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Return of the Jaguar
On planet Tara, far in the reaches of space, live the Evnin, a tribal species. Elkiv, an evnin daughter of the hidden village's chief, is starting her mating cycle where she must take a partner who will become the next chief. She is arranged to the strongest and most brutal member of her tribe. However, she has a crush on an evnintir, a false evnin, a creation of the human invaders. Her enemy. Rigid used to be a war hungry revolutionary. When she died, she never thought she would be brought back in the form of a young alien as an evnintir. Her revivers, Cellfuse inc, want her to eliminate the natives of Tara, starting with Elkiv's hidden village. Though tricky to find, she believes that if she can seduce the daughter of the village chief, and take advantage of the strange power the world has, she can get everything she wants and more.
340 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2025
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 25, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐
2/5
"Return of the Jaguar" by Kariah Simura is a remarkable indie sci-fi romance that masterfully blends elements of political intrigue, redemption, and romance. The story follows a shattered soul reborn in a new world and body, only to face the haunting challenge of potentially repeating past atrocities.
Drawing subtle parallels to "Avatar," but with its own unique twist, this novel stands out through its deep political intrigue and compelling romance. The relationship development between the protagonists is particularly well-crafted, explored through shared memories that create an intimate emotional connection. As one powerful quote reveals: "My heart splits into two sides. A side that loves her and a side that hates her."
The book excels in several areas:
• Scientific illustrations that enhance the world-building
• Rich character development, especially for side characters Auto and Cloriv
• Complex political dynamics between human government and alien tribes
• A thoughtful exploration of breaking cycles of violence
Key tropes include:
• Enemies to lovers
• Instant attraction that develops into deeper connection
• Mate bonds (similar to shifter dynamics)
• Found family
• Political intrigue
• Mutual pining
• Trauma healing
The ending leaves readers eagerly anticipating a sequel. For an indie publication, the quality of storytelling, world-building, and emotional depth is exceptional. Highly recommended for fans of LGBTQ+ sci-fi romance who appreciate complex political narratives and redemption arcs.
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OMG I just got an ARC of Return of the Jaguar and I'm DYING to dive in! 🩷 A ruthless revolutionary reborn as an alien infiltrator falling for the tribal chief's daughter she's supposed to destroy? Plus ancient magic and sci-fi elements? This is literally everything I want in a book! I've heard Simura's worldbuilding is incredible and the slow-burn romance between Rigid and Elkiv is supposed to be chef's kiss!
Can't wait to see how the whole "enemies-to-lovers but one's secretly plotting destruction" thing plays out!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
2/5
"Return of the Jaguar" by Kariah Simura is a remarkable indie sci-fi romance that masterfully blends elements of political intrigue, redemption, and romance. The story follows a shattered soul reborn in a new world and body, only to face the haunting challenge of potentially repeating past atrocities.
Drawing subtle parallels to "Avatar," but with its own unique twist, this novel stands out through its deep political intrigue and compelling romance. The relationship development between the protagonists is particularly well-crafted, explored through shared memories that create an intimate emotional connection. As one powerful quote reveals: "My heart splits into two sides. A side that loves her and a side that hates her."
The book excels in several areas:
• Scientific illustrations that enhance the world-building
• Rich character development, especially for side characters Auto and Cloriv
• Complex political dynamics between human government and alien tribes
• A thoughtful exploration of breaking cycles of violence
Key tropes include:
• Enemies to lovers
• Instant attraction that develops into deeper connection
• Mate bonds (similar to shifter dynamics)
• Found family
• Political intrigue
• Mutual pining
• Trauma healing
The ending leaves readers eagerly anticipating a sequel. For an indie publication, the quality of storytelling, world-building, and emotional depth is exceptional. Highly recommended for fans of LGBTQ+ sci-fi romance who appreciate complex political narratives and redemption arcs.
.................................................................................................................................................................
OMG I just got an ARC of Return of the Jaguar and I'm DYING to dive in! 🩷 A ruthless revolutionary reborn as an alien infiltrator falling for the tribal chief's daughter she's supposed to destroy? Plus ancient magic and sci-fi elements? This is literally everything I want in a book! I've heard Simura's worldbuilding is incredible and the slow-burn romance between Rigid and Elkiv is supposed to be chef's kiss!
Can't wait to see how the whole "enemies-to-lovers but one's secretly plotting destruction" thing plays out!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
March 10, 2025
Incredible! This book had so many amazing things! The characters are captivating and the story keeps you glued to your chair. I loved the small touches of illustrations and descriptions throughout! Definitely one you don’t want to miss!!!!!
January 26, 2025
I absolutely love this book! It reminded me of Avatar (the blue people) if it was sapphic with more political intrigue and a more romance focus.
I think this relationship had a good build up especially since they got to know each other through their memories. A good quote that reflects their relationship is “My heart splits into two sides. A side that loves her and a side that abhors her.”The fight scenes were good. My fav quote from a fight is “IT’S. NUTS. OR. NOTHING.” The ending left me reeling though. I need another book ASAP! I would love if there was another book of Auto and Cloriv (important side characters).
I would also love to add that there were scientific like pictures throughout the story. There weren’t many but they were amazing and very helpful to help picture the aliens and things.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, insta lust/attraction, mates (not fated mates but similar to shifters), found family, political intrigue (human gov. & alien tribe), mutual pining, trauma dumping
I think this relationship had a good build up especially since they got to know each other through their memories. A good quote that reflects their relationship is “My heart splits into two sides. A side that loves her and a side that abhors her.”The fight scenes were good. My fav quote from a fight is “IT’S. NUTS. OR. NOTHING.” The ending left me reeling though. I need another book ASAP! I would love if there was another book of Auto and Cloriv (important side characters).
I would also love to add that there were scientific like pictures throughout the story. There weren’t many but they were amazing and very helpful to help picture the aliens and things.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, insta lust/attraction, mates (not fated mates but similar to shifters), found family, political intrigue (human gov. & alien tribe), mutual pining, trauma dumping
February 12, 2025
For an indie book and it had no right to go this hard. The story about a shatter soul who manage to be brought back from the dead in a new world and body but is task to reanacte the same atrocities from her past. It has an excelent slow burn sapphic romance and great story about breaking the cycle. I am feening for the next book after reaching the end of it and would highly recommend for anyone intrested.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews