What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebel Cyborgs #2
Under Strain
A damaged cyborg warrior is hunted by a peace-loving human female.
***
Strain is severely malfunctioning. The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor of a horrific decision made by his cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans and when he attacks one placed under his cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, told to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.
That mission takes him to a small remote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they were sent to rescue. Strain senses another presence on the surface. She is watching him, tracking him, hunting him.
A fully operational cyborg would end her lifespan.
Strain wants to capture, kiss, claim her.
Kamyelle is the only one left of her kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of her planet. She survived…barely by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and covering herself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.
When a handsome, gray-skinned, brilliant blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she knows she has to save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.
She won’t allow them to hurt Strain.
***
Under Strain is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the second of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
***
Strain is severely malfunctioning. The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor of a horrific decision made by his cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans and when he attacks one placed under his cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, told to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.
That mission takes him to a small remote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they were sent to rescue. Strain senses another presence on the surface. She is watching him, tracking him, hunting him.
A fully operational cyborg would end her lifespan.
Strain wants to capture, kiss, claim her.
Kamyelle is the only one left of her kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of her planet. She survived…barely by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and covering herself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.
When a handsome, gray-skinned, brilliant blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she knows she has to save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.
She won’t allow them to hurt Strain.
***
Under Strain is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the second of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2021
87 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Sax
169 books1,514 followersUSA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes steamy cyborg and alien romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, on TV, and numerous romance top ten lists.
When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.
When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 2, 2023
Cute cyborg love story!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 😟🤭😤☺️
The heroine: Kamyelle - she is a human on a planet called Rohini 9. It is dangerous to be a human on that planet as warriors often come on spaceships and have killed all the rest of the humans that used to occupy the planet. There are also dangerous creatures in abundance which is why she lives in the trees and covers herself in a mud that conceals her from life from scans. There is a structure on the ground that contains a bunch of super-fast humanoid warriors. She is unable to open the door, but hasn’t allowed them to starve or dehydrate, feeding them daily through a tube at the top of the structure, even though they are warriors and might kill her if they get out.
The Hero: Strain - He is a D model cyborg who was once on a mission with over fifty two thousand of his warrior brethren for the Humanoid Alliance when the human commanders’ female helped to bomb and destroy every one of the cyborgs on the planet after their mission was complete, while Strain was trapped underground and could do nothing to save them. She laughed as she was doing it. He hates all humans, especially human females. He was rescued by other cyborgs after spending more than 8 years on the death planet.
The Story: Strain is broken, he has a never-ending video and audio that constantly replays in his system of the bombing and screaming deaths of all his fellow D models on the death planet, along with the laughing of the woman that killed them. Now he works on a cyborg team that rescues other cyborgs, and sometimes humans that are on their side. But when he saw a human female point a gun at a cyborg, he attacked her and now his leader, Cadet has told him he can’t carry a gun on their next mission, and he has to fix himself and pass their test to remain on the team.
I liked both characters from the start in this book, and I really liked the last book. Cyborg romance is recently a favorite of mine, so I was exited to find more of this series on my Libby app. Strain was cool because he was broken. He seems to have a form of cybernetic PTSD, he also has a huge fear of being stuck on any planet without means to escape. This is why he really wants to stay on the team that goes out on spaceships and rescues other cyborgs.
Kamyelle was also pretty fascinating since she outlived all her human counterparts on her planet and ended up being the lone human fending for herself. Her story was actually pretty similar to Strain’s, so they make a perfect couple. This book was quite steamy, there was a period of time when the two main characters are alone for days on end and they are intimate many times a day. Strain was so cute how he would just go on long runs in a big circle around Kamyelle when the voices got louder within him.
The one thing I didn’t like in this one was the fact that the cyborgs found out that their enemies, the Humanoid Alliance are up to no good. Though it sets up some conflict in the rest of the series, I like to think the cyborgs that escaped the Alliance are safe, but they might not be after what they found in this book.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 😟🤭😤☺️
The heroine: Kamyelle - she is a human on a planet called Rohini 9. It is dangerous to be a human on that planet as warriors often come on spaceships and have killed all the rest of the humans that used to occupy the planet. There are also dangerous creatures in abundance which is why she lives in the trees and covers herself in a mud that conceals her from life from scans. There is a structure on the ground that contains a bunch of super-fast humanoid warriors. She is unable to open the door, but hasn’t allowed them to starve or dehydrate, feeding them daily through a tube at the top of the structure, even though they are warriors and might kill her if they get out.
