What do you think?
Rate this book
Emerald: Alien Hunting Grounds Book 5
Revenge tastes sweet.OliviaI always thought being alone was best and would have gladly been a recluse. The joke about a hermit living in a cave stopped being funny the moment the big creep trapped me in one.
Now I just need to escape. And definitely stop thinking about ridiculous things… like those big, stupid arms wrapped around me.
Would they make me feel safe?
KroaichoThis is not the place I would have chosen to rebuild a hoard or to bring up a zhannel, but I will do what I must. There are treasures here none of my kind have ever seen, but just as many dangers.
Some treasures should have never been gathered.
Like this human. Always signaling green, always speaking of things that make no sense, always trying to escape. This must be why my zhann said no when I asked for a pet.
They are trouble.
Books in this series end in a HFN. They can be read alone, but it will take all of the women and their mates to fight for their collective HEA. It will be more enjoyable if read in sequence.
Love is love, regardless of gender or species, which means not all relationships in this series are M/F.
This series is meant for readers 18+ and includes explicit content and violence, with dark themes. Beware of triggers.
Now I just need to escape. And definitely stop thinking about ridiculous things… like those big, stupid arms wrapped around me.
Would they make me feel safe?
KroaichoThis is not the place I would have chosen to rebuild a hoard or to bring up a zhannel, but I will do what I must. There are treasures here none of my kind have ever seen, but just as many dangers.
Some treasures should have never been gathered.
Like this human. Always signaling green, always speaking of things that make no sense, always trying to escape. This must be why my zhann said no when I asked for a pet.
They are trouble.
Books in this series end in a HFN. They can be read alone, but it will take all of the women and their mates to fight for their collective HEA. It will be more enjoyable if read in sequence.
Love is love, regardless of gender or species, which means not all relationships in this series are M/F.
This series is meant for readers 18+ and includes explicit content and violence, with dark themes. Beware of triggers.
- GenresAliens
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2025
25 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2025
I have to say this might be her best book yet.
Review- I have to say this might be her best book yet.
I think she really found her footing in the last one and this one was even better.
I’m a huge fan of the way her brain works. lol
Each book is diverse, not only in the characters looks but their backgrounds. We have different FMCs from various parts of the world, various skill sets and various ways of thinking. Which I love.
Especially this one, rarely do we get a book where the FMC is autistic and it’s actually written in manner that lets it be known instead of a “oh she’s just quirky”.
Breene writes her beautifully, and she shapes the experiences to match her characters. So the reactions and chooses feel realistic for Olivia. It makes sense that she went absolutely ham on the big like aliens. It makes sense that she is disassociating. It makes sense that the romantic nature of this story plays out differently than the others.
And I am here for each author choose. Beautifully done.
Review- I have to say this might be her best book yet.
I think she really found her footing in the last one and this one was even better.
I’m a huge fan of the way her brain works. lol
Each book is diverse, not only in the characters looks but their backgrounds. We have different FMCs from various parts of the world, various skill sets and various ways of thinking. Which I love.
Especially this one, rarely do we get a book where the FMC is autistic and it’s actually written in manner that lets it be known instead of a “oh she’s just quirky”.
Breene writes her beautifully, and she shapes the experiences to match her characters. So the reactions and chooses feel realistic for Olivia. It makes sense that she went absolutely ham on the big like aliens. It makes sense that she is disassociating. It makes sense that the romantic nature of this story plays out differently than the others.
And I am here for each author choose. Beautifully done.
May 15, 2025
Emerald is the sixth book of the series and follows Olivia who has been sold off to aliens by her spiteful half siblings. Genetically modified to take on the characteristics of whatever alien species she is paired with she is then sold to Genali, alien slavers.
When the Genali ship comes under attack the cryo pod she was kept in is ejected crashing on an alien hunting ground planet where she wakes confused and injured just as her Genali captors begin closing in to retrieve her.
Kroaicho is an alien Zhasie taken from zah’s home world to be hunted for sport on the hunter planet. Finding and attracted to the nice shiny pod, zah decides zah wants it for zah’s horde, because zah’s species thrive on hoarding treasures, yet Olivia’s scent is the one that is sparking some very strange emotions.
Saving Olivia from the Genali and bringing her to the underground cave that’s now zah’s home Kroaicho begins to wonder what zah’s gotten into because of Olivia’s nonstop tirade.
Zah saved Olivia and it wasn’t appreciated!
Olivia is neurodivergent so her thinking process is different, and Kroaicho quickly finds her unpredictability, unsettling.
This was a good story, nicely written but took me awhile to get into the stories flow.
Olivia is VERY intense and many were the times Kroaicho had to walk away from her for some quiet time, me too.
Their progress towards togetherness is slow and often hindered by species differences. Kroaicho’s emotions display in bioluminescence colors while Olivia’s display verbally, and her green coloring was really confusing to zah because amongst zah’s species it signifies a mate. Will this Twain ever meet?
Theirs was an interesting journey fraught with communication issues, danger, and imaginative mating biology (Which will explain the word Zah usage ) Characters from previous books make appearances, and once Olivia’s body begins to take on Kroaicho’s biology things between them improve, because now she understands.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When the Genali ship comes under attack the cryo pod she was kept in is ejected crashing on an alien hunting ground planet where she wakes confused and injured just as her Genali captors begin closing in to retrieve her.
Kroaicho is an alien Zhasie taken from zah’s home world to be hunted for sport on the hunter planet. Finding and attracted to the nice shiny pod, zah decides zah wants it for zah’s horde, because zah’s species thrive on hoarding treasures, yet Olivia’s scent is the one that is sparking some very strange emotions.
Saving Olivia from the Genali and bringing her to the underground cave that’s now zah’s home Kroaicho begins to wonder what zah’s gotten into because of Olivia’s nonstop tirade.
Zah saved Olivia and it wasn’t appreciated!
Olivia is neurodivergent so her thinking process is different, and Kroaicho quickly finds her unpredictability, unsettling.
This was a good story, nicely written but took me awhile to get into the stories flow.
Olivia is VERY intense and many were the times Kroaicho had to walk away from her for some quiet time, me too.
Their progress towards togetherness is slow and often hindered by species differences. Kroaicho’s emotions display in bioluminescence colors while Olivia’s display verbally, and her green coloring was really confusing to zah because amongst zah’s species it signifies a mate. Will this Twain ever meet?
Theirs was an interesting journey fraught with communication issues, danger, and imaginative mating biology (Which will explain the word Zah usage ) Characters from previous books make appearances, and once Olivia’s body begins to take on Kroaicho’s biology things between them improve, because now she understands.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 23, 2025
Olivia has always had anger issues. Despite years of treatment, she hates being touched and often resorts to violence when people don’t respect her boundaries. When her family sells her to aliens, she finds a cathartic release in killing any alien she can, though her mental health starts to decline from the physical alterations the aliens make to her. She soon finds herself on a chaotic hunting planet, but as soon as she makes contact with another human, she is snatched up by a six-limbed alien with a compulsion for hoarding. Oliva knows she can’t stay in a cave with Kroaicho, but can she persuade it to let her go?
Emerald is the fifth book in the Alien Hunting Grounds series, and yet again Breene does a fabulous job of exploring extremely different perspectives in a grounded and humanizing way. Olivia is autistic and in some ways it is much harder for her to mentally come to terms with what is happening. She knows she wants her freedom, and she’s willing to do what it takes to get free. But the longer she stays with Kroaicho the more she relates to zha.
Kroaicho, meanwhile, comes from a genderless people that consider the most important thing is treasure and the histories those treasures indicate. Zha will protect all that is precious to zha, but zha cannot understand why zha’s greatest treasure keeps trying to escape the hoard. The two have an interesting dynamic that is fascinating to explore.
A fantastic addition to an already compelling series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Emerald is the fifth book in the Alien Hunting Grounds series, and yet again Breene does a fabulous job of exploring extremely different perspectives in a grounded and humanizing way. Olivia is autistic and in some ways it is much harder for her to mentally come to terms with what is happening. She knows she wants her freedom, and she’s willing to do what it takes to get free. But the longer she stays with Kroaicho the more she relates to zha.
Kroaicho, meanwhile, comes from a genderless people that consider the most important thing is treasure and the histories those treasures indicate. Zha will protect all that is precious to zha, but zha cannot understand why zha’s greatest treasure keeps trying to escape the hoard. The two have an interesting dynamic that is fascinating to explore.
A fantastic addition to an already compelling series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2025
The heroine is human. She was kidnapped by bad aliens. They altered her to have green hair and green eyes and other changes. The heroine has struggled with social interactions and touching /being touched during her whole life.
She crash lands on a planet. She is taken by a cave dwelling alien. This person "zha" calls her part of this alien's hoard of objects.
The alien has tusks, 6 limbs, glows different colors depending on emotions, and is described as a combination lizard and caterpillar. The alien tunnels to escape danger.
SPOILERS.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
She is angry she has been imprisoned in zha's cave. Eventually they fall in love. The alien finally understands she needs the company of other humans, not just to be part of a cave hoard.
She changes to have alien features due to how she was altered by the bad guys. So she and zha are able to mate in the way of zha's world by breathing a specific mist on each other. She touches zha's nostrils which is sexual to zha.
This book reads fine as a stand alone. The author tells you everything you need to know. However, the couples from earlier books in the series appear. So if you read in order you will already be familiar with the characters.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
She crash lands on a planet. She is taken by a cave dwelling alien. This person "zha" calls her part of this alien's hoard of objects.
The alien has tusks, 6 limbs, glows different colors depending on emotions, and is described as a combination lizard and caterpillar. The alien tunnels to escape danger.
SPOILERS.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
She is angry she has been imprisoned in zha's cave. Eventually they fall in love. The alien finally understands she needs the company of other humans, not just to be part of a cave hoard.
She changes to have alien features due to how she was altered by the bad guys. So she and zha are able to mate in the way of zha's world by breathing a specific mist on each other. She touches zha's nostrils which is sexual to zha.
This book reads fine as a stand alone. The author tells you everything you need to know. However, the couples from earlier books in the series appear. So if you read in order you will already be familiar with the characters.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2025
Not even talking about the plot because you really have to read it!
Outstanding the development of the characters, Olivia is full of depht , multilayered and her struggles feel real and impossible not to feel empathy.
The author has built an incredibly rich series with vivid and imaginative world building. With each installment the overarching picture grows more complex yet coherent, and this particular novel is no exception. Olivia and Kroaicho are perfect for each other in their ackwardness,their struggles and misunderstandings. There's tangible connection being built between these two contained within this book's pages. Their journey full of perils and change but also hope and acceptance indicates more volumes to come, and I for one look forward with great anticipation to future books in the series.
Outstanding the development of the characters, Olivia is full of depht , multilayered and her struggles feel real and impossible not to feel empathy.
The author has built an incredibly rich series with vivid and imaginative world building. With each installment the overarching picture grows more complex yet coherent, and this particular novel is no exception. Olivia and Kroaicho are perfect for each other in their ackwardness,their struggles and misunderstandings. There's tangible connection being built between these two contained within this book's pages. Their journey full of perils and change but also hope and acceptance indicates more volumes to come, and I for one look forward with great anticipation to future books in the series.
April 30, 2025
I love these books for their differences from most other alien abduction series. The author tackles injustice, determination and grappling with physical and psychological curveballs in ways that feel authentic and unique to each character.
That said, this book is my least favourite in the series.
I thought the neurodivergence of the FMC was very well-done and full props for capturing the nuance of an (unfortunately) still misunderstood mode of brain functioning/thinking!
My problem is with the FMC's love interest.
It's clearly explained, more than once, that species (called Zhasie) is solitary. Other than an indirect chemical exchange once or twice to reproduce, the Zhasie don't have the instinct to pair bond at all. The species has no social needs, no romance and no intimate relationships. So, why the desire to couple-up?
That said, this book is my least favourite in the series.
I thought the neurodivergence of the FMC was very well-done and full props for capturing the nuance of an (unfortunately) still misunderstood mode of brain functioning/thinking!
My problem is with the FMC's love interest.
It's clearly explained, more than once, that species (called Zhasie) is solitary. Other than an indirect chemical exchange once or twice to reproduce, the Zhasie don't have the instinct to pair bond at all. The species has no social needs, no romance and no intimate relationships. So, why the desire to couple-up?
May 24, 2025
Fantastically creative non-human romance!
As someone who only reads non-human romance, I don't often encounter books, never mind series, that I want to acquire and display on my shelves. I have loved the Hunting Ground series so far, but this was the book that made me want to buy physical copies.
I related to the FMC so dang much- diagnosed AuDHD, CPTSD, half white/half bipoc, and a family that despised me for those things. Personal feelings aside, this book was quite possibly the most creative in the series. A truly non-binary alien partner who doesnt have genitalia?! Ive yet to encounter that. Im also a huge fan of the lack of humanoid features on that character. I'd highly reccomend this series, and this book in particular. Excited for the writers' next book!
As someone who only reads non-human romance, I don't often encounter books, never mind series, that I want to acquire and display on my shelves. I have loved the Hunting Ground series so far, but this was the book that made me want to buy physical copies.
I related to the FMC so dang much- diagnosed AuDHD, CPTSD, half white/half bipoc, and a family that despised me for those things. Personal feelings aside, this book was quite possibly the most creative in the series. A truly non-binary alien partner who doesnt have genitalia?! Ive yet to encounter that. Im also a huge fan of the lack of humanoid features on that character. I'd highly reccomend this series, and this book in particular. Excited for the writers' next book!
