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raven168's review
3.0
Sadly, this book just didn't hook me like three of the previous ones did. I think that had to do with the fact that there was very little action and I didn't really like Mona that much at all. I did like all the twists at the end though.
For the first 20% or so I really hated Mona. I get that she had suffered more than I could imagine, but she was such a raging bitch to everyone. She did nothing but fight with Uthyf and refuse to leave her bubble. She blamed the Dahk's bad perception of humans on Peyton, she refused to help in anything but cooking, and she treated her guards like they were the lowest of low not even worthy of her knowing their names. Eventually she does get a little better, but she still blames all problems on other people. A huge deal is made out her aversion to touching, but at the same time it never seemed to really be a problem.
Uthyf was exactly how I already expected him to be. A hard-ass, but a good male. I was impressed how hard he fought his draw to Mona and the lengths he would go not to touch her. Even if she messed all that up in the end. It's overwhelming what he has to deal with being king now, but he does such a great job at it.
We all know that Mona suffered greatly at the hands of the Juldo master, but we learn that she actually was abused by her father as well. That's why, when given the chance to return home, she stays on Homeworld where she finally feels safe. Even with all the huge aliens around that hate her species. She spends her days being a bitch and barely earning her keep. She has been refusing to answer any questions about her time as prisoner, but that comes to an abrupt end when she is tricked and finally forced to confront it. Uthyf doesn't learn anything new, but she helps to confirm some things. It's after this meeting though that their relationship starts to change. Up until this point the two of them did nothing but scream and yell and fight. But now that she's looking, Mona notices that Uthyf isn't actually such a bad guy. You know, like everyone has been telling her this whole time. And when he does things for her to make her happy, she feels her walls crumble a little more.
While at a festival where Uthyf is trying to get his people to open up to the humans some more, Mona sees he's about to be attacked and rushes to save him. Touching him in the process and triggering the mating rage. Their union is not like any of the others and it kind of falls flat because of that. From there, Uthyf throws her into helping him run the kingdom as a queen should. But then he goes missing. For weeks. Mona fancies herself the highest power on this planet now in their search for him, but I just wanted to smack her and her over inflated ego. When he shows back up, it's with a dead man, a traitor, and quite the story to tell.
But that's not the ending. The Juldo master shows back up with someone who even the shadowborn assassin is shocked to see, which can't be good. There's a civil war with many deaths on both sides and immeasurable destruction. Peyton is also getting ready to birth the first new hybrid baby.
The notes at the end tell us what to look forward to, and I definitely am. I'm just frustrated that I have to wait at least two more books before I get Kil's story. I want his so bad.
For the first 20% or so I really hated Mona. I get that she had suffered more than I could imagine, but she was such a raging bitch to everyone. She did nothing but fight with Uthyf and refuse to leave her bubble. She blamed the Dahk's bad perception of humans on Peyton, she refused to help in anything but cooking, and she treated her guards like they were the lowest of low not even worthy of her knowing their names. Eventually she does get a little better, but she still blames all problems on other people. A huge deal is made out her aversion to touching, but at the same time it never seemed to really be a problem.
Uthyf was exactly how I already expected him to be. A hard-ass, but a good male. I was impressed how hard he fought his draw to Mona and the lengths he would go not to touch her. Even if she messed all that up in the end. It's overwhelming what he has to deal with being king now, but he does such a great job at it.
We all know that Mona suffered greatly at the hands of the Juldo master, but we learn that she actually was abused by her father as well. That's why, when given the chance to return home, she stays on Homeworld where she finally feels safe. Even with all the huge aliens around that hate her species. She spends her days being a bitch and barely earning her keep. She has been refusing to answer any questions about her time as prisoner, but that comes to an abrupt end when she is tricked and finally forced to confront it. Uthyf doesn't learn anything new, but she helps to confirm some things. It's after this meeting though that their relationship starts to change. Up until this point the two of them did nothing but scream and yell and fight. But now that she's looking, Mona notices that Uthyf isn't actually such a bad guy. You know, like everyone has been telling her this whole time. And when he does things for her to make her happy, she feels her walls crumble a little more.
While at a festival where Uthyf is trying to get his people to open up to the humans some more, Mona sees he's about to be attacked and rushes to save him. Touching him in the process and triggering the mating rage. Their union is not like any of the others and it kind of falls flat because of that. From there, Uthyf throws her into helping him run the kingdom as a queen should. But then he goes missing. For weeks. Mona fancies herself the highest power on this planet now in their search for him, but I just wanted to smack her and her over inflated ego. When he shows back up, it's with a dead man, a traitor, and quite the story to tell.
But that's not the ending. The Juldo master shows back up with someone who even the shadowborn assassin is shocked to see, which can't be good. There's a civil war with many deaths on both sides and immeasurable destruction. Peyton is also getting ready to birth the first new hybrid baby.
The notes at the end tell us what to look forward to, and I definitely am. I'm just frustrated that I have to wait at least two more books before I get Kil's story. I want his so bad.
changeusernamel8r's review
3.5
3.5☆ for a novella
Tw: Spoilermentions of previous rape (no details given), mentions of previous physical abuse and torture, possible dub-con sex scene (without details and the H had no control of his actions, the h didn't describe it nor had mental consequences or trouble because of that, also she took the decision of participating)
The first 20% of the book it was me thinking fuck you Vivian and also being grateful I started reading the wrong book so I hadn't read her story as I wanted.
Sadly because although Vyr sounded like an alien I would love that little betrayal of Vivian made me hate her.
I loved Mona she lived through so much and although it is a novella it made me feel everything so intese as I hadn't with all the last books I've read.
Since I didn't know the title of the book I had no idea who was going to be her mate.
Honestly not only I started reading a series starting in the 5th book but I didn't even read the title. Although technically I started the serie by the novella in the 7.5 book.
Don't be like me.
I liked a looot this novella would have loved it if it were longer.
I must say I didn't understand half of it because I never read series in order but still I liked it.
Tw: Spoilermentions of previous rape (no details given), mentions of previous physical abuse and torture, possible dub-con sex scene (without details and the H had no control of his actions, the h didn't describe it nor had mental consequences or trouble because of that, also she took the decision of participating)
The first 20% of the book it was me thinking fuck you Vivian and also being grateful I started reading the wrong book so I hadn't read her story as I wanted.
Sadly because although Vyr sounded like an alien I would love that little betrayal of Vivian made me hate her.
I loved Mona she lived through so much and although it is a novella it made me feel everything so intese as I hadn't with all the last books I've read.
Since I didn't know the title of the book I had no idea who was going to be her mate.
Honestly not only I started reading a series starting in the 5th book but I didn't even read the title. Although technically I started the serie by the novella in the 7.5 book.
Don't be like me.
I liked a looot this novella would have loved it if it were longer.
I must say I didn't understand half of it because I never read series in order but still I liked it.
izziede's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
It could be read as a standalone but I strongly recommend reading the series in order as although each book, the first two books are about the same couple, has a book per couple there is an enemy plot that runs through the series and although that couples issues are resolved the main enemy plot continues and grows or more is revealed.
Also each book drops breadcrumbs for possible future storylines.
There is a warning about triggers, the heroine had a violent father back on earth and then was "a pet" to the master before being rescued. That said the details are vague about what she endured, even when rape is mentioned it is stated as happened rather than described but this may be a trigger for some.
There is other woman drama.
A woman is present who is hoping to be the best queen but the Hero has not been intimate with her in some time.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
The heroine mentioned a woman before the present hopeful queen that left so the reader can assume he has been intimate with the other woman since meeting the heroine as the heroine knew the previous woman but it is very vague and there is no intimacy between the Hero and this woman on page or currently happening when we start the story.
There is plenty of intrigue and the relationship could be described as slow burn as the heroine has issues so it takes time to overcome them.
Dual POV and a chapter or two from some others.
HEA. In the form of HFN as although the couple are happy together there is the main enemy plot.
Last small chapter introduces the next book.
My one criticism was there were a lot of characters, at one point I lost track of who was who.
It could be read as a standalone but I strongly recommend reading the series in order as although each book, the first two books are about the same couple, has a book per couple there is an enemy plot that runs through the series and although that couples issues are resolved the main enemy plot continues and grows or more is revealed.
Also each book drops breadcrumbs for possible future storylines.
There is a warning about triggers, the heroine had a violent father back on earth and then was "a pet" to the master before being rescued. That said the details are vague about what she endured, even when rape is mentioned it is stated as happened rather than described but this may be a trigger for some.
There is other woman drama.
A woman is present who is hoping to be the best queen but the Hero has not been intimate with her in some time.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
The heroine mentioned a woman before the present hopeful queen that left so the reader can assume he has been intimate with the other woman since meeting the heroine as the heroine knew the previous woman but it is very vague and there is no intimacy between the Hero and this woman on page or currently happening when we start the story.
There is plenty of intrigue and the relationship could be described as slow burn as the heroine has issues so it takes time to overcome them.
Dual POV and a chapter or two from some others.
HEA. In the form of HFN as although the couple are happy together there is the main enemy plot.
Last small chapter introduces the next book.
My one criticism was there were a lot of characters, at one point I lost track of who was who.
zeey's review
3.0
This has been my fav out of all the books so far. The love story is just so sweet, heartfelt and endearing and I just wanna smush Mona and Uthyf and protect them both forever!!!
honeysbookobsession's review
4.0
Great step forward
Mona is the Queen he didn’t know he needed. I think she will help both humans and dahk alike see they need each other. That not all will be against having a second wife or two husbands. I think it will be interesting to see a human male and dank female come together.
Mona is the Queen he didn’t know he needed. I think she will help both humans and dahk alike see they need each other. That not all will be against having a second wife or two husbands. I think it will be interesting to see a human male and dank female come together.
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