Reviews

Conquered by Sara Fields

lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition

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2.0

I did like this book, I'd probably rate it 4 on Amazon since they consider 3 stars to be negative.

A female human rebel and the 4 aliens determined to master her.

Conquered is an alien slave/capture reverse harem story. I've read a few short stories by Sara Field and very recently read Mated to the Dragons. The blurb for this drew me in and I was certainly inttrigued to read Kira's story.

I was really looking forward to reading this. The blurb ticked lots of positive boxes for me and I knew this was an author whose previous work I had enjoyed. Sadly this didn't quite hit the mark for me, it started really well but just didn't hold my attention in the way I thought it would. The writing is of a high quality, the prose flows well and the story was easy to follow. There was no issue for me with the quality of writing, it just lacked sufficient depth in the plot.

When the Vakarran's invaded earth, enslaving humans and using fertile women as little more than brood mares, Kira and her sisters escaped. They have survived, along with a group of other 'outlaw' humans, and evaded capture for almost 10 years. Many Vakarran have underestimated Kira, and some have not lived to regret that. Jax, Coltan, Aedan and Zaavyr are not so foolish and soon Kira finds herself captive on their ship and slave to their desires. Will she escape, will she keep her sisters hidden and safe, will humans ever be free?

The story made a really strong start, with a super tough Kira finding refuge for a small band of humans. I would have liked some backstory to Kira to explain why a (then) 17/18 year old had the skills to survive in the wilderness and eventually cobble together tech and traps to protect her sisters and other followers. That aside I still really liked Kira, with her strong sense of survival and her determination to protect others at all costs.

The book was written first person, with each chapter from any one of the FIVE main characters point of views. For me this proved too many, I often didn't know which male's perspective I was reading. It might have worked better written third person, so that view points could 'switch' when necessary. I was able to build a really good picture of Kira, who I totally loved as a heroine. At 70%, though, I was still struggling to connect to some of the male characters .... particularly when they were still 'playing roles' in their attempt to train Kira.

After a few very good chapters it felt like the story became just a surfeit of sex scenes. Kira's character seemed to lose her way for a while, melting into a gooey puddle of lust at the merest hint of her males' appendages. Sigh. I wasn't convinced that the characters were bonding, and falling in love with each other, either. We did eventually see the real Kira return and the final few chapters of the book were excellent.

I ended up skimming the majority of the sex scenes, there was just too much for me personally. I love some hot bedroom scenes, I love spanking, domination and dubious/non-consent in the story, and this has all of that. It's definitely a hot and steamy read and fits the 'slave world' genre, so if you like that style of book you will more than likely enjoy this too.

pattyfgd's review

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5.0

When I was asked to listen to a sci fi romance, I was hesitant. Will it be cheesy aliens and spaceships? Not sure I was ready for that, I dug into my first book by Sara Fields and fell in love. Not only does she capture the essence of sci fi in this reverse harem, but she writes the eroticism with class and true feeling. The Vakarran have taken over earth, and are taking human women as their breeders. Kyra is a human female, taking care of her sisters, and is a true fighter. She is a warrior the Vakarran want to stop, but she has alluded their capture. When she is tricked though, seizing her is not only a surprise, but she has the necessity to escape. The four men have another plan for her. Zaavyr, Jax, Coltan, & Aedan are going to break her down and make her theirs. She will submit! Each man with his own traits, slowly breaks her down. But what isn't expected is the depth of their feelings for her. When danger does comes to her, will these men save her? Will they let her go? The story is full of passion, steam, and an underlying plot to keep the Vakarran on top. It's told in 5 points of view and will keep you entranced the entire time.

Heather Firth is amazing at storytelling. This book with it's 5 points of view, 4 of them being male was easy to listen to, we knew who was speaking and flowed effortlessly. I really enjoyed her narration of the story and can't wait for the next in the series.

kelly_reads_books's review

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5.0

Such a kinky story about aliens, with their domineering ways, and the humans who love to be punished.
I enjoyed this book a lot!

jje121579's review

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4.0

A better story than I was expecting...

Though I had mixed feelings about the Vakarran's apparent cruelty and their wanting to break Kira the rest of the storyline kept me interested in this SciFi action romance. Kira's never wavering protectiveness for her sisters and her indomitable backbone would made her tale worthwhile.

briannamichael's review

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4.0

Didn't know I needed this book!

Such a fun read! It was quick but HOT.
Who knew I'd LOVE a reverse harem alien spicy romance book??? Now I need more!!!

SPOILER......I was happy though that her sisters did remain on Earth, still free!

rockchick19's review

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4.0

So this was my first reverse harem book and all I can say is it was HOT!! 4 aliens and 1 bad ass woman. She has been keeping her sisters safe since aliens took over Earth but she ends up being captured as enemy number one. Soon she realizes that these four will punish her with pleasure!

mahaliathenerd's review

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3.0

Spanking involved

This is a reverse harem, but the girl is supposed to be a leader, but after being shamed then treated gently she understands that her captors have feelings for her. I forgot what they look like halfway through the story.

raven168's review

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2.0

This wasn't bad, but there really wasn't much to the story. The beginning actually had some substance to it, but once Kira got caught, plot was mostly replaced with lust x5 because of all the characters. Which, considering there were four guys for one girl, I'm actually kind of surprised how most of the time they just took turns.

Kira is a young 20something that lost her parents around 10 year prior and has taken care of and protected her younger sisters since then. During their travels, their small group got bigger and has turned into more of a community. Which, okay, I'll buy that part. But it was so hard for me to believe that someone her age was the best choice for leader in such a large group. Apparently she's smart and somehow manages to kill many of the Vakarran that have taken over the Earth, earning her a huge target on her back. Because of her kills, she fancies herself some sort of badass fighter. Which makes one question why she caves so easily once she's captured. Apparently public sex with four guys is enough to quell her. Who knew?

I never really ended up understanding why the four who claimed her even cared for her as much as they do. We know that they respect her for her actions against their own kind and the creative ways she stayed alive....but how does that equate to them wanting to cherish her and protect her from all others? Despite their tendency to want to indulge Kira, they also require her complete submission to them. Which is somehow supposed to be achieved thru sex? Okay. But Kira actually enjoys her punishments a lot and that sex is quite mind blowing, so she has to keep reminding herself that she needs to fight back. Unfortunately, when she does is always at the dumbest times and quite honestly I kind of felt like she completely asked for it with one particular bad guy. You telling me she couldn't keep her goddamn mouth shut for 30 seconds? I hate characters that can't control their "temper" at all. And I say temper like that because every single time it's not their temper to me, it's them being immature brats.

By the end, she's in love with her four captors and seeming cool with them enslaving her fellow Earthlings.

I'm not gonna say this was a waste of time, but I will say that I'm glad I got it for free.

calluna_vulgar1s's review

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2.0

Interesting pretense

Turned out to just be humiliation porn.

Yeahhh no thanks

Not bad enough for one star. Would not recommend

squinderella's review

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1.0

I stopped reading at 44%. The entire premise is rape and slavery. There is nothing sexy about becoming a slave and being raped. This isn’t “reverse harem,” as that would entail the woman actually having a choice. This is nothing more than gang rape and it’s inexcusable.