The Hero: Strain - He is a D model cyborg who was once on a mission with over fifty two thousand of his warrior brethren for the Humanoid Alliance when the human commanders’ female helped to bomb and destroy every one of the cyborgs on the planet after their mission was complete, while Strain was trapped underground and could do nothing to save them. She laughed as she was doing it. He hates all humans, especially human females. He was rescued by other cyborgs after spending more than 8 years on the death planet.
The Story: Strain is broken, he has a never-ending video and audio that constantly replays in his system of the bombing and screaming deaths of all his fellow D models on the death planet, along with the laughing of the woman that killed them. Now he works on a cyborg team that rescues other cyborgs, and sometimes humans that are on their side. But when he saw a human female point a gun at a cyborg, he attacked her and now his leader, Cadet has told him he can’t carry a gun on their next mission, and he has to fix himself and pass their test to remain on the team.
I liked both characters from the start in this book, and I really liked the last book. Cyborg romance is recently a favorite of mine, so I was exited to find more of this series on my Libby app. Strain was cool because he was broken. He seems to have a form of cybernetic PTSD, he also has a huge fear of being stuck on any planet without means to escape. This is why he really wants to stay on the team that goes out on spaceships and rescues other cyborgs.
Kamyelle was also pretty fascinating since she outlived all her human counterparts on her planet and ended up being the lone human fending for herself. Her story was actually pretty similar to Strain’s, so they make a perfect couple. This book was quite steamy, there was a period of time when the two main characters are alone for days on end and they are intimate many times a day. Strain was so cute how he would just go on long runs in a big circle around Kamyelle when the voices got louder within him.
The one thing I didn’t like in this one was the fact that the cyborgs found out that their enemies, the Humanoid Alliance are up to no good. Though it sets up some conflict in the rest of the series, I like to think the cyborgs that escaped the Alliance are safe, but they might not be after what they found in this book.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
May 17, 2021
Awesome
I thought that Strain's issues were handled really well. It could've easily turned out badly, because it's so easy to make PTSD come out wrong, but it's perfect.
I thought that Strain's issues were handled really well. It could've easily turned out badly, because it's so easy to make PTSD come out wrong, but it's perfect.
June 5, 2023
3.5 stars
I really liked the first half of this book, especially the way Strain’s PTSD was portrayed as a cyborg malfunctioning. Probably not original, but that really worked for me. I also bought the instant connection between Strain and Kamyelle, given their backstories.
Sadly the second half of the story kind of lost steam for me (figuratively, because there was a lot of sex). Still a good read, and I liked that these two got a sweet ending, but I wanted something more momentous to happen in the second half.
I really liked the first half of this book, especially the way Strain’s PTSD was portrayed as a cyborg malfunctioning. Probably not original, but that really worked for me. I also bought the instant connection between Strain and Kamyelle, given their backstories.
Sadly the second half of the story kind of lost steam for me (figuratively, because there was a lot of sex). Still a good read, and I liked that these two got a sweet ending, but I wanted something more momentous to happen in the second half.
August 13, 2021
This series is so freaking good!💖 4&1\2🌟s
The Rebel cyborgs are on a new mission to free any of their brethren left trapped in alien worlds by the humanoid alliance. When they land on the new planet Strain is without weapons and just prove himself not to be risk to the team and the mission. As soon as he disembarked the ship he felt eyes on him as smelled the most enticing scent . He tried not to be distracted he didn't want the others to know how damaged his soul was from his own horrible mission gone wrong. Kamyelle the very last of her mind on this planet watched the warriors she desperately step off the ship. Her experience said warriors kill and that she should hide, but all she sees is the one warrior with no weapons and knows he's different .She's can't help but be drawn too him, she wants to heal his soul and love him for eternity. Both have been left on their own by the alliance, alone to die or go crazy from the knowledge that everything you ever cared for or love has been brutally wiped out. Together they face their damage each giving the other the strength, devotion and love they need to heal from horrific emotional trauma. I loved these characters. Kamyelle, was strong , likable ,smart and still had a sense of vulnerability to here that made her feel real. Her evolving admiration and love of strain was beautiful to read. Strain was so damaged by what the alliance did that he was sinking into violence. They voice of his post brethren were slowly driving him mad. Until Kamyelle her love brought serenity and allowed his to fight his demons and win. It was amazing to see how he showed her his most vulnerable self and new she's would keep him emotionally protected. This is one of .y favorite stories in the series. The characters were compelling and I can't wait for this best one! Highly recommend🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖
The Rebel cyborgs are on a new mission to free any of their brethren left trapped in alien worlds by the humanoid alliance. When they land on the new planet Strain is without weapons and just prove himself not to be risk to the team and the mission. As soon as he disembarked the ship he felt eyes on him as smelled the most enticing scent . He tried not to be distracted he didn't want the others to know how damaged his soul was from his own horrible mission gone wrong. Kamyelle the very last of her mind on this planet watched the warriors she desperately step off the ship. Her experience said warriors kill and that she should hide, but all she sees is the one warrior with no weapons and knows he's different .She's can't help but be drawn too him, she wants to heal his soul and love him for eternity. Both have been left on their own by the alliance, alone to die or go crazy from the knowledge that everything you ever cared for or love has been brutally wiped out. Together they face their damage each giving the other the strength, devotion and love they need to heal from horrific emotional trauma. I loved these characters. Kamyelle, was strong , likable ,smart and still had a sense of vulnerability to here that made her feel real. Her evolving admiration and love of strain was beautiful to read. Strain was so damaged by what the alliance did that he was sinking into violence. They voice of his post brethren were slowly driving him mad. Until Kamyelle her love brought serenity and allowed his to fight his demons and win. It was amazing to see how he showed her his most vulnerable self and new she's would keep him emotionally protected. This is one of .y favorite stories in the series. The characters were compelling and I can't wait for this best one! Highly recommend🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥💖
June 1, 2021
Pre-ordered and read as soon as it was downloaded. Another solid cyborg romance with damaged cyborg seeking love and the freaked out female who decides to love him.
July 14, 2021
Loved strains story!
Strain was damaged with PTSD from prior experiences and struggling to make it when he found Kayelle. She was awesome. It is hard to have a nonfighting female come across as strong and not just annoying but Cynthia nailed it. She was awesome. Love this series!
Strain was damaged with PTSD from prior experiences and struggling to make it when he found Kayelle. She was awesome. It is hard to have a nonfighting female come across as strong and not just annoying but Cynthia nailed it. She was awesome. Love this series!
July 3, 2021
What fun
I don't know if fun was the objective in Under Strain, but the fun parts were exceptionally fun.
Strain has severe ptsd from being a sole survivor. His human creators killed all his brethren.
Kamyelle is the sole human survivor of a peaceful planet decimated by the cruel, power hungry Alliance. All humans were killed by Alliance cyborgs.
Together they find a way to love.
Warning: there will be mud, giant rats, and lots and lots of steamy sex.
I don't know if fun was the objective in Under Strain, but the fun parts were exceptionally fun.
Strain has severe ptsd from being a sole survivor. His human creators killed all his brethren.
Kamyelle is the sole human survivor of a peaceful planet decimated by the cruel, power hungry Alliance. All humans were killed by Alliance cyborgs.
Together they find a way to love.
Warning: there will be mud, giant rats, and lots and lots of steamy sex.
May 29, 2021
All the cyborgs who freed themselves have issues of some sort (because nothing perpetuates horrors like being manufactured, used, and abused by a group of people who enjoy putting the hurt on those they consider inferior), but Strain is REALLY badly off. The cyborg curse of perfect recall means he just keeps looping the most terrible thing he's ever experienced over and over again and the poor guy's a mess because of it.
He's trying his best to work through his malfunction, but being slated for destruction and abandoned in the worst way possible isn't an easy thing to work around when it plays on an endless loop.
What I'm trying to say is that Strain's a hot mess. He has a tenuous hold on the here and now and he REALLY doesn't like humans. Even the human females who have mated with other cyborgs mess with his head.
So when he catches Kamyelle's scent on their current rescue mission, he's equal parts worried he's going to hurt her in some way and determined to protect her from any dangers. Including himself.
As for Kamyelle, she's a peace-loving woman who's been on her own for a while. She's tried to do what she could to help the cyborgs left behind, but she has guilt about what she wasn't able to accomplish. Namely, finding a way to set the imprisoned cyborgs free.
A cyborg with some issues and a woman who is aggressively non-violent. They sound like complete opposites, but they work in the best way. And since I'm always ALWAYS down with seeing the cyborgs find their happy place, I'm thrilled with these two. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
He's trying his best to work through his malfunction, but being slated for destruction and abandoned in the worst way possible isn't an easy thing to work around when it plays on an endless loop.
What I'm trying to say is that Strain's a hot mess. He has a tenuous hold on the here and now and he REALLY doesn't like humans. Even the human females who have mated with other cyborgs mess with his head.
So when he catches Kamyelle's scent on their current rescue mission, he's equal parts worried he's going to hurt her in some way and determined to protect her from any dangers. Including himself.
