Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
If you are ready to dive into the galaxy of the Mandrake Company, the best way to read the series is in publication order. Because the books follow a continuous timeline with an overarching plot, reading them as they were released ensures you won't miss the recurring jokes, character growth, or the evolving political tension with the oppressive Galactic Conglomeration (GalCon).
While each book highlights a different romantic couple and resolves their main relationship arc, the background stories, character interactions, and crew dynamics carry over from book to book. Jumping in out of order will spoil who ends up together and how the crew of the Albatross grows from a ragtag mercenary group into a close-knit found family.
Mandrake Company Books in Order
Here is the complete chronological and publication breakdown of the Mandrake Company novels and novellas:
1. Mercenary Instinct (2014)
This is where the adventure begins. The story introduces Ankari Markovich, a clever entrepreneur running a biotech startup who finds herself captured for a bounty by Captain Viktor Mandrake, the stoic leader of the Albatross. Instead of a straightforward hand-off, the pair end up running for their lives through a deadly jungle planet. It sets the tone for the entire series: sharp banter, fast-paced action, and a healthy dose of steam.
2. Trial and Temptation (2014)
The second book shifts focus to Valerian "Val" Calendula, a fiercely independent pilot who has to swallow her pride and join a mercenary crew to save her brother from a mining prison. The catch? Her commander is Gregor Thatcher, her former academy instructor against whom she has held a grudge for a decade. Their enemies-to-lovers tension plays out against the backdrop of a space station mission and a planetary civil war.
3. The Assassin's Salvation (2014)
Often compared to Kaylee Frye from Firefly, Jamie Flipkins is the sweet, somewhat socially awkward ship technician who keeps the Albatross running. In this installment, she finds herself falling for Sergei Zharkov, a quiet, deadly assassin who prefers solitude. When they are thrown together on a dangerous mission, their mutual protectiveness takes center stage in a soft, sweet, yet highly steamy romance.
4. The Ruins of Karzelek (2014)
This entry brings treasure-hunting vibes into the mix. Kalish, an independent explorer, needs muscle and a pilot to rescue her kidnapped father from pirates demanding an ancient alien artifact. She hires the Mandrake Company and is paired with Sedgwick Thomlin, a charming intelligence officer who unfortunately suffers from a hilarious list of environmental allergies. It is an adventurous, trap-filled quest reminiscent of Indiana Jones in space.
5. Mercenary Courage (2015)
While the previous books featured new couples, this novel returns to the original pair: Captain Viktor Mandrake and Ankari Markovich. Now operating together, the crew must deal with dangerous corporate conspiracies and bounty hunters, bringing Viktor and Ankari's relationship to a deeply satisfying milestone.
6. The Pirate Captain's Daughter (2015)
This story follows the Mandrake Company's resident firefighter and mercenary, Marat Azarov. He attempts a noble rescue of a captive woman named Andie, thinking she is a helpless slave. However, Andie is the pirate captain's daughter, and she is far from helpless—or pleased with his clumsy intervention. What follows is a wild, risky adventure featuring pirates, rogue androids, and plenty of witty friction.
7. Quashi (2018 Novella)
Originally published in the Pets in Space 3 anthology, this adorable novella centers on Chanda, a woman who lies about her credentials to secure a job on a mercenary ship. She is assigned to care for "quashis"—cute, furry alien critters inspired by Star Trek's tribbles. Amidst the chaos of creature wrangling, she finds a sweet romantic spark with the ship's resident doctor, Timothy.
8. The Tracker's Dilemma (2016)
The final novel in the core series stars Sergeant Heath Hawthorn and Dr. Lauren Keys, a brilliant microbiologist researching ancient alien gut bacteria. To get closer to the smart scientist, Heath volunteers for her study. The experiment takes a wild turn when the research side effects grant Heath unexpected telepathic abilities and premonitions, complicating their survival on a hostile planet.
What to Know Before You Start
Before launching into the cosmos with Viktor and his crew, here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:
- It is Lindsay Buroker: Writing under the pseudonym Ruby Lionsdrake, Buroker created these books to explore the explicit, steamy side of science fiction romance. If you love her usual snappy dialogue, found-family dynamics, and fast plots but wish they had more romance, this is the series for you.
- Standalones with a Catch: Every novel tells a complete romance with a happily-ever-after or happy-for-now ending. However, because the crew members interact in every book and the struggle against corporate conglomerates progresses, reading them out of sequence is not recommended.
- Where to Find the Novella: The novella Quashi can be read either after The Pirate Captain's Daughter or as a fun epilogue after finishing The Tracker's Dilemma. It acts as a lighthearted, creature-filled side story that adds extra flavor to the universe.
Spin-offs and Sister Series
While the Mandrake Company saga is complete, Ruby Lionsdrake has written other standalone sci-fi romances in a similar style. If you finish the Albatross crew's adventures and want more, check out the Frost Station Alpha series or her Star Guardians novels. They feature the same signature blend of high-stakes action, humorous military/mercenary crews, and high-heat romance.