May 2, 2025
The only book so far in the series that I will not recommend
I cannot follow the train of thought for the FMC at all, I spend entire chapters puzzling out what the heck is going on. It's absolutely unreadable. I gave up about five chapters in. I'm pretty sure it's meant to reflect the thought process of certain types of neurodivergent people, but it is unreadable for neurotypical folks. However, if this is how neurodivergent people experience neurotypical thought processes, it's an interesting insight as to why they struggle.
I cannot follow the train of thought for the FMC at all, I spend entire chapters puzzling out what the heck is going on. It's absolutely unreadable. I gave up about five chapters in. I'm pretty sure it's meant to reflect the thought process of certain types of neurodivergent people, but it is unreadable for neurotypical folks. However, if this is how neurodivergent people experience neurotypical thought processes, it's an interesting insight as to why they struggle.
May 5, 2025
Not bad at all but not my fav of the series. I was hoping for more I guess. It felt like I was pushing myself to read it a few times.
Also, it looks like the author did their research into Māori culture to a degree (which is great!) and I’m not sure where they’re from but there’s such a stereotype about Māori women and their “tempers” that I think New Zealanders would probably be put off and/or offended. She’s an interesting character and I did enjoy her. Just feels a little tone deaf culturally.
Also, it looks like the author did their research into Māori culture to a degree (which is great!) and I’m not sure where they’re from but there’s such a stereotype about Māori women and their “tempers” that I think New Zealanders would probably be put off and/or offended. She’s an interesting character and I did enjoy her. Just feels a little tone deaf culturally.
May 26, 2025
Ho apprezzato molto anche questo volume della saga. Meno degli altri? Si.
All’inizio sembrava che stessi riuscendo a empatizzare con la protagonista meglio di tutti gli altri personaggi. Ma in realtà a quanto pare no ☹️
Mi è piaciuta molto la storia di Olivia e Kroaicho ma onestamente non credo mi sia entrata totalmente nel cuore, e non l’ho trovata indimenticabile.
Nonostante questo mi ha intrattenuta moltissimo e i personaggi mi piacciono molto.
Ma niente batte il terzo libro 🫣
All’inizio sembrava che stessi riuscendo a empatizzare con la protagonista meglio di tutti gli altri personaggi. Ma in realtà a quanto pare no ☹️
Mi è piaciuta molto la storia di Olivia e Kroaicho ma onestamente non credo mi sia entrata totalmente nel cuore, e non l’ho trovata indimenticabile.
Nonostante questo mi ha intrattenuta moltissimo e i personaggi mi piacciono molto.
Ma niente batte il terzo libro 🫣
April 30, 2025
My new favorite of the series! Kroaicho was sweet and amazingly clueless and Liv was a really interesting, well-portrayed autistic character. I loved the dynamic between them and how it slowly changed. As usual, the book is the slowest of slow burns as both characters have to grow to even be able to have a relationship.
May 2, 2025
I want to start by saying I love this series. They are well written and very different from other alien romance but this one is not my favorite and I honestly had a hard time finishing. I thought the fmc was extremely well done. I enjoyed her the most. It's the mmc that I'm not fond of and do not like the writing of. I wish I could love this but I just don't.
January 23, 2026
Ok
I awaited this story with such anticipation but admit that I am disappointed. I realize the author tried to show how she thinks but it made for very difficult reading and understanding. The use of a non gender specific pronoun also made it difficult to know who was being spoken about. All in all this was not an enjoyable read and left me unsatisfied and frustrated.
I awaited this story with such anticipation but admit that I am disappointed. I realize the author tried to show how she thinks but it made for very difficult reading and understanding. The use of a non gender specific pronoun also made it difficult to know who was being spoken about. All in all this was not an enjoyable read and left me unsatisfied and frustrated.
April 26, 2025
Easily my favorite in the series! It just keeps getting better! I genuinely could not put it down. It’s not just words on a page it’s scripture! And I feel it written on my heart. These two characters show us an amazing relationship full of hurt/healing and growth.
May 15, 2025
Loved this one! Definitely my favourite so far of this series. VERY alien alien and the struggle with mental illness was quite relatable. I really liked the way the relationship built between the two without the instant attraction that happened in most of the other books.
April 26, 2025
I had a little trouble relating to the fmc. For me, it was hard to see a relationship with the mmc. But if you like monsters and caves. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews