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Rescued from her alien captors, the only person who makes her feel safe is a cold, emotionless cyborg.
Abducted from her exploration ship, paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in cells and labs belonging to the Edull. Rescued by the cool, powerful cyborgs of the House of Rone, she finds herself among fellow human survivors on the desert world of Carthago. But despite being free, Sage feels cold inside and is struggling to cope. The only person she feels safe with—who she doesn’t feel the need to pretend with—is a deadly cyborg who feels nothing.
Forced into a military cyborg program as a teen, all Acton Vonn remembers of his past are violent missions and the cybernetic enhancements forced on him before he broke free. His emotions have been dampened to nothing for decades and he’s fine with that. It makes him an efficient member of the House of Rone. Yet the more time he spends with the copper-haired woman he helped rescue from the Edull, the more unfamiliar, strange, and perplexing things he starts to feel.
When a tip reveals that more humans are being held captive at a mysterious desert lake, Sage will stop at nothing to help rescue her crewmates. As she is drawn closer to Acton, she worries about risking her heart. Being with Sage breaks down barriers inside Acton and he struggles with the emotions he doesn’t want to feel. But deep in Carthago’s dangerous deserts, with the Edull hunting them, Sage and Acton will have to risk it all: their lives, their hearts, their souls.
Includes a preview of Edge of Eon (Eon Warriors #1)
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2019
459 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
163 books2,924 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 105 reviews
January 26, 2020
Centurion is book three in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone series by Anna Hackett. I love Hackett. She is an amazing science fiction romance author.
Acton never understood why his fellow cyborgs kept falling for their Earth women, but when he helps rescue Sage, his world implodes. Acton is the most machine like of the House of Rone Gladiators, but everything changes when Sage moves in.
Sage was torn from her solar system and sold to the Edull. She was their prisoner and knows too well the danger they pose with their unspeakable robots. Now that she's free she's determined to find and save her fellow prisoners, but first she has to show the tasty looking Acton how good emotions can be.
I loved Acton and Sage’s story. They started out as friends, but quickly realized their attraction to each other. Acton was so sweet in how he helped Sage deal with find her place in this new world and the trauma that happened to her. On the other side Sage helped Acton find his feelings. I was delighted with their budding romance and that they both helped each other to heal and find love.
Besides the healing and romance we are treated to many action-battle scenes. There is no shortage of trouble from the Edull as the hunt goes on to find the Edulls hidden city and free the humans.
Centurion is another fabulous, entertaining, and exciting read. I can't wait to get the next story in the House of Rone series.
Rated: 4 Stars
Acton never understood why his fellow cyborgs kept falling for their Earth women, but when he helps rescue Sage, his world implodes. Acton is the most machine like of the House of Rone Gladiators, but everything changes when Sage moves in.
Sage was torn from her solar system and sold to the Edull. She was their prisoner and knows too well the danger they pose with their unspeakable robots. Now that she's free she's determined to find and save her fellow prisoners, but first she has to show the tasty looking Acton how good emotions can be.
I loved Acton and Sage’s story. They started out as friends, but quickly realized their attraction to each other. Acton was so sweet in how he helped Sage deal with find her place in this new world and the trauma that happened to her. On the other side Sage helped Acton find his feelings. I was delighted with their budding romance and that they both helped each other to heal and find love.
Besides the healing and romance we are treated to many action-battle scenes. There is no shortage of trouble from the Edull as the hunt goes on to find the Edulls hidden city and free the humans.
Centurion is another fabulous, entertaining, and exciting read. I can't wait to get the next story in the House of Rone series.
Rated: 4 Stars
October 28, 2019
image: 
You remember when Peregirn Took was throwing pebbles into a well inside Moria and what happens after? Well, the same happens with Sage...
image:
I don't know how Acton could stand her stupidity!
No, I like this series, but this one was not for me...
You remember when Peregirn Took was throwing pebbles into a well inside Moria and what happens after? Well, the same happens with Sage...
image:
I don't know how Acton could stand her stupidity!
No, I like this series, but this one was not for me...
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.
Centurion (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone, #3) 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.
Centurion (Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone, #3) 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.
October 22, 2019
Oo how the mighty have fallen ! Acton never fully understood why his fellow cyborgs had fallen hook, line and sinker for the Earth women but when he helps rescue Sage his safe , sanitary world implodes. Acton is possibly the most machine like of the House of Rone Gladiators but everything changes when a certain red head moves in.
Sage was a prisoner of the Edull and knows only too well the insidious danger they pose with their horrific robotic constructs. Now she's determined to find and save her fellow prisoners but first she has to tackle the rather tasty looking Acton.
Expect a woman who likes what she sees and knows what she wants ! Plus hot times aplenty as Acton discovers what all the fuss is about. Luckily he's a quick learner but in the hands of this author there are always surprises along the way.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Sage was a prisoner of the Edull and knows only too well the insidious danger they pose with their horrific robotic constructs. Now she's determined to find and save her fellow prisoners but first she has to tackle the rather tasty looking Acton.
Expect a woman who likes what she sees and knows what she wants ! Plus hot times aplenty as Acton discovers what all the fuss is about. Luckily he's a quick learner but in the hands of this author there are always surprises along the way.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 27, 2025
Series: Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #3
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in the Edull’s cells and labs. Now that she is finally free she is struggling to cope with what happened and the guilt of being free. The only person who she doesn’t pretend with is the emotionless cyborg Acton.
I really enjoyed Sage and Acton’s story. They started out as friends but it quickly became more. Under the dampers and enhancements, Acton was a surprisingly sweet man. He helps Sage deal with her guilt and find her place in this new world. At the same time, Sage is teaching Acton how to embrace his feelings. I love their relationship, especially how they both help the other deal with their emotions, just in different ways.
A lot of action and battle also happen in this book. The cyborgs deal with more Edull robots, more desert exploration and they rescue more humans. I love the mixture of action and romance in this series. I can’t wait for the next book so we can see what happens with Toren.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in the Edull’s cells and labs. Now that she is finally free she is struggling to cope with what happened and the guilt of being free. The only person who she doesn’t pretend with is the emotionless cyborg Acton.
I really enjoyed Sage and Acton’s story. They started out as friends but it quickly became more. Under the dampers and enhancements, Acton was a surprisingly sweet man. He helps Sage deal with her guilt and find her place in this new world. At the same time, Sage is teaching Acton how to embrace his feelings. I love their relationship, especially how they both help the other deal with their emotions, just in different ways.
A lot of action and battle also happen in this book. The cyborgs deal with more Edull robots, more desert exploration and they rescue more humans. I love the mixture of action and romance in this series. I can’t wait for the next book so we can see what happens with Toren.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
November 2, 2019
I loved this book!
Kresley Cole and Anna Hackett, two of my favorite authors that sometimes writes virgin heroes.
Hero Acton is a emotionless cyborg who always had a bewildered expression when his fellow Cyborgs fell in love with courageous Earth women! Like what the hell is all this hype about and finally he understood!
I loved both hero and heroine, they were a perfect match. They were friends first then each other’s support system and finally lovers!
The fighting scenes were will done as were the love scenes. I got to read about so many previous characters. The overall series story is moving on nicely. The villains Edull was crafted very well. I hate them.
Looking forward to Torin’s story.
Recommended.
Kresley Cole and Anna Hackett, two of my favorite authors that sometimes writes virgin heroes.
Hero Acton is a emotionless cyborg who always had a bewildered expression when his fellow Cyborgs fell in love with courageous Earth women! Like what the hell is all this hype about and finally he understood!
I loved both hero and heroine, they were a perfect match. They were friends first then each other’s support system and finally lovers!
The fighting scenes were will done as were the love scenes. I got to read about so many previous characters. The overall series story is moving on nicely. The villains Edull was crafted very well. I hate them.
Looking forward to Torin’s story.
Recommended.
November 16, 2019
When the heroine is more of a liability than an asset...
I love Anna and her writing . What can I say,I think she’s amazing an person and has a great imagination and I love than when I read her books I personally never need a trigger warning.. I know I’m getting strong and or interesting characters, nothing that happens in the way of violence is never too excessive ( maybe too much action and not enough down time at times). Drama yes, trauma no. By that I mean, the characters get drama and are trying to survive some trauma but not me. I don’t walk feeling traumatized by it. I love her for that. Too many books are either boring and forgettable, moments after that last page,some even before that or the drama and the trauma of the story follows you for days as you try to shake it off like a bad dream.
All that said I’m starting to feel at times I’m re reading almost the same book just different name and only a slightly different story.
Now while I am soo eager to launch in to a rant about how Sage worked my last nerve . How I liked her when she was alone w/Acton. I adored Acton. He felt soo sweet and fresh .but Sage ? Sage outside of her relationship w/relationship with Acton felt soo been there done that I felt like I should be earning miles or something.... Sage is just one of a little no line or heroines in the “Gladiator “ series where once a heroine is rescued, her survivors guilt and or PTSD or what ever you might call it ONLY seems to be able to be dealt w/by finding the next woman in line and passing the baton to her. EVER new heroine MUST follow this code. Doesn’t matter is a sous chef,a file clerk, and event planner or a scientist ,or how woefully unparalleled she is for ANYTHING that evolves fighting or anything beyond basic survival skills. She MUST,no matter how dumb or foolish it may be she MUST ,run recklessly into danger in the inane pursuit of the next woman.
This line of BS has often gotten on my nerves . I mean when it’s women who are trained fighters,soldiers,cops,security etc. like Harper and Quinn it makes sense but women like Sage who are running around recklessly,demanding to be involved,when they are woefully unprepared and completely clueless it’s just wrong. Sage is working thru a heck of a lot ,I get that but letting her recklessly charge into situations where she has NOTHING to add,situations where she’s just on more person to have to try and protect ,it’s just sheer stupidity .
It doesn’t make sense. These cyborgs are strong and formidable yes,but not infallible and they can get killed. Sage selfishly pushes to be apart of things she has no business being apart of, and usually either ends of either getting herself hurt/injured or Acton seriously hurt or almost killed trying to protect her. As much as Sage annoyed me in this stupid behavior what bothers me more is how many,many times I’ve already seen it happening how many more I know there is to come if I keep reading this series. I get the women feel guilt at surviving while others still suffer,but risking others lives to mainly appease their quilt is just foolish and selfish. All the while these women are showing just how dumb and selfish they are everyone is patting them on the back and telling them how brave and string the are. WTH?!?!? In some ways maybe but being a huge liability while acting like your an asset, while insisting you go places you shouldn’t is nothing but delusional. What’s wrong w/all the men? It’s not loving or helpful to feed their delusions. Sage needed to work thru her stuff and loving Acton was a great step but putting his life in danger to heal her pride,rushing to danger happily unprepared made me wish I could shake some sense into everyone involved.
Ms. Hackett is amazing, this repeating formula isn’t.
I love Anna and her writing . What can I say,I think she’s amazing an person and has a great imagination and I love than when I read her books I personally never need a trigger warning.. I know I’m getting strong and or interesting characters, nothing that happens in the way of violence is never too excessive ( maybe too much action and not enough down time at times). Drama yes, trauma no. By that I mean, the characters get drama and are trying to survive some trauma but not me. I don’t walk feeling traumatized by it. I love her for that. Too many books are either boring and forgettable, moments after that last page,some even before that or the drama and the trauma of the story follows you for days as you try to shake it off like a bad dream.
All that said I’m starting to feel at times I’m re reading almost the same book just different name and only a slightly different story.
Now while I am soo eager to launch in to a rant about how Sage worked my last nerve . How I liked her when she was alone w/Acton. I adored Acton. He felt soo sweet and fresh .but Sage ? Sage outside of her relationship w/relationship with Acton felt soo been there done that I felt like I should be earning miles or something.... Sage is just one of a little no line or heroines in the “Gladiator “ series where once a heroine is rescued, her survivors guilt and or PTSD or what ever you might call it ONLY seems to be able to be dealt w/by finding the next woman in line and passing the baton to her. EVER new heroine MUST follow this code. Doesn’t matter is a sous chef,a file clerk, and event planner or a scientist ,or how woefully unparalleled she is for ANYTHING that evolves fighting or anything beyond basic survival skills. She MUST,no matter how dumb or foolish it may be she MUST ,run recklessly into danger in the inane pursuit of the next woman.
This line of BS has often gotten on my nerves . I mean when it’s women who are trained fighters,soldiers,cops,security etc. like Harper and Quinn it makes sense but women like Sage who are running around recklessly,demanding to be involved,when they are woefully unprepared and completely clueless it’s just wrong. Sage is working thru a heck of a lot ,I get that but letting her recklessly charge into situations where she has NOTHING to add,situations where she’s just on more person to have to try and protect ,it’s just sheer stupidity .
It doesn’t make sense. These cyborgs are strong and formidable yes,but not infallible and they can get killed. Sage selfishly pushes to be apart of things she has no business being apart of, and usually either ends of either getting herself hurt/injured or Acton seriously hurt or almost killed trying to protect her. As much as Sage annoyed me in this stupid behavior what bothers me more is how many,many times I’ve already seen it happening how many more I know there is to come if I keep reading this series. I get the women feel guilt at surviving while others still suffer,but risking others lives to mainly appease their quilt is just foolish and selfish. All the while these women are showing just how dumb and selfish they are everyone is patting them on the back and telling them how brave and string the are. WTH?!?!? In some ways maybe but being a huge liability while acting like your an asset, while insisting you go places you shouldn’t is nothing but delusional. What’s wrong w/all the men? It’s not loving or helpful to feed their delusions. Sage needed to work thru her stuff and loving Acton was a great step but putting his life in danger to heal her pride,rushing to danger happily unprepared made me wish I could shake some sense into everyone involved.
Ms. Hackett is amazing, this repeating formula isn’t.
August 28, 2022
This was a fast-paced and high action entertaining read. I've read a good number of Hackett's stories and she has a similar format as far as the pacing of the relationship and this was no different. This was definitely heavier on the action than romance, but Sage and Acton were sweet together and I enjoyed it.
July 20, 2023
This is the next book in the Galactic Gladiators - House of Rome series. Again its adventure, fast paced, very similar to the other stories and yet, once again I really enjoyed it.
This one stars Sage who was rescued at the end of the previous book, and Acton, the most cybernetic looking of all the Cyborgs in the House of Rone. He has all feelings dampened when he was first stolen as a boy. But now feelings are starting to roll in for Sage - and returned on her part - and Acton does not want them and tries to ignore or reject them. Which of course is impossible for a romance.
This was a jolly good time and intend to keep on reading the series of sci-fi Cyborg romance. And again the whole series is available for free on Kindle Unlimited.
This one stars Sage who was rescued at the end of the previous book, and Acton, the most cybernetic looking of all the Cyborgs in the House of Rone. He has all feelings dampened when he was first stolen as a boy. But now feelings are starting to roll in for Sage - and returned on her part - and Acton does not want them and tries to ignore or reject them. Which of course is impossible for a romance.
This was a jolly good time and intend to keep on reading the series of sci-fi Cyborg romance. And again the whole series is available for free on Kindle Unlimited.
March 10, 2020
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed Acton and Sage's story. I think it's because Acton was so bemused when the other cyborgs fell for the Earth women. As he's the one who's supposed to be the most unemotional of the cyborgs, it's fun to read his reactions as he'd been quite adamant he's immune.
I enjoyed Acton and Sage's story. I think it's because Acton was so bemused when the other cyborgs fell for the Earth women. As he's the one who's supposed to be the most unemotional of the cyborgs, it's fun to read his reactions as he'd been quite adamant he's immune.
