The Viridian Priestess

The Viridian Priestess #1

by Katrina Calandra

She is a telepathic priestess, determined to rise the ranks of her temple. So why do her thoughts keep straying back to the masked commander? Priestess Ferren has devoted her life to her celestial deity, yet she has not been able to ascend the priestess order. But on the eve of a great planetary event, the chance to prove herself arises. She must accept the opportunity or succumb to a life of shame in the eyes of her temple. The potentially deadly mission comes with several complications when she crosses paths with a commander from a rival planet. Ferren must conceal her loyalty to the temple from her new travel companion and his questionable crew. But the longer she is in proximity to the mysterious commander, the more intrigued she becomes with his forbidden nature. As the threat of a common enemy closes in, Ferren finds solace in the commander. While working together in a hope of saving their people, they forge a profound connection that tethers them in unexpected ways. Ferren must decide if she can go back to the stoic existence she once led, when he has shown her a taste of the life she deserves.


Author's The Viridian Priestess is a slow burn, but spicy romance. It ends on a slight cliffhanger with a HFN. Please check CW's.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Slow Burn

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2023

About the author

Katrina Calandra is a Sci-Fi Romance Author with a passion for writing spicy love stories.

Originally a screenwriter, she has found her true calling in writing romance novels.

Her little Aquarius heart has a soft spot for heroes who look like they could kill you but are really cinnamon rolls for their heroines.

When she isn’t lost in a monster romance book, she is practicing tarot or plotting her next book.

Katrina lives in a sleepy town in Upstate New York with her two feline familiars Sookie and Jupiter.

Reviews

[Katherine Karas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so good. probably going to be one of my favorites of the year. really loved the growth throughout this book. the subtleties and building of the main relationship. the slow burn really did the burning. loved the religious trauma and finding connection to the higher power in more meaningful and natural way. It made sense that we didn't know very much about the world the main character is from because it really shows how isolated she was in the temple, but getting to experience the second world in this book was fun and unique. But with the third world leads to my main complaint: who even is 99. like what is his position in his world. yes we will probably learn all of that in the next book but i feel like we should have been told at least the basics. I also wasn't completely convinced of the first son danger, there could've been a bit more world building for that to really feel the stakes

overall it's not perfect but boy did i had such a enjoyable time reading this!

[Ahappyhermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Coming back a year later to up my rating because I haven’t gone a full week since reading this with out thinking about it so it deserves a higher rating ✨



I just had the absolute time of my LIFE.
SHIT. This is my favorite kinda book genre
- Spicy sci-fi Fantasy
-Mandalorian x priestess vibes
- magic, space ships, gods
- SLOW BURNNNNNNNN
- overcoming religious trauma
- found family
- Helmet stays ON durning sex
- MMC who can’t express his feelings in words but goes out of his way to SHOW HIS DEVOTION 🫠😭
- I loved the FMC so MUCH.
- I can’t believe this is the authors first book it was so damn good.
- it read like TOP TIER fanfic.
- imma be thinking of this one for a while.


There was a few things I think that could have been more clear, magic/ plot wise but I have really high hopes that the next book will clear it all up

[Marianna Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was fun and DIFFERENT! Definitely never thought I’d enjoy a spicy sci-fi fantasy romance as much as I did!

This book sucked me in right away, I was so intrigued by the unique world and unique magic system from the jump. It definitely wasn’t a book I struggled to get into and for the first half I really felt like this was border-lining on 5 star territory. However the second half definitely tapered off in terms of pacing and lost me a little bit! But I did still really enjoy it!

In this book you get:
- Sci-fi with fantasy elements
- Unique magic system
- Slow burn
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Priestess FMC
- Space ships and godsssss??!
- A scrumptious MASKED commander MMC
- Reluctant allies to lovers
- Overcoming religious trauma

I definitely would have liked more explanation of how the magic system worked and I feel like some plot points didn’t make much sense and lost me a bit. I do think things will be clarified in book two, but I still felt like the middle was a bit too drawn out for my liking! Other than that I would absolutely recommend if you’re sick of the same copy and paste romantasy plot lines and have a thing for masked men in uniform…. Who struggle to speak their feelings but will absolutely show you.

[Peyton Morss-Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay I’m done, I’m done, enough. This book was like chaotic fan fiction. There were too many typos for me to really take it seriously. I missed my calling as a copy editor.

Also I’m sorry. You want me to believe that the main character, a PRIESTESS, would use the word pussy in her internal monologue?? Scream.

Couldn’t get over the fact that we never have a name for the male lead other than a number. That doesn’t really get me going.

Shockingly I did read 80% of this… this… this literature.

[Emily Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4
Add the 99th Commander to my list of book boyfriends…

[Sadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐2.5/5 stars.

I like the premise but I feel that the characters relationships were very rushed. There wasn't enough depth behind the characters. Its although one day they meet, the next they're like family. I was taken aback by how Ferren thought and spoke. The tone and language used did not align with the characters background. Perhaps priestesses in this book are more liberal but I feel that Ferrens motivations and attitudes didn't align. Maybe this could have been clearer if we knew more about the three world's and their cultures and structures. It just feels like everything was at face value and that there was no growth and development of the characters.

The writing wasn't the worst and I see alot of potential but I do wish there was more world building and character development throughout the story. The pacing was off for me from what I gathered this whole book took place within only a few weeks? For that reason I find the development unrealistic.

I think that they could have stayed on the ship for longer, and then maybe the characters relationships would have made sense. Considering Ferren was scared and intimidated to begin with and then after a short period of time was best friends with them just seemed too quick and unrealistic. Similarly with the Viridians towards her since they were supposed to dislike Priestesses.

Their relationship in book one may have been better suited in a second novel where the characters had gone through all the intimidation, conflict, perhaps found a middle ground and then aligned values to form a friendship.

Overall I didn't dislike the book, but towards the last 20% I just skimmed the pages. I'm not sure if the story came together as strongly as it could have. Obviously this is the authors debut novel so perhaps the writing and development will only become stronger as she writes!

[Sam | Haus of Fables · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! The mix of sci-fi and fantasy elements were seamlessly executed.
It had so much to enjoy… a creepy sentient Forrest,
Fantastic found family—real genuine connection between friends.
A 28 yr old FMC 🙌🏽 A MASKED MMC ❤️‍🔥
Very interesting worlds where I can tell there is so much left to explore.
I would call this a medium burn romance with a good amount of spice!
I read this half ebook half audio & I found the audio great as well.

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. If you’re in a bit of a fantasy slump I think this is short enough, and engaging enough to pull you out of it.

Was this a literary work of art? No. But was it fun? Absolutely!

3.5-4 stars. I was entertained.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE VIRIDIAN PRIESTESS was such a fresh take on sci-fi romance and I devoured every tension filled moment. The story started out a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up by 15% once Ferren leaves Cosima on her mission to retrieve the First Mother's sacred stones. While this has great moments of action, its more character driven and its truly a story about Ferren. I loved seeing her progression and growth as she explored the world outside the temple and the way she came to love herself exactly as she was. Ferren was sweet and kind but also determined and willing to voice her thoughts even when her religious training told her to stay meek and quiet. Spending time around August and the 99th Commander tested her in ways she never expected and it was rocky at first due to the poor relationship between the priestesses of Cosima and the Viathans.

While Ferren doesn't have much experience outside the temple, she's not innocent and while she's hesitant in her feelings about 99 she's not afraid to explore what they can have between them. This was definitely a sloooow burn but I loved the tension between Ferren and 99 and I've never read a book where the author made staring so hot! 99 might have spent the majority of the book hidden behind his armor and helmet, stoically guarding the group, but that man had a fiery stare and I was sweating alongside Ferren every time she caught him looking. These two had great chemistry and I adored the way 99 became so devoted to Ferren. He didn't always know how to express himself with words but he never let Ferren doubt his feelings and he showed her through his actions and the mind link that Ferren could create that he cared for her. This man would burn down the world to protect what's his and it was beyond swoony.

I also appreciated that Ferren built friendships with August and Calliape and that they became the family she never really had in the temple. They supported her, made her laugh, appreciated her, and loved her exactly the way she was, instead of making her feel like she was lacking because she hadn't ascended as a priestess yet.

The main reason this didn't hit 5 stars for me is because there were a lot of unanswered questions. We hardly learn anything about 99's past or anything about the Viathan people. Viathan's hate and fear for the priestesses of Cosima is never really explained and while I appreciated the whole masked MMC thing, it felt like there was something more behind why 99 always wore his helmet but that's never addressed. Ferren's abilities are still a bit of a mystery and I have lots of questions about the conjunction, the First Son soldiers, and the three worlds at large.

All those questions, combined with the epic ending have me jumping into book 2 right away and I'm hoping we'll get some answers to my questions.

Content Warning: overcoming religious trauma

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:

“It was difficult leaving. You made it very difficult while I was away. You . . . haunted me, Priestess.”

- - - - -

“If something like that happens to you again . . . I will tear the three fucking worlds apart.”

- - - - -

"You are perfect to me as you are now," he whispers.

- - - - -

"You do not need to ask to stay where you already belong, Ferren."

[kristin]

Was this book the most technically well-written? No. Did the characters have any real chemistry or believable emotional connection to one another? Also no. Will I probably still read the next one in the series? Yes. 😂

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Edit 2024:
I guess not having a star rating on a book means that others send aggressive DMs.

So my overall rating is 1.5/2 stars.

Initial review from 2023:

Let me first start with this:

1) I will not leave a star rating mark on Goodreads. But... If I were to give this book a rating it would be a low rating, but since it is a debut novel/indie published. The highest and lowest rating I will give is 3 stars.

2) I was recommended this book by a mutual friend in the book community because she saw it on TikTok and wanted my thoughts about it. Now, I do have to say that I have a thing about reading TikTok books because 90% of the time they are over-promoted and horrible in some way, shape, or form. Then there is that 10% chance that a TikTok book is a hidden gem.
However, with this book, This was not one of those hidden gems, but... It was not the worst TikTok book I have picked up.

3) If one is easily offended by negative reviews or low ratings then ignore this review. This is not for those people.

Let us finally begin the review.
The Vivian Priestess by Katrina Calandra
Worldbuilding:
sigh

When it comes to books with 350–400 pages, I do expect the said book to have a good amount of quality world-building. In my opinion, the world-building for The Vivian Priestess is lacking immensely. We have three worlds. Three… Yet, all the information we have about these three worlds is surface-level

I do understand that this is a debut book, and a second book is on its way. But... the lack of world-building almost made me DNF this book before 20%.

The pacing of the book/characters:

This is 100% a slow burn. It was so slow that it took me months to finish this book. However, when it came to the pacing of the characters and the relationships between them, it was rushed. This was confusing and almost gave me whiplash.

I also hate to say this, but every character was... forgettable. For me, I need my characters to have depth. And these characters didn’t have much of that.
I could not connect to any of the characters on an emotional level. At times, I even found myself skimming an area of pointless monologue or speaking out loud for Ferren to shut up. However, the overall interactions between characters were okay.

As for growth and development, it was almost nonexistent, but I also did not expect this book to have it because, well... TikTok “romance” books. That is why I mentioned something about TikTok books earlier.

Writing:

I don’t like criticizing this area because... Well. I stink in the grammar, spelling, and sentence structure areas. However, the writing reminded me of a rough draft before you send it to an editor. However, this is not the worst writing I have seen. The worst writing I have seen comes from a traditionally published book.

Smut:
sigh

Stuff starts to happen sometime around the 62%–70% mark for like 6–10 pages. It was very vanilla and boring. However, this could be a personal issue because I come from a place that reads dark romance.

There is an audience for this book, but I am not that audience.

[hope s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

❛❛ You do not need to ask to stay where you already belong, Ferren. ❜❜

My heeaaaaart. This book exceeded all my original expectations. It wasn't just a “sci fi romance” it was also a story about belonging, found family, and forgiving ones self. I really found myself connecting with Ferren, empathizing with her struggles for fitting in and the pressures and expectations placed on her through the Estate and her superiors. Watching her accept her own growth and her new place in this world was satisfying and healing.

❛❛ At one time, I would crave the pain under my knees and feet. I would let them dig into my skin for hours as I bowed my head in desperation, but now I know I do not need to suffer to show my love, to show I am good enough. Anyone who asks that kind of devotion does not deserve it. ❜❜

The love story between her and 99 was so worth the slow burn. I love how we watch him fall for her through HER eyes. I love how soft he was for her despite being this giant scary masked commander.

The side characters were also so great. I was fully invested in all of them. I loved August and Calliope sm and how they bonded and were equally as protective of Ferren alongside 99.

Anyways thank goodness there are more books because I need more of them and their stories.

　　.   　　˚　　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　

Notable features
⭑ sci fi fantasy vibes
⭑ slow burn w/ on page and open door spice
⭑ single 1st person POV from FMC
⭑ some violence but not overly descriptive or gory
⭑ fish out of water FMC
⭑ religious themes and topics of religious trauma
⭑ touch her and die male love interest
⭑ found family
⭑ space travel!!!

[Dora · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at 57% 🙃

No tension. No pacing. No worldbuilding.
No emotions.
The main character is so annoying and contradictory in her beliefs/thoughts that it's a wonder she manages to strike up a simple conversation with anyone. She is supposed to be a priestess (and keeps telling us she is) but shows zero evidence of the fact. The fact the author herself seems cljeless about the rules of this society/religion doesn't help the fact either (i read more than half of the book and still have no idea what's the deal with the first son and mother and those stones or whatever) 🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh and the attempt at smut was so... Funny? Like these two sentences are so stupid I had to read them twice to make sure I did right: "I am not sure what part of him I am touching but it’s rock solid against me so I can only guess the reason for his reaction. The thought of him becoming aroused in his sleep from my touch has me suddenly overheating."
Like, are you an innocent clueless sheltered girl or do you know basic anatomy (which she should since she spends SO MUCH TIME in the library reading)? Make up your fucking mind.

[Bianca Nustad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would love this cause Mandalorian sci-fi masked men smut is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the story is not really intriguing and the world building is lacking. The main character is a priestess but doesn’t act one bit like one. I don’t really like the personality of either of the characters either, they feel rushed and a bit random.

The worst is really how the relationships, all of them but especially between the main characters, feels so incredibly rushed. There is no build up, no emotions, no tension. It’s like reading about a weird ass one night stand in a spaceship kinda. One day they dislike each other, the next their like family. It feels odd.

[Megan Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars? Really enjoyed this book! It had a cool setting and a refreshing plot. There are not too many science fiction romances out there. The only thing I will say is that I got a little confused on the world(s) building and their religion/history which is basically a huge part of the plot and why they go on this mission in the first place. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Hayley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so excited for this book, but it ended up being SUCH a disappointment. It was marketed as a mandalorian inspired / enemies to lovers / found family romance and I got NONE of that.

First off, the enemies to lovers bit felt so contrived. Ferren hated 99 (don't even get me started about how we never even get a real name for this man), but he was literally so nice to her the entire time. The only "mean" thing he did to her was put her in handcuffs for a little while after she almost killed him on accident, but he didn't know if it was an accident or not. This is supposed to be seen as a major transgression on his part, but it fell so flat for me.

We're supposed to see Ferren as strong and capable, but she just bumbles around for most of the story. She's going on a trip where she knows she'll have to be basically camping for a period of time, and she literally just brings candy. Also, ferren can literally read people's minds but she never has a clue about anything?? How?? She also seems completely uninterested in personally connecting with anyone in her group, but this is supposed to be a found family type of situation? They seem more like distant coworkers.

Vickers is so insane and unhinged. I found his whole character to be very...odd? I felt like there was almost no buildup to his rabid attack. It was SO hilarious to me when he told Ferren to read his mind and he was just thinking about killing her though.

Also the scenes in the woods were so lackluster for me. I feel like the author was trying to build tension, but literally -nothing- happened. The 'monsters' just watched them from a distance and mimicked them. I guess one character did get stung by a bee... so there's that. I feel like we could have saved Mary's death for the woods, and the tension would have felt so much higher. Instead she just croaked in the middle of the night in the most bland and uninteresting way possible.

ALSO am I stupid or was August queer baiting us all? He seemingly hints at being gay for the whole first half of the book, but then immediately falls deeply in love with basically the first woman he sees that isn't ferren.

The romance between 99 and ferren was a slow burn, but i felt NO tension or buildup between them. I also wish him removing his helmet was more of a big deal...he just casually whipped it off and then stared at her for a while and then nothing. Like I want him to barely be able to look in her eyes! I want blushing! I want a stuttering, nervous mess of a man, but I just got 😐

I really want to go off on the plot as well, but I'd probably exceed the character limit. It made almost no sense and the world building felt so weak.

[Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few days to fully immerse myself in this book, but once I got past the 10% mark, I was FULLY INVESTED. And honestly, I don’t think I can even blame the book. The last two weeks have been absolute trash on social media (2024 election), so I’m going to chalk my slow start up to me just being in a reading slump.

Ferren is a religious, telepathic priestess on planet Frith and in the beginning of the book, we find her struggling with feeling like she’s “enough” because she has not ascended like so many priestesses around her. When given the chance to accompany Mary (a high priestess) to travel to another planet to retrieve two sacred stones, Ferren jumps at the opportunity to prove herself worthy of ascension by the First Mother. Of course, her journey is not easy, and is complicated by a mysterious, masked (actually-helmeted) Viathan commander whose ship and resources they need to complete the mission.

I don’t want to say much more about the plot because I feel like it’s best to dive into this story blind, but I ATE THIS STORY UP! You could cut the romantic tension in this slow burn romance with a knife - it was palpable and intense. The mysterious 99th Commander was incredibly alluring to me, and was heightened by him remaining masked during most of the book, and the story being written single, first-person POV. We are able to see some of 99 (the Commander)’s thoughts as Ferren is telepathic, but he’s a much tougher egg to crack than other characters.

I loved the message that this story told about individual self-worth and how it called attention to religion in culture (how much influence does religion have on a culture, and how much influence should it have?). Ferren and 99’s romance was compelling - it was intense, passionate, and sizzling with chemistry.

I’m immediately diving into book two, because I need to see what happens next with Ferren and the 99th Commander!

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆/ 5 stars.

“𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤, 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨. “𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚,”

When your book bestie recommends a book, you read it!!! 🫡
And I am SO glad I did.
This book is so so good. I’m so excited to read the sequel coming out in July!!
Ferren has it down bad for 99 and so do I 🤭🥵
99 is possessive, protective, and the moments he and Ferren share made my heart go 💓. I love them so much.
He’s giving Mandalorian vibes for sure.
Watching Ferren grow as a character and stand up to her abusive/oppressive religious cult is so satisfying at the end. I can’t wait to see how her powers grow in the sequel.
The spice is spicing in this one too 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
If you’re looking for a sci-fi fantasy that has:
✓ Forced Proximity
✓ Slow Burn
✓ Enemies to Lovers
✓ Masked MMC
✓ Found Family
✓ “Touch her and die”
Then you’re gonna love this book!
I highly recommend.

[Reecereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really could’ve done with a lot more world building. I needed more descriptions. I don’t think the FMC’s physical appearance was ever described. And I don’t quite get the first son war.

Really great premise though. Kinda felt disconnected a bit because of the tell and not the show.

[Ms Jennifer Archeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

stopped reading bc i got absurdly busy but i’m BAAAAAAAACK

[Kai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know what compelled me to finish this.

I’m not sure I can even remember the last time I read something that was this bad; this riddled with typos, clunky run-on sentences, and absolutely buckwild characters.
Can I even call them characters? They’re more like caricatures whose behaviour is as inconsistent as the world they inhabit.

I don’t think the concept of this book is bad. Magic stones, old and new gods, priestesses with powers, and breaking free from those that hurt you? Awesome! But none of this was developed in the slightest. We get a bare-bones construction of some planet with some people with some beliefs. There’s zero stakes with the kind of dramatic theatrics you find on wattpad.
Like—what’s going on with the powers? What do the stones even do and what makes them special? Why is there zero consistency in how anyone talks and acts?

Ferren, for example, is a priestess who doesn’t act like a priestess in the slightest. She gets offended when touched on her arm (“men have hanged for less”), then makes a raunchy joke she’s not a virgin. She’s so smart, read so many books, and was chosen as Mary’s assistant, but with the Albright she literally makes the same mistake twice. She has a “sharp tongue” but is really just rude and combative, often for no reason.

While there’s no insta-love there is insta-friendship, which is a first for me. Ferren thinks August is a sweet gentle guy who she has a special bond with within five minutes of meeting him; Calliape is the most beautiful sweet girl and her first best friend (rip Thea…?! like hello??? did she just not exist??) right after meeting her, too.

With 99 there’s no insta-love—at least from Ferren’s part? I genuinely cannot see why 99 is interested in her beyond her being pretty. Ferren’s feelings about him are all over the place; one moment she knows what his expression must be behind his helmet, then one paragraph later she’s like oh… I think I finally… maybe am starting to understand him… etc.

In general this book gives you emotional whiplash fatigue. The adjectives here are both superfluous and taken to the extreme in every case. Everything is pushed To The Max. Ferren’s not scared, she’s terrified. They don’t kiss, they crash into each other. You don’t sigh, you exhale dramatically. Someone isn’t worried, but frantic. All the time. With everything. These extremes are exhausting and confusing, and I often felt like I was pulled from one emotional outburst to another.

On top of this we’re constantly being told what’s happening. He sighs, which means he’s tired. His shoulders relax, which means he’s relieved. There’s no room for your imagination or the reader’s understanding of what characters’ actions and words mean. Every little thing is explained to us, and poorly at that. I can read; you don’t have to spell everything out for me.

“I can almost see his shoulders relax, as if he was worried” is an actual sentence. You can almost see it? What does that even mean??? “As if” he was worried…? I honestly don’t think this author knows what actual, real conversations sound like.

“August, open the door,” I say flatly.
“You’re joking. We’re going to take off again any minute!”
“August, please! Calliape gets to say goodbye,” I demand.”
This was so painful to read. The flatly is so inappropriate here, the “demand” so strange. I don’t even know how to describe it.

Another one: “I reach out to touch his helmet, wanting to peek inside his thoughts. Maybe he just can’t say them aloud. He always offers, so I assume it's fine. But then he snatches my wrist to stop me. I glare at him as he holds it away from his head. Now I really want to find out what he is thinking. I wish I could see through his visor at his expression. I have a feeling I would know exactly what it is.”
Girl?? What…? The mind connection has never needed physical touch/could be stopped by physical touch, one of the many inconsistencies with the magic. You then glare at him, and you wish you could see through his visor to see his expression and also you know exactly what that expression is??? What is going on here?? Am I the crazy one?????

This isn’t limited to the smut btw, which was, just like everything else in the book, awkward, clumsy, and off-putting.

“My name comes out in a deep whimper of surprise as I bounce downward on him again, like the pleasure is almost too much.
[…]
“I am yours too, Ferren,” he whispers, holding my hips. “No matter what, I am yours and you are mine,” he huffs out in sexy breaths.”

I was in hysterics. A deep whimper and sexy breaths, this man can truly do it all.

Overall though this was a bad time, and I do not recommend. There’s stuff I don’t even want to go into, like the whole Crixa thing, or Selene and the Frithians. I’d like to forget this book as quickly as possible.

[Kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need this masked commander right now

[Arran Reads Toomuch · Rating 2 out of 5]

there was so much missing

There was so much missing information, in world building, magic system, I thought only the women were divine but nope men are too. The was a build up in plot that I thought was going to be a sudden realisation that the priestesses didn’t have the best intentions but really it was a book on religion and I was bored at 60%.
The green flash at the end wasn’t the cliffhanger ending it could have been because I don’t know what happened other people gifts hadn’t been explained for me to appreciate what happened.
Ferren did not ask enough questions which made the whole thing so boring, why do other planets hate the priestesses? Why did frith have the stones? Why was the Albright scared? Why did the cosimas leave? What is the command structure on virthian planet? Does the commander have a gift?
There was so much missing.

[Nkem · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF’d at 41%. I just could not connect with the characters at all. I knew nothing about the MMC besides a vague description after he took his helmet off, and I knew nothing of the appearance of the FMC besides the fact that she had long black hair but I only knew more about the personality of the side characters and the FMC, so the MMC came up bland to me. In my opinion this would’ve been a much better read if we had dual POV, that way we can know what the MMC is thinking. The world building was mid and given the fact that I got as far as I did, I expected soooo much more.
Also, whole time this girl based her knowledge on OLD research and she came off as one who sticks to her clearly wrong judgement without caring to understand others.

[M❀m⚙︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

They just eye fucked for 64% of the book

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book 😭 If you love slow burn romance you will LOVE this book!
4.5

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 3 favorite reads this year 🫶🏻

[Esther · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 estrellas

Había empezado muy bien, luego todo dejó de ir bien. Vamos por partes.

Tanto el worldbuilding, como el inicio del libro pintaban muy bien. Un mundo dividido en tres planetas: uno sin tecnología, otro lleno de tecnología y un tercero con un sistema de religioso muy fuerte. La protagonista es una sacerdotisa del tercer planeta, lleva toda su vida sirviendo a la iglesia de este mundo y su mayor deseo es ascender a Alta Sacerdotisa. Para ello, la Sacerdotisa Superior la promete ascenderla si completa una misión muy importante y se va de viaje a otro de los mundos junto a un comandante y un piloto del mundo full tecnología. Todo el inicio está bastante bien. La llegada al nuevo mundo, las descripciones de las criaturas que viven allí, los poderes que la propia protagonista no sabe que tiene. Luego todo se va de madres.

Ferren, la prota, es un sin sentido enorme. La llevan diciendo toda su vida que para ascender, la diosa de su mundo (First Mother) tiene que presentarse ante ella y otorgarla poderes. No lo ha hecho durante toda su vida, a pesar de que a la mayoría de sacerdotisas se le aparece cuando son más jóvenes, pero ella está convencida de que como la sacerdotisa suprema (Crixa) se lo ha prometido, en cuanto venga del viaje ascenderá. ¿Qué sentido tiene esto? Se supone que Primera Madre es quien decide cuando vas a ascender, ¿por qué creerías que como Crixa te lo ha dicho, va a ocurrir? Ella no decide sobre tu diosa ¿no? y es que encima durante todo el libro no hace un culo de las movidas religiosas que se supone que tiene que hacer. No entiendo porque creerías que para tu diosa eres suficiente si: a) no rezas en ningún momento porque no te apetece, b) piensas que Crixa está por encima de tu diosa y puede hacerte ascender y c) te dedicas a dudar en todo momento de TODA la información religiosa que has tenido hasta ese momento. No tiene sentido. Yo entiendo que la autora pretendía representar el trauma religioso y como las instituciones religiosas, hasta cierto punto, controlan la forma en la que alguien se relaciona con su religión (cuando se supone que son dioses omnipresentes a los que deberías poder acudir cuando quieras), pero es que nada de esta situación tiene sentido. O sea, me pintas como si Ferren fuese tan inocente al punto de ser estúpida al no darse cuenta de todas las contradicciones que está viviendo con su religión y no es hasta que la propia Crixa le recuerda que ella no puede hacerla ascender, que se da cuenta del sin sentido.
Pero es que tampoco entiendo porque la propia Ferren consideraría que merece ascender, si es que parece que la religión deja de impórtala por completo cuando se sube a la nave. ¿Qué parte de tus nulas acciones religiosas te hace pensar que Primera Madre te va a ascender? Sobretodo, cuando la han dicho desde pequeña, que son a través de estas acciones religiosas que demuestras a la diosa tu devoción. Entiendo que todo este viaje es un intento de desconstrucción del control religioso, pero es que no tiene sentido cómo esta llevado.

Por otro lado, está de viaje una semana o así con esta gente y pasan a ser la familia más importante que ha tenido. Se supone que Ferren tiene una mejor amiga del templo con la que siempre ha estado y que es importantísima para ella, pero en el momento en el que se sube a la nave deja de ser importante. No piensa en ningún momento en ella. Luego le mola el comandante, dice que en realidad le cae mal porque es muy borde, pero está pensando constantemente en follárselo. Y ya después, conoce a una random en el planeta este, están juntas unos días y pasa a ser su mejor amiga. Y encima esta tía es una amiga horrible. Ferren la cuenta movidas personales, entre ellas los poderes que tiene, QUE NO LE HA CONTADO A NADIE, y la tía coge y se lo cuenta TODO al piloto de la nave porque el tío le mola. ¿Qué amiga hace eso? No le pregunta a Ferren en ningún momento si le parece bien esto, no se disculpa en ningún momento por contarle sus secretos a otra persona y Ferren lo acepta como si nada porque: en algún momento tendría que enterarse. wtf.

En cuanto a la propia trama: roza lo inexistente. Se supone que hay un ejército que quiere resucitar a un dios antiguo y que es muy peligroso porque si lo consigue va a someter a los mundos, pero todo esto queda en segundo plano por completo. Se menciona brevemente y es importante durante tres capítulos a la mitad del libro, después deja de ser importante, porque qué guapo es el comandante. No entiendo para qué querrías meter una trama de posible guerra o amenaza o lo que sea, si luego no va a tener nada de importancia. Y para colmo, cuando regresamos al mundo de Ferren resulta que Crixa (a quien Ferren conoce desde que nació, con quien siempre se ha llevado relativamente bien y en quien supuestamente confía) está medio loca y solo la ha estado utilizando desde el principio. Como era obvio, no puede hacer que Ferren ascienda porque eso lo decide Primera Madre (Ferren debería haber supuesto esto, pero bueno), Ferren se enfada porque se lo prometió, procede a ponerse a discutir con ella y acaba marchándose del templo, para volver a la mañana siguiente a montar un numerito en la celebración. Es que parece tonta, macho. O sea se dispone a atacar a Crixa en mitad del rito, pero coge un random, la pone una esposa y de repente es una inútil. ¿Para que mierdas has montado toda esa escena si no sirves para nada? Luego hay una batalla con Crixa y un porrón de guardias (a los que el comandante y el piloto consiguen ganar sin problemas, porque 50 vs. 2 es una victoria súper obvia), Ferren se saca un montón de poder del culo, vence a Crixa, se desmaya y suponemos que consiguen salir del planeta, pero a saber porque el libro se acaba ahí.

La relación de Ferren con el comandante es estúpida. Nos pintan un slow burn, donde no ocurre nada entre ellos durante el 60% del libro, para después en dos líneas estar completamente enamorados. Es que si hay slow burn en 20 capítulos, para el 21 se han profesado amor eterno y van a pasar juntos el resto de su vida. ¿Qué clase de slow burn de mierda es ese? Tienen un total de cuatro conversaciones juntos (en las cuales a veces ni hablan porque Ferren puede meterse en la cabeza de él y leer sus pensamientos), luego follan y ya están enamorados. Para colmo el tío es súper manipulador lol. Cuando pide a Ferren que deje su hogar y vaya a vivir al planeta de él, a través de la conexión mental extraña que tienen, la enseña fotos de cómo sería su vida allí, de lo feliz que estaría y luego la muestra imágenes de lo miserable que se ve en el planeta de ella. ¿Para qué ibas a dejarla tiempo para pensar si puedes manipularla?

Y ya, por otro lado, Ferren tiene cero decisión con él. El comandante la hace entender como que siempre puede elegir, pero es mentira:

a) cuando atacan a Ferren, decide dejarla allí sin preguntarla en ningún momento su opinión, con completos extraños a quienes no conoce (menos a la petarda de su nueva mejor amiga) y se larga a dar vueltas en los bosques. Entiendo que estaba con heridas y era peligroso, PERO PREGUNTALA COÑO. Es que parece que la ve como una niña, sobre la que tiene que decir porque ella no sabe protegerse a sí misma;

b) después del numerito en el templo, a Ferren la encierran en su cuarto por hacer el tonto y a través de la movida mental le pide al comandante que venga a por ella, pero oh sorpresa si el tío ya está en el pasillo. SIN PREGUNTARLA si ella quiere, el tío se cuela en el templo, MATA a los guardias del pasillo y se mete a la habitación de ella para ir a buscarla y sacarla del planeta. Mind you, ELLA AÚN NO LE HA DICHO QUE QUIERE IRSE, y ahora por huevos, INCLUSO SI NO QUISIESE, tiene que irse porque el tonto de su novio se ha puesto a matar a gente.

Ferren NO TIENE decisión en ningún momento sobre su vida. El comandante la hace pensar que tiene, pero es mentira porque siempre acaba decidiendo él por ella.

Del propio personaje del comandante no sabemos nada. Hay un momento en el que Ferren se mete a su cabeza y como que se entera de su historia de vida, de la que yo no me entero a penas porque la resumen en dos párrafos, así que durante el resto del libro te quedas con la sensación de que es un completo extraño. A raíz de esto, no se entiende porque Ferren está tan obsesionada con él, porque le gusta tanto o porque le quiere. Da la sensación de que son dos completos extraños.

En resumen, pintaba bien el inicio, después fue desastre tras desastre y con un desarrollo nulo tanto de la trama como de los personajes.

[Janni (theladysparks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ferren, a telepathic, has dedicated her life to serving her celestial deity, but she has yet to advance in the priestess order. Her chance to prove herself arrives on the eve of a significant planetary event. She must decide whether to accept the mission or risk being shamed by her temple. The mission is perilous, and Ferren must keep her loyalty to the temple hidden from her new companions, including the commander from a rival planet. Despite the complications, Ferren becomes increasingly intrigued by the commander's forbidden nature. As they work together to save their people, Ferren and the commander form a deep connection that challenges their loyalties. Ferren must choose between returning to her previous stoic existence or pursuing a life that she deserves with the commander.

“I know what you think of me.”
“You’ve no idea what I think of you, Priestess.”

This was such a wonderful debut novel and I am so glad that I decided to pick it up. This story was a unique one that I'm interested in seeing unfold in the next book. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Farren and the Commander. I appreciated the growth that Farren undergoes throughout this story, her finding her strength within herself was probably one of my favorite aspects of this book. Commander 99, however, is my favorite. He was giving off Mandolorian vibes but with a heaping dose of Ben Solo if his story had been a lot different and it was so fun to see a character that was written the way that he was.

The world-building could be a bit slow at times but it always found its way back to a good pacing the world itself and how the gifts and everything interact with the world around them was so interesting. It made me very excited to see what happens next. I'll definitely be picking up the second book when it comes out.

- scifi romance
- mmc that feels like ben solo meets the mandolorian
- really cool world-building
- great side character dynamics
- found family
- slow burn
- spicyyyyy

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had so much potential but the last 25% was a real let down.

The main threat of the First Son just didn’t matter after they left Firth?? Like she spent so long building that tension, then had a little bit of a climax when Ferren was severely injured. Then more tension when they escaped Firth, but after that…nothing!

I enjoyed the religious deconstruction theme but that could’ve been honed more. Also, Crixa was a very one dimensional villain.

If you like smut, you’ll enjoy this read, but the plot suffered considerably. I think the smut would’ve been even better had the plot been fleshed out more.