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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
very fun! i didn't love them being separated for a year but otherwise it was very fun and I liked Kaye's caring nature!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
4.5 stars
Listen, I really loved both of these MCs. Kaye was the sobbing empathetic disaster that everyone needs in their lives. She was my favorite kind of soft hearted FMC because she’d gained a backbone for herself prior to the start of the book and learned how to set boundaries. Kalla was her dark knight, lost in a world of emotional pain that he turned outward. They had a rough start, especially concerning Kalla’s… questionable morals. The only thing that kept me from rating this 5 stars was that I felt like there were some steps missed between Kaye being pissed tf off and deciding she loved him. Then again, the fated mate thing does tend to smooth over some things.
The world of Kar’Kal has been fascinating and I love all the diplomatic issues that have popped up throughout the books. The characters have all been complex in their own ways. Also, why do I have to wait for the next book? I need it noooooowwwwwww
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: genocide, murder, violence, gore, trafficking (off page), torture (off page), war, kidnapping, burn injuries, grief, side character severely ill
Listen, I really loved both of these MCs. Kaye was the sobbing empathetic disaster that everyone needs in their lives. She was my favorite kind of soft hearted FMC because she’d gained a backbone for herself prior to the start of the book and learned how to set boundaries. Kalla was her dark knight, lost in a world of emotional pain that he turned outward. They had a rough start, especially concerning Kalla’s… questionable morals. The only thing that kept me from rating this 5 stars was that I felt like there were some steps missed between Kaye being pissed tf off and deciding she loved him. Then again, the fated mate thing does tend to smooth over some things.
The world of Kar’Kal has been fascinating and I love all the diplomatic issues that have popped up throughout the books. The characters have all been complex in their own ways. Also, why do I have to wait for the next book? I need it noooooowwwwwww
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: genocide, murder, violence, gore, trafficking (off page), torture (off page), war, kidnapping, burn injuries, grief, side character severely ill
Kalla is my newest book bf.
I loved this and can't wait for book 3
I loved this and can't wait for book 3
*I received an ARC for this book. Opinions are my own*
I have mixed feelings about this novel. At times, I was totally enthralled and breathlessly waiting to see what happens next, but then it would slump.
I don’t understand the dynamic between the MCs— she’s combative about the situation at times, but then immediately a doormat when the argument is supposed to come to a head. He’s sweet and longs to be with her, but also isn’t combative or aggressive in a manner that matches his persona. All in all, there’s no real confrontation because one of them always backs down. I found this to be very frustrating and constantly anti-climatic.
I loved Kalla from the get-go. Broody, stabby, and grumpy- some of my favorite qualities in an MMC. He also has a sense of humor, although we don’t see it much and even then, it feels muted. Kaye is a subpar FMC, imo. I didn’t connect with her character at all until they got to EC-12, which was over 50% into the book. I understood her history from the bits and pieces we were given, but without a focus on it from the get-go (like what we got with Kalla), it’s hard to be invested in her as the FMC.
I was looking forward to the spice since this was a slow burn, but even that wasn’t super satisfying until 80% in. I didn’t feel that Kaye matched Kalla well. Overall, I see the potential in this universe and story line. If the entire novel had been like the latter 1/4 of the book, this would have easily been 5 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this novel. At times, I was totally enthralled and breathlessly waiting to see what happens next, but then it would slump.
I don’t understand the dynamic between the MCs— she’s combative about the situation at times, but then immediately a doormat when the argument is supposed to come to a head. He’s sweet and longs to be with her, but also isn’t combative or aggressive in a manner that matches his persona. All in all, there’s no real confrontation because one of them always backs down. I found this to be very frustrating and constantly anti-climatic.
I loved Kalla from the get-go. Broody, stabby, and grumpy- some of my favorite qualities in an MMC. He also has a sense of humor, although we don’t see it much and even then, it feels muted. Kaye is a subpar FMC, imo. I didn’t connect with her character at all until they got to EC-12, which was over 50% into the book. I understood her history from the bits and pieces we were given, but without a focus on it from the get-go (like what we got with Kalla), it’s hard to be invested in her as the FMC.
I was looking forward to the spice since this was a slow burn, but even that wasn’t super satisfying until 80% in. I didn’t feel that Kaye matched Kalla well. Overall, I see the potential in this universe and story line. If the entire novel had been like the latter 1/4 of the book, this would have easily been 5 stars.
I've been slumpy and grumpy so avoiding writing a couple reviews, afraid I'll just focus on the negatives for me. But the umpiness (totally a word) is ongoing so I'm going to try and just anyone reading this, take it with a grain of salt.
To start, I wish that the author had done a brief summary of the world or some sort of touch point because this second book dives right into the middle of what's been happening in their world and I was honestly lost. It's been a couple months since I read the first one and maybe I should have done a reread. This book doesn't have a glossary or references like some sci-fi books, just fyi. I do not think that this book stands alone either, it's too interconnected with too many references to events of the first book and the world building is more supportive than foundational.
I liked both Kaye (h) and Kalla (H) and the found family elements of this series continues to be a win for me. I did think that both characters evolved with the events and their fated mate bond. I was very frustrated at the sudden change on Kaye's end though from being angry at an action that Kalla took to being all in on for the relationship. She even thinks about how she's the forgiving type. The I love you's especially jarred me. I felt more transition was needed and overall, I didn't feel that the relationship development and timing were right for this story. There are significant time jumps, including a forced separation that made me feel even less like the couple had the quality time necessary. The fated mates element brought them together and I know that each found qualities to respect and love in the other, but slice of life type moments of them together or time spent outside of the initial angst or the danger moments would have enhanced this for me.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny om drama from h's ex who doesn't want her back but makes H jealous just by existing and is just an ass. Neither are virgins (small references to past sexual history given).
I did like the steam, this author does spiciness very well imo. The consent is also very good considering that Kaye is not on board with the mate bond initially and that Kalla is equipped with aphrodisiac in his saliva, but is cautious with it. If you're looking for size difference and the whole "will it fit" question, this one right here's got that too.
The couple from book 1 do feature in this book, as do several other side characters who are important for supporting and occasionally knocking sense into the main characters. The young adult that Kaye ends up being guardian over was a precious relationship that I loved. The author also addresses a connection between a character from her other series involving this alien race and Kalla. I both liked that and felt that it needed more fleshing out. What happened with Kaye's friend was also somewhat frustrating because I could see what was going to happen easily but then the actual happenings are going to be in the next book, which didn't stop there from being repeated page time that didn't go anywhere. Again, the umpiness may be at work. What had nothing to do with umpiness was Kaye's whole first marriage situation and how it infuriated me and that's all I'm saying about it.
The ending is HFN and I was glad that Kalla had a new purpose. I had questions though and wasn't sure what was going to happen with Kaye or where they were going to live. I'm assuming all of that is going to be addressed on the side as the series continues and I get it's hard to do extended epilogues sometimes with ongoing series. With the time jumps and the weaker (to me) relationship development, I was hoping for a clearer picture of what that HEA looked like for them.
To start, I wish that the author had done a brief summary of the world or some sort of touch point because this second book dives right into the middle of what's been happening in their world and I was honestly lost. It's been a couple months since I read the first one and maybe I should have done a reread. This book doesn't have a glossary or references like some sci-fi books, just fyi. I do not think that this book stands alone either, it's too interconnected with too many references to events of the first book and the world building is more supportive than foundational.
I liked both Kaye (h) and Kalla (H) and the found family elements of this series continues to be a win for me. I did think that both characters evolved with the events and their fated mate bond. I was very frustrated at the sudden change on Kaye's end though from being angry at an action that Kalla took to being all in on for the relationship. She even thinks about how she's the forgiving type. The I love you's especially jarred me. I felt more transition was needed and overall, I didn't feel that the relationship development and timing were right for this story. There are significant time jumps, including a forced separation that made me feel even less like the couple had the quality time necessary. The fated mates element brought them together and I know that each found qualities to respect and love in the other, but slice of life type moments of them together or time spent outside of the initial angst or the danger moments would have enhanced this for me.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny om drama from h's ex who doesn't want her back but makes H jealous just by existing and is just an ass. Neither are virgins (small references to past sexual history given).
I did like the steam, this author does spiciness very well imo. The consent is also very good considering that Kaye is not on board with the mate bond initially and that Kalla is equipped with aphrodisiac in his saliva, but is cautious with it. If you're looking for size difference and the whole "will it fit" question, this one right here's got that too.
The couple from book 1 do feature in this book, as do several other side characters who are important for supporting and occasionally knocking sense into the main characters. The young adult that Kaye ends up being guardian over was a precious relationship that I loved. The author also addresses a connection between a character from her other series involving this alien race and Kalla. I both liked that and felt that it needed more fleshing out. What happened with Kaye's friend was also somewhat frustrating because I could see what was going to happen easily but then the actual happenings are going to be in the next book, which didn't stop there from being repeated page time that didn't go anywhere. Again, the umpiness may be at work. What had nothing to do with umpiness was Kaye's whole first marriage situation and how it infuriated me and that's all I'm saying about it.
The ending is HFN and I was glad that Kalla had a new purpose. I had questions though and wasn't sure what was going to happen with Kaye or where they were going to live. I'm assuming all of that is going to be addressed on the side as the series continues and I get it's hard to do extended epilogues sometimes with ongoing series. With the time jumps and the weaker (to me) relationship development, I was hoping for a clearer picture of what that HEA looked like for them.
It got worser.
I was so looking forward to this book but unfortunately it was quite a let down. I forced myself not to give up but by half way I’d given up caring and by three quarters thru I was skimming so I could see how they ended up. This book had such potential too!
Aliens = cool
Assassin = yes please
Plot = interesting
Spicy times = entertaining
It was all executed very poorly.
The MMC reads like he was written by a sheltered suburban woman who’s never even shoplifted and thinks jaywalking is cause for the electric chair. *insert how do you do fellow kids meme here* The author should have done some research on how to write a criminal because most of this was extremely cringe.
The MFC was overly feminized version of a good girl with a bad guy trope. I don’t mind this trope, when it’s done well but this ain’t it. The crying, the giggling. Barf. I feel like this set feminism back a few years.
The first pov! Oh how I hate it. It waffled back and forth between tenses while mostly sounded like an emo teen whining about the cute new boy in social studies.
The emo whining! It was nonstop monologging about sad feelings. Pages and pages of it! The monologging is where the poor writing really came thru. It was not interesting to read.
Not going to even bother with the third book which I am disappointed about. I was emotionally invested in the world until about half way thru this book.
I was so looking forward to this book but unfortunately it was quite a let down. I forced myself not to give up but by half way I’d given up caring and by three quarters thru I was skimming so I could see how they ended up. This book had such potential too!
Aliens = cool
Assassin = yes please
Plot = interesting
Spicy times = entertaining
It was all executed very poorly.
The MMC reads like he was written by a sheltered suburban woman who’s never even shoplifted and thinks jaywalking is cause for the electric chair. *insert how do you do fellow kids meme here* The author should have done some research on how to write a criminal because most of this was extremely cringe.
The MFC was overly feminized version of a good girl with a bad guy trope. I don’t mind this trope, when it’s done well but this ain’t it. The crying, the giggling. Barf. I feel like this set feminism back a few years.
The first pov! Oh how I hate it. It waffled back and forth between tenses while mostly sounded like an emo teen whining about the cute new boy in social studies.
The emo whining! It was nonstop monologging about sad feelings. Pages and pages of it! The monologging is where the poor writing really came thru. It was not interesting to read.
Not going to even bother with the third book which I am disappointed about. I was emotionally invested in the world until about half way thru this book.