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shelly_reads_books's review
3.5
3.5āļø Another enjoyable instalment of this story! Very slow burn, lower spice (itās there, just not the focus!), the focus is very much on the plot and broader struggles of the telepathic space pirate society. All in all a fun SF romanceāthe why choose part of the romance plot is very slow burn but you can see where itās heading.
If you are looking for an interesting space opera with a romance plot woven in, I recommend.Ā
Read via audio (hot tip: this and book 1 is currently included free in the audible+ catalogue, and the whole series is also on Scribd (a subscription audiobook app, a little like KU for audio)
If you are looking for an interesting space opera with a romance plot woven in, I recommend.Ā
Read via audio (hot tip: this and book 1 is currently included free in the audible+ catalogue, and the whole series is also on Scribd (a subscription audiobook app, a little like KU for audio)
lolasreviews's review against another edition
4.0
After Pirate Nemesis I couldn't wait to continue the series and see what would happen next. I bought Pirate Consort the day it released and then it took me months before I finally got around to reading it. With how high my expectations were and how long it had been since I read book 1 I wasn't sure how easy it was to get into this one and if it would be as good as book 1.
Pirate Consort is a great sequel. It nicely builds on the pieces and story parts we got in book 1 already and builds up to some great reveals and an action packaged conclusion at the end. It's one of those books that get better and better the further you get. Having said that I also thought the start was this book's weakest part. And the end the strongest.
I admittedly found it quite difficult to get into this book at first. We start with a prologue with reveals the second consort and part of his backstory. I rather would've been left guessing who the second consort would be for a bit longer, but it was insightful to have that backstory, if not a very gripping opening. Then the start is very slow and not very gripping somehow and I found it hard to get into the book. I was really happy how the author shortly explained the key players, which helped freshen up my memory, but I do think it's easier to get into this one if you haven't read book 1 years ago.
I also had some trouble with the opening scene and the first few chapters. Part of the situation here feels very forced to me somehow. Then there are some parts later on that felt very convenient and allowed the main character to progress very quickly in a way she wouldn't be able to without that, but the twist that made that possible felt just a bit too convenient for me. It also bothered me a bit how over protective everyone was about Mercy, it was just a bit too much, even while it did make sense why they are so protective of her. I just didn't fully like it.
Despite my troubles with the start, the further I got in the book, the better it got. And the last 30% or so is very good and had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The epilogue is great too and makes me excited to see what will happen in book 3. There are some interesting developments plot wise, there are some great twists and reveals.
I liked seeing how Mercy changed and her powers grew in this book. She also becomes more comfortable with her role as queen, which was great to see. I like how these changes are slow enough to be believable and the situation also helps her along. The way she acts feel very realistic and I like how she rises to the challenge and also her her doubts and struggles too. I also liked how she doesn't change her mind overnight about a second consort, but slowly grew more open to the idea.
Besides Mercy's point of view there are some chapters form other characters their point of views too. My favorite side character in this book is probably Treon. I like how he has to deal with something that's quite tough on him and it also shows how much he would do for his brothers. And I have the feeling there is much more to his powers than we first thought. While he can be a tad arrogant (okay maybe more than a tad), with how he get his point of view his personality is much more complex than just that aspect.
This book slowly starts building the reverse harem element a bit. I admit I wasn't sure this would be RH after I read book 1 until the author mentioned it, but I was curious to see how the author would handle it. Mercy is firmly against multiple consorts in book 1, so I was hoping her change would be believable and I have to say it was. I like how the author took things slowly and while she has her eyes on a second consort, it doesn't go further than that and doesn't get romantically here yet. I also loved how she talked things through with reaper first before her feeling grew even stronger. I really like it if people communicate well in books and I like how this was handled.
I wouldn't have minded it things went even slower with the second consort as it felt now that those few interactions increased the bond between them a lot and while I like Sebastian, I am not fully feeling their romance yet. But I hope that will come in book 3 as he does seem like a great character and I also like how different from Reaper he is. Anyway so far I like how the author handled the reverse harem aspect. I also liked seeing how Mercy and Reaper interact in this book. There are some really sweet and touching scenes between them.
I love the world building in this series for the most part. All the telepathic powers the talented have are so cool and I liked learning even more about it. I just don't really like the whole queen thing, which unfortunately is a big part of the story and these books. They just seem a bit too overpowered to me and I don't fully like how their powers work.
To summarize: Pirate Consort was a great sequel with an action packed end that leaves me eager for book 3. The book has a bit of a slow start and I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. The start up situation feels a bit forced and off somehow to me. There also a part that felt a bit too convenient to me. It's one of those books that get better and better the further you get. There are some interesting development and twist, I did predict one of the reveals shortly before Mercy found out. Mercy is a great main character and I like how realistic she feels. It was great seeing her rise to the challenge and step more into her role as queen, but at the same time she still has her doubts and worries too. I especially liked side character Treon in this book and seeing what he went through in this book added some great depth to his character. The romance between Reaper and mercy was still awesome with some great scenes. I also liked how Mercy slowly warms up to the idea of two consorts. She mostly just gets to know him better and doesn't get romantically involved yet in this book and talked things through with her first consort first. I liked the slow pace with which this developed. The world building is great and I like all the telepathic powers, but still not a fan of the whole queen thing and the powers a queen has. All in all this was a great book that makes me excited to see where the series goes next.
Pirate Consort is a great sequel. It nicely builds on the pieces and story parts we got in book 1 already and builds up to some great reveals and an action packaged conclusion at the end. It's one of those books that get better and better the further you get. Having said that I also thought the start was this book's weakest part. And the end the strongest.
I admittedly found it quite difficult to get into this book at first. We start with a prologue with reveals the second consort and part of his backstory. I rather would've been left guessing who the second consort would be for a bit longer, but it was insightful to have that backstory, if not a very gripping opening. Then the start is very slow and not very gripping somehow and I found it hard to get into the book. I was really happy how the author shortly explained the key players, which helped freshen up my memory, but I do think it's easier to get into this one if you haven't read book 1 years ago.
I also had some trouble with the opening scene and the first few chapters. Part of the situation here feels very forced to me somehow. Then there are some parts later on that felt very convenient and allowed the main character to progress very quickly in a way she wouldn't be able to without that, but the twist that made that possible felt just a bit too convenient for me. It also bothered me a bit how over protective everyone was about Mercy, it was just a bit too much, even while it did make sense why they are so protective of her. I just didn't fully like it.
Despite my troubles with the start, the further I got in the book, the better it got. And the last 30% or so is very good and had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The epilogue is great too and makes me excited to see what will happen in book 3. There are some interesting developments plot wise, there are some great twists and reveals.
I liked seeing how Mercy changed and her powers grew in this book. She also becomes more comfortable with her role as queen, which was great to see. I like how these changes are slow enough to be believable and the situation also helps her along. The way she acts feel very realistic and I like how she rises to the challenge and also her her doubts and struggles too. I also liked how she doesn't change her mind overnight about a second consort, but slowly grew more open to the idea.
Besides Mercy's point of view there are some chapters form other characters their point of views too. My favorite side character in this book is probably Treon. I like how he has to deal with something that's quite tough on him and it also shows how much he would do for his brothers. And I have the feeling there is much more to his powers than we first thought. While he can be a tad arrogant (okay maybe more than a tad), with how he get his point of view his personality is much more complex than just that aspect.
This book slowly starts building the reverse harem element a bit. I admit I wasn't sure this would be RH after I read book 1 until the author mentioned it, but I was curious to see how the author would handle it. Mercy is firmly against multiple consorts in book 1, so I was hoping her change would be believable and I have to say it was. I like how the author took things slowly and while she has her eyes on a second consort, it doesn't go further than that and doesn't get romantically here yet. I also loved how she talked things through with reaper first before her feeling grew even stronger. I really like it if people communicate well in books and I like how this was handled.
I wouldn't have minded it things went even slower with the second consort as it felt now that those few interactions increased the bond between them a lot and while I like Sebastian, I am not fully feeling their romance yet. But I hope that will come in book 3 as he does seem like a great character and I also like how different from Reaper he is. Anyway so far I like how the author handled the reverse harem aspect. I also liked seeing how Mercy and Reaper interact in this book. There are some really sweet and touching scenes between them.
I love the world building in this series for the most part. All the telepathic powers the talented have are so cool and I liked learning even more about it. I just don't really like the whole queen thing, which unfortunately is a big part of the story and these books. They just seem a bit too overpowered to me and I don't fully like how their powers work.
To summarize: Pirate Consort was a great sequel with an action packed end that leaves me eager for book 3. The book has a bit of a slow start and I had a bit of trouble getting into the book. The start up situation feels a bit forced and off somehow to me. There also a part that felt a bit too convenient to me. It's one of those books that get better and better the further you get. There are some interesting development and twist, I did predict one of the reveals shortly before Mercy found out. Mercy is a great main character and I like how realistic she feels. It was great seeing her rise to the challenge and step more into her role as queen, but at the same time she still has her doubts and worries too. I especially liked side character Treon in this book and seeing what he went through in this book added some great depth to his character. The romance between Reaper and mercy was still awesome with some great scenes. I also liked how Mercy slowly warms up to the idea of two consorts. She mostly just gets to know him better and doesn't get romantically involved yet in this book and talked things through with her first consort first. I liked the slow pace with which this developed. The world building is great and I like all the telepathic powers, but still not a fan of the whole queen thing and the powers a queen has. All in all this was a great book that makes me excited to see where the series goes next.
smitch29's review against another edition
3.0
2.7
I never struggled to get through this book, but I was far from excited whilst reading it. I did struggle to really connect with the characters. In a moment, while they are part of the story, I suppose I care enough, that I never wanted to put the book down, but then the scene would move away, and a different character would be more central to the plot, and I no longer cared about the previous character. Even now, I don't feel that I really care what happens to most of the characters, especially not the main ones. I still rather hate the romance elements, as in I do not see them. Mercy supposedly has a connection to two of the characters in the story, one that she's full-on committed to, and another that is just beginning. However, I am still not getting any romantic vibes between the characters. Reaper was introduced as having no emotions, and Mercy was just drooling after him occasionally. Then, bam, they are committed in a long-term relationship. I still don't see it, but I could set me skepticism aside. However, then Sebastian gets introduced as a possible long-term commitment, and honestly, I'm getting more of big-brother vibes from him, so I'm finding the possibility of him and Mercy a little gross. Granted, their connection is at least in the early stages, but I am not hopeful I will feel much better about it. I feel the greatest connection between Treon and Thirteen and that won't be happening for a good long while (if it is even in the cards for them). Since I clearly don't connect with the characters the way the author wants me to, I don't know if that was how she intended me to read Treon and Thirteen's interactions.
Currently, I have no intentions of reading further in the series. I'm not against it, but I just have other books in my line-up that interest me more at this point.
I never struggled to get through this book, but I was far from excited whilst reading it. I did struggle to really connect with the characters. In a moment, while they are part of the story, I suppose I care enough, that I never wanted to put the book down, but then the scene would move away, and a different character would be more central to the plot, and I no longer cared about the previous character. Even now, I don't feel that I really care what happens to most of the characters, especially not the main ones. I still rather hate the romance elements, as in I do not see them. Mercy supposedly has a connection to two of the characters in the story, one that she's full-on committed to, and another that is just beginning. However, I am still not getting any romantic vibes between the characters. Reaper was introduced as having no emotions, and Mercy was just drooling after him occasionally. Then, bam, they are committed in a long-term relationship. I still don't see it, but I could set me skepticism aside. However, then Sebastian gets introduced as a possible long-term commitment, and honestly, I'm getting more of big-brother vibes from him, so I'm finding the possibility of him and Mercy a little gross. Granted, their connection is at least in the early stages, but I am not hopeful I will feel much better about it. I feel the greatest connection between Treon and Thirteen and that won't be happening for a good long while (if it is even in the cards for them). Since I clearly don't connect with the characters the way the author wants me to, I don't know if that was how she intended me to read Treon and Thirteen's interactions.
Currently, I have no intentions of reading further in the series. I'm not against it, but I just have other books in my line-up that interest me more at this point.
mdlaclair's review against another edition
3.0
I this universe. I just that it was individual character stores that tie into an big story. Rather then keeping the Queen as the main character. I never felt she was as interesting as the other characters.
nerdywerewolf's review against another edition
5.0
āBeing Queen is not easy. You are the one linked to them. You are theirs, not the other way around.ā
*An ensemble space opera that doesn't remind me of Star Wars or Firefly!
Mercy is a great heroine. She's so down-to-earth and while she's constantly trying to figure out where she stands, she always tries to project strength. Hearing her inner monologue humanizes her in a fantastic way, though.
The cast of characters keeps getting bigger and we see a couple of faces from the last book, but they are artfully put aside so we can get to know some new people. There were a few heel-turns and a surprising amount of new perspective added to the plotline.
This world also continues to expand. Everything about 'the enemy' from the last book gets, we'll say 'revisted,' and now there's an entirely new threat to everyone and you know what? It was seemless.
My only real lament is that I don't have more story to read. What a wonderful place to go.
*An ensemble space opera that doesn't remind me of Star Wars or Firefly!
Mercy is a great heroine. She's so down-to-earth and while she's constantly trying to figure out where she stands, she always tries to project strength. Hearing her inner monologue humanizes her in a fantastic way, though.
The cast of characters keeps getting bigger and we see a couple of faces from the last book, but they are artfully put aside so we can get to know some new people. There were a few heel-turns and a surprising amount of new perspective added to the plotline.
This world also continues to expand. Everything about 'the enemy' from the last book gets, we'll say 'revisted,' and now there's an entirely new threat to everyone and you know what? It was seemless.
My only real lament is that I don't have more story to read. What a wonderful place to go.
jslcbb's review against another edition
5.0
A long time coming
It seemed to take forever for this book to come out. It was worth the wait!!! I can't wait for the next one
It seemed to take forever for this book to come out. It was worth the wait!!! I can't wait for the next one
threadpanda's review against another edition
4.0
DAMMIT. I forgot my new rule of checking to make sure series were finished before I started them (because I have so many unfinished series...). This book was just as gripping and thrilling as the first one and now I'm extra annoyed with myself.
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