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Our Captive Hearts
Nev didn't want to take the job; it wasn't in her line of work. But she needed to take it. It offered protection from her guild and a ticket to anywhere away from Kenarsi. Still, it was dangerous, perhaps only a little more dangerous than her usual employment. Offering herself up to be "kidnapped" by real monsters seemed only a little riskier than dispatching human monsters. But sitting bound in the back of a wagon, headed gods knew where, was beginning to feel no more appealing than her troubles back home.
All Bren wanted was freedom—a chance to see the world, just once, before being shackled to a throne he didn't care about. And when he finally got what he wanted, it was glorious. Freedom tasted so good. But he must have angered the gods somehow. Their enslavement by a pack of creatures who attacked his ship, abducting him and his men. Now, he found himself agonizing about the safety of the men who looked to him for leadership and trying to find a way to escape. The answer to their deliverance just might be the clever little woman who somehow found herself thrown in with their lot.
All Bren wanted was freedom—a chance to see the world, just once, before being shackled to a throne he didn't care about. And when he finally got what he wanted, it was glorious. Freedom tasted so good. But he must have angered the gods somehow. Their enslavement by a pack of creatures who attacked his ship, abducting him and his men. Now, he found himself agonizing about the safety of the men who looked to him for leadership and trying to find a way to escape. The answer to their deliverance just might be the clever little woman who somehow found herself thrown in with their lot.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2024
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2024
The readers are in for an adventure on July 1st 2024!!! Such a great read!
July 19, 2024
Aspen Kilgore is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!! I first discovered Kilgore’s work when I saw people raving about The Crimson Thread on Bookstagram, and decided I needed to see what all the hubbub was about. Welllllll, it was fantastic (my review linked here) and I had high hopes for this next book in the world. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
I am not the type of reader who reaches out to authors (my anxiety definitely shuts down any thought of that before a message can even be drafted), but I absolutely could not control myself with reaching out while reading this book!
What I liked about the book:
1. The main characters.
Nev, oh Nev. I want to be the FMC Nev when I grow up! (Let’s just ignore the fact that I’m almost a decade older than her, shall we? Yes, very good.) To me, she definitely evokes the saying “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog” (and this is in no way me calling her a dog or any other unfavorable terms!). Nev is a Kenarsi Effaigee. What the heck does that mean? She is a literal freaking assassin! Not only did she get caught intentionally (twice!) because she knew she could escape, she was always watching the situation from every angle, always inspiring the room with her intelligence, and always thinking about the various outcomes.
Despite being a badass though, she came from a very dysfunctional and heartbreaking past, being regarded as either a machine for someone to use or a disappointment to her family. I won’t go into too much detail on this, but let’s share these couple of thoughts/lines:
– This is so sad!!! She had no care from anyone that she constantly has to second guess and think about Bren’s care for her.
Later Bren then gives us this perfect line:
– HE GETS IT! My lords, he gets it!
Bren, our MMC, is the ultimate good guy book boyfriend. He comes from the kingdom of Gendrikent and is first in line to take the throne after his aging father. While just wanting to have one adventure, his crew gets kidnapped by the Mautat (a reptilian species taking humans captive), and they are all forced to work in disastrous conditions mining for something they know nothing about. Throughout this entire forced labor situation, Bren not only takes it upon himself to protect the only female in the group (Nev), but he also feels intense guilt for his men who followed him on the adventure now being enslaved. He believes morale is so important for the group, even those who are not his men, that he works for the good of the group. He truly has a fantastic moral compass and based on his thoughts and decisions I can tell he is going to be a fantastic king!
Let’s talk about him and Nev though…have you seen those reels on IG where its all “You say you love me but…”? WELL, you say you love me, but Bren says:
- Meanwhile, women everywhere are getting “U up” texts and 🍆 pics. *Sigh*
2. There is so much feminism in this thing (I mean, how could there not be with Nev as the FMC??), I was elated!
Here are a couple of my favorite thoughts by the characters that emphasize this:
- Ugh, so freaking applicable.
- I love that he understands that she is fully capable of protecting herself, he just wants to help her to not have to.
3. The worldbuilding for Nia is completely fascinating! I like the idea of getting a bunch of interconnected stories in the same world, especially one that seems as rich as the one Kilgore is painting. I liked getting to know about the Mautat, and the different “ranks” of them, as well as some of the characters that will grace us in future books.
4. The description in the book is first rate. I felt the darkness and claustrophobia of being in the cave, felt the chill of the snow deep in my bones, saw the light of the candles reflecting off the cave walls. Kilgore has no problem painting a very vivid picture for the reader.
5. I absolutely cannot wait for Serik’s backstory and book! He is a physically scarred and surly individual who I just KNOW I’m going to fall head over heels for!!! I refuse to say anything else in order to avoid spoilers, but the book featuring him as the MMC, The Bear and the Unicorn, is published and available on KU! I will definitely be snatching this one up shortly 😊
Thank you to Aspen Kilgore for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 Stars!
I am not the type of reader who reaches out to authors (my anxiety definitely shuts down any thought of that before a message can even be drafted), but I absolutely could not control myself with reaching out while reading this book!
What I liked about the book:
1. The main characters.
Nev, oh Nev. I want to be the FMC Nev when I grow up! (Let’s just ignore the fact that I’m almost a decade older than her, shall we? Yes, very good.) To me, she definitely evokes the saying “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog” (and this is in no way me calling her a dog or any other unfavorable terms!). Nev is a Kenarsi Effaigee. What the heck does that mean? She is a literal freaking assassin! Not only did she get caught intentionally (twice!) because she knew she could escape, she was always watching the situation from every angle, always inspiring the room with her intelligence, and always thinking about the various outcomes.
Despite being a badass though, she came from a very dysfunctional and heartbreaking past, being regarded as either a machine for someone to use or a disappointment to her family. I won’t go into too much detail on this, but let’s share these couple of thoughts/lines:
Nev: I knew I could deal with a handsome face, but his care and concern had me needing to hone my focus daily.
– This is so sad!!! She had no care from anyone that she constantly has to second guess and think about Bren’s care for her.
Later Bren then gives us this perfect line:
“I hate that you know these things. Rather, you were made to know these things.”
– HE GETS IT! My lords, he gets it!
Bren, our MMC, is the ultimate good guy book boyfriend. He comes from the kingdom of Gendrikent and is first in line to take the throne after his aging father. While just wanting to have one adventure, his crew gets kidnapped by the Mautat (a reptilian species taking humans captive), and they are all forced to work in disastrous conditions mining for something they know nothing about. Throughout this entire forced labor situation, Bren not only takes it upon himself to protect the only female in the group (Nev), but he also feels intense guilt for his men who followed him on the adventure now being enslaved. He believes morale is so important for the group, even those who are not his men, that he works for the good of the group. He truly has a fantastic moral compass and based on his thoughts and decisions I can tell he is going to be a fantastic king!
Let’s talk about him and Nev though…have you seen those reels on IG where its all “You say you love me but…”? WELL, you say you love me, but Bren says:
1. “Provoke her, and you provoke me. Are we clear?”
2. “This is what you have been thinking? Do you think I don’t find you intoxicatingly beautiful? My feelings for you don’t require you to feel the same, but don’t discount them. If we leave this place and you aren’t still mine, rather, if I am not still yours, it’s because I said or did something to make you want to leave me. I won’t be the one leaving you.”
3. “I will defy everyone; the gods, men whose opinion I will not give way to, everything will be cast aside to have you. You don’t need to believe me; I believe it, and I will make it happen.”
4. “If we don’t leave this place alive, I will follow you into the next sphere. You see, I have tied a tether from me to you. It can’t be seen, but it is here, one end knotted around my heart and the other around yours. It doesn’t matter where you go. I will find you.”
- Meanwhile, women everywhere are getting “U up” texts and 🍆 pics. *Sigh*
2. There is so much feminism in this thing (I mean, how could there not be with Nev as the FMC??), I was elated!
Here are a couple of my favorite thoughts by the characters that emphasize this:
Nev: Yes, please do speak as if I am not sitting right here.
- Ugh, so freaking applicable.
Bren: If anyone had a scheme to find her in the dark, they would have to get through my men and myself first. And then she would undoubtedly end them if they managed to make it to her.
- I love that he understands that she is fully capable of protecting herself, he just wants to help her to not have to.
3. The worldbuilding for Nia is completely fascinating! I like the idea of getting a bunch of interconnected stories in the same world, especially one that seems as rich as the one Kilgore is painting. I liked getting to know about the Mautat, and the different “ranks” of them, as well as some of the characters that will grace us in future books.
4. The description in the book is first rate. I felt the darkness and claustrophobia of being in the cave, felt the chill of the snow deep in my bones, saw the light of the candles reflecting off the cave walls. Kilgore has no problem painting a very vivid picture for the reader.
5. I absolutely cannot wait for Serik’s backstory and book! He is a physically scarred and surly individual who I just KNOW I’m going to fall head over heels for!!! I refuse to say anything else in order to avoid spoilers, but the book featuring him as the MMC, The Bear and the Unicorn, is published and available on KU! I will definitely be snatching this one up shortly 😊
Thank you to Aspen Kilgore for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 Stars!
March 28, 2025
i flew through our captive hearts in like two sittings—it’s one of those books that sinks its teeth in right away and doesn’t let go. nev is such a badass. like, seriously. she’s smart, deadly, and carries this quiet strength even when everything around her is falling apart. her decision to let herself get “kidnapped” just to escape a bigger threat? unhinged but kind of genius. i loved her from the jump.
bren surprised me though. he starts off as this freedom-craving prince, and then boom—he’s thrown into the chaos of captivity. but instead of crumbling, he becomes this anchor for the group, especially for nev. their chemistry is slow and simmering, but once it clicks, it clicks. it’s not all swoony looks and longing though—their connection is built in the middle of absolute hell, and that makes it feel way more earned.
the worldbuilding is rich and immersive—like i could feel the chill of the tunnels and the constant tension of being trapped with monsters nearby. the Mautat are freaky and fascinating, and there’s this undercurrent of mystery that kept things moving fast. plus, the writing? so visual. some scenes felt like they were playing out in my head like a movie.
bren surprised me though. he starts off as this freedom-craving prince, and then boom—he’s thrown into the chaos of captivity. but instead of crumbling, he becomes this anchor for the group, especially for nev. their chemistry is slow and simmering, but once it clicks, it clicks. it’s not all swoony looks and longing though—their connection is built in the middle of absolute hell, and that makes it feel way more earned.
the worldbuilding is rich and immersive—like i could feel the chill of the tunnels and the constant tension of being trapped with monsters nearby. the Mautat are freaky and fascinating, and there’s this undercurrent of mystery that kept things moving fast. plus, the writing? so visual. some scenes felt like they were playing out in my head like a movie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Our Captive Hearts by @aspenkilgorewrites is a fascinating tale of humanity and love when everything you thought you knew about life is stripped away and you are forced into slave labor in a mine where comfort doesn’t exist, food is scarce, and the tunnels are filled with monsters with an agenda yet to be discovered.
I loved the development of the relationship between Nev and Bren and the end of the book had me in tears.
Now this is for all the crazies who skip the prologue and epilogues… DON’T SKIP THE EPILOGUE. Read it and then suffer with me until the story continues in the next book. I’m begging you. 🫠😅🥲
This is my favorite book by Aspen so far and I love the way her books are interconnected.
I loved the development of the relationship between Nev and Bren and the end of the book had me in tears.
Now this is for all the crazies who skip the prologue and epilogues… DON’T SKIP THE EPILOGUE. Read it and then suffer with me until the story continues in the next book. I’m begging you. 🫠😅🥲
This is my favorite book by Aspen so far and I love the way her books are interconnected.
April 12, 2025
Heartfelt Romance That Captivates and Enchants from the Start!
Our Captive Hearts: Embers of Nia is a breathtaking romance that swept me off my feet! The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the story is woven with emotion and passion. I couldn't put it down! A must-read for romance lovers. I highly recommend it!
Our Captive Hearts: Embers of Nia is a breathtaking romance that swept me off my feet! The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the story is woven with emotion and passion. I couldn't put it down! A must-read for romance lovers. I highly recommend it!
July 12, 2024
The way Aspen Kilgore writes her characters and threads their stories is beautiful. I truly enjoyed this book and will read anything she writes!
July 31, 2024
I love how she writes her stories she wheels you in then you become hooked. Being an ARC reader has giving me the best opportunity to read all these amazing books and meet phenomenal writers/authors. This story I just knew I had to read it slowly because I didn’t want it to ever end. Nev is super strong and smart the fact she can speak and understands the monsters is mind blowing to me. Bren and Nev relationship starts off slowly but then the spice heats up they’re held captive after all it is only so much they can do around all his men and she being the only woman. That’s all I’m going to say this story is a must read as well as the rest of her books.
January 1, 2025
I loved Nev and how this story went. She was a FORCE to be reckoned with.
September 25, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was/am such a fan of the first book of Embers of Nia, The Crimson Thread. I was just taken away by that book, and even went so far to contact the Author to praise her for her work. Yes, I was that obsessed. I loved the book so much, and wondered when the physical copy was going to come out! I am also now a proud owner of said physical copy.
When she had told me that Our Captive Hearts was coming out, and I had the privilege to view it prior, I was excited. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to review it right away due to several life emergencies. However, I’m here now, and let me tell you, I am still NOT disappointed by what I read. What I enjoy about how Aspen Kilgore writes is the world building she puts together in her books. The world she creates is phenomenal. I truly just fell in love with both books, to be honest. It’s one of the main reasons I fell in love with her storylines. I love that I immersed myself in her world, and writing, and feel as if I’m literally standing right there. Nev’s our FMC, a strong, badass assassin. I mean, who doesn’t love a femme fetale! Bren, is our main man with a dashing moral compass in this story. Aspen’s books are some of my favorite fantasies! Thank you to Aspen for the introduction to her series. Otherwise, I would’ve never known how great her story is. I am definitely a fan and will continue to be.
I was/am such a fan of the first book of Embers of Nia, The Crimson Thread. I was just taken away by that book, and even went so far to contact the Author to praise her for her work. Yes, I was that obsessed. I loved the book so much, and wondered when the physical copy was going to come out! I am also now a proud owner of said physical copy.
When she had told me that Our Captive Hearts was coming out, and I had the privilege to view it prior, I was excited. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to review it right away due to several life emergencies. However, I’m here now, and let me tell you, I am still NOT disappointed by what I read. What I enjoy about how Aspen Kilgore writes is the world building she puts together in her books. The world she creates is phenomenal. I truly just fell in love with both books, to be honest. It’s one of the main reasons I fell in love with her storylines. I love that I immersed myself in her world, and writing, and feel as if I’m literally standing right there. Nev’s our FMC, a strong, badass assassin. I mean, who doesn’t love a femme fetale! Bren, is our main man with a dashing moral compass in this story. Aspen’s books are some of my favorite fantasies! Thank you to Aspen for the introduction to her series. Otherwise, I would’ve never known how great her story is. I am definitely a fan and will continue to be.
March 26, 2025
"Our Captive Hearts" pulled me right into a gritty, intriguing world. Nev's reluctant acceptance of a dangerous job set the stage perfectly. She's a complex character, tough but vulnerable, and her internal conflict felt real. Bren, the prince forced into slavery, added another layer of compelling tension. The narrative skillfully weaves their separate journeys, building anticipation as their paths converge.
I was particularly impressed with the world-building. The author creates a vivid and believable setting, full of danger and mystery. The dynamic between Nev and Bren is electric, with a slow-burn tension that kept me turning the pages. It's not just a romance; it's a story of survival, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. The characters are forced to confront their pasts and make difficult choices, adding depth to the narrative. The ending left me wanting more, and I'm eager to see where the story goes next. This book is a solid blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
I was particularly impressed with the world-building. The author creates a vivid and believable setting, full of danger and mystery. The dynamic between Nev and Bren is electric, with a slow-burn tension that kept me turning the pages. It's not just a romance; it's a story of survival, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. The characters are forced to confront their pasts and make difficult choices, adding depth to the narrative. The ending left me wanting more, and I'm eager to see where the story goes next. This book is a solid blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews