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StarStation #2
Sanctity
Second book in the StarStation series.
Can a man with secrets learn to accept himself and find love on a StarStation overrun with pirates?
Commander Jax Trest is a man with mysteries, even ones he doesn’t realize. Forced to recover after a harrowing event on board his spaceship, Trest meets Asyran commander, Zoagashta, a person who opens his mind to possibilities and acceptance.
As Trest discovers that affection and love don’t have requirements, he begins to relax and sink into the emotions Zoagashta evokes.
But all is not peaceful when the Siwu arrive and attempt to kidnap Trest for his ability to bond with ship’s hearts.
Through harrowing corridor chases and death-defying leaps into the unknown, will Trest learn to accept all that he is so he can reunite with the person who always understood who he was?
Sanctity features asexual awakenings, discovery of one’s true self, sweet courtships, and grumpy/sunshine first loves, along with heart-pounding moments of courageous heroes and villainous pirates.
You absolutely should read Entity before reading this.
Can a man with secrets learn to accept himself and find love on a StarStation overrun with pirates?
Commander Jax Trest is a man with mysteries, even ones he doesn’t realize. Forced to recover after a harrowing event on board his spaceship, Trest meets Asyran commander, Zoagashta, a person who opens his mind to possibilities and acceptance.
As Trest discovers that affection and love don’t have requirements, he begins to relax and sink into the emotions Zoagashta evokes.
But all is not peaceful when the Siwu arrive and attempt to kidnap Trest for his ability to bond with ship’s hearts.
Through harrowing corridor chases and death-defying leaps into the unknown, will Trest learn to accept all that he is so he can reunite with the person who always understood who he was?
Sanctity features asexual awakenings, discovery of one’s true self, sweet courtships, and grumpy/sunshine first loves, along with heart-pounding moments of courageous heroes and villainous pirates.
You absolutely should read Entity before reading this.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2021
About the author
Toshi Drake
19 books41 followersA Canadian author exploring the world of books, Toshi Drake has been dabbling with the idea of writing since they were a young child. An avid fan of all things speculative fiction, they began their journey of creating worlds and books just this past year. While thoroughly loving writing high science fiction, they also dabble in the speculative romance side of queer fiction.
A rabid geek, they spend their weekends playing video games or watching any of the Stars and dreaming of creating a better world for all
A rabid geek, they spend their weekends playing video games or watching any of the Stars and dreaming of creating a better world for all
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 31, 2021
As I was finishing up Entity by Toshi Drake, the first book in the new StarStation series, book two slipped across my radar. I grabbed it, eager to see where the crew of the Padua went next.
I felt a bit of deja vu when I first started Sanctity. It overlaps with the first book a bit, filling in some of the events on the Padua while Entity’s Michael Collins is trapped on a dead ship. But the story soon moves on to new territory.
Padua, the cephalopod “ship’s heart” who is bonded to Collins turned to Commander Jax Trest when Collins was off-ship, temporarily bonding with him, something that’s not supposed to be possible with a Terran like Trest. When Collins returns, Padua drops Trest like a three-day-old fish, and it’s not an exaggeration to say the whole thing royally fucks Trest up.
When he’s sent to StarStation 86’s Care and Concern facility to recuperate, he meets an enchanting non-binary Asyran named Zoagashta, and he wants to get better for them. But in the course of his treatment, the pirates that targeted Collins come after him too, setting off a cat-and-mouse chase through the station that sends Trest into a very dark place.
It was great to see more of the action on the Padua that we missed in book one because of the single POV nature of that story, and I enjoyed following another crew member on his journey through the ramifications of the events of Entity. Trest is apparently asexual, something that’s shared nonchalantly in bits through-out the story. He longs for and fears having a true connection with another person, an issue that’s heightened by the scars from his time bonded to Padua and its abrupt ending.
If I had any issues with the story, they were minor. Both Entity and Sanctity involve kidnappings and trips down into the depths of the psyche at the hands of Siwu pirates – I hope the next one charts a new direction. And the action peaked about three-quarters of the way through – I felt like the last quarter could have been cut down a bit. But I still enjoyed the way the author used it to resolve the relationship issues between Trest and Zoagashta.
Drake does a great job charting Trest’s journey from broken to healing (if not whole), and I loved the relationship between Trest and Zoagashta (though the latter character could use a little more bite IMHO… LOL).
If you’re down for a little darkness, Sanctity is another thrill ride (this time through the heart of a SpaceStation) with a welcome helping of LGBTQ+ diversity. Read it and have a blast!
I felt a bit of deja vu when I first started Sanctity. It overlaps with the first book a bit, filling in some of the events on the Padua while Entity’s Michael Collins is trapped on a dead ship. But the story soon moves on to new territory.
Padua, the cephalopod “ship’s heart” who is bonded to Collins turned to Commander Jax Trest when Collins was off-ship, temporarily bonding with him, something that’s not supposed to be possible with a Terran like Trest. When Collins returns, Padua drops Trest like a three-day-old fish, and it’s not an exaggeration to say the whole thing royally fucks Trest up.
When he’s sent to StarStation 86’s Care and Concern facility to recuperate, he meets an enchanting non-binary Asyran named Zoagashta, and he wants to get better for them. But in the course of his treatment, the pirates that targeted Collins come after him too, setting off a cat-and-mouse chase through the station that sends Trest into a very dark place.
It was great to see more of the action on the Padua that we missed in book one because of the single POV nature of that story, and I enjoyed following another crew member on his journey through the ramifications of the events of Entity. Trest is apparently asexual, something that’s shared nonchalantly in bits through-out the story. He longs for and fears having a true connection with another person, an issue that’s heightened by the scars from his time bonded to Padua and its abrupt ending.
If I had any issues with the story, they were minor. Both Entity and Sanctity involve kidnappings and trips down into the depths of the psyche at the hands of Siwu pirates – I hope the next one charts a new direction. And the action peaked about three-quarters of the way through – I felt like the last quarter could have been cut down a bit. But I still enjoyed the way the author used it to resolve the relationship issues between Trest and Zoagashta.
Drake does a great job charting Trest’s journey from broken to healing (if not whole), and I loved the relationship between Trest and Zoagashta (though the latter character could use a little more bite IMHO… LOL).
If you’re down for a little darkness, Sanctity is another thrill ride (this time through the heart of a SpaceStation) with a welcome helping of LGBTQ+ diversity. Read it and have a blast!
August 3, 2022
So the beginning of this book overlaps a bit with the first one. This is not a stand-a-lone. You would miss a lot if you don't read the first book. In the first book, Michael ends up on a ship with a dead heart and while he is away Padua kind of goes nuts and somehow, Jax forms a bond with her. When Michael is rescued & returned to the ship, she drops Jax like a hot potato to get her bonded one back. When this happens it was extremely traumatic to Jax. The ship ends up at a starstation for repairs & while there Jax is sent for recuperation where he meets Zoagashta. I loved Zoagashta from the first moment they stepped on page. They were so very caring & took to Jax right away. And along the way, the pirates show up and we find out what they wanted Michael for. Someone how they found out what Jax did with Padua and they kidnap Jax. I'm not going to tell you what they try to make Jax do, but needless to say, he didn't need this trauma coming off of what he had previously went through. The romance is a very slow burn & it worked here. Now off to the next book as the danger isn't over yet.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion
December 27, 2021
Dn 45%
I looooved the first book, but this… this was not mine:(
I looooved the first book, but this… this was not mine:(
August 9, 2022
Commander Jax Trest is recovering from a bad experience which left him bereft. Now he and the crew of the Padua are on a star station for some relaxation and recuperation, as well as repairs to the ship. He meets Asyran Commander Zoagashta and finds himself thinking maybe he can relax and embrace some emotions Zoagashta invokes. Unfortunately, Siwu pirates have followed and they want Trest for his ability to bond with a ship’s heart. They are not taking no for an answer.
Sanctity begins where Entity leaves off. You should read that one first. As with Entity, Sanctity is incredibly well written. It captures your attention right away and does not release it until the book ends. Filled with action, danger and more than a few surprises, you will not want to put the book down. Trest is so grumpy and withdrawn but it does not stop Zoagashta. Both men are in incredible danger – Zoagashta for being with Trest while Trest is sought after because of his ability to bond with a ship’s heart. Stalked and then kidnapped, Trest’s very sanity is on the line and Zoagashta may be the only one who may be able to help him. Another fantastic story, Temerity is up next. As each one got better, Temerity surely will as well. Something to anticipate.
Sanctity begins where Entity leaves off. You should read that one first. As with Entity, Sanctity is incredibly well written. It captures your attention right away and does not release it until the book ends. Filled with action, danger and more than a few surprises, you will not want to put the book down. Trest is so grumpy and withdrawn but it does not stop Zoagashta. Both men are in incredible danger – Zoagashta for being with Trest while Trest is sought after because of his ability to bond with a ship’s heart. Stalked and then kidnapped, Trest’s very sanity is on the line and Zoagashta may be the only one who may be able to help him. Another fantastic story, Temerity is up next. As each one got better, Temerity surely will as well. Something to anticipate.
January 20, 2022
This is Jax’s story. Book overlaps part of the Entity, all from Jax’s POV. Recommend reading the first book! Jax is fully Terran yet unknown to him or others, he had developed a psychic ability to temporarily bond with a ships heart. When the bond is broken, it left him tramatized. The ship is now at StarStation 86 for repairs and Jax is sent to the Care and Concern facility to recuperate. I loved Zoagashta from the first. The description of rainbows, and the caring warmth for Jax was lovely.
Again we have the space pirate bringing turmoil and destruction, this time Jax is in the middle of it all.
I really liked how the author adresses the importance in dealing with the results of trauma and the well being of the ships crew after the harrowing experiences of books one. Overall I’m impressed with the world building, and the unique characters and aliens. Great reading!
Again we have the space pirate bringing turmoil and destruction, this time Jax is in the middle of it all.
I really liked how the author adresses the importance in dealing with the results of trauma and the well being of the ships crew after the harrowing experiences of books one. Overall I’m impressed with the world building, and the unique characters and aliens. Great reading!
Read
May 5, 2023Really enjoyed this novel. The main character was heavily traumatized during the events of the first book, and it was really interesting to see how the author had that play out.
I see in the blurb that it says it has an 'asexual awakening' in it, but I don't feel that that was made clear in the book. Though I could have missed something, it read more to me like the character was too traumatized for sex, and even most touch, but both characters were potentially open to more happening in the future. The short story that follows the events of the book also implies that more may happen in the future. And as the character never said outright that he was ace, or anything similar, it makes me uncomfortable to claim that it's ace representation just because the characters never sleep together.
I see in the blurb that it says it has an 'asexual awakening' in it, but I don't feel that that was made clear in the book. Though I could have missed something, it read more to me like the character was too traumatized for sex, and even most touch, but both characters were potentially open to more happening in the future. The short story that follows the events of the book also implies that more may happen in the future. And as the character never said outright that he was ace, or anything similar, it makes me uncomfortable to claim that it's ace representation just because the characters never sleep together.
August 9, 2022
Really freaking good! Sanctity is the second book in the StarStation series. It overlaps with Entity. Padua is the ships brain, it had bonded with Michael Collins in Entity but has also partially/temporarily bonded with Commander Jax Trest. When Collins returns it, it messes with Trest. He’s sent to StarStation 86 to recoup. There he meets Zoagashta. I loved Zoagashta! He had concern and compassion! There’s a bit of drama but overall, a fantastic addition to the series! Well written with great pacing. Highly recommend!
August 10, 2022
This is the story of Jax and Zoagashta (Zoa). It is the 2nd book in the StarStation series. I loved that this one for me was written more "emotionally' or more focused on the emotional health. It is still thriller with lots of action, danger and suspense that keeps you on the edge and turning the pages. I loved Jax and Zoa and that it was a slow burn love story in between all the action. Again written wonderfully. I would suggest that you read them in order rather than as a stand-alone. Definitely recommended.
I received this book as an Arc and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I received this book as an Arc and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
August 11, 2022
The SF world building is great here as it was in the first book, but the slowly built relationship between Trest and Zoagashta is the standout. Trest is in an emotionally fragile state as a result of what's happened on shipboard and Zoagashta's patience and understanding start to bring him out of the darkness just in time for his kidnapping. Trest's mental instability is extremely well written and you'll be rooting for him and Zoagashta all the way.
December 30, 2021
One of my favorite books of 2021 packed with everything I love: great sci-fi/psychologically twisty plot, swoony romance, fantastic rep (asexuality, nonbinary MCs). It's not a stand-alone - while the romance works on its own, the plot definitely benefits from the first in the series, which is also a great book on its own.
April 10, 2022
Interesting sci-fi world
I really like this series so far. The second book in the series was a little different from the first and it’s primarily a story about emotional well being or the lack thereof. The only thing that I struggled with in this book was getting a clear picture of who Trest was as a character. The romance is very low key and slow burn, but very sweet.
I really like this series so far. The second book in the series was a little different from the first and it’s primarily a story about emotional well being or the lack thereof. The only thing that I struggled with in this book was getting a clear picture of who Trest was as a character. The romance is very low key and slow burn, but very sweet.
August 8, 2022
The second book following the lives of the men on the spaceship. He will be drawn to them and at first he is very unsure about it. They will begin a relationship but pirates will attack so they can take him from the ship. See where you are taken in this second book. A brilliant addition to the first book
August 11, 2022
This was slow burn book and do recommend reading book 1 to understand the crew of Padua. The character has been left adrift after things get worst while he supposed to be have some long in coming R and R. The world that author has built with these characters will draw you into this series from page one
Read
January 24, 2023DNF @ 30% - I loved the first book and really want to love this one, but it’s just not on the same level. The writing is pretty poor (and very repetitive!) in comparison, the main character is not likable, and the story is boring. There’s nothing grabbing me and keeping me engaged, so I’m going to move on.
January 16, 2022
Great sci fi adventure, but...
The story is often violent and is definitely dark. Entity had hints of horror; Sanctity is more a story of depression and recovery. I really enjoy this universe and the characters, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
The story is often violent and is definitely dark. Entity had hints of horror; Sanctity is more a story of depression and recovery. I really enjoy this universe and the characters, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 11, 2022
This was a good follow-up to the first in this series. Poor Jax, he is just getting hit from all sides but I was so glad that Zao jumped into his corner right away. I hated that Jax felt he was basically not important and unlovable but Zao showed him that there are people who care about him.
August 25, 2022
Wonderful 2nd book in the series. I liked Commander Trest in the first book and was excited to see he got his own story. The romance between him and Zoagashta is a slow burn as Trest doesn’t trust easy. The suspense in this one was excellent. Loved the world-building.
December 31, 2021
Sweet and exciting
The great story kept me reading. I enjoyed the tension of the plot and the banter between Trest and Zoa.
The great story kept me reading. I enjoyed the tension of the plot and the banter between Trest and Zoa.
June 8, 2022
You'll find a complete review of “Sanctity” at my web site.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews