Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller
Series: Consortium Rebellion #1
Published by HarperAudio on February 5, 2019
Genres: Science Fiction
Length: 12 hours, 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Audiobook, Barnes & Noble
As the seventh of nine children, Ada von Hasenberg knows that her only value to House von Hasenberg is as a political pawn in an arranged marriage. But after watching two of her older sisters get auctioned off to horrible men, Ada refuses to play her part. She flees off-planet and disappears for two years.
Ada’s father, fed up with her rebellion, offers a bounty for her safe return. The universe is a big place, but mercs are everywhere, and Ada is caught. With the merc ship full, she’s forced to share a cell with Marcus Loch, the Devil of Fornax Zero. Rumor has it he murdered every commanding officer who issued orders during the Fornax Rebellion. All anyone knows for sure is that the Royal Consortium wants his head.
Ada has no trouble believing the muscled man chained in the back of her cell is a killer. But when their ship is attacked by forces from rival House Rockhurst, Ada must decide whether to trust him—because once you release the devil, you can’t put him back. And when the attack heralds the opening salvo of a much bigger war, Ada must determine where her loyalties truly lie.
What can I say? I LOVED Polaris Rising! I enjoyed the characters, the world, the romance(s) and the narration. It was all outstanding. I wanted to listen all the time. I stopped with about an hour left at bedtime which was a mistake because my mind raced with the story anyway.
This trope reminds me a bit of Amanda Bouchet’s Nightchaser. This is science fiction, space opera, with political family drama, bounty hunters, wars, and kickass women. I chose to read because I saw it recommended by Ilona Andrews and Jeffe Kennedy, as well as some friends were reading.
Ada is a fantastic character. She is so smart and strong. She is kind and compassionate to others, committed to her choices. She is more than willing to put herself at risk for her ideals and those she loves. She is also very knowledgeable and well-trained. I just loved her.
We aren’t in Loch’s mind so much but he is a capable alpha male with a possessive streak. Both of them have been mistreated so trust is hard won. Ada and Loch are burning me up with the sexy! It was well-written with the emotional relationship covered as well as the physical one.
I enjoyed the supporting characters so much also. I don’t know if villains are always a bit cliche because we rarely get their point of view, or because their motivations are simply selfish with no regard for anyone else. They show less personality aspects than the rest of the world.
If you’re looking for a smart, fast, action-packed fight for the good guys being used / abused by the selfish wealthy, look no further. I’m ready for the next book in the Consortium Rebellion trilogy, Aurora Blazing, projected for October 1, 2019, with a story featuring Ada’s sister, Bianca.
Narration:
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to this narrator previously. Her voices for all the characters, male or female was great. I felt she was Ada and her Loch was very sexy. There were slight differences for each of the characters so I could tell who was speaking. I listened to this one comfortably at 1.25 speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Emily Woo Zeller
Audie award-winning actor, voiceover artist, dancer, and singer Emily Woo Zeller (member SAG-AFTRA) is based in Los Angeles, though her work has been seen and heard internationally. Her wide range of work has included theater and extensive dubbing for film and television in Southeast Asia. Emily’s lifelong theater and dance work includes performance with Ellis Wood Dance, Dutch Kills Theater, FACT/SF, Facing East Dance and Music, Oracle Theater, and physical theater collective Lampazo Group.
Audiofile Magazine named Emily as one of the “Best Voices of 2015” in Nonfiction and Culture for her work on THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo and “Best Voices of 2013” in Nonfiction and Culture for her work on GULP by Mary Roach. Awards include 2018 Audie for FIRE ROAD by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, Ashley Wiersma; 2015 SOVAS VOICE ARTS AWARD for THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo; 2015 Audie Nomination for her work on THE BEAM: SEASON 1 by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant; Audiofile Magazine Earphones Awards for narrations of THE POPPY WAR by R. F. Kuang; FIRE ROAD by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, Ashley Wiersma, AFTER THE ECLIPSE by Sarah Perry, KITCHEN CHINESE by Ann Mah, UNDER A PAINTED SKY by Stacey Lee, THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo, GULP by Mary Roach, and TIES THAT BIND, TIES THAT BREAK by Leslie Namioka; the 2009 Tristen Award for Best Actress as Sally Bowles in CABARET; and the 2006 Roselyn E. Schneider Prize for Creative Achievement.
Emily holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Dance and Performance Studies, with a minor in Nutritional Sciences. She is a certified yoga teacher.
About Jessie Mihalik
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.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
- COYER WINTER
This isn’t my cuppa but I’m so happy at how much YOU love it?
Thanks. Is it the scifi aspect you don’t do? Other than the spaceships it feels like UF or romantic suspense? But the next one is a new couple, though I wouldn’t call it PNR. Genres are difficult sometimes.
Sci-fi and the space opera aspect haven’t been a good combination for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed it as well, I really had a great time with it and I can’t wait for more now!
I totally agree, it is a winner!!
YEzzzz! I do have Amanda Bouchet’s Nightchaser scheduled to listen to and cannot wait.
The setup has some similarities but the story is completely different. Polaris also has more space travel. They definitely fall into the same trope, or maybe genre.
I love space operas, but I haven’t heard of this one, so I’m definitely going to have to check this out. Especially since the main character sounds incredible. Great review!
Thanks. Many including me are loving this one! I hope you enjoy.
Wowsers! I can’t wait for my turn.
It’s just really good. You like some scifi so I hope you love it as much as I did.
I have this on my list. I see you gave the a high rating for narration. Now I’m thinking I should try the audible. Excellent review, Anne:)
Well it’s up to you, of course. It is a narrator I really enjoy; I’ve listened to her before. I’m sure you will find out it is great in any format. I just loved it.
Oh my gosh! I need this book in my life! This has definitely moved to the must-read list. So glad you loved this one.
It’s totally a winner. It is scifi but with a strong romance background. I hope you love it too.
I love your enthusiasm for this one, Anne. It sounds like a terrific well-rounded read/listen. Wonderful review!
It’s totally fun and the people are smart. If you can handle scifi fantasy – I highly recommend it. It is futuristic, not historical fantasy. In that sense, it is more like the JD Robb books.
I’ve seen this one around and you confirmed my interest in reading it.
I hope you love it too. I really loved it.
Yay! Yay! Yay! I’ve not seen a bad review of this one and yours just ensured Polaris Rising gets added to my library ASAP! I can’t wait to meet Ada, Anne. 🙂
It’s just so good. I like all the tech / space stuff, the mysteries / politics. But romance plays a strong role here also. I hoe you love it.
I’ve been thinking about getting this one. The reviews I’ve been reading have made this sound really good.
It depends on what stories you like. I am a big fan of urban fantasy and even pure sci-fi. If you like UF as well as romance, I think you’d love it even with the space aspects. But if you hate sci-fi or expect it to be only sci-fi without romance, it may not work for you as well. I hope you enjoy if you try it.
I have not come across a single negative review for this book, so I really can’t wait to read it.
It’s first rate, give it a go. I hope you LOVE it!
I have this on my list to try at some point. I’ve heard so many great reviews of it, including this one. I need more time in the day.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I’m reading about a book a day between listening and reading and I can’t get to everything I want to read right now. It’s a long term problem. This one is worth reading though.