It's been months since Rose McKenzie was taken far from Earth. She's trying to make a place for herself amongst the Grih, with help from her Grihan lover, Captain Dav Jallan, and the dangerous and loyal Sazo, a powerful artificial intelligence who's integrated with an infamous Class 5 battleship.
When Rose gets the chance to join an exploration team going down to collect information from a planet in Grihan airspace, she jumps at the opportunity to stretch her legs and breath some real air.
But someone is already on the planet—the Krik—and they don't want anyone to know what they're up to. The Krik are the chaos agents of the United Council, often riding the edge of the law or over it. They ambush the exploration team and take them prisoner, but they don't realize they didn't get everyone. They didn't get Rose.
With Dav, and his spaceship the Barrist, lured away by a distress signal, Rose and Sazo, along with a furry friend Rose has made, are the exploration team's only hope at rescue. And Rose never leaves a friend behind.
NOTE: This novella was previously published in the PETS IN SPACE 5 anthology. It is book 4.5 in the Class 5 series.
Michelle Diener is a bestselling, award-winning author of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Having worked in publishing and IT, she's now very happy crafting new worlds and interesting characters.
Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.
. This was like an extended epilogue as well as a fun little adventure. We get to meet Rose and Dav again, although the story is mostly Rose. She goes planet side with an away team, but soon finds that she is having strange symptoms. And then the rest of the away team vanishes.
Dav shows up towards the end and together with Sazo, they save the day.
Wonderful novella, with a terrific audiobook version.
Review 7/16/24:
Absolutely wonderful!
This novella is a fantastic opportunity to get more time with Rose, Dav and Sazo. MD Also introduces a intrepid little scene stealer in the form of an adorable baby animal that looks like a flying squirrel from Earth, that Rose christens Sweetpea.
Sweetpea struck me as a quirky homage to Rocky the Flying Squirrel, from the delightful cartoon series of the 1960s, Rocky and Bullwinkle.
For fans of this series, this terrific little story is not to be missed!
Takes place after book 4. Nice story about Rose (and Sazo) who is able to get off the ship and occupy the Grih on an exploratory trip to a planet. A planet that happens to be similar to earth. But things happen and there might be someone here doing something nefarious. It was neat to see how Rose was adapting and the newish freedom everyone had to resume explorations now that the Tecran were managed. Rose makes a friend; Sweetpea (a flying squirrel like creature she rescues). Rose also learns something important. Would be nice to read more novellas that revisit Fiona, Imogen, and Lucy to "see" how they are doing in their new lives.
Jumping into a series mid-stream can be something of a gamble. Dark Ambitions is a novella that falls between books four and five and returns to the heroine of the first book to explore what comes after for her, her alien mate, and the powerful sentient AI friend who is the big Class Five ship.
Dark Ambitions offers a planetside adventure for Rose as she accompanies an away team as they plan to explore an earth-like planet within their territory now that there is a time of peace. Dav gets called away to heed a distress call on a nearby mining colony and reluctantly agrees that Rose will be fine with the team. She's been longing to walk on a planet and enjoy nature.
Finding a cute baby flying squirrel, the rest of the team getting captured by Krik pirates, and Rose determined with the help of Savo to rescue her adopted people leads to an exciting adventure.
Dark Ambitions was my first time experiencing the series and Michelle Diener's writing. Though this is a follow up story and it was obvious I missed a whole lot that came before it, I enjoyed how the author added depth to the story by exploring Rose's ongoing integration with the Grih people and trying to build relationships with them since she is in a relationship with Dav. I liked that there is something sharp and dangerous about Savo and Rose is careful though loyal to the AI friend. There were brief moments of Dav's POV and he also showed some complexity in his character as he finds it an ongoing challenge to have an alien mate who comes with Savo.
The story made me desirous of going back and getting this series from the beginning. And, hi ho, I have the first book already. A well developed sci-fi world, relationships, and exciting plot.
Highly recommend this book, just as all of the other books in the series. Michelle books you into the story and you can't let go... then leaves you hungry for more. Introduction of sweetpea, and a much more human Sazo... not to mention, oops, not gonna ruin it. Ya just gotta read it. It it worth it.
The Tecran threat is over and Dav's crew is ready to do what they signed up to do: explore Grihan space. Rose is just ready to be on a planet again. But right as they arrive at Vuyn the Barrist receives a distress call. The Krik are still running loose in the galaxies. Dav has to go investigate and assist, but Rose still has Sazo, so it should all be ok. And it was, until the team got kidnapped.
Spoilers ahead. This was so short but still a lot of fun. Rose makes a new friend, gets better acquainted with the crew, gets to breathe unprocessed air, and after connecting a few health related dots- gets an adventure. I hope this means that the Class 5 series isn't over yet. We have seen the end of 1 war, but there's another brewing, with 2 parties involved. We haven't really seen the human women settle in, outside of Fiona and Larga Ways. Rose chose nomad life with Dav and crew, Sazo assisting, but it isn't really a vocation. Imogen may possibly settle in a music maker role, but how will her influence change that? How will it affect Grih music makers? No idea the role Lucy will have, as Bane is neutral while Dray is a UC representative. I'd love to read more stories about how they're adapting, how the 5s are changing thoughts on AI, how the Krik and the Garmman (who aren't regulating them) will be dealt with, and check in with other characters. I liked Hoke, Diot, Dimitara, Chep and several others and would love to visit them again.
*So a question was answered, but I'd be asking duration. That can swing wildly in either direction lol. *Technically, they haven't left Vuyn airspace yet when the story ended, but setting up a bug terrarium for the fuzzbutt was not mentioned. She's going to need a food supply. Also, they may want to look at spaying in case she has some mustelid like health issues. Or, if they're colony creatures, a friend. I really want to see what they decide to call her species and learn about them. That's one of the best things about sci-fi, new everything- species, cultures, planets, ...
This was a fun little story in the Class 5 series and I'm glad I could finally read it without having to get the Pets in Space anthology. It was a nice way to round out Rose's story, kind of like a long epilogue. Plus, I really love Sazo. Anytime Michelle Diener wants to write stories in this series, I will read them.
Cute and a nice visit with a familiar cast of characters. The plot was simplistic, which is the reason I only gave it 2.5 stars, but the storytelling was engaging and easy to read. Of course my favourite thing is the cute animal addition. :)
Read this when the Pets in Space anthology came out. Didn't rate it at that time because I only read Dark Ambitions within the anthology.
I've really enjoyed the Class 5 series and look forward to anything Michelle Diener puts with the Class 5's. It was nice to visit Rose, Dav and Sazo again!
I think this was from the most recent Pets in Space anthology, although I read it as the stand alone. It was cute, and nice to revisit the couple from the first book.
Rose joins an expedition team to an uninhabited planet in Grih space and gets more than she bargained for when the Krik come calling and she remains the only free member of the expedition team.
This short story gives us an update on our beloved characters from Dark Horse and hints at an exciting new adventure in their future. I hope we see a lot more in the Class 5 universe from this author.
It's official, Michelle is one of my favorite authors. Seriously. I have so enjoyed the other books in this series that I have reread them more than once. I highly recommend them!
This story is great addition and a fun little catch-up on what is going on with Rose, Sazo and Dav although the emphasis is definitely on Rose. I'm so glad that Michelle took the time to pen this little gem.
I really liked this follow up story about Rose, Dav and Sazo continuing their exploration of Grih territory. Sweetpea as an addition for Pets in Space is fantastic. I know this is book 4.5 and all good things have to end but say it isn’t so, not yet, wrap up the other human female stories too please.
I was thrilled to see a short story on Rose ,Dav and Sazo. Now, I’m curious to know what will happen with a new member of the family. Also, if the other women might be undergoing a similar experience. A nice March surprise.
I was so happy to see Rose and Sazo again. Glad she got a chance to experience planet life, even if it was a bit if a nail biter for a moment. Yay! Shes pregnant! I would really like to know what this baby will be like. Hope we get to see them again soon.
It was nice to learn what has been happening with Rose and Dav since the Terran threat has been contained. This story line also gives an opening for other stories. YEA!
This is an awesome catch up with Rose, Dav, and of course, Sazo! There is humor, action, surprises, and an already established romantic couple. Sazo almost steals the show, but Rose certainly shines once again! Sweet Pea is a wonderful addition!
I love the Class 5 books, and Rose and Sazo are two of my favorite characters. Ambitions is an excellent, well-written story set in a great universe with characters I care about. I think I need to reread Dark Horse now.
**MINOR SPOILERS** This little novella is part of the Class 5 series. I have read other books by the author and really liked them. I recommend reading the prior books of the series before this one. The books are connected through the AI or thinking systems of 5 Class 5 spaceships. This book features Rose and Dav, who were introduced in the first book of the series. The AI system on an incredibly powerful ship, Sazo, is friends with Rose and very protective of her. They are friends. The story involves space pirates called Krik who are trying to take goods from a planet that does not belong to them. When an exploratory craft lands on the planet, the landing party, including Rose, discover the Krik. Rose and Dav find out important news during the story. I liked seeing how strong their relationship was and how each cared for the other. Rose accidentally finds a baby alien flying squirrel. He is very cute and she names him Sweetpea. It was nice to see characters from the first books reappear as part of the landing party. I liked the moral and ethical issues discussed by the author. The story moves at a fast pace. It also happens over a short period of time. There was some humor in the story. It would be nice if the author included a character list with the stories. There were a lot of people to keep track of. I really like this author and plan to go on to read the next book. I recommend her books.
**MINOR SPOILERS** This little novella is part of the Class 5 series. I have read other books by the author and really liked them. I recommend reading the prior books of the series before this one. The books are connected through the AI or thinking systems of 5 Class 5 spaceships. This book features Rose and Dav, who were introduced in the first book of the series. The AI system on an incredibly powerful ship, Sazo, is friends with Rose and very protective of her. They are friends. The story involves space pirates called Krik who are trying to take goods from a planet that does not belong to them. When an exploratory craft lands on the planet, the landing party, including Rose, discover the Krik. Rose and Dav find out important news during the story. I liked seeing how strong their relationship was and how each cared for the other. Rose accidentally finds a baby alien flying squirrel. He is very cute and she names him Sweetpea. It was nice to see characters from the first books reappear as part of the landing party. I liked the moral and ethical issues discussed by the author. The story moves at a fast pace. It also happens over a short period of time. There was some humor in the story. It would be nice if the author included a character list with the stories. There were a lot of people to keep track of. I really like this author and plan to go on to read the next book. I recommend her books.
Dark Ambitions is Book #4.5 (novella) in the Class 5 Series by Michelle Diener - another immersive series from this author which took me on an engrossing ride that blended of science fiction, romance, and high-stakes adventure…. And yes, I was hooked right from the beginning. Across the interconnected novels - starting with Dark Horse and moving through Dark Deeds, and beyond – Ms. Diener crafts a universe where human resilience meets alien intrigue in the most unexpected and intriguing ways. Each book introduces a strong, resourceful heroine - often an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances - who must navigate alien cultures, political tensions, and dangerous conspiracies. The alien Class 5 ships themselves are almost characters in their own right, with personalities, quirks, flaws, and their evolving relationships with the protagonists. Ms. Diener’s world-building is rich and immersive. She doesn’t overwhelm with technical jargon but instead layers in details that make the alien worlds feel tangible – everything from the rich tapestry and texture of alien cities to the nuances of interspecies diplomacy, and so much more. The romance elements are woven naturally into the plot, never overshadowing the sci-fi core. Relationships develop through trust, shared danger, and a mutual respect - making them feel earned rather than forced. This series is definitely worth the read, especially if you enjoy fast-paced space opera with strong heroines, sentient ships, and a perfect mix of danger and hope. Happy Reading…
Dark Ambitions is a short science fiction story in Michelle Diener's Dark Horse series, which is a top favorite of mine. So of course I was really happy to read this story and get back in this world that I love so much. It was so great to read about Rose, Dav and of course Sazo again. As I'm used to with Michelle's books it was well-written, action packed with some funny and also touching moments. I highly enjoyed it!
It's really great to see more of Dav and Rose, though just like with Dark Horse, most of the book was actually about the plot/adventure rather than their romance. Early on in the book, it is hinted (though the symptoms were a dead giveaway) that Rose is preggers. It took her a while to realize and the fact wasn't made into a big deal.
Overall this novella is just good, not as spectacular as I expected or maybe I just had really high hopes/expectations. Still well written though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love the Class 5 series and this story features Rose, Dav and the Class 5 AI Sazo, where once again Rose finds herself in trouble when she accompanies an exploration crew down to the planet Vuyn, adopting a little creature she names Sweetpea in the process. Lots of action and danger, but working together always gets them through.
I read this quickly after finishing dark horse wanting to know about the characters and what’s happened to them. I was excited and slightly disappointed though we did get a small snippet of what’s happening months later. It wasn’t really what I was expecting, the FMC in her journey happens to stumble upon trouble and getting her way of it. It was fun and a bit exciting.
I have no words to express how much I love this series. It is so different from all others authors stories. I have read all the books in this series many times and j wish there were more to come. Perhaps a new thinking system will emerge. Awww now that will be awesome. 😃 I don't want it to be done for😒
Enjoyed this new novella featuring Rose and Dav, two of my fav characters from the Class 5 series. Happy to get an update on the progression of their relationship. I also like the supporting characters and the storyline set on an alien planet.
I remember loving this series when i read it. It was a long time and i already forgotten most of the plot of previous books. But it still was nice short read. I'm sucker for some nice space romance that actually has some interesting plot to it.
A good little short story. You really need to have read the Class 5 series first or else it won’t be as meaningful. Plus the Class 5 series is awesome anyway, so you won’t regret reading it!