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birbpal's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Who knew spider aliens could be so adoring and hot?! I seriously am so surprised how much I liked this book! I love most of Tiffany Roberts's works, but I held off on reading this series because spiders seemed icky to me.😅 But it is the new year; 2024. So I thought, "Fuck it, let's read a spider monster romance!"
This book was filled with immersive culture, worldbuilding, and lore that immediately drew me in. Ketahn as a MMC was so unique! He was simultaneously sweet and fierce and what made him even more interesting (other than the fact he is a humanoid giant spider obvi) is that he was so skeptical and critical of his own people and their beliefs. It made him seem very fleshed-out to me.
Another thing I loved about the book was the slowish-burn between him and Ivy. It took them some time to act on their desires for each other, which felt realistic, giving how different they are from each other and the language barrier too. It only made the pay-off even sweeter and more deserved. My heart feels so full for the two of them.💗
Ivy as a FMC was good, although I felt she was definitely the weaker character of the two. I hope to see more development in the future for her. But I will say I found her backstory quite tragic and unique. I definitely understand why she ended up leaving Earth, I would too if I were in her shoes.
Overall, the book ended on a minor cliffhanger that makes me excited to jump right into the next one! This was a great read to star out my challenge this year, and hopefully, the next books live up to this one!🐥💕
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
hellxriver's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
sienasummerrreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This follows Ketahn who is the strongest alien/spider in the land of Takarahl. He lives off grid as a hunter to provide for Takarahl in the Tangle. He is the strongest Vrix known to the queen and has wanted him for many years but he keeps refusing her. After offering day on his way home he falls into the hole no one has explored or ever gone and finds these creatures he has never seen before. This creature is a human, in a cryo chamber sent to a new world to start a new life. Then Ketahn accidentally wakes her up… will they get along?
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I have only read a handful of monster romances but don’t worry I’m getting into it more. Ketahn and Ivy are great with trying to learn from each other the language while Ketahn teaches her how to survive and provide in the tangle. One of my favourite things was when Ketahn would “Chitter” at Ivy which is laughing but the word chitter was used and it’s honestly the cutest thing. I’m obsessed with that word! Find me a Ketahn because what he would do for her and take care of her was beautiful. Especially due to Ivy’s past and how she was treated back on earth I was shocked. Give me five minutes in a room with Tanner that man made me angry once we started to understand why Ivy left Earth.
The audiobook was great and enhanced my experience. Also, this is told in third person which I don’t mind.
Lastly, the only thing is at the start I struggled to wrap my head around Ketahn’s world and what was happening. I understood it if I dumbed it down to my level of understanding. I hope iv done justice with the little blurb I put above. I’m just one who doesn’t want to think too hard about world-building and I appreciated when Ivy asked questions about his world which helped me understand.
If you love:
🔹Dark Monster
🔹Alien & Spider
🔹New World
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Learning One Another
🔹Great Spice With Some Light BDSM
Genre/Type: Dark Monster Romance 18+
APK: Kindle & Audiobook
Pages: 354
Audiobook Length: 11hrs 24mins
Narrators: Macie Miller & Marcus Rayne - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 In The Spider Mates Series
Tropes or Themes: Monster, Slowburn, Alien, Spider, Hunter, Human, Past Memories, Language Barrier, Abandonment, Cryochamber, Off Grid, Violence, Sexual Content, Light BDSM, Cliff Hanger & Third Person
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
shinyfox's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Violence, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Grief, War, and Abandonment
greystory's review
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I liked Ivy quite a bit. While her story was sad, she was still determined and strong and doing her best in a really shit situation, both prior to meeting Ketahn and afterwards.
Ketahn. Man, I really wanted to like Ketahn more. In general he was alright and there were times I could really dig him but then he'd go and do something pretty dub-con-y with Ivy and I'd be very displeased with him again.
Although Ivy is ultimately always OK with whatever bullshit he pulls, it's clear it's not always immediately consensual or wanted. I was always hoping they'd at least address it afterwards or something but nope, they never do.
The closest they get is actually the worst offense when they first mate and she tries to talk about it. He reiterates that she's been claimed and when she tries to say "you can't just decide that!" he becomes threatening. Instead of it turning into sex (and only sex), I would have really loved a moment of them connecting on another level and communicating better. Why couldn't he just explain what a claiming is and how it works instead of insisting on his own way?
One of the things he did do well was be a complete smartass about the self-centered shitty queen. I especially loved this little comeback:
Telok straightened also, drumming his forelegs on the branch. “And you, Ketahn. I am glad she did not eat you alive.”
“Had she done so, I would have used my final breath to ensure she choked.”
Again, the worldbuilding was cool and I was very engrossed in the mystery of the story around Ivy's people.
That ending kinda sucked. It was very abrupt, no resolution.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: War and Religious bigotry
trayslays's review
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual harassment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
ashlikes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War, Vomit, and Death of parent
zir_readsalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book has A LOT of worldbuilding and is a slow burn -- it'll need your undivided attention. So worth it, though.
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Death
katiekeske's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I love sweet, protective Ketahn. I didn't rate this a full 5 stars because I wish Ivy had talked to Ketahn about consent at some point, especially given her sexual history (past abusive boyfriend). I give Ketahn a little bit of break because he's a giant spider man with some strong basic instincts.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and War
kbairbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Grief, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship