CuteasDuck

Narration great...story....meh it was ok

Revisado: 10-09-23

I was a bit disappointed with this story. Don't get me wrong it was miles better than book 2 (which is the worst of the series IMHO), and the narration was FAR better than book 5 (which was insanely flat for the female character IMHO) but....this story just didn't flow that great. I think it's because they are short novellas so the character development is so fast paced and you have to stretch your abilities to believe anyone could fall in love THAT quickly especially with so much trauma going on. It was a really fun edition to the series especially since it continued the story of one particular family, but...I wanted more.

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Welp...that narrator just ruined it for me

Revisado: 10-05-23

I have was so excited to hear Tane's story. He grabbed my attention immediately in previous 2 books and I was DYING to get to this book. Tor, as always, is magnificent! He has a great range and even his Chet voice was as I expected and made me laugh and say "perfect!", but this female narrator...ugh. It absolutely almost ruined it for me... seriously. Her tone, cadence, speed, and lack of ANY emotion at ALL was ridiculously grueling to sit through. I was groaning and hoping she'd KNOCK IT OFF and just read with any emotion at all...but nope. It was FLAT, cringe. She sounded like if an AI did an emotionless Captain Kirk impersonation - the long flat pauses and ridiculous over enunciation grating my my ever last nerve. This narrator should really loosen up! wow.

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I loved it and hated it, it's complicated

Revisado: 10-05-23

This really was a love/hate for me. I loved a lot of elements, the plot was different and I did like it it's just that the internal monologues were unbelievably long winded filler.... obviously just rambling repetitive dialogue to fill up time and make a "full book". There wasn't enough fleshing out the main characters relationship. More dialogue and development with the daughters would have provided the "filler" needed yet would have been so so much more interesting than Vivians constant over analyzing and predictable thoughts. It got so predictable I basically skipped through the rambling internal struggles with *getting to the damn point already* just so the story would progress. This was by far, the weakest of the series to me. It was somehow tedious and yet there was just enough meat to this watery stew to keep me hanging in there long enough to finish. It only got very interesting towards the last 1/3 of the book with the attempts at taking Vivian, then cute more internal monologues. .... ughhhh!! I am much more interested in Adrian's story now, she was interesting to me from. the beginning and I'm glad to know she will get her own beast.... however....another redhead? that's the 3rd for this series...and no one come for me. I say that AS a redhead (auburn really...like Vivian herself). I was enjoying the more diverse characters from this series (and the narration for them) and was hoping for more of that.
Speaking of the narration - I liked the voice for Maxius but absolutely did not like Vivian's voice in the beginning....to automated and not enough realism. I don't mind an accent with some flavor. Overall I found this one grueling to get through but worth it to get that happily ever after and GREAT cliffhanger. FYI if you don't mind knowing tho.... Adrian's book is not next, that would be Tane. My FAVORITE Warlord this far! Then Adrian gets her turn. off to the next!

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A great 3rd book to this short story collection

Revisado: 10-03-23

I really do wish these books were longer, but understand they're basically novellas. This one was so much better than the second book. I'm very glad the whole bachelor beast program ridiculousness was dropped... I still really don't understand how it helped the storyline in the second book considering that the beast chooses his mate full stop. The reality show idea was fantastic for book 1, but it was really ridiculous by book 2. I'm glad it didn't play into book 3 at all except in the early chapters and then poof disappeared as it should have. I'm extremely glad that the ex-boyfriend trope wasn't in this book either, as it was in one and two. The stalker twist was a bit of a different element and I kind of wanted to see a situation with said stalker and Bear play out, but he was more of a back subplot. Mentioned but never fleshed out. Alas, his eventual demise was satisfying, if not lack luster. The reason that I wish the book was longer was because the whole plot with Quinn being kidnapped was so good and it really could have been amazing except that it had to be wrapped up quickly with short chapters. It left the whole idea feeling a bit anticlimactic and me saying out loud, "....Ummm really? That's it?" This book was *far* superior to the 2nd book and kept my interest to continue with this novella series. I went ahead and snagged the next 3 books in the series and added them to my library.
The narration in this one for both characters was really great. I really prefer this particular male narrator (Tor) to the one in the book two whose voice was *way too soft* for a beast. The female narrators have been good throughout books 1-3. Yes, this book was mostly gratuitous sex scenes and not enough action in my opinion, nor enough plot development, but if you take the books as a whole, and not individually, they do somewhat overlap so you get a little extra here and there. As a "universe building" series it's not as detailed as some other series I've read, but they are Novellas...so I imagine there is a limit there. What is striking for me is the romance, the devotion these warlords have for their mates, the way they speak, and protect their mates. I honestly think that's what grabs you by the heart and gut and pulls you in for more! I was especially taken with Tane in this book. I'm very excited to see that his story is book 5... I have high expectations for it as so far he has been my favorite Warlord and he was only a minor character in this book! He just struck me from the very beginning so I'm *thrilled* to know he has a book in this little series. The other alien that caught my attention was the doctor... I know he's not exactly a hero but he's interesting enough where a romance involving him just seems very much interesting to me...I wonder if Ms Goodwin can be creative with her less than heroic characters and a potential story for them too.
Overall this was probably my favorite of the first 3 in this series. On to the next!

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I was expecting so much more...

Revisado: 10-02-23

Honestly this one was just lacking. So predictable at times, especially the jerk ex with connections. Cliche. I hated the choice of male narrator. don't get me wrong...he has a nice voice and would sound great narrating other kinds of books but ...a alien warlord who has a beast inside? I was not sold on that voice at all. It wasn't beast enough or deep enough.... especially since Angela kept reminding us how deep it was. I actually laughed when he started narrating because I just did NOT expect that kind of softer male voice. Angela's narration was great, I enjoyed it... however there were times when I honestly could not hear her...even having turned the volume up higher. It was as if her doing the male voices was difficult or something...and she just couldn't project while also putting on a male tone. The whole premise with the "Bachelor Beast" reality series is flawed...given that the beast inside chooses this idea seems so harebrained to me. They know they can't HELP who they pick so why is everyone acting as if they could? The constant "misunderstanding" between the main characters is ridiculous to me given it's an old and very tired trope. It's just boring ... especially the insanely long internal monologues each main characters expressed...it's honestly a copy/paste type of thing from so MANY romance books regardless of genre and I WISH authors would just abandon it's use. "Ohhh he's chosen someone else...I'll move on but also reserve the right to pout about it for 45mins to provide filler". Aside from those things it was cute, it's just that I felt like I read book 1 all over again...what is the lyric? ..."second verse, same as the first". I will continue with this series on the hopes for something different, or original...but if not then I may just quit at round 3. Shame because I DO LOVE sci-fi romances and this has potential.

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I really enjoyed this

Revisado: 09-29-23

I really enjoyed this book and especially loved the narration. Both narrators did a fabulous job. I will say the story was slightly predictable but it was read so well that I was absolutely entertained. This was a really short book. I kinda wish it had more meat to the story but it was a great read. I think perhaps bundling some of these short books together for 1 credit would be nice. I do appreciate that I can read books 1-3 of this series for free...but honestly, given their short length (under 5hrs) I think bundling 2 or even 3 books for 1 credit is more of a fair price tag. I certainly would NEVER pay $15 for each. Maybe. I'm being cheap, but I listen to these while working out and doing chores ....I can easily listen to 2 of these books a day.
I suppose I'll be looking into more of Grace Goodwin's beast series and others more mainstream type of sci-fi romances.I will steer clear of the poly books (absolutely NOT my thing) and some of the Bride books didn't appeal due to the way some of them opened with what was tantamount to ràpe (awaking aboard a ship being - sexually assaulted with an alien audience - and liking it? ummm no thanks)...but it is hard to find a romance with both male and female narrators...and I prefer those.

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Love Ruby but the male narrator really threw me.

Revisado: 09-25-23

I love Ruby's works. Her universe building for this type of fantasy romance is second to none, really! I really enjoy her stuff....but this male narrator...what the heck? I kept checking the play speed because I thought I had it set faster on accident. Nope, it's just the male narrator plowing through the dialogue so dang fast I can't keep up. WHY is he reading this book like that? WHY so fast? Why is his narration so strangled sounding? Did he have somewhere else to be? Did he think this was sexy? Did he need a cough drop for a sore throat?! So many WHYS on that end. The female narrator was warm, rich, well paced and pleasant.... but, there *was* a very condescending and infantile sound to her being the manipulative and cunning, yet innocent and bimbo seeming, human female...(btw why is it Bee and not Bea? She clearly says her full name is BEAtrice...but every publication and synopsis I've seen has it spelled Bee. Ah well, just a personal pet peeve). She was baby-voicing the narration to death. It almost felt like a preschool teacher was reading those parts. It wasn't enough to annoy, but it was enough to make me roll my eyes and giggle a bit. The female narrator was FAR superior to the male narrator who honestly just seemed bored to be there and rushed through his bits with careless abandon, while at the same time putting on this gruff, strangled, and, pain filled sounding voice. I felt anxious when he read. It was extremely off putting. I HATE a rushed narration. Overall the story was amazing like all of Ruby's books....but I'm begging Ms. Dixon - PLEASE don't ever let Alexander Cendese narrate ANYTHING again until he gets that pace correct. It was literally so distracting and off putting my review has been about that almost entirely instead of the actual story....*sigh*. Unfortunately that can't be helped, it's all I can focus on. Yikes!

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Great new chapter to Ruby's vast universe

Revisado: 09-23-23

*may contain some spoilers*
I can't say enough about the continuing universe that Ruby Dixon builds with these books. Yes they are are erotic and sometimes campy and predictable, but they are relaxing and creative. The universe of characters she has introduced to us all through her many series is wonderful for people with VIVID imaginations. It's like having a favorite TV series never end. We get to see generations grow and change and old favorites mature.
This book was very interesting to me due to the Gladiator aspect. I can't wait to see what the next book in this series brings.
Cruldon was sexy and kind hearted and Mina was determined and intelligent. They chemistry was solid and sweet. I loved the slow build to the final scene where they finally "went all the way". I will say I do sometimes enjoy a raunchier story with more sex, as in her Barbarian series or Fireblood series, but this was a nicely paced love story. The only actual complaint I have is with the name Cruldon finally came up with while in the heat of passion at the end. Mycrul? eww. I hated it...but alas, nothing is perfect. It isn't enough to dock stars but it was so odd to hear that name for the last 20mins of the book....even Jon (from his temporary name Jonathan) would have been better IMHO. Anyway...it was only slightly distracting and unfitting and doesn't ruin the book. I hope by book 2 of series I can get used to Mycrul...if he makes an appearance. I know Millie and Lord V have *another* Cruldon clone and his book is next. Bad Guy was a delightful, funny, slow burn of a romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, off to use another credit for Worse Guy.

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What the heck was this?

Revisado: 05-14-23

Sam was overly dramatic and annoying as all hell. I think I sprained something from all the eye rolling this particular book induced. I know some characters have had slightly annoying quirks over the series (which is fine as people handle trauma and stress differently and this is great for building the tribe in my imagination) such as...Tia, Bridget, even Devi at times but Sam peaked at being annoying. I'm a DV survivor too but her irrational fear was not written well. It wasn't solid IMHO. The rando new comer placement was so so weird and overly convenient for the story to be frank. It was a massive let down and SO cliche. It came off as lazy writing to be completely honest. I'm not yet finished...about 45mins left, but ughhhh I don't know if I even want to bother. It's making me grit my teeth to get through it. I love this series, even the more hit or miss books but this one was absolutely rushed, forced, and lazy.
I'm very annoyed with the glossing over of several months? years? between the giant shellfish invasion and this new story.... 1 min there are pregnant tribe members with a destroyed village to rebuild, the next they all have younger toddlers and everything is kumbaya. I really couldn't even tell how much time had elapsed because one minute they're talking about younger toddlers (or older infants) on the beach and the next minute they're talking about Sessah being away in the mountains for four whole years... Which made me say...wait....what? Also, in Steph's book it was made CLEAR that Sessah was grown (quote- "definitely a man") before he went to the mountain tribe...then in this book Sam is talking about him as if he was still a teen and only discovers the change herself once he returns...years(?) later. It's so weird. I do like the narrators and thought they did a great job, but I did have a few moments where I laughed at the female narrator doing Sessah's voice during the more heated scenes. Any time Sessah said "Saaaaam" during a love scene and it was the female narrator I just got the giggles. It was so hilarious to hear really. It broke the sexual tension that should have been there and turned a love scene into something slightly painful sounding and goofy. Overall it was ok, and honestly I just want to get through this one to keep the series flowing forward. I REALLY hope Daisy's story is better. I know she's come off as vapid in most of the books she cameos in, but there is something under the surface I HOPE. I am looking forward to Daisy's book being released. I'd give this book a solid 2 out of 5 stars overall. ✌🏻

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I loved this series!

Revisado: 04-30-23

I will definitely listen to this series again soon! I loved it. I loved this series even more than the Barbarian series books...which are also wonderful and richly written and read. The fantasy worlds in these series are so detailed and well fleshed out. One really needs to read/listen to them a few times over to appreciate it all. I am certain I will enjoy both series (barbarians and dragons) for years to come!

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