Dark Horizons

Dark Horizons #1

by Rae D. Magdon, Michelle Magly

Lieutenant Taylor Morgan has never met an ikthian that wasn't trying to kill her, but when she accidentally takes one of the aliens hostage, she finds herself with an entirely new set of responsibilities. Her captive, Maia Kalanis, is no normal ikthian, and the encroaching Dominion is willing to do just about anything to get her back. Her superiors want to use Maia as a bargaining chip, but the more time Taylor spends alone with her, the more conflicted she becomes. Torn between Maia and her duty to her home-world, Taylor must decide where her loyalties lie.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, LGBT, Fantasy, Lesbian, Erotica, Aliens

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2014

About the author

Rae D. Magdon is an author of queer lesbian fiction. Her stories celebrate lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women falling in love, and she cares deeply about including characters of color in her work. In addition to publishing novels about all kinds of women and their adventures, she has an extensive fanfiction collection available for free online.

Reviews

[lov2laf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like most of Rae D. Magdon's books but I found this down right horrible. The technical aspects of writing are fine but the story was so bland I couldn't deal. I don't know if this was due to the double team co-authoring or if they were just phoning this in.

For characters, Taylor is as cardboard one-dimensional as a person can be. It's not often that I think the lead protagonist is boring AND an idiot but Taylor was both. She had no serious introspection, spoke to people she shouldn't have (repeatedly), was not curious, and overall just seemed dense.

Maia was a better character but, as the authors kept this book in the shallow end of the pool, we don't get deep into her psyche, either...none of the characters, major or minor, moved beyond the one dimension.

And then out of these boring characters, the same dialogue and thoughts were relayed numerous times as Taylor would meet with different people. The same conversation over and over. Not expounding, not providing any new information...just the same.

Also, the book couldn't figure out what it wanted to be...is it sci-fi? Erm...action? Nope...A romance? Uh, I think it wants to be...Erotica? More than anything else, I guess, so yes...

The book should've been called 'Sex With an Alien...Who Is Really Not All That Alien'.

Seriously, the book takes place in as nondescript of an environment as possible somewhere on Earth...so we're not even in space. I'm assuming this takes place in the future somewhere but advanced technology is non-existent and it felt like it harkened backed to the days of VHS. Because the characters are shallow the romance is juvenile at best...and because the romance is blah, the erotica isn't great, either.

There is a general impending doom that hangs over the plot but it doesn't have a deadline so it's a bit like yeah, we're all going to die SOMEDAY. Doesn't really get your butt in gear, does it?...so there's no driving force to the plot whatsoever or cause for me to want to keep reading.

And don't even go into that Maia is held "prisoner" in an apartment suite (because the military didn't have anything better...really?) and, while she's there, there are absolutely NO security cameras anywhere...and yes, it's absolutely essential that Taylor live WITH her and be the ONLY person to watch her. What?! It's just so bizarre and doesn't make any sense.

Supposedly, this is a fan fiction born from the video game Mass Effect...which is a good game but this story adds nothing to that world and, in fact, does it a disservice.

Magdon at least has some higher quality books out there so don't discount her for this but I'd say skip this one.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this novel I feel a little over sexed. I have erotica burnout. Going in I knew to expect an erotic experience with a sci-fi theme. The problem is that it was way too light on plot. The story starts with Lieutenant Taylor Morgan and her team in a firefight against the brutal ikthians on a foreign planet. During the scuffle Morgan's entire team is killed and she barely escapes with captive and future love interest Maia.

Upon arriving back on Earth Maia is imprisoned and interrogated. Eventually the higher ups decide that she needs better accommodations and a babysitter while they decide what to do with her. Who better to babysit and share living quarters with the ikthian than the Lieutenant whose entire team was just viciously murdered by other ikthians? Luckily Lt. Morgan is pretty even tempered about the whole thing. I'm not sure I would be.

I had a few problems with that entire scenario, but my eyes were doing back flips in their attempts to roll once I discovered that there was only one bed and an incredibly uncomfortable couch provided for sleeping arrangements.

Soon enough the sex begins. And look I'm not going to lie...it was hot. Really really hot and very well written. If you've read anything by Rae D. Magdon before then you know she can write incredible sex scenes. My problem is that there were way too many. I can't believe I am saying that because as a reader I definitely lean more towards explicit than fade to black. But somewhere in all of the attempts to show intimacy I became a little desensitized. By the time the last scene popped up I just didn't care anymore and sort of skimmed over it.

I have no problems with the fact that they jumped into bed so quickly or were unable to keep their hands to themselves. I think I just wish there had been more "getting to know each other" in lieu of the numerous sex scenes. As a reader I needed more story, more world building, more character development, ect.

I did like some of the ideas presented. I thought the ikthians were pretty cool as a race and wanted to know more about them. The whole aquatic idea was nifty as well as the pheromones and toxins. More than once I wished we could have seen more ikthian personalities other than Maia's. They were presented as the galactic version of Nazis.

There is going to be a sequel as events were sort of left up in the air. That is a good thing since I feel there is a lot more story to tell. I hope the next one works heavier on plot and the relationship between Taylor and Maia while toning down a little on the sex.

Last thought. I had issues with a few of the plot points (or lack thereof), but I did think that the writing style was solid and very readable. I like these authors and have sought out their work in the fan fiction realm. For those who are acquainted with the Mass Effect universe I think most of these characters will be very familiar. I found myself guessing who each of the character's alter ego was during the entire novel lol.

Overall: 3/5 Good ideas. Needs more more world building outside of the bedroom.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pure fun for me. It works better as an erotic romance than as a sci fi novel, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it. If you don't like erotic romances, this won't work as well for you, but I suppose you could always just skim/skip those scenes. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/dark-...

[Odd Bin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but that dildo just didn't do it for me.

[Unpopmary · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐

This was the first book I’ve read by Rae D. Magdon. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I did have a few reservations. I would’ve liked more worldbuilding—especially since one of the main characters is an alien. It would’ve been interesting to learn more about her species and background.

The romance also felt a bit rushed. It jumps from lust to love pretty quickly, and I found myself wishing their connection had been developed more gradually. A slower burn would’ve made their relationship feel more genuine.

That said, it was still a decent read to pass the time. I’m not sure yet if I’ll continue with the sequel, but I don’t regret picking this one up.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm... Read like erotic fan fiction. Not bad, could have done with more world building and slightly less sex (did I really just say that!).

Pretty well written, the sex was steamy and well played in the context of the story.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I’m doing another read through of the first two books, before starting book three. Taylor and Maia fall in love against all odds. They are of different races that are at war. Taylor is Maia’s watcher and capturer. Maia is being hunted by her own races for information she uncovered about their genetics and the only thing saving her from torture by her own people is that she was taken hostage as Taylor was trying to escape an assault. Taylor is appointed guard and the two of them get to know one another and they begin to see past race to the attractive being underneath. Maia shows Taylor that not all of her kind or killers and Taylor shows Maia kindness, loyalty, and respect. As their relationship becomes more intimate both know that it’s a mistake and that under the circumstances they is no future to be had between them, but when Taylor learns of what is to become of Maia upon her return she stops at nothing to free her and the information Maia holds. I love them and can’t wait to revisit them again in book two.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more world-building and character building might have taken this from about a 2.8 to a 4+ book. As it was, I think some people might find the prisoner/"guard" dynamic problematic but the way it was worked out, I did not. Fairly steamy, several good scenes actually. Would have appreciated a little more imagination in the "we are from different species and figuring each other out" department, but then again I wasn't disappointed, that would have just been a nice bonus.

[nona ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy moly, this book was so so so so so good, I can’t wait to read the other two sequels! the spice was amazing and I really really was surprised by the many plot twists!
highly recommend reading it!

[DefinitelyNotARabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

While at a glance Dark Horizons looks like a prisoner/guard romance that aspect is much more sub than text. Rather than being a driving force in any way it's just the circumstance that brought Taylor and Maia together. The story was very fun if not short, and while I found the sex scenes to be written extremely and wonderfully erotic and the character building for Taylor and Maia to be effective I found myself wishing the book was 100 or so pages longer to fit in more world building and develop some of the side characters a bit more. I don't fault the story at all for this though and wanting more is fine since there is a sequel that I can't wait to dive into.

[Zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the enemies to lovers trope and it doesn’t disappoint here, although I felt it dragged in terms of plot, but I hope that’s something they explore in the next book, but I overall would recommend ( not just for the seggs ;) )

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Fantastic first book. Action packed, sexy as hell, and super fast paced. Taylor and Maia are both great characters and I'm loving the way their relationship is going so far. The ending was great and made me super excited to continue on with the series.

[Sascha Broich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little short, but as the first of a series, okay.
The similarities between the humans and the ikthais seem so obvious, it stands to question why nobody bothers.

[Cartand · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the first original work I read by this author, and I was really happy with my purchase. A very good book mixing science fiction and the author's very own brand of wlw romance.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and enjoyable to read. Loved the characters and can't wait to read more of your works.

[Macsyrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
I'm interested in space and sci fi - and to find a book which combines that with a great queer lovestory is awesome.

I don't want to spoil anything, so let me just say that the ending is just so exciting

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read Rae's Mass Effect fanfiction, you'll be thinking of Taylor and Maia as FemShep and Liara, respectively, in terms of their personalities and relationship dynamics. That isn't a bad thing in terms of enjoying the material, however it does feel a little too familiar for an original work. I would have liked some more variation from Shepard and Liara's personalities. Having said that, this is a good story that leaves you certain of - and curious about - its continuation. The universe these characters inhabit is interesting and original enough, especially when the rebel group is introduced to the plot. If you like character-driven stories and aren't looking for a heavy science-fiction, I'd recommend this to you. Since this is the first book of the series, I'm going to wait to see the improvements and increased distinctions between these original protagonists and the fanfiction ones. Overall, it is a decent introduction to this universe, with a lot of potential I trust is going to be explored and fleshed out in the sequel(s).

[june · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have moved from Rae's fanfiction to her original fiction (like I did), Dark Horizons will not seem like too big of a jump.

The story had provided a magnificent initial backdrop of the premise and who the protagonists are. It was an easy read from start to finish but I do feel that the plot can be much deeper. The characters were lovable, just too quick for me to fully explore their depths. The erotic scenes were amazingly hot and definitely well written (I can always trust this author to write her smut exceedingly ahead of my standard expectations) but there would have been more meaning and feeling injected into it if the events between erotic scenes were a little longer. It would be great if we could see past the protagonists' initial physical attraction and dig deeper into, say, Taylor's friendship with Rachel (and tie that to the latter's eventual betrayal in the end) or Maia's relationship with her mother.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed Dark Horizons and will no doubt be picking up it's sequel, Starless Nights, soon!

[Opolitlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When buying this book I assumed that it would be a good read, entertaining at times, heartbreaking at times, overall good. But Dark Horizons is so much more than "overall good". I could not put it down. Literally. I started reading it early in the morning and finished it before lunch.
The main characters, Taylor and Maia, are believable and multi-dimensional. Their romance, even if they fall for each other quickly, is not simplistic. You feel for them and you want them to be okay.
But even though this is technically lesbian fiction with a focus on romance, it isn't only "romance", but rather an exciting sci-fi story.
I definitely recommend it.

[Efa Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is clearly inspired by fanfic, with the two main characters drawing obvious traits from the lead of a well known game series, and another character in it. Many other characters in the novel draw heavily on other characters from the games, and you may find yourself replacing names if you're too familiar with them.

It is an enjoyable and intriguing original story, but that's not really why you would be reading this book. Rae's erotic scenes never disappoint, and this is no exception. Rae's writing has continued to improve since, this is a great story to start reading her work if you enjoy sci-fi.

[Nicholas Smeaton]

It's difficult to rate this book because despite the cover and the blurb it is not YA SF - it's hard core lesbian erotica in an SF setting. To review it as an SF book would be unfair as I'd be recommending it to an audience that I don't think it's aimed at. The plot was original enough, although a bit on the thin side for me but I'm not the type of reader the book is aimed at. It seems competently written for what it is, if the authors want to appeal to a wider audience then they'll have to learn the value of implication - if they wish to continue catering for a specialist audience then they're better judges of that audience than I am.

[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the story between the Taylor and Maia. The progress is written well and the military behavior is the way I imagine. So, I guess, who likes Sci-Fi with Aliens, will like it like me. I would like to read a continuation and see the war really end and how their relationship will progress.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Terri Basner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of both authors and also a fan of science fiction. There are similarities to mass effect but the story does well on its own to stand apart.

[Bitterblue]

Read only one chapter because I wasn't into the whole xenophobia thing.