As for Kamyelle, she's a peace-loving woman who's been on her own for a while. She's tried to do what she could to help the cyborgs left behind, but she has guilt about what she wasn't able to accomplish. Namely, finding a way to set the imprisoned cyborgs free.
A cyborg with some issues and a woman who is aggressively non-violent. They sound like complete opposites, but they work in the best way. And since I'm always ALWAYS down with seeing the cyborgs find their happy place, I'm thrilled with these two. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 12, 2021
I love it!
“Strain” seems an accurate name for a male whose past haunts him so much that he becomes lost in that time. I admire his determination to control that aspect, to become useful rather than a hazard. Kamyelle has turned disappearing into an art form. She is incredible! I love her inner strength, her compassion, her ability to notice and accurately read the nuances of others’ expressions. Together, she and Strain are able to calm each others’ damaged parts. Ms.Sax brings the romance between our two wounded beings to a most wonderful fruition. This is a compelling story, giving enough hints that I began to speculate about the outcome of the Rebel Cyborgs series. Awaiting more with gleeful anticipation!
“Strain” seems an accurate name for a male whose past haunts him so much that he becomes lost in that time. I admire his determination to control that aspect, to become useful rather than a hazard. Kamyelle has turned disappearing into an art form. She is incredible! I love her inner strength, her compassion, her ability to notice and accurately read the nuances of others’ expressions. Together, she and Strain are able to calm each others’ damaged parts. Ms.Sax brings the romance between our two wounded beings to a most wonderful fruition. This is a compelling story, giving enough hints that I began to speculate about the outcome of the Rebel Cyborgs series. Awaiting more with gleeful anticipation!
June 14, 2021
Beautiful
It’s a beautiful story, very tender and I cried quite a lot… it’s also very well structured, follows logic and has its own language. Very good but indeed.
It’s a beautiful story, very tender and I cried quite a lot… it’s also very well structured, follows logic and has its own language. Very good but indeed.
May 13, 2021
PTSD
Thunderstorms of bombs dropping, screams of pain and anger rang out in his head in an endless loop. His name was Strain and he was the lone surviving cyborg of a death planet. His PTSD was as much a part of this story as his growing love for his little female was. I felt BAD for this guy and was so elated that he found a mate who was so much like him yet at the same time, a light in his tunnel of darkness. If you like cyborg romance and a writer who can sympathetically describe the effects of a traumatic experience you need to read this book. I gave it 5 stars because it took me there,grabbed ahold of my emotions and didn’t let go.
Thunderstorms of bombs dropping, screams of pain and anger rang out in his head in an endless loop. His name was Strain and he was the lone surviving cyborg of a death planet. His PTSD was as much a part of this story as his growing love for his little female was. I felt BAD for this guy and was so elated that he found a mate who was so much like him yet at the same time, a light in his tunnel of darkness. If you like cyborg romance and a writer who can sympathetically describe the effects of a traumatic experience you need to read this book. I gave it 5 stars because it took me there,grabbed ahold of my emotions and didn’t let go.
May 19, 2021
Love the World Building
This series is wonderful and I love the characters! Each love story is unique and the story arc throughout the series makes you want to read what will happen next!
This series is wonderful and I love the characters! Each love story is unique and the story arc throughout the series makes you want to read what will happen next!
May 24, 2021
Under Strain
Strain was damaged with the cyborg equivalent of PTSD and the horror of living alone on the death planet Cadet rescued him from was devastating. Then on an away mission he met Kamyelle, the last of her kind left alive on Rohini 9.
Strain was damaged with the cyborg equivalent of PTSD and the horror of living alone on the death planet Cadet rescued him from was devastating. Then on an away mission he met Kamyelle, the last of her kind left alive on Rohini 9.
June 3, 2021
Damaged but Desired
She is caring but cautious about them when they land. But when she notices Strain doesn't have weapons he seems approachable to her. They form a connection between each other.
She is caring but cautious about them when they land. But when she notices Strain doesn't have weapons he seems approachable to her. They form a connection between each other.
May 12, 2021
Keep ‘em coming!
Pun intended. Loved Strain and His perfect match. She’s not a warrior but she’s exactly what he needs. Xxx. Ooo.
Pun intended. Loved Strain and His perfect match. She’s not a warrior but she’s exactly what he needs. Xxx. Ooo.
March 6, 2023
I remember liking the first book in this series, but this one I didn't enjoy as much.