October 23, 2019
Centurion: A Scifi Alien Romance
Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone Series #3
Anna Hackett
https://www.facebook.com/AnnaHackettA...
Release date 10/21/2019
Blurb :
Rescued from her alien captors, the only person who makes her feel safe is a cold, emotionless cyborg.
Abducted from her exploration ship, paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in cells and labs belonging to the Edull. Rescued by the cool, powerful cyborgs of the House of Rone, she finds herself among fellow human survivors on the desert world of Carthago. But despite being free, Sage feels cold inside and is struggling to cope. The only person she feels safe with—who she doesn’t feel the need to pretend with—is a deadly cyborg who feels nothing.
Forced into a military cyborg program as a teen, all Acton Vonn remembers of his past are violent missions and the cybernetic enhancements forced on him before he broke free. His emotions have been dampened to nothing for decades and he’s fine with that. It makes him an efficient member of the House of Rone. Yet the more time he spends with the copper-haired woman he helped rescue from the Edull, the more unfamiliar, strange, and perplexing things he starts to feel.
When a tip reveals that more humans are being held captive at a mysterious desert lake, Sage will stop at nothing to help rescue her crewmates. As she is drawn closer to Acton, she worries about risking her heart. Being with Sage breaks down barriers inside Acton and he struggles with the emotions he doesn’t want to feel. But deep in Carthago’s dangerous deserts, with the Edull hunting them, Sage and Acton will have to risk it all: their lives, their hearts, their souls.
My review:
Is a man really exempt from feelings when a woman arrives to stir unknown sensations from him ...
I am a total sucker for these damaged heroes, strong women awaken to life.
Mrs Anna Hackett did it again, with Acton’s story, she adds an other hit to her long list.
Acton reminds me a little of Kace, the military man from Hero. Since he was forcibly recruited as a soldier, he never allowed himself to feel.
Yet he is willing to help Sage to heal and to get back on her feet.
And the more he is in close contact with her, the more it stirs strange sensation from him.
Sage is a survivor, but it did not come without a cost. She feels numb in the inside, an obvious reaction to her months of emprisonnement and abuse.
Why she feels safe around Acton as he is the only one not expecting her to be all smile and cheer when she is not in the mood.
And maybe because he is able to see past the mask she plasters on her face, he makes her believe in more again if she can go beyond his cold appearance.
Their duet is such a sweet, when Sage educates him to sensation, he help her heal from past wounds.
I loved to see Acton accept his new self, at time it was quite funny as he has no filter like a child, he expresses his new experienced senses, he learns.
One more great addition to this series.
5 stars
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Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone Series #3
Anna Hackett
https://www.facebook.com/AnnaHackettA...
Release date 10/21/2019
Blurb :
Rescued from her alien captors, the only person who makes her feel safe is a cold, emotionless cyborg.
Abducted from her exploration ship, paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in cells and labs belonging to the Edull. Rescued by the cool, powerful cyborgs of the House of Rone, she finds herself among fellow human survivors on the desert world of Carthago. But despite being free, Sage feels cold inside and is struggling to cope. The only person she feels safe with—who she doesn’t feel the need to pretend with—is a deadly cyborg who feels nothing.
Forced into a military cyborg program as a teen, all Acton Vonn remembers of his past are violent missions and the cybernetic enhancements forced on him before he broke free. His emotions have been dampened to nothing for decades and he’s fine with that. It makes him an efficient member of the House of Rone. Yet the more time he spends with the copper-haired woman he helped rescue from the Edull, the more unfamiliar, strange, and perplexing things he starts to feel.
When a tip reveals that more humans are being held captive at a mysterious desert lake, Sage will stop at nothing to help rescue her crewmates. As she is drawn closer to Acton, she worries about risking her heart. Being with Sage breaks down barriers inside Acton and he struggles with the emotions he doesn’t want to feel. But deep in Carthago’s dangerous deserts, with the Edull hunting them, Sage and Acton will have to risk it all: their lives, their hearts, their souls.
My review:
Is a man really exempt from feelings when a woman arrives to stir unknown sensations from him ...
I am a total sucker for these damaged heroes, strong women awaken to life.
Mrs Anna Hackett did it again, with Acton’s story, she adds an other hit to her long list.
Acton reminds me a little of Kace, the military man from Hero. Since he was forcibly recruited as a soldier, he never allowed himself to feel.
Yet he is willing to help Sage to heal and to get back on her feet.
And the more he is in close contact with her, the more it stirs strange sensation from him.
Sage is a survivor, but it did not come without a cost. She feels numb in the inside, an obvious reaction to her months of emprisonnement and abuse.
Why she feels safe around Acton as he is the only one not expecting her to be all smile and cheer when she is not in the mood.
And maybe because he is able to see past the mask she plasters on her face, he makes her believe in more again if she can go beyond his cold appearance.
Their duet is such a sweet, when Sage educates him to sensation, he help her heal from past wounds.
I loved to see Acton accept his new self, at time it was quite funny as he has no filter like a child, he expresses his new experienced senses, he learns.
One more great addition to this series.
5 stars
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November 3, 2019
One of my favorite literary situations is when a seemingly emotionless individual gets all uptightly mushy about the person who ends up being their special someone. In this case, Acton is a cyborg with locked-down emotions and a logical way of looking at the world. Sage throws his life into glorious disarray and he kind of doesn't know what to do about it.
On her end, Sage puts on a brave face, but her time as a captive of the Edull has left its mark on her. The only time she feels safe is with the cyborg who keeps insisting he doesn't have the capacity for emotion, but who shows her kindness time and time again. Guess what, guys? Acton has plenty of emotion, he just doesn't want to admit it.
At least he doesn't want to admit it until he ABSOLUTELY does.
It turns out cyborgs have lots of stamina both on and off the battlefield. *finger guns*
More humans are rescued, the cyborgs are hard at work on figuring out where others might be hidden, and the Edull are creating some really monstrous horrors. Despite all that, there's still time for love and sexy times on Carthago.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
On her end, Sage puts on a brave face, but her time as a captive of the Edull has left its mark on her. The only time she feels safe is with the cyborg who keeps insisting he doesn't have the capacity for emotion, but who shows her kindness time and time again. Guess what, guys? Acton has plenty of emotion, he just doesn't want to admit it.
At least he doesn't want to admit it until he ABSOLUTELY does.
It turns out cyborgs have lots of stamina both on and off the battlefield. *finger guns*
More humans are rescued, the cyborgs are hard at work on figuring out where others might be hidden, and the Edull are creating some really monstrous horrors. Despite all that, there's still time for love and sexy times on Carthago.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 22, 2021
Another great gladiator book! This time we have Afton and Sage. Sage is rescued while on the brink of death from the evil Edull aliens. Afton is the most unfeeling, in regards to human emotion, of the gladiators. Yet he is attracted to Sage. They begin as friends but soon develop an attraction to one another. Eventually, the heat between Sage and Afton takes off...and boy is it steamy. Lots of action and adventure in this book—just like the others. But Anna still manages to make some things feel fresh and new. I rated this a little lower because I wanted a little more focus on the love growing between Afton and Sage. True to form, this book is fast-paced, entertaining, and satisfying.
October 22, 2019
Sage is still traumatised from her time at the hands of the Edull. Living at House of Rone sure does wonders for a girls need for feeling safe! Add in that a certain big, buff, blank-faced Cyborg has made himself her personal watchdog? Well Sage could get used to that.
Acton wanted to pretend that he's this emotionless machine, but deep down he feels emotions. he's just not very clear on what specific onces they may be. He is seemingly indeifferent to all the chaos that the females from Earth have brought with them but I do believe that he thinks he doesn't deserve a HEA. Might need to tell Sage that cos she may ha ve a dastardly plan to make this cyborg feel more than he may be ready for.
Sage will go the ends of the Earth (or Carthgo for that matter) for those she holds dear. Acton may have had a crappy start to life but I have a feeling that his life from now on will be one big smorgasbord of feeling. Can I just say that Grace is one scary smary kiddiewinkle. I hope House of Rone have increased their fire/damage preparedness!!!
Acton wanted to pretend that he's this emotionless machine, but deep down he feels emotions. he's just not very clear on what specific onces they may be. He is seemingly indeifferent to all the chaos that the females from Earth have brought with them but I do believe that he thinks he doesn't deserve a HEA. Might need to tell Sage that cos she may ha ve a dastardly plan to make this cyborg feel more than he may be ready for.
Sage will go the ends of the Earth (or Carthgo for that matter) for those she holds dear. Acton may have had a crappy start to life but I have a feeling that his life from now on will be one big smorgasbord of feeling. Can I just say that Grace is one scary smary kiddiewinkle. I hope House of Rone have increased their fire/damage preparedness!!!
December 17, 2019
Lordy, lordy, if there ever was time when I wanted to smack "plucky and brave" heroine it was " I have to save them, I have to be there even if I am not a fighter but a liability with my honey-bunny spending more time saving and protecting me than actually saving others and getting hurt in process because I am TSTL" Sage. Still love those gladiators, even if it is " rinse and repeat" because the characters are mainly appealing. Acton is a darling, Sage is a nuisance.
October 22, 2019
Another beautiful couple in Carthago's world. A tough and scary cyborg falls for a beautiful and strong human survivor.
In Centurion, Acton and Sage fight for their relationship, for other human survivor and against bigger and scarier robots than ever. Strap in for another adventure full of romance, mechanics and exciting adventure!!
In Centurion, Acton and Sage fight for their relationship, for other human survivor and against bigger and scarier robots than ever. Strap in for another adventure full of romance, mechanics and exciting adventure!!
October 25, 2019
Heck yes!!!
Fast paced and full of action, this romance packs a punch! Sage and Acton made a wonderful couple and watching them navigate their emotions as they searched for more human survivors of the Edull was pretty darn awesome!! I toooootally recommend!!!
Fast paced and full of action, this romance packs a punch! Sage and Acton made a wonderful couple and watching them navigate their emotions as they searched for more human survivors of the Edull was pretty darn awesome!! I toooootally recommend!!!
October 27, 2019
Awesome clever writing that not only involves you in the story but makes you feel it.
Acton is mostly non feeling. He doesn't understand why she has a way that makes him feel at the oddest of times. This is another action packed tale of the House of Rome cyborgs.
Acton is mostly non feeling. He doesn't understand why she has a way that makes him feel at the oddest of times. This is another action packed tale of the House of Rome cyborgs.
March 9, 2020
4 Stars
November 26, 2019
This book was very well written with lots of suspense. It was very good, I couldn't stop reading once I started. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
November 14, 2023
Centurion
I've now read the House of Galen series and up to this House of Rone book. Obviously they are good enough to keep reading. Tough gladiators and cyborgs falling for spunky earth women. The author does a good job of having fun building these relationships and this world.
But. Here are a couple things that bug me - making the experience of reading these books both fascinating and irritating. 1). All these women are motivated by misplaced guilt. We are told constantly that they feel guilty that they survived and there are still women imprisoned. It's repeated again and again. What if they are motivated by their commitment to saving others? It's a small distinction but important. 2). So much repetition. The same things get said again and again. Yes, they must save the other women. Yes, they won't give up. Over and over. 3). So much fighting, so many fight scenes, so many injuries. I know they are gladiators, but still, some of the women are scientists. Couldn't there be a little more of something else?
I will repeat again (yes, repetition) that these books are fun. The big tough guys are beautiful. The earth women are strong and determined. The world is interesting. Now I'm going to go read the next one.
I've now read the House of Galen series and up to this House of Rone book. Obviously they are good enough to keep reading. Tough gladiators and cyborgs falling for spunky earth women. The author does a good job of having fun building these relationships and this world.
But. Here are a couple things that bug me - making the experience of reading these books both fascinating and irritating. 1). All these women are motivated by misplaced guilt. We are told constantly that they feel guilty that they survived and there are still women imprisoned. It's repeated again and again. What if they are motivated by their commitment to saving others? It's a small distinction but important. 2). So much repetition. The same things get said again and again. Yes, they must save the other women. Yes, they won't give up. Over and over. 3). So much fighting, so many fight scenes, so many injuries. I know they are gladiators, but still, some of the women are scientists. Couldn't there be a little more of something else?
I will repeat again (yes, repetition) that these books are fun. The big tough guys are beautiful. The earth women are strong and determined. The world is interesting. Now I'm going to go read the next one.
May 13, 2020
Awesome story about another alien cyborg and his human
Is it the story about a cyborg name Acton, who was made a cyborg by a military alien organization. Sage is a woman who was kidnapped, sold into slavery to the Edull, used for experiments, and was rescued by the cyborg gladiators. Acton believes he has no feelings. Sage he is she is unlovable. Will they proved to be wrong?
The characters are unique , sexy, and relatable. The plot is a fast paced drama with descriptive fighting scenes. This story has romance, action fighting, and vivid personalities that feel you are actually a part of the picturesque desert planet. I want to read more about these characters, personalities, and planet. Fortunately for me, the author has written many books about this.
Highly recommended.
bookwormsuzy
Is it the story about a cyborg name Acton, who was made a cyborg by a military alien organization. Sage is a woman who was kidnapped, sold into slavery to the Edull, used for experiments, and was rescued by the cyborg gladiators. Acton believes he has no feelings. Sage he is she is unlovable. Will they proved to be wrong?
The characters are unique , sexy, and relatable. The plot is a fast paced drama with descriptive fighting scenes. This story has romance, action fighting, and vivid personalities that feel you are actually a part of the picturesque desert planet. I want to read more about these characters, personalities, and planet. Fortunately for me, the author has written many books about this.
Highly recommended.
bookwormsuzy
October 25, 2019
Originally published at Reading Reality
I read Centurion in bits and pieces, which was kind of surprising for a book that checks in at just under 250 pages and is written by an author I love in a series that I have enjoyed very much.
Nevertheless, I picked it up and liked what I read but just didn’t feel compelled to finish. But I had a relatively short airplane ride and no internet and there you go, book done.
Which leads me to write about why I didn’t feel compelled, why I finished it anyway, what I liked and what didn’t quite grab me.
So here we are.
The House of Rone series is a sequel series to the author’s Galactic Gladiators series, which I loved and didn’t really want to see end. So I was really glad when it didn’t.
The premise for the whole thing is that a temporary wormhole opened up between our solar system, specifically near Jupiter Station which sets this story in a future that is not-too-distant, and the very far distant indeed other end of the galaxy in the vicinity of a planet called Carthago.
(Carthago is a play on Carthage, and all resemblances to anything vaguely reminiscent of what we think of as the “blood and sandals” school of Greco-Roman history definitely apply. Only with lots of futuristic tech built in.)
And, in true SF fashion, that wormhole was exploited by the scum of this and every other galaxy – slave traders. Said scum scoop up everyone they can before the wormhole closes. So far, we know they grabbed everyone they could from both Jupiter Station and at least one ship in the area before they hightailed it back home.
The stories in both the Galactic Gladiators series and the House of Rone spin-off revolve around the rescue, one by one, of all of the Terran refugees, who then manage to make new lives for themselves by falling in love, usually with one of the gladiators from the Kor Magna Arena – hence the original series title.
While patterns did emerge during the first series, there were plenty of variations on the theme. Including one where the refugee was male and the gladiator was female – and there need to be a few more like that. The refugees all had, found or adopted a variety of professions upon their recovery. And not all of the locals were completely human, nor were all of the locals gladiators – although one was a cyborg, the Imperator of the House of Rone. They all came into the story with slightly different origin stories and original traumas.
So there was an overall pattern but plenty of variation within that pattern.
The difference so far within the House of Rone series is that all of those local heroes (and so far it’s all been heroes) are all cyborgs – because that is what the House of Rone specializes in. And so far, all of them are coming from a very similar headspace – that they are too much machine to make enough emotional connections to fall in love – and that most of them were, until the advent of those Terran refugees, happy (well, content, anyway, because these guys didn’t actually DO happy) to remain that way.
The women have come from different emotional places. Sage, the heroine of Centurion, was interesting because before and during her captivity she projected an air of total optimism. She was everyone’s ray of sunshine. Now that she’s free, she feels frozen. She’s having problems accessing her own emotions, but feels the need to fake it for the other women from Earth. She initially becomes friends with the cyborg Acton because he doesn’t show or seemingly have emotion and she doesn’t have to pretend for him.
The way that Sage comes back to life, and back to herself, felt genuine, where Acton’s emotional flowering felt contrived and much too quick.
To put it another way, I liked her but didn’t warm up to him – even as he warmed up.
I’m also having a more difficult time with the villains of this series, the Edull, than I did with the Thraxian slavers – and doesn’t THAT sound wrong.
But the Thraxians, as awful as they were, were just mercenaries. I don’t agree with their actions, but their motivation is pretty simple. They’re in it for the money. As long as they have buyers, they’ll be selling.
On my other hand – probably a cyborg one at that – the Edull don’t make a lot of sense, or at least not yet.
They are tinkers. They take scrap metal and parts and (rather ingeniously) turn them into robots. At first they were just using slaves, including the human slaves, to perform backbreaking labor. Which was awful and terrible enough. Now they’re using the slaves for parts for the robots. They’ve slipped from being horrible to being extra-super-crazy evil. There is a mercenary element to this, of course. They do sell the robots. But it seems like there’s more and I’m not getting it.
And it may just be that we haven’t had a chance to see into their heads yet – as disgusting as that’s likely to be. But for a villain – particularly an entire villainous race – the reader needs to understand why they’re villainous – not just that they ARE villainous. In the author’s Hell Squad series we’re not supposed to like the evil Gizzida, but we do KNOW why they do what they do. In its way, it makes them even more frightening.
I’m just not there yet for the Edull. They feel like they are getting more evil for evil’s sake, and it’s not enough.
Escape Rating B: As I said, I liked Sage a lot. I’m still enjoying the setting and setup of this series, and will definitely continue to follow it. But it’s starting to need something more for me to really love it. Hopefully next time we’re back on Carthago I’ll get some of my answers.
I read Centurion in bits and pieces, which was kind of surprising for a book that checks in at just under 250 pages and is written by an author I love in a series that I have enjoyed very much.
Nevertheless, I picked it up and liked what I read but just didn’t feel compelled to finish. But I had a relatively short airplane ride and no internet and there you go, book done.
Which leads me to write about why I didn’t feel compelled, why I finished it anyway, what I liked and what didn’t quite grab me.
So here we are.
The House of Rone series is a sequel series to the author’s Galactic Gladiators series, which I loved and didn’t really want to see end. So I was really glad when it didn’t.
The premise for the whole thing is that a temporary wormhole opened up between our solar system, specifically near Jupiter Station which sets this story in a future that is not-too-distant, and the very far distant indeed other end of the galaxy in the vicinity of a planet called Carthago.
(Carthago is a play on Carthage, and all resemblances to anything vaguely reminiscent of what we think of as the “blood and sandals” school of Greco-Roman history definitely apply. Only with lots of futuristic tech built in.)
And, in true SF fashion, that wormhole was exploited by the scum of this and every other galaxy – slave traders. Said scum scoop up everyone they can before the wormhole closes. So far, we know they grabbed everyone they could from both Jupiter Station and at least one ship in the area before they hightailed it back home.
The stories in both the Galactic Gladiators series and the House of Rone spin-off revolve around the rescue, one by one, of all of the Terran refugees, who then manage to make new lives for themselves by falling in love, usually with one of the gladiators from the Kor Magna Arena – hence the original series title.
While patterns did emerge during the first series, there were plenty of variations on the theme. Including one where the refugee was male and the gladiator was female – and there need to be a few more like that. The refugees all had, found or adopted a variety of professions upon their recovery. And not all of the locals were completely human, nor were all of the locals gladiators – although one was a cyborg, the Imperator of the House of Rone. They all came into the story with slightly different origin stories and original traumas.
So there was an overall pattern but plenty of variation within that pattern.
The difference so far within the House of Rone series is that all of those local heroes (and so far it’s all been heroes) are all cyborgs – because that is what the House of Rone specializes in. And so far, all of them are coming from a very similar headspace – that they are too much machine to make enough emotional connections to fall in love – and that most of them were, until the advent of those Terran refugees, happy (well, content, anyway, because these guys didn’t actually DO happy) to remain that way.
The women have come from different emotional places. Sage, the heroine of Centurion, was interesting because before and during her captivity she projected an air of total optimism. She was everyone’s ray of sunshine. Now that she’s free, she feels frozen. She’s having problems accessing her own emotions, but feels the need to fake it for the other women from Earth. She initially becomes friends with the cyborg Acton because he doesn’t show or seemingly have emotion and she doesn’t have to pretend for him.
The way that Sage comes back to life, and back to herself, felt genuine, where Acton’s emotional flowering felt contrived and much too quick.
To put it another way, I liked her but didn’t warm up to him – even as he warmed up.
