Polaris Rising (Consortium Rebellion, #1) in SpecFic Buddy Reads

Mar 12, 2019 Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller rated it it was ok

Shelves: for-review

I feel compelled to start with a disclaimer that I don’t normally pick up books with romance as the main draw, preferring instead stories that also include a mix of world-building, characters, plot, and external conflicts. Romances tend to just focus on the relationship, and I was hoping that one set in space would require a lot more attention paid to all the other elements I enjoy. Surprisingly, it actually had a good balance, and because of that I enjoyed it more than most from the genre, but I feel compelled to start with a disclaimer that I don’t normally pick up books with romance as the main draw, preferring instead stories that also include a mix of world-building, characters, plot, and external conflicts. Romances tend to just focus on the relationship, and I was hoping that one set in space would require a lot more attention paid to all the other elements I enjoy. Surprisingly, it actually had a good balance, and because of that I enjoyed it more than most from the genre, but overall I don’t think the type of story is my cup of tea, and my rating reflects that.

Don’t get me wrong – I love romance in books, but only when it’s not the sole focus. In this case, where the love story was front and center, I found myself not on board with how it played out. It was kind of insta-lovey. The declarations of love came without a satisfying series of events to back it for my personal tastes. I always want to be able to see why characters fell in love through some poignant moments, and that was missing for me. For a book mostly about the romance, the romance needs to have more substance to win me over.

Honestly though, I knew what I was getting myself into. And for what it was, it did have a nice balance of action and love scenes. The plot was even decent – bringing in an external conflict that at least kept my attention until the end, even if it was a tad repetitive. I can’t help but think other readers are going to enjoy it a lot more than I did because it definitely has some merit.

Series status: It’s currently planned as a series, but I don’t believe I will be reading on.

Recommendation: Although this might not be my genre, I think it was a decent story that fans of romantic sci-fi will gobble up. The banter between the main characters reminded me of Ilona Andrews’ writings, which is always a good thing. Venture in expecting a good mix of action and lovey-dovey moments.

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com

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45 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2019 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, romance

An entertaining science fiction romance (or romantic SF, it's hard to pick), that pretty much sets the bar pretty high for space opera-based settings for romance stories.

Humanity has spread to the stars under the auspices of the Consortium, which is run by groups of mercantile Houses, one of the most powerful of which is House von Hasenberg. Lady Ada von Hasenberg has reached the end of a two-year run from an arranged marriage when she's picked up by bounty hunters looking for the bounty on her ...more

26 likes · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2019 Lata rated it really liked it

Shelves: auth-f, sf-f-h, x2019-read

Fast-moving plot, funny and capable main character, lots of action and peril, light and frothy, what's not to like?
Main character Ada's on the run from her family (a super-rich House, one of three others) and a potential and unwanted marriage to the son of another house. She's picked up by mercenaries, and encounters Marcus Loch, a brutal murderer, also in their custody. The two manage to form an alliance of convenience so they can escape. Which they do, but narrowly, with her almost betrothed R ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2019 Justine rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-read

4.5 stars

This was lots of fun. As is usual for me I didn't read the summary all that carefully so I didn't appreciate in advance that this book is a romance with an SF setting. No matter, because I do love my SFR, and Polaris Rising is an especially good example of the sub-genre. Adequate worldbuilding, lots of action, and of course, sexy times.

Ada and Loch reminded me some of Elena and Clay from the werewolf books in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series - Bitten, Stolen, Broken, an ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2019 Veronique rated it really liked it

Shelves: read2019

This SFR turned out to be a lot of fun :O)

A strong-willed princess, on the run from an arranged marriage, finds herself captured by bounty hunters. In an effort to escape, she joins forces with another prisoner, a monster of a man, if his reputation is correct, and by doing so, discovers something that could change the balance of power. What ensues is highly entertaining, with plenty of action scenes.

The narration follows Ada, who is not afraid to fight for what she believes and those she cares ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Oct 03, 2022 Cathy rated it it was ok

Shelves: did-not-finish

Picked this up, because friends kept mentioning it favourably. Started into the first chapter and though that the writing was a bit bumpy.

I don’t usually look at reviews until I have read a book, but here I made an exception after the first few pages. Romance with an SF setting? Insta-love, too many blond people, thin world building, a Mary Sue, two people great at hiding that keep getting captured and then proceed to repeatedly free each other. Sounds all pretty daft, right? Ok, ok, following ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2019 Helen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Well this was fun. I joined a buddy read based on the cover so I didn’t know what was expected.

So we have princess on the run from arranged marriage meets hot bad guy and sexy times occur!

Okay I’m missing a ton of stuff out. But it’s pacy, readable and fun. Two sittings.

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2020 Robyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020

All the stars! What a wonderfully fun book - and very sexy, too. I was congratulating myself for moving out of my romance only, all the time lane until about 20 pages into this one when I realised this is indeed a romance disguised as a space opera (or a space opera disguised as a romance, your choice!). It is absolutely delightful, action-packed, and well worth the read. Loch is gruff, menacing, and gets things done - Ada is hilarious and incredibly competent. Will be reading on.

4 likes · Like · see review