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Outer Limits Quadrant #1
Engineering Fate
She’s been captured, stuck in a poacher’s cage, and slated for sale, but these aliens don't know who they're messing with.
Sasha Robinson is a low-level engineer in Earth’s Starfleet, sent to repair satellites alone in deep space. When her little ship is sucked into a wormhole, on the other side is a new and unfamiliar galaxy—and a smuggling operation that salvages her ship and tosses her into a cage. Captured by alien bird men, cat men, and lizard men who can’t understand her, Sasha’s only hope is escape. And when a cat man approaches her cage door…
Ardalon Bavara is a Kursh Peacekeeper, working undercover in an illegal animal trafficking operation. When the crew he’s infiltrated pick up a strange new sentient lifeform—one that seems to be trying to communicate with him—his plans are instantly turned upside-down. He’s determined to help the hairless creature and still bring down the smugglers in the process. But can he do it and still protect the alluring new captive?
Chaos erupts as Sasha makes a break for it, and she and Ardalon must work together to survive and complete his mission. Navigating the perils of new planets, Sasha soon discovers that the smugglers may have been the least of her worries…
Can a low-level engineer swept away into a completely new galaxy navigate the political intrigue surrounding three alien species on the brink of war?
***
Engineering Fate is an action packed sci-fi novel with dark themes, political intrigue, language barriers, first contact, and a slow burn alien romance. Readers with triggers should check the content warnings found at the beginning of the book.
Sasha Robinson is a low-level engineer in Earth’s Starfleet, sent to repair satellites alone in deep space. When her little ship is sucked into a wormhole, on the other side is a new and unfamiliar galaxy—and a smuggling operation that salvages her ship and tosses her into a cage. Captured by alien bird men, cat men, and lizard men who can’t understand her, Sasha’s only hope is escape. And when a cat man approaches her cage door…
Ardalon Bavara is a Kursh Peacekeeper, working undercover in an illegal animal trafficking operation. When the crew he’s infiltrated pick up a strange new sentient lifeform—one that seems to be trying to communicate with him—his plans are instantly turned upside-down. He’s determined to help the hairless creature and still bring down the smugglers in the process. But can he do it and still protect the alluring new captive?
Chaos erupts as Sasha makes a break for it, and she and Ardalon must work together to survive and complete his mission. Navigating the perils of new planets, Sasha soon discovers that the smugglers may have been the least of her worries…
Can a low-level engineer swept away into a completely new galaxy navigate the political intrigue surrounding three alien species on the brink of war?
***
Engineering Fate is an action packed sci-fi novel with dark themes, political intrigue, language barriers, first contact, and a slow burn alien romance. Readers with triggers should check the content warnings found at the beginning of the book.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2021
394 people are currently reading
1557 people want to read
About the author
Alexis B. Osborne
16 books459 followersAlexis lives in New York with her wife and step-son and a small horde of furry beings. She began her love affair with books at an early age, and began writing for fun in High School and College. She fell in insta-love with the strange and unusual at an early age. When she’s not reading or writing she can be found painting and making subversive cross-stitch. Her favorite fairy tale will always be Beauty and the Beast. Alexis loves all things fantastical, alien, and weird. She will never forget the gorgeous glory that was the late, great David Bowie.
Join her in the Facebook group Alexis Osborne’s The ‘verse for hot Alpha and Alien art and Bonus Content!
Don’t forget to sign up for Alexis B. Osborne’s Mailing List to receive New Release Alerts, Teasers, and Exclusive Bonus Content right to your inbox! Visit www.alexisbosborne.com
Alexis loves to hear from fans. To contact her please email her at alexisosborneromance@gmail.com
Join her in the Facebook group Alexis Osborne’s The ‘verse for hot Alpha and Alien art and Bonus Content!
Don’t forget to sign up for Alexis B. Osborne’s Mailing List to receive New Release Alerts, Teasers, and Exclusive Bonus Content right to your inbox! Visit www.alexisbosborne.com
Alexis loves to hear from fans. To contact her please email her at alexisosborneromance@gmail.com
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August 29, 2021Also I just finished reading this last night and It. Was. Fantastic. It's a super actiony romance (with a lot of hot smuttytimes). The heroine is an absolute badass, too. Literally kicks ass and takes names. The gist of the story is: heroine is working in deep space to repair a satellite, gets pulled through wormhole, and ends up on the far end of the universe. She's captured by alien pirates, but one of them (guess which one) realizes she's a sentient being.
The entire thing gave me (smutty) Anne McCaffrey vibes, so if you think this is what you need in your life, run toward it! I thought it was stellar!
The entire thing gave me (smutty) Anne McCaffrey vibes, so if you think this is what you need in your life, run toward it! I thought it was stellar!
July 21, 2021
Sasha is one badass woman!!
Man, I'm fired up! This was so good. I give this 4.5 big huge lion sized stars.
From the moment Sasha woke up in a cage, she was drawn to one of her captors. A giant muscled lion man with dreads, named Ardalon. Just as equally he was captivated by the furless, tailless, unknown species that the poacher group he was investigating undercover had picked up. Sasha is able to instigate her own rescue, further pulling Ardalon towards her in admiration and attraction.
This was action packed, as Ardalon and Sasha are drug into political intrigue, and embroiled in a deep undercover corruption investigation. Sasha gets used as bait, where things go horribly wrong but once again she is underestimated and able to save herself, like the super badass that she is.
The chemistry between Ardalon and Sasha is instant and electric. The steam level and tension was ratcheted up beautifully with all the purring, nuzzling, nipping and licking until they finally stopped fighting the inevitable. Once together Ardalon and Sasha were hot and raw, messy and dirty and yet loving and fulfilling like two halves finally becoming whole again.
I really liked this one. I loved how sexy and open Ardalon was. I really loved Sasha and how resourceful and smart she was. How she didn't need Ardalon to save her, but he showed her she didn't always have to fight alone. They both thought they were broken and never gonna find the love they found with each other, and that was worth fighting for together.
Even though this was an ARC review. I will always shoot you straight. I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Man, I'm fired up! This was so good. I give this 4.5 big huge lion sized stars.
From the moment Sasha woke up in a cage, she was drawn to one of her captors. A giant muscled lion man with dreads, named Ardalon. Just as equally he was captivated by the furless, tailless, unknown species that the poacher group he was investigating undercover had picked up. Sasha is able to instigate her own rescue, further pulling Ardalon towards her in admiration and attraction.
This was action packed, as Ardalon and Sasha are drug into political intrigue, and embroiled in a deep undercover corruption investigation. Sasha gets used as bait, where things go horribly wrong but once again she is underestimated and able to save herself, like the super badass that she is.
The chemistry between Ardalon and Sasha is instant and electric. The steam level and tension was ratcheted up beautifully with all the purring, nuzzling, nipping and licking until they finally stopped fighting the inevitable. Once together Ardalon and Sasha were hot and raw, messy and dirty and yet loving and fulfilling like two halves finally becoming whole again.
I really liked this one. I loved how sexy and open Ardalon was. I really loved Sasha and how resourceful and smart she was. How she didn't need Ardalon to save her, but he showed her she didn't always have to fight alone. They both thought they were broken and never gonna find the love they found with each other, and that was worth fighting for together.
Even though this was an ARC review. I will always shoot you straight. I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2021
Engineering Fate was such a fun, sweet, and sexy book! Now when I say sweet, I mean the hero is sweet. But the sex? Wooooo! It's a slow burn (which I absolutely love!) but once the hero and heroine finally come together, they are on fire! This book has amazing worldbuilding, characters, and story. I need my own lion-like alien.
January 8, 2022
Do you remember the end of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, when Beast turned into the prince and you were like, ewww, I liked him better as the Beast? This hero stays his big ‘ole fluffy self!
This story was fabulous! It has everything I enjoy in a sci-fi romance:
-Fierce and strong female lead
-An alien that is actually alien-like
-TONS of action
-A steamy slow burn with mutual respect
-A woman who SAVES HERSELF
-Wonderful world building
-Political intrigue
Sasha is an engineer from Earth, alone for three months working to repair Earth’s satellites. She is one of the STRONGEST and well-written female characters I’ve read in a long time. Each and every time she got herself out of a jam, I was cheering her on!
Ardalon is working for his government as an undercover agent. He first spots Sasha after she’s been taken and caged by the smuggling group he’s infiltrated. While he doesn’t recognize her species, there is something intelligent in her eyes and he wants to know more about her. This isn’t insta-love or lust, it a wonderful getting-to-know-you, cross-species slow burn romance. There is the added bonus that Ardalon is BUILT and is a soft, fuzzy cat-like dude.
My one negative thought is when she is finally able to speak with him, some of the dialogue felt...immature or forced, campy? I actually liked it when they were learning each other’s language the old fashioned way and having to watch body signals to communicate.
This story was fabulous! It has everything I enjoy in a sci-fi romance:
-Fierce and strong female lead
-An alien that is actually alien-like
-TONS of action
-A steamy slow burn with mutual respect
-A woman who SAVES HERSELF
-Wonderful world building
-Political intrigue
Sasha is an engineer from Earth, alone for three months working to repair Earth’s satellites. She is one of the STRONGEST and well-written female characters I’ve read in a long time. Each and every time she got herself out of a jam, I was cheering her on!
Ardalon is working for his government as an undercover agent. He first spots Sasha after she’s been taken and caged by the smuggling group he’s infiltrated. While he doesn’t recognize her species, there is something intelligent in her eyes and he wants to know more about her. This isn’t insta-love or lust, it a wonderful getting-to-know-you, cross-species slow burn romance. There is the added bonus that Ardalon is BUILT and is a soft, fuzzy cat-like dude.
My one negative thought is when she is finally able to speak with him, some of the dialogue felt...immature or forced, campy? I actually liked it when they were learning each other’s language the old fashioned way and having to watch body signals to communicate.
“Ardalon help Sa-shuh,” he insisted, his voice tense.As for the cover, I appreciate the time it took to make Ardalon look exactly how he’s described in the book.
She shook her head to tell him no, he didn’t really help her like he’d promised. “Sasha helps Sasha,” she answered.
April 9, 2023
Hmmm… at times I was thinking 3 stars, but other times it was a solid 4, so I’m going with 3 stars in the end. Great plot and story—I loved that it wasn’t fated mates and the story takes us to multiple places and there are various governments involved, but there were also a lot of plot threads left without any follow up too.
Minor spoilers ahead.
There were some science blunders that my analytical mind had a hard time getting past (like claiming that gravity only exists in an atmosphere). And there were several threats of rape and an actual near rape that all got swept aside way too quickly. I felt like because she has nanos in her blood that heal her within minutes, no one actually saw the damage she took, so no one got outraged on her behalf (and damnit that’s some of my favorite parts right there!). The emperor threatens to imprison her forever if she doesn’t sleep with him, and there’s no outrage from anyone, not even her mate. WTF?! A senator abducts her and damn near succeeds in raping her and she’s imprisoned for killing him! There’s mention of cameras that likely recorded the rape and “murder”, so why is no one getting those videos and proving it was self defense and that the senator was the criminal?! Nope, that whole plot was dropped. And when she’s low key tortured in her prison cell for five days, breaking some intergalactic law for treatment of sapient beings, no one follows up on that either! Her mate is an enforcer too, you’d think he’d be irate on her behalf, but nope. A quick question about her health and then moving on. Apparently she just doesn’t understand their politics. 🙄 Despite the fact that their mate bond supposedly allowed him to feel a little bit of her fear and pain, but she said she’s fine, so moving on. Argh!!!
But aside from all that, I DID enjoy the book, so 3 stars. Enjoyable, but nothing to rave about or try to share with friends. If you like the idea of being sent to the other side of the galaxy, caged, escape, more escape again, a kick ass heroin, a big strong alpha, several different species and governments, and lots of worlds visited, then I’d say give it a read. Just be aware that despite how grand and epic all of that sounds, the book has a few flaws and requires you to put aside reality and allow for some fictional liberties.
Minor spoilers ahead.
There were some science blunders that my analytical mind had a hard time getting past (like claiming that gravity only exists in an atmosphere). And there were several threats of rape and an actual near rape that all got swept aside way too quickly. I felt like because she has nanos in her blood that heal her within minutes, no one actually saw the damage she took, so no one got outraged on her behalf (and damnit that’s some of my favorite parts right there!). The emperor threatens to imprison her forever if she doesn’t sleep with him, and there’s no outrage from anyone, not even her mate. WTF?! A senator abducts her and damn near succeeds in raping her and she’s imprisoned for killing him! There’s mention of cameras that likely recorded the rape and “murder”, so why is no one getting those videos and proving it was self defense and that the senator was the criminal?! Nope, that whole plot was dropped. And when she’s low key tortured in her prison cell for five days, breaking some intergalactic law for treatment of sapient beings, no one follows up on that either! Her mate is an enforcer too, you’d think he’d be irate on her behalf, but nope. A quick question about her health and then moving on. Apparently she just doesn’t understand their politics. 🙄 Despite the fact that their mate bond supposedly allowed him to feel a little bit of her fear and pain, but she said she’s fine, so moving on. Argh!!!
But aside from all that, I DID enjoy the book, so 3 stars. Enjoyable, but nothing to rave about or try to share with friends. If you like the idea of being sent to the other side of the galaxy, caged, escape, more escape again, a kick ass heroin, a big strong alpha, several different species and governments, and lots of worlds visited, then I’d say give it a read. Just be aware that despite how grand and epic all of that sounds, the book has a few flaws and requires you to put aside reality and allow for some fictional liberties.
August 5, 2021
4.5 - 5 stars!
Anyone miss Laurann Dohnner's New Species series? Look I love that series and I'm not ashamed to admit I have read those books over and over. This book...Engineering Fate...gave me ALL the New Species feels but was also ENTIRELY different and unique.
Sasha is an engineer and sent to repair a satellite in space alone and unfortunately gets sucked into a wormhole. It dumps her into a new galaxy devoid of humans and teeming with aliens. Sadly for her, she is captured by poachers and wakes in a cage.
Ardalon is a Kursh and working undercover to bust the poachers and meets Sasha. He immediately feels a connection with her but there is a language barrier and he is lion-like and she's well...an alien to him. Ardalon wants to help the small female and Sasha uses his curiosity to her advantage to get herself out of the captive bind.
When Sasha escapes, the two of them begin their perilous journey to take down the poachers, explore their budding attraction to each other and figure out what will happen to her in a world where she is a scientific anomaly. Can Sasha and Ardalon be together despite their differences and the political upheaval brewing around them?
This story was so fun!! It was action packed, steamy (it says slow-burn but when it got to the steamy bits...whew boy was it good) and entertaining. I loved Sasha...she was resilient, resourceful and intelligent. She never backed down and never relied on anyone but herself to get out of situations that were less than savory. Ardalon and all his purring and growling manliness was sexy as hell and I adored how he fell in love with Sasha. He had the perfect amount of animalistic dominance to Sasha's fiery and cunning disposition. I really loved their story and I hope she writes more in this world because the world itself was truly fascinating as well.
My only two gripes about this story was Ardalon's "defect" and the bond. I wanted those pieces to be tied together better with a bow/happy ending. Both left me with a few questions. Actually, I just wanted more of the two of them in general haha. It was just that good. Otherwise, this story hit every box for me in Sci-Fi romance. Thanks for the recommendation Niki W!
Anyone miss Laurann Dohnner's New Species series? Look I love that series and I'm not ashamed to admit I have read those books over and over. This book...Engineering Fate...gave me ALL the New Species feels but was also ENTIRELY different and unique.
Sasha is an engineer and sent to repair a satellite in space alone and unfortunately gets sucked into a wormhole. It dumps her into a new galaxy devoid of humans and teeming with aliens. Sadly for her, she is captured by poachers and wakes in a cage.
Ardalon is a Kursh and working undercover to bust the poachers and meets Sasha. He immediately feels a connection with her but there is a language barrier and he is lion-like and she's well...an alien to him. Ardalon wants to help the small female and Sasha uses his curiosity to her advantage to get herself out of the captive bind.
When Sasha escapes, the two of them begin their perilous journey to take down the poachers, explore their budding attraction to each other and figure out what will happen to her in a world where she is a scientific anomaly. Can Sasha and Ardalon be together despite their differences and the political upheaval brewing around them?
This story was so fun!! It was action packed, steamy (it says slow-burn but when it got to the steamy bits...whew boy was it good) and entertaining. I loved Sasha...she was resilient, resourceful and intelligent. She never backed down and never relied on anyone but herself to get out of situations that were less than savory. Ardalon and all his purring and growling manliness was sexy as hell and I adored how he fell in love with Sasha. He had the perfect amount of animalistic dominance to Sasha's fiery and cunning disposition. I really loved their story and I hope she writes more in this world because the world itself was truly fascinating as well.
My only two gripes about this story was Ardalon's "defect" and the bond. I wanted those pieces to be tied together better with a bow/happy ending. Both left me with a few questions. Actually, I just wanted more of the two of them in general haha. It was just that good. Otherwise, this story hit every box for me in Sci-Fi romance. Thanks for the recommendation Niki W!
July 26, 2022
**Slight spoilers**
Honestly this book had me reading until 3 a.m., but the ending was so ... Neutering? Power stealing? Anti climatic? I don't even know how to describe the "ugghhh" I felt the last 5% of the book. She basically gets raped (not in the sexual way) and betrayed, but it's all ok. I guess she didn't have the energy after being tortured to be mad.
Honestly this book had me reading until 3 a.m., but the ending was so ... Neutering? Power stealing? Anti climatic? I don't even know how to describe the "ugghhh" I felt the last 5% of the book. She basically gets raped (not in the sexual way) and betrayed, but it's all ok. I guess she didn't have the energy after being tortured to be mad.
September 17, 2021
Quick(ish) Review
A darker SFR than I’ve read on a while with a really strong yet vulnerable heroine, I really enjoyed this. A lot. There’s a metric ton of action, definite violence and an attempted sexual assault, this is very much not soft and fuzzy. Sasha was fantastic and Ardalon was a great gamma - beta in streets, alpha in the sheets and I wasn’t mad at it. Looking forward to discovering more from this author.
A darker SFR than I’ve read on a while with a really strong yet vulnerable heroine, I really enjoyed this. A lot. There’s a metric ton of action, definite violence and an attempted sexual assault, this is very much not soft and fuzzy. Sasha was fantastic and Ardalon was a great gamma - beta in streets, alpha in the sheets and I wasn’t mad at it. Looking forward to discovering more from this author.
August 12, 2021
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Encantada con la primera parte del libro, lástima que decae hacía el final!
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen
Engineering Fate de Alexis B. Osborne Serie An Outer Limits libro 1
Argumento:
Ha sido capturada, atrapada en la jaula de un cazador furtivo y programada para la venta, pero estos alienígenas no saben con quién se están metiendo.
Sasha Robinson es una ingeniera de bajo nivel en la Flota Estelar de la Tierra, enviada a reparar satélites solo en el espacio profundo. Cuando su pequeña nave es succionada por un agujero de gusano, en el otro lado hay una galaxia nueva y desconocida, y una operación de contrabando que salva su nave y la arroja a una jaula. Capturada por hombres pájaros alienígenas, hombres gatos y hombres lagarto que no pueden entenderla, la única esperanza de Sasha es escapar. Y cuando un hombre gato se acerca a la puerta de su jaula ...
Ardalon Bavara es un pacificador de Kursh que trabaja encubierto en una operación ilegal de tráfico de animales.
Cuando la tripulación en la que se ha infiltrado detecta una nueva forma de vida consciente extraña, una que parece estar tratando de comunicarse con él, sus planes cambian instantáneamente.
Está decidido a ayudar a la criatura sin pelo y aún así acabar con los contrabandistas en el proceso. Pero, ¿podrá hacerlo y seguir protegiendo a la atractiva nueva cautiva?
El caos estalla cuando Sasha se escapa, y ella y Ardalon deben trabajar juntos para sobrevivir y completar su misión.
Navegando por los peligros de nuevos planetas, Sasha pronto descubre que los contrabandistas pueden haber sido la menor de sus preocupaciones ...
¿Puede una ingeniera de bajo nivel arrastrada a una galaxia completamente nueva navegar por la intriga política que rodea a tres especies alienígenas al borde de la guerra?
Mí humilde opinión:
Este era un romance de ciencia ficción que es un poco más fuerte de lo que acostumbro leer pero me intrigó mucho el argumento así que aquí voy...
La autora construyó un mundo rodeado de intrigas políticas y duras leyes. No es gentil precisamente con los humanos y los diferentes aliens tampoco son cordiales con ellos. En este duro y extraño universo aterriza Sasha. Como humana todo se reduce a sobrevivir.
Sasha es una tipa ruda pero también tiene su corazón aunque bien resguardado, tiene defectos y vulnerabilidades pero si bien ella es humana tiene algo que la hizo como una súper heroína...
No había leído nunca en este género sobre la tecnología de "nanos", lo que me pareció tan genial y muy útil para la heroína en el espacio porque la ayudaba a curarse rápidamente o adaptar su cuerpo a distintos ambientes. Ella tenía entrenamiento de soldado y esto la convertía en un arma. Por los nanos corriendo por su sangre es por lo que la pone en peligro y es el conflicto en la historia lo que no me esperaba.
Ardalon es de la raza Kursh, ellos tienen un aspecto de león, nació débil y con defectos por lo que en su cultura no es aceptable. A estos kursh se los llama ashima. Me gustó él, era un personaje agradable, el único que le tendió una mano amable a Sasha y se esforzó por comprenderla. Me gustó inicialmente por eso. Que fuera discriminado por su gente lo hizo más querible para mí.
Sasha y Ardalon eran una pareja muy apasionada. Pasando por alto la nalgadas por ahí, las escenas de amor fueron picantes, había dominación y posesividad por parte del héroe lo que la heroína disfrutaba. Mientras todo sea consensuado, yo no tengo problemas.
Además de la acción, había drama y tensión cuando la que la pareja enfrenta sus diferencias culturales. Ellos viajan al hogar de Ardalon dónde tienen una no muy buena bienvenida por su numerosa familia. Se nota el crecimiento de su relación durante el libro porque deben pasar por muchas dificultades juntos hasta llegar al final feliz.
Me di cuenta al terminar de leer el libro que en todo momento no hice más que enojarme en muchas partes que me parecieron injustas...
Sasha la pasó negras desde que desafortunadamente la absorbe el agujero de gusano y me daba mucha bronca que nadie se parara un momento para entender su situación o no fuera recibida amablemente en ningún lugar!
Si hasta la gran familia felina de Ardalon no la aceptaba y la señalaba como una cosa en lugar de una persona con sentimientos. En ningún momento nadie se esforzó por comprenderla o le dio una oportunidad. Entiendo que la hayan visto como un alien y recelaran de ella pero no podía creer que ninguno tuviera un poco de empatía. Hasta sentí que eran duros con Ardalon y eso que era de la familia.
Me pareció violento e innecesario la forma en que Ardalon lleva a Sasha para colocarle un traductor...
La pobre mujer ve un lagarto con una bata de doctor en una fría sala con objetos quirúrgicos y de pronto, él la acuesta a la fuerza en una camilla? No había una manera de no aterrorizarla?
Creo que podría haber sido de otra forma. Por medio de señas o algo él podría haberle preguntado sobre el traductor y que le colocarían uno. Y encima ella ya tenía un traductor lo que podría haberle hecho daño cuando le colocan otro! No sé, fue algo innecesario y brusco.
Cuando Sasha se defiende de ser abusada. Ella mata al asqueroso alien antes de que llegue lejos y durante esa escena ella la pasa horrible.
No sabía qué pensar mientras leía, me aliviaba que pudiera detenerlo a tiempo y que el tipo no haría daño a otra mujer pero por otro lado me resultó tan increíble que no terminara destripada y desangrada porque... cuántas veces el senador le desgarró el abdomen con sus filosas garras? y ella salió ilesa, con las heridas casi cerradas pero ilesa de algún modo? Yo me pregunto cómo se recuperó en segundos con toda la sangre que perdió, supongo que los nanos hacen maravillas. Fue toda esa demasiado exagerada y luego ella cortando garras y arrancando un ojo para usar en su escape.
También me resultó increíble que en lugar de verla como una mujer que se defendió y tuvo que matar en defensa propia, Ardalon solo piensa en los problemas que tendrá porque ella asesinó a alguien importante, la mira y la ve como una perfecta asesina, yo esperaba que él reaccionara de otra forma.
Las repercusiones y las secuelas de intento de abuso nunca fue dialogado por ellos. Me pareció que fue pasado por alto como si no hubiera sucedido y eso no fue realista para una mujer que pasa por semejante trauma.
Lo que noté también es que aparte de Ardalon y su padre, la mayoría de los personajes del libro son desagradables, no me cayeron nada bien.
El famoso consejo era taaan poco solidario con una humana, una raza que desconocen. Ellos acusan a Sasha de haber causado algunos destrozos y violado la ley cuando escapó de dónde piratas la tenían enjaulada y listos para venderla a un burdel. El consejo sabía por todo lo que ella pasó pero ninguno le preguntó nada cuando se reunieron con ella, cero empatía por alguien que está en un planeta desconocido, con aliens y sin esperanza de volver a su hogar.
Me molestó tremendamente hacía el final que la metieran a prisión sin ninguna clase de juicio. El emperador, primo del senador, que Sasha mató porque quería abusar de ella, no era mejor. No solo disculpaba a su primo por sus abusos sino que la mató de hambre en prisión por días para que aceptara ser su amante! Y de esto nunca se enteró ni las autoridades o Ardalon para el caso que era una especie de policía!
Me pareció contradictorio, Ardalon era un agente encubierto metiendo en prisión a aliens que contrabandean esclavos, violaban las leyes, pero no me pareció que se hiciera justicia por lo que pasó a Sasha.
Y qué fue eso de mentir a Ardalon para alejarlo de ella? Odio cuando las autoras hacen esto! Solo sirvió para poner angustia que no venía al punto.
Engineering Fate contiene acción y adrenalina elevada desde la primera página. Yo estaba mordiéndome las uñas toda nerviosa desde que Sasha cruza el agujero de gusano. Sin embargo, pasando la mitad del libro pierde emoción para mi, quedan cosas en el aire, hay otras increíbles y para rematarla tiene un final abrupto.
El mundo, la tecnología y todos los personajes estaban muy bien y ciertos detalles en el mundo me resultaron realistas para este género. Pero también tiene situaciones duras que no es para cualquier lector.
Encantada con la primera parte del libro, lástima que decae hacía el final!
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen
Engineering Fate de Alexis B. Osborne Serie An Outer Limits libro 1
Argumento:
Ha sido capturada, atrapada en la jaula de un cazador furtivo y programada para la venta, pero estos alienígenas no saben con quién se están metiendo.
Sasha Robinson es una ingeniera de bajo nivel en la Flota Estelar de la Tierra, enviada a reparar satélites solo en el espacio profundo. Cuando su pequeña nave es succionada por un agujero de gusano, en el otro lado hay una galaxia nueva y desconocida, y una operación de contrabando que salva su nave y la arroja a una jaula. Capturada por hombres pájaros alienígenas, hombres gatos y hombres lagarto que no pueden entenderla, la única esperanza de Sasha es escapar. Y cuando un hombre gato se acerca a la puerta de su jaula ...
Ardalon Bavara es un pacificador de Kursh que trabaja encubierto en una operación ilegal de tráfico de animales.
Cuando la tripulación en la que se ha infiltrado detecta una nueva forma de vida consciente extraña, una que parece estar tratando de comunicarse con él, sus planes cambian instantáneamente.
Está decidido a ayudar a la criatura sin pelo y aún así acabar con los contrabandistas en el proceso. Pero, ¿podrá hacerlo y seguir protegiendo a la atractiva nueva cautiva?
El caos estalla cuando Sasha se escapa, y ella y Ardalon deben trabajar juntos para sobrevivir y completar su misión.
Navegando por los peligros de nuevos planetas, Sasha pronto descubre que los contrabandistas pueden haber sido la menor de sus preocupaciones ...
¿Puede una ingeniera de bajo nivel arrastrada a una galaxia completamente nueva navegar por la intriga política que rodea a tres especies alienígenas al borde de la guerra?
Mí humilde opinión:
Este era un romance de ciencia ficción que es un poco más fuerte de lo que acostumbro leer pero me intrigó mucho el argumento así que aquí voy...
La autora construyó un mundo rodeado de intrigas políticas y duras leyes. No es gentil precisamente con los humanos y los diferentes aliens tampoco son cordiales con ellos. En este duro y extraño universo aterriza Sasha. Como humana todo se reduce a sobrevivir.
Sasha es una tipa ruda pero también tiene su corazón aunque bien resguardado, tiene defectos y vulnerabilidades pero si bien ella es humana tiene algo que la hizo como una súper heroína...
No había leído nunca en este género sobre la tecnología de "nanos", lo que me pareció tan genial y muy útil para la heroína en el espacio porque la ayudaba a curarse rápidamente o adaptar su cuerpo a distintos ambientes. Ella tenía entrenamiento de soldado y esto la convertía en un arma. Por los nanos corriendo por su sangre es por lo que la pone en peligro y es el conflicto en la historia lo que no me esperaba.
Ardalon es de la raza Kursh, ellos tienen un aspecto de león, nació débil y con defectos por lo que en su cultura no es aceptable. A estos kursh se los llama ashima. Me gustó él, era un personaje agradable, el único que le tendió una mano amable a Sasha y se esforzó por comprenderla. Me gustó inicialmente por eso. Que fuera discriminado por su gente lo hizo más querible para mí.
Sasha y Ardalon eran una pareja muy apasionada. Pasando por alto la nalgadas por ahí, las escenas de amor fueron picantes, había dominación y posesividad por parte del héroe lo que la heroína disfrutaba. Mientras todo sea consensuado, yo no tengo problemas.
Además de la acción, había drama y tensión cuando la que la pareja enfrenta sus diferencias culturales. Ellos viajan al hogar de Ardalon dónde tienen una no muy buena bienvenida por su numerosa familia. Se nota el crecimiento de su relación durante el libro porque deben pasar por muchas dificultades juntos hasta llegar al final feliz.
Me di cuenta al terminar de leer el libro que en todo momento no hice más que enojarme en muchas partes que me parecieron injustas...
Sasha la pasó negras desde que desafortunadamente la absorbe el agujero de gusano y me daba mucha bronca que nadie se parara un momento para entender su situación o no fuera recibida amablemente en ningún lugar!
Si hasta la gran familia felina de Ardalon no la aceptaba y la señalaba como una cosa en lugar de una persona con sentimientos. En ningún momento nadie se esforzó por comprenderla o le dio una oportunidad. Entiendo que la hayan visto como un alien y recelaran de ella pero no podía creer que ninguno tuviera un poco de empatía. Hasta sentí que eran duros con Ardalon y eso que era de la familia.
Me pareció violento e innecesario la forma en que Ardalon lleva a Sasha para colocarle un traductor...
La pobre mujer ve un lagarto con una bata de doctor en una fría sala con objetos quirúrgicos y de pronto, él la acuesta a la fuerza en una camilla? No había una manera de no aterrorizarla?
Creo que podría haber sido de otra forma. Por medio de señas o algo él podría haberle preguntado sobre el traductor y que le colocarían uno. Y encima ella ya tenía un traductor lo que podría haberle hecho daño cuando le colocan otro! No sé, fue algo innecesario y brusco.
Cuando Sasha se defiende de ser abusada. Ella mata al asqueroso alien antes de que llegue lejos y durante esa escena ella la pasa horrible.
No sabía qué pensar mientras leía, me aliviaba que pudiera detenerlo a tiempo y que el tipo no haría daño a otra mujer pero por otro lado me resultó tan increíble que no terminara destripada y desangrada porque... cuántas veces el senador le desgarró el abdomen con sus filosas garras? y ella salió ilesa, con las heridas casi cerradas pero ilesa de algún modo? Yo me pregunto cómo se recuperó en segundos con toda la sangre que perdió, supongo que los nanos hacen maravillas. Fue toda esa demasiado exagerada y luego ella cortando garras y arrancando un ojo para usar en su escape.
También me resultó increíble que en lugar de verla como una mujer que se defendió y tuvo que matar en defensa propia, Ardalon solo piensa en los problemas que tendrá porque ella asesinó a alguien importante, la mira y la ve como una perfecta asesina, yo esperaba que él reaccionara de otra forma.
Las repercusiones y las secuelas de intento de abuso nunca fue dialogado por ellos. Me pareció que fue pasado por alto como si no hubiera sucedido y eso no fue realista para una mujer que pasa por semejante trauma.
Lo que noté también es que aparte de Ardalon y su padre, la mayoría de los personajes del libro son desagradables, no me cayeron nada bien.
El famoso consejo era taaan poco solidario con una humana, una raza que desconocen. Ellos acusan a Sasha de haber causado algunos destrozos y violado la ley cuando escapó de dónde piratas la tenían enjaulada y listos para venderla a un burdel. El consejo sabía por todo lo que ella pasó pero ninguno le preguntó nada cuando se reunieron con ella, cero empatía por alguien que está en un planeta desconocido, con aliens y sin esperanza de volver a su hogar.
Me molestó tremendamente hacía el final que la metieran a prisión sin ninguna clase de juicio. El emperador, primo del senador, que Sasha mató porque quería abusar de ella, no era mejor. No solo disculpaba a su primo por sus abusos sino que la mató de hambre en prisión por días para que aceptara ser su amante! Y de esto nunca se enteró ni las autoridades o Ardalon para el caso que era una especie de policía!
Me pareció contradictorio, Ardalon era un agente encubierto metiendo en prisión a aliens que contrabandean esclavos, violaban las leyes, pero no me pareció que se hiciera justicia por lo que pasó a Sasha.
Y qué fue eso de mentir a Ardalon para alejarlo de ella? Odio cuando las autoras hacen esto! Solo sirvió para poner angustia que no venía al punto.
Engineering Fate contiene acción y adrenalina elevada desde la primera página. Yo estaba mordiéndome las uñas toda nerviosa desde que Sasha cruza el agujero de gusano. Sin embargo, pasando la mitad del libro pierde emoción para mi, quedan cosas en el aire, hay otras increíbles y para rematarla tiene un final abrupto.
El mundo, la tecnología y todos los personajes estaban muy bien y ciertos detalles en el mundo me resultaron realistas para este género. Pero también tiene situaciones duras que no es para cualquier lector.
September 12, 2024
This book was shaping up to be one of my favorites of the month
◈ What I loved
➼ Humans are more advanced than the aliens
➼ Girl soldier can kick alien ass
➼ Solidly build connection between MCs
➼ Great sexual tension build-up
➼ Girl soldier saves herself from evil guy
◈ What killed the book in one short paragraph
➼ MMC betrays girl soldier's body autonomy by forcing her to give a blood sample
The scene was the most disturbing thing I've read this year and those books include dub-con/non-con. Even in non-con, there's the BBS or the character being aroused by pain. She enjoys it (even against her will) Some book have heroines with SA either in their past or on book, and they are definitely disturbing, but they aren't performed by the mother-fucking HERO! (Or at least not the books I read)
In this awful traumatizing book, the hero holds her down as they take her blood to be analyzed for its nano-whatever technology. She screams and fights against it and he holds her down. Not only is this very much against her will, but then he gaslights her into thinking this was inevitable so she should be glad it was behind them. Then they're all 'I love you'. I swear to god, I was nauseous when I finished the book.
fuck him. fuck this book.
She goes from 'I'll never be caged again' to being caged by her love interest to 'I guess it's fine'. She was prepared to die for her convictions more than once in the book. Yet ends as tamed little kitten.
Her getting executed after shouting to the fascinated crowd how she defended herself from being raped by evil cousin and refusing to be a concubine to their 'beloved' emperor would have been a happier ending that the piece of crap we got.
This authors goes on my permanent NEVER EVER list.
◈ What I loved
➼ Humans are more advanced than the aliens
➼ Girl soldier can kick alien ass
➼ Solidly build connection between MCs
➼ Great sexual tension build-up
➼ Girl soldier saves herself from evil guy
◈ What killed the book in one short paragraph
➼ MMC betrays girl soldier's body autonomy by forcing her to give a blood sample
The scene was the most disturbing thing I've read this year and those books include dub-con/non-con. Even in non-con, there's the BBS or the character being aroused by pain. She enjoys it (even against her will) Some book have heroines with SA either in their past or on book, and they are definitely disturbing, but they aren't performed by the mother-fucking HERO! (Or at least not the books I read)
In this awful traumatizing book, the hero holds her down as they take her blood to be analyzed for its nano-whatever technology. She screams and fights against it and he holds her down. Not only is this very much against her will, but then he gaslights her into thinking this was inevitable so she should be glad it was behind them. Then they're all 'I love you'. I swear to god, I was nauseous when I finished the book.
fuck him. fuck this book.
She goes from 'I'll never be caged again' to being caged by her love interest to 'I guess it's fine'. She was prepared to die for her convictions more than once in the book. Yet ends as tamed little kitten.
Her getting executed after shouting to the fascinated crowd how she defended herself from being raped by evil cousin and refusing to be a concubine to their 'beloved' emperor would have been a happier ending that the piece of crap we got.
This authors goes on my permanent NEVER EVER list.
August 19, 2021
I wanted to love it, but this was just annoying.
I really liked the FMC but the love interest… he was weak and so naive! What was wrong with him! At first he was awesome and clever but then he kinda got stupid?
She had to save herself all the time out of HORRIBLE situations and just so he could dismiss her wishes in the end. But of course she forgives him.
And the evil king gets rewarded?! What?
And the FMC was the ONLY character i liked! All the others were just horrible people who i didnt care for.
This worlds not for me. Ill stay with SJ Sanders for these kinda stories.
I really liked the FMC but the love interest… he was weak and so naive! What was wrong with him! At first he was awesome and clever but then he kinda got stupid?
She had to save herself all the time out of HORRIBLE situations and just so he could dismiss her wishes in the end. But of course she forgives him.
And the evil king gets rewarded?! What?
And the FMC was the ONLY character i liked! All the others were just horrible people who i didnt care for.
This worlds not for me. Ill stay with SJ Sanders for these kinda stories.
August 20, 2021
This was so great! Thanks to Kate for convincing me to read it by saying it had New Species vibes.
Sasha was the 'tough heroine' that, in my opinion, is rarely done so well. She was kickass without being unrealistic. She wasn't annoying, and she wasn't bitchy or mean to the H for no reason other than because she's 'strong.' When she was distrustful of him, it made perfect sense to me, and when she decided to trust him, she TRUSTED him and remained rock solid.
And Ardalon was so sweet and totally worthy of being trusted! They formed such a good bond that really held the whole plot together.
I've been addicted to romances with definitely-not-a-human heroes lately, and this one really stood out as having a unique and strong plot that was more than just about the Hs alienness. But he was very alien, and the slow burn was HOT and when the fire lit, it was even HOTTER!
There wasn't anything mentioned in the back of the book about a sequel, but I really hope there's another book coming with another Kursh/human couple!
CW:
Sasha was the 'tough heroine' that, in my opinion, is rarely done so well. She was kickass without being unrealistic. She wasn't annoying, and she wasn't bitchy or mean to the H for no reason other than because she's 'strong.' When she was distrustful of him, it made perfect sense to me, and when she decided to trust him, she TRUSTED him and remained rock solid.
And Ardalon was so sweet and totally worthy of being trusted! They formed such a good bond that really held the whole plot together.
I've been addicted to romances with definitely-not-a-human heroes lately, and this one really stood out as having a unique and strong plot that was more than just about the Hs alienness. But he was very alien, and the slow burn was HOT and when the fire lit, it was even HOTTER!
There wasn't anything mentioned in the back of the book about a sequel, but I really hope there's another book coming with another Kursh/human couple!
CW:
August 21, 2022
I am disappointed. This story is like any other cliche alien romance. 20% in, main protagonists do not know each other names yet but, you want to know what their first thoughts were, “damn that is a huge bulge”. Two species that had no encounter with the other because they are from different galaxies. Here we go again! 26% in, male protagonists sexual interest peeked when he see boob and butt and start thinking female human would make a great mother to his cubs. How the hell do you know that dude? 30% in, human woman do not trust the aliens because she doesn’t know what they plan to do with her considering she is a new alien sentient to them. But she still has the hots for Lion guy because and I quote “not gotten laid in 4 months”. So anything that walks and have a huge bulge, you want to get dirty with. Unrealistic. Even when she was afraid, she was still thinking about screwing lion guy. Next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
Marketed as slow burn sci-fi romance, read more like alien erotica?
I liked that the heroine didn’t need to be saved constantly, she could take care of herself. That was really the only highlight in the book.
The world building was really lazy; the alien species, their cultures, technology, environments, etc. Everything was very similar to human society. They even had grass lawns in their front garden, used toilets and ate with forks…
Also the ending was very anticlimactic; the bad guys sort of won, the heroine was violated and the love interest broke her trust, but she forgave him instantly?
I liked that the heroine didn’t need to be saved constantly, she could take care of herself. That was really the only highlight in the book.
The world building was really lazy; the alien species, their cultures, technology, environments, etc. Everything was very similar to human society. They even had grass lawns in their front garden, used toilets and ate with forks…
Also the ending was very anticlimactic; the bad guys sort of won, the heroine was violated and the love interest broke her trust, but she forgave him instantly?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2021
I almost skipped because of the cover but I'm glad I didn't. Heroine is actually intelligent and self-sufficient??? AND she's not overly cocky or dumb???? There are way too many damsels in SFR so it's refreshing seeing her own the stage. Hero is cute as hell and the smut is better than most of the shapeshifter stuff I've read recently. I honestly enjoyed this book so I guess that makes me a furry now
January 9, 2023
My girl Sasha would NEVER take a drink she didn’t see made. She‘s way too smart for that, and yet…
★★★
Ardalon is undercover in an attempt to dismantle a trafficking ring. Sasha awoke in a cage after being sucked into a wormhole. Ardalon realizes she is sentient and vows to himself he will help her, but Sasha is far more capable than her jailers believe.
I nearly DNFed. Despite being action-packed, the beginning dragged. I’m not sure when things picked up, but soon enough, I was immersed in the world and curious about what would happen next.
Ardalon is a giant teddy bear. While he does protect her, Sasha could easily out-maneuver any situation by herself. She is one tough cookie.
I understood why she attempted to dishearten Ardalon. Mentioning his insecurities as a reason for why she didn’t love him went a touch too far. She did apologize and reassure him she didn’t feel that way, but the damage was done.
We only saw glimpses of Ardalon’s family. Their chilly welcome was so realistic. Unfortunately, Sasha never really got to bond with them (besides Ardalon’s father, and it was brief). I would’ve loved to see her be accepted by his family rather than knowing it happens.
So many plot points were introduced, yet not all were given a conclusion. What happened with the captain of the slaver ship? Did the emperor find proof of the senator’s illicit activities? WHERE DID THE ANIMALS ON THE SHIP END UP? Now, some of these could be a set-up for the future books of the series, so I reserve my judgment.
This book was dark at times. The content warning in the beginning is very specific, and I have the utmost respect for the author for including it.
I am excited to continue the series. I truly have no idea where it could go. I am curious if there will be a book featuring a Diggi hero. They were depicted rather negatively, so I am very interested in learning more about them.
★★★
★★★
Ardalon is undercover in an attempt to dismantle a trafficking ring. Sasha awoke in a cage after being sucked into a wormhole. Ardalon realizes she is sentient and vows to himself he will help her, but Sasha is far more capable than her jailers believe.
I nearly DNFed. Despite being action-packed, the beginning dragged. I’m not sure when things picked up, but soon enough, I was immersed in the world and curious about what would happen next.
Ardalon is a giant teddy bear. While he does protect her, Sasha could easily out-maneuver any situation by herself. She is one tough cookie.
I understood why she attempted to dishearten Ardalon. Mentioning his insecurities as a reason for why she didn’t love him went a touch too far. She did apologize and reassure him she didn’t feel that way, but the damage was done.
We only saw glimpses of Ardalon’s family. Their chilly welcome was so realistic. Unfortunately, Sasha never really got to bond with them (besides Ardalon’s father, and it was brief). I would’ve loved to see her be accepted by his family rather than knowing it happens.
So many plot points were introduced, yet not all were given a conclusion. What happened with the captain of the slaver ship? Did the emperor find proof of the senator’s illicit activities? WHERE DID THE ANIMALS ON THE SHIP END UP? Now, some of these could be a set-up for the future books of the series, so I reserve my judgment.
This book was dark at times. The content warning in the beginning is very specific, and I have the utmost respect for the author for including it.
I am excited to continue the series. I truly have no idea where it could go. I am curious if there will be a book featuring a Diggi hero. They were depicted rather negatively, so I am very interested in learning more about them.
★★★
May 1, 2023
This was super fun! I'm so glad I finally got to check out this book. It's a sci Fi adventure and our heroine is kind of a badass! Check the TW there is attempted SA at one point.
Our FMC is a space engineer and is out on a solo mission fixing an old spaceship. Suddenly her ship gets knocked off course and into a wormhole. She hits her head and when she comes too she is no longer on her own ship but in a cage surrounded by alien animals waiting to be sold. One of the guards catches her eye, a fall lion-looking male who attempts to make contact when they are alone. He discovers she is sentient and not like the other animals. He was already on an undercover mission attempting to blow the whole poaching operation, what's one more complication? But maybe she's not a complication but a tool to put the mastermind behind this whole poaching ring. Except she might be more than he bargained for especially when she gets impatient, waiting for his help and sets all the animals free and steals an escape pod. Oh, did I mention they can't communicate?
What to expect
✅ Dual POV
✅ She rescues herself
✅ Forbidden romance
✅ Language barrier
✅ Politics
✅ Mates but not the traditional fated mates trope
Overall
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Audio 🚫 read on KU
Our FMC is a space engineer and is out on a solo mission fixing an old spaceship. Suddenly her ship gets knocked off course and into a wormhole. She hits her head and when she comes too she is no longer on her own ship but in a cage surrounded by alien animals waiting to be sold. One of the guards catches her eye, a fall lion-looking male who attempts to make contact when they are alone. He discovers she is sentient and not like the other animals. He was already on an undercover mission attempting to blow the whole poaching operation, what's one more complication? But maybe she's not a complication but a tool to put the mastermind behind this whole poaching ring. Except she might be more than he bargained for especially when she gets impatient, waiting for his help and sets all the animals free and steals an escape pod. Oh, did I mention they can't communicate?
What to expect
✅ Dual POV
✅ She rescues herself
✅ Forbidden romance
✅ Language barrier
✅ Politics
✅ Mates but not the traditional fated mates trope
Overall
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Audio 🚫 read on KU
January 4, 2022
This author definitely has talent for writing scifi romance. The first 40% of the story was great. The heroine is super street smart, likable, vulnerable, and easy to root for. She was the highlight of the book. The world building was pretty good too and the writing was enjoyable.
The hero is great at first. He's a good guy and alpha enough to be interesting. But I was really put off by him and his weird lack of protectiveness over his mate. He was all talk and no action when it came to protecting her.....idk if this was meant to highlight her independence, but it did not work.
For example:
1. He had no problem asking her to take part in a dangerous mission to take down a slave trader.... by having her play the part of sex slave. When she fully has to save herself. She miraculously kills the 3 lion men she is trapped with. I loved how she saved herself tbh. She gets vicious. But then when she frees herself and is reunited with the hero, he just asks her once if "anything happened." She hints that she was sexually assaulted and represses the trauma..... he never asks about it again!!!!!! Never thinks about it, never reacts to it, never checks in on her, NOTHING. And when he sees the crime scene later, he is horrified by HER actions of self defense and a little annoyed at the political mess it caused. If you're going to have a lion looking creature, why make him such a wuss?? I'm getting angry thinking of it.
2. He brings her home to his family after she lost her entire world. Her emotions of homesickness are real. He allows his mother to talk down to her and is too afraid to talk back, but in the next scene he is trying to dominate her in bed. Okay, buddy.
3. The final bit of action is more of the same. The heroine is arrested for killing her rapists and the hero takes a good while to react to it. When he sees her languishing in prison (after being sexually harassed by the emperor), he barely reacts. He asks her one time if she's good and she responded "not really," and that was the end of the conversation. No emotions from him, no follow up, nothing.
I think if the hero was less neutered, this would have been a 4 star read easily. If the slave trader plot and MIL plot was different, it would have been even better. The best part of the book was when they were surviving in the jungle together, early on.
The hero is great at first. He's a good guy and alpha enough to be interesting. But I was really put off by him and his weird lack of protectiveness over his mate. He was all talk and no action when it came to protecting her.....idk if this was meant to highlight her independence, but it did not work.
For example:
1. He had no problem asking her to take part in a dangerous mission to take down a slave trader.... by having her play the part of sex slave. When she fully has to save herself. She miraculously kills the 3 lion men she is trapped with. I loved how she saved herself tbh. She gets vicious. But then when she frees herself and is reunited with the hero, he just asks her once if "anything happened." She hints that she was sexually assaulted and represses the trauma..... he never asks about it again!!!!!! Never thinks about it, never reacts to it, never checks in on her, NOTHING. And when he sees the crime scene later, he is horrified by HER actions of self defense and a little annoyed at the political mess it caused. If you're going to have a lion looking creature, why make him such a wuss?? I'm getting angry thinking of it.
2. He brings her home to his family after she lost her entire world. Her emotions of homesickness are real. He allows his mother to talk down to her and is too afraid to talk back, but in the next scene he is trying to dominate her in bed. Okay, buddy.
3. The final bit of action is more of the same. The heroine is arrested for killing her rapists and the hero takes a good while to react to it. When he sees her languishing in prison (after being sexually harassed by the emperor), he barely reacts. He asks her one time if she's good and she responded "not really," and that was the end of the conversation. No emotions from him, no follow up, nothing.
I think if the hero was less neutered, this would have been a 4 star read easily. If the slave trader plot and MIL plot was different, it would have been even better. The best part of the book was when they were surviving in the jungle together, early on.
March 14, 2024
ENGINEERING FATE was such a great read and I loved Ardalon and Sasha's romance. I liked that this wasn't an alien abduction book where the MMC has kidnapped the FMC and instead Sasha has been kidnapped by other aliens and Ardalon is on the ship for an undercover mission. The world building was just the right amount to not get confusing and I liked that we got to see several different species of aliens.
Ardalon and Sasha have an immediate connection and I loved watching them navigate their differing cultures, languages, and expectations. Ardalon was charming, just the right amount of possessive, and a truly good guy. And his ears! I loved how he expressed so much through his ear movements and the way Sasha learned to interpret his tells. As for Sasha, she was a total badass and who kicked butt, took names, and always stood up for herself. She's used to being on her own and taking care of everything so trust Ardalon took a little time but she got there. Sasha deserved to be completely spoiled and Ardalon is definitely up to the task. When these two finally gave into their attraction it was spicy, sexy, full of some great dominant moments.
Content Warning: on page attempted rape (by the villain); medical procedures without consent; references to sex slavery; poaching
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Okay... so I'm attracted to an alien. Go figure. Learn something new about yourself everyday I suppose.
Ardalon and Sasha have an immediate connection and I loved watching them navigate their differing cultures, languages, and expectations. Ardalon was charming, just the right amount of possessive, and a truly good guy. And his ears! I loved how he expressed so much through his ear movements and the way Sasha learned to interpret his tells. As for Sasha, she was a total badass and who kicked butt, took names, and always stood up for herself. She's used to being on her own and taking care of everything so trust Ardalon took a little time but she got there. Sasha deserved to be completely spoiled and Ardalon is definitely up to the task. When these two finally gave into their attraction it was spicy, sexy, full of some great dominant moments.
Content Warning: on page attempted rape (by the villain); medical procedures without consent; references to sex slavery; poaching
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Okay... so I'm attracted to an alien. Go figure. Learn something new about yourself everyday I suppose.
September 20, 2021
I really enjoyed the story till the last two chapters
I enjoyed the kick ass heroin as she traversed problem after problem and then suddenly in the last two chspters she gets tortured and the hero betrays her trust and yet she still loves him. Why would an author destroy such a well written and lovable character like that?
I enjoyed the kick ass heroin as she traversed problem after problem and then suddenly in the last two chspters she gets tortured and the hero betrays her trust and yet she still loves him. Why would an author destroy such a well written and lovable character like that?
August 8, 2022
I thought this would work for me cuz I used to have a crush on Simba from the lion king but… 🫤 yeah
April 9, 2023
Wow what A PLOT! This was epic and had so much going on, with a really strong and fierce female mc. I loved that aspect. There was a great build to how this story goes and the connection between the characters despite their struggles was captivating.
July 20, 2022
I wouldn’t call this a slow burn because right off the bat the lion MC is objectifying and sexualizing the FMC in a real gross way (mentally).
Also, I found the use of modern human colloquialisms by the aliens kind of jarring and it took me out of the story. I don’t think they would say things like “pissed me off” and refer to things in the same way we do.
I also find it hard to believe that the FMC would have a smart translator implant chip in her brain when they don’t have aliens in her universe. What would the reason for that piece of technology be?
I’m at 22% and I’m already grossed out by the way the MMC lusts after the FMC.
There is a way to write male characters showing interest and having a crush on someone without it being completely crass and objectifying and disgusting.
I mean, at this point in the story he doesn’t even know her, they don’t speak the same language and he wants to impregnate her? He’s picturing doing some very intimate things to her and they don’t even know each other. That’s gross to me.
I thought this was a romance but I think it’s probably erotica. Maybe that’s it. Maybe I’m just lost. Took a left turn on erotica lane when I meant to make a right turn on Romance ave.
Oh well.
Also, I found the use of modern human colloquialisms by the aliens kind of jarring and it took me out of the story. I don’t think they would say things like “pissed me off” and refer to things in the same way we do.
I also find it hard to believe that the FMC would have a smart translator implant chip in her brain when they don’t have aliens in her universe. What would the reason for that piece of technology be?
I’m at 22% and I’m already grossed out by the way the MMC lusts after the FMC.
There is a way to write male characters showing interest and having a crush on someone without it being completely crass and objectifying and disgusting.
I mean, at this point in the story he doesn’t even know her, they don’t speak the same language and he wants to impregnate her? He’s picturing doing some very intimate things to her and they don’t even know each other. That’s gross to me.
I thought this was a romance but I think it’s probably erotica. Maybe that’s it. Maybe I’m just lost. Took a left turn on erotica lane when I meant to make a right turn on Romance ave.
Oh well.
December 17, 2021
I’d say this wasn’t too bad. I liked that the FMC was badass and could take care of herself. My only complaint was that it felt some pieces of the story were missing and it kind of ended rather quickly. I think more development during time gaps would have been nice.
This was my first book I’ve read from this author and I’ll definitely check out more. It was a good read.
This was my first book I’ve read from this author and I’ll definitely check out more. It was a good read.
August 23, 2021
Not a fan of the ending. Too many loose threads leaving it unsatisfying.
January 11, 2023
Not even bad enough to have fun with, just bad. For the love of god, learn what a cervix is.
September 2, 2021
So this book was pretty good, the story, the plots, it kept going forward like in a normal life.
I don't think there was some big plot through whole book, just smaller plots in parts of the book.
Which I don't think worked for me.
The book has only 370 pages and I felt a little bit bored in some parts, it felt like there were parts not important for the story, the plots, or my emotional bond to the heroes.
I read books that had just 200 pages and the plot was awesome and in the meantime I fell in love with the heroes so bad I didn't want the book to ever end. Who's wants this case.
I wanted to like the heroine so so so much. She was no nonsense. Kick ass heroine without being a bitch. But I couldn't connect with her. Like when we have her stressed confused, missing home, in dangerous place and she thinks she was betrayed by the hero. Those are all the emotions waring in her. She is super exhausted and hungry and when he goes teasing her after she is just okay with it. And he is himself saying he just wanted to be annoying, like what's wrong with him. Girl just went through so much. And okay so she is soldier and she is used to worse thing? But tell me for real. U expect her to be some numb super soldier without feelings? Cause this was just something that rly I could not quite believe.
Why most soldiers come home from war with PTSD and have triggers on everything. She obviously has a super strong core mind, cause she was in war and she came out without a scratch on her soul? That after being in a "war zone" with pouchers on the ship she is again her calm sunny horny self.
I just couldn't eat it.
Just like the last chapters. When hero was told ugly things to stay away I was just kinda tired of it and I did not feel any sadness with him. I guess I did not like him that much. And I know writers are not supposed to write likeable characters, but there were lots of book heroes that I did not rly like but still felt for them. Cause the author just wouldn't let you have it differently.
And again when we have her in the last chapter tortured and starved for 5 days she is distressed and physically trembles but in her head after a while she is again totally okay, and when hero does something that saves her but which he promised her he won't do she is again just okay with it. She fights him like what all of a 2 seconds before she just gives in? And is happy ever after. I didn't believe it.
And don't take me wrong I don't like confrontations, and I can't stay mad at anyone longer then 2 hours. But it just felt unreal. I did not want any angst fest. But I wanted some emotions from her.
It was supposed to be slow burn. Which usually makes me so darn emotionally invested in both characters but here I just didn't feel anything. It was action packed movie with romance subplot. But this romance was through whole book soooo maybe it should have been the main plot and the writer should be more emotionally involved too. You know. I want to cry when my heroine is tortured and not be like : again? When will it end?
So I give star for a pretty nice story, that unfortunately did not work for me. Too much things happening all the time and the heroine just taking it all in the stride with really no emotional involvement.
Uhm and that's all cause I did not like the characters even though objectively they were supposed to be likeable. They were good ppl. They did not have bad habits, they did not have any habits. They did not really argued in the book. So they were pretty easy going. They had no weird quirks. No annoying questions. They had not past issues to overcome. They were like blank canvas. They were boring and nothing they did endeared them to me. Only the scene where heroine was fixing broken toy. That was a good scene.
Thank you for the book. And one more time I will say. I did not want super angst or sappy book only about emotion. There is healthy balance in everything and I just felt like here it was lacking.
I don't think there was some big plot through whole book, just smaller plots in parts of the book.
Which I don't think worked for me.
The book has only 370 pages and I felt a little bit bored in some parts, it felt like there were parts not important for the story, the plots, or my emotional bond to the heroes.
I read books that had just 200 pages and the plot was awesome and in the meantime I fell in love with the heroes so bad I didn't want the book to ever end. Who's wants this case.
I wanted to like the heroine so so so much. She was no nonsense. Kick ass heroine without being a bitch. But I couldn't connect with her. Like when we have her stressed confused, missing home, in dangerous place and she thinks she was betrayed by the hero. Those are all the emotions waring in her. She is super exhausted and hungry and when he goes teasing her after she is just okay with it. And he is himself saying he just wanted to be annoying, like what's wrong with him. Girl just went through so much. And okay so she is soldier and she is used to worse thing? But tell me for real. U expect her to be some numb super soldier without feelings? Cause this was just something that rly I could not quite believe.
Why most soldiers come home from war with PTSD and have triggers on everything. She obviously has a super strong core mind, cause she was in war and she came out without a scratch on her soul? That after being in a "war zone" with pouchers on the ship she is again her calm sunny horny self.
I just couldn't eat it.
Just like the last chapters. When hero was told ugly things to stay away I was just kinda tired of it and I did not feel any sadness with him. I guess I did not like him that much. And I know writers are not supposed to write likeable characters, but there were lots of book heroes that I did not rly like but still felt for them. Cause the author just wouldn't let you have it differently.
And again when we have her in the last chapter tortured and starved for 5 days she is distressed and physically trembles but in her head after a while she is again totally okay, and when hero does something that saves her but which he promised her he won't do she is again just okay with it. She fights him like what all of a 2 seconds before she just gives in? And is happy ever after. I didn't believe it.
And don't take me wrong I don't like confrontations, and I can't stay mad at anyone longer then 2 hours. But it just felt unreal. I did not want any angst fest. But I wanted some emotions from her.
It was supposed to be slow burn. Which usually makes me so darn emotionally invested in both characters but here I just didn't feel anything. It was action packed movie with romance subplot. But this romance was through whole book soooo maybe it should have been the main plot and the writer should be more emotionally involved too. You know. I want to cry when my heroine is tortured and not be like : again? When will it end?
So I give star for a pretty nice story, that unfortunately did not work for me. Too much things happening all the time and the heroine just taking it all in the stride with really no emotional involvement.
Uhm and that's all cause I did not like the characters even though objectively they were supposed to be likeable. They were good ppl. They did not have bad habits, they did not have any habits. They did not really argued in the book. So they were pretty easy going. They had no weird quirks. No annoying questions. They had not past issues to overcome. They were like blank canvas. They were boring and nothing they did endeared them to me. Only the scene where heroine was fixing broken toy. That was a good scene.
Thank you for the book. And one more time I will say. I did not want super angst or sappy book only about emotion. There is healthy balance in everything and I just felt like here it was lacking.
July 10, 2023
This was well-written and a solid story. Felt like it could have been a tad shorter and there were bits and pieces that were repetitive. There was some adjusting for me because while the writing is good, it's less lighthearted than I've been reading.
The relationship arc was... fine. It gets a HEA and I liked aspects of how well they complemented each other. I liked Ardalon a lot (his final decision at the end was bullshit so not counting that) and I liked that Sasha was a complete badass perfectly capable of helping herself.
I have to take off a star for that ending part where Ardalon takes away her choice and autonomy on something extremely important.
I wasn't a fan of the way Ardalon got handsy and intentionally annoyed Sasha early on. He does eventually apologize for some of his early behavior but boy I was SO mad at the time. Poor Sasha is continually underestimated and could be doing SO much more and so much better if she were just given the chance and tools to do so.
The overall narrative arc though? The end was supremely unsatisfying. I was SO pissed at the end and how many things were completely ignored. I still wanted to punch the emperor in the face! It was so frustrating. It was no wonder Sasha basically gives up out of sheer exhaustion of dealing with the constant bullshit she'd been put through. Ugh.
The worldbuilding was decent with establishing 3 main sentient races and some tenuous politics. I liked learning some of the sociocultural stuff specific to the Kursh and hope we get more of each species in the other books. I was definitely reading the description of the bird like Diggi and eyeing the cover of book 3 in confusion, though.
I'm definitely pleased to have found this series and want to read the next one.
The relationship arc was... fine. It gets a HEA and I liked aspects of how well they complemented each other. I liked Ardalon a lot (his final decision at the end was bullshit so not counting that) and I liked that Sasha was a complete badass perfectly capable of helping herself.
I have to take off a star for that ending part where Ardalon takes away her choice and autonomy on something extremely important.
I wasn't a fan of the way Ardalon got handsy and intentionally annoyed Sasha early on. He does eventually apologize for some of his early behavior but boy I was SO mad at the time. Poor Sasha is continually underestimated and could be doing SO much more and so much better if she were just given the chance and tools to do so.
The overall narrative arc though? The end was supremely unsatisfying. I was SO pissed at the end and how many things were completely ignored. I still wanted to punch the emperor in the face! It was so frustrating. It was no wonder Sasha basically gives up out of sheer exhaustion of dealing with the constant bullshit she'd been put through. Ugh.
The worldbuilding was decent with establishing 3 main sentient races and some tenuous politics. I liked learning some of the sociocultural stuff specific to the Kursh and hope we get more of each species in the other books. I was definitely reading the description of the bird like Diggi and eyeing the cover of book 3 in confusion, though.
I'm definitely pleased to have found this series and want to read the next one.
June 26, 2022
Reading this book reminded me of what a Jenga tower looks like when every piece is misaligned and it is only a few rounds away from collapse. The building blocks of Engineering Fate were solid but they weren't assembled smoothly. I kept waiting for this story to click, and I didn't feel as if that ever happened. To be fair, I read a lot of this stuff. If you're not obsessively trying to read every alien/monster romance available on Kindle Unlimited, like I am, perhaps you'd like this more...? I'm at a point where I need these stories to be original, especially interesting, or flawlessly executed, and if they're not, I want to wander away. Have my standards become too high??? It's entirely possible!
These were my issues:
* I never felt as if the hero's personality was present. What's his deal? Why did he like the heroine? I couldn't tell you! In some books, I think it's perfectly fine to have a non-dimensional hero, honestly, but this book wasn't like that -- the hero was the source of most of the emotional sensitivity or soul in the story. The heroine is much tougher, more emotionally unavailable...except the hero isn't there either...yeah, I never understand why these two individuals were into each other.
* I LOVE independent, physically strong, and self-reliant heroines who save themselves. I LOVE chilly or emotionally unavailable heroines who are cautious about romantic love. I LOVE science fiction romance heroines who are in space because they're experts in their industry. And I think that's what this book is going for with Sasha's character, but it felt like a series of misfires:
Sasha doesn't trust or compromise with lion-man initially, which is fine, do your own thing, girlie -- you don't know that man, sorry to that man. But then, after a long stretch of relationship building, she finds herself in a situation where she fears he might be dead and is...surprisingly okay about it? Finally, the third act break-up is all her, completely out of nowhere, and I was reeling. Her angsty decision felt as if it came out of thin air! The look on my face was probably the mirror image of my therapist, when I told him I have always dreamed of being a Mormon tax accountant and he said quietly, "Oh, I've never heard you say that before" like I had grown a second head and he was too shy to point it out. WhErE iS tHiS cOmInG fRoM??? HoW dId We GeT hErE?!?!
* I was also mystified by the inclusion of her self-healing abilities. If a character can bounce back from any injury, then the suspense or gravity of said injury is rendered mute. She'll heal anyway, so who cares? It literally does not matter if she gets a knife through her palm.
* I probably could've relaxed into this, had the world building or tropes felt fresher or slightly subverted, but... I've read lion-men before. I've read human-heroine-captured-by-bad-aliens-who-don't-recognize-her-sentience before. I've read jungle adventure time before. I've read alien-government-with-nefarious-intentions before. God, I sound like such a brat. Someone take the internet away from me.
Bottom line: I needed this to give more than it gave. It is not offensive or impossible to get through so...2 stars? Alien/monster newbies might vibe with it better than I did!
These were my issues:
* I never felt as if the hero's personality was present. What's his deal? Why did he like the heroine? I couldn't tell you! In some books, I think it's perfectly fine to have a non-dimensional hero, honestly, but this book wasn't like that -- the hero was the source of most of the emotional sensitivity or soul in the story. The heroine is much tougher, more emotionally unavailable...except the hero isn't there either...yeah, I never understand why these two individuals were into each other.
* I LOVE independent, physically strong, and self-reliant heroines who save themselves. I LOVE chilly or emotionally unavailable heroines who are cautious about romantic love. I LOVE science fiction romance heroines who are in space because they're experts in their industry. And I think that's what this book is going for with Sasha's character, but it felt like a series of misfires:
Sasha doesn't trust or compromise with lion-man initially, which is fine, do your own thing, girlie -- you don't know that man, sorry to that man. But then, after a long stretch of relationship building, she finds herself in a situation where she fears he might be dead and is...surprisingly okay about it? Finally, the third act break-up is all her, completely out of nowhere, and I was reeling. Her angsty decision felt as if it came out of thin air! The look on my face was probably the mirror image of my therapist, when I told him I have always dreamed of being a Mormon tax accountant and he said quietly, "Oh, I've never heard you say that before" like I had grown a second head and he was too shy to point it out. WhErE iS tHiS cOmInG fRoM??? HoW dId We GeT hErE?!?!
* I was also mystified by the inclusion of her self-healing abilities. If a character can bounce back from any injury, then the suspense or gravity of said injury is rendered mute. She'll heal anyway, so who cares? It literally does not matter if she gets a knife through her palm.
* I probably could've relaxed into this, had the world building or tropes felt fresher or slightly subverted, but... I've read lion-men before. I've read human-heroine-captured-by-bad-aliens-who-don't-recognize-her-sentience before. I've read jungle adventure time before. I've read alien-government-with-nefarious-intentions before. God, I sound like such a brat. Someone take the internet away from me.
Bottom line: I needed this to give more than it gave. It is not offensive or impossible to get through so...2 stars? Alien/monster newbies might vibe with it better than I did!
September 5, 2021
3 stars
The ending of Engineering Fate felt quite rushed, and left me with more questions than answers. I was left feeling like this was the first in a series ( therefore the reader would get more info on this couple and events that had occurred in the next book ), but this is described as a stand-alone with each book in the series being about a different couple.
On a positive, I did like Sasha, she proves multiple times to be a very capable & resourceful character, and fights against those that wish her harm. There are definitely dark themes in this storyline that might be triggers for some.
The ending of Engineering Fate felt quite rushed, and left me with more questions than answers. I was left feeling like this was the first in a series ( therefore the reader would get more info on this couple and events that had occurred in the next book ), but this is described as a stand-alone with each book in the series being about a different couple.
On a positive, I did like Sasha, she proves multiple times to be a very capable & resourceful character, and fights against those that wish her harm. There are definitely dark themes in this storyline that might be triggers for some.
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