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ctrlaltcara's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lifeinthebooklane's review
5.0
Amazing world-building, an engaging plot, a dominant male and some hot, kinky sex
Well if that isn't enough to make you want to read the book, what's wrong with you? To many dark sci-fi romances forget the whole sci-fi part of the story, they are virtually no different to a contemporary romance. This didn't suffer from that failing. We had some really good world building and a love across the divide theme.
Quillian and Rushkah should be mortal enemies, their planets have been at war almost forever it seems. However they have more in common than would first appear, including some fairly rare DNA from which the title of the book originates.
I absolutely loved Rushkah and Quillian, neither was perfect and both battled their feelings for the other. The chemistry they shared was palpable and this is one steamy and kinky read. Quillian discovers a hitherto unknown dominant side and whilst Rushkah's head rebels at the idea, her body, soul and heart have very different ideas.
The story is written third person from both POV's, so I found it easy to connect to and understand both characters. The plot held my interest and moved with good pace. It had enough detail and thought put into it to satisfy the part of me that has read sci-fi and fantasy for over 30 or so years.
If I was to criticise anything it would be that some parts of the story could have done with a little more fleshing out. The book didn't lack detail but this was one occasion where I think a few more scenes, or longer scenes would have actually added to the book. However that is very much a case of what I personally would have liked, this is still an excellent story and one I really do recommend.
Well if that isn't enough to make you want to read the book, what's wrong with you? To many dark sci-fi romances forget the whole sci-fi part of the story, they are virtually no different to a contemporary romance. This didn't suffer from that failing. We had some really good world building and a love across the divide theme.
Quillian and Rushkah should be mortal enemies, their planets have been at war almost forever it seems. However they have more in common than would first appear, including some fairly rare DNA from which the title of the book originates.
I absolutely loved Rushkah and Quillian, neither was perfect and both battled their feelings for the other. The chemistry they shared was palpable and this is one steamy and kinky read. Quillian discovers a hitherto unknown dominant side and whilst Rushkah's head rebels at the idea, her body, soul and heart have very different ideas.
The story is written third person from both POV's, so I found it easy to connect to and understand both characters. The plot held my interest and moved with good pace. It had enough detail and thought put into it to satisfy the part of me that has read sci-fi and fantasy for over 30 or so years.
If I was to criticise anything it would be that some parts of the story could have done with a little more fleshing out. The book didn't lack detail but this was one occasion where I think a few more scenes, or longer scenes would have actually added to the book. However that is very much a case of what I personally would have liked, this is still an excellent story and one I really do recommend.
bargall's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sharpsilver's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
gypsydawn's review against another edition
4.0
Nice
Sci-fi meets paranormal in a sweet mix that is quite literally Enemies-to-lovers. These two are from different planets and immersed in a war that stretches far back into their combined history, a war neither is really winning. The title, while indicating a BDSM thrill ride with that cover, actually refers to a dominant gene, the last known on this planet. That gene imparts particular powers the council is trying to cultivate. Their newest captive? Well. She just happens to have the recessive gene suitable for breeding the next generation of powered humans. Oh, and there is a bit of BDSM too. In case your wondering. Just a bit.
Sci-fi meets paranormal in a sweet mix that is quite literally Enemies-to-lovers. These two are from different planets and immersed in a war that stretches far back into their combined history, a war neither is really winning. The title, while indicating a BDSM thrill ride with that cover, actually refers to a dominant gene, the last known on this planet. That gene imparts particular powers the council is trying to cultivate. Their newest captive? Well. She just happens to have the recessive gene suitable for breeding the next generation of powered humans. Oh, and there is a bit of BDSM too. In case your wondering. Just a bit.
lissaerin's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thisistaylort's review against another edition
2.5
This book isn't bad for what it is and can easily be read in one sitting, especially if you just skim to the spicy scenes, which is exactly what I did.
tangreda's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Lots of smut. Some one-dimensional characters, incomplete world building. I kept wondering if this were the second book in a series
halffast's review against another edition
4.0
Qillian carries the Dominant gene which grants him incredible power, but he's also the last of his kind. When a captured enemy military officer is discovered to have the rare recessive gene of his power, his government orders him to breed her. Though both of them are unwilling to sleep together, they soon discover a connection which transcends their warring cultures.
This was a short and steamy read with great worldbuilding and strong characters. I liked that Qillian has been trained but isn't actually a warrior, he's a scholar. He acknowledges that Rushkah would beat him silly if he didn't have his powers to control her. Their sex scenes were hot af (this is Eris Adderly, after all) with some riveting powerplay and fantastic dirty talk from Qillian.
The plot moves at a lightning pace and packs in a lot in less than 200 pages. This resulted in a couple knowledge gaps -- for example, why did Qillian's government keep him as a secret weapon and not use him to win the war against Rhyolusia? I would have also liked more resolution at the end but there was enough for the HFN ending.
This was a short and steamy read with great worldbuilding and strong characters. I liked that Qillian has been trained but isn't actually a warrior, he's a scholar. He acknowledges that Rushkah would beat him silly if he didn't have his powers to control her. Their sex scenes were hot af (this is Eris Adderly, after all) with some riveting powerplay and fantastic dirty talk from Qillian.
The plot moves at a lightning pace and packs in a lot in less than 200 pages. This resulted in a couple knowledge gaps -- for example, why did Qillian's government keep him as a secret weapon and not use him to win the war against Rhyolusia? I would have also liked more resolution at the end but there was enough for the HFN ending.