I’m also having a more difficult time with the villains of this series, the Edull, than I did with the Thraxian slavers – and doesn’t THAT sound wrong.
But the Thraxians, as awful as they were, were just mercenaries. I don’t agree with their actions, but their motivation is pretty simple. They’re in it for the money. As long as they have buyers, they’ll be selling.
On my other hand – probably a cyborg one at that – the Edull don’t make a lot of sense, or at least not yet.
They are tinkers. They take scrap metal and parts and (rather ingeniously) turn them into robots. At first they were just using slaves, including the human slaves, to perform backbreaking labor. Which was awful and terrible enough. Now they’re using the slaves for parts for the robots. They’ve slipped from being horrible to being extra-super-crazy evil. There is a mercenary element to this, of course. They do sell the robots. But it seems like there’s more and I’m not getting it.
And it may just be that we haven’t had a chance to see into their heads yet – as disgusting as that’s likely to be. But for a villain – particularly an entire villainous race – the reader needs to understand why they’re villainous – not just that they ARE villainous. In the author’s Hell Squad series we’re not supposed to like the evil Gizzida, but we do KNOW why they do what they do. In its way, it makes them even more frightening.
I’m just not there yet for the Edull. They feel like they are getting more evil for evil’s sake, and it’s not enough.
Escape Rating B: As I said, I liked Sage a lot. I’m still enjoying the setting and setup of this series, and will definitely continue to follow it. But it’s starting to need something more for me to really love it. Hopefully next time we’re back on Carthago I’ll get some of my answers.
December 27, 2021
This series probably wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t listening to them all in one go. Every book is exactly the same. One unfeeling cyborg. One heroine who wants to save the next human at all costs even though they have little skill. Then the other heroines who were all exactly the same saying at some point … you have to enjoy your life some to adapt.. blah blah then the sex scenes get to be to dramatic and drawn out so they aren’t even fun anymore. Virgins in the series know how to have sex wonderfully w no awkwardness over in all the books. Like im going to keep reading them I guess but this book reallly made me realize just how annoying it is to read them all together
March 29, 2020
Acton and Sage battle their feelings for each other as well as the Edull, they find love and underground lake!
They destroy a robot factory along the way.. Acton is slightly disassembled and Toren is badly injured by the Edull taking him apart, before the test of the House of Rome arrived. Grace sets off a luma weapon to disable all the Edull bots but the cyborgs are affected too
Simone has given them Intel about a battle arena and of course another woman to rescue.
They destroy a robot factory along the way.. Acton is slightly disassembled and Toren is badly injured by the Edull taking him apart, before the test of the House of Rome arrived. Grace sets off a luma weapon to disable all the Edull bots but the cyborgs are affected too
Simone has given them Intel about a battle arena and of course another woman to rescue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
Whether it’s massiv aliens needed to save the earth, strong alpha men fighting creepy critters, star hopping bad boys just too sexy for one universe, hulking gladiators saving their human ladies or gorgeously dangerous cyborgs taking on evil races, Anna Hackett excels in taking her readers far far away and loosing them in unimaginably amazing worlds, filled with characters that live and love in our imaginations long after the last page is read.
November 1, 2022
This is a really steamy romance with never ending action. Both Sage and Acton have a strong attraction to each other and both are coming into their strengths and emotions. They are fighting to free humans and aliens being kept as slaves and experiments by the evil Edull. As they spend time together during their rescue missions, love wins. Emotions are new to Acton but, with Sage's help, he learns to understand and welcome all these new emotions. Happily ever after for them!
May 1, 2023
Centurion...
Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone book 3. A fabulous read. Acton is more cyborg than anybody else. His fee!ings are on severe lock down. He helps to rescue Sage and his censors to off kilter. Save is trying to adjust to her new life but everything isn't ok with her. They each have what the other needs. As they fall for each other, they also must battle a new enemy and help find other humans. This book is gritty, dramatic, hella angsty and sexy.
Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone book 3. A fabulous read. Acton is more cyborg than anybody else. His fee!ings are on severe lock down. He helps to rescue Sage and his censors to off kilter. Save is trying to adjust to her new life but everything isn't ok with her. They each have what the other needs. As they fall for each other, they also must battle a new enemy and help find other humans. This book is gritty, dramatic, hella angsty and sexy.
September 4, 2021
Love the series⚡👍💕
I'm completely hooked with this book, it rocks 👏. But the only problem is why do these human female's persist in butting in when they have no practice in fighting, they get in the way? This author comes up with scenarios that are unbelievable and funny as well. Frankly I enjoyed it immensely 💥🔥🤣
I'm completely hooked with this book, it rocks 👏. But the only problem is why do these human female's persist in butting in when they have no practice in fighting, they get in the way? This author comes up with scenarios that are unbelievable and funny as well. Frankly I enjoyed it immensely 💥🔥🤣
August 2, 2022
Sage and acton
This book follows on and is the second season (or spin off series) it's the same basics just different characters really but the bond of the group of people is fun.plus who take a 8 year old into space while she works more important who would let them? I thought that was over the top.but I like the high IQ 8 year old.
This book follows on and is the second season (or spin off series) it's the same basics just different characters really but the bond of the group of people is fun.plus who take a 8 year old into space while she works more important who would let them? I thought that was over the top.but I like the high IQ 8 year old.
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