This second book club meeting had mixed reviews of Polaris Rising. I ended up giving it a 2.75 so not quite a three, but almost! First of all, I’m not really a fan of science fiction so this was like an introduction for me and I didn’t love it, but didn’t hate it.

Sure, I’ve seen science fiction movies so that’s what I was comparing it to. My friend had a good comparison: it’s like a Star Wars rom com. When I think about it that way, it still doesn’t sound too appealing. On Google Books, it says, “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.”

I had a hard time getting into it, but once the adventure started, I liked it. The main character, Ada is a nice change of pace compared to all the male lead characters in science fiction, but then again, I’m really only comparing the book to Star Wars. The skin implant chip system that could help change Ada’s identity throughout the galaxy and different planets was interesting as well as the special nano bots that could help heal her quickly.

The outlaw soldier, Marcus Loch seems like the typical strong space fighter, but it takes awhile for Ada to trust him though she does find him very attractive. That’s always the dilemma! Once Ada meets Veronica who helps her get special weapons, I felt like she was starting to build her crew to help fight against the High Houses. You’re also introduced to Rhys who becomes part of the team and also someone Ada and Loch both knew from their pasts.

I thought Mihailik was setting up all these people to help fight along side Ada in some big battle scene because after all the adventure, that’s usually what happens. But the ending was a letdown and not what I was expecting. This novel felt like the author’s first novel, in parts it was cheesy, but then again that’s true for a science fiction space opera adventure. I did enjoy the middle with its adventure and traveling from different planets, but it felt like there was so much set up for what could potentially happen with all the High House rulers, but nothing ended up happening the way I thought it would.

This is a fast and easy read if you stick with it. It took me awhile to get into it because I start to tune out when I don’t understand what all the different types of made up weapons are or the names of made up planets. The adventure in the middle was my favorite part. The book club thought this would make a perfectly cheesy mini series, complete with buff space guys and women who can kick anyone’s butt.