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smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this! I thought it was well thought out and Mercy was an excellent heroine. I did think the romance between Reaper and Mercy was a bit wooden, but I still enjoyed it. I didn't realize this was a RH, so I will not be continuing the series. But overall, a great sci-fi book that really draws you in. The slow reveal of Mercy's role and the culture of the Talented is really well done and I enjoyed the plot as well as the supporting cast of characters.
lux_klara's review against another edition
5.0
I found Pirate Bound, the novella prequel of this book out of sheer luck. Needless to say I loved Pirate Bound and, hungry to know more, to read more I immediately bought Pirate Nemesis. It was NOT a delusion. I loved it. Great writing style; the world created by this amazing duo of authors is captivating (I mean space and power dotated pirates? Who doesn't love that!?) .
The world building is fantastic. You know enough to understand what happens and to appreciate the universe where the story is set and at the same time you know that there is more to discover, to read and to see develop in the next books. The romance was well written. In fact, although there is an instant connection between the two main character (as is common in ALL books with romance) there is no insta-love, no cheesyness.
The female protagonist, Mercy, has her flaws, as any human being, and she is no Mary Sue. She's strong but not in the assassin/kick-ass way (which by the way I adore) but the kind of strength where she goes trough a lot and yet she keeps walking, with the head held high. I love strong characters. They don't necessary need to be warriors, kick-ass or whatever, nor I expect them to be always happy (actally that would be more irritating if anything -.-), I understand if they struggle and falls sometimes but I want to see them keep fighting, in they own way maybe, but still fighting. Mercy is one of those charachters, one that despite the difficulties, keep going on without surrendering. And last but not least, I can understand her choices, her decisions, she isn't the kind of character that makes you want to shake hoping she would find some sense. She isn't one of those stup*d heroine that ruin a book that could have been great if they didn't exist or, at least, if they weren't one of the MCs. She is a heroine that you like to read about.
The same goes for Reaper, although with a complete different personality, I enjoyed to read from his point of view. It was interesting seeing him struggling to understand his emotions and reactions.
And all the "minor" characters (Treon, Atrea, Cannon, Jaxon, Olivia) were interesting as well, so much that I would like to read a book (or more) of them, actually I really hope that.
I mean, right now there will be a trilogy for Mercy, Reaper and Mercy's future consorts but who knows what will came after that? A girl can hope. Anyway, this duo of co-authors haso done an amazing job and I really suggest to read the book to anyone that likes the genre.
(This is not a spoiler as much as a... warning?l
As I have already written the next books will have as the MCs Mercy and her consorts. Yes, you've read it right. Mercy will have, in FUTURE books, consorts. Consorts in plural, as more than one, and, while I would usually be STRONGLY against such a thing (I am all for monogamy) it is not without reason. Since the beginning it has been stated that the Pirate's culture is a matriarchal one, where women tends to have more than one consort and where marriage isn't really common. That is both because there are more men than women and becouse it has its political importance. Moreover after a virus wiped out the majority of the Talented women, this part of their culture has only accentuated. Now, I am not so sure how this will turn out (as I said, I am all for monogamy), but I am not against the idea as much as I thought I would be. As I said, Mercy having more than one consort makes sense considering Pirate's culture and the author herself has assured that "Mercy is not going to have some parade of men through her bed. She is going to have exactly three consorts, and there is a reason for this, and they will be real relationships" (her actual words, if you are interested in her statement on the matter this is the link: http://www.carysalocke.com/?p=349 ).
Besides, the characters are so interesting that I am curious to see who the next two consorts are going to be (altough reading the prologue of the second book "Pirate consort" that has yet to come, I have an idea of who the second consort may be and I can't say that the character doesn't intrigue me already) and to see how this is going to happen. After all in this book Mercy, while not completely against it, didn't seem to be very convinced by the idea of having more than one consort. If anything she seemed a bit reluctant to accept such a possibility.
But why am I saying all this? In THIS book she certainly isn't in a romantic relationship with anyone else, aside from Reaper. Well, while I am warming up to this fact, not everyone may want to start a series where the main character will have multiple consorts, I think that if someone is completely against the idea (again, I can understand why someone would be troubled by it, I was too at the beginning and I still am a bit), he/she should take this future development into consideration before starting this series. My advice, however, is to give this book and (the ones that will come) a chance. Who knows, it may surprise you ;) Hopefully, Carysa will be able to pull it off.
Ps:I am sorry for any eventual mistakes but English is not my first language and writing with the phone doesn't make things easier.
The world building is fantastic. You know enough to understand what happens and to appreciate the universe where the story is set and at the same time you know that there is more to discover, to read and to see develop in the next books. The romance was well written. In fact, although there is an instant connection between the two main character (as is common in ALL books with romance) there is no insta-love, no cheesyness.
The female protagonist, Mercy, has her flaws, as any human being, and she is no Mary Sue. She's strong but not in the assassin/kick-ass way (which by the way I adore) but the kind of strength where she goes trough a lot and yet she keeps walking, with the head held high. I love strong characters. They don't necessary need to be warriors, kick-ass or whatever, nor I expect them to be always happy (actally that would be more irritating if anything -.-), I understand if they struggle and falls sometimes but I want to see them keep fighting, in they own way maybe, but still fighting. Mercy is one of those charachters, one that despite the difficulties, keep going on without surrendering. And last but not least, I can understand her choices, her decisions, she isn't the kind of character that makes you want to shake hoping she would find some sense. She isn't one of those stup*d heroine that ruin a book that could have been great if they didn't exist or, at least, if they weren't one of the MCs. She is a heroine that you like to read about.
The same goes for Reaper, although with a complete different personality, I enjoyed to read from his point of view. It was interesting seeing him struggling to understand his emotions and reactions.
And all the "minor" characters (Treon, Atrea, Cannon, Jaxon, Olivia) were interesting as well, so much that I would like to read a book (or more) of them, actually I really hope that.
I mean, right now there will be a trilogy for Mercy, Reaper and Mercy's future consorts but who knows what will came after that? A girl can hope. Anyway, this duo of co-authors haso done an amazing job and I really suggest to read the book to anyone that likes the genre.
(This is not a spoiler as much as a... warning?l
As I have already written the next books will have as the MCs Mercy and her consorts. Yes, you've read it right. Mercy will have, in FUTURE books, consorts. Consorts in plural, as more than one, and, while I would usually be STRONGLY against such a thing (I am all for monogamy) it is not without reason. Since the beginning it has been stated that the Pirate's culture is a matriarchal one, where women tends to have more than one consort and where marriage isn't really common. That is both because there are more men than women and becouse it has its political importance. Moreover after a virus wiped out the majority of the Talented women, this part of their culture has only accentuated. Now, I am not so sure how this will turn out (as I said, I am all for monogamy), but I am not against the idea as much as I thought I would be. As I said, Mercy having more than one consort makes sense considering Pirate's culture and the author herself has assured that "Mercy is not going to have some parade of men through her bed. She is going to have exactly three consorts, and there is a reason for this, and they will be real relationships" (her actual words, if you are interested in her statement on the matter this is the link: http://www.carysalocke.com/?p=349 ).
Besides, the characters are so interesting that I am curious to see who the next two consorts are going to be (altough reading the prologue of the second book "Pirate consort" that has yet to come, I have an idea of who the second consort may be and I can't say that the character doesn't intrigue me already) and to see how this is going to happen. After all in this book Mercy, while not completely against it, didn't seem to be very convinced by the idea of having more than one consort. If anything she seemed a bit reluctant to accept such a possibility.
But why am I saying all this? In THIS book she certainly isn't in a romantic relationship with anyone else, aside from Reaper. Well, while I am warming up to this fact, not everyone may want to start a series where the main character will have multiple consorts, I think that if someone is completely against the idea (again, I can understand why someone would be troubled by it, I was too at the beginning and I still am a bit), he/she should take this future development into consideration before starting this series. My advice, however, is to give this book and (the ones that will come) a chance. Who knows, it may surprise you ;) Hopefully, Carysa will be able to pull it off.
Ps:I am sorry for any eventual mistakes but English is not my first language and writing with the phone doesn't make things easier.
sandidev's review against another edition
5.0
Great new series
I really enjoyed this book. The character and world development was well done. Looking forward to the next in series.
I really enjoyed this book. The character and world development was well done. Looking forward to the next in series.
nerdywerewolf's review against another edition
5.0
So, I really enjoyed this book. Generally, I watch sci-fi movies, but stick with UF/fantasy books. For some reason, I just knew I was going to like this one. If all sci-fi was presented in such a way, I may read more of it.
Pirates. Space-smuggling pirates. Not only with telepathic abilities. Oh, no...a plethora of different abilities. Ranging from teleportation to speaking with a ship's computer, depending on who your parents are, of course. That's just the setup.
The characters all have personalities that are at least a little linked to their abilities (or lack thereof). Everyone's unique and has their own motives for being the way they are and it's very clear from the get-go. On top of that, there's a century-old power-struggle between a clandestine organization within the government and the pirates who split off from those same people.
Oh, and a pirate queen with a capital "Q." Yeah, I can't wait for the next book to come out!
Pirates. Space-smuggling pirates. Not only with telepathic abilities. Oh, no...a plethora of different abilities. Ranging from teleportation to speaking with a ship's computer, depending on who your parents are, of course. That's just the setup.
The characters all have personalities that are at least a little linked to their abilities (or lack thereof). Everyone's unique and has their own motives for being the way they are and it's very clear from the get-go. On top of that, there's a century-old power-struggle between a clandestine organization within the government and the pirates who split off from those same people.
Oh, and a pirate queen with a capital "Q." Yeah, I can't wait for the next book to come out!
starlitbooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome
This was such a cool concept and I loved Mercy and Reaper! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
This was such a cool concept and I loved Mercy and Reaper! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
xvicesx's review against another edition
I really don't get this one. Can't, for the life in me, connect with the main character, can't get the info dumps, and the impossible situation it starts out in. There should always be a glimmer of hope as the action starts, else what's the point of rooting for anyone?
I genuinely don't know if everyone else is reading a different book, I find this supremely unlikable.
I genuinely don't know if everyone else is reading a different book, I find this supremely unlikable.
malus23's review against another edition
3.0
A few things felt a little too convenient, but overall a fun read.
riverlethe's review
3.0
Really good writing and fairly compelling characters. I’m not a fan of reverse harem stories, which is what this series is leading to, and the psychic abilities felt like fantasy with scifi window dressing. This series will make lots of people happy, just not me.
lolasreviews's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
My second 5 star read this year, gah I am so happy! This book was everything I hoped for and more, it was exactly the type of read I was in the mood for and when I started reading I just knew it was going to be a good one. It was brilliant and I loved every second of it. It sucked me in and I didn't want to stop reading. I really like almost all the characters we meet in this book and now I just wish the next book was already out.
Pirate Nemesis is a character focused book and that's what I loved most about it. All the characters come to life and feel so real. It really is amazing how developed all the characters are. Although it sure helped that I read Pirate Bound first as I already knew some fo the characters due to that and it made it less overwhelming when starting this book. And fun to meet the characters I already knew again and see them from Mercy her point of view now. I love the world these authors build here and we learn a lot more background and history about it here. Why the pirates became pirates, hints of what else it out there and we meet the crew and get to know them.
The story seems almost straightforward and I would almost says it's a slow paced book, but that sounds so negative and it isn't. But it's more that the characters take center stage, what they feel, what they go through, how they adapt to this new situation. There is a lot going on, just not in the action packed sense other books have. It was very character driven with the focus on the characters, their connections, their feelings and thoughts, their telepathic powers. And I think that's why it was easy for me to love this book as from the fist chapters I liked Mercy and Reaper and we really get to know them in this book. Yes there is a story and it even gets to a suspenseful level at the end, but it's about so much more and the characters really make this book shine.
There is a prologue which I felt was very valuable. It showed Mercy when she was younger and it explains part of her past and her life without having to get all the details. Mercy is such a great character. She's so real and honest. She never wanted to have power and now that she has she isn't sure what to do with it. She learned not to trust family and it will be hard for her to do and she doesn't change overnight, but slowly. I felt like we really get to know Mercy and what she feels, her love for Atrea and Wolf, her confusion and distrust when their situation changes and her connection with Reaper and how she trusts him while she doesn't trust the rest of the pirates yet. And then we slowly see her change and adapt to this new environment and slowly find her place. But she isn't there yet and I am so glad there will be two more books about her and Reaper as I want to read more about them.
Reaper is such an intriguing character, he is a bit like Dem from the prequel, with how he's a cold killer. But there's so much more to him. He cares about the pirates and his talent helps him protect them. He isn't used to being vulnerable or feeling emotions, but Mercy unlocks those emotions and he isn't quite sure what to do with them. He's always so honest and even a bit blunt with Mercy and she trust him because of that. He could easily kill her if he wanted to, but he doesn't and Mercy appreciates his honesty. And it's just wonderful to see the connection between these two and see their feelings evolve.
Their romance was one of my favorite parts of this book as well. It's so character driven that you really feel the emotion of these two characters and their connection. And it was a slow building romance in that it took some time before they eventually got there. No drama or miscommunication. Just two people who care about each other and try and figure things out. It was wonderful and I loved every second of it, seeing these two interact and grow closer. Their romance made me feel all happy and their conversations and interactions just made me want to see them together. I liked how they were there for each other and their romance felt so genuine and real.
And the side characters are just as real and complicated as the main ones. We have Atrea who is Mercy her best friend and while we don't see as much of her it's obvious the role she plays in Mercy her life. And Wolf who is almost like a father to Mercy. We see Dem and Sanah who we got to know in the prequel and Tama and Rasa who I met in the novella in Romancing the Stars. Tama was such a great character and I can't wait to see more of her in the rest of the series. I also felt that I could understand Treon a lot more due to the prequel, I don't think I would've liked him quite as much if I hadn't read that. And he's an interesting character as well. We see less of Cannon as in the prequel, which surprised me a bit, but still enough. And then there is the grumpy doctor who has horrible bed side manners and reminded me a bit of The Doctor from Star Trek Voyager. Only this doctor speaks Japanese when he's angry, it was a fun touch. And Nayla plays a role here as well, although we don't see as much in depth about her as in the prequel. And Vashti (I think that's how it was spelled) was an interesting character too and I liked what we saw of her. And I just want to see more of all these characters.
I feel like I am just rambling on and on, but this book was just wonderful and I am so glad I read a 5 star book again, it's the best feeling. The world and the characters really come alive. And I like how we get to see a bit more of the world here as well, although most of the story does take place aboard the ship it feels like I better understood the talented and the pirates and why they live this way. Only thing I wasn't quite happy about is Mercy her talent, it just seems a bit too much. But it did make sense with the explanation, she just felt a bit too special at times. And I had hoped we would get to see more of what her talent involved and could do, but on the other hand that wouldn't have fit the book as she slowly discovers it all herself, so I just have to be patient. The concept of telepathic space pirates is so much fun and it's really thought through.
To summarize: I loved every moment of this book. The prologue made me curious and I enjoyed getting to know Mercy, reaper and the whole pirate crew. It's a very character driven book, with lots of focus on the characters. The characters really come alive and everyone seems to have it's own personality, they all feel so real. And I enjoyed getting to know all of them. The story would almost feel slow, but there is enough going on. It's just all very character focused plot lines, which I loved. Mercy and Reaper are both really likeable characters and I loved seeing them slowly grow closer. The romance was really well done too and I enjoyed the slow paced and meaningful way the romance developed. I would recommend this book for everyone who enjoys a good character driven book! And I know I can't wait to read the next books in this series!
My second 5 star read this year, gah I am so happy! This book was everything I hoped for and more, it was exactly the type of read I was in the mood for and when I started reading I just knew it was going to be a good one. It was brilliant and I loved every second of it. It sucked me in and I didn't want to stop reading. I really like almost all the characters we meet in this book and now I just wish the next book was already out.
Pirate Nemesis is a character focused book and that's what I loved most about it. All the characters come to life and feel so real. It really is amazing how developed all the characters are. Although it sure helped that I read Pirate Bound first as I already knew some fo the characters due to that and it made it less overwhelming when starting this book. And fun to meet the characters I already knew again and see them from Mercy her point of view now. I love the world these authors build here and we learn a lot more background and history about it here. Why the pirates became pirates, hints of what else it out there and we meet the crew and get to know them.
The story seems almost straightforward and I would almost says it's a slow paced book, but that sounds so negative and it isn't. But it's more that the characters take center stage, what they feel, what they go through, how they adapt to this new situation. There is a lot going on, just not in the action packed sense other books have. It was very character driven with the focus on the characters, their connections, their feelings and thoughts, their telepathic powers. And I think that's why it was easy for me to love this book as from the fist chapters I liked Mercy and Reaper and we really get to know them in this book. Yes there is a story and it even gets to a suspenseful level at the end, but it's about so much more and the characters really make this book shine.
There is a prologue which I felt was very valuable. It showed Mercy when she was younger and it explains part of her past and her life without having to get all the details. Mercy is such a great character. She's so real and honest. She never wanted to have power and now that she has she isn't sure what to do with it. She learned not to trust family and it will be hard for her to do and she doesn't change overnight, but slowly. I felt like we really get to know Mercy and what she feels, her love for Atrea and Wolf, her confusion and distrust when their situation changes and her connection with Reaper and how she trusts him while she doesn't trust the rest of the pirates yet. And then we slowly see her change and adapt to this new environment and slowly find her place. But she isn't there yet and I am so glad there will be two more books about her and Reaper as I want to read more about them.
Reaper is such an intriguing character, he is a bit like Dem from the prequel, with how he's a cold killer. But there's so much more to him. He cares about the pirates and his talent helps him protect them. He isn't used to being vulnerable or feeling emotions, but Mercy unlocks those emotions and he isn't quite sure what to do with them. He's always so honest and even a bit blunt with Mercy and she trust him because of that. He could easily kill her if he wanted to, but he doesn't and Mercy appreciates his honesty. And it's just wonderful to see the connection between these two and see their feelings evolve.
Their romance was one of my favorite parts of this book as well. It's so character driven that you really feel the emotion of these two characters and their connection. And it was a slow building romance in that it took some time before they eventually got there. No drama or miscommunication. Just two people who care about each other and try and figure things out. It was wonderful and I loved every second of it, seeing these two interact and grow closer. Their romance made me feel all happy and their conversations and interactions just made me want to see them together. I liked how they were there for each other and their romance felt so genuine and real.
And the side characters are just as real and complicated as the main ones. We have Atrea who is Mercy her best friend and while we don't see as much of her it's obvious the role she plays in Mercy her life. And Wolf who is almost like a father to Mercy. We see Dem and Sanah who we got to know in the prequel and Tama and Rasa who I met in the novella in Romancing the Stars. Tama was such a great character and I can't wait to see more of her in the rest of the series. I also felt that I could understand Treon a lot more due to the prequel, I don't think I would've liked him quite as much if I hadn't read that. And he's an interesting character as well. We see less of Cannon as in the prequel, which surprised me a bit, but still enough. And then there is the grumpy doctor who has horrible bed side manners and reminded me a bit of The Doctor from Star Trek Voyager. Only this doctor speaks Japanese when he's angry, it was a fun touch. And Nayla plays a role here as well, although we don't see as much in depth about her as in the prequel. And Vashti (I think that's how it was spelled) was an interesting character too and I liked what we saw of her. And I just want to see more of all these characters.
I feel like I am just rambling on and on, but this book was just wonderful and I am so glad I read a 5 star book again, it's the best feeling. The world and the characters really come alive. And I like how we get to see a bit more of the world here as well, although most of the story does take place aboard the ship it feels like I better understood the talented and the pirates and why they live this way. Only thing I wasn't quite happy about is Mercy her talent, it just seems a bit too much. But it did make sense with the explanation, she just felt a bit too special at times. And I had hoped we would get to see more of what her talent involved and could do, but on the other hand that wouldn't have fit the book as she slowly discovers it all herself, so I just have to be patient. The concept of telepathic space pirates is so much fun and it's really thought through.
To summarize: I loved every moment of this book. The prologue made me curious and I enjoyed getting to know Mercy, reaper and the whole pirate crew. It's a very character driven book, with lots of focus on the characters. The characters really come alive and everyone seems to have it's own personality, they all feel so real. And I enjoyed getting to know all of them. The story would almost feel slow, but there is enough going on. It's just all very character focused plot lines, which I loved. Mercy and Reaper are both really likeable characters and I loved seeing them slowly grow closer. The romance was really well done too and I enjoyed the slow paced and meaningful way the romance developed. I would recommend this book for everyone who enjoys a good character driven book! And I know I can't wait to read the next books in this series!