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cecurtis89's review against another edition
3.0
Beyond Meridian is a m/m sci-fi novella which combines action and romance to deliver a fast-paced and enjoyable story.
When Karl, a mysterious young man who’s seeking transportation to another territory, one that is closely guarded by the Confederation of Free Planets, approaches Captain Rick Raine asking for help, Rick has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. After uncovering a growing attraction for each other and learning about Karl’s true reason for his journey, Rick must decide if he wants to risk his life (and lifestyle!) for the mysterious young man he agreed to help.
What worked best for me in this novella was the relationship between Karl and Rick, which develops from virtual strangers to lovers as they get to know and trust one another on their journey. Seeing Karl work through some of his trust issues, and Rick working through his commitment issues offers great character development for both of them. To do this within the confines of a novella is a great achievement, and their relationship felt wonderfully paced and very real to me. The two men are very different to each other. Karl initially is perceived to be ‘weaker’ than Rick (by Rick!) and is quickly able to prove him wrong, coming out on top during their verbal spats.
The world-building unfortunately felt rushed to me. Although there were some great ideas in there – most notably the unique AI system and cute robots in Rick’s ship – the intergalactic world wasn’t explored sufficiently for me. Some of this is due to the length of the book, as it’s only a novella length; but I definitely felt that more inventive world-building if not necessarily more world-building would have helped me to feel more immersed in Karl and Rick’s world.
Overall, the novella is action-packed, romantic and a fun read!
When Karl, a mysterious young man who’s seeking transportation to another territory, one that is closely guarded by the Confederation of Free Planets, approaches Captain Rick Raine asking for help, Rick has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. After uncovering a growing attraction for each other and learning about Karl’s true reason for his journey, Rick must decide if he wants to risk his life (and lifestyle!) for the mysterious young man he agreed to help.
What worked best for me in this novella was the relationship between Karl and Rick, which develops from virtual strangers to lovers as they get to know and trust one another on their journey. Seeing Karl work through some of his trust issues, and Rick working through his commitment issues offers great character development for both of them. To do this within the confines of a novella is a great achievement, and their relationship felt wonderfully paced and very real to me. The two men are very different to each other. Karl initially is perceived to be ‘weaker’ than Rick (by Rick!) and is quickly able to prove him wrong, coming out on top during their verbal spats.
The world-building unfortunately felt rushed to me. Although there were some great ideas in there – most notably the unique AI system and cute robots in Rick’s ship – the intergalactic world wasn’t explored sufficiently for me. Some of this is due to the length of the book, as it’s only a novella length; but I definitely felt that more inventive world-building if not necessarily more world-building would have helped me to feel more immersed in Karl and Rick’s world.
Overall, the novella is action-packed, romantic and a fun read!
maxines_obsessions's review
3.0
My first m/m romance, this was a quick, easy read. Beyond Meridian is under 100 pages, but it is crammed full of action, adventure, romance and sexy time.
Karl needs a ride into enemy territory, word has it that Captain Raine is his best bet. Captain Raine knows that Karl isnѓ??t telling him the whole truth, but he canѓ??t turn down the money. Together they run illegal goods, battle space pirates and their feelings for each other all while trying to save the person who Karl owes his life to.
Raine had a total Han Solo feel to him, he was gruff and handsome. Karl was sweet, endearing. You know exactly how the plot will play out, but it was well written and fun so you donѓ??t mind. By having it set in space, it makes it even more fun. The planets, the different people and the ongoing war are all in the background of the story, there is a lot of room for more books in this universe, even longer fleshed out ones if the author chose to go that route.
This is a re-release and the first in a series, so Iѓ??m assuming the next two will also be re-released as well.
I received this e-arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Karl needs a ride into enemy territory, word has it that Captain Raine is his best bet. Captain Raine knows that Karl isnѓ??t telling him the whole truth, but he canѓ??t turn down the money. Together they run illegal goods, battle space pirates and their feelings for each other all while trying to save the person who Karl owes his life to.
Raine had a total Han Solo feel to him, he was gruff and handsome. Karl was sweet, endearing. You know exactly how the plot will play out, but it was well written and fun so you donѓ??t mind. By having it set in space, it makes it even more fun. The planets, the different people and the ongoing war are all in the background of the story, there is a lot of room for more books in this universe, even longer fleshed out ones if the author chose to go that route.
This is a re-release and the first in a series, so Iѓ??m assuming the next two will also be re-released as well.
I received this e-arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
else's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
nyphren's review
2.0
beyond meridian had a nice story and nice characters, but it kinda failed to keep me /really/ interested.
the plot was fun, fast-paced and interesting, making it the strongest aspect of the story, and while, like, i said, the characters were nice, none of them felt really developed/fleshed out. as a result, the relationship between the main characters felt hollow and a bit boring.
didn't hate it, but i didn't like it either.
the plot was fun, fast-paced and interesting, making it the strongest aspect of the story, and while, like, i said, the characters were nice, none of them felt really developed/fleshed out. as a result, the relationship between the main characters felt hollow and a bit boring.
didn't hate it, but i didn't like it either.
cecurtis89's review
3.0
Beyond Meridian is a m/m sci-fi novella which combines action and romance to deliver a fast-paced and enjoyable story.
When Karl, a mysterious young man who’s seeking transportation to another territory, one that is closely guarded by the Confederation of Free Planets, approaches Captain Rick Raine asking for help, Rick has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. After uncovering a growing attraction for each other and learning about Karl’s true reason for his journey, Rick must decide if he wants to risk his life (and lifestyle!) for the mysterious young man he agreed to help.
What worked best for me in this novella was the relationship between Karl and Rick, which develops from virtual strangers to lovers as they get to know and trust one another on their journey. Seeing Karl work through some of his trust issues, and Rick working through his commitment issues offers great character development for both of them. To do this within the confines of a novella is a great achievement, and their relationship felt wonderfully paced and very real to me. The two men are very different to each other. Karl initially is perceived to be ‘weaker’ than Rick (by Rick!) and is quickly able to prove him wrong, coming out on top during their verbal spats.
The world-building unfortunately felt rushed to me. Although there were some great ideas in there – most notably the unique AI system and cute robots in Rick’s ship – the intergalactic world wasn’t explored sufficiently for me. Some of this is due to the length of the book, as it’s only a novella length; but I definitely felt that more inventive world-building if not necessarily more world-building would have helped me to feel more immersed in Karl and Rick’s world.
Overall, the novella is action-packed, romantic and a fun read!
When Karl, a mysterious young man who’s seeking transportation to another territory, one that is closely guarded by the Confederation of Free Planets, approaches Captain Rick Raine asking for help, Rick has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. After uncovering a growing attraction for each other and learning about Karl’s true reason for his journey, Rick must decide if he wants to risk his life (and lifestyle!) for the mysterious young man he agreed to help.
What worked best for me in this novella was the relationship between Karl and Rick, which develops from virtual strangers to lovers as they get to know and trust one another on their journey. Seeing Karl work through some of his trust issues, and Rick working through his commitment issues offers great character development for both of them. To do this within the confines of a novella is a great achievement, and their relationship felt wonderfully paced and very real to me. The two men are very different to each other. Karl initially is perceived to be ‘weaker’ than Rick (by Rick!) and is quickly able to prove him wrong, coming out on top during their verbal spats.
The world-building unfortunately felt rushed to me. Although there were some great ideas in there – most notably the unique AI system and cute robots in Rick’s ship – the intergalactic world wasn’t explored sufficiently for me. Some of this is due to the length of the book, as it’s only a novella length; but I definitely felt that more inventive world-building if not necessarily more world-building would have helped me to feel more immersed in Karl and Rick’s world.
Overall, the novella is action-packed, romantic and a fun read!
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