4.5 // All fun, just vibes. So cute and oh so charming. Ursa gives us all the longing and pining we could want for along with an MMC who is absolutely4.5 // All fun, just vibes. So cute and oh so charming. Ursa gives us all the longing and pining we could want for along with an MMC who is absolutely smitten at first glance. My favorite thing Ursa does are romantic declarations from the MMC to his FMC and she did not disappoint. Character interactions are where she shines and I laughed and melted my way through. We also get alien tails, fun alien appendages to accompany other appendages, and a “my wife!” moment that had me kicking my feet. I had the best time reading it....more
An alien romance that’s second chance romance and enemies to lovers, a rare combination in the sub-genre and an absolute treat to read.
Althea despisesAn alien romance that’s second chance romance and enemies to lovers, a rare combination in the sub-genre and an absolute treat to read.
Althea despises her ex (and herself) for the destruction of her home world. Overcoming the inevitability of her home world’s demise is a key plot point throughout and one of my favorite aspects of the story. Althea both hates and loves Zireth and much of her turmoil is her wrestling with that dichotomy. The author did an excellent job of showcasing Althea’s trauma—her self loathing at feeling like a traitor, her personal responsibility with regards to loss of life and culture, and the way she tries to atone for it via anonymous means of professionally advancing what remains of her people. Her pain and anger consume her to the point that it defines who she is. I relished the anger and fighting skills she girds herself with to stave off anyone from having an advantage over her ever again.
He sacrificed her world to save the many—a decision he’s spent 7 years trying to make up for while understanding it will never be enough, will never erase the travesty of that decision. And it eats at him. Especially because it affected the person he loves most in the world. Good people making hard choices that so acutely alters the state of the known universe is a storyline I flock to—I loved the messiness of it all.
Initially Zireth was harder for me to like. He routinely revels in goading Althea to get a reaction from her eroding any strides he might’ve made. His trusted inner circle’s frustrations for her perspective on Zireth while also not providing proof of his good intentions was perplexing. The pacing slows a bit more than once and I would have loved a little more relationship development but overall I absolutely enjoyed it.
I enjoyed book 2 more than book 1. The pacing is better. It doesn’t feel rushed or clipped. It felt like we had time to marinate in each character’s dI enjoyed book 2 more than book 1. The pacing is better. It doesn’t feel rushed or clipped. It felt like we had time to marinate in each character’s development; with one another and separately. There’s groveling! There were a couple instances where the dialogue felt a bit juvenile but overall I liked the author’s writing style. She has a great vocabulary and knows how to wield it without coming off pretentious. Definitely going to keep an eye on future work. ...more
4.5 // This is a clever take on regional monster myths. I liked it. A monster’s existence is due to popularity and belief. Believers are a special gro4.5 // This is a clever take on regional monster myths. I liked it. A monster’s existence is due to popularity and belief. Believers are a special group of people who are much like soul mates to monsters. Their fear powers them up like a battery making them stronger. But what if they can be powered up without needing their loved one’s fear to survive?
I liked the way she worked the tension between the FMC’s fear and desire and I appreciate that she didn’t let her be a doormat when the MMCs abused her fear for their gain. At one point I wasn’t sure where it was going to go with regards to how the MMCs interacted with her. It was feeling manipulative and cruel for a moment but I’m glad I stuck with it because the author addresses those very behaviors. It’s the author’s responsibility to convince readers of a character’s redemption and, for me, she did.
I would have liked more clarification around the world building....more
It was fine. I wanted to like it more than I did. I was expecting so much more.
I rarely think a book needs to be lengthened but this is one instance It was fine. I wanted to like it more than I did. I was expecting so much more.
I rarely think a book needs to be lengthened but this is one instance where I think it would have been helpful. The character development is clunky and inelegant. The FMC is all over the place and doesn’t make sense. The time frame is way too short for what she’s experienced prior to arriving in the dragons realm. I never feel like we get a clear picture of her. Conversely the opposite is true for the MMC. He feels remarkably consistent. I also like how the author contrasts his care and devotion with his filthy mouth.
Overall I didn’t hate it but neither did I love it. ...more
3.5 // I love this series featuring domineering alien MMCs and the independently minded human women who captivate them.
You can always tell the author3.5 // I love this series featuring domineering alien MMCs and the independently minded human women who captivate them.
You can always tell the authors who have a love for sci-fi and probably watched Star Trek, Star Wars, and Firefly because it comes out in their world building. And it is so fun to be back in this world. The world building is a favorite among alien romance series. I could hear the leather kilts slapping against their legs as they walk and the pounding of boots on the steel walkways as they move through the ship.
The FMC has a hunch that the antagonist did not fall apart as so many believe but instead hid the remnants of their empire to regroup. Out hunting for evidence of her hunch, she is taken by a Vandar horde when her ship is incapacitated becoming an inadvertent pawn in a game of cat and mouse between this exiled Vandar horde and their brethren. My favorite moment is Sloane, being the pilot she is, choosing to leave and fight the antagonist rather than stay in the protection of the Vandar ship. I love an FMC who does not let a man’s rejection define her but instead boldly chooses to do what she does best.
My criticisms are some aspects of the story felt a little too convenient and the internal dialogue got a bit repetitive.
I loved that in the epilogue we get to experience a Vandar mate ceremony. That was something new that we’ve never had before and it was a fun addition to the world building. ...more
3.5 // It’s sweet. And amusing. Very low angst. My favorite part of this is the language barrier. The anthropologist FMC suggests trying to communicat3.5 // It’s sweet. And amusing. Very low angst. My favorite part of this is the language barrier. The anthropologist FMC suggests trying to communicate with the other aliens via drawings. It works. A little too well. When the protagonists are swept away in a flood and ride out the storm in a cave, he takes to drawing her naughty pictures. It *is* pretty dang funny.
I do wish the author had taken better care with details. Both humans and the Rurim have tablet technology that somehow manage to interface. Including messaging and sending photos. That seems way too far fetched for an planet with zero existing technology they both crashed on. Some other far fetched things as well but they’re plot details and I don’t want to reveal.
I prefer a measure of plausibility and adherence to existing science with my science fiction. Otherwise it’s a fantasy set on another planet and that’s not all that alien to me. ...more
3.5 // Varrow and Camille’s story. They were so sweet once they came together. Varrow is a comical combination of brooding, pining, and unintended dry3.5 // Varrow and Camille’s story. They were so sweet once they came together. Varrow is a comical combination of brooding, pining, and unintended dry humor. I absolutely loved him. Ursa has a knack for crafting touching dialogue between her couples. ...more
I enjoy this series. They’re a fun comfort read when you don’t Want anything too deep but the author stepped it up for this one. My favorite couple ofI enjoy this series. They’re a fun comfort read when you don’t Want anything too deep but the author stepped it up for this one. My favorite couple of the series to date. The dialogue between the two characters was quite fun. ...more
jennifer | offmyredcarpet
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