Bloodlines of the Void by Devin Vandriel-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1, 2026

Lieutenant Commander Ailith Hardin has a problem with authority.

It’s not her non-regulation gunslinger hat and quick-draw holster that got her transferred three times in nine months. It’s her habit of treating orders like suggestions and regulations like punchlines that has made her the most decorated—and most unwanted—officer in the Alliance Fleet.

Captain Aris Thorn has a problem with Security Chiefs.

Five candidates have walked into his office. Five have walked out—or ran. The crew whispers that the position is cursed, that something about their enigmatic Captain drives good officers to desperation.

Now Hardin faces Captain Aris Thorn—A man who knows the regulations like how regular people know how to breathe.

But when she strolls into Thorn’s office wearing that infamous hat, something unexpected happens. Instead of the usual ten-minute rejection, they engage in a battle of wits that lasts nearly an hour. For the first time in years, someone isn’t afraid of him. For the first time since leaving the super secret squirrel land of classified military operations, someone appreciates her particular brand of controlled chaos.

The ANS Dominion is bound for the outer rim—pirate territory where ships disappear and crews are sold into slavery. In a region where the Alliance’s enemies use brainwashing and torture. But as the ship ventures deeper into dangerous space on a mission to deliver much needed medical aid, the real threat may not be the pirates waiting in the void.

It might be the growing attraction between a Captain with dark secrets and a Security Chief who refuses to be broken.

Some rules are meant to be bent. Some authority is meant to be challenged. And some partnerships are forged in the space between insubordination and respect.

••••••

REVIEW:BLOODLINES OF THE VOID is the first instalment in Devin Vandriel’s adult BLOODLINES OF THE VOID sci-fi, fantasy romance series focusing on the crew of the ANS Dominion.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Captain Aris Thorn, and Security Chief, Lieutenant Commander Ailith Hardin BLOODLINES OF THE VOID introduces some of the crew of the spaceship ANS Dominion. Their mission, to deliver medical supplies to the outer rim but the crew aboard the spaceship must deal with some of their own. Ailith Hardin is a strong-willed, hard nosed, independent security chief who doesn’t follow orders, and in not doing so, protects the people under her command but all is not well aboard the ANS Dominion, as command is questioned, and too many people have too much power to destroy the lives of the people on board.

The world building focuses on the introduction of the crew: their jobs, their personalities, their focus and their potential betrayal. Secrets and lies are ship-wide suppositions and accusations, and yet, not every secret is as it appears to be. Captain Aris Thorn is a man with secrets of his own, and in this, Ailith becomes the yin to his yang when he begins to spiral out of control. Her personnel file is classified much to the annoyance of many on board, and Ailith’s mission may go much deeper than anyone could have ever imagined.

There is a large ensemble cast of questionable, determined and energetic secondary and supporting characters, and not everyone is happy with Ailith’s arrival. We are introduced to the security team, medical officer, acquisitions and engineer, and a crew that all believe Ailith’s attitude and emotional stability is in dark contrast to the man in charge. At this stage in the series, there is no mention of alien lifeforms, crew members or otherwise, yet there is a hint as to the Captain’s legacy that has yet to come to fruition.

BLOODLINES OF THE VOID is a slow building story of secrets and lies, betrayal and misunderstanding, power and control, obsession and relationships, friendships and mistrust. The character driven premise, akin to the Star Trek™ sagas, and a little bit of The Ark™ is detailed and dramatic but leaves the reader with more questions than answers. The characters are determined, charismatic and arguably secretive. The relationship between Aris and Ailith begins as Captain and security officer but is quickly developing into something more. BLOODLINES OF THE VOID ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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