Who Would Like This Book:
If you’re craving a fast-paced sci-fi adventure with a side of snarky humor and sizzling romance, "Mercenary Instinct" is the perfect pick. Think Firefly vibes, enemies-to-lovers romance, kickass female leads, and grumpy, honor-bound mercenary captains, all set against the backdrop of space heists and ancient alien ruins. The cast is fun, the banter is sharp, and the world is packed with clever details. Great for anyone who loves strong women, action-packed plots, and a bit of steam in their space adventures.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the romance a bit rushed and the male lead cut from a familiar action-hero cloth, complete with ‘growls and grunts’ and not a lot of emotional depth. A few were put off by outdated gender dynamics or a lack of complexity in the hero’s characterization. If you’re all about slow-burn relationships, nuanced gender portrayals, or want your sci-fi super literary, this one might not be your best match.
About:
'Mercenary Instinct' in the series 'Mandrake Company' by Ruby Lionsdrake follows the action-packed romance story of Ankari, an adventurous entrepreneur, and Viktor, a stoic space mercenary captain. Ankari, the CEO of a start-up health company, is captured by Viktor for an illegal bounty, leading to an intriguing dynamic between the two. The story is filled with suspense, humor, and romance, as the characters navigate through dangerous situations while their chemistry grows stronger. The writing style is engaging, with a well-thought-out plot that combines science fiction elements with a captivating love story.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are medium-level content warnings related to themes of violence and male objectification.
Has Romance?
Romance is highly present, with significant chemistry and interactions between the characters.
From The Publisher:
Skulking around in the ruins on a planet swarming with treasure hunters, slavers, and bounty hunters isn't good for one's health. But Ankari Markovich needs a few archaeological samples for her latest business venture, a venture that might prove lucrative enough to move her family off the impoverished planet where she grew up. Unfortunately, she has no sooner collected her samples than she's captured by a band of brawny mercenaries. The captain might be handsome, but he's intent on turning her over to some finance lord who has, for reasons unknown, put a bounty on her head, a ridiculously large one at that. If she can't figure out a way to escape before she's delivered to the lord's home world, she could be forced into a life of indentured servitude-or worse.
Captain Viktor Mandrake doesn't usually take on piddling bounty hunting gigs, but when his intelligence officer informs him of a criminal on a nearby planet, he decides it wouldn't hurt to take a shuttle down to collect the woman. But Ankari Markovich is trouble from the start, nearly eluding his elite forces, then fighting and tricking his people left and right. He finds himself admiring her spirit, but according to her warrant, she's a criminal. The safest thing is to keep her in the brig and ignore her until she can be handed off to the man who wants her.
But the situation grows more complicated when other bounty hunters show up, wanting to claim Ankari for themselves. Thanks to this woman, Viktor's ship is in danger, his crew members are going missing, and he's fighting enemies he never asked for in a jungle in the middle of a hurricane. He's either going to strangle Ankari… or fall in love. Either scenario could get him killed.
Mercenary Instinct is a full-length, stand-alone novel of 90,000 words. It is part of the "Mandrake Company" series of science fiction romance stories and is recommended for readers who enjoy space-based adventure (such as Firefly) and steamy love stories (in the style of Linnea Sinclair).
Ratings (21)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (5) |
Reader Stats (47):
Read It (21) | |
Want To Read (15) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (10) |
1 comment(s)
I started reading this book without having read a summary or looking at the ratings, so it was a wonderful surprise. Of course, you can find books with the "spunky woman and her gruff but honorable captor fall in love" plot in just about any romance sub-genre. However, this is one of those instances when it is done quite well. The characters, even the ones who only show up briefly, are well-developed and interesting. The plot is quick with exciting twists and turns. Also, at no point did I want to strangle any of the characters for being needlessly stupid or annoying. My only criticism is that while the foreplay is detailed, the actual sex is described so briefly that it gives the impression that it lasts only seconds. While that could have been better, it wasn't an especially big deal.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys science fiction romance. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.
What can you read after
Mercenary Instinct?
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