The Thyline's Mate: A Dark Sci-Fi Alien Romance

by E.K. Datura

“Let you go? Where do you wish to go, little human? Back out there? I promise another Thyline will claim you, and they may not be as nice as me.”

Nova Crucis has a plan.

Buy a cheap shuttle, pick up a load of product from a faraway planet, and make enough profit to keep her dingy apartment for another year.

That falls apart when her shuttle crash lands on a strange planet. On top of everything else, a frightening beast stalks her in the shadows of the dark forest.

Now Nova has a singular goal: survive until she can find a way back to Earth.

Tet'iek has a different goal. A beautiful stranger in his territory means the perfect chance to find a mate. And he won't take no for an answer.

Nova may not be able to escape Tet'iek's wrath for long…

The Thyline’s Mate is a single, 3rd-person POV standalone with a HEA. This is a fast-paced, mostly spice, captor x captive dark romance with some violent scenes that may be distressing. Please check content notes under the "Author's Note".

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Spicy, Kidnapping, Novella

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2024

About the author

E.K. is an author of science fiction and fantasy romance. She loves writing about weird aliens and polyamorous relationships. When not writing she spends her time at Renaissance Faires, playing DND with her friends, and cuddling her husband and cats. Her non-dark romance (and main) pen name is E.K. Darnell.

Reviews

[Christina (Bloodycrimsonreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

This book is heavy on n0n-c0n and smut, with little plotline. It’s not a bad thing, especially with the fact that it’s a novella under 100 pages. After all, we’re not necessarily here for the intricate story, right? Haha The smut scenes were there from the start, but they were redundant, that’s why I’m giving it this rating.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was mostly a dark smut book with very little plot, but the smut was fun. Nova embraced the idea of staying with the feral wolf man relatively quickly, and I’m sure her shit life on Earth did a lot of the heavy lifting in their relationship. I would have liked some groveling.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: noncon, physical abuse/control/manipulation, kidnapping, somnophilia without consent, poverty, threat of houselessness and past houselessness. spaceship crash (off page), fire, sexual harassment and stalking, hunting and gore of killing animals for food, violence and blood, abusive parents (past)

[Lindsay]

DNF @25%

I read the trigger warnings but wanted to give it a try. Realized it was not for me. I guess I do prefer some plot with my smut. This is exactly as marketed and has helped me to better define my reading tastes.

If you like dub-con or even non consent this might be for you, but it’s not for me. With alien romances, I could see cultural miscommunication leading to some dubious consent but this has a scene of explicit non consent. She said no and he did it anyway. Which is clear in the triggers so just know that.

[Katie O’Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a hairy straight-up wolf alien as the MMC and I was here for every moment of his slavering jaws and wet snout.

I PERSONALLY thought it also had an excellent balance between smut and plot. Pacing was great & I wasn’t bored once.

Tet’iek started out brutally claiming the human who crashed her spaceship onto his territory and he ended up as a mostly reformed wolf living an idyllic life with Nova.

The smut was hot & the story was sweet. I’m into these vibes 🐺🚀

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first dark sci-fi read and wasn't disappointed!

I enjoyed the story between Nova and Tet'iek. It started out quickly upon their meeting or more so attacking. Nova crashed onto an unknown planet and ended up being devoured by Tet'iek on her quest to find a way back to Earth. He had an immediate attraction and need to mate Nova which came with a plan to keep her with him for good.

This had a lot of smut with a small plot but I still felt drawn in and wanting more between them! If you're big on smut this is for you! You will not be let down! I truly loved this novella and look forward to future books by E K!

Received ARC for honest review

[Holly | Raise Your Words · Rating 2 out of 5]

| 2/5 Stars | ★★☆☆☆

Trigger Warnings for The Thyline's Mate: Explicit nonconsensual sex, knotting, chasing, biting, somnophilia, spanking, gore/hunting animals

The Thyline's Mate: A Dark Sci-Fi Alien Romance is a novella by E.K. Datura, a pen name of E.K. Darnell's for their darker writing. In this novella, Nova Crucis crash lands on an alien planet where she is soon found by Tet'iek, a large humanoid wolf. Tet'iek "mates" her soon after and consistently throughout.

This book is what it is: porn without much plot. The Thyline's Mate has very explicit nonconsensual sex scenes involving Tet'iek and Nova, which was expected through the trigger warnings prior to beginning the novella. I was amazed, however, how many times the exact same sexual encounter could be explained over and over again.

All in all, not my favorite. The descriptions were not great, the depth wasn't there, and this really had no plot at all (even for a novella). Thank you to E.K. Darnell for an advanced e-copy of The The Thyline's Mate in exchange for my honest review.

Follow all of my reviews and content with LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/RaiseYourWordsReviews

[Isabelle Houseknecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️⚠️READ TRIGGER WARNINGS FIRST!!!⚠️⚠️

Erotic romance, SUPER short and spicy. I honestly didn’t think it was like a level 5 spice maybe like a 4 🌶️ it is still a great little story. It’s definitely not a slow burn everything is very fast past but you still get all the backstory for the FMC and there’s not much on the MMC except for the need to know details to keep the story going! It’s a great book and the first I have read from this author and I will definitely be looking for more of their books now because I love their writing style!

[Denise O · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Nova crash landed on a strange plant I think the last thing she was expecting was to be chased by an alien and claimed as his mate.

When Tet’iek finds Nova he can’t resist her scent, a female on his planet and when he catches her, he mates her saying things like “How lucky am I, catching a sweet little pet like you?”

Nova just wants to survive on this strange planet so she can return to Earth but the more she stays with Tet’iek the more she realises how lonely her life on Earth is, that maybe she could have a new life with him.

Tet’iek is not going to leave her go, she’s not going to escape him, he’s going to keep her and claim her again and again.🥵

TROPES:

🌲Captor x Captive
🌲mostly spice
🌲NC/ dubcon
🌲knOtt!ng
🌲primal play
🌲cozy corruption

If you’re looking for a high spice low plot dark alien romance I highly recommend this book. There’s a lot of steam in this story but there are some tender moments as well💕

[Bella Reves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first dark sci-fi romance, and The Thyline's Mate has set the bar high!

E.K. Datura packs a punch with this new novella, and Tet'iek will have you salivating for his feral, wolfish nature. Nova and Tet'iek are a powerful combo, and the heat is planet-melting. I always look forward to E.K. books, and you should too! This novella is perfect to devour in a single read.

Now, please be mindful that this is a DARK romance, but E.K. does overview the TW/CWs so be sure to check those out before diving in.

A few notable - or knot-able hehe - tropes to mention:
Primal
Knotting
Somno

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Thylines Mate is a fast-paced dark sci-fi alien romance, this is first and foremost a dark romance so checking the TW/CW before diving in as there are some heavy scenes and topics that are not suitable for all.

This book was definitely along the lines of little plot and lots of spice, but in saying the the author is very clear that this is the case, which I’m not going to lie, I really don’t mind, the story itself is fast-paced though you do get a bit of backstory on the FMC the MMC is basically a need to know basis. But overall I did like this book and if you enjoy quick spicy reads you’ll enjoy it too

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounding up.

“IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PLOT-HEAVY SCI-FI STORY, THIS MIGHT NOT BE FOR YOU.”

The author gave us a warning at the start of the book and the book definitely held up to that promise.

This book is basically instalove (despite the non-consent) and really asks you to suspend all disbelief and come here mainly for the smut.

Story: Nova crashes on an alien planet. A wolf-like alien immediately finds her, rapes her, takes her back to his cave and proclaims her as his mate. They bang like rabbits for a couple days then Nova tries to escape but ultimately realizes she has nothing waiting at home for her so she’ll stick with the wolfman. The end.

Quick read.

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible piece from E.K. One thing I love about her stories is how much I love all of the MCs immediately. This was no different. Nova was incredibly likable from her first appearance and Tet’iek was just absolutely precious for a giant wolf-like alien. Their first meeting isn’t exactly traditional in the strictest sense of the word, but it definitely left an impression. I loved the way Nova and Tet’iek came to understand one another and settled into their life together. The spice in this was absolutely incredible as always. Tet’iek ended up being super romantic and he was just a lonely little sweetheart underneath it all. This was a completely perfect read.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

not romance it’s grape with Stockholm syndrome and crying and blood

Don’t even know what I just read but .. wish I hadn’t read it tbh the situation the MFC finds herself in just keeps getting worse with the MMC being something straight out of a nightmare

- animal MMC
- blood
- grape 🍇
- gratuitous grape 🍇
- it is not cnc - it’s grape 🍇
- severe Stockholm syndrome
- severe body betrayal
- MMC getting pleasure from MFC pain (and this is actual pain being inflected gleefully)

I’m assuming the author enjoys these tropes .. and it is a DARK sci fi… so that’s how we have this

Read at your own risk ⚠️

[عاليه 🎀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have…conflicted feelings about the relationship between these two but I suppose that’s the point. It’s dark romance.


Read the content warnings.


Fav Snippets

- The creature groaned, spreading her legs wide so he could force his way deeper. “Stop,” she said, though her muffled cry went unanswered as the beast started thrusting, moaning with each plunge.

- “Attacked? I mated with you, as is my right. I stalked you and caught you… I do not understand what you mean by attack.” Great. He didn’t understand what sexual assault was. What kind of planet was this?

- “I can’t get pregnant, you freak. I have an implant.” “Well, that’s a shame.” And he actually looked sad, too, his ears drooping significantly. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

- “Well then, I will just have to fight him for dominance, won’t I? For ownership of your cunt. Unless you would rather have both knots filling you up at once?”

- “Nova, my dear, your scent is so sweet. The sight of you running through my forest… you do not know what it does to me.”

[vrstal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Content Warnings for book: Noncon, dubcon, violence and death (not between MCs)

Kink: Unnegotiated D/s, free use, primal play, knotting, praise kink, CNC, spanking

A hot and enjoyable romantic erotica. It’s dark in theme - mind the CW - but it’s a nice morsel for someone wanting a quick dark read with lots of “you’re mine”. The Thylines were a cool alien race conception, and I liked Nova. I appreciated this didn’t immediately result n a pregnancy ending too.

No critiques here, just fun!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check the trigger warnings, heavy on the non-con so if that’s not your thing, do not proceed.

However, I particularly enjoyed it, especially the way it’s worked into the alien species. He just doesn’t realize it’s wrong. Very animalistic, very brutal, very fun!

A fun, sexy novella that just gets right into the action.
If you just need a fun quick, dark romantic monster romance, this is the perfect book. I didn’t find a moment or it dull, and the writing style was fun!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a very good definition of what a dark, monster romance is!

So much spice, so much but I loved it!

It's a very fast- paced story, very shory, very dark and very spicy. So worth it though!

"Nova, my dear, your scent is so sweet. The sight of you running through my forest... you do not know what it does to me." 🥵

Very animalistic, very hot and heavy. So so good and I would definitely read it again!

I received this as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Rebecca Georgiev · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you are looking for a quick read with lots of smut scenes with very little story plot, then this book is definitely for you!

Dark Sci-Fi Alien Romance✔️
Erotic romance✔️
Human/ Alien✔️
Gore✔️
Non Con✔️
Knotting✔️
Spanking✔️
Chasing✔️
Somnophilia✔️

⚠️⚠️As Always Please Check Your Trigger Warnings⚠️⚠️

[Stealthy Dragon 623 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first warning you get when you start this book is "no plot all smut" and I was there for it! There was just enough dialog to follow along with the characters and be excited for their HEA. The spice is insane and plentiful! There are a few triggers, mostly hunter/prey, but well worth the read!! Love this Dark twisted tale

[Kaitlyn crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was great, how ever it had very little of a plot and a lot of spicy scenes. Definitely not complaining because that is what I’m into. If you are looking for a quick read with a bunch of spicy scenes this is definitely the book for you!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me! I’m not usually much into sci-fi and it’s not something I read often, but I did like this book! Definitely check the triggers before reading as it is a dark themed book!

[Ashley - The Tattered Page]

HOOK: I have a dark alien romance under the pen name E.K. Datura called The Thyline's Mate. He's a wolf-like alien, so werewolf/omegaverse vibes. N0nc0n/dubc0n, captor x captive, s0mn0, kn0tt!ng, primal marking/chasing, high spice.

[Abby Collins-Tester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and heated

A short story of a human crash landing somewhere and being claimed.
She tries to resist wanting to return home but he wants his mate - even if he takes her by force

[thekatz_meoww · Rating 3 out of 5]

yes 😈😈

Quick spicy read. Nova was definitely the DID/TSTL FMC that if she would’ve actually used her words instead of doing the back and forth in her head probably would’ve progressed the story quicker and further…but we all know what we came to this story for 😈😈

[Cali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated that the author was upfront about what this book was and was not because, she was right, it was "more spice than plot". And that can be fine but honestly, for me, the spice was not good enough to overcome the lack of a plot, world-building or characterization.

[Peta Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but hot

Read triggers as this is non con/dub con and has a few more. This is a story written for the spice. There's enough of a plot there to make it interesting. The differences in species of the main couple and how they interact was well written.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I loved it but the writing was a little bad for me but overall I ate it up ,the chapters was really short which i loved , I read it in one setting it was so good the spicy was good really good if you want to read something fast paced and gets you out of your reading slump read this

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, fun, quick read with plenty of smut

A short, smutty novella with dubious consent.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s at the lighter end of dark romance as everything done was enjoyed bodily even if the mind took a while to catch up.

Her alien partner was very appealing.

The plot was limited but the author is upfront about that from the start.

The sex was frequent and while not overly detailed was enough to make the book interesting.

I didn’t love it because I felt that a little more could have been explored with the scenes that were there particularly round the s3xual content. However it was a good read and I’d even go so far as to say I’d read this one again.

[Nicole Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick erotica

Not much plot, mainly dc/nc type stuff. Was a good quick read for me. Read tws if you got them.

[Allyson Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is a great short read. It kept my attention the whole time, nothing came off ad cheesey or pushy or fake. Perfect cleanser book.