I enjoyed this second instalment, but maybe not as much as I did its predecessor. I think mostly because I felt we didn't progress much [image] [image]
I enjoyed this second instalment, but maybe not as much as I did its predecessor. I think mostly because I felt we didn't progress much in terms of the overall plot. I did find this to be at times rather depressing and dire with limited feel-good vibes due to the awful situations it was depicting. I just felt there needed to be something to counter-balance all of this doom and gloom and there wasn't.
Despite the above, this was still a solid addition to the series. It was again well written and I am planning to continue on with this story. I adore Lana and Keir as a pairing and am rooting for them every step of the way. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next and recommend this series for anyone wanting a romance series that is high on the feels but low on the spice and that comes served with a heavy barbarian vibe.
This was a great read, I always love this author's stories and they always have such imagination and heart. I was incredibly excited to [image] [image]
This was a great read, I always love this author's stories and they always have such imagination and heart. I was incredibly excited to embark on this one as it contains one of my favourite tropes the prison planet scenario. It also has a super sexy, touch-her-and-die, alpha alien hero, with a hidden vulnerable side, so I was in my happy place for sure. This is the story of Ria and Draka, she's human he's a Sidonion. There is a violent backstory and a history of war between the two species and they are on paper natural enemies due to the bloodshed and past atrocities on both sides.
When Ria is sentenced to the prison planet of Arkona, a violent dangerous environment that nobody, even herself expects her to survive, she's resigned and naturally terrified. The crimes she committed inadvertently were serious but the only thing she is truly guilty of is trusting her ex and not asking enough questions.
Arkona is a harsh place and Ria has to use all of her wits to survive here. That also means keeping herself hidden from pack leader and alpha Sidonion alien male Draka, which Ria has also been previously warned against. But when she accidentally wanders into his territory all bets are off and he's instantly smitten and plunged into his heat. Now he's obsessed with finding and claiming the intriguing human female for himself. But his goal takes a sudden precedence when Ria makes herself some new powerful enemies putting herself in direct danger.
This was such a great read, Ria is such a strong individual and with her background in chemical engineering, she is one smart cookie. She's naturally wary of Draka but as time goes on she discovers he has a hidden vulnerable side giving her hope for the future. Draka was such a contrast of behaviour, on the one side he's a brutal without mercy warlord, willing to do what's necessary for survival. But then with Ria, he opens up allowing her to see what's hidden beneath the surface. They had great chemistry together and worked great as a couple, they were also both extremely likeable.
This combined an intriguing storyline with some fantastic characterisation. I really enjoyed myself and this was such an easy and well-written read. I'm a sucker for a good alien sci-fi romance and this managed to deliver for me on every front. I totally recommend reading if this genre is your jam. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Draka's Heat
I enjoyed this a lot it did take me a while to get through though as it's a bloody beast of a book a real Chunky monkey. I was also read[image] [image]
I enjoyed this a lot it did take me a while to get through though as it's a bloody beast of a book a real Chunky monkey. I was also reading this in hardback and as it's not exactly a mobile read in that format I limited myself to bedtime and this became my nighttime read not exactly light easy-reading at bedtime that's for sure. I'm also attempting to branch out of my comfort zone as i tend to read predominantly romance-based reads mixed with some psychological thrillers and this was definitely more dark high fantasy with horror elements. I do like horror and vampires so was intrigued to try something different.
Set twenty-seven years after deathsday a mysterious world-wide phenomenon this is the story of Gabriel De Leon half vampire and a sworn brother of the holy silver order and last Silversaint. It's narrated in a similar fashion to interview with a vampire but with a whole lot more flair and gritty realism.
Sitting in a cell the guest of the empress and court of blood Gabriel the reknowned black lion recounts the trials and tribulations of his past to her grace's historian cold-blood and highborn vampire Jean-Francois and it's a wild epic tale filled with darkness and danger. It swings a pendulum from euphoric highs all the way to the Pitts of deepest despair. This is a saga of Gabriel's existence and it's told with his unique voice and with such dramatic flair complete with some truly colourful and inventive language.
This is all from Gabriel's POV and jumps through his timeline from past to present showcasing how our vampire hunter managed to lose his deep-seated faith along the way. Present Gabriel is totally different to the young boy we started with and we get to experience this transformation right alongside him and at times it's far from pretty.
This has a raw gritty graphic style of narration the language used is unique and expressive and this book doesn't pull its punches. This was so easy to get lost in the world-building was brilliant and intricate and though there were a lot of names and information at the same time it didn't feel like an info dump and was easily absorbed. I also adored the accompanying artwork included it complimented the story so well and was a welcome addition. This is the first book in a trilogy and I'm definitely on board for the rest I already have book two pre-ordered totally recommend this.
3.5 Stars ⭐️ The vibe here was an X-rated Sci-fi alien version of the hunger games/running man. It was an intriguing read that didn’t gra[image] [image]
3.5 Stars ⭐️ The vibe here was an X-rated Sci-fi alien version of the hunger games/running man. It was an intriguing read that didn’t grab me straight away but did start to get better the further I read. initially, it felt a bit underdeveloped but fortunately, this did improve as the story began to unfold.
Both Blaze and Xzavic under their slave names of Slayer and Titan find themselves unwilling participants in the network-televised tv show ‘The Game’ Both are there because they’ve upset their current masters. The rules here are simple 100 enter 99 will die and only one can ultimately walk away with their freedom. The live-action will be networked to the population who can assist their favourite players by way of credits.
Xzavic is a 7ft blue alien gladiator and a definite favourite to win whilst Blaze is a small-statured human previously targeted and abducted from Earth for her particular skill set. Despite knowing that it’s likely that they will have to attempt to eliminate each other from the competition these two team up for added protection.
Though they try to stay detached the intensity of the current situation and their constant reliance on each other means this is an impossibility. Using every tool at their disposal including their intense attraction Blaze and Xzavic attempt to take on the corrupt and unfair system and rules managing to win support from the masses along the way.
This was intense and immersive and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also incredibly spicy and these two had plenty of poignant chemistry. It was a tad instalove but not in a bad way as it did kind of work for this. I enjoyed this it had lots to recommend it and the second half of this was definitely stronger in terms of my engagement and interest. Overall this was a decent arena-type romance it wasn’t perfect but it was mostly enjoyable.
Kara has been raised in isolation by priestesses she is the adopted daughter of the high priestess of Dakkar she is also the first hybri[image] [image]
Kara has been raised in isolation by priestesses she is the adopted daughter of the high priestess of Dakkar she is also the first hybrid child of two species. Plagued with visions all of her life she is the key to finally overcoming the red fog that currently has the planet in a stranglehold.
Arik is the Vorakkar of Rath Serok new to horde life after completing the trials he longs to return to his birth city Dothik. Illegitimate and unrecognised son of the current ruler he and his allies have spent years moving pieces like pawns into place all to ensure Arik claims his rightful place on the throne.
When Arik and Kara’s paths collide duty and love will become intertwined and Kara’s place by Arik’s side put in jeopardy by the very person she thought she could rely on as the final reckoning for all of Dakkar draws to its inevitable conclusion Kara will have to place all of her faith in Kakkari and hope the strength of her and her allies is enough to save them all.
This final book managed to wrap things up well. I was satisfied with the closure offered here and overall I found this an enjoyable well written read. incredibly imaginative with some fabulous world-building that has evolved over the course of six books it has easily managed to pull me on capturing my imagination completely. This one though not my top read of the series was also a good solid effort that I enjoyed a lot.
I liked Arik and Kara as characters they had definite chemistry together and this had enough occurring here to keep my attention focused and fully engaged. I especially appreciated the grovel Arik truly messed up here his actions hurt Kara immensely but I did feel he managed to redeem himself laying bare what was in his heart and realising that he was wrong.
Overall this series is one I highly recommend reading especially if you like the barbarian vibe as this series has that feel in spades. I’m also glad to finally get the closure I was after here but equally sad that I’ve now finished and it’s all come to its inevitable end.
This was a fabulous read it’s the first book in a new series and worked for me in every way. It’s a sci-fi enemies-to-lovers alien roman[image] [image]
This was a fabulous read it’s the first book in a new series and worked for me in every way. It’s a sci-fi enemies-to-lovers alien romance with an arranged marriage and strong revenge trope. Gemma of house Hara is the oldest daughter and carries a heavy burden. She alone is responsible for keeping her family’s heads above water whilst her wastrel father squanders and gambles their business and estate away. Unbeknownst to her two sisters, the family is now in dire straights which is the only reason she reluctantly agrees to marriage with a male she's never met on the understanding that he will clear her family’s debts.
Azur is a Kylorr an alien berserker a race that has a violent reputation. Equipped with horns wings and fangs they exist on a diet of blood that supplements their regular diet. This pastime also helps to strengthen and sustain them. No source is more powerful than that of their blood mate which is their ideal match in every way. Something Azur now discovers he possesses in his new human wife and considering the less than honest reasons he married her for this information is definitely not a welcome addition.
This initially had a somewhat grey undertone with the way that Azur acts towards his new bride but this does gradually give way to feelings of intensity and attraction which Azur due to his initial feelings of apathy fights strongly.
In this, the sins of the father have literally been inherited by the daughter and it’s her father's past actions that now place Gemma firmly in her new husband's crosshairs. Not understanding why Azur seems to hate her intensely Gemma tries to make the best of it. But the intense attraction she feels especially when her husband feasts on her blood is something Gemma hadn’t ever anticipated. Equally, Azur is also fighting his equally intense evolving feelings a blood-mate should be a gift but with the vows of vengeance already promised elsewhere, he’s greatly conflicted.
This had passion and chemistry and plenty of primal behaviour. I loved the initial push-pull of Azur and Gemma’s situation and the enemies-to-lovers evolution felt authentic and believable. The characters themselves felt fully fleshed and both were very relatable.
I liked that Gemma had a backbone I was slightly worried initially considering she acted the doormat with her family but it soon became apparent that she was more than a match for Azur.
I liked how different in appearance Azur was and though he started this with such vengeance and hatred and behaving the way he did towards someone wholly innocent he does manage to turn it around and by the time this concluded I totally believed in his full devotion and care towards Gemma. He definitely did a one-eighty and now had her back one hundred and ten per cent.
I definitely recommend this if you like well-written engaging sci-fi romances that come complete with a strong dominant possessive male and I will now be continuing on with those series.
Mina is a human living with a group from her old village they are barely managing to survive and they use Mina as a scapegoat. Due to he[image] [image]
Mina is a human living with a group from her old village they are barely managing to survive and they use Mina as a scapegoat. Due to her stutter, she’s been labelled simple and is everyone’s whipping boy even her best friend who is supposedly like a sister keeps her distance just to avoid being similarly targeted herself just by close association. When a group of witches offer a deal the heart of a horde king to banish the red fog and save them all Mina's group agree and decides that Mina will be the one to lure him in.
Vorakkar Rath Rowin is instantly entranced by the human female that appears in the red fog and when he then finds himself captured and chained by humans he believes that she must be some sort of witch to entice him so. Now a prisoner under the dead mountain he will use whomever and whatever he must to escape his bondage and return to his horde even if she is the very reason he now finds himself currently in those chains. So when the captor becomes the captive and then the captive becomes the queen these two will now have to dig down deep to overcome their natural mistrust and dented pride especially if they hope to have any chance of a happy future together.
This one moves the narrative further along in regards to the mysterious and deadly red fog overwhelming Dakkar and in Mina, we have another human with gifts bestowed from the goddess Kakkari herself. Mina is able to manipulate the fog and bend it to her will but not without substantial payback in the form of intense pain.
Mina is quite a sad figure treated abysmally by her fellow humans she is used to and accepts all of the pain and loneliness she currently endures. But underneath all this, she definitely had a core of steel and I liked how pragmatic she was able to be. Mina really did evolve throughout the course of this and though she isn’t one for making a scene and at times appeared quite accepting of her lot her strength comes from a totally different place. At heart, Mina is a protector and years of abuse by others hasn’t dulled her drive to do the right thing. But what Mina wants most is to belong and much to her surprise she discovers that now might be just what she has managed to achieve residing with Wrune and his horde.
I liked Wrune his past has made him very rigid in his behaviour he likes to be in control at all times and he’s all about his horde they have always come first until Mina that is and because of this he finds himself Scared of the intense emotions that Mina causes him to experience and hence fights it all the way. So much so that he almost sabotages their union before it’s even had a chance to flourish. I liked that he was willing to apologise and was sincere he knew he’d acted badly and was willing to make amends I found his behaviour refreshing especially for such an alpha male.
Overall this was an excellent addition to the series it was as usual well written and I was easily engaged and invested in the unfolding narrative. I definitely recommend reading this and I’m going to be so sad when this is over that’s for sure.
So Maeva and Kiran grew up together he’s five years her senior and he was her staunchest protector and they were the best of friends. Ma[image] [image]
So Maeva and Kiran grew up together he’s five years her senior and he was her staunchest protector and they were the best of friends. Maeva is human she was found as a baby and adopted into the Saruk. She’s the only human at the outpost and though she is loved greatly by her adoptive family still feels different. Kiran is Rukkar the clan's prince and destined to become a great Vorakkar like his father before him. Sent away to train for the trials he returns changed colder with a darkness inside. The only thing that relives this is his little Seffi.
But all things change and when Seffi pledges her heart to Kiran he rejects her humiliating her and breaking her fragile heart and then when he then leaves without even a goodbye her hate is further solidified. Not even the death of her beloved mother forces him to return home. Maeva throws herself into her healing building walls around her heart and it’s nine long years before a fundamentally changed Maeva again lays eyes on the returned Horde king.
Kiran now a Horde king and powerful Vorrakkar has always loved the girl he left behind broken. He deeply regrets the hurt he caused her and is stunned by her changed persona something he knows that he is responsible for. He had his reasons at the time ones he now realises were mostly cowardliness on his behalf. He desperately wants back what he so callously threw away but breaking through his seffi’s walls is no easy task. needing a healer a Mokkira for the horde he offers Maeve the position one she agrees to accept for the winter before returning back home. But what he wants most is to make her his Morakkari his queen something he knows he should have done nine years prior instead of running away from her love.
I like how each of these horde king books seems to have their own flavour and are not the same formula rolled out this fourth book is a second chance scenario and it was really well done. I loved that Maeva wasn’t a pushover when it came to Kiran he really had to work at it to win her back she put up quite the fight determined to not allow Kiran back into her heart. Giving him a small taste of what it was like for her all those years ago.
Things here are not quite as cut and dried as they seem there are definitely misunderstandings and I also think that Kiran was just not mature enough at the time to understand just quite what he was throwing away. I think he was scared of his evolving feelings towards his lifelong friend. His conditioning caused him to internalise his fears I also don’t think he realised the extent of the damage he left in his wake.
I did think he was genuine in his remorse and that he loved his Seffi deeply. I think they definitely needed to grow into their love and sometimes hindsight is a cruel master. By the conclusion here I was all in despite some initial hiccups where I thought Kiran was thoughtless in his words he totally turned this around.
There was also an underlying story thread throughout so your gonna need to have read the previous books to understand what is now occurring now across Dakkar. This moves that story along somewhat but the focus here was mainly on these two working through their prior baggage and finding some resolution to move forward together as a unit.
Every book so far in this series has been a stand-out winner. The world-building and imagination here are top-notch. The author has managed to build a rich world steeped in culture. Genre wise this series is less sci-fi and more barbarian vibe and I love everything about it. Totally recommend do yourself a favour and read this from the beginning today.
This one is my favourite so far which surprised me as I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. I think mostly because of San’ten [image] [image]
This one is my favourite so far which surprised me as I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. I think mostly because of San’ten but he turned out to be so much more than what I’d anticipated his character was a lot deeper and with many previously hidden nuances that only made me love everything about him. He did a complete 360 in regards to Mina his initial suspicions proving unfounded. His past experiences and hatred of the Gryken colouring his mindset somewhat. When he realises that they carry the same internal pains he pledges to assist Mina completely in all of her current goals whilst still attempting to maintain a certain distance as the last thing he wants or needs is a mate.
So both Mina and San’ten are recurring characters Mina is the female that initially was forcibly bred whilst in captivity. Up till this point, she’s been still in a sort of coma and it’s this current connection she has to the Gryken invaders that forms an integral part of this story. Here she finally awakens and realises fairly swiftly that she is somewhat changed by her ordeal and that she is currently a liability to all at base Zero.
Mina is actually a very capable individual she’s a former hostage negotiator she’s also currently disillusioned with humanity but also still willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. It’s her lack of initial fear and her disconnect that contributes to San’tens suspicions she just doesn’t react how he expects her to. The dynamic that slowly builds between these two is such a lovely one. Mina gradually becomes San’tens whole focus and priority her safety and survival his primary goal.
This was well written and incredibly engaging these two also had some explosive chemistry that gradually built in its momentum. I liked where this went and also the resolution finally achieved. This sort of then has an end game in regards to the whole story arc but I still feel there is room for future stories and was left with the vibe that the battle for earth is only just beginning. I definitely recommend this series if you like your alien romances with plenty of action and also a certain otherness to the alien involved. A fabulous series and this was the best one yet.
The year is 1973 and Kate is on a trip with three of her girlfriend's kayaking in the national park when they go off-route disaster occu[image] [image]
The year is 1973 and Kate is on a trip with three of her girlfriend's kayaking in the national park when they go off-route disaster occurs and Kate now finds herself being claimed by a male that could be direct from the stone age. Rowe is all growly primitive alpha male he and his family reside deep in the national park and are almost modern-day Neanderthals when he rescues Kate he decides to keep her whether she wants it or not.
I’m slightly torn about this book on the one hand I absolutely adored the premise but I still have so many questions that have arisen because things just were not resolved enough for my satisfaction. I want to know what happened to Kates's friends what about her parents she barely gives them or her companions another thought. I also thought she accepted her new existence very swiftly. Kate hardly makes any move to go home and all I could think was what about her poor parents never knowing what has happened to their child they will never get any resolution.
I mostly liked the majority of this but then those last few chapters felt like an absolute train wreck and it was all so rushed. I also felt it may have been included for major shock value. The included epilogue was also extremely unsatisfying as well.
On reflection this was interesting the language barrier made this fairly unique especially as there was no unrealistic learning it in five minutes. But it also made it incredibly frustrating as we only ever got Kates's perspective hence I never felt like I really got to fully explore Rowe as a separate entity. Overall though this was different and I did like the whole primal caveman aspect of it. The heat was also high with this one it had a very dominant flavour to it so if alpha mine and Tarzan dynamics are your jam this one will definitely be a fit.
I love the story of Beauty and the beast it’s actually my favourite fairy tale and I love a good retelling. I’ll admit though I’ve alway[image] [image]
I love the story of Beauty and the beast it’s actually my favourite fairy tale and I love a good retelling. I’ll admit though I’ve always been rather dismayed when the beast transformed back into a puny human prince at the end so disappointing. But what if that wasn’t the case what if the beast was just a beast and stayed one.
“What if the beast never turned into the Prince”
Ooh yes yes!!’ I’m so in how could I not be with that endorsement. What we have here is that popular fable reimagined but with lots of explicit language and a much more thrilling and satisfying outcome than the bland original.
So here Beast engineers it so he can take possession of his obsession Belle. Acquiring her from her father's care after he loses at cards Belle is then promised in marriage to the beast. In return for clearing her father's debts. Belles's freedom is bartered away.
The essential bones of the story feel very familiar there’s are some variations of course but you will definitely recognise what your reading. But unlike the original, this is well filthy the beast definitely wants to devour and debauch Belle in every possible way he can so be prepared for some real monster loving which was graphic and explicit intense and rough involving knots and so much mess my god there was so much fluid involved here and I bloody loved it. It’s like my favourite story but on actual steroids.
Beast and Belles's bond was so primal and animalistic but it was also equally sweet and tender. It’s of novella length but still, a decent size and the writing was good. This is total dirty monster loving how it should be done and I’m never going to be able to experience the original now without imagining and wanting more. Probably the dirtiest beauty and the beast rehash that I’ve experienced to date and I’ve read a few.
This is a fantasy romance Andy and her sister Mag own a run-down inn when the mythical Horde blaze a path through their area in their wa[image] [image]
This is a fantasy romance Andy and her sister Mag own a run-down inn when the mythical Horde blaze a path through their area in their war against the king instead of running the sisters now find themselves at the mercy of these scary otherworldly males. When their Alpha takes a liking to Andy declaring her his mate the two find themselves becoming reluctant guests of the horde as they are swept up to accompany them on their onward journey.
The Horde males are definite predators with glowing eyes claws immortality and the ability to change their form at will. They have been asleep and hibernating for many years due to persecution and enslavement by the king. Their magic stolen from them. Now they're awake and ready to take back all that was once there’s.
Tolei is Alpha of his pack he’s also Andy’s mate and he really liked him. I found him to be forthright and blunt but also patient and attentive. He doesn’t rush Andy but is incredibly candid about his expectations and their mating. He also definitely had a sense of humour which I did appreciate.
I also thought it fabulous that Andy was an older woman in her late thirties it was incredibly refreshing in the usual sea of perfect nubile youngsters to have an older heroine and Andy as a person is actually very reasonable she has her head screwed on being older she definitely knows what she wants and doesn’t play games I liked that she decides she wants Tolei and it’s that easy for her there’s no over complicating things.
This definitely had some really interesting ideas and it was really imaginative. I greatly appreciated the smut and it was super hot it was dual POV and was also well written. It is very instalove which isn’t always my favourite but it did seem to work but I do think the short length maybe impacted this slightly as it did feel slightly rushed. Overall it’s not a complicated story and occasionally it did get slightly confusing with some of the magical logistics explanations but as a whole, this was an enjoyable read I’m intrigued so I will probably check out book two at some time in the future.
This is a sci-fi alien romance told from dual POV. It was mostly ok but definitely could have been so much better. Cora a pollution cons[image] [image]
This is a sci-fi alien romance told from dual POV. It was mostly ok but definitely could have been so much better. Cora a pollution consultant is abducted alongside some soldiers who are on a training exercise. This is all whilst she is attending a bonding weekend seminar for her job. Upon waking she finds herself a prisoner and now at the mercy of an alien Warlord.
So the bones of this story were actually good but it did also feel a little stripped back and simplistic in its execution. I did find it imaginative and I liked the whole idea but the characters did also feel a bit one dimensional as well. They definitely could have done with some fleshing out and a bit more background added.
I mean very little is actually known about Cora’s past and family or even living situation prior to her abduction by aliens. I also felt the reactions of her and the soldiers that were abducted with her slightly strange as they were so accepting of their current situation. where was the shock fear and panic everyone just accepted what has occurred with literally no defiance or panic and that really didn’t seem authentic to me at all. I mean Cora seems to spend the majority of this giggling.
Lord Kruth was also portrayed very rigidly initially with very little personality beyond the tyrant image he was all strong stoic terrifying Warlord and I wanted to learn more about him on a personal level get beneath his skin so to speak which I never felt we did. Even when he relents and shows Cora a more human side I still didn’t think we were observing the real him and he remained a bit of an enigma. I also wasn’t feeling a connection between Kruth and Cora or even any reason for her to even form one. She also falls into line very quickly as an advisor accepting this new way of life so easily. It all just seemed a bit superficial.
Then later when the shit hits the fan she backtracks and now starts to question all the things she really should have earlier. It just made her seem rather fickle in nature and that Cora now only has doubts when things have imploded and gone wrong. Her disloyalty at this integral moment just made her go down in my estimation it’s fine to have doubts and all but why now when before you were fine with everything prior it just didn’t make any sense.
Overall for me this was just ok I did finish and there were parts that were interesting. But I didn’t actually feel a personal connection with any of the characters involved and there was a lack of any deeper chemistry. The writing was also fine just on the simplistic side and the characters were not at all like I would expect kidnapped humans whisked off to an alien galaxy to act like. I mean they were bloody soldiers and they acted like they’d been invited to a party and decided it was so fabulous here they instantly wanted to stay forever, I mean nobody even mentioned it or considered who they’d left behind. And then there’s Cora well words actually fail me she was so easily won over it was ridiculous. Hence the reason I couldn’t understand her questioning her choices after the fact. It’s not like she even put up a token resistance initially is it so why now. I don’t think I’m that much of a fan of Cora if I’m honest and I did find her fairly one dimensional.
Also, the world-building though it was there it again felt stripped back like we got the initial descriptions but there was no further elaboration it just didn’t delve deep enough to satisfy we had the information sure but it was mostly surface stuff that felt glossed over. It’s a shame as this could have been fabulous as the premise was actually imaginative. unfortunately, this didn’t quite work for me.
This is the second book in this series and though I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one I did finish and it was mostly an ok read. [image] [image]
This is the second book in this series and though I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one I did finish and it was mostly an ok read. Unfortunately, there was also something that felt slightly missing as well. Here we focus on Harts brother Nar and Michelle a human woman currently being offered as a prize in the Ra tribe’s games. Nar and Mas are in enemy territory using the games as an excuse for assassination but instead, Nar is much more focused on claiming and stealing the human woman offered as the prize.
So I wasn’t feeling much of a connection between the two main characters here. I didn’t feel any great affection from Nar towards Michelle other than the obvious and I felt that with her anyone who rescued her would do and in this case it just happened to be Nar. The story also felt a bit all over the place and I would have liked some more extensive world-building as I’m still slightly confused about a few things then there was the finish which felt very abrupt.
I did enjoy the first book in the series but this one not so much. It does have an imaginative idea at the centre and I do like that the males here are so very primal in there ways. The writing here was also ok it just felt a bit stripped back lacking greater details. I will maybe read the next one in the series mostly because of the animal nature of the aliens which was my favourite part I’m just not sure yet.
I enjoyed this a lot it was a fun engaging easy alien Sci-fi read with some unique aspects. Stephanie is heading to her vacation on anot[image] [image]
I enjoyed this a lot it was a fun engaging easy alien Sci-fi read with some unique aspects. Stephanie is heading to her vacation on another planet when the ship catches fire and emergency protocol takes over. Her escape pod then steers her to land on an unknown planet one filled with huge Viking like predators with strange eyes and stranger movements.
Hart is the apex predator of his tribe the Alpha and the top of the food chain. The small female alien he now has in his possession smells like food but also something else that is equally Intriguing to his heightened senses. Now he doesn’t know whether to consume or breed her and are they even compatible. Well, now he’s determined to find out.
Harts planet has been decimated by tribal wars and as a result of this conflict there are now no suitable females a travesty in a society that worships the goddess: so when Stephanie falls into his clutches an ancient tradition is revived. Three days of games to determine who gets breeding rights to the female alien and Hart is determined to win and mark her for his own.
I loved how animalistic these males are it’s very much food or breed with them when their instincts are engaged and they are also an extremely territorial race. They also have a Hunter form which they can change to at-will despite their almost barbarian nature and ways their technology is also advanced.
There is an initial language barrier until a translator is fitted and I loved all the cultural misunderstandings we got because of all the differences. Hart is very blunt in his wants and also his language which only made me like him more and Stephanie can’t help but want him right back.
This is quite low in angst there’s not much conflict between the two main characters and the world-building did feel a tad sparse at times. It also was quite short in length but it was still a great read that easily drew me in and there was enough going on here to keep my interest and I especially really liked the banter between Hart and Stephanie.
There were some breadcrumbs left for future stories set in this world and I’m definitely going to be picking up the next book in the series this has certainly piqued my interest and I found this to be imaginative and the story was well written and easy to follow. I definitely recommend if you like sci-fi alien romance with a difference. Overall I found this to be a sweet but sexy read.
This wasn’t perfect but I mostly enjoyed it genre-wise it’s a historical romance set in the twelfth century our heroine Lida returns hom[image] [image]
This wasn’t perfect but I mostly enjoyed it genre-wise it’s a historical romance set in the twelfth century our heroine Lida returns home to her family in Finland after being cast out by her deceased husband's relatives for becoming pregnant before marriage (it’s her late husband's child). Eights years later she’s offered marriage by Jarl Magnus Knutson a powerful Viking warlord. For the sake of her daughter, she accepts and returns home with him to his fortress The Iron Kingdom.
I definitely liked the premise of this one I’m a sucker for arranged marriage story’s and it’s been a while since I’ve sunk my teeth into a historical one. My main issue with this story though is Lida herself she accepts the union between them isn’t forced in any way but then behaves as if she’s under duress. She creates roadblocks and has grievances that just aren’t that logical instead of embracing the chance of future happiness and a fresh start.
Yes, Magnus is definitely a man of his time he’s arrogant slightly overbearing and certainly likes his own way in most things. He’s also stubborn set in his ways at times overbearing and can be rather jealous. But he was also upfront from the start about what he expects in a wife and whilst he’s all of these things he isn’t in any way cruel or even has any unreasonable demands in fact he’s a total sweetie to Katya Lida’s daughter which did score him major brownie points with me and when he does finally succumb to his new wife and daughters many charms he’s all in. I should also point out Lida did agree to all of Magnus’s expectations beforehand so I don’t get what her issue is. The only time Magnus does do something that she would have had every right to feel maligned about she’s totally fine about it didn’t even ask for an apology which she so should have done I just didn’t get her.
We have drama. intrigue and betrayal, unreasonable behaviour and also some danger thrown in just for good measure. This was definitely a story of two halves and the second part of this was definitely the most exciting bit for me. This one is also definitely on the spicier side which was another plus in its favour. Overall this had positives and negatives with the good definitely winning out. I also really appreciated the lyrical language this used. I’m probably going to read the next book in the series at some point in the future as well.
This was a fantastic read I had exceedingly high hopes after previously reading Homebound and devouring it so this one had a hell of a l[image] [image]
This was a fantastic read I had exceedingly high hopes after previously reading Homebound and devouring it so this one had a hell of a lot to live up to. The world-building here was immense and so well done some of the best I’ve encountered to date. This really showcased the strength and will to survive that was possessed by one human woman. But not just surviving also managing to forge a whole new place for herself on this strange brutal planet and then actually be happy. The resilience and dogged determination Addie possessed, her compassion and backbone she was one hell of a woman. Every time she was knocked down she just came back at life a whole lot stronger and all the time staying true to her own character and big heart.
This isn’t your typical sci-fi romance it’s so much deeper. It’s not incredibly graphic and it's all very slow-burn. The Romance here also isn’t the focus either to me it seemed more of a building background concern in fact I’m not sure if I’d even label this as a romance. It’s there of course but the focus here appeared to be more about survival and acceptance with some romantic overtones thrown in for good measure.
This starts two years after Addie’s ship crash-landed here and I loved that she had an established start so different from the usual sci-fi stories in this genre She’s a nurse by profession a natural healer and she finds herself now living in a permanent settlement with some others of her kind along with rejects of the For people. The woman of her kind provide a sort of needed service to the male natives and it all felt a bit sordid. Thankfully this is something Addie has managed to avoid up till now with her abilities as a healer.
The impression I got from these aliens was they lived in nomad tribes and were very like prehistoric humans in custom their appearance I’m still a little slightly confused over as it wasn’t described in any great detail but I sought of imagined them as Neanderthal looking but with sharp teeth and strange red eyes. They have some strange ways and customs and they despise weakness including permanent injuries usually ostracising those afflicted from the tribe.
When Addie's settlement is destroyed by Wrennlins (think of the film tremors) she finds herself alone with all of her people now dead she sets out across the plains. Meeting native For’s from a nearby tribe Addie slowly integrates into their life. Learning so much from them. But not everyone is as accepting and Addie earns herself enemies from the onset. One For Zoark seems to particularly dislike her looking down on her with derision and scorn from day one.
Zoarke can speak Addie's language he initially spent time in Addie's old settlement giving him a very low opinion of human women which he isn’t afraid to voice. But Zoarke is termed a cripple (not my words) this society is very biased towards disabilities and Zoarke has a bum leg and scars left over from a Wrennlin attack labelling him as such by the other For’s in his tribe he is now awarded the lowest place on the totem pole without influence and considered practically worthless by the others.
As I said earlier this one is massively slow on the romance front it really is a soft slow burn and these two definitely aren’t initially lusting after each other. So If you are after a steaming hot romance with plenty of sauce this probably isn’t the story for you this one is less steam more substance for sure. but if you like richly crafted fantasy worlds and epic sagas this is for you and though this one is labelled a sci-fi it could very well be any barbarian type historical it very much had that particular Vibe about it just one set on an alien planet. This is all told from Addies POV it’s extremely well written and the words definitely paint a vivid picture of life on this alien planet. I definitely recommend this and the elaborate world-building certainly deserves all the stars.
DNF 31% Unfortunately I didn’t really like this one at all initially it sounded so interesting but I just couldn’t get over the female main character CDNF 31% Unfortunately I didn’t really like this one at all initially it sounded so interesting but I just couldn’t get over the female main character Caroline my god she was the most irritating female I’ve ever encountered.
The initial plot did sound good and it all started off quite strong with some good explanations of the world and how it functioned. I also loved the idea that Caroline wasn’t a conventional heroine being a con woman and all and now after being caught she was stuck serving her time as a slave on this luxury liner.
The Reapers themselves were also intriguing They were psychotic and ruthless especially Vishar there captain they are basically intergalactic murderous space pirates so when they come across the Celeste they do what they do best.
But after Vishar catches Caroline hiding in an air duct on the hijacked ship it all started to go swiftly downhill. We are then treated to a constant stream of sexual one liners all from Caroline who doesn’t seem to know when to zip it. I found them all just too much and it ended up totally spoiling this for me. Caroline is certainly a strange duck and rather than coming across as brave and bad-ass she just seemed like she had little self-preservation or even sense. I’m actually surprised Vishar didn’t kill her just to shut her up.
I can guess what the rest of this is now going to entail just from the tone so far and there just isn’t enough actual plot to entice me to continue further with this. If your after a light hearted but brutal steamy read that doesn’t seem to take itself to seriously whilst still being dark maybe you’ll like this better than me just a trigger warning though this book comes with a very annoying heroine that your gonna want to strangle you’ve been warned....more
This is the conclusion to Wolfe and Skye’s story and this begins directly after that previous cliffhanger with Skye finding herself in d[image] [image]
This is the conclusion to Wolfe and Skye’s story and this begins directly after that previous cliffhanger with Skye finding herself in danger after being lured out of Sanctuary. This woman is truly badass and again managed to turn things around. Wolfe is as expected is not far behind and this then manages to force Skye’s hand into finally accepting her place as Sanctuary’s warlord.
Here both Skye and Wolfe are on the same page and you can definitely feel the emotion and love these two share. I adore their connection together but do wish that Wolfe could maybe be a tad more vocal in regards to Skye. No matter I adore him all the same in all his Stoic glory. I would equally like Skye to be a bit more harsh when it comes to her punishments as I do believe her leniency could put her at a disadvantage and ultimately not deter those who would oppose her. Compassion and a soft heart with her people are all well and good but it needs to be balanced by real consequences may be a balance somewhere between Wolfe and Skye would be the ideal as she’s most definitely too soft at times.
There seemed to be a lot more happening here in regards to the action and we also get to spend some time outside of the city. This also sets up another story arc involving the doctor which I’m ever so intrigued about. I also liked how Skye’s feelings in regards to her former husband were eventually resolved and that she realises that what she now shares with Wolfe is a one time love and the real deal. Silas for Skye was survival whilst Wolfe is her everything.
This series is so good and such an easy read it does deal with dark themes but there’s also so much light and hope sprinkled amongst the darkness as well. I’ve really enjoyed myself and it’s one I definitely recommend reading if you like dystopian fiction.
Bex (Beckie Bookworm)
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Books:
barbarian-warlord-warrior-primal
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