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jetenold's review against another edition
3.0
this was more a 2.5 read for me. it was not as sci-fi as I was really hoping, ended up being almost more medieval than anything. there where small mentions of her poison, but it all kind of faded into the background of all of the sword training. I did enjoy her Teaching him about pleasure, and I started to like him more throughout the book, but she seemed to almost get dumber.
pearlbrook's review against another edition
1.0
Summary: Barbarian romance between two alien species - Mikayla seeks protection for her people while Vaan seeks vengeance against those who want him dead. In reality this book is an exercise in how long you can survive a plot with a misogynistic asshole hero who doesn't start to change his ways until about 65% through the book and never fully gets rid of his superiority complex and disdain for his mate's freewill. Some sex scenes (mostly "lie back and think of England" scenes where the female gets no pleasure) and somehow a romance despite a hero who is as unlikeable as possible. Science fiction but only because there are aliens: do not expect advanced tech or civilisations.
Spoiler
Main pairing: Mikayla/Vaan
Favourite character: Mikayla
Villain(s) Dakar/Thenl/as far as I'm concerned, Vaan.
Character rating: 2/10
Plot rating: 2/10
Setting rating: 3/10
Overall rating:2/10
Pros: The first chapter definitely grabbed my imagination! We are introduced to Vaan and his warlords in a way which really displays them as loyal, righteous warriors who care about justice and their people. It was my favourite chapter of the book and I wish the characters had continued more in that vein.
I refute the claims that the heroine is stupid or annoying. She is a strong character who refuses to abandon her needs or her rights as a person when her overbearing mate seeks to control and dismiss her. Her choices are not always the right ones, but I understand why she makes them when she is effectively imprisoned in her own home, surrounded by people who show her no basic respect after she single-handedly saves them from their fate, and still she tries to be accommodating and understanding.
Cons: The real problem here is the hero and his culture. I appreciate a book which introduces a society run very differently from Western culture in real life, and it is always interesting to see how authors think characters will act in roles we do not recognise. This book was just too far for me. Let me sum up Kabanian culture:
- Racism against other species is normal
- Women are supposed to lie still and not ask for pleasure during sex
- Affection is non-existent
- The Overlord's mate (the only example of a couple involving a Kabanian) cannot do anything without her husband's permission, which is withheld more or less always
- Punishment is physical and easily come by
- Nobody disagrees or argues with the Overlord
- Even when someone has been nothing but kind and giving, trust with withheld and they are believed to be a threat
If this was background stuff I might have been ok with it. But this was pretty much the whole of the plot. It was a lot. The only reason I finished this book was because I wanted to see if the author was really able to redeem a truly irredeemable character. The answer was sort of? Vaan's attitude towards his mate improved, sure. But he didn't become likeable or reasonable, he just became slightly less of a dick once he learned to love her and realised that if she actually, you know, enjoyed sex then her body's response made it feel more pleasurable for him.
Final opinion: I love my barbarian romances. This one, not so much. I'm just glad to cross it off my "to read" list now. I appreciate that the heroine did not completely cave in to the hero and become a well behaved little puppet for him, but it wasn't enough to ultimately balance out the dislike I felt for the Overlord.
valerie_sam's review
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
severelyhopefulcloud's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Sexual content
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexism
izziede's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book its really different. The difference in cultures make the story interesting and often humorous, the proud warrior Vaan is stern and valiant but adorable in his own way. It also sets a few things up for future books.
I am new to this author, it was an excellent read.
I am new to this author, it was an excellent read.
maxkees's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readermonica's review
4.0
World building is good in this start to the series. I enjoyed that Vaan is not a great lover in the beginning, but becomes a quick study when Mikayla isn't afraid to let him know that she is less than satisfied with his rutting. Vaan's issues are believable with the cultural differences described-even though it makes me think that there has to be an explanation at some point why Kabanian women seemingly don't participate or enjoy sex. 'Cause come on-poor women if that's true! I will definitely continue with this series. There are a few personal preference issues with Mikayla not using the best judgement at times, but it wasn't bad enough to make me dislike her. I listened to the audio version and the narrator, Michael Pauley, was enjoyable. I will look for more of his narrations.
More complete review to come.
More complete review to come.
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