missbliss's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Clearly I have a problem I am addicted to this series and devouring them at a problematic pace but dang they are so much better than I expected and I am in Central Texas summer and I am all about sexy smut in wintery worlds. Kira/Aehako pairing are fantastic and again I can't say enough how much i love the distinctive characters that Ruby creates. Aehako was introduced in the last story and loved how he immediately stands out as playful. I was also delighted by the character development of Kira and really seeing a quiet character find courage and strength. I also was practically yelling AMEN when the male lead talks openly about never shaming a woman for having had previous partners, or finding her own personal pleasure, or her breedability. I get incredibly tired (and disgusted) by the fixation in many books of the romance genre that put the highest value on virginity and making babies. It was nice to have characters discuss these topics openly. Especially in a culture where sex does not seem to be shamed. I think some folks felt certain fears of the characters were stupid and unfounded but I disagree as I really feel that through each voluming we along with the characters are still learning about how humans fair on this world and how everything works with the khui. It is fascinating to see the building community and culture as folks are getting settled in. I will say that although I continue to enjoy the narrators Hollie's voice started to grate a little. In her attempt to make the character voices distinct she struggles to infuse them with emotion so there is a lilt in all dialogue I associate with how one sounds when being casual or joking that is used in moments of pain and fear that feels incongruent to the moment and pulled me out a little. Again she is far better than many others but just something I noticed. I am continuing to my binge of this series and went to Ruby Dixon's website so I can read/listen to all the books in the suggested order since it seems there are several series in the same universe.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility, Kidnapping, and Violence
lacee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Side Note: The honeymoon novellas just aren't that good. Just like in <i>Barbarian Alien</i>, Kira, and Aehako's novella walked back some good character development.
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cursing, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Minor: Rape, Alcohol, Animal death, Child death, and Trafficking
creativelifeofliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Infertility
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, and Pregnancy
l_piller's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
nyx_999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't know I would enjoy the whole friends to lovers but OH MY I really like this couple!
Honestly there's not much I would change about the book besides I wished they would have had more privacy to spend some quality time together.
I already loved Aeheko from barbarian Alien but now...their love is strong and it really shown in this book. They were simply made for each other.
I'm excited to read the next book. ☺️
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy
katiekeske's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I love how Aehako is totally smitten with Kira without needing to resonate to her. I love his happy and dedicated personality.
I liked Kira because I could relate to her more quiet and reserved personality.
Plot-wise I enjoyed getting to see and learn more about the old space ship that the sakh aliens crashed on. I liked the action that picked up toward the end with
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Rape, and Violence
georgiaisreading's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Infertility, Death, Medical content, and Kidnapping
yaoipaddle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
if youre struggling to conceive or have fertility issues dont read this book because it will make you feel like shit. kira does nothing but describe herself as "flawed" and "broken" constantly because she is infertile due to a medical reason as a teen. instead of doing something interesting with a character that is not affected by the parasite in the same way the other humans are, the author makes kira a woman tormented and unbearable due to it.
"It was his choice to mate me despite knowing my flaws." - Kira (yes the 'flaw' is her being infertile.)
the actual plot beats of the evil aliens from book 1 returning are interesting but are too few compared to the many scenes of the author constantly reminding us of her pregnancy fetish.
the way everyone treated harlow was also so fucked up but i dont want to spoil too much. to me it just further illustrates how the characters will act out of character just when it's most convenient to the plot.
vektal and georgie continue to be so unlovable in this book as well. as if theyre the only two people that matter to each other and everyone else can die for all they care.
and my personal fave thing to hate on is how little the translator stuff makes sense. how can aehako not know what a "tub" is, but knows what calling someone "randy" means?
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Infertility, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Stalking, Trafficking, Rape, and Sexual assault
eclectic_hellscape's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit
mollydollydoodah's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape