Deal Hunter is a fast-moving sci-fi story that follows Princess Kainda, a young woman who gets blasted out of her controlled royal life and into the path of a rough salvage ship, the Deal Hunter. What begins as a simple rescue turns into a full transformation as Kainda learns the truth about the sabotage that nearly killed her, uncovers betrayal inside her own family, flees to survive, trains to fight, and gradually grows into a leader who challenges pirate clans and rigid political systems. The book winds through battles, bounty hunts, palace intrigue, and a rising sense that Kainda is meant for something far bigger than being a decorative royal figure.

I found myself rooting for Kainda almost immediately. Her frustration with being treated like a pretty tool instead of a person felt sharp and honest. When the explosion sends her spinning into space, her fear is captured with blunt simplicity, and I felt it right in my chest. The dynamic with the Deal Hunter and its robots really pulled me in. The ship becomes more than a tool. It acts almost like a guardian and a reluctant mentor. Watching Kainda stumble through her first moments onboard, half frozen and confused, reminded me how quickly our lives can flip. I liked how the writing sits in those little moments of uncertainty and lets them breathe.

As the book ramps up, the emotional stakes climb right with the action. I enjoyed the mix of tense scenes and Kainda’s stubborn spark as she pushes back against every limit others try to place on her. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into the people around her because their condescension felt so real. I also appreciated how the author keeps returning to the theme of control. Kainda wrestles with the family that smothers her, the pirates who want her dead, and even her own role as a princess. Watching her claim her power bit by bit was satisfying. Some sections move fast, and the pacing jumps, but the heart behind the scenes carries the story. The book has this gritty charm that made me lean in instead of pull back.

Deal Hunter feels like a story for readers who enjoy scrappy heroes, found family energy, political messes, and the thrill of saying to hell with expectations. If you like sci-fi that mixes action with character-driven growth, this book will be a fun ride. I would especially recommend it to anyone who loves seeing a character climb out of the box the world put them in and build something entirely new.

Pages: 245 | ASIN: B0CGHLQX36