The story wasn't there for me. I felt like there wasn't a goal or a threat, so the book was at a stand still. I think I would have even preferred some sort of conflict between the love interests.
The story wasn't there for me. I felt like there wasn't a goal or a threat, so the book was at a stand still. I think I would have even preferred some sort of conflict between the love interests.
May 13, 2021
Under Strain
Strain was damaged by seeing his brethren destroyed and having to live with the results for several years. He never got over seeing so many die the day the bombs fell until he find his Female Kamelle. Kamelle also was damaged by also the same incident but her whole world was destroyed. Two individuals who are damaged in a similar way find each other and learn how to heal each other. Strain learns that even if you are damaged doesn’t mean you are damaged for good as you can heal from others and learn to love. Kamelle and Strain find love in each other and heal together. Highly recommend this book and series.
Strain was damaged by seeing his brethren destroyed and having to live with the results for several years. He never got over seeing so many die the day the bombs fell until he find his Female Kamelle. Kamelle also was damaged by also the same incident but her whole world was destroyed. Two individuals who are damaged in a similar way find each other and learn how to heal each other. Strain learns that even if you are damaged doesn’t mean you are damaged for good as you can heal from others and learn to love. Kamelle and Strain find love in each other and heal together. Highly recommend this book and series.
July 30, 2022
This story reminded me a lot of being green. The couple were alone for the majority of the book. They fell in love as per this series usual. I did like the interesting plot developments in the story. I loved all the cadet/eirene ours & power references. I simply enjoyed this story. I really felt bad for strain. It was sad the extent of his trauma and loss. I look forward to the following stories. Enjoy!
June 29, 2023
me pareció interesante ver como Strain lidiaba con el trauma, y también como es que quedo traumatizado. y a pesar de ello se enfrento a sus miedos con tal de quedarse y cuidar de Kamyelle. Ella también tiene su propio trauma aunque no se ve tan severo así que eso le facilita poder comprender un poco mejor al cyborg
La historia en general, el trasfondo y el planeta con sus criaturas me gusto bastante
La historia en general, el trasfondo y el planeta con sus criaturas me gusto bastante
May 25, 2021
Cute story. I liked both MC's and the way the author handled PTSD was realistic. The way the h reacted and understood the H was awesome and I like the development of their relationship even though I felt like it was superficial in parts. The ending was rushed, I really wanted to see how and where they would settle.
May 15, 2021
An enjoyable cyborg story. It reads fine as a stand alone but I recommend reading all of the Cyborg books. Characters make repeat appearances.
I took off 1 star because cyborg hero has bad PTSD due to some trauma.
Heroine was a good match for him. Sexy times are hot.
I took off 1 star because cyborg hero has bad PTSD due to some trauma.
Heroine was a good match for him. Sexy times are hot.
July 6, 2021
Steamy fun read!
Who ever would of thought of a cyborg having PTSD? Strain does and it's debilitating for him. When Kamyelle enters his life things start to change. Loved the happy ending!
Who ever would of thought of a cyborg having PTSD? Strain does and it's debilitating for him. When Kamyelle enters his life things start to change. Loved the happy ending!
August 11, 2021
***Under Strain***
Wow i love Strain and Kamyelle, he us damaged and she is sweet and caring, perfect for him. This is a fast paced story, funny also haunting. Im looking forward to Grudge story but most of all B x
Wow i love Strain and Kamyelle, he us damaged and she is sweet and caring, perfect for him. This is a fast paced story, funny also haunting. Im looking forward to Grudge story but most of all B x
August 13, 2021
Strain
This is a sweat Cyborg human love story. The hidden moon base is found and brought both new worries and better weapons with it. The cyborgs and their mates have huge battle coming can they win ?
This is a sweat Cyborg human love story. The hidden moon base is found and brought both new worries and better weapons with it. The cyborgs and their mates have huge battle coming can they win ?
May 15, 2021
This story was very emotional because it has proven that people with depression can be cured by love.But i have one complain about this book that the sex scene was taking to long.
May 16, 2021
Good
Why does there have to be so much sex!? I love these books and the author, but it seems like there's less story and I want more not less. Still, loved Strain and Kamyelle!
Why does there have to be so much sex!? I love these books and the author, but it seems like there's less story and I want more not less. Still, loved Strain and Kamyelle!
May 23, 2021
so good!
June 13, 2021
Love theses quirky aliens.
December 29, 2021
Ugh. I hate it when there’s no villain, no climax, no fight. Just Harry meets Sally, they have sex, they comfort each other’s past traumas, and they live happily ever after. BORING!
May 3, 2022
Enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews