Review: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik

Title: Polaris Rising

Author: Jessie Mihalik
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publishing Date:  February 5th, 2019
Pages: 448

Genre: Adult Sci Fi/ Space Opera

Series:  Consortium Rebellion #1
Source:  Audio

 

A space princess on the run and a notorious outlaw soldier become unlikely allies in this imaginative, sexy space opera adventure—the first in an exciting science fiction trilogy.

In the far distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three High Houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada Von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.
Ada eluded her father’s forces for two years, but now her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.

When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiancé captures her, she’ll become a political prisoner and a liability to her House. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.

But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for . . .

I was so very excited for this read. I fell in love with the cover right away and I am always looking for a great space opera. I love stories that take place in deep space, traveling from planet to planet. I was able to easily escape into a whole new world while reading this book. I love the story, the setting, the characters, the writing. It was so so so good. Easily going to make my list of best books this year.... and its only February. 

Ada is a princess who has ran away from a not so ideal marriage. She has been pretty good staying out of trouble... that is until she is caught by mercenaries.... where she rooms with a murderer.... and her not so nice finance is now coming to get her.... 

Good thing, this murderer, Loch, knows how to help her escape. They team up together to race across the galaxy to stay out of trouble all while cooking up a plan to get out of said planned marriage. Of course nothing goes as planned and she and Loch, and a couple of other friends constantly find themselves in trouble and having to escape multiple intense situations. 

Oh this book. I am so in love with this book. I am so in love with each and every character. I can't put in to words my feelings for this book. It far surpassed my expectations and I am now anxiously awaiting another installment... which may or may not have these characters return... but just knowing another book from this author will be out there...makes me so very happy. I feel I may have found another favorite author. 

Everything felt just right with this story. The set up in the beginning really had me hooked, knowing I would be in for a wild ride and it was such a wild ride. Right away I loved Ada, she is so bright and colorful, sarcastic, smart, lively, full of angst in the good way. She is caring and loyal. She is such a great character. Really The only thing I can complain about is her stupidity when it comes to love...but without this where would the drama be??? 

Not only was Ada a wonderful character... oh my goodness.... Loch, such a hunky piece of man with killer instincts and a big heart for head strong women. He was sexy. He was sweet, he was really funny too. The remarks that came out of his mouth. I really need more  Loch in my life! 

There were a ton of great secondary characters that made this book extra fun. All very unique and held their own in the story. I feel they all had their own voice, their own personality, and their own part to play. The story wouldn't have been complete if any of them were missing. I hope to see much more of them in books to come. 

The romance was hot and heavy but also very slow burning. There was quite a build up that had me on the edge of my seat waiting for something to happen. Every time it was close I was screaming for more. It was very frustrating at times, but the good kind of frustrating. When the feelings came to surface between the characters (for them, I knew they were there for a while) it was well worth the wait. 

Romance wasn't the only good relationship in this book. There were sibling relationships and friendships and partnerships that came in to play. All done very well and I loved being apart of all the interactions in these relationships. 

I happened to really like the storyline in this book. It wasn't anything too special with the princess escaping a marriage and all that, but the storyline had all the betrayals, secrets, blood after blood type  of plot that I just happen to love. The more the merrier.  The story also had a ton of planet hopping and adventures that I just couldn't get enough of. The author did a wonderful job of giving me the feelings of being in deep space. The spaceships, the planets, the experiences, all very spacey, colorful, and so so exciting. 

Really, everything was so wonderful and fantastical. I loved every moment from the very first word to the very last word. I will be raving on about this book for quite a while. It will be hard to top it. 

A new found favorite series and author! Its great for those of the space opera kind of fan and if you just like great writing, wonderful characters, and wild rides. 

Author of Polaris Rising, a romantic science fiction novel arriving February 5, 2019 from Harper Voyager. For a peek at the first three chapters, visit my website.

Jessie Mihalik has a degree in Computer Science and a love of all things geeky. A software engineer by trade, Jessie now writes full time from her home in Texas. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing co-op video games with her husband, trying out new board games, or reading books pulled from her overflowing bookshelves.