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Thread and Stone
Enslaved on an alien planet, Amara chooses vengeance over submission, but can she convince the alien king she saved to help her tear down the system that put her there in the first place?
AMARA:
It’s been a year since I woke up in the bowels of this ruthless alien coliseum. A year since I’ve seen the sunrise or felt anything but jagged stone beneath my feet. A year spent patching wounds and setting bones for sedated gladiators I’ll never speak to.
I tried to escape. It didn’t work. So I’ve shifted my focus to revenge—to killing the Magistrate who’s responsible for the slave ships and my current imprisonment.
But my plan isn’t going the way I thought it would, and now I’m locked in a cell with a very large, very not-sedated gladiator. Don’t get me wrong, he’s surprisingly good company, but after learning who he really is, I’m not sure if trusting him will help my plan or end in disaster.
VEXAR:
I came to the coliseum to complete a rite of passage and claim my throne. But the greed of those around me knows no bounds, and the Magistrate has no intention of letting me leave this place alive.
However, his plan has already failed. I am alive. My honor endures. And the Goddess of War has sent me a queen whose fire and rage shake the very ground beneath my feet.
Amara has not only saved my life, she has awakened the ancient miracle of my people and unleashed a mating bond that has not been seen for generations. Her heart beats in my chest. Her emotions flood my mind. We are bound by fate. Tethered together by something as ancient as the stone around us. She is the Queen I have waited for, and with her by my side, we can restore hope to my people.
I just pray she will accept our bond. If she does not, I fear we may not survive this place.
Thread and Stone is a fated mates, forced proximity, dual POV, sci-fi romance filled with rebellion, revenge, and an impossible bond that changes everything.
AMARA:
It’s been a year since I woke up in the bowels of this ruthless alien coliseum. A year since I’ve seen the sunrise or felt anything but jagged stone beneath my feet. A year spent patching wounds and setting bones for sedated gladiators I’ll never speak to.
I tried to escape. It didn’t work. So I’ve shifted my focus to revenge—to killing the Magistrate who’s responsible for the slave ships and my current imprisonment.
But my plan isn’t going the way I thought it would, and now I’m locked in a cell with a very large, very not-sedated gladiator. Don’t get me wrong, he’s surprisingly good company, but after learning who he really is, I’m not sure if trusting him will help my plan or end in disaster.
VEXAR:
I came to the coliseum to complete a rite of passage and claim my throne. But the greed of those around me knows no bounds, and the Magistrate has no intention of letting me leave this place alive.
However, his plan has already failed. I am alive. My honor endures. And the Goddess of War has sent me a queen whose fire and rage shake the very ground beneath my feet.
Amara has not only saved my life, she has awakened the ancient miracle of my people and unleashed a mating bond that has not been seen for generations. Her heart beats in my chest. Her emotions flood my mind. We are bound by fate. Tethered together by something as ancient as the stone around us. She is the Queen I have waited for, and with her by my side, we can restore hope to my people.
I just pray she will accept our bond. If she does not, I fear we may not survive this place.
Thread and Stone is a fated mates, forced proximity, dual POV, sci-fi romance filled with rebellion, revenge, and an impossible bond that changes everything.
- GenresRomanceScience Fiction
356 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2025
7 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 19, 2025
Great first book debut. I took a gamble on reading this as I came across it randomly and there are not very many reviews, however I have read most of the genre and am desperate to find new authors so have been trawling through unknown/new authors trying to find the hidden gems and this was a score.
The FMC is a slave, who is working as a nurse in a gladiator ring, kidnapped from earth for her medical skills. No sexual slavery in this one which was a nice break. This woman is fierce, an ex military with combat and medic experience, she is resilient, cynical but also kind. She is also battling flashbacks and severe PTSD.
On the other hand the MMC is a prince who is about to become king, but traditionally needs to fight in the gladiator ring first. He is a fierce fighter and an honourable man/alien but his naivety to the political machinations going on around him and the reality of his empire is about to end his life. He is a bit of a cinnamon roll, rather sweet.
As part of the plots against him he encounters the FMC and we get some nice fated mate trope action here. The characters do counter balance each other well, he definitely needs her cynicism. Unlike most of these sorts of books it’s the MMC who has the big character development arc. Not that the FMC is perfect, she is not, she is a bit of a hot head at times.
Quite spicy. It’s clearly part of a longer series with the same couple but there’s no cliff hanger and the book ends at a logical point for this adventure to end and the next to begin.
Definitely worth checking out and supporting a new author. On kindle unlimited.
The FMC is a slave, who is working as a nurse in a gladiator ring, kidnapped from earth for her medical skills. No sexual slavery in this one which was a nice break. This woman is fierce, an ex military with combat and medic experience, she is resilient, cynical but also kind. She is also battling flashbacks and severe PTSD.
On the other hand the MMC is a prince who is about to become king, but traditionally needs to fight in the gladiator ring first. He is a fierce fighter and an honourable man/alien but his naivety to the political machinations going on around him and the reality of his empire is about to end his life. He is a bit of a cinnamon roll, rather sweet.
As part of the plots against him he encounters the FMC and we get some nice fated mate trope action here. The characters do counter balance each other well, he definitely needs her cynicism. Unlike most of these sorts of books it’s the MMC who has the big character development arc. Not that the FMC is perfect, she is not, she is a bit of a hot head at times.
Quite spicy. It’s clearly part of a longer series with the same couple but there’s no cliff hanger and the book ends at a logical point for this adventure to end and the next to begin.
Definitely worth checking out and supporting a new author. On kindle unlimited.
November 27, 2025
Ik vond het verhaal sterk beginnen. Soms is het lastig om meteen in de wereld van een nieuw verhaal te duiken, maar bij dit boek zat ik er verrassend snel in.
Daarna zakte het voor mij helaas wat in. De personages bleven wel erg lang in dezelfde situatie hangen, waardoor het verhaal voor mijn gevoel stilstond. Ik dacht op een gegeven moment dat ze nooit meer uit die cel zouden komen. Vervolgens voelde het geheel juist wat gehaast en miste ik de diepgang in het verhaal en de personages waar ik op had gehoopt.
Daarna zakte het voor mij helaas wat in. De personages bleven wel erg lang in dezelfde situatie hangen, waardoor het verhaal voor mijn gevoel stilstond. Ik dacht op een gegeven moment dat ze nooit meer uit die cel zouden komen. Vervolgens voelde het geheel juist wat gehaast en miste ik de diepgang in het verhaal en de personages waar ik op had gehoopt.
December 23, 2025
I really really wanted to like this book. I like gladiators, I like sci-fi, I like romance, I like abduction plots and military maneuvering and political intrigue. I even like the fated mate trope in many books, and I think it's often used well as an allegory for building trust.
I didn't like this book. I returned it to KU at ~73%, but I began skimming through long before then.
The book summary sells this as a plot full of intrigue and trust issues with an unexpected fated romance at the core of it, but what the plot boils down to is two people sit in a room for one night, which is also half the book, decide they're in love, and do a lot of dumb shit. If plot holes bother you, this is not the book for you.
The FMC is apparently a former Navy combat medic who was tortured and then sold as a slave to be a nurse at the alien colosseum. She suffers debilitating panic attacks, is pretty much scared of everything, frequently passes out (until she doesn't anymore and this is never addressed again). She gets locked in a room with a gladiator who is not drugged like literally every single gladiator is, but she's not scared? Okay, sure. That's the fated mates thing kicking in. Suspension of disbelief, I get it. But then when the MMC tells her about the fated mates thing she literally has the thought that the MMC could be lying to her, and then just decides that he's not and she's gonna spend the rest of her life tied to him, which is totally fine because they're both slaves so he's definitely not trying to own her or anything. Then she finds out he's not another slave, he's royalty--and she doesn't rethink a thing. All of this is in the one room, over the course of a few hours.
Also our combat medic somehow understands complex high-level political intrigue better than, again, a literal future king. Does he think anyone is working against him? No, surely not, it's definitely just isolated to this one guy who happens to run this place that is central to the culture and present belief system of his people. FMC perfectly describes his mother having a creepy visit with our primary antagonist, but no the MMC knows she must be mistaken. Why? Because I guess our FMC is just not smart or honorable enough for MMC to believe her, but boy does she have great tits!
MMC can't even get away with being a Thor himbo, because he somehow understands all the complexities of how to manipulate people. We as readers know this because the FMC literally tells us that he knows all the complexities of how to manipulate people, and she learns all of this off page (still in the same room though!) and executes these tactics perfectly, with no suspicion from our comically stupid antagonist until she for some fucking reason decides to go against the plan she and MMC made and attempts to stab him. Why? Because. So maybe MMC has a point when he doesn't believe her. Also apparently part of the plan is him getting her slave contract shifted over to him, so that HE can own her instead. Does any conflict arise from this? Nope.
Honestly, I really don't believe in giving one star when it's clear that someone actually sat down and wrote out a whole novel and they didn't just use a generator or copy someone else but I genuinely cannot recommend this book.
I didn't like this book. I returned it to KU at ~73%, but I began skimming through long before then.
The book summary sells this as a plot full of intrigue and trust issues with an unexpected fated romance at the core of it, but what the plot boils down to is two people sit in a room for one night, which is also half the book, decide they're in love, and do a lot of dumb shit. If plot holes bother you, this is not the book for you.
The FMC is apparently a former Navy combat medic who was tortured and then sold as a slave to be a nurse at the alien colosseum. She suffers debilitating panic attacks, is pretty much scared of everything, frequently passes out (until she doesn't anymore and this is never addressed again). She gets locked in a room with a gladiator who is not drugged like literally every single gladiator is, but she's not scared? Okay, sure. That's the fated mates thing kicking in. Suspension of disbelief, I get it. But then when the MMC tells her about the fated mates thing she literally has the thought that the MMC could be lying to her, and then just decides that he's not and she's gonna spend the rest of her life tied to him, which is totally fine because they're both slaves so he's definitely not trying to own her or anything. Then she finds out he's not another slave, he's royalty--and she doesn't rethink a thing. All of this is in the one room, over the course of a few hours.
Also our combat medic somehow understands complex high-level political intrigue better than, again, a literal future king. Does he think anyone is working against him? No, surely not, it's definitely just isolated to this one guy who happens to run this place that is central to the culture and present belief system of his people. FMC perfectly describes his mother having a creepy visit with our primary antagonist, but no the MMC knows she must be mistaken. Why? Because I guess our FMC is just not smart or honorable enough for MMC to believe her, but boy does she have great tits!
MMC can't even get away with being a Thor himbo, because he somehow understands all the complexities of how to manipulate people. We as readers know this because the FMC literally tells us that he knows all the complexities of how to manipulate people, and she learns all of this off page (still in the same room though!) and executes these tactics perfectly, with no suspicion from our comically stupid antagonist until she for some fucking reason decides to go against the plan she and MMC made and attempts to stab him. Why? Because. So maybe MMC has a point when he doesn't believe her. Also apparently part of the plan is him getting her slave contract shifted over to him, so that HE can own her instead. Does any conflict arise from this? Nope.
Honestly, I really don't believe in giving one star when it's clear that someone actually sat down and wrote out a whole novel and they didn't just use a generator or copy someone else but I genuinely cannot recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
romantasy with sci fi flavoring
Sold to me as a science fiction gladiator adventure with hard sci-fi of Project Hail Mary and action like Red Rising, with a little smutty romance.
It’s actually a spicy Sci Fi Romantasy with a contemporary FMC and a science fantasy setting. The hardest “science” is the medical knowledge, which was noted and appreciated.
The actual technical craft of writing is good. I didn’t have any issue reading or understanding what was going on, minimal spelling or grammar issues, and the formatting is nicely done with POV chapters clearly marked.
There are some deep cut references to the military - “Semper Gumby” came outta nowhere and got a solid laugh out of me. Love it when Indie is this level of competent in that. No major critiques, editing would only make it better, but it’s not strictly needed.
However the content is… it’s very trope and fan servicey. I’ll put it that way. The romance takes over the story and unbalances in it terms of a sci fi adventure. Once the sexy times are over, there is some good “60s/70s style pulp sci fi with gladiators and a conspiracy with royalty. And of course the “bond” is what saves them. The conspiracy is not the focus of the writing, and all we get in terms of that plot is a quick mention of a coup, and a brother of the MC willing to help.
Trope heavy:
- Only one bed
- Forced proximity
- Healer/warrior (though Amara does have personality, she’s not insufferable)
- Touch her and die
- Fated mates
- Shared feelings/emotions
- Gentle giant, sassy smaller
- focus on her pleasure
FMC and MC want to jump each others bones pretty quick, and that tension keeps building. There’s a sci-fi “bonding” reason to it but it reads more like just a handwaved fated mates. In the space of 1 night, they basically become soul mates, and there is an attempt at some conflict between them through communication and honesty, it never feels like they truly have anything between them despite the massive difference in society/tech/etc. treat it like a romantasy and its fine.
We stay with them for a long time on that first night. (Like half the book, we don’t leave them until 219 pages in)
FMC’s internal thoughts and banter are pretty good when it’s not focused on the smut. There’s a very tongue in cheek feeling to this whole story. Her backstory is pretty good too.
MC is kinda bland, stoic warrior archetype, It does have that “I DO NOT USE CONTRACTIONS AND THUS I AM AN ALIEN” thing but it’s not aggressively so.
In terms of hard sci fi there are moments that are well thought out, but outweighed by plenty of “handwave” moments in service to the story. So I’d say the comparison to Hail Mary is more in tone than actual Sci-fi.
Honestly I’m disappointed as given it was marketed as sci fi, action, and smut, I wanted more of the first two. It’s not that there isn’t decent action and sci fi, but unlike the romance, it comes and goes very quickly.
But the book is fine. Pick it up if you want a weekend romantasy that trades in that golden retriever fae for an alien. Though I will say I wish he were more alien. As described he’s basically a horned Engineer from Prometheus. Could have been way wilder.
Sold to me as a science fiction gladiator adventure with hard sci-fi of Project Hail Mary and action like Red Rising, with a little smutty romance.
It’s actually a spicy Sci Fi Romantasy with a contemporary FMC and a science fantasy setting. The hardest “science” is the medical knowledge, which was noted and appreciated.
The actual technical craft of writing is good. I didn’t have any issue reading or understanding what was going on, minimal spelling or grammar issues, and the formatting is nicely done with POV chapters clearly marked.
There are some deep cut references to the military - “Semper Gumby” came outta nowhere and got a solid laugh out of me. Love it when Indie is this level of competent in that. No major critiques, editing would only make it better, but it’s not strictly needed.
However the content is… it’s very trope and fan servicey. I’ll put it that way. The romance takes over the story and unbalances in it terms of a sci fi adventure. Once the sexy times are over, there is some good “60s/70s style pulp sci fi with gladiators and a conspiracy with royalty. And of course the “bond” is what saves them. The conspiracy is not the focus of the writing, and all we get in terms of that plot is a quick mention of a coup, and a brother of the MC willing to help.
Trope heavy:
- Only one bed
- Forced proximity
- Healer/warrior (though Amara does have personality, she’s not insufferable)
- Touch her and die
- Fated mates
- Shared feelings/emotions
- Gentle giant, sassy smaller
- focus on her pleasure
FMC and MC want to jump each others bones pretty quick, and that tension keeps building. There’s a sci-fi “bonding” reason to it but it reads more like just a handwaved fated mates. In the space of 1 night, they basically become soul mates, and there is an attempt at some conflict between them through communication and honesty, it never feels like they truly have anything between them despite the massive difference in society/tech/etc. treat it like a romantasy and its fine.
We stay with them for a long time on that first night. (Like half the book, we don’t leave them until 219 pages in)
FMC’s internal thoughts and banter are pretty good when it’s not focused on the smut. There’s a very tongue in cheek feeling to this whole story. Her backstory is pretty good too.
MC is kinda bland, stoic warrior archetype, It does have that “I DO NOT USE CONTRACTIONS AND THUS I AM AN ALIEN” thing but it’s not aggressively so.
In terms of hard sci fi there are moments that are well thought out, but outweighed by plenty of “handwave” moments in service to the story. So I’d say the comparison to Hail Mary is more in tone than actual Sci-fi.
Honestly I’m disappointed as given it was marketed as sci fi, action, and smut, I wanted more of the first two. It’s not that there isn’t decent action and sci fi, but unlike the romance, it comes and goes very quickly.
But the book is fine. Pick it up if you want a weekend romantasy that trades in that golden retriever fae for an alien. Though I will say I wish he were more alien. As described he’s basically a horned Engineer from Prometheus. Could have been way wilder.
November 10, 2025
Thread and Stone is a thrilling tale of love between two unlikely souls on a distant planet. The chemistry between Vexar and Amara is electrifying. This isn’t your typical romance novel. Maeve Brooks has crafted a vivid description of the planet, the coliseum, and the ancient history of the place where Amara and Vexar are held captive. Every detail, from taste and touch to scent and emotion, is meticulously portrayed, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters.
Amara and Vexar find themselves in an impossible situation, and the outcome doesn’t look promising for either of them. Both are stubborn and determined, refusing to give up. The circumstances that led them to the coliseum are beyond their control, and despite being forced into captivity, they form a bond that transcends thousands of years.
The release of this novel coincides perfectly with the holiday season. If you’re traveling to grandma’s and reading it, be mindful of the person sitting next to you during the more intimate moments. But hey, maybe that’s just my personal preference!
Amara and Vexar find themselves in an impossible situation, and the outcome doesn’t look promising for either of them. Both are stubborn and determined, refusing to give up. The circumstances that led them to the coliseum are beyond their control, and despite being forced into captivity, they form a bond that transcends thousands of years.
The release of this novel coincides perfectly with the holiday season. If you’re traveling to grandma’s and reading it, be mindful of the person sitting next to you during the more intimate moments. But hey, maybe that’s just my personal preference!
November 27, 2025
I would not normally give a romance based book 4 stars. That’s a lot for me and I’m not particularly entertained by romances. Theres nothing wrong with them, I just personally need them to be a sub plot.
I start them all the time, because there’s no other way to tell how much of the plot a romance is going to take up. I’ll usually read a chapter or two. If it’s a pretty good one I’ll read 50% and give it 3.5 stars.
But I accidentally finished this whole book so here we are. It earned its 4 stars. Is it life changing? No. But it’s pretty good entertainment. I can’t really put my finger on why I read the whole thing, but I guess it doesn’t really matter.
I did not love the fact that we spent most of a chapter making a Navy medic look like someone too stupid to understand basic science, but it was mostly limited idiocy. Incredibly unnecessary idiocy, but whatever. It didn’t prop up the plot so I’ll take it.
It doesn’t sound like an enthusiastic endorsement, but this is pretty high praise as far as I’m concerned.
I start them all the time, because there’s no other way to tell how much of the plot a romance is going to take up. I’ll usually read a chapter or two. If it’s a pretty good one I’ll read 50% and give it 3.5 stars.
But I accidentally finished this whole book so here we are. It earned its 4 stars. Is it life changing? No. But it’s pretty good entertainment. I can’t really put my finger on why I read the whole thing, but I guess it doesn’t really matter.
I did not love the fact that we spent most of a chapter making a Navy medic look like someone too stupid to understand basic science, but it was mostly limited idiocy. Incredibly unnecessary idiocy, but whatever. It didn’t prop up the plot so I’ll take it.
It doesn’t sound like an enthusiastic endorsement, but this is pretty high praise as far as I’m concerned.
January 4, 2026
This was okay but I couldn't finish it.
I was intrigued by this idea of being enslaved in this gladiator foreign world and having to adapt and find a way to escape. However, it just didn't play out how I thought...nor, in a way that kept me interested. I feel like majority of the book happens when she enters the MMC cell and it feels like yes, it's a crucial point for them to meet...but literally we stay in that cell for what feels like forever. It was just way to drawn out and too many things happened in what felt like 24hrs in that cell that I was just kind of over it.
I also don't quite understand the world they live in? But I also think it's because this was my first sci-fi with non human entities in it?
I was intrigued by this idea of being enslaved in this gladiator foreign world and having to adapt and find a way to escape. However, it just didn't play out how I thought...nor, in a way that kept me interested. I feel like majority of the book happens when she enters the MMC cell and it feels like yes, it's a crucial point for them to meet...but literally we stay in that cell for what feels like forever. It was just way to drawn out and too many things happened in what felt like 24hrs in that cell that I was just kind of over it.
I also don't quite understand the world they live in? But I also think it's because this was my first sci-fi with non human entities in it?
November 11, 2025
I really enjoyed Thread and Stone by Maeve Brooks. The book is about Amara, a human woman, enslaved on an alien planet to serve as a nurse to alien gladiators. She finds a special bond with an injured alien who slays monsters, not only in the arena, but in her own mind. Together, they face a deeper conspiracy more dangerous than the area itself.
Although the book is a spicy romance, the science fiction elements are not ignored. Maeve Brooks took the time to research the science in her books and stitched together a book that can be enjoyed by romance and science fiction writers alike.
Note: I was given this book by the author
Although the book is a spicy romance, the science fiction elements are not ignored. Maeve Brooks took the time to research the science in her books and stitched together a book that can be enjoyed by romance and science fiction writers alike.
Note: I was given this book by the author
January 20, 2026
Strong beginning, eh middle, and honestly terrible ending. This alien romance was super fast, loaded with unnecessary information about time and space travel and even some politics that just dragged this read on. and the fact the characters had to talk to each other at least twice to get anything across to each other drove me up the wall. not to mention more than 50% of this book takes place in ONE DAY. One whole day of meeting and talking and making out and it's more than half the book. At the end of the day this is just not for me, (see what i did there lol) im growing tired of reading about insta love fated mates where is the passion? the drama, the building of the relationship.
November 7, 2025
The book was amazing! I loved how willing the FMC was to sacrifice her life for her cause. She hated the Magistrate that much. It makes her so real and raw.
One of my absolute FAVORITE things about this book was the character arc of Vexar. In most romance/fantasy books, the FMC is the one who goes on this huge emotional character arc. In this case, the MMC, Vexar, actually does. His entire life plan is shattered because of what he and Amara uncover. His character has so much depth because of that. It is so different and created such a beautiful and powerful relationship between them!
One of my absolute FAVORITE things about this book was the character arc of Vexar. In most romance/fantasy books, the FMC is the one who goes on this huge emotional character arc. In this case, the MMC, Vexar, actually does. His entire life plan is shattered because of what he and Amara uncover. His character has so much depth because of that. It is so different and created such a beautiful and powerful relationship between them!
January 6, 2026
I enjoyed this quite a bit!
Good worldbuilding, interesting MCs and an exciting author to look forward to!
However idk if I will continue on with this series if it is the same MCs from book 1 - I would’ve hoped to have different relationship/MCs as the overall plot continues with even some chapters dedicated to previous MCs a bit like Bec McMaster in her dragon shifter series. I often find in multi book arcs for the same couple that there’s a lot of forced angst and relationship issues just to keep the book moving for the plot. If that doesn’t sound like an issue to you, def try this book! I really enjoyed it and felt like the couple had a solid HFN.
Good worldbuilding, interesting MCs and an exciting author to look forward to!
However idk if I will continue on with this series if it is the same MCs from book 1 - I would’ve hoped to have different relationship/MCs as the overall plot continues with even some chapters dedicated to previous MCs a bit like Bec McMaster in her dragon shifter series. I often find in multi book arcs for the same couple that there’s a lot of forced angst and relationship issues just to keep the book moving for the plot. If that doesn’t sound like an issue to you, def try this book! I really enjoyed it and felt like the couple had a solid HFN.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews