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Brides of the Vinduthi #5
Deceived by the Alien Devil
In a world shrouded in darkness and betrayal, I'm caught in a dangerous deception.
As a pawn in the cunning game of the Vinduthi Syndicate, I strike a perilous bargain to secure my freedom. Bound by an agreement to deliver messages to an imprisoned member, I step into the role of his advocate, a role that threatens to blur the lines between truth and deception.
In this dangerous dance of manipulation and hidden motives, a connection sparks between us that defies logic. I know deep down that it's all a charade, a means to an end. He seeks his escape, and I crave liberation from my contract.
Yet, amidst the tangled threads of our alliance, doubts seep into my mind. Is he using me as a pawn, a mere tool in his grand scheme? Or am I deceiving myself, trapped in a web of my own illusions?
As the lines between reality and fiction blur, I question my every move, my every motive. Trust becomes a precious commodity, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Can love blossom amidst the shadows of deception, or will it crumble under the weight of our tangled truths?
As a pawn in the cunning game of the Vinduthi Syndicate, I strike a perilous bargain to secure my freedom. Bound by an agreement to deliver messages to an imprisoned member, I step into the role of his advocate, a role that threatens to blur the lines between truth and deception.
In this dangerous dance of manipulation and hidden motives, a connection sparks between us that defies logic. I know deep down that it's all a charade, a means to an end. He seeks his escape, and I crave liberation from my contract.
Yet, amidst the tangled threads of our alliance, doubts seep into my mind. Is he using me as a pawn, a mere tool in his grand scheme? Or am I deceiving myself, trapped in a web of my own illusions?
As the lines between reality and fiction blur, I question my every move, my every motive. Trust becomes a precious commodity, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Can love blossom amidst the shadows of deception, or will it crumble under the weight of our tangled truths?
- GenresRomance
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2023
199 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Ava York
108 books135 followersReader, dreamer and frantic scribbler. I really do believe that love conquers all... and make terrible things for my characters to survive to prove it! (insert evil laugh here)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 12, 2026
Danger, Desire, and Death Gate
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
🎧 Audiobook Review: Deceived by the alien Devil (Brides of the Vinduthi, #5)
Author: Ava York
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Mia Madison and Oliver Highpoint
📚 Characters & Background
Payton has spent years surviving the casino floors of Thodos III, working as a server under the watchful—and often morally flexible—eye of Tessi, who manages the Vinduthi “Fangs” cartel’s gaming empire. Payton hates the manipulative tasks she’s forced into, especially charming high rollers into losing streaks, but she knows the truth of her world: whoever owns her contract owns her. And being a bottle girl is still safer than many of the alternatives.
That fragile stability shatters when a high roller puts his hands on her and she fights back. Instead of punishment, Tessi sends her on a far more dangerous assignment—one that could either free her forever or get her killed. Her new mission takes her to Death Gate, an asteroid prison notorious for brutality, gangs, and the vacuum of space waiting just beyond its walls. Her task: act as the secret point of contact between the Vinduthi family and their imprisoned hacker, Havek.
Havek is a legend within the syndicate—brilliant, fast-thinking, and capable of bending entire systems to his will. But he’s been framed for a massacre he didn’t commit, and now he’s trapped inside Death Gate, where survival depends on reputation, alliances, and understanding the unspoken rules that govern inmate life. When the Vipers—the prison’s most powerful gang—offer him a place at the bottom of their hierarchy, Havek knows he must make a bold impression if he wants any chance of escape.
Payton and Havek’s paths collide in a high-stakes environment where one wrong move could expose them both. Their partnership is dangerous, their chemistry undeniable, and their shared goal—freedom—might cost them everything.
🌟 Strengths
• Prison romance is one of my favorite subgenres, and this story delivers exactly what I love: a hero who is strong, capable, and fully able to protect himself in a brutal environment.
• Both main characters shine, but Havek’s intelligence is especially compelling—his mind works faster than everyone around him, and watching him strategize is half the fun.
• The escape plot is clever, tense, and satisfying. The pacing is quick, the action is constant, and the blend of sci‑fi adventure with spicy alien romance hits all the right notes.
💔 Limitations
• The romance—and the story overall—feels a bit rushed. The fast pace works beautifully for the action scenes, but the emotional arc could have used more depth and breathing room.
• This seems to be a pattern across the series: the books are short (150–165 pages, under 5 hours on audio), and while they’re fun, they could be great with more development. A longer format—closer to 250 pages or a 6‑hour audiobook—would allow the relationships and worldbuilding to truly flourish.
🎙️ Narration
The dual POV structure is enhanced by the dual narration from Oliver Highpoint and Mia Madison. Oliver’s warm baritone adds gravitas to Havek’s chapters, while Mia’s youthful, expressive tone brings Payton’s vulnerability and determination to life. Together, they elevate the story and make the emotional beats land more effectively than they might have on the page alone.
💬 Final Assessment
This audiobook is a fast, entertaining blend of prison grit, sci‑fi danger, and sizzling romance. While the love story could benefit from more depth and page time, the characters are engaging, the action is nonstop, and the narration adds a polished, immersive layer. If you enjoy high‑stakes alien romance with clever heroes, daring escapes, and a heroine fighting for her freedom, this installment is a fun, adrenaline‑charged ride that’s easy to devour in a single sitting.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
🎧 Audiobook Review: Deceived by the alien Devil (Brides of the Vinduthi, #5)
Author: Ava York
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Mia Madison and Oliver Highpoint
📚 Characters & Background
Payton has spent years surviving the casino floors of Thodos III, working as a server under the watchful—and often morally flexible—eye of Tessi, who manages the Vinduthi “Fangs” cartel’s gaming empire. Payton hates the manipulative tasks she’s forced into, especially charming high rollers into losing streaks, but she knows the truth of her world: whoever owns her contract owns her. And being a bottle girl is still safer than many of the alternatives.
That fragile stability shatters when a high roller puts his hands on her and she fights back. Instead of punishment, Tessi sends her on a far more dangerous assignment—one that could either free her forever or get her killed. Her new mission takes her to Death Gate, an asteroid prison notorious for brutality, gangs, and the vacuum of space waiting just beyond its walls. Her task: act as the secret point of contact between the Vinduthi family and their imprisoned hacker, Havek.
Havek is a legend within the syndicate—brilliant, fast-thinking, and capable of bending entire systems to his will. But he’s been framed for a massacre he didn’t commit, and now he’s trapped inside Death Gate, where survival depends on reputation, alliances, and understanding the unspoken rules that govern inmate life. When the Vipers—the prison’s most powerful gang—offer him a place at the bottom of their hierarchy, Havek knows he must make a bold impression if he wants any chance of escape.
Payton and Havek’s paths collide in a high-stakes environment where one wrong move could expose them both. Their partnership is dangerous, their chemistry undeniable, and their shared goal—freedom—might cost them everything.
🌟 Strengths
• Prison romance is one of my favorite subgenres, and this story delivers exactly what I love: a hero who is strong, capable, and fully able to protect himself in a brutal environment.
• Both main characters shine, but Havek’s intelligence is especially compelling—his mind works faster than everyone around him, and watching him strategize is half the fun.
• The escape plot is clever, tense, and satisfying. The pacing is quick, the action is constant, and the blend of sci‑fi adventure with spicy alien romance hits all the right notes.
💔 Limitations
• The romance—and the story overall—feels a bit rushed. The fast pace works beautifully for the action scenes, but the emotional arc could have used more depth and breathing room.
• This seems to be a pattern across the series: the books are short (150–165 pages, under 5 hours on audio), and while they’re fun, they could be great with more development. A longer format—closer to 250 pages or a 6‑hour audiobook—would allow the relationships and worldbuilding to truly flourish.
🎙️ Narration
The dual POV structure is enhanced by the dual narration from Oliver Highpoint and Mia Madison. Oliver’s warm baritone adds gravitas to Havek’s chapters, while Mia’s youthful, expressive tone brings Payton’s vulnerability and determination to life. Together, they elevate the story and make the emotional beats land more effectively than they might have on the page alone.
💬 Final Assessment
This audiobook is a fast, entertaining blend of prison grit, sci‑fi danger, and sizzling romance. While the love story could benefit from more depth and page time, the characters are engaging, the action is nonstop, and the narration adds a polished, immersive layer. If you enjoy high‑stakes alien romance with clever heroes, daring escapes, and a heroine fighting for her freedom, this installment is a fun, adrenaline‑charged ride that’s easy to devour in a single sitting.
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June 26, 2025
4 Stars
Deceived by the Alien Devil (Brides of the Vinduthi Book 5) is the fifth book in this exciting series. In a bleak future where Earth has become uninhabitable, humans find themselves relegated to the lowest social strata in a space station as Earth has become uninhabitable. Struggling for survival against the backdrop of formidable space vampires, other creatures, and constant peril. This narrative is packed with exciting and dangerous elements that keep the reader engaged.
I was compelled to delve deeper into the unfolding story. Members of the Vinduthi mob are on top at the space station and feared by many in a bustling hub serving as both a refuge and battleground for various interstellar species.
One by one they become infatuated with a resilient human woman, whose mere presence disrupts the carefully maintained order of their world. A cascade of events entangled in a web of chaos and danger, leading to intense moments and unexpected alliances. As the stakes rise, readers are left eager to see how love can flourish in such tumultuous circumstances.
Deceived by the Alien Devil (Brides of the Vinduthi Book 5) is the fifth book in this exciting series. In a bleak future where Earth has become uninhabitable, humans find themselves relegated to the lowest social strata in a space station as Earth has become uninhabitable. Struggling for survival against the backdrop of formidable space vampires, other creatures, and constant peril. This narrative is packed with exciting and dangerous elements that keep the reader engaged.
I was compelled to delve deeper into the unfolding story. Members of the Vinduthi mob are on top at the space station and feared by many in a bustling hub serving as both a refuge and battleground for various interstellar species.
One by one they become infatuated with a resilient human woman, whose mere presence disrupts the carefully maintained order of their world. A cascade of events entangled in a web of chaos and danger, leading to intense moments and unexpected alliances. As the stakes rise, readers are left eager to see how love can flourish in such tumultuous circumstances.
Read
October 9, 2023This one has black sigils and we are told he real smart.
FMC is from outer space but can swim real good.
They have generic sex.
FMC is from outer space but can swim real good.
They have generic sex.
October 7, 2023
From start to finish this story is filled with action. It is fast paced and does have heat. Payton is human and that means she is seen as barely anything by the other alien species. Her contract/ownership is held by the Vinduthi. She is being given a chance to be free but it also may be a suicide mission. Can she survive and complete it? She may be the only chance for one alien to survive. Can they trust each other or die trying?
January 28, 2024
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Deceived by the Alien Devil . This is a fantastic sci-fi romance. Payton is a human who works as a bottle girl at the Vinduthi casino the own her contract . She's offered her freedom if she poses as a prison advocate for Havek
Who has been set up for mass murder charge he has been sent to Death gate prison . As Payton and Havok meet at the prison secretly planning his escape their attraction builds . Payton wonders if he is putting on a show or is his feelings real soon they're in deeper danger . This story is action packed and entertaining . I recommend taking the time to read .
Who has been set up for mass murder charge he has been sent to Death gate prison . As Payton and Havok meet at the prison secretly planning his escape their attraction builds . Payton wonders if he is putting on a show or is his feelings real soon they're in deeper danger . This story is action packed and entertaining . I recommend taking the time to read .
November 8, 2023
For ages I couldn’t find this book on here to review, red it i September and somehow it never came up in the search 🥴
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The first par felt rushed over. The second part felt like they are completely different characters than they where at the beginning. It’s a little-bit chopped, the previous books felt a little more explanatory than this. As well previous books seemed to have more things going on, more changes and more troubles. Still it was not the worst read. It’s nice that’s it’s in the series.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
The first par felt rushed over. The second part felt like they are completely different characters than they where at the beginning. It’s a little-bit chopped, the previous books felt a little more explanatory than this. As well previous books seemed to have more things going on, more changes and more troubles. Still it was not the worst read. It’s nice that’s it’s in the series.
September 30, 2023
Awesome Romance
I really enjoy each addition to this series. Payton and Havek were a hoot together; he was full of self assurance almost arrogant in his confidence in his skills, but Payton was on the other end of the spectrum in her self doubt. But the banter and attraction they had for each other was magical. The ending threw me for a loop until the big boss stepped out. Great job Ava.
I really enjoy each addition to this series. Payton and Havek were a hoot together; he was full of self assurance almost arrogant in his confidence in his skills, but Payton was on the other end of the spectrum in her self doubt. But the banter and attraction they had for each other was magical. The ending threw me for a loop until the big boss stepped out. Great job Ava.
October 7, 2023
Deathgate Prison!
Wow, Deceived by the Alien Devil is an awesome read. Love how Ava York builds the suspense and winds the plot tighter and tighter with tension! Havek is an imprisoned brilliant geek; Payton is a feisty human sent into Deathgate as an advocate to facilitate his escape. The book is great! I’m a big fan of the Vinduthi series and super impressed by the differences in the Vinduthi Brotherhood characters.
Wow, Deceived by the Alien Devil is an awesome read. Love how Ava York builds the suspense and winds the plot tighter and tighter with tension! Havek is an imprisoned brilliant geek; Payton is a feisty human sent into Deathgate as an advocate to facilitate his escape. The book is great! I’m a big fan of the Vinduthi series and super impressed by the differences in the Vinduthi Brotherhood characters.
January 23, 2025
Great series
This one had me strung out a little wondering who would rat them out or discover them at any time. Loved Payton and the way she was willing to risk everything for her freedom. Getting to know Havek was great too. I love the Vinduthi and how they claim their mates. Very hot and sexy too. Just a really great read.
This one had me strung out a little wondering who would rat them out or discover them at any time. Loved Payton and the way she was willing to risk everything for her freedom. Getting to know Havek was great too. I love the Vinduthi and how they claim their mates. Very hot and sexy too. Just a really great read.
October 6, 2023
3.5 ★
Kovas and Mera's book is still my favourite, but this was way better than Makar and Sophie's book. The only annoying part was how they both at one point pushed each other away. Like what for, dammit!
Can't wait for Tazhr's book next to find out how he proved Havek's innocence.
Kovas and Mera's book is still my favourite, but this was way better than Makar and Sophie's book. The only annoying part was how they both at one point pushed each other away. Like what for, dammit!
Can't wait for Tazhr's book next to find out how he proved Havek's innocence.
December 11, 2023
needs proper editing
I liked the first book, but it seems like with every book it gets rushed and the author can not even remember who the characters are actually matted with. They have made the mistake of putting the wrong mates names in the book.
I liked the first book, but it seems like with every book it gets rushed and the author can not even remember who the characters are actually matted with. They have made the mistake of putting the wrong mates names in the book.
January 8, 2024
Galactic Prison Break
This adventure was so good. From start to finish I loved the adventure were on with Payton and Havek. From the ups and downs with the slow /fast burn of the fated mates. Definitely enjoyed this installment.
This adventure was so good. From start to finish I loved the adventure were on with Payton and Havek. From the ups and downs with the slow /fast burn of the fated mates. Definitely enjoyed this installment.
May 26, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book, the storyline is well written and the interaction between the characters is wonderful. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review
July 16, 2025
Super sexy and full of action
I certainly love these Vinduthi novels! I am captivated by these alien mobsters that in truth are the good guys. Wonderful, steamy and happy ever after.
I certainly love these Vinduthi novels! I am captivated by these alien mobsters that in truth are the good guys. Wonderful, steamy and happy ever after.
October 2, 2023
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.
November 12, 2024
so good
December 27, 2024
Great one, enjoyed it
March 23, 2025
3.5 stars
July 23, 2025
DNF. I stopped caring about what happened to them.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews