work together. Except mercs have no honour, so can Nat really trust the new Isin?
I loved that the book had such a Star Wars space opera vibe. Nat is the female version of Han Solo and it all starts with a starship they need to fix (like the Millennial Falcon) and ofc they have authorities to evade.
The banter between Marlin and Nat reminded me of Han and Luke. Soundbite: “You be optimistic, I’ll be realistic.” The tension, the pace, the doubts, the guessing if he’s the voice of reason in her head - ahhh! Loved it all and defo continuing with the series.
Recommended for lovers of NA space opera and Star Wars adventure with metaphysical themes of trusting in human nature and freedom and a potential enemies to lovers twist (at least I hope there will be in the next book). Isin has dark scarred skin, so, I’m adding bipoc to the keywords.
May 8, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. Took me awhile to finally get into it, it felt as though I had been dropped into the middle of a book with no prior explanation. In a way, that was the case. I wasn’t aware that this was a spin off from another series. I hope that doesn’t effect my experience too much from now on.
I’m very interested in seeing what happens between Nat and Isin in the next book.
I’m very interested in seeing what happens between Nat and Isin in the next book.
March 20, 2022
Good characterization (assuming that is a word! Spell check likes it, hmm). A real page turner that fits in well with the Starhawke series, too. Some enamoring wrinkles at the climax and an excellent lead to the next volume.
May 19, 2020
Planet Troi. A feisty smuggler. A buried starship. An out-of-this-world adventure. Pilot Natasha "Nate" Orlov runs an illegal salvage operation. Restoring a starship buried in sand is the number one goal, one that would give her independence from the Feds.
She finds an engineer, Pete with a long ponytail who had an explorer's soul. Old friends or were they enemies joined the crew. Marlin Brooks, who sounded like a child asking his parents if there's a monster in the closet, type of guy. Isin, the negotiator. Annoying and anal.
Characters come alive when the tension increases. That's the case in Arch Allies. Nate's nightmares are right out of Stephen King horror story. Who was Tnarynt? What happened to create such night terrors? Why a neck collar? Many questions, keeping the pages turning. I look forward to the next book.
Rating: Moderate for moderate crude humor/language, some profanity (less than 5), non-graphic sexual references, and moderate violence or horror.
She finds an engineer, Pete with a long ponytail who had an explorer's soul. Old friends or were they enemies joined the crew. Marlin Brooks, who sounded like a child asking his parents if there's a monster in the closet, type of guy. Isin, the negotiator. Annoying and anal.
Characters come alive when the tension increases. That's the case in Arch Allies. Nate's nightmares are right out of Stephen King horror story. Who was Tnarynt? What happened to create such night terrors? Why a neck collar? Many questions, keeping the pages turning. I look forward to the next book.
Rating: Moderate for moderate crude humor/language, some profanity (less than 5), non-graphic sexual references, and moderate violence or horror.
September 25, 2019
Weak
The early chapters make you feel like you missed something. It doesn’t strictly read as the first book in a new series. It reads like the first book in a series that picks up after another series ends. That is a marketing and writing error.
Then there is the ‘magic’. I say magic because there seems a lack of engineering, structural, and technical understanding. For instance, carcinogens don’t typically kill you quickly unless they are also highly toxic. If it is toxic enough to kill you quickly...no one cares if it causes cancer unless it does so instantly. Cancer just isn’t high on the list of concerns when a ship is crash landing.
This one is a ‘pass’ for me.
The early chapters make you feel like you missed something. It doesn’t strictly read as the first book in a new series. It reads like the first book in a series that picks up after another series ends. That is a marketing and writing error.
Then there is the ‘magic’. I say magic because there seems a lack of engineering, structural, and technical understanding. For instance, carcinogens don’t typically kill you quickly unless they are also highly toxic. If it is toxic enough to kill you quickly...no one cares if it causes cancer unless it does so instantly. Cancer just isn’t high on the list of concerns when a ship is crash landing.
This one is a ‘pass’ for me.
July 24, 2020
I found that the story was finished far too early, I am very familiar with stories where they are part of a series but usually they end with some conclusion to that adventure, this I found ended and I was really expecting another paragraph to start. Having said that I enjoyed the book, not sure if I'll be pursuing the other books though.
November 7, 2024
When Natasha Orlov found a starship buried in the sand on a backwater planet, she was not about to let it go. However, she would have to get away from those pursuing her and save the injured man who was with her. Unfortunately, she was captured, and it took her a year to escape, and it was unknown to her if they found him or not. Marlin, a different man, accompanied her on her escape and was still with her as they came back to Troi, the place where she was captured. She was going to repair that ship and gain her freedom. No longer would she have to do what her boss or owner told her to do, but there was one problem. The guy she saved when she was captured, well, he has changed and become the leader of a notorious mercenary band, and he has also laid claim to the ship.
I like the reality created by the author. The physical world-building is a bit vague in places, but it is good. The ethereal world-building is personal. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is part of the unfolding story.
I agree with all of the advertised genres, but being a space opera or epic, visionary, and metaphysical, well, I believe that is a reader’s personal choice. That being said, I give this tale five stars out of five stars.
I like the reality created by the author. The physical world-building is a bit vague in places, but it is good. The ethereal world-building is personal. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is part of the unfolding story.
I agree with all of the advertised genres, but being a space opera or epic, visionary, and metaphysical, well, I believe that is a reader’s personal choice. That being said, I give this tale five stars out of five stars.
October 6, 2024
Starship Buried in Sand
I only read Arch Allies, the second book, but that was fine. Good tension both by plot and characters.
Nat returns to a buried starship that she left after being captured by vicious aliens. Made a slave in the previous book, in this story she escapes her captors to rediscover and salvage a starship. The ship represents freedom and getting back her life. She had been its expert pilot and her passion is flying. She plans to earn a living transporting goods around the universe. However, when previously she had tried to escape the aliens and lead them away from the ship, she left behind Isin, badly wounded but alive within it.
Upon her return years later to reclaim the ship, she encounters him much changed and living as a menacing and deadly mercenary. The conflict between the two to claim the ship for themselves sets up the hate to romance trope. This book is short so it only details the beginning of their relationship and the struggle between them to work out a compromise while trying to elude the Feds who want to arrest Isin and his pirate crew.
I felt a bit short-changed on the story, but did enjoy the read.
I only read Arch Allies, the second book, but that was fine. Good tension both by plot and characters.
Nat returns to a buried starship that she left after being captured by vicious aliens. Made a slave in the previous book, in this story she escapes her captors to rediscover and salvage a starship. The ship represents freedom and getting back her life. She had been its expert pilot and her passion is flying. She plans to earn a living transporting goods around the universe. However, when previously she had tried to escape the aliens and lead them away from the ship, she left behind Isin, badly wounded but alive within it.
Upon her return years later to reclaim the ship, she encounters him much changed and living as a menacing and deadly mercenary. The conflict between the two to claim the ship for themselves sets up the hate to romance trope. This book is short so it only details the beginning of their relationship and the struggle between them to work out a compromise while trying to elude the Feds who want to arrest Isin and his pirate crew.
I felt a bit short-changed on the story, but did enjoy the read.
February 7, 2022
Complex story
After escaping from a life of servitude our heroine returns to uncover the starship buried in the sand that she discovered by accident. That's when things kick off big time, as she and her crew begin repairs they are interrupted by mercenaries intent on taking the ship for themselves the leader of which is from her past and who's life she saved. A truce is declared as they strive to repair the ship further hampered when they are discovered by the Feds, after a running battle they manage to evade them and set out on the continuation of their adventures. Great storyline with believable characters lots of action highly recommend,Baz
After escaping from a life of servitude our heroine returns to uncover the starship buried in the sand that she discovered by accident. That's when things kick off big time, as she and her crew begin repairs they are interrupted by mercenaries intent on taking the ship for themselves the leader of which is from her past and who's life she saved. A truce is declared as they strive to repair the ship further hampered when they are discovered by the Feds, after a running battle they manage to evade them and set out on the continuation of their adventures. Great storyline with believable characters lots of action highly recommend,Baz
December 8, 2022
Not What I Expected
The description and preview were interesting but the delivery has been slower and less complete than I would prefer. Lots of angst and frustration caused mostly by a lack of honest communication between Nat and Isin, and assumptions Nat makes based on rather vague feelings. This is a derivative book, a spin-off from a previous series, and as such does not initially stand well on its own. Perhaps it improves in the next installment, but at this point I’m not inclined to continue. At 65% it has been just too much angst and I’m done.
The description and preview were interesting but the delivery has been slower and less complete than I would prefer. Lots of angst and frustration caused mostly by a lack of honest communication between Nat and Isin, and assumptions Nat makes based on rather vague feelings. This is a derivative book, a spin-off from a previous series, and as such does not initially stand well on its own. Perhaps it improves in the next installment, but at this point I’m not inclined to continue. At 65% it has been just too much angst and I’m done.
January 25, 2024
It’s December 10th and I have tons of things to be doing that do not include sitting on my tush with a cup of tea and a good book. But yet … I’m locked in.
The writing style is casual, the author has done her research and the story flows so easily … the book is a total pleasure to read. While the plot brings you into the story, the characters with complications are the cement that keeps you.
Looking forward to more books, and hoping that they are novel length. I was surprised when this was over after what I considered a ‘good start.’
The writing style is casual, the author has done her research and the story flows so easily … the book is a total pleasure to read. While the plot brings you into the story, the characters with complications are the cement that keeps you.
Looking forward to more books, and hoping that they are novel length. I was surprised when this was over after what I considered a ‘good start.’
October 18, 2025
This was an enjoyable read. Predictable in some ways, but they characters stepped into the assigned roles and filled them well. You could certainly fell the sand dunes and the difficulty trudging up and down them.
You would wonder how in the world could they resurrect Nat's prize. Then the entire backdrop changes and the answer is obvious. But who do you trust? How do you avoid detection and escape. A good storyline will pull you through that conundrum and pop you out the other side - waiting for the next story in the series.
You would wonder how in the world could they resurrect Nat's prize. Then the entire backdrop changes and the answer is obvious. But who do you trust? How do you avoid detection and escape. A good storyline will pull you through that conundrum and pop you out the other side - waiting for the next story in the series.
February 11, 2022
This is the first chapter in a new Shelby Griffin series and so far it is the best written of the Shelby tales. The characters are again well-defined and the storyline is intelligent and clear. Those reader who enjoy procedural detective stories will find this a true delight. It highlights the no nonsense, no extraneous style of Audrey Walker. I look forward to further chapters in this "third season" of Shelby. I received an ARC and this is my truly honest opinion of this novella.
September 3, 2023
Team Building Under Duress
Nat and Isin are like oil and water. Their past history leads to a tortuous dance as they both have changed during their time apart. Nat is determined to own her future and Isin seems to be a major impediment. The story of teamwork and team building is very believable. Character development is well done. The story held my interest from start to finish.
Nat and Isin are like oil and water. Their past history leads to a tortuous dance as they both have changed during their time apart. Nat is determined to own her future and Isin seems to be a major impediment. The story of teamwork and team building is very believable. Character development is well done. The story held my interest from start to finish.
May 30, 2023
Short and sweet. It's a good intro to this mini trilogy (I didn't read the original series the character is from), but honestly not all that much happened. I think this book and the second book could've been combined if some of the slower stuff from this was cut out.
Def enjoyed it though! I like the FMC and all the angst.
Def enjoyed it though! I like the FMC and all the angst.
November 20, 2024
(Read the e-book edition--not listed on GR)
This is my first read from this author and I was impressed by the tight narrative and solid character development. I've shelved this as enemies-to-lovers, but it is more rivals-to-potential-lovers. The romance is slow-burn and does not derail the pace of the narrative.
This is my first read from this author and I was impressed by the tight narrative and solid character development. I've shelved this as enemies-to-lovers, but it is more rivals-to-potential-lovers. The romance is slow-burn and does not derail the pace of the narrative.
July 25, 2020
Good but wanted a longer book
The problem of wanting more book happened with this one. It was engaging, fun characters, lots of action, etc, and then it ended. This could have been even more fun at twice the length. 😃
The problem of wanting more book happened with this one. It was engaging, fun characters, lots of action, etc, and then it ended. This could have been even more fun at twice the length. 😃
May 18, 2022
First book in this series
Nat and Isin pick up from where they ended in the previous book but their personalities have changed during the time between stories. Lots of space opera and good interaction among the characters. A great read.
Nat and Isin pick up from where they ended in the previous book but their personalities have changed during the time between stories. Lots of space opera and good interaction among the characters. A great read.
October 23, 2023
A good read
I enjoyed reading this story. It flowed well. There were places where the reading became stuttered but they were few. A good person down on their luck making a go for their future.
I enjoyed reading this story. It flowed well. There were places where the reading became stuttered but they were few. A good person down on their luck making a go for their future.
October 6, 2024
Not a bad read but a bit short and a little lacking in some of the background information. Some comes to light as the story progresses but I’m wondering if there was a prequel that I may have missed.
December 16, 2025
Nat and her small crew want to uncover a buried spaceship. Things are going well until another stronger crew arrive to recover the ship for themselves.
Can they work together? Who owns the ship? Can the two groups co-operate?
Can they work together? Who owns the ship? Can the two groups co-operate?
April 22, 2020
Excellent! Read in one day.
June 22, 2020
Great story!
Enjoyed getting to know Nat more. Looking forward to becoming friends with the rest of the crew moving forward. Glad I bought the series for my collection.
Enjoyed getting to know Nat more. Looking forward to becoming friends with the rest of the crew moving forward. Glad I bought the series for my collection.
February 10, 2022
Excellent story and character development.!Great space opera!
February 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this series and burned through it in a few days.
August 9, 2023
Enjoyable read
Good balance of characters, plot, and action. Romantic connection is fraught with emotional baggage that if course is never worked through.
Good balance of characters, plot, and action. Romantic connection is fraught with emotional baggage that if course is never worked through.
August 17, 2023
Fun
Ask said above this book was a fun read kinda makes me want to join the crew and see what happens next thanks for the entertainment.
Ask said above this book was a fun read kinda makes me want to join the crew and see what happens next thanks for the entertainment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews