mx_manda's review
4.0
Another enjoyable addition to the series, TAKD stays in The Hunt's universe but reveals fates that befell other humans out in space. It turns out they haven't been kidnapped for only the purpose of that vile game, nor only in recent history...but something more nefarious and farther reaching.
Atlanta Georgia is named for the place her mother called home, where she lived before she was abducted and that Lanta has never been. She's only ever known life on a dull and miserable planet that lacks resources and any semblance of amenities apart from sonic showers, one where she's desperately tried to fit in but her humanity keeps getting in the way. If she keeps trying harder, maybe she can conquer her flaws. This planet is inhabited by beings who make Vulcans seem expressive and warm. Any hint of emotion, and they will ignore you—the more you show, the longer they block you out. MONTHS for a squeal of delight. They are sensitive to the extreme. Up until age 8, Lanta had her mother try to teach her what it means to be human while navigating this world, but after her death, she's left with her adopted aunt and cousin. She's worked twice as hard for everything she has, but Lanta is now an accomplished adult with a valued job as hired personal security. It's a shame no one will talk to her besides her aunt and friend/cousin, but if she can master perfect blankness the rest will come around. Now that she's trusted with off-world assignments, Lanta is contracted as security for a princess on her way to an event to woo a king. Should be easy and maybe even a bit relaxing.
Now. This story is especially interesting because Lanta mostly lacks human sentimentality; her age, how long ago her mother passed on—arguably murdered due to lack of care and consideration that even cold logic can not explain—and other details are irrelevant in the society she was raised, so these elements of the story that we use to connect to a character are missing. So much of what we deem as important is socialized into us.
On day one, everything starts to spiral. That damn King will not stop staring at her, and she can't stop staring at him. When Lanta starts to...FEEL things, she's at a loss and has to try and figure it out with the help of Payton, mate of the King's brother, the only human she's ever seen besides her own mother. She needs to fix herself. STAT. But as things progress, maybe she's not so adverse to the human experience. Maybe she can have...more?
From the moment he walks into the welcome banquet for his potential mates, Melis knows he's in trouble: trying to be as invisible as possible is his true lifemate. (A personal guard. Whomp whomp) Something his people dream of and a luxury someone of his position can not afford to indulge. Why did she have to come into his life now, when alliances are so important and everything he's trying to build is threatening to end before it starts?
I found Lanta to be a much easier to empathize with character than Melis, if I have to be totally honest. Her struggle to fit in a place where she doesn't belong but she's afraid to leave tugged at my heart strings. Because she wasn't socialized to be human beyond some basic lessons as a child that she resented and actively ignored, everything we take for granted as the human condition is alien to her. And alarming. She has no real identity to cling to. But she's incredibly strong, focused, and willing to work for what she wants. It was a shame that we never got to see her skills in action, since she's made up to be a huge ass-kicker and nothing warrants a demonstration.
I think had Melis' struggle not been nearly identical to his brother's in the last book, I might have had more patience for it. But since it had been only months since he watched how things unfolded for the Prince and the part he played...it was hard to believe that none of that colored and affected the events that took place after he felt that bond start screaming to be sealed. However, his dedication to finding an alternate solution at the end and the lengths he went to make amends with literally everyone was pretty impressive—even if he was a total knobhead to Lanta in that process. (His reasons absolutely made sense, but I can still have hurt feelings on her account. I would be madder than a damn hornet if that was done to me.)
You've been gifted true love and happiness and you're inconvenienced by it? Into the fire you go, bud.
Despite that, this is still a very enjoyable story. You just have to accept total idiot men sometimes. And outlandish "American" style weddings. I agree with Esme about that ceremony's wording, Payton.
And there's a nice set up to finally find out what exactly did happen to that single mother and her two small children. Maybe answers to the unanswered questions from this one will be in there too. I'm looking forward to it.
Atlanta Georgia is named for the place her mother called home, where she lived before she was abducted and that Lanta has never been. She's only ever known life on a dull and miserable planet that lacks resources and any semblance of amenities apart from sonic showers, one where she's desperately tried to fit in but her humanity keeps getting in the way. If she keeps trying harder, maybe she can conquer her flaws. This planet is inhabited by beings who make Vulcans seem expressive and warm. Any hint of emotion, and they will ignore you—the more you show, the longer they block you out. MONTHS for a squeal of delight. They are sensitive to the extreme. Up until age 8, Lanta had her mother try to teach her what it means to be human while navigating this world, but after her death, she's left with her adopted aunt and cousin. She's worked twice as hard for everything she has, but Lanta is now an accomplished adult with a valued job as hired personal security. It's a shame no one will talk to her besides her aunt and friend/cousin, but if she can master perfect blankness the rest will come around. Now that she's trusted with off-world assignments, Lanta is contracted as security for a princess on her way to an event to woo a king. Should be easy and maybe even a bit relaxing.
Now. This story is especially interesting because Lanta mostly lacks human sentimentality; her age, how long ago her mother passed on—arguably murdered due to lack of care and consideration that even cold logic can not explain—and other details are irrelevant in the society she was raised, so these elements of the story that we use to connect to a character are missing. So much of what we deem as important is socialized into us.
On day one, everything starts to spiral. That damn King will not stop staring at her, and she can't stop staring at him. When Lanta starts to...FEEL things, she's at a loss and has to try and figure it out with the help of Payton, mate of the King's brother, the only human she's ever seen besides her own mother. She needs to fix herself. STAT. But as things progress, maybe she's not so adverse to the human experience. Maybe she can have...more?
From the moment he walks into the welcome banquet for his potential mates, Melis knows he's in trouble: trying to be as invisible as possible is his true lifemate. (A personal guard. Whomp whomp) Something his people dream of and a luxury someone of his position can not afford to indulge. Why did she have to come into his life now, when alliances are so important and everything he's trying to build is threatening to end before it starts?
I found Lanta to be a much easier to empathize with character than Melis, if I have to be totally honest. Her struggle to fit in a place where she doesn't belong but she's afraid to leave tugged at my heart strings. Because she wasn't socialized to be human beyond some basic lessons as a child that she resented and actively ignored, everything we take for granted as the human condition is alien to her. And alarming. She has no real identity to cling to. But she's incredibly strong, focused, and willing to work for what she wants. It was a shame that we never got to see her skills in action, since she's made up to be a huge ass-kicker and nothing warrants a demonstration.
I think had Melis' struggle not been nearly identical to his brother's in the last book, I might have had more patience for it. But since it had been only months since he watched how things unfolded for the Prince and the part he played...it was hard to believe that none of that colored and affected the events that took place after he felt that bond start screaming to be sealed. However, his dedication to finding an alternate solution at the end and the lengths he went to make amends with literally everyone was pretty impressive—even if he was a total knobhead to Lanta in that process. (His reasons absolutely made sense, but I can still have hurt feelings on her account. I would be madder than a damn hornet if that was done to me.)
Spoiler
But that part after everyone's left and he's angsting about how he wishes he had met Lanta AFTER he had already been bonded to someone else so he wouldn't want to act on it? If that's not the brattiest thing. Man.You've been gifted true love and happiness and you're inconvenienced by it? Into the fire you go, bud.
Despite that, this is still a very enjoyable story. You just have to accept total idiot men sometimes. And outlandish "American" style weddings. I agree with Esme about that ceremony's wording, Payton.
And there's a nice set up to finally find out what exactly did happen to that single mother and her two small children. Maybe answers to the unanswered questions from this one will be in there too. I'm looking forward to it.
audiobookmel's review
4.0
Review originally posted at BooksOfMyHeart.net.
The Alien King’s Desire is a spin off The Hunt series, but can be read without having read The Hunt. Atlanta Georgia Moore and her mother live on the planet Luur with the Oncuns. Oncuns don’t show their emotions and are uncomfortable with people who do. They do make great security. After her mother’s death, she is adopted by the Oncun family that took her in. She has to work twice as hard to prove herself, since she is human and the Oncuns see her as weak.
Lanta and her adopted sister and only friend, Elkah, are assigned as security for Princess Una. She is one of many who are meeting with Melisizwe bu Kumkani, Kgosi of the bu kumkani Kingdom to become his mate. Basically, he is the king of a kingdom on the planet of Ipakethe. His younger brother, and his human mate, we meet in the second book of The Hunt series, Hunted by the Alien Prince.
Lanta has worked so hard to stifle her human emotions. The only other human she has ever met is her mother, whom she lost when she was really young. Then she is introduced to Payton. And it is hard to control those emotions any more. Not to mention in the presence of the Kgosi (the Ipakethe word for king).
Melisizwe is working to find the marriage that will help his kingdom. He wants to increase his planet’s status and have more trading for his merchants to offworld trade routes. He has chosen every woman that will help with that mission. They all have status and wealth. But his people have never married outside their own race so the other rulers on his planet are not happy about his decision.
I really enjoyed the books by this author. While there is the insta-love aspect to the stories, neither character takes it lightly. They both struggle with their own sense of duty to themselves and their people, but also have this desire to follow their hearts. I also liked watching Lanta wanting to be more herself, which she’s never been allowed in her entire life.
The Alien King’s Desire is a spin off The Hunt series, but can be read without having read The Hunt. Atlanta Georgia Moore and her mother live on the planet Luur with the Oncuns. Oncuns don’t show their emotions and are uncomfortable with people who do. They do make great security. After her mother’s death, she is adopted by the Oncun family that took her in. She has to work twice as hard to prove herself, since she is human and the Oncuns see her as weak.
Lanta and her adopted sister and only friend, Elkah, are assigned as security for Princess Una. She is one of many who are meeting with Melisizwe bu Kumkani, Kgosi of the bu kumkani Kingdom to become his mate. Basically, he is the king of a kingdom on the planet of Ipakethe. His younger brother, and his human mate, we meet in the second book of The Hunt series, Hunted by the Alien Prince.
Lanta has worked so hard to stifle her human emotions. The only other human she has ever met is her mother, whom she lost when she was really young. Then she is introduced to Payton. And it is hard to control those emotions any more. Not to mention in the presence of the Kgosi (the Ipakethe word for king).
Melisizwe is working to find the marriage that will help his kingdom. He wants to increase his planet’s status and have more trading for his merchants to offworld trade routes. He has chosen every woman that will help with that mission. They all have status and wealth. But his people have never married outside their own race so the other rulers on his planet are not happy about his decision.
I really enjoyed the books by this author. While there is the insta-love aspect to the stories, neither character takes it lightly. They both struggle with their own sense of duty to themselves and their people, but also have this desire to follow their hearts. I also liked watching Lanta wanting to be more herself, which she’s never been allowed in her entire life.
amanda_p's review
4.0
Another enjoyable addition to the series, TAKD stays in The Hunt's universe but reveals fates that befell other humans out in space. It turns out they haven't been kidnapped for only the purpose of that vile game, nor only in recent history...but something more nefarious and farther reaching.
Atlanta Georgia is named for the place her mother called home, where she lived before she was abducted and that Lanta has never been. She's only ever known life on a dull and miserable planet that lacks resources and any semblance of amenities apart from sonic showers, one where she's desperately tried to fit in but her humanity keeps getting in the way. If she keeps trying harder, maybe she can conquer her flaws. This planet is inhabited by beings who make Vulcans seem expressive and warm. Any hint of emotion, and they will ignore you—the more you show, the longer they block you out. MONTHS for a squeal of delight. They are sensitive to the extreme. Up until age 8, Lanta had her mother try to teach her what it means to be human while navigating this world, but after her death, she's left with her adopted aunt and cousin. She's worked twice as hard for everything she has, but Lanta is now an accomplished adult with a valued job as hired personal security. It's a shame no one will talk to her besides her aunt and friend/cousin, but if she can master perfect blankness the rest will come around. Now that she's trusted with off-world assignments, Lanta is contracted as security for a princess on her way to an event to woo a king. Should be easy and maybe even a bit relaxing.
Now. This story is especially interesting because Lanta mostly lacks human sentimentality; her age, how long ago her mother passed on—arguably murdered due to lack of care and consideration that even cold logic can not explain—and other details are irrelevant in the society she was raised, so these elements of the story that we use to connect to a character are missing. So much of what we deem as important is socialized into us.
On day one, everything starts to spiral. That damn King will not stop staring at her, and she can't stop staring at him. When Lanta starts to...FEEL things, she's at a loss and has to try and figure it out with the help of Payton, mate of the King's brother, the only human she's ever seen besides her own mother. She needs to fix herself. STAT. But as things progress, maybe she's not so adverse to the human experience. Maybe she can have...more?
From the moment he walks into the welcome banquet for his potential mates, Melis knows he's in trouble: trying to be as invisible as possible is his true lifemate. (A personal guard. Whomp whomp) Something his people dream of and a luxury someone of his position can not afford to indulge. Why did she have to come into his life now, when alliances are so important and everything he's trying to build is threatening to end before it starts?
I found Lanta to be a much easier to empathize with character than Melis, if I have to be totally honest. Her struggle to fit in a place where she doesn't belong but she's afraid to leave tugged at my heart strings. Because she wasn't socialized to be human beyond some basic lessons as a child that she resented and actively ignored, everything we take for granted as the human condition is alien to her. And alarming. She has no real identity to cling to. But she's incredibly strong, focused, and willing to work for what she wants. It was a shame that we never got to see her skills in action, since she's made up to be a huge ass-kicker and nothing warrants a demonstration.
I think had Melis' struggle not been nearly identical to his brother's in the last book, I might have had more patience for it. But since it had been only months since he watched how things unfolded for the Prince and the part he played...it was hard to believe that none of that colored and affected the events that took place after he felt that bond start screaming to be sealed. However, his dedication to finding an alternate solution at the end and the lengths he went to make amends with literally everyone was pretty impressive—even if he was a total knobhead to Lanta in that process. (His reasons absolutely made sense, but I can still have hurt feelings on her account. I would be madder than a damn hornet if that was done to me.)
You've been gifted true love and happiness and you're inconvenienced by it? Into the fire you go, bud.
Despite that, this is still a very enjoyable story. You just have to accept total idiot men sometimes. And outlandish "American" style weddings. I agree with Esme about that ceremony's wording, Payton.
And there's a nice set up to finally find out what exactly did happen to that single mother and her two small children. Maybe answers to the unanswered questions from this one will be in there too. I'm looking forward to it.
Atlanta Georgia is named for the place her mother called home, where she lived before she was abducted and that Lanta has never been. She's only ever known life on a dull and miserable planet that lacks resources and any semblance of amenities apart from sonic showers, one where she's desperately tried to fit in but her humanity keeps getting in the way. If she keeps trying harder, maybe she can conquer her flaws. This planet is inhabited by beings who make Vulcans seem expressive and warm. Any hint of emotion, and they will ignore you—the more you show, the longer they block you out. MONTHS for a squeal of delight. They are sensitive to the extreme. Up until age 8, Lanta had her mother try to teach her what it means to be human while navigating this world, but after her death, she's left with her adopted aunt and cousin. She's worked twice as hard for everything she has, but Lanta is now an accomplished adult with a valued job as hired personal security. It's a shame no one will talk to her besides her aunt and friend/cousin, but if she can master perfect blankness the rest will come around. Now that she's trusted with off-world assignments, Lanta is contracted as security for a princess on her way to an event to woo a king. Should be easy and maybe even a bit relaxing.
Now. This story is especially interesting because Lanta mostly lacks human sentimentality; her age, how long ago her mother passed on—arguably murdered due to lack of care and consideration that even cold logic can not explain—and other details are irrelevant in the society she was raised, so these elements of the story that we use to connect to a character are missing. So much of what we deem as important is socialized into us.
On day one, everything starts to spiral. That damn King will not stop staring at her, and she can't stop staring at him. When Lanta starts to...FEEL things, she's at a loss and has to try and figure it out with the help of Payton, mate of the King's brother, the only human she's ever seen besides her own mother. She needs to fix herself. STAT. But as things progress, maybe she's not so adverse to the human experience. Maybe she can have...more?
From the moment he walks into the welcome banquet for his potential mates, Melis knows he's in trouble: trying to be as invisible as possible is his true lifemate. (A personal guard. Whomp whomp) Something his people dream of and a luxury someone of his position can not afford to indulge. Why did she have to come into his life now, when alliances are so important and everything he's trying to build is threatening to end before it starts?
I found Lanta to be a much easier to empathize with character than Melis, if I have to be totally honest. Her struggle to fit in a place where she doesn't belong but she's afraid to leave tugged at my heart strings. Because she wasn't socialized to be human beyond some basic lessons as a child that she resented and actively ignored, everything we take for granted as the human condition is alien to her. And alarming. She has no real identity to cling to. But she's incredibly strong, focused, and willing to work for what she wants. It was a shame that we never got to see her skills in action, since she's made up to be a huge ass-kicker and nothing warrants a demonstration.
I think had Melis' struggle not been nearly identical to his brother's in the last book, I might have had more patience for it. But since it had been only months since he watched how things unfolded for the Prince and the part he played...it was hard to believe that none of that colored and affected the events that took place after he felt that bond start screaming to be sealed. However, his dedication to finding an alternate solution at the end and the lengths he went to make amends with literally everyone was pretty impressive—even if he was a total knobhead to Lanta in that process. (His reasons absolutely made sense, but I can still have hurt feelings on her account. I would be madder than a damn hornet if that was done to me.)
Spoiler
But that part after everyone's left and he's angsting about how he wishes he had met Lanta AFTER he had already been bonded to someone else so he wouldn't want to act on it? If that's not the brattiest thing. Man.You've been gifted true love and happiness and you're inconvenienced by it? Into the fire you go, bud.
Despite that, this is still a very enjoyable story. You just have to accept total idiot men sometimes. And outlandish "American" style weddings. I agree with Esme about that ceremony's wording, Payton.
And there's a nice set up to finally find out what exactly did happen to that single mother and her two small children. Maybe answers to the unanswered questions from this one will be in there too. I'm looking forward to it.
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