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Polaris Rising  By  cover art

Polaris Rising

By: Jessie Mihalik
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
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Publisher's summary

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....

©2019 Jessie Mihalik (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Polaris Rising

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Horrible. Don't waste your credit or time.

This book was unbelievably stupid. First is that it's sexist and condones sexual violence against women. For example, the main character was threatened by a man who was also held in a cell with her. He lunges at her, and she thinks she's going to die. Instead, he kisses her. Suddenly she is in lust with this man who sexually assaulted her. Then later, as the two are running for their lives, the main character still lusts for the bad guy even though he scares her to death. Really? When you are running for your life and people are shooting at you, you do not think about the scary man's hands all over you. It's ridiculous. And the story just gets more stupid from there. Unless you like damsels in distress who lusts after creepy men, I would forego this one. I for one, returned the book. It was just too stupid and sexually pervy for me.

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36 people found this helpful

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Should be under romance

I regret spending this credit. This was not a ‘Space Opera ‘. This was a romance book and not a very good one. The actual story premise is not bad but the main character is hung up on her angsty lustful thoughts about a guy that acts like a teenage bully. Save your money.

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22 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Sy-Fy porn

it was a good enough story without the overly explicit sex scenes. kinda took away from it.

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20 people found this helpful

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Absolute Perfection!

Jessie Mihalik is an absolute genius World Builder. She drops you straight into the plot and lets you figure out how the world works from the background information rather than drowning you in exposition. Absolutely engrossing from start to finish Polaris Rising manages to leave you completely satisfied but desperate for more. Can't wait for the sequel!

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15 people found this helpful

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Took me two attempts to finish

I was very disappointed, as I had read another of Mihalik's books and enjoyed it. And, to be fair, part of my dislike of this one may have been due to the narrator (who I will avoid in the future). But the book was terribly predictable—when I put it down about 2/3 the way through, it was because I'd predicted the exact scene that played out. I did finally finish it today, and I found the heroine no more likeable than before. And, there was yet another rescue!

I don't know what would have improved it for me. I really wanted to like it.

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11 people found this helpful

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Non-Stop Action!

Polaris Rising grabs you from the first chapter and the action never stops. Lady Ada von Hasenberg has been on the run from her father for almost two years because he wishes to attach her to a loveless marriage. She meets outlaw Marcus Loch and together they chase adventures across the universe.

The world building is smooth and seamless. The attraction between Ada and Loch is hot and dangerous. If I have any criticism at all, the plot is a bit thin. But the action makes up for it.

And the narration by Emily Woo Zeller is nothing short of perfect!

Highly recommended!

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8 people found this helpful

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Stellar entry...

Good grief, I've never had so much fun, couldn't keep the stupid grin off my face. 😆

Can I have the next one now, please?

And why have I not heard of Emily Woo Zeller? Narration at its finest.

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7 people found this helpful

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It's a romance novel.

The romance novel part is pretty predictable
A slow build, a dalliance half way through, a misunderstanding to bring back tension, the things are resolved but sex delayed until after the action climax. the Sci fi wasn't bad.

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6 people found this helpful

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Good story, okay narrator.

I really enjoyed the story, but I had a hard time with many of the secondary (particularly male) voices. Fortunately it wasn't bad enough to be a deal breaker, but I hope Emily Woo Zeller can improve her male voices before the next book comes out.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Bam! Outta Nowhere! Full credit worthy!

I did not see the greatness of this book coming. Got all three books in the series cheap at the last stacked sale and was hoping for a decent sci-fi, romance romp. This starts as an on-the-run space adventure staring two kick@ss prisoners, but expands into a space opera involving a triumvirate Consortium of powerful “royal”families with espionage and political alliances. Oh, and there’s an oil N vinegar romance with a lot of spicy chemistry between Ada and Marcus Loch. All expertly narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.

I love that Ada is smart and strong, and not a mere damsel. I also appreciate that she has a fellow smart, strong female as the adventure progresses. I’m tired of books where a lone female is surrounded by males. I’m bemused by reviews calling this p@rn, because there’s less nooky than a Julia Quinn romance. Aside from kisses, there’s a smattering of mostly fade to black scenes and two very short, almost summary scenes (first at 6.5 hrs, the “steamiest” at 10, and at the end). I agree that the scene at 10 hrs was oddly descriptive compared to the rest of the book, and it was followed by the book’s only couple of F bombs, but again, this scene was a minute long and the F bomb discussion afterwards was equally brief. Release your pearls, people!

Seems to be a newer author and there is room for improvement. This book did drag a little in the second half and the dialogue could use a bit more humor and snark. Some overly repeated phrases (nipples pebble a lot 😜). Also, part of me wishes the later books leaned more on the space opera side, with the ongoing adventures of Ada, Loch and their new crew. But, it looks like each book in the series offers a sci-fi action romance with a new House Van Hesenberg sister. And, if they are fun like this one, that ain’t a bad path either.

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4 people found this helpful