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Queen of Dust: A Sexy Sci Fi Romantasy of Secrets and Forbidden Love Between Enemies
Anastasia
meets
The Bodyguard
in this riveting, sexy science fiction romance about a seductress forced to guard her heart against the enemy soldier duty-bound to protect her
She should despise him…
Mara Leanor is the last of her kind—the last Balti temptress, a woman schooled in the art of pleasures great and small. She's waited years to return to her home planet only to find that Balti, once lush and beautiful, is losing its battle with the enemy occupation she despises. Harder to despise is Calvy D’Aldiern, the enemy captain turned bodyguard assigned to protect her, who seems intent on breaking down her walls instead.
He should detest her…
Cal has one shot at getting back to his unit: proving he can follow orders without doing anything stupid. Like falling for the woman slipping into his bed to take her pleasures and give none of her self. While Mara discovers how different Cal is from the rigid, self-righteous invaders, Cal confirms that a Balti temptress is impossible to deny.
Their desire threatens them both…
Caught in the planet’s tide of change, with his assignment rushing to its end and her people driven toward revolt, Cal and Mara must decide if their present matters more than her past and his future.
She should despise him…
Mara Leanor is the last of her kind—the last Balti temptress, a woman schooled in the art of pleasures great and small. She's waited years to return to her home planet only to find that Balti, once lush and beautiful, is losing its battle with the enemy occupation she despises. Harder to despise is Calvy D’Aldiern, the enemy captain turned bodyguard assigned to protect her, who seems intent on breaking down her walls instead.
He should detest her…
Cal has one shot at getting back to his unit: proving he can follow orders without doing anything stupid. Like falling for the woman slipping into his bed to take her pleasures and give none of her self. While Mara discovers how different Cal is from the rigid, self-righteous invaders, Cal confirms that a Balti temptress is impossible to deny.
Their desire threatens them both…
Caught in the planet’s tide of change, with his assignment rushing to its end and her people driven toward revolt, Cal and Mara must decide if their present matters more than her past and his future.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
About the author
H.E. Dare
1 book20 followersA fan of topknots, fried Brussels sprouts, and other people doing the dishes, Hanna Earnest lives, laughs, and writes in Chicago, contributing to the world’s supply of book boyfriends and girl crushes.
While her contemporary romance can be found under Hanna Earnest, she writes steamy sci-fi under H.E. Dare.
She wants to be friends on Twitter and Instagram @hannaearnest.
While her contemporary romance can be found under Hanna Earnest, she writes steamy sci-fi under H.E. Dare.
She wants to be friends on Twitter and Instagram @hannaearnest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 22, 2022
Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Ugh, this story was just a joy bomb of steam upon steam upon steam upon space travel, and I was so here for it.
I'm such a huge fan of this author. Her debut, All the Best Nights – written under Hanna Earnest – is a spectacular rockstar romance that I'm obsessed with and have reread a million times, which is why I was so excited to get to read her new venture into sci-fi romance.
The main female character in Queen of Dust is Mara Leanor, a badass, mysterious, confident temptress from the planet Balti, the last of her kind. She has a very controlling, off-putting partner, Liam, and is on her way back to Balti for the first time since she was a kid.
When Liam leaves her to go off on a months-long mission, he makes sure that she has a bodyguard who she can seek pleasure from when she needs it – the bodyguard happens to be Calvy D’Aldiern, a captain from the enemy civilization who took over Mara's planet.
On his end, Calvy has to make sure he doesn't let Mara break down his walls as their relationship progresses, since he has to prove he can keep his head down in order to get back to his unit.
The tension between Mara and Calvy was so delicious to read – they had friction from the very beginning and refused to succumb to their feelings for each other (emotionally, at least). Watching them being put through the wringer and fighting their feelings was so fun.
I was a little scared that the romance would get lost amidst all the world-building, but the central storyline never strayed from Mara and Cal and their dynamic. There was so much steam, intensity and tension and banter, I literally read this in one sitting!
Ugh, this story was just a joy bomb of steam upon steam upon steam upon space travel, and I was so here for it.
I'm such a huge fan of this author. Her debut, All the Best Nights – written under Hanna Earnest – is a spectacular rockstar romance that I'm obsessed with and have reread a million times, which is why I was so excited to get to read her new venture into sci-fi romance.
The main female character in Queen of Dust is Mara Leanor, a badass, mysterious, confident temptress from the planet Balti, the last of her kind. She has a very controlling, off-putting partner, Liam, and is on her way back to Balti for the first time since she was a kid.
When Liam leaves her to go off on a months-long mission, he makes sure that she has a bodyguard who she can seek pleasure from when she needs it – the bodyguard happens to be Calvy D’Aldiern, a captain from the enemy civilization who took over Mara's planet.
On his end, Calvy has to make sure he doesn't let Mara break down his walls as their relationship progresses, since he has to prove he can keep his head down in order to get back to his unit.
The tension between Mara and Calvy was so delicious to read – they had friction from the very beginning and refused to succumb to their feelings for each other (emotionally, at least). Watching them being put through the wringer and fighting their feelings was so fun.
I was a little scared that the romance would get lost amidst all the world-building, but the central storyline never strayed from Mara and Cal and their dynamic. There was so much steam, intensity and tension and banter, I literally read this in one sitting!
June 28, 2023
This was a lot of sexy sci-fi romance fun on audio!! I hope there are a bunch more in the series because I will glom them all.
I loved how the FMC’s culture is very pleasure positive and how the author used that to explore the positive and negative sides of using sexual pleasure to build intimacy (or not). The narrator did a great job, too!
Longer review:
I pitched this book to one of my reading Discord servers as "if Jessie Mihalik wrote erotic romance." I didn't mention that the FMC reminded me of Inara from Firefly, but that too!
Mara is the last Balti temptress, a wealthy woman from a destroyed and colonized planet and culture who's far more complex than anyone gives her credit for. She's been in a relationship for years with a man she trusts and relies on, but she comes to realize it's not love and that he's not the person she thought. When he leaves for a lengthy business trip, he forces a former soldier (and secret prince) in servitude to be her bodyguard and to provide her with sex.
The whole book is saturated with sex. It opens with something of a "prove how much you love me" public sex scene that Mara has to observe and then replicate the scene with Cal, the aforementioned bodyguard.
There are complicated politics throughout, with multiple levels of colonization and corporate greed, but it's Mara's efforts to reconnect with her Balti heritage that makes that plot so compelling. Some of the big reveals are obvious to the reader, but it's easy to understand why Mara wouldn't see the truth given the trauma bond she and Jerk Boyfriend had for years.
Dare also explores consent and sex, shame and freedom. This is a high heat book for sure and some of the dynamics aren't explicitly consensual. It's complicated, however, by the fact that the characters involved are genuinely attracted to each other and do want the sex. It's just the circumstances (sex bodyguard? Balti temptress who is expected to always be ready to engage?) that make things messy. Cal's culture is what I think of as Puritanical, driven by business interests and very repressed. He's not like that, of course. Mara's culture is all about pleasure in all forms. It was really interesting and the sex made me think.
In short, this is a very spicy sci-fi romance that will scratch that itch you have after you read Jessi Mihalik or watch Firefly. More spice, more romance, more direct acknowledgment of the impacts of colonialism.
***
CW: genocide (past, discussed quite a bit on page), imprisonment and hunger, worker abuse and indentured servitude, extractive production killing a planet, attempted sexual assault (MCs are attacked in an alley), sex-shaming (countered A LOT). There’s some weird consent stuff that made me go hmm but I feel it didn’t cross the line into yuck. YMMV.
I loved how the FMC’s culture is very pleasure positive and how the author used that to explore the positive and negative sides of using sexual pleasure to build intimacy (or not). The narrator did a great job, too!
Longer review:
I pitched this book to one of my reading Discord servers as "if Jessie Mihalik wrote erotic romance." I didn't mention that the FMC reminded me of Inara from Firefly, but that too!
Mara is the last Balti temptress, a wealthy woman from a destroyed and colonized planet and culture who's far more complex than anyone gives her credit for. She's been in a relationship for years with a man she trusts and relies on, but she comes to realize it's not love and that he's not the person she thought. When he leaves for a lengthy business trip, he forces a former soldier (and secret prince) in servitude to be her bodyguard and to provide her with sex.
The whole book is saturated with sex. It opens with something of a "prove how much you love me" public sex scene that Mara has to observe and then replicate the scene with Cal, the aforementioned bodyguard.
There are complicated politics throughout, with multiple levels of colonization and corporate greed, but it's Mara's efforts to reconnect with her Balti heritage that makes that plot so compelling. Some of the big reveals are obvious to the reader, but it's easy to understand why Mara wouldn't see the truth given the trauma bond she and Jerk Boyfriend had for years.
Dare also explores consent and sex, shame and freedom. This is a high heat book for sure and some of the dynamics aren't explicitly consensual. It's complicated, however, by the fact that the characters involved are genuinely attracted to each other and do want the sex. It's just the circumstances (sex bodyguard? Balti temptress who is expected to always be ready to engage?) that make things messy. Cal's culture is what I think of as Puritanical, driven by business interests and very repressed. He's not like that, of course. Mara's culture is all about pleasure in all forms. It was really interesting and the sex made me think.
In short, this is a very spicy sci-fi romance that will scratch that itch you have after you read Jessi Mihalik or watch Firefly. More spice, more romance, more direct acknowledgment of the impacts of colonialism.
***
CW: genocide (past, discussed quite a bit on page), imprisonment and hunger, worker abuse and indentured servitude, extractive production killing a planet, attempted sexual assault (MCs are attacked in an alley), sex-shaming (countered A LOT). There’s some weird consent stuff that made me go hmm but I feel it didn’t cross the line into yuck. YMMV.
October 17, 2023
Described as Anastasia meets The Bodyguard, Queen of Dust by H.E. Dare is a sexy science fiction romance that kept me hooked from the very first page to the last. A rather eye-opening voyeuristic scene sets the stage for Mara Leanor, a Balti Temptress, her partner, CEO Liam Pent, and Calvy D’Aldiern, an enemy soldier of the Dern Empire.
Mara was rescued as a child just before a poisonous bomb went off in the atmosphere of Balti, a beautiful, nature driven planet that is rendered uninhabitable for ten years following the bomb, which killed all the human inhabitants left there. With no memory of her life or how she escaped – other than what she was told at the time – Mara is raised as a Balti Temptress, meaning that she is taught how to enjoy pleasure at any age – from childlike pleasures like candy and play when younger, then from the sexual arts as an adult. It’s believed she is the last (and only) Balti Temptress still alive.
Now Balti is inhabited once more, Mara enlists the aid of Liam Pent, CEO of the Pent Corporation which has factories on the planet, in getting back there, his spaceship and technological capabilities enabling her to travel there in months versus the years it would take using traditional means. Their relationship is bound by sex and their mutual disdain for the Dern Empire. Mara hates the Dern because they are responsible for the bomb that destroyed Balti; Liam is tied to them through business ventures which include military contracts, but he looks scornfully down on the Dern’s Virtues – purity through patience, clarity through compliance, and deliverance through dedication.
Calvy D’Aldiern was born a Prince of the Dern Empire, but as a surprise birth, number eleven in a strictly regulated system of producing ten heirs per royal couple, he doesn’t have a role to play in the family dynamics. Instead, he’s a commoner under the law and he chose to become a soldier. When a troop under Cal’s supervision was caught with counterfeit weapons, Cal took the blame and went to prison, was demoted from Captain to Private, and upon his release, discovered that his military contract had been purchased by Liam Pent. It’s a power move for Liam, ‘owning’ a piece of the Dern royal family. Taking Cal on board his ship while on route to Balti, his intention is to have Cal serve as a bodyguard for Mara while she’s there, as he has other business to attend to and won’t be staying there with her. He has another job for Cal, too – to be her sexual release if she needs him, knowing of her appetite for sex and planning to indulge himself with other women himself while they are separated.
Reluctantly accepting Cal’s position as her bodyguard, Mara is frustrated that being back on Balti hasn’t brought any memories immediately back. Nothing looks familiar, the workers at the factories are indentured servants, and the Moonclan, returned Balti who believe that Queen Balticourt had lived and would someday return, are chasing a dream. With Cal at her side, Mara keeps exploring, and she and Cal begin to bond. But after months away, Liam’s imminent return could spell the end of her mission, and her burgeoning relationship with Cal. Will Mara find the answers she seeks before it’s too late?
While it may appear that this is a love triangle romance, there isn’t any love lost between Liam and Mara and they are both in their relationship for self-serving reasons. Sex in this story is really all about power. Liam uses sex to show his displeasure with Mara for some of her actions by engaging in sex acts with another woman in front of her (and an audience). He then uses his power over Cal to make him perform oral sex on Mara, what’s supposed to be a punishment turning Mara’s head inside out with how good Cal makes her feel, while simultaneously realizing the mistake she’s made by not sharing her pleasure with Liam as they have always done in the past. Then by informing Mara that if she wants sex while he’s gone, she’ll get it from Cal and Cal only (and she must always be the initiator), Liam continues to use sex to keep control over her. He also requires Cal to report regularly to Liam what Mara does, including any sex they have. It’s a twisted relationship, but one that had served Mara’s purposes too, until now. With Cal, Mara at first treats him as Liam intends, a sex attendant of sorts, but as Liam’s separation from them lengthens, her relationship with Cal changes and Mara forgets that she’s supposed to be thinking of Liam while having sex with Cal. Cal challenges her, confronts her, listens to her, and protects her. It’s a heady feeling to have someone see her as her own person and not just as Liam’s appendage.
Relationship complexities aside, the worldbuilding is interesting and well developed, from the stifling feel of the spaceship with the ever present dark void outside the viewing windows, to the planet of Balti with its dusty atmosphere, powerful ocean and its relics of the past being slowly swallowed by the present. The tension builds as the story progresses and revelations increase the danger to Mara and Cal, especially as Liam is set to return. The ending is exciting and very satisfying. If you enjoy space opera type romances with lots of sex, I’d definitely recommend Queen of Dust.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided via the publisher via NetGalley.
Mara was rescued as a child just before a poisonous bomb went off in the atmosphere of Balti, a beautiful, nature driven planet that is rendered uninhabitable for ten years following the bomb, which killed all the human inhabitants left there. With no memory of her life or how she escaped – other than what she was told at the time – Mara is raised as a Balti Temptress, meaning that she is taught how to enjoy pleasure at any age – from childlike pleasures like candy and play when younger, then from the sexual arts as an adult. It’s believed she is the last (and only) Balti Temptress still alive.
Now Balti is inhabited once more, Mara enlists the aid of Liam Pent, CEO of the Pent Corporation which has factories on the planet, in getting back there, his spaceship and technological capabilities enabling her to travel there in months versus the years it would take using traditional means. Their relationship is bound by sex and their mutual disdain for the Dern Empire. Mara hates the Dern because they are responsible for the bomb that destroyed Balti; Liam is tied to them through business ventures which include military contracts, but he looks scornfully down on the Dern’s Virtues – purity through patience, clarity through compliance, and deliverance through dedication.
Calvy D’Aldiern was born a Prince of the Dern Empire, but as a surprise birth, number eleven in a strictly regulated system of producing ten heirs per royal couple, he doesn’t have a role to play in the family dynamics. Instead, he’s a commoner under the law and he chose to become a soldier. When a troop under Cal’s supervision was caught with counterfeit weapons, Cal took the blame and went to prison, was demoted from Captain to Private, and upon his release, discovered that his military contract had been purchased by Liam Pent. It’s a power move for Liam, ‘owning’ a piece of the Dern royal family. Taking Cal on board his ship while on route to Balti, his intention is to have Cal serve as a bodyguard for Mara while she’s there, as he has other business to attend to and won’t be staying there with her. He has another job for Cal, too – to be her sexual release if she needs him, knowing of her appetite for sex and planning to indulge himself with other women himself while they are separated.
Reluctantly accepting Cal’s position as her bodyguard, Mara is frustrated that being back on Balti hasn’t brought any memories immediately back. Nothing looks familiar, the workers at the factories are indentured servants, and the Moonclan, returned Balti who believe that Queen Balticourt had lived and would someday return, are chasing a dream. With Cal at her side, Mara keeps exploring, and she and Cal begin to bond. But after months away, Liam’s imminent return could spell the end of her mission, and her burgeoning relationship with Cal. Will Mara find the answers she seeks before it’s too late?
While it may appear that this is a love triangle romance, there isn’t any love lost between Liam and Mara and they are both in their relationship for self-serving reasons. Sex in this story is really all about power. Liam uses sex to show his displeasure with Mara for some of her actions by engaging in sex acts with another woman in front of her (and an audience). He then uses his power over Cal to make him perform oral sex on Mara, what’s supposed to be a punishment turning Mara’s head inside out with how good Cal makes her feel, while simultaneously realizing the mistake she’s made by not sharing her pleasure with Liam as they have always done in the past. Then by informing Mara that if she wants sex while he’s gone, she’ll get it from Cal and Cal only (and she must always be the initiator), Liam continues to use sex to keep control over her. He also requires Cal to report regularly to Liam what Mara does, including any sex they have. It’s a twisted relationship, but one that had served Mara’s purposes too, until now. With Cal, Mara at first treats him as Liam intends, a sex attendant of sorts, but as Liam’s separation from them lengthens, her relationship with Cal changes and Mara forgets that she’s supposed to be thinking of Liam while having sex with Cal. Cal challenges her, confronts her, listens to her, and protects her. It’s a heady feeling to have someone see her as her own person and not just as Liam’s appendage.
Relationship complexities aside, the worldbuilding is interesting and well developed, from the stifling feel of the spaceship with the ever present dark void outside the viewing windows, to the planet of Balti with its dusty atmosphere, powerful ocean and its relics of the past being slowly swallowed by the present. The tension builds as the story progresses and revelations increase the danger to Mara and Cal, especially as Liam is set to return. The ending is exciting and very satisfying. If you enjoy space opera type romances with lots of sex, I’d definitely recommend Queen of Dust.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided via the publisher via NetGalley.
December 14, 2022
Withholding review due to Harper Collins strike.
December 5, 2022
Special thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for giving me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This story was exactly what I needed. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi romance and this author is new to me. However, I’m fairly surprised by how much I loved this!
The main female character is Mara Leanor, a last of her kind temptress from the planet Balti. Right from the first page I thought she was a likable heroine. We learn she has a partner Liam (he sucks) but then we get to know Calvy D’Alsiern, the bodyguard/playmate of Mara.
Calvy is a captain from the enemy civilization who took over Mara's planet. They have an insta attraction but because of friction and differences between them, there’s some hesitance to be anything more.
The tension and steamy scenes (and I do mean steamy) were delicious. I love a forbidden romance and two supposed enemies succumbing to their feelings for each other. It was fun to experience!
The things I liked was the world-building, which wasn’t overbearing or confusing. I also thought there was decent side characters. The best part was the steam and the least was I thought the ending wasn’t my favorite. But overall, I’d still recommend this!
This story was exactly what I needed. I’m a huge fan of sci-fi romance and this author is new to me. However, I’m fairly surprised by how much I loved this!
The main female character is Mara Leanor, a last of her kind temptress from the planet Balti. Right from the first page I thought she was a likable heroine. We learn she has a partner Liam (he sucks) but then we get to know Calvy D’Alsiern, the bodyguard/playmate of Mara.
Calvy is a captain from the enemy civilization who took over Mara's planet. They have an insta attraction but because of friction and differences between them, there’s some hesitance to be anything more.
The tension and steamy scenes (and I do mean steamy) were delicious. I love a forbidden romance and two supposed enemies succumbing to their feelings for each other. It was fun to experience!
The things I liked was the world-building, which wasn’t overbearing or confusing. I also thought there was decent side characters. The best part was the steam and the least was I thought the ending wasn’t my favorite. But overall, I’d still recommend this!
April 26, 2023
As much as in my opinion the author does not write particularly well, nor was the worldbuilding well done, the two, almost three, main characters kept me glued to the book until the end I was waiting for. Even on the ending, I would have to argue with the speed with which "amor vincit omnia" but still I read to the last page.
Per quanto secondo me l'autrice non scriva particolarmente bene, né tantomeno il worldbuilding era ben fatto, i due, quasi tre, personaggi principali, mi hanno incollato al libro fino alla fine che aspettavo. Anche sul finale, avrei da ridire sulla velocitá con cui "amor vincit omnia" ma comunque ho letto fino all'ultima pagina.
Per quanto secondo me l'autrice non scriva particolarmente bene, né tantomeno il worldbuilding era ben fatto, i due, quasi tre, personaggi principali, mi hanno incollato al libro fino alla fine che aspettavo. Anche sul finale, avrei da ridire sulla velocitá con cui "amor vincit omnia" ma comunque ho letto fino all'ultima pagina.
July 4, 2023
3.5 stars
High heat science fiction romance is always a fav of mine. Suzanne sold me on this book and her review is gold, saying everything I'm thinking but aren't coherent enough to put into words right now 😂 Check it out here!
High heat science fiction romance is always a fav of mine. Suzanne sold me on this book and her review is gold, saying everything I'm thinking but aren't coherent enough to put into words right now 😂 Check it out here!
October 27, 2024
I rate this about 3.75. This book was super interesting. I liked the world - kind of if you got to follow Anara from Serenity on her own development and discovery arc. There were some flaws, of course, but I'd recommend it more for how it framed sex and desire as much as anything.
February 17, 2023
Updated review now that Harper Collins Union has received a contract.
Solid read, a perfect mix of sci-fi and romance. I always love an Anastasia esque storyline and this certainly doesn’t disappoint with the set up and follow through. The relationship and development between Mara and Cal isn’t sacrificed for plot and vice versa, which is so great in a story where there’s really so much going on. There’s an interesting plot developing, great world building and a swoony, sexy romance. Really what more can you ask for?
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Solid read, a perfect mix of sci-fi and romance. I always love an Anastasia esque storyline and this certainly doesn’t disappoint with the set up and follow through. The relationship and development between Mara and Cal isn’t sacrificed for plot and vice versa, which is so great in a story where there’s really so much going on. There’s an interesting plot developing, great world building and a swoony, sexy romance. Really what more can you ask for?
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2024
One of the steamiest and most engrossing romances I've read. I really loved seeing their relationship develop. The plot got a little rushed towards the end, and I wish we got to see their forgiveness of each other
January 25, 2023
First I just want to say thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC of this book for my honest review.
I am trying to broaden the types of romance novels I read and I don’t think sci-fi is for me. I wasn’t planning on finishing this book because I felt like everything I was reading just didn’t stick for me. However, I pushed through and didn’t hate it. The writing itself was well done and there were some very spicy moments with Mara and Cal that did not disappoint.
For those who are into sci-fi and romance, this book is totally for you!
I do like this author’s writing, so I do plan on checking out her contemporary romance in the future!
I am trying to broaden the types of romance novels I read and I don’t think sci-fi is for me. I wasn’t planning on finishing this book because I felt like everything I was reading just didn’t stick for me. However, I pushed through and didn’t hate it. The writing itself was well done and there were some very spicy moments with Mara and Cal that did not disappoint.
For those who are into sci-fi and romance, this book is totally for you!
I do like this author’s writing, so I do plan on checking out her contemporary romance in the future!
try-again-later
February 13, 2023i started but wasn't really in the mood for this sort of story. starts off with a bang for sure, but i wasn't processing the world building because i am a distracted reader at the moment. maybe try again some other time.
Read
February 17, 2023
Trigger & Content Warnings
Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia
January 8, 2025
It took me awhile to get into this one but I really enjoyed it overall. A fun, fast read, with good characters and lots of spice.
September 4, 2023
Honestly surprised how much I ADORED this book. hot space romance! absolutely ate this book up so unique and loved the world here. swoon worthy and very smutty, we love! Got the reccomendation from Fated mates podcast--you must read this!
the blurb---- "Anastasia meets The Bodyguard in this riveting, sexy science fiction romance about a seductress forced to guard her heart against the enemy soldier duty-bound to protect her"
the blurb---- "Anastasia meets The Bodyguard in this riveting, sexy science fiction romance about a seductress forced to guard her heart against the enemy soldier duty-bound to protect her"
November 27, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
CW/TW:
I had this on my radar because Fated Mates mentioned it on one of their episodes (I sadly can't remember which one) but they made it sound so good that I immediately knew I had to read it one day. That day has finally arrived and I admit that I was sceptical at first because the beginning, while it started with a (literal) bang, was not what I expected and neither was the writing. I also remembered nothing about the plot or why the podcast ladies loved it so much but I told myself to give it a chance... And I'm happy I did!
There are many layers that make up this story. It's comped as "Anastasia meets The Bodyguard" and while direct reference to the former was (IMO) only made at the very end, upon reflection, I can see strains of it woven in the story, particularly through the character arcs. We have two MCs trying to figure out their places in the world, a planet whose royal family was brutally eliminated and was subsequently colonized for its natural resources thanks to corporate greed, a bubbling rebellion, and of course, the forbidden romance bodyguard trope! Also, this was *very* steamy. There were sex scenes galore but they were so sensual and emotionally charged, and while it's open-door, the author doesn't delve into overly explicit details.
Much like I wasn't sure how to feel about the book initially, I wasn't sure how to feel about our main characters either. They're complex and more than a little messy—they make some messed up decisions and spout hurtful things—but the more we learned about them, the easier it was to empathise with them and I came to love them both so much!
Mara is the last Balti Temptress and is making her way back to her home planet after its entire population was practically wiped out close to two decades ago. She yearns to understand who she is and where she came from and I think the author wrote the frantic desperation and loneliness she feels upon returning to Balti very well. The people of Balti were well-known for their indulgence in pleasure in every form but particularly sensually and I loved the exploration of that through Mara's perspective, especially relating to power. She fervently hates the Dern Empire responsible for the genocide of her people and has colonized many planets ever since; so when her long-time partner leaves her in Balti with a Dern captain to look out for her safety and who is tasked with also helping her find her pleasure, she couldn't hate him more.
Calvy is a Dern captain who harbours a not-so-secret identity as the unplanned and unwanted eleventh prince of Dern. I was initially confused by the things he said and did but as we got to know more about him and what he's been through alongside Mara, my perspective of him completely changed. It was so easy to empathise with him and his desire to simply find a place where he would be accepted, valued and loved in all the ways he was not as a prince who was born out of passion in an empire where that's the biggest sin. If you love a man who falls first and who is unquestionably devoted to the FMC, Cal will sweep you off your feet with his dedication to and love for Mara!
There were so many ways Calvy and Mara are similar but these are two people who couldn't have been raised in cultures that have polar opposite virtues to each other. While Balti is all about pursuing pleasure and joy, Dern is religiously and morally constrictive and pleasure is a foreign concept to them. It's no surprise that Mara and Calvy have very tense and caustic interactions to begin with. There was intense lust between them but there was also hate and that led to some very charged banter that created fantastic tension (both sexual and not) whenever those scenes would take place! Sex played a big role in the emotional development of their relationship and what starts as a fulfilment of desires and finding pleasure strictly under a contract-based relationship, evolves into a deeply emotional and achingly romantic forbidden romance. I loved watching their walls break and as they see each other for who they are and understand their deepest desires. Ugh, the angst of it was so delicious and I gobbled it right up!
If there's anything I wanted more of was a satisfying and justified end for the douche nozzles and douche canoes that made our characters suffer. I know it happened off-page but I wanted to see it happen! 😂 But I also wished we got a bit more time with the ending cos it felt rather abrupt.
Overall though, despite a slightly rocky beginning, I'm glad I kept on reading because this is a standout sci-fi romance to me. It's got the depth and steam, the emotional connection and truly romantic moments that set the butterflies fluttering and signify a great romance to me.
CW/TW:
I had this on my radar because Fated Mates mentioned it on one of their episodes (I sadly can't remember which one) but they made it sound so good that I immediately knew I had to read it one day. That day has finally arrived and I admit that I was sceptical at first because the beginning, while it started with a (literal) bang, was not what I expected and neither was the writing. I also remembered nothing about the plot or why the podcast ladies loved it so much but I told myself to give it a chance... And I'm happy I did!
There are many layers that make up this story. It's comped as "Anastasia meets The Bodyguard" and while direct reference to the former was (IMO) only made at the very end, upon reflection, I can see strains of it woven in the story, particularly through the character arcs. We have two MCs trying to figure out their places in the world, a planet whose royal family was brutally eliminated and was subsequently colonized for its natural resources thanks to corporate greed, a bubbling rebellion, and of course, the forbidden romance bodyguard trope! Also, this was *very* steamy. There were sex scenes galore but they were so sensual and emotionally charged, and while it's open-door, the author doesn't delve into overly explicit details.
Much like I wasn't sure how to feel about the book initially, I wasn't sure how to feel about our main characters either. They're complex and more than a little messy—they make some messed up decisions and spout hurtful things—but the more we learned about them, the easier it was to empathise with them and I came to love them both so much!
Mara is the last Balti Temptress and is making her way back to her home planet after its entire population was practically wiped out close to two decades ago. She yearns to understand who she is and where she came from and I think the author wrote the frantic desperation and loneliness she feels upon returning to Balti very well. The people of Balti were well-known for their indulgence in pleasure in every form but particularly sensually and I loved the exploration of that through Mara's perspective, especially relating to power. She fervently hates the Dern Empire responsible for the genocide of her people and has colonized many planets ever since; so when her long-time partner leaves her in Balti with a Dern captain to look out for her safety and who is tasked with also helping her find her pleasure, she couldn't hate him more.
Calvy is a Dern captain who harbours a not-so-secret identity as the unplanned and unwanted eleventh prince of Dern. I was initially confused by the things he said and did but as we got to know more about him and what he's been through alongside Mara, my perspective of him completely changed. It was so easy to empathise with him and his desire to simply find a place where he would be accepted, valued and loved in all the ways he was not as a prince who was born out of passion in an empire where that's the biggest sin. If you love a man who falls first and who is unquestionably devoted to the FMC, Cal will sweep you off your feet with his dedication to and love for Mara!
There were so many ways Calvy and Mara are similar but these are two people who couldn't have been raised in cultures that have polar opposite virtues to each other. While Balti is all about pursuing pleasure and joy, Dern is religiously and morally constrictive and pleasure is a foreign concept to them. It's no surprise that Mara and Calvy have very tense and caustic interactions to begin with. There was intense lust between them but there was also hate and that led to some very charged banter that created fantastic tension (both sexual and not) whenever those scenes would take place! Sex played a big role in the emotional development of their relationship and what starts as a fulfilment of desires and finding pleasure strictly under a contract-based relationship, evolves into a deeply emotional and achingly romantic forbidden romance. I loved watching their walls break and as they see each other for who they are and understand their deepest desires. Ugh, the angst of it was so delicious and I gobbled it right up!
If there's anything I wanted more of was a satisfying and justified end for the douche nozzles and douche canoes that made our characters suffer. I know it happened off-page but I wanted to see it happen! 😂 But I also wished we got a bit more time with the ending cos it felt rather abrupt.
Overall though, despite a slightly rocky beginning, I'm glad I kept on reading because this is a standout sci-fi romance to me. It's got the depth and steam, the emotional connection and truly romantic moments that set the butterflies fluttering and signify a great romance to me.
January 30, 2023
I think this was such a promising start to a series, and if it is going to be one, I would read the next book.
The story follows that of Mara Leonar, who hails from the planet of Balti, and is really the last of her kind. When her planet was overtaken by the Dern (the ruling government/people), she was rescued as a 6 year old and raised by a Dern in a pretty affluent planet. When she was old enough, she started a relationship with Liam Pent, whose family head up Pent Corporation and who has businesses everywhere. Liam is the one who hired another Balti to teach Mara to become a Balti Temptress, a woman who’s “schooled in the art of pleasures.” Basically, she lives for pleasure and Mara and Liam have a semi relationship, but there is definitely a power imbalance even though Mara tries to hold her own. They’re on their way to Balti so that Mara can learn about the world she left behind, when Liam brings in Calvy D’Aldiern. Liam introduces them in a very *interesting* manner, and informs Mara that Calvy will be her bodyguard while she’s on Balti and she can use him for pleasure, as Liam will be dropping them off and then going on to do business for his own company. Calvy, who is the forgotten and unwanted prince turned soldier, has a background as interesting as Mara and I find him a really great character and wish we had more of his POV.
This is just really a basic background that sets up the story so you can meet all the major characters and see how their relationships develop. There’s enough plot building so you have a story, but I feel like there could be more descriptions of the characters, so I can picture them in my head, and more sci-fi building if this is where it’s going. I don’t picture the characters as aliens, so I wonder if this could’ve just been a dystopian setting. There’s romance, lies and secrets between the characters, and a backstory that involves politics and government. Mara is set up to be a strong character who’s going to bring about an insurrection and save her people, and I really like that girl power part of the story.
The story follows that of Mara Leonar, who hails from the planet of Balti, and is really the last of her kind. When her planet was overtaken by the Dern (the ruling government/people), she was rescued as a 6 year old and raised by a Dern in a pretty affluent planet. When she was old enough, she started a relationship with Liam Pent, whose family head up Pent Corporation and who has businesses everywhere. Liam is the one who hired another Balti to teach Mara to become a Balti Temptress, a woman who’s “schooled in the art of pleasures.” Basically, she lives for pleasure and Mara and Liam have a semi relationship, but there is definitely a power imbalance even though Mara tries to hold her own. They’re on their way to Balti so that Mara can learn about the world she left behind, when Liam brings in Calvy D’Aldiern. Liam introduces them in a very *interesting* manner, and informs Mara that Calvy will be her bodyguard while she’s on Balti and she can use him for pleasure, as Liam will be dropping them off and then going on to do business for his own company. Calvy, who is the forgotten and unwanted prince turned soldier, has a background as interesting as Mara and I find him a really great character and wish we had more of his POV.
This is just really a basic background that sets up the story so you can meet all the major characters and see how their relationships develop. There’s enough plot building so you have a story, but I feel like there could be more descriptions of the characters, so I can picture them in my head, and more sci-fi building if this is where it’s going. I don’t picture the characters as aliens, so I wonder if this could’ve just been a dystopian setting. There’s romance, lies and secrets between the characters, and a backstory that involves politics and government. Mara is set up to be a strong character who’s going to bring about an insurrection and save her people, and I really like that girl power part of the story.
January 30, 2023
I think this was such a promising start to a series, and if it is going to be one, I would read the next book.
The story follows that of Mara Leonar, who hails from the planet of Balti, and is really the last of her kind. When her planet was overtaken by the Dern (the ruling government/people), she was rescued as a 6 year old and raised by a Dern in a pretty affluent planet. When she was old enough, she started a relationship with Liam Pent, whose family head up Pent Corporation and who has businesses everywhere. Liam is the one who hired another Balti to teach Mara to become a Balti Temptress, a woman who’s “schooled in the art of pleasures.” Basically, she lives for pleasure and Mara and Liam have a semi relationship, but there is definitely a power imbalance even though Mara tries to hold her own. They’re on their way to Balti so that Mara can learn about the world she left behind, when Liam brings in Calvy D’Aldiern. Liam introduces them in a very *interesting* manner, and informs Mara that Calvy will be her bodyguard while she’s on Balti and she can use him for pleasure, as Liam will be dropping them off and then going on to do business for his own company. Calvy, who is the forgotten and unwanted prince turned soldier, has a background as interesting as Mara and I find him a really great character and wish we had more of his POV.
This is just really a basic background that sets up the story so you can meet all the major characters and see how their relationships develop. There’s enough plot building so you have a story, but I feel like there could be more descriptions of the characters, so I can picture them in my head, and more sci-fi building if this is where it’s going. I don’t picture the characters as aliens, so I wonder if this could’ve just been a dystopian setting. There’s romance, lies and secrets between the characters, and a backstory that involves politics and government. Mara is set up to be a strong character who’s going to bring about an insurrection and save her people, and I really like that girl power part of the story.
The story follows that of Mara Leonar, who hails from the planet of Balti, and is really the last of her kind. When her planet was overtaken by the Dern (the ruling government/people), she was rescued as a 6 year old and raised by a Dern in a pretty affluent planet. When she was old enough, she started a relationship with Liam Pent, whose family head up Pent Corporation and who has businesses everywhere. Liam is the one who hired another Balti to teach Mara to become a Balti Temptress, a woman who’s “schooled in the art of pleasures.” Basically, she lives for pleasure and Mara and Liam have a semi relationship, but there is definitely a power imbalance even though Mara tries to hold her own. They’re on their way to Balti so that Mara can learn about the world she left behind, when Liam brings in Calvy D’Aldiern. Liam introduces them in a very *interesting* manner, and informs Mara that Calvy will be her bodyguard while she’s on Balti and she can use him for pleasure, as Liam will be dropping them off and then going on to do business for his own company. Calvy, who is the forgotten and unwanted prince turned soldier, has a background as interesting as Mara and I find him a really great character and wish we had more of his POV.
This is just really a basic background that sets up the story so you can meet all the major characters and see how their relationships develop. There’s enough plot building so you have a story, but I feel like there could be more descriptions of the characters, so I can picture them in my head, and more sci-fi building if this is where it’s going. I don’t picture the characters as aliens, so I wonder if this could’ve just been a dystopian setting. There’s romance, lies and secrets between the characters, and a backstory that involves politics and government. Mara is set up to be a strong character who’s going to bring about an insurrection and save her people, and I really like that girl power part of the story.
November 29, 2022
I’d characterize this as an R-rated mashup of The Bodyguard, with a sprinkle of Disney’s Anastasia and a dash of dark romance, all happening within a sci-fi setting. While the steamy romance between our main female lead and her bodyguard/protector definitely make up the majority of the storyline, there actually is quite a bit of political world-building and plotline within Queen of Dust. Unfortunately, I really didn’t care about the plot movement, and the sci-fi elements extend only as far as the background of a very Earth-like world. The actual romance felt pretty dragged out, and our main female lead’s incredibly selfish choices made it difficult to root for her and a HEA - making the romantic conflicts more eye-roll worthy than tension building. I also think the “reveal” at the end could also be seen from a galaxy away.
I’ll be passing on the next in the series (the ending set this up for a future follow-up), and would recommend Jessie Mihalik's Polaris Rising or T.A. White's Rules of Redemption instead, for storylines with less spice, but more believable sci-fi elements and real romantic tension.
I voluntarily obtained a digital version of this book free from Netgalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review!
I’ll be passing on the next in the series (the ending set this up for a future follow-up), and would recommend Jessie Mihalik's Polaris Rising or T.A. White's Rules of Redemption instead, for storylines with less spice, but more believable sci-fi elements and real romantic tension.
I voluntarily obtained a digital version of this book free from Netgalley and Carina Press in exchange for an honest review!
November 17, 2022
Thank you so much to Carina Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a really unique and quick sci-fi x romance read! I enjoyed following Mara and Cal as they navigated their new dynamic as the last-living Balti Temptress and the enemy captain/guard assigned to protect her. The push and pull between these two as they both try to ignore their need for one another was definitely fun to read. I also really liked the addition of side characters like Dannos, Haper, and Iola. Seeing how these characters came together to work together against was really heartwarming given their dynamics at the beginning of the novel.
Although this is a pretty character-heavy story, there's still an alluring world built into this universe with its fair share of political schemes. H.E. Dare presented the politics of the Dern, of Balti as a planet, and more and a very clear manner. It was super easy for me as a reader to follow along and understand the politics of these groups. Thus, I think readers, even ones who don't enjoy sci-fi, will still really enjoy Queen of Dust!
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This was a really unique and quick sci-fi x romance read! I enjoyed following Mara and Cal as they navigated their new dynamic as the last-living Balti Temptress and the enemy captain/guard assigned to protect her. The push and pull between these two as they both try to ignore their need for one another was definitely fun to read. I also really liked the addition of side characters like Dannos, Haper, and Iola. Seeing how these characters came together to work together against was really heartwarming given their dynamics at the beginning of the novel.
Although this is a pretty character-heavy story, there's still an alluring world built into this universe with its fair share of political schemes. H.E. Dare presented the politics of the Dern, of Balti as a planet, and more and a very clear manner. It was super easy for me as a reader to follow along and understand the politics of these groups. Thus, I think readers, even ones who don't enjoy sci-fi, will still really enjoy Queen of Dust!
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
December 14, 2022
Read that SO fast. So good.
Queen of Dust absolutely exceeded my expectations! Erotic scifi romance, set in space, rival political factions to lovers, bodygaurd + anastasia vibes, with insane amounts of pining and angst! Just an incredible mix with smart prose, great dialogue and a perfect pace.
A reluctant and misunderstood royal is now a stoic virtuous soldier demoted and tasked as bodyguard to an infamously last-of-her-kind Balti Temptress (think high class courtesan without the transaction). They are returning to her decimated planet while her lover (the owner of Tony Stark like conglomerate) makes deals on other planets. He has tasked them to enjoy themselves. And they do. But not without sniping and bantering and hurting and loving one another in the process. It's deliciously angsty and frustrating. The political machinations are wrapped up in an anti-capitalist sentiment that hits just right. There is a freight train of hot smut from page one. And the ONLY thing I would change is a longer denouement, as I would have liked their ultimate triumph and HEA to bask a little bit longer (and could have used one last sex scene).
Queen of Dust is easily going to be on all of the best romances lists of 2023. I couldn't put it down.
Queen of Dust absolutely exceeded my expectations! Erotic scifi romance, set in space, rival political factions to lovers, bodygaurd + anastasia vibes, with insane amounts of pining and angst! Just an incredible mix with smart prose, great dialogue and a perfect pace.
A reluctant and misunderstood royal is now a stoic virtuous soldier demoted and tasked as bodyguard to an infamously last-of-her-kind Balti Temptress (think high class courtesan without the transaction). They are returning to her decimated planet while her lover (the owner of Tony Stark like conglomerate) makes deals on other planets. He has tasked them to enjoy themselves. And they do. But not without sniping and bantering and hurting and loving one another in the process. It's deliciously angsty and frustrating. The political machinations are wrapped up in an anti-capitalist sentiment that hits just right. There is a freight train of hot smut from page one. And the ONLY thing I would change is a longer denouement, as I would have liked their ultimate triumph and HEA to bask a little bit longer (and could have used one last sex scene).
Queen of Dust is easily going to be on all of the best romances lists of 2023. I couldn't put it down.
January 23, 2023
5/5 ⭐
4/5 🌶️
Chills. I got literal chills while finishing this book. I absolutely loved it and really hope Hanna gives us more Cal and Mara.
Did I see the "twist" coming? Yes. But it was also implied in the book blurb, so I'm not sure why it's a complaint from some people. Even though I saw it coming it still had me internally jumping like a wild person and it had me so engrossed for those last few chapters. I couldn't wait to find out what she was going to do with the knowledge she'd been searching for.
I just love Mara and how she held herself during this journey. She wasn't going to be pushed over despite wanting to believe in the people that she trusted. She listened to those little whispers and went and found out on her own what she needed to know. I really loved the sěx positivity in this book too. I loved that she was a courtesan and that that wasn't a big deal. I really loved how her and Cal's relationship progressed too; it wasn't quite enemies-to-lovers, but definitely had that feeling and the vibe was perfectly angsty.
I want more. I need more. Please Hanna, bring them back. I wanna watch the anarchy and uprising and everything in between.
4/5 🌶️
Chills. I got literal chills while finishing this book. I absolutely loved it and really hope Hanna gives us more Cal and Mara.
Did I see the "twist" coming? Yes. But it was also implied in the book blurb, so I'm not sure why it's a complaint from some people. Even though I saw it coming it still had me internally jumping like a wild person and it had me so engrossed for those last few chapters. I couldn't wait to find out what she was going to do with the knowledge she'd been searching for.
I just love Mara and how she held herself during this journey. She wasn't going to be pushed over despite wanting to believe in the people that she trusted. She listened to those little whispers and went and found out on her own what she needed to know. I really loved the sěx positivity in this book too. I loved that she was a courtesan and that that wasn't a big deal. I really loved how her and Cal's relationship progressed too; it wasn't quite enemies-to-lovers, but definitely had that feeling and the vibe was perfectly angsty.
I want more. I need more. Please Hanna, bring them back. I wanna watch the anarchy and uprising and everything in between.
August 24, 2023
Saw low rating, but the positive reviews convinced me this would be a worthwhile read. In case you are deciding, in all fairness here is why I DNF at a very early point in the book. Immediately there is public sex, rough language, just too disgusting. I know the guy in the scene is going to be her ex, and the MMC hasn't shown up yet, but the interior dialogue of the MFC is enough for me to say, I'm out. At a big party her man (the boss of the giant corp) has a "damsel" perform oral sex on him in front of everyone - to embarrass MFC. Then, in a move to assuage her, says she can have her when he's done.
“She’s all yours,” he said finally.
“I can hardly wait.” Mara didn’t miss a beat, allowing a hint of relief to shine through her eyes. She didn’t mind letting the damsel have a go at her cunt next. A bit of pleasure to balance the negative trend of her day. And it would work for Liam, too, smooth his ruffled feathers. It wouldn’t bother her to let him and any other interested parties watch. She was not bound by abstract Virtue. Liam was ready to get over their tiff. Mara would be getting off easy—
So, there you gave it. I'm on to looking for something else.
“She’s all yours,” he said finally.
“I can hardly wait.” Mara didn’t miss a beat, allowing a hint of relief to shine through her eyes. She didn’t mind letting the damsel have a go at her cunt next. A bit of pleasure to balance the negative trend of her day. And it would work for Liam, too, smooth his ruffled feathers. It wouldn’t bother her to let him and any other interested parties watch. She was not bound by abstract Virtue. Liam was ready to get over their tiff. Mara would be getting off easy—
So, there you gave it. I'm on to looking for something else.
November 16, 2022
This book starts off with the spice right away and it doesn’t let up. If you like your Fantasy Romance books extra spicy, then pick this book up.
I enjoyed that this book wasn’t all spice, but that the storyline was actually good too. Mara is back on her home planet but doesn’t remember anything about it. She’s trying to find familiarity there. As the description hints, it’s definitely Anastasia influenced with regards to her story (I’m sure you can deduce what that might be based on the description, but I’ll avoid spoilers).
Mara’s (Boyfriend? Lover? Partner?) sets off on a quest that keeps him gone for months but leaves a bodyguard behind that Mara is to seek pleasure from when she desires it. The bodyguard happens to be from a civilization that took Mara’s planet from her people so there’s political strife and hard feelings there.
When Mara starts falling for the bodyguard she struggles with this because of his identity and of course her traveling partner. How does it end? Pick it up and find out.
I enjoyed that this book wasn’t all spice, but that the storyline was actually good too. Mara is back on her home planet but doesn’t remember anything about it. She’s trying to find familiarity there. As the description hints, it’s definitely Anastasia influenced with regards to her story (I’m sure you can deduce what that might be based on the description, but I’ll avoid spoilers).
Mara’s (Boyfriend? Lover? Partner?) sets off on a quest that keeps him gone for months but leaves a bodyguard behind that Mara is to seek pleasure from when she desires it. The bodyguard happens to be from a civilization that took Mara’s planet from her people so there’s political strife and hard feelings there.
When Mara starts falling for the bodyguard she struggles with this because of his identity and of course her traveling partner. How does it end? Pick it up and find out.
December 18, 2022
Romance tropes: bodyguard, amnesia, forced proximity, just one bed
Recommended for fans of The Drift by Susan Hayes and Ruby Duvall’s The Dark Court.
This was surprisingly good! Mara is the last of the Balti, a race whose near extermination was engineered by geopolitical machinations for the sake of their planet’s natural resources. Her rich boyfriend leaves her to rediscover her missing past while he goes to Do Business and informs her to use her bodyguard, Calvy for personal pleasure—a key tenet of Balti theology/sociocultural practices.
The world-building was interesting, and there’s plenty left to be fleshed out in future installments. It reminded me a bit of The Drift, which I also enjoy. I think QOD lost its steam a bit toward the 75% mark, but it finished strong.
The story came in hot, and I was fanning myself for Calvy and Mara’s first few escapades, but overall the scenes could have used more description and a thesaurus.
My thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for a free ARC.
Recommended for fans of The Drift by Susan Hayes and Ruby Duvall’s The Dark Court.
This was surprisingly good! Mara is the last of the Balti, a race whose near extermination was engineered by geopolitical machinations for the sake of their planet’s natural resources. Her rich boyfriend leaves her to rediscover her missing past while he goes to Do Business and informs her to use her bodyguard, Calvy for personal pleasure—a key tenet of Balti theology/sociocultural practices.
The world-building was interesting, and there’s plenty left to be fleshed out in future installments. It reminded me a bit of The Drift, which I also enjoy. I think QOD lost its steam a bit toward the 75% mark, but it finished strong.
The story came in hot, and I was fanning myself for Calvy and Mara’s first few escapades, but overall the scenes could have used more description and a thesaurus.
My thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for a free ARC.
March 13, 2023
This started off with a bang, literally. Like the complete opposite of a slow-burn romance. I wasn't sure how the story's momentum would keep up after such an opening, especially how the character's emotions about their predicament would change, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked the slow burn into the characters developing feelings for each other even though I could see it a mile away. It's one of those comfort-read things I guess.
I kinda wanted more world-building around Mara's home planet and her people, but I understood the limitations of adding too much of that into a romance novel without weighing it down too much. I didn't really understand the whole dichotomy between the Baltis and the Derns, especially with how easily Cal went against his teachings once he met Mara, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.
One thing I couldn't get over was all the references to Cal's overly-waxed or hair-geled helmet of hair, which just reminded me of that trend in the 90s boys used to do with their slicked back hair. Not hot.
I kinda wanted more world-building around Mara's home planet and her people, but I understood the limitations of adding too much of that into a romance novel without weighing it down too much. I didn't really understand the whole dichotomy between the Baltis and the Derns, especially with how easily Cal went against his teachings once he met Mara, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.
One thing I couldn't get over was all the references to Cal's overly-waxed or hair-geled helmet of hair, which just reminded me of that trend in the 90s boys used to do with their slicked back hair. Not hot.
December 13, 2022
If you like steamy, forbidden romance with sci-fi elements this one is for you.
This was such an exciting story, a bodyguard romance in a space traveling setting, count me in!
I loved Mara and Cal, seeing how their characters came together was everything I had hoped for. There's so much tension and intensity between them and the banter was so fun to read. They also have to come into themselves, find their place but I liked how they never lost confidence through the journey.
There is a lot of world and character building having to explain the politics and the background of the planet Balti and the Dern but H.E Dare has a great writing style which kept me engaged and able to follow along easily.
This was my first read from this author but it won't be my last, highly recommend picking this one up.
Special thank you to NetGalley, Carina Press and H.E Dare for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an exciting story, a bodyguard romance in a space traveling setting, count me in!
I loved Mara and Cal, seeing how their characters came together was everything I had hoped for. There's so much tension and intensity between them and the banter was so fun to read. They also have to come into themselves, find their place but I liked how they never lost confidence through the journey.
There is a lot of world and character building having to explain the politics and the background of the planet Balti and the Dern but H.E Dare has a great writing style which kept me engaged and able to follow along easily.
This was my first read from this author but it won't be my last, highly recommend picking this one up.
Special thank you to NetGalley, Carina Press and H.E Dare for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and H.E. Dare, and Carina Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.25 stars, rounding to 3 for NG
Format: ebook
This is a romance, first and foremost, with a sci-fi element. I thought the characters were very likeable, but I was a tad confused at the start of the book with the flashbacks to earlier in the day when Mara and Calvy meet on the tram. There is so much thrown at you at once that I had to read the first four chapters about three times to understand what was going on. After that hump, the read was way more seamless.
What I liked: I liked how well I was able to connect with the characters. Mara and Calvy's relationship felt real, and we saw them develop as the story went on. I also thought the pacing worked well here - sometimes I hate when the timeline jumps forward a few months, but it worked well for this story. Also enjoyed how little Liam was in it lol.
What I didn't like: The double standard that Mara could use Calvy for her pleasure, but he couldn't use her for his bc.... double standards ofc. The mood and overall vibe would have been way different if the roles were reversed. Come on, it was basically SA - and I don't like that. Consent is consent, regardless of an "order". I also thought the book wrapped up too quickly, but I could see this turning into a series down the line as there's way more to touch on with Liam and the revolution. I also thought the world building could be a tad stronger. It almost felt like a cop out that this was sci-fi as nothing really *happened*. Liam leaves Mara, she falls in love with Calvy, realizes her heritage, and decides to do something about it. These exact chain of events could have happened on planet Earth. Again, maybe we'll see more if the series continues, but the sci-fi element of the story needs way more developing to make it stay interesting. Finally, I wish we got one last scene with Calvy and Mara but again maybe that's coming.
This book is for you if: you like spice, romance, connections between characters, and a sprinkle of sci-fi. if you're going into this expecting full blown sci-fi and world building with some character development, you'll be extremely disappointed. this is very character heavy and medium plot.
Rating: 3.25 stars, rounding to 3 for NG
Format: ebook
This is a romance, first and foremost, with a sci-fi element. I thought the characters were very likeable, but I was a tad confused at the start of the book with the flashbacks to earlier in the day when Mara and Calvy meet on the tram. There is so much thrown at you at once that I had to read the first four chapters about three times to understand what was going on. After that hump, the read was way more seamless.
What I liked: I liked how well I was able to connect with the characters. Mara and Calvy's relationship felt real, and we saw them develop as the story went on. I also thought the pacing worked well here - sometimes I hate when the timeline jumps forward a few months, but it worked well for this story. Also enjoyed how little Liam was in it lol.
What I didn't like: The double standard that Mara could use Calvy for her pleasure, but he couldn't use her for his bc.... double standards ofc. The mood and overall vibe would have been way different if the roles were reversed. Come on, it was basically SA - and I don't like that. Consent is consent, regardless of an "order". I also thought the book wrapped up too quickly, but I could see this turning into a series down the line as there's way more to touch on with Liam and the revolution. I also thought the world building could be a tad stronger. It almost felt like a cop out that this was sci-fi as nothing really *happened*. Liam leaves Mara, she falls in love with Calvy, realizes her heritage, and decides to do something about it. These exact chain of events could have happened on planet Earth. Again, maybe we'll see more if the series continues, but the sci-fi element of the story needs way more developing to make it stay interesting. Finally, I wish we got one last scene with Calvy and Mara but again maybe that's coming.
This book is for you if: you like spice, romance, connections between characters, and a sprinkle of sci-fi. if you're going into this expecting full blown sci-fi and world building with some character development, you'll be extremely disappointed. this is very character heavy and medium plot.
February 26, 2023
✔️Sci-fi
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Forbidden romance
✔️Steamy level 4
✔️He is hired to satisfy her
✔️Anastasia retelling
If you are looking for a book that has all of this then this is the book for you!
Mara is the last of her kind. She is a temptress from the planet Balti. She is going to travel back to her home planet to learn about the planet she left behind at the age of six.
Mara has a very controlling partner named Liam. He is away months at a time. He makes sure that Mara is well taking care of. He hires a bodyguard, Calvy, who takes care of her and she can use for pleasure. Calvy is actually a long forgotten prince who turned bodyguard. I loved reading the tension between Mara and Calvy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Forbidden romance
✔️Steamy level 4
✔️He is hired to satisfy her
✔️Anastasia retelling
If you are looking for a book that has all of this then this is the book for you!
Mara is the last of her kind. She is a temptress from the planet Balti. She is going to travel back to her home planet to learn about the planet she left behind at the age of six.
Mara has a very controlling partner named Liam. He is away months at a time. He makes sure that Mara is well taking care of. He hires a bodyguard, Calvy, who takes care of her and she can use for pleasure. Calvy is actually a long forgotten prince who turned bodyguard. I loved reading the tension between Mara and Calvy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2023
This book attracted me with the description "Anastasia meets the bodyguard". And that description was definitely true, which for me was a big plus of this book. I really liked the idea of the story. The story had a lot of promising elements such as the idea of the story, the characters and their backstory and the setting of the story. It also had a twist that I did not see coming. I do however that the implementation could have been better. If the book was a bit longer both the characters and their background story and the world could have been flushed out more. I am looking forward to reading the second book and hope the second book will improve on the downsides of this book.
(I read this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review)
(I read this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review)
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