The Ruins of Karzelek by Ruby Lionsdrake [Review]

The Ruins of Karzelek (The Mandrake Company #4) by Ruby Lionsdrake
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 18, 2016

The Mandrake Company
1. Mercenary Instinct
2. Trial and Temptation
3. The Assassin's Salvation
4. The Ruins of Karzelek - Kindle
5. Mercenary Courage
5.5. The Pirate Captain's Daughter

6. The Tracker's Dilemma

Ruby Lionsdrake
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kalish has been a successful treasure hunter for years, relying on only herself to deal with deadly predators, impenetrable jungles, and diabolical booby traps. But with her father kidnapped, and a notorious pirate demanding an ancient alien artifact that may or may not exist, Kalish needs help.

She hires a mercenary company because she needs their combat experience and their piloting skills—the intelligence officer with the background in translating alien hieroglyphics could come in useful too. Sedgwick Thomlin is charming and handsome, when he isn’t busy sneezing at something from his long list of allergies. But she’s not sure if she can trust him or the mercenaries, not when the most valuable and coveted relic in the galaxy might turn out to be real.

Thoughts on The Ruins of Karzelek: Treasure hunting, mercenaries, AND purloined alien technology? YESSSSS! Sure, the mercs have a few issues (allergies can be a killer, you know) and getting to the alien tech means evading booby traps and killer robots, but SO IT GOES sometimes.

Flat out, I've enjoyed all the books in this series. The heroes are courageous and the heroines are willing and able to stand up for them. And to them. And NONE of them are perfect. This time around, Sedge has a few issues with pollen. Not just pollen, really. Allergens in general. The poor guy has a few hangups and yet he soldiers on despite them. And Kalish eventually finds those hangups sweet. Or at least something she can work with.

Throw in some thrilling chases (in spaceships, but on land. Sort of.) and danger at every turn and I was ALL OVER Kalish and Sedge teaming up to make thing happen. In bed and out, as it turns out.

Yep, I'm still loving these mercs. Bring 'em on!