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Galactic Kings #1
Overlord
When an experimental starship test goes horribly wrong, a test pilot from Earth is flung across the galaxy and crash lands on the planet of a powerful alien king.
Pilot Mallory West is having a really bad day. She’s crashed on an alien planet, her ship is in pieces, and her best friend Poppy, the scientist monitoring the experiment, is missing. Dazed and injured, she collapses into the arms of a big, silver-eyed warrior king. But when her rescuer cuffs her to a bed and accuses her of being a spy, Mal knows she has to escape her darkly tempting captor and find her friend.
Overlord Rhain Zhalto Sarkany is in a battle to protect his planet Zhalto and his people from his evil, power-hungry father. He’ll use every one of his deadly Zhalton abilities to win the fight against his father’s lethal warlord and army of vicious creatures. Rhain suspects the tough, intriguing woman he pulls from a starship wreck is a trap, but when Mal escapes, he is compelled to track her down.
Fighting their overwhelming attraction, Mal and Rhain join forces to hunt down the warlord and find Poppy. But as Mal’s body reacts to Zhalto’s environment, it awakens dormant powers, and Rhain is the only one who can help her. As the warlord launches a brutal attack, it will take all of Mal and Rhain’s combined powers to save their friends, the planet, and themselves.
Pilot Mallory West is having a really bad day. She’s crashed on an alien planet, her ship is in pieces, and her best friend Poppy, the scientist monitoring the experiment, is missing. Dazed and injured, she collapses into the arms of a big, silver-eyed warrior king. But when her rescuer cuffs her to a bed and accuses her of being a spy, Mal knows she has to escape her darkly tempting captor and find her friend.
Overlord Rhain Zhalto Sarkany is in a battle to protect his planet Zhalto and his people from his evil, power-hungry father. He’ll use every one of his deadly Zhalton abilities to win the fight against his father’s lethal warlord and army of vicious creatures. Rhain suspects the tough, intriguing woman he pulls from a starship wreck is a trap, but when Mal escapes, he is compelled to track her down.
Fighting their overwhelming attraction, Mal and Rhain join forces to hunt down the warlord and find Poppy. But as Mal’s body reacts to Zhalto’s environment, it awakens dormant powers, and Rhain is the only one who can help her. As the warlord launches a brutal attack, it will take all of Mal and Rhain’s combined powers to save their friends, the planet, and themselves.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2021
1021 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hackett
163 books2,922 followersI’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
December 2, 2022
The pilot and the alien overlord!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☹️🙃☺️😀
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Mallory West - a test pilot for Ninotech, a large corporation on Earth that specializes in experimental space technology. She was currently working on a wormhole drive project and was happy to get paid to fly. She had been dishonorably discharged from the Air Force when she disobeyed orders to save some soldiers. Her stepfather Rusty raised her and he died recently, he was a character and taught her how to fight, how to handle knives and much more.
The Hero: Rhain Zhalto Sarkany - He is an overlord on the planet Zhalto who is trying to save the people of his planet from his tyrannical father. He and his team of fighters battled against evil beasts called Hexits sent by his father to destroy. Rhain’s father Zavir, had his own planet, called Sarkan but wanted Rhain to join him and so sent an army of beasts to Rhain’s planet Zhalto to wage war.
The Story: Mallory was doing a test run of an experimental starship along with her best friend and scientist Poppy. The wormhole technology was supposed to create a wormhole so they could travel to Jupiter in the blink of an eye. However, something went wrong and the ship spun out of control and ended up crash landing on a far away planet outside the Milky Way Galaxy.
Rhain and his team see the starship crash land on their planet and immediately think it was sent by his father as some sort of trap. Mallory wakes up from the crash and sees that the entire back of the ship is gone along with her friend Poppy. The story about the war is a good one and I really liked how the Zhalton’s can use energy like they have superpowers.
This book was told in dual points of view via dual narration and narrated by Vivienne Leheny and Stephen Dexter. Stephen Dexter is a very good narrator with a deep and husky voice that worked well for Rhain. Vivienne Leheny has a clear feminine voice and I enjoyed her narration as well.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☹️🙃☺️😀
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Mallory West - a test pilot for Ninotech, a large corporation on Earth that specializes in experimental space technology. She was currently working on a wormhole drive project and was happy to get paid to fly. She had been dishonorably discharged from the Air Force when she disobeyed orders to save some soldiers. Her stepfather Rusty raised her and he died recently, he was a character and taught her how to fight, how to handle knives and much more.
The Hero: Rhain Zhalto Sarkany - He is an overlord on the planet Zhalto who is trying to save the people of his planet from his tyrannical father. He and his team of fighters battled against evil beasts called Hexits sent by his father to destroy. Rhain’s father Zavir, had his own planet, called Sarkan but wanted Rhain to join him and so sent an army of beasts to Rhain’s planet Zhalto to wage war.
The Story: Mallory was doing a test run of an experimental starship along with her best friend and scientist Poppy. The wormhole technology was supposed to create a wormhole so they could travel to Jupiter in the blink of an eye. However, something went wrong and the ship spun out of control and ended up crash landing on a far away planet outside the Milky Way Galaxy.
Rhain and his team see the starship crash land on their planet and immediately think it was sent by his father as some sort of trap. Mallory wakes up from the crash and sees that the entire back of the ship is gone along with her friend Poppy. The story about the war is a good one and I really liked how the Zhalton’s can use energy like they have superpowers.
This book was told in dual points of view via dual narration and narrated by Vivienne Leheny and Stephen Dexter. Stephen Dexter is a very good narrator with a deep and husky voice that worked well for Rhain. Vivienne Leheny has a clear feminine voice and I enjoyed her narration as well.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
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January 21, 2022
1.5 stars
Ohhh boy, I should've DNF'd this at 40% like I wanted to, but I felt like it was too early in the year to be giving up on a book. I was drawn in by the cover and blurb, but this did not deliver at all. I wanted to give it one star, but that felt too mean so 1.5 it is.
