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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This is still one of my favorite books ever. I decided to try the audiobook this time around, and I’m glad I did. It was very well narrated. Axrel and Charlotte are couple goals, saving one another and learning to trust each other. Axrel was the fiercest defender of Charlotte and I loved seeing him find his HEA after making very bad choices and changing his ways. He evened out so much as the story continued. Charlotte often took her whole “I need to heal everyone” to a TSTL level, but I love her for it. She was the perfect foil for him.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: violence, murder, gore, burns, explosion, life threatening injuries, starvation, dehydration, sexual harassment, animal attack, hunting, discussion of mass murder, mentions of torture, captivity, blackmail, insomnia, mentions of involuntary medical experiments
OG review:
I basically want to marry the FMC. She was just the right mix of strong and compassionate. MMC had a fantastic growth arc and their love story was tender.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: violence, murder, gore, burns, explosion, life threatening injuries, starvation, dehydration, sexual harassment, animal attack, hunting, discussion of mass murder, mentions of torture, captivity, blackmail, insomnia, mentions of involuntary medical experiments
OG review:
I basically want to marry the FMC. She was just the right mix of strong and compassionate. MMC had a fantastic growth arc and their love story was tender.
Thanks to Jess for suggesting I read this. Olivia Riley certainly knows how to write a tense sci-fi romance with excellent slow burn and development. Charlotte (h) was so competent and caring as a doctor who specializes in caring for various alien species. She's blackmailed by a group of government soldiers to come on their ship and heal some of their prisoners, one of which is a particularly vicious alien species, the vrisha. Axrel (H) is hanging on by a thread but he wants vengeance for the actions that left him in that condition, oh and he hates humans. But it's hard to hate Charlotte when she's gentle and kind and goes above and beyond to try and help him. She's also strong and stands up for herself and others. I really enjoyed the careful interactions, slow build-up of trust, and the snags they had at times that then had to be examined and unraveled. Charlotte's supposed to be sent back to her home planet once the government ship offloads the prisoners on a prison planet and of course, something goes very, very wrong. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama, I didn't consider it om drama but one of Charlotte's co-workers on her home planet is interested in her and is protective. No sexual history given, but I didn't think either was a virgin.
This romance is heavier on the sci-fi details and suspense than the romance, with some steam but not much. I loved when the sexual tension broke for them and how it happened and I did feel that these two had a well-developed relationship where they understood and accepted each other, but most importantly made each other happier and stronger. Axrel was also very protective over Charlotte and threw himself into even more dangerous situations in an effort to keep her safe. I had a great time reading it, even during the bleaker and more challenging times for the main characters.
I liked that the side characters were a mix of human and other aliens, some who were good and some not so much. The climax and resolution for the villains and Axrel's revenge plans were also well executed and fit with the rest of the story. I worried something unbelievable might have to happen for them to survive, but it all worked together nicely. There's also a bit of transition between the more action-filled chapters and the ending so it wasn't just *boom* survived, the end. The ending itself is a HEA with both of them safe and fulfilled in what they're doing, so I was very satisfied with where they were left off.
I was a little bit confused at times with the world-building specifically related to the vrisha species, but by the end, more information was shared and it was a little more clear. I'm sure that's because I started with book 2 of a series and the series prior to this one had even more background, still this stands alone nicely.
This romance is heavier on the sci-fi details and suspense than the romance, with some steam but not much. I loved when the sexual tension broke for them and how it happened and I did feel that these two had a well-developed relationship where they understood and accepted each other, but most importantly made each other happier and stronger. Axrel was also very protective over Charlotte and threw himself into even more dangerous situations in an effort to keep her safe. I had a great time reading it, even during the bleaker and more challenging times for the main characters.
I liked that the side characters were a mix of human and other aliens, some who were good and some not so much. The climax and resolution for the villains and Axrel's revenge plans were also well executed and fit with the rest of the story. I worried something unbelievable might have to happen for them to survive, but it all worked together nicely. There's also a bit of transition between the more action-filled chapters and the ending so it wasn't just *boom* survived, the end. The ending itself is a HEA with both of them safe and fulfilled in what they're doing, so I was very satisfied with where they were left off.
I was a little bit confused at times with the world-building specifically related to the vrisha species, but by the end, more information was shared and it was a little more clear. I'm sure that's because I started with book 2 of a series and the series prior to this one had even more background, still this stands alone nicely.
Things I liked:
- I loved the slow build of the connection between Charlotte and Axrel. It was done so well.
- The writing was really captivating.
Things I didn’t like:
- Can’t think of anything
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was ok. I think I’m in a reading slump and it’s affecting my ratings
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly i'm loving this author, the plot was great!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, War
Minor: Trafficking
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery, Cannibalism