My main emotions reading this were annoyance and boredom. The world building is really weak and that's important (to me, at least) for sci-fi. This basically felt like the author was writing about magical humans. There was nothing alien or other about these people (or their planet, really). They look the same, talk the same (except for the annoying as fuck 'Gorr'), have the same customs and social rules, idk nothing felt new or weird and it should when you're dealing with fucking aliens. And then the plot, characters and writing were just not it. It was boring, tedious and cheesy. Ugh, why did I not just dnf and save myself some time. I was being way too damn stubborn trying to finish this and then I remembered skimming is a thing, thank god. I'm just happy I'm done 🙏🏻 on to something better, hopefully.
Ohhh boy, I should've DNF'd this at 40% like I wanted to, but I felt like it was too early in the year to be giving up on a book. I was drawn in by the cover and blurb, but this did not deliver at all. I wanted to give it one star, but that felt too mean so 1.5 it is.
My main emotions reading this were annoyance and boredom. The world building is really weak and that's important (to me, at least) for sci-fi. This basically felt like the author was writing about magical humans. There was nothing alien or other about these people (or their planet, really). They look the same, talk the same (except for the annoying as fuck 'Gorr'), have the same customs and social rules, idk nothing felt new or weird and it should when you're dealing with fucking aliens. And then the plot, characters and writing were just not it. It was boring, tedious and cheesy. Ugh, why did I not just dnf and save myself some time. I was being way too damn stubborn trying to finish this and then I remembered skimming is a thing, thank god. I'm just happy I'm done 🙏🏻 on to something better, hopefully.
December 29, 2021
3.75 stars.
This is an interesting story with fabulous heroine and hero.
Non stop action, and I couldn’t stop once I started.
However, I’m probably getting old and I’m starting to be boring.
I skip faster than lightning speed when the alien guy asked the heroine if she wet for him! 😳🤨
For god sake, I read that in smut short stories like copy and paste, I certainly wouldn’t want to see it here too. Not sure what kind of smut scenes should be here, but make the alien guy sounds like an average contemporary hero, is a no no for me 😬🥴
So, yeah, that’s that!
But without the silly smut parts, this one more than a decent read 😘.
❤️❤️❤️
This is an interesting story with fabulous heroine and hero.
Non stop action, and I couldn’t stop once I started.
However, I’m probably getting old and I’m starting to be boring.
I skip faster than lightning speed when the alien guy asked the heroine if she wet for him! 😳🤨
For god sake, I read that in smut short stories like copy and paste, I certainly wouldn’t want to see it here too. Not sure what kind of smut scenes should be here, but make the alien guy sounds like an average contemporary hero, is a no no for me 😬🥴
So, yeah, that’s that!
But without the silly smut parts, this one more than a decent read 😘.
❤️❤️❤️
May 18, 2022
This was pretty fun! A test pilot from Earth crash lands on a different planet and the Warlord King handcuffs her to the bed because he doesn't know if she's an Assassin sent by his murderous father.
Obviously they have great chemistry and fall in love.
Really interesting set up, fun characters, a swoony hero. This was a good time!
Obviously they have great chemistry and fall in love.
Really interesting set up, fun characters, a swoony hero. This was a good time!
December 9, 2022
After reading this review by the lovely Renee @Addicted to Romance, I knew that I had to read it. It sounded right up my alley and I wondered if I would enjoy this author as much as she did.
I think I enjoyed her more!
Mal West was testing out new technology with her best friend when they were suddenly catapulted across the galaxy. On a strange planet, all she wanted was to make sure her missing friend was okay. Too bad the ruler of the planet thought she was a spy.
Rhain was doing everything he could to protect his people from his father's attacks. When a seemingly helpless damsel in distress crossed his path, he believed she may be a trap. He soon came to realize that this woman was not entirely helpless and that what he could share with her could be the answer to everything.
Right time, right place... who knows, but this book hit all the right spots for me. A kickass heroine who was a bit broken, a hero who was all warrior and appreciated having a female warrior by his side, tons of monsters and fight scenes... seriously, I couldn't ask for more here.
Find more here: Overlord
I think I enjoyed her more!
Mal West was testing out new technology with her best friend when they were suddenly catapulted across the galaxy. On a strange planet, all she wanted was to make sure her missing friend was okay. Too bad the ruler of the planet thought she was a spy.
Rhain was doing everything he could to protect his people from his father's attacks. When a seemingly helpless damsel in distress crossed his path, he believed she may be a trap. He soon came to realize that this woman was not entirely helpless and that what he could share with her could be the answer to everything.
Right time, right place... who knows, but this book hit all the right spots for me. A kickass heroine who was a bit broken, a hero who was all warrior and appreciated having a female warrior by his side, tons of monsters and fight scenes... seriously, I couldn't ask for more here.
Find more here: Overlord
December 20, 2021
This is a typical AH's book! And it is connected (loosely) to hers Galactic Gladiators Series.
I liked the "new" world she made here with radiations changing in different ways the inhabitants of several planets in the sale system and the kings of these worlds who are step-brothers each with his own powers!
What I found less likable is the heroine and her strange behaviour. She knows that she's on a foreign planet, but she doesn't want to answer some really reasonable questions made by the hero. I just couldn't understand why...
She's also very impulsive and doggedly wants to do what she wants even if it is really unreasonable.
At the same time she's very loyal and a very good fighter who's ready to sacrify herself for her friends and fellow fighters.
I surely will read the next one because I'm curious how Poppy, the heroine friend, will manage her trasnformation! :)
I liked the "new" world she made here with radiations changing in different ways the inhabitants of several planets in the sale system and the kings of these worlds who are step-brothers each with his own powers!
What I found less likable is the heroine and her strange behaviour. She knows that she's on a foreign planet, but she doesn't want to answer some really reasonable questions made by the hero. I just couldn't understand why...
She's also very impulsive and doggedly wants to do what she wants even if it is really unreasonable.
At the same time she's very loyal and a very good fighter who's ready to sacrify herself for her friends and fellow fighters.
I surely will read the next one because I'm curious how Poppy, the heroine friend, will manage her trasnformation! :)
January 31, 2022
I love Hackett!
Great start to a new series!
Mal is a bad ass earth girl! She killed it....literally. A crash landing led to a fight for her lift against a monster. The monster did not stand a chance. This warrior behavior led Rhain to believe Mal is a trap set by his evil father. Leading to an interrogation, an escape, a fight to save a village, a hella love scene, a mission to save a friend, a hella love scene followed by a hella more love scenes.
Lets just say this was amazing!
On to book 2!
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
Great start to a new series!
Mal is a bad ass earth girl! She killed it....literally. A crash landing led to a fight for her lift against a monster. The monster did not stand a chance. This warrior behavior led Rhain to believe Mal is a trap set by his evil father. Leading to an interrogation, an escape, a fight to save a village, a hella love scene, a mission to save a friend, a hella love scene followed by a hella more love scenes.
Lets just say this was amazing!
On to book 2!
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
October 16, 2022
The heroine is such a Mary Sue. She crashes on an alien planet and not only slays a 7-foot monster while bleeding to death but also picks up how to use the planet's alien magic in 0.2 seconds.
We love a survivor, but that was a bit too much.
We love a survivor, but that was a bit too much.
June 1, 2025
In a thrilling adventure, seductive aliens take center stage with their beauty and mystery.
Brave Earth women testing experimental alien designs to further space travel find themselves flung across the galaxy and no way of getting home. When they arrive in these new worlds, they quickly find that survival is a must from danger from a cruel man who wants to use his sons and their worlds as toys for his own amusement.
Fortunately, these strong women meet skilled allies who come to their rescue. These allies help them and introduce them to exciting experiences they never imagined.
The story is filled with action, from intense battles to steamy moments, as the women discover their inner strength and navigate life in space.
Brave Earth women testing experimental alien designs to further space travel find themselves flung across the galaxy and no way of getting home. When they arrive in these new worlds, they quickly find that survival is a must from danger from a cruel man who wants to use his sons and their worlds as toys for his own amusement.
Fortunately, these strong women meet skilled allies who come to their rescue. These allies help them and introduce them to exciting experiences they never imagined.
The story is filled with action, from intense battles to steamy moments, as the women discover their inner strength and navigate life in space.
April 1, 2024
I feel like Anna Hackett has fabulous ideas for stories, and interesting plots. I like her characters, and enjoy their adventures. I keep coming back to her because a new series book blurb sounds awesome.
They just never jump that line from like to love, for me.
It all boils down to pacing. So freaking much happens in like 200 pages that none of it has any weight or emotional impact. There's one point in this book where the FMC says "I can't possibly be in 3 ship crashes in a week" as it appears their transport is going down, for, yes, the third time this week. And I was like "I know, right?!"
I feel like if she either extended the book, or scrapped a couple scenes to let the rest breathe a bit, it would let her stories be everything they are on the verge of being. But YMMV.
They just never jump that line from like to love, for me.
It all boils down to pacing. So freaking much happens in like 200 pages that none of it has any weight or emotional impact. There's one point in this book where the FMC says "I can't possibly be in 3 ship crashes in a week" as it appears their transport is going down, for, yes, the third time this week. And I was like "I know, right?!"
I feel like if she either extended the book, or scrapped a couple scenes to let the rest breathe a bit, it would let her stories be everything they are on the verge of being. But YMMV.
Read
May 4, 2022It's a DNF at 60% for me
The "magical heroine with super badass powers who drops from the sky and is automatically the biggest badass around without any special training" is of my BIGGEST pet peeves in romance. 🙃
The "magical heroine with super badass powers who drops from the sky and is automatically the biggest badass around without any special training" is of my BIGGEST pet peeves in romance. 🙃
January 6, 2023
this was a fun read! i love sci-fi romance so much.
the relationship between the main character and love interest moved WAYYY too fast for me to feel invested, but i guess that’s the price i have to pay for a book that’s on the shorter side. the writing style was fun and engaging so i flew through it!
the plot was just okay and the world building was pretty good for how short the book was. the main character was fun and the love interest was a sweetie.
i’m very intrigued by some future relationships that were set up at the end, so i look forward to continuing the series!
the relationship between the main character and love interest moved WAYYY too fast for me to feel invested, but i guess that’s the price i have to pay for a book that’s on the shorter side. the writing style was fun and engaging so i flew through it!
the plot was just okay and the world building was pretty good for how short the book was. the main character was fun and the love interest was a sweetie.
i’m very intrigued by some future relationships that were set up at the end, so i look forward to continuing the series!
January 21, 2024
DNF @ 65% >11 chapters
I'm so tired of hear how *special* Mal is. Like, I usually don't care if a character is OP and uber-special, but it so rubbed me wrong here. "No one has been able to do XYZ" "Your energy is a color never seen before!" And let's not forget how all the women described are soft courtiers while the 1 military woman isn't described at all which feels like a dig in order to make Mal with her calloused-hands even more different.
Scenes feel over the top and barely fleshed out. They take time to "make a plan" but the plan is literally go to the place and kill things. Solid. Why couldn't this have been shared on the plane? And the energy priestess scene *rolls eyes* how pointless.
And why are they using swords and knives "charged with energy" when they could be using the guns on their fighter jets? Are you telling me there is no way to "charge" a grenade with energy?
I can over look one or two things, but when they start piling up I just get frustrated.
I'm so tired of hear how *special* Mal is. Like, I usually don't care if a character is OP and uber-special, but it so rubbed me wrong here. "No one has been able to do XYZ" "Your energy is a color never seen before!" And let's not forget how all the women described are soft courtiers while the 1 military woman isn't described at all which feels like a dig in order to make Mal with her calloused-hands even more different.
Scenes feel over the top and barely fleshed out. They take time to "make a plan" but the plan is literally go to the place and kill things. Solid. Why couldn't this have been shared on the plane? And the energy priestess scene *rolls eyes* how pointless.
And why are they using swords and knives "charged with energy" when they could be using the guns on their fighter jets? Are you telling me there is no way to "charge" a grenade with energy?
I can over look one or two things, but when they start piling up I just get frustrated.
February 5, 2022
What a banging start to a new series! God I can’t gush about this book enough.
I loved Rhain and his name. Infact author did a great job with gifting unique and beautiful names to all the characters. He was strong, loyal, honourable and hot! Like wise heroine Mal was his perfect match. Her courage was worth mentioning.
Add a fantastic plot and you get an immensely enjoyable book. The alien world, their customs, costumes, powers everything was beautiful. I enjoyed the many refreshing facets of this alien race. Writing, secondary characters and world buildup was also amazing.
If you love well written romance with hot alpha aliens, strong and courageous humans, action, steamy times this book is for you.
Safe and recommended.
I loved Rhain and his name. Infact author did a great job with gifting unique and beautiful names to all the characters. He was strong, loyal, honourable and hot! Like wise heroine Mal was his perfect match. Her courage was worth mentioning.
Add a fantastic plot and you get an immensely enjoyable book. The alien world, their customs, costumes, powers everything was beautiful. I enjoyed the many refreshing facets of this alien race. Writing, secondary characters and world buildup was also amazing.
If you love well written romance with hot alpha aliens, strong and courageous humans, action, steamy times this book is for you.
Safe and recommended.
December 15, 2021
4 stars
I am sitting on the fence with this one. Although I did enjoy the read, it didn’t draw me in as much as I thought it might. I’m not sure what it was, but I look forward to reading Poppy’s story next. And with the overlap of characters from the Gladiator series, I will be catching up on them too.
I am sitting on the fence with this one. Although I did enjoy the read, it didn’t draw me in as much as I thought it might. I’m not sure what it was, but I look forward to reading Poppy’s story next. And with the overlap of characters from the Gladiator series, I will be catching up on them too.
Want to read
September 18, 2023This COVER!🫶🏼
January 9, 2022
How the heck is this book so damn popular?
Maybe it’s changed since last I looked but every time I’ve looked at this books reviews since I started reading it (over a week ago!) it only seems to have 4/5 star reviews. Why ?
Why does everyone seem to like something I’ve come to loathe ? That I don’t know, but I’ll try to explain what it is dislike so much about this book.
Now it’s a given, Ms.Hackett is a talented writer. She’s gotten awards for it . She has a loyal and eager fan base from it ( well deserved) and she’s a really kind and decent person from what I’ve seen.
None of that matters here per se ,but still.
We all have hits and misses and for me this was a huge miss.
I gotta say I was turned off at the get go w/Mac .
The moment we meet her she’s first irresponsible ( staying out too late with friends drinking the night before a huge day at work) then she’s showboating like she’s the snarky lead in an action movie.
She’s rushing in to get coffee at the company coffee shop when some idiot tries to threaten her with a knife. With an attitude that was so reminiscent of someone like Ryan Reynolds,I had a hard time seeing anyone but him in the scene. She punches the guy in the gut, gets his knife tells him what a mistake this all is and why,as she then proceeds to knock him into a display of snacks. Calls the security over and then tell the guy behind the counter how she’d have been pissed if she’d spilled her coffee during all of her dramatics. Coz, Ms. Macho couldn’t possibly have set down her coffee down while she was showing off by flipping his knife around and knocking the into the display.
All I could do is roll my eyes at the cocky showboating . So over the top . So unneeded. And it killed any and all thoughts of connection with this wanna be Marvel star .
She’s supposed a pilot not an Avenger. 🙄
By the way,do the skills for flying a plane directly transfer to flying a spaceship? Seems like they'd be pretty different,wouldn't they ? Anyway.
Then once on the planet she seems to prove every chance she gets that “fools really do rush in where angels would fear to tread”. ( paraphrased I know ,but O so true!)
Every chance this girl gets she’s rushing head long into danger without stopping to think for a single second. She finds out the planets magnetic fields are changing her ,giving her powers and abilities. Does she has tons of questions about this ? Practice them ? Research what’s happening to her ? O heck no! That would be too much like common sense. This girl will have none of that . She goes from almost killing herself trying escape Rhain. To almost getting herself killed trying to help or defend Rhain. She’s ALWAYS just running hell bent with her swords not stopping to think. Just kill,kill ,kill. Now granted in the way of these stories that’s basically how it goes.
Couple meets. They’re attracted but try to fight the attraction ( barely at times ) . Then they are attacked. They get a break. Have sex or just flirt and heavy petting on the verge of sex. Fight, fight,fight. Then a break to heal,sleep,and finally sex if they haven’t already. Then let the fighting begin again . Rinse and repeat til story ends. The End.
It’s not _always_ a bad formula, sometimes it flows so well you forget you’ve been here before but other times it feels like what it is .
Here I definitely felt it. Mac feels like a one trick pony ,err dog,all she sees is “rescuing Poppy”, occasionally she has a “ squirrel!” moment where Rhain is the squirrel and he distracts her with sex. But otherwise ALL she seems see is rescuing Poppy. Now sure,sure her friend does need to be rescued but not the insanely fixated way Mac does it . See transport with Poppy on it . Focus solely on Poppy and nearly get killed by insane zombie like creatures because all you see is Poppy. Then stupidly drag your man and his ppl into an unknown cave after her and almost get yourself and all of them killed because you couldn’t stop 🛑 and think and I don’t know maybe plan first. Nope,not you . You gotta rush in like the clueless TSTL wannabe you are. And at 68% ,I couldn’t take it anymore. She had no plans or expectations other finding Poppy and sexing Rhain. Vapid cocky wanna action star, wasn’t for me.
Maybe it’s changed since last I looked but every time I’ve looked at this books reviews since I started reading it (over a week ago!) it only seems to have 4/5 star reviews. Why ?
Why does everyone seem to like something I’ve come to loathe ? That I don’t know, but I’ll try to explain what it is dislike so much about this book.
Now it’s a given, Ms.Hackett is a talented writer. She’s gotten awards for it . She has a loyal and eager fan base from it ( well deserved) and she’s a really kind and decent person from what I’ve seen.
None of that matters here per se ,but still.
We all have hits and misses and for me this was a huge miss.
I gotta say I was turned off at the get go w/Mac .
The moment we meet her she’s first irresponsible ( staying out too late with friends drinking the night before a huge day at work) then she’s showboating like she’s the snarky lead in an action movie.
She’s rushing in to get coffee at the company coffee shop when some idiot tries to threaten her with a knife. With an attitude that was so reminiscent of someone like Ryan Reynolds,I had a hard time seeing anyone but him in the scene. She punches the guy in the gut, gets his knife tells him what a mistake this all is and why,as she then proceeds to knock him into a display of snacks. Calls the security over and then tell the guy behind the counter how she’d have been pissed if she’d spilled her coffee during all of her dramatics. Coz, Ms. Macho couldn’t possibly have set down her coffee down while she was showing off by flipping his knife around and knocking the into the display.
All I could do is roll my eyes at the cocky showboating . So over the top . So unneeded. And it killed any and all thoughts of connection with this wanna be Marvel star .
She’s supposed a pilot not an Avenger. 🙄
By the way,do the skills for flying a plane directly transfer to flying a spaceship? Seems like they'd be pretty different,wouldn't they ? Anyway.
Then once on the planet she seems to prove every chance she gets that “fools really do rush in where angels would fear to tread”. ( paraphrased I know ,but O so true!)
Every chance this girl gets she’s rushing head long into danger without stopping to think for a single second. She finds out the planets magnetic fields are changing her ,giving her powers and abilities. Does she has tons of questions about this ? Practice them ? Research what’s happening to her ? O heck no! That would be too much like common sense. This girl will have none of that . She goes from almost killing herself trying escape Rhain. To almost getting herself killed trying to help or defend Rhain. She’s ALWAYS just running hell bent with her swords not stopping to think. Just kill,kill ,kill. Now granted in the way of these stories that’s basically how it goes.
Couple meets. They’re attracted but try to fight the attraction ( barely at times ) . Then they are attacked. They get a break. Have sex or just flirt and heavy petting on the verge of sex. Fight, fight,fight. Then a break to heal,sleep,and finally sex if they haven’t already. Then let the fighting begin again . Rinse and repeat til story ends. The End.
It’s not _always_ a bad formula, sometimes it flows so well you forget you’ve been here before but other times it feels like what it is .
Here I definitely felt it. Mac feels like a one trick pony ,err dog,all she sees is “rescuing Poppy”, occasionally she has a “ squirrel!” moment where Rhain is the squirrel and he distracts her with sex. But otherwise ALL she seems see is rescuing Poppy. Now sure,sure her friend does need to be rescued but not the insanely fixated way Mac does it . See transport with Poppy on it . Focus solely on Poppy and nearly get killed by insane zombie like creatures because all you see is Poppy. Then stupidly drag your man and his ppl into an unknown cave after her and almost get yourself and all of them killed because you couldn’t stop 🛑 and think and I don’t know maybe plan first. Nope,not you . You gotta rush in like the clueless TSTL wannabe you are. And at 68% ,I couldn’t take it anymore. She had no plans or expectations other finding Poppy and sexing Rhain. Vapid cocky wanna action star, wasn’t for me.
December 13, 2021
If like me you miss the Galactic Gladiators then you will be overjoyed to meet these new characters in this spin off world. This seems to focus on brothers who are all in battle against their evil father. This the first book has Rhain taking prisoner a feisty female who is clearly dangerous but is he right to believe she's a spy for his father ?
I think readers will be jumping up and down when they start to read this story because Mal is a heroine that we can all cheer for. Courageous and cheeky and definitely about to set Rhains world on fire ! I enjoyed the magic in play here as whilst alien it wasn't over the top and I could therefore believe in it. The story had a good pace that kept my interest and meeting the other brothers near the end just added to the intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this and very much look forward to catching up with Poppy in the next book.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
I think readers will be jumping up and down when they start to read this story because Mal is a heroine that we can all cheer for. Courageous and cheeky and definitely about to set Rhains world on fire ! I enjoyed the magic in play here as whilst alien it wasn't over the top and I could therefore believe in it. The story had a good pace that kept my interest and meeting the other brothers near the end just added to the intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this and very much look forward to catching up with Poppy in the next book.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
March 18, 2022
Quick(ish) Review
This is a combo review because a) read them back to back and b) tired and it's been a long week. I liked the setup to this 'verse but I didn't realize it's more of a spin-off to another series. As a result, there's vague references to that series that might help fill in the worldbuilding a bit more. In any event, I'm kind of middle of the road on these right now because I'm not sure what's going on. It feels slightly unfocused, in that I don't know much about the Big Bad in this series, and what I do know doesn't make alot of sense.
As for the individual romances, they're also very similar. Physically the heroines are opposite, but they both struggled to belong on Earth until they get to this new 'verse. Then suddenly they're exhibiting amazing, one of kind powers (of course), and they're hooking up with the leaders of two different planets, who also happen to be half-brothers.
I don't know, I think it has potential but it's like that pretty apartment with a great view that has one chair and a lamp for decoration. It's sparsely furnished. But I'm sold on the view, just and I'm waiting for the next delivery to see if it turns into a comfy place to hang out for a long time or if I'm just going to be staring out the window at what could have been.
Aaaaaannnd I'm done lol.
This is a combo review because a) read them back to back and b) tired and it's been a long week. I liked the setup to this 'verse but I didn't realize it's more of a spin-off to another series. As a result, there's vague references to that series that might help fill in the worldbuilding a bit more. In any event, I'm kind of middle of the road on these right now because I'm not sure what's going on. It feels slightly unfocused, in that I don't know much about the Big Bad in this series, and what I do know doesn't make alot of sense.
As for the individual romances, they're also very similar. Physically the heroines are opposite, but they both struggled to belong on Earth until they get to this new 'verse. Then suddenly they're exhibiting amazing, one of kind powers (of course), and they're hooking up with the leaders of two different planets, who also happen to be half-brothers.
I don't know, I think it has potential but it's like that pretty apartment with a great view that has one chair and a lamp for decoration. It's sparsely furnished. But I'm sold on the view, just and I'm waiting for the next delivery to see if it turns into a comfy place to hang out for a long time or if I'm just going to be staring out the window at what could have been.
Aaaaaannnd I'm done lol.
January 20, 2022
I loved Anna Hackett's Galactic Gladiators series so I was excited to see this new series. This was just as good and pulled me right in.
Mallory was a badass ex-airforce pilot who is now a test pilot for a tech company doing wormhole flight experiments. She's rough around the edges and tough thanks to an usual upbringing with her stunt double step-dad who raised her knife and sword fighting.
During their first test flight, things go terribly wrong and Mal and her scientist partner Poppy are thrown clear across the galaxy. They get pulled into an unknown planet's atmosphere where their ship breaks apart and they crash separately and end up in two completely different circumstances.
Rhain is the overlord for his planet Zhalto. His evil father is trying to force him into an alliance and willing to commit genocide to get his way. Rhain is a fair and honorable man and as a great and beloved leader he will do anything to save Zhalto and his people. When a weird ship crashes nearby he won't let his guard down for any shenanigans or spy his father might be trying to get past him.
Rhain and Mal were good together. They both were fighters who didn't quit or give in. They stood up for what was right and were both fiercely loyal. Rhain and Mal back each other up while they fight the warlord sent to bring Zhalto down and look for what happened to Poppy. They were drawn to each other from the beginning and have very steamy chemistry between all the swordfighting.
Mallory was a badass ex-airforce pilot who is now a test pilot for a tech company doing wormhole flight experiments. She's rough around the edges and tough thanks to an usual upbringing with her stunt double step-dad who raised her knife and sword fighting.
During their first test flight, things go terribly wrong and Mal and her scientist partner Poppy are thrown clear across the galaxy. They get pulled into an unknown planet's atmosphere where their ship breaks apart and they crash separately and end up in two completely different circumstances.
Rhain is the overlord for his planet Zhalto. His evil father is trying to force him into an alliance and willing to commit genocide to get his way. Rhain is a fair and honorable man and as a great and beloved leader he will do anything to save Zhalto and his people. When a weird ship crashes nearby he won't let his guard down for any shenanigans or spy his father might be trying to get past him.
Rhain and Mal were good together. They both were fighters who didn't quit or give in. They stood up for what was right and were both fiercely loyal. Rhain and Mal back each other up while they fight the warlord sent to bring Zhalto down and look for what happened to Poppy. They were drawn to each other from the beginning and have very steamy chemistry between all the swordfighting.
May 31, 2022
First Impressions
Overlord is the first book of the current series by Anna Hackett and I actually think this is my first sci-fi from this author. It’s possible I have read some of her older sci-fi but I will be honest many of her past covers and sign even this one, just scream indie sci-fi romance (LOL) But I am starting to get past the look of a certain style of indie covers and I am so happy that I did because this book was so delightful. So many good elements that brought together such a solid story and I can’t wait for book two which actually releases tomorrow. So I might read that conclusion later this week because I enjoyed this one so much. What drew me to this book was I was in a mood for some sci-fi romance and I have really REALLY neglected this sub-genre of late and I have been wanting to explore it much more. And it was a powerhouse of a read that I had such a fun time with.
The Summary
Pilot Mallory West has served in the military for quite a while, and she loves the life that she lives even if it can be lonely at times. She is called up to be a pilot on an experimenting spaceship, and the plan with her co-pilot is to just travel to Jupiter and back but things don’t always go as planned and that is definitely the case here. Before Mallory realizes it, she is crash landing on a distant planet on the other side of the galaxy and she loses her co-pilot in the crash site, and is having to fight off a dangerous beast, and finds herself captured by the king of the area, whom they refer to as Overlord. Rhain Zhalto Sarkany is determined to protect his people from the machinations of his father and the greatest threat is that of a man that murdered his mother by his father’s wish. when he finds this strange woman, he suspects her of working with his father but finds himself intrigued by this captive who acts nothing like most of the women he knows. She is as beautiful as she is fierce, and soon they are fighting for their lives protecting those they care about the most, and finding justice. But can these two dividing forces find a passionate love amidst the chaos that has chosen to erupt in their lives?
What I Loved
Man on man did I enjoy this book so much. So many fun elements that are included in this story and I couldn’t get enough of seeing what works within this story here. I am so in love with this story and seeing what it brings together. I absolutely adored this book and I just love a fun adventure in a sci-fi romance. And Anna Hackett really wrote such a entertaining story that kept me hooked and you can easily read this one in one sitting. I read it in less than two hours and was a delight in every way. I especially loved our heroine. She is passionate, a fighter, crafty but also has a vulnerable side to her. I loved her fierce spirit in searching for her friend, and the bantering that built between Mallory and Rhain was so delightful. They just work so well together once they get through that sexual tension. They are so well matched and when they join forces, you better watch out. And also there is a bit of magical and mystical elements to this story that I wasn’t expecting. So many intense scenes that just kick ass and I am eager for more for what this author can deliver.
What I Struggled With
There wasn’t really anything specific, I mean it didn’t completely draw me to the point that it could get to a five-star read. I do feel like there could have been a bit more consistency in the pacing of the story. But other than that, it worked very well.
Overall View
Overlord is a thrill, leaves you breathless and at the edge of your seat in this outer space adventure that will keep that heart rate up and keep you excited for more.
Overlord is the first book of the current series by Anna Hackett and I actually think this is my first sci-fi from this author. It’s possible I have read some of her older sci-fi but I will be honest many of her past covers and sign even this one, just scream indie sci-fi romance (LOL) But I am starting to get past the look of a certain style of indie covers and I am so happy that I did because this book was so delightful. So many good elements that brought together such a solid story and I can’t wait for book two which actually releases tomorrow. So I might read that conclusion later this week because I enjoyed this one so much. What drew me to this book was I was in a mood for some sci-fi romance and I have really REALLY neglected this sub-genre of late and I have been wanting to explore it much more. And it was a powerhouse of a read that I had such a fun time with.
The Summary
Pilot Mallory West has served in the military for quite a while, and she loves the life that she lives even if it can be lonely at times. She is called up to be a pilot on an experimenting spaceship, and the plan with her co-pilot is to just travel to Jupiter and back but things don’t always go as planned and that is definitely the case here. Before Mallory realizes it, she is crash landing on a distant planet on the other side of the galaxy and she loses her co-pilot in the crash site, and is having to fight off a dangerous beast, and finds herself captured by the king of the area, whom they refer to as Overlord. Rhain Zhalto Sarkany is determined to protect his people from the machinations of his father and the greatest threat is that of a man that murdered his mother by his father’s wish. when he finds this strange woman, he suspects her of working with his father but finds himself intrigued by this captive who acts nothing like most of the women he knows. She is as beautiful as she is fierce, and soon they are fighting for their lives protecting those they care about the most, and finding justice. But can these two dividing forces find a passionate love amidst the chaos that has chosen to erupt in their lives?
What I Loved
Man on man did I enjoy this book so much. So many fun elements that are included in this story and I couldn’t get enough of seeing what works within this story here. I am so in love with this story and seeing what it brings together. I absolutely adored this book and I just love a fun adventure in a sci-fi romance. And Anna Hackett really wrote such a entertaining story that kept me hooked and you can easily read this one in one sitting. I read it in less than two hours and was a delight in every way. I especially loved our heroine. She is passionate, a fighter, crafty but also has a vulnerable side to her. I loved her fierce spirit in searching for her friend, and the bantering that built between Mallory and Rhain was so delightful. They just work so well together once they get through that sexual tension. They are so well matched and when they join forces, you better watch out. And also there is a bit of magical and mystical elements to this story that I wasn’t expecting. So many intense scenes that just kick ass and I am eager for more for what this author can deliver.
What I Struggled With
There wasn’t really anything specific, I mean it didn’t completely draw me to the point that it could get to a five-star read. I do feel like there could have been a bit more consistency in the pacing of the story. But other than that, it worked very well.
Overall View
Overlord is a thrill, leaves you breathless and at the edge of your seat in this outer space adventure that will keep that heart rate up and keep you excited for more.
sample
December 21, 2021Read the sample and I am glad for it, the writing style really did not work for me. It felt very info-dumpy, like the author wanted to cram in ALL THE INFO AND TRAGIC BACKSTORY of the heroine in the first few pages. And her current issues with her supervisor. And her past in the air force. And her adoptive dad. Who is dead. But who taught her stunts and knife fights. Which came in mega handy during a morning mishap at the coffee place. Etc..
dnf
March 30, 2023DNF 37%
Not terrible but I just wasn't having any fun reading
Not terrible but I just wasn't having any fun reading
December 17, 2021
5 Stars
March 12, 2022
"Are you wet for me?"
Yeah, no. DNF @ 47%. This was an interesting concept. However, the overuse of cheesy dialogue, the magical beautiful girl who fell from the sky (who doesn't know she's beautiful!) with all these magical powers no one has seen before, gave me second-hand embarrassment. I mean, the leads hardly know each other, and he's saying such poetic lines such as, "I want to stick my cock in you." Right. To. Her. Face. And she falls for it!! That's Shakspeare right there! I've had guys shout similar things to me at the club, and no matter how hot the guy is, I find creepy and rather sus. No thank you.
Yeah, no. DNF @ 47%. This was an interesting concept. However, the overuse of cheesy dialogue, the magical beautiful girl who fell from the sky (who doesn't know she's beautiful!) with all these magical powers no one has seen before, gave me second-hand embarrassment. I mean, the leads hardly know each other, and he's saying such poetic lines such as, "I want to stick my cock in you." Right. To. Her. Face. And she falls for it!! That's Shakspeare right there! I've had guys shout similar things to me at the club, and no matter how hot the guy is, I find creepy and rather sus. No thank you.
June 6, 2022
1 star
Just another random smutty alien-human romance novel with a very loosely held together plot. Very forgettable and boring, and brought me physical pain to actually finish it.
Good sci-fi romances you should read: Dark Horse, Hunt the Stars.
Just another random smutty alien-human romance novel with a very loosely held together plot. Very forgettable and boring, and brought me physical pain to actually finish it.
Good sci-fi romances you should read: Dark Horse, Hunt the Stars.
May 29, 2024
2.5⭐?
It was fine.
I still stand by my original statement that there was not enough kissing and way too many battle scenes.
I ended up glossing over the last 30% because somehow there were still So. Many. Battles.
I don't think I'll give up on Anna Hackett yet though. I may just need to go back to the original series (because apparently this one is a spin off of a spin off.)
It was fine.
I still stand by my original statement that there was not enough kissing and way too many battle scenes.
I ended up glossing over the last 30% because somehow there were still So. Many. Battles.
I don't think I'll give up on Anna Hackett yet though. I may just need to go back to the original series (because apparently this one is a spin off of a spin off.)
January 14, 2022
It was ok. I didn't really connect with the characters. I liked all the world building details and I'll read more by this author.
February 8, 2022
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: There are books that will change your life and speak to your soul, and then there are books that are just here for a good time. Overlord is one of the latter. I was looking for an easy read to turn off my brain and just enjoy a good story, and that is precisely what I got.
While testing new wormhole technology, our ex-military heroine Mallory West and her brilliant scientist BFF Poppy are flung across space only to crash on Planet Zhalto. Where, of course, Mal meets the very sexy, very powerful Overlord - Rhain. There's fighting, there's smut, and there's surprisingly captivating world-building.
Like, yeah, I fully expected the overly cheesy lines and simple writing style, but the creativity in the world-building was a pleasant surprise, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can absolutely tell that Anna Hackett let herself have some fun while writing it, and I had just as much fun reading it. The creatures, the city of Citadel, the planet-specific powers and abilities, the interplanetary conflict - I ate it all up! I actually enjoyed the story more than the smut at times. She even went as far as explaining the reasons why Mal and Rhain had similar biological makeup, and she did not have to do that! While I know many people aren't, I am perfectly okay with having unexplained reasons why our MCs have the matching parts to get down and dirty even though they're from opposite sides of the galaxy. So the fact that Anna considered that was another nice added touch.
The dialogue wasn't the best, and it reads like a fast-paced movie, but I think the overall story makes up for it. It was pretty predictable at times, but that was kind of exactly what I wanted, so I'm not complaining.
If you're looking for an intellectually stimulating book, this one isn't for you - but if you're looking just to have a little fun and let the story take you along, give it a shot!
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
While testing new wormhole technology, our ex-military heroine Mallory West and her brilliant scientist BFF Poppy are flung across space only to crash on Planet Zhalto. Where, of course, Mal meets the very sexy, very powerful Overlord - Rhain. There's fighting, there's smut, and there's surprisingly captivating world-building.
Like, yeah, I fully expected the overly cheesy lines and simple writing style, but the creativity in the world-building was a pleasant surprise, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can absolutely tell that Anna Hackett let herself have some fun while writing it, and I had just as much fun reading it. The creatures, the city of Citadel, the planet-specific powers and abilities, the interplanetary conflict - I ate it all up! I actually enjoyed the story more than the smut at times. She even went as far as explaining the reasons why Mal and Rhain had similar biological makeup, and she did not have to do that! While I know many people aren't, I am perfectly okay with having unexplained reasons why our MCs have the matching parts to get down and dirty even though they're from opposite sides of the galaxy. So the fact that Anna considered that was another nice added touch.
The dialogue wasn't the best, and it reads like a fast-paced movie, but I think the overall story makes up for it. It was pretty predictable at times, but that was kind of exactly what I wanted, so I'm not complaining.
If you're looking for an intellectually stimulating book, this one isn't for you - but if you're looking just to have a little fun and let the story take you along, give it a shot!
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
May 27, 2022
Pilot Mallory West is doing a flying experiment along with her friend Poppy in a space ship when something goes horribly wrong. It turns out she has somehow gone through a wormhole and crash landed on a planet on the other side of the galaxy, a planet under siege. She is captured and held prisoner by orders of the king, Rhain Zhalto as he’s very suspicious of where this strange woman has come from. She manages to escape so she can look for her friend. Rhain goes after her and when together they battle these zombie monsters, he begins to believe her.
They work together to find her friend and battle the forces that are trying to take over his kingdom and along the way, their feelings for each other grow and strengthen.
I’ve read a number of books by Anna Hackett and they are mostly solid Bs as was this one. Mal is a loner who always felt out of place. Her only real friend is Poppy, thus Mal’s need to find her. I found her a bit annoying at times, thus keeping this a B grade. Rhain, on the other hand was a great hero who truly loves and is loved by his people.
I got this book through KU and already have the next book in the series ready to read.
They work together to find her friend and battle the forces that are trying to take over his kingdom and along the way, their feelings for each other grow and strengthen.
I’ve read a number of books by Anna Hackett and they are mostly solid Bs as was this one. Mal is a loner who always felt out of place. Her only real friend is Poppy, thus Mal’s need to find her. I found her a bit annoying at times, thus keeping this a B grade. Rhain, on the other hand was a great hero who truly loves and is loved by his people.
I got this book through KU and already have the next book in the series ready to read.
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