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Zarronian Warriors #1
Valan's Bondmate
She is his enemy. He is her captor. She wants his love. He wants revenge. Taken from her bed in the middle of the night Lia ad-San wakes on a starship bonded to a Zarronian warrior. She tries to adjust to her new life as Valan Eirikson’s bondmate but his pride and anger won’t let him accept her as a beloved bondmate. When he does the unforgivable the mating fever they share will keep them together but only love can make her want him again.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2015
58 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Mardi Maxwell
17 books212 followersMardi Maxwell was born with the gift of gab in a quiet family. Desperate for companionship she developed a rich fantasy life filled with characters from interesting places like outer space, the future, and Texas. This eventually led to an addiction to books. When she grew up and her imaginary friends refused to go away she did what any sensible adult would do. She writes about them.
Mardi writes science fiction romance (Zarronian Warriors series, and Wynter’s Warrior), science fiction combined with time travel (Stone).
She studied English and Creative Writing, and has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. You can keep up with her here, or on Bookbub, Amazon, and her author website.
Mardi writes science fiction romance (Zarronian Warriors series, and Wynter’s Warrior), science fiction combined with time travel (Stone).
She studied English and Creative Writing, and has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. You can keep up with her here, or on Bookbub, Amazon, and her author website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 25, 2015
If you are an avid reader of sci-fi romance, you are familiar with the "Mars Needs Women" trope. Mardi Maxwell is not breaking new territory here, and some of the broader brushstrokes of how her alien males are fated to love one woman are reminiscent of Janet Miller's Gaian series or the Prime Chronicles books by Monette Michaels. However, Maxwell puts her own spin on alien biology and turns out a fun and romantic adventure with a mild heroine and a stubborn, misguided warrior. **UPDATE**: Ms. Maxwell informs me this book languished in an attic box for 20 years before she published it, so I clearly have done her creativity a disservice with comparisons to other authors. I am very glad it was dusted off and shared with SFR readers!
Personally, I like book heroines to have a lot more gumption and a little less compliance than Lia ad-San demonstrated in her situation. She was raised in a male-dominated society that tolerated physical abuse of women. She is determined to escape her fate of being traded by her father to the worst abuser of the bunch, Gorm ad-Jai. Fortuitously, Valan Eirikson seizes her from her home planet and takes her to his ship, where they quickly bond. Compared to some of the captured Wrothian women from Zhang, Lia is relatively complacent about her new status and the mate bonding. After all, she has escaped the devil, and sexy Valan is taking her to a better life. However, it is quickly discovered that Lia is the daughter of the man behind the viral deaths of Zarronian females. Valan didn't like the idea of a Wrothian bondmate to begin with and now wishes only to indulge in the bond enough to curb his mating fever; he will never fully accept Lia in the tradition of Zarronian mates. His disregard for her fuels hatred on Zarronia, and the Council decides she must be punished in her father's stead.
Leading up to this is a lot of push and pull in the relationship between Valan and Lia. Sexually, they are compelled by biology, but mentally they are both fighting the attraction. Valan was a bully and Lia was a wimp, but they both capitulated in bed. Despite my issues with Valan's callousness and Lia's submissiveness, I became invested in the tenderness emerging between them as a couple. When Lia's public punishment finally takes place, Mardi Maxwell had me bawling like a baby over her agony and Valan's torment. And how Maxwell manipulates the crowd reaction is simply inspired.
This all takes place only 40% of the way into the book. The rest of the novel is devoted to some fun sci-fi adventure, bar brawls, jealous tantrums, a little spy intrigue, and a host of interesting secondary characters. Dr. Borg and Father Eirik have become my absolute favorite meddling old men. I began to wonder if Lia's father and the despicable Gorm were going to get their just punishment, but Lia finally gets her chance to shine. The focus throughout, however, remains on the romance - and sex - between Lia and Valan. Valan finally gets past being a huge but handsome turd and Lia quietly asserts herself, so I left this book with a grin on my face, anxious to read more Zarronian warrior adventures.
Personally, I like book heroines to have a lot more gumption and a little less compliance than Lia ad-San demonstrated in her situation. She was raised in a male-dominated society that tolerated physical abuse of women. She is determined to escape her fate of being traded by her father to the worst abuser of the bunch, Gorm ad-Jai. Fortuitously, Valan Eirikson seizes her from her home planet and takes her to his ship, where they quickly bond. Compared to some of the captured Wrothian women from Zhang, Lia is relatively complacent about her new status and the mate bonding. After all, she has escaped the devil, and sexy Valan is taking her to a better life. However, it is quickly discovered that Lia is the daughter of the man behind the viral deaths of Zarronian females. Valan didn't like the idea of a Wrothian bondmate to begin with and now wishes only to indulge in the bond enough to curb his mating fever; he will never fully accept Lia in the tradition of Zarronian mates. His disregard for her fuels hatred on Zarronia, and the Council decides she must be punished in her father's stead.
Leading up to this is a lot of push and pull in the relationship between Valan and Lia. Sexually, they are compelled by biology, but mentally they are both fighting the attraction. Valan was a bully and Lia was a wimp, but they both capitulated in bed. Despite my issues with Valan's callousness and Lia's submissiveness, I became invested in the tenderness emerging between them as a couple. When Lia's public punishment finally takes place, Mardi Maxwell had me bawling like a baby over her agony and Valan's torment. And how Maxwell manipulates the crowd reaction is simply inspired.
This all takes place only 40% of the way into the book. The rest of the novel is devoted to some fun sci-fi adventure, bar brawls, jealous tantrums, a little spy intrigue, and a host of interesting secondary characters. Dr. Borg and Father Eirik have become my absolute favorite meddling old men. I began to wonder if Lia's father and the despicable Gorm were going to get their just punishment, but Lia finally gets her chance to shine. The focus throughout, however, remains on the romance - and sex - between Lia and Valan. Valan finally gets past being a huge but handsome turd and Lia quietly asserts herself, so I left this book with a grin on my face, anxious to read more Zarronian warrior adventures.
August 20, 2018
Review! Valan's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors #1) Mardi Maxwell!
A Warrior with a Grudge… At thirty-one Valan Erikson is a fierce and relentless warrior. He's never lost a battle but he's losing the war with the mating fever raging in his body. He's accepted that his death is imminent until he's told a compatible race of females has been found. When he discovers they're Wrothian he refuses to take one as a mate until the Council threatens to strip him of his warrior status and let him die in dishonor.
A Female Who Wants to Escape Her Fate… Lia ad-San's Wrothian sire has arranged to trade her to, Gorm ad-Jai, a man she despises. Before she can escape she's abducted by a fierce warrior. Unaware that her sire caused the deaths of the Zarronian females, including Valan's mother and twin sister, she reveals her identity and demands to be freed.
A Complication They Didn't Expect… Enraged to be bonded to the daughter of his most hated enemy, Valan treats Lia as a prisoner rather than a beloved bondmate. When the Zarronians learn her identity they demand she be punished for her sire's war crimes. Valan realizes too late that he's endangered his mate's life. The fever they share will keep them together but only love can make them want each other.
Author’s Note: Valan’s Bondmate is an erotic romance that includes explicit sex scenes and mature language. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also, my hero is an anti-hero - meaning he is flawed but has redeeming qualities…for instance, he'd fight to the death for the woman he loves. If you don’t like bad boys, then please don’t buy this book.
Sexy warriors, red-hot passion and thrills abound in this exciting sci-fi fantasy romance. The hero and heroine, Valan and Lia, are two strong, captivating characters that easily draw readers into their story and hold them hostage throughout with their sizzling chemistry and tempestuous sparks flying off the pages as they engage in the battle of the sexes. Valan may have saved Lia from a fate worse than death but to her, he isn’t exactly a hero and their relationship is a continuous battle of wills, tempers, miscommunications and lots of blazing hot and erotic scenes that inflame reader’s passions and sparks spontaneous chuckles as well causing a bit of empathic anger, hope and frustration feelings in the readers.
The plot of fast paced and full of energetic excitement as the Warriors abduct the women from an enemy clan in the hope of saving their race only they get a bit more than they bargained for since they were expecting enemies. The couple along with the other characters from this story continuously keep readers on their toes and glued to the pages with twists and turns that keep them guessing and lots of entertaining clashes of will. The author brought her characters and the world to brilliant life so it is easy for readers to picture the scenes and get to know the characters.
There is explicit and passionate scenes and mature language in the book which may offend some readers and while I wasn’t sure that I was going to like the book because I’m not crazy about the whole abduction and abductee falling for each other thing, I’m delightfully surprised to say that I quite enjoyed the story and the way that the author brought all the elements together which ensured that I want to know more about these sexy warriors and their world.
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/valan-s...
The 1st book in the Zarronian Warriors series
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/series/1572...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
which includes:1 Valan's Bondmate2 Thorn's Bondmate3 Soren's Bondmate4 Ronin's Bondmate
& #5 Rolf's Bondmate (coming soon)
Available in print or ebook at:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Valans-Bondmat...
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/vala...
Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vala...
B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vala...
I've always loved reading and I read just about anything. I love learning and this is one of the perks I love most about writing as I get to do hours and hours of research about just about every subject under the sun. You might meet me in a class at a local university where I'll be auditing a class (no more tests or homework for me lol). Or you might run into me in a little known, out-of-the-way place on one of my road trips while I research a place for my characters to come from, run to, or survive. If you've read my books then you know I like novels with lots of laughs, a few tears, and a happy-ever-after ending.
When I'm not writing I'm having fun with my family and friends, trying new recipes, learning about gardening in containers / small spaces, and plotting my next book.
Website - http://www.mardimaxwell.com/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mardi...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Mardi-Maxwell/...
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/www.twitter.co...
A Warrior with a Grudge… At thirty-one Valan Erikson is a fierce and relentless warrior. He's never lost a battle but he's losing the war with the mating fever raging in his body. He's accepted that his death is imminent until he's told a compatible race of females has been found. When he discovers they're Wrothian he refuses to take one as a mate until the Council threatens to strip him of his warrior status and let him die in dishonor.
A Female Who Wants to Escape Her Fate… Lia ad-San's Wrothian sire has arranged to trade her to, Gorm ad-Jai, a man she despises. Before she can escape she's abducted by a fierce warrior. Unaware that her sire caused the deaths of the Zarronian females, including Valan's mother and twin sister, she reveals her identity and demands to be freed.
A Complication They Didn't Expect… Enraged to be bonded to the daughter of his most hated enemy, Valan treats Lia as a prisoner rather than a beloved bondmate. When the Zarronians learn her identity they demand she be punished for her sire's war crimes. Valan realizes too late that he's endangered his mate's life. The fever they share will keep them together but only love can make them want each other.
Author’s Note: Valan’s Bondmate is an erotic romance that includes explicit sex scenes and mature language. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book. Also, my hero is an anti-hero - meaning he is flawed but has redeeming qualities…for instance, he'd fight to the death for the woman he loves. If you don’t like bad boys, then please don’t buy this book.
Sexy warriors, red-hot passion and thrills abound in this exciting sci-fi fantasy romance. The hero and heroine, Valan and Lia, are two strong, captivating characters that easily draw readers into their story and hold them hostage throughout with their sizzling chemistry and tempestuous sparks flying off the pages as they engage in the battle of the sexes. Valan may have saved Lia from a fate worse than death but to her, he isn’t exactly a hero and their relationship is a continuous battle of wills, tempers, miscommunications and lots of blazing hot and erotic scenes that inflame reader’s passions and sparks spontaneous chuckles as well causing a bit of empathic anger, hope and frustration feelings in the readers.
The plot of fast paced and full of energetic excitement as the Warriors abduct the women from an enemy clan in the hope of saving their race only they get a bit more than they bargained for since they were expecting enemies. The couple along with the other characters from this story continuously keep readers on their toes and glued to the pages with twists and turns that keep them guessing and lots of entertaining clashes of will. The author brought her characters and the world to brilliant life so it is easy for readers to picture the scenes and get to know the characters.
There is explicit and passionate scenes and mature language in the book which may offend some readers and while I wasn’t sure that I was going to like the book because I’m not crazy about the whole abduction and abductee falling for each other thing, I’m delightfully surprised to say that I quite enjoyed the story and the way that the author brought all the elements together which ensured that I want to know more about these sexy warriors and their world.
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/valan-s...
The 1st book in the Zarronian Warriors series
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/series/1572...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
which includes:1 Valan's Bondmate2 Thorn's Bondmate3 Soren's Bondmate4 Ronin's Bondmate
& #5 Rolf's Bondmate (coming soon)
Available in print or ebook at:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Valans-Bondmat...
Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/vala...
Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vala...
B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vala...
I've always loved reading and I read just about anything. I love learning and this is one of the perks I love most about writing as I get to do hours and hours of research about just about every subject under the sun. You might meet me in a class at a local university where I'll be auditing a class (no more tests or homework for me lol). Or you might run into me in a little known, out-of-the-way place on one of my road trips while I research a place for my characters to come from, run to, or survive. If you've read my books then you know I like novels with lots of laughs, a few tears, and a happy-ever-after ending.
When I'm not writing I'm having fun with my family and friends, trying new recipes, learning about gardening in containers / small spaces, and plotting my next book.
Website - http://www.mardimaxwell.com/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mardi...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Mardi-Maxwell/...
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/www.twitter.co...
December 3, 2016
The writing in this Science Fiction Romance is good enough but I never liked the characters, especially the hero, and by the time the world was built out, I didn't care.
So, this one didn't work for me.
So, this one didn't work for me.
June 13, 2015
I was really disappointed in the relationship between the main characters of this book. Basically I wouldn't read this unless you like books where the woman is pretty much a slave to the man and has to do what he says and wants. I prefer books with strong female leads and thought this would be one but every time the character showed any signs of having her own voice or backbone she got punished and wound up asking for forgiveness. I enjoy alpha male leads but only when they are balanced by equally alpha females, this was much more of a constant subjugated relationship where the female was more like his pet than mate.
December 27, 2015
Seriously??
I can say that the hero was abusive jerk snd the heroine was definitely doormat. First of all you get similar "alpha" males in fantasy books, but this was not it. Moreover i could not get from the hero some explanation of his behaviour. All he does is just so confusing that at one point you are wondering what is just happening. The heroine is ok with all that is happening to her. Even at one point feels guilty snd even apologises for her bad behaviour - WTF? Seriously after all this treatment from him I would say it was mockery to her. My opinion is to go find other fantasy book. This idea was good, but from start spiralled into non readable.
I can say that the hero was abusive jerk snd the heroine was definitely doormat. First of all you get similar "alpha" males in fantasy books, but this was not it. Moreover i could not get from the hero some explanation of his behaviour. All he does is just so confusing that at one point you are wondering what is just happening. The heroine is ok with all that is happening to her. Even at one point feels guilty snd even apologises for her bad behaviour - WTF? Seriously after all this treatment from him I would say it was mockery to her. My opinion is to go find other fantasy book. This idea was good, but from start spiralled into non readable.
July 18, 2015
Went To Far
I love a good alpha male. However when you have a beat down partner and choose to hurt and completely humiliate her to the point of almost killing your own unborn children. You go to far
I love a good alpha male. However when you have a beat down partner and choose to hurt and completely humiliate her to the point of almost killing your own unborn children. You go to far
January 17, 2018
Good world-building, well written, almost no typos. Lots of misogyny, though. HEA. No cliffhanger.
I am going to read the next one.
I am going to read the next one.
May 15, 2016
Barely 2 stars. Douchbag & doormat. 5 hours (with skimming) I'll never get back.
Want to read
March 25, 2020🎁 The complete Zarronian Warriors Series 4 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/25/2020)! 🎁
The books are free individually or boxed set.
The books are free individually or boxed set.
June 24, 2015
Overall Rating: 3 Rockin’ ★★★
A dying race of warriors searching the universe for compatible bondmates, I'm not sure what I was expecting when I purchased Valan's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell, but what I read surely wasn't it. This science fiction romance has its own definitions and the beginning paints the picture of the history between the Wrothians and Zarronian warrior races. It’s brutal and unsettling at times, but this allows the reader to understand the storyline. The battle for dominance and survival is prevalent between the two races. When a chemical weapon kills the females of the Zarronian race, it causes them to seek female bondmates for their dying race elsewhere. They find that they must look towards their enemy, the Wrothians, who are genetically capable of carrying their young. This is Valan and Lia's journey and the first book in the series.
Valan is commander of the Invisible and from the royal bloodline. His mother and twin sister were murdered during the war with the Wrothians and his vengeance knows no limits even for his bondmate, Lia. She was stolen from her bed during the raid to serve as Valan's mate. Left with no choice but to obey or face punishment, she learns to survive in the new world thrust upon her.
At times this book seemed one-sided, total male dominance over females, and it was disconcerting, but even as the heroine seemed to have no control over her future she learned a way around the tough and strict rules set before her. Her cunning ability to adapt developed the plot and the rising of a new era to begin.
Valan's Bondmate
Mardi Maxwell
A dying race of warriors searching the universe for compatible bondmates, I'm not sure what I was expecting when I purchased Valan's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell, but what I read surely wasn't it. This science fiction romance has its own definitions and the beginning paints the picture of the history between the Wrothians and Zarronian warrior races. It’s brutal and unsettling at times, but this allows the reader to understand the storyline. The battle for dominance and survival is prevalent between the two races. When a chemical weapon kills the females of the Zarronian race, it causes them to seek female bondmates for their dying race elsewhere. They find that they must look towards their enemy, the Wrothians, who are genetically capable of carrying their young. This is Valan and Lia's journey and the first book in the series.
Valan is commander of the Invisible and from the royal bloodline. His mother and twin sister were murdered during the war with the Wrothians and his vengeance knows no limits even for his bondmate, Lia. She was stolen from her bed during the raid to serve as Valan's mate. Left with no choice but to obey or face punishment, she learns to survive in the new world thrust upon her.
At times this book seemed one-sided, total male dominance over females, and it was disconcerting, but even as the heroine seemed to have no control over her future she learned a way around the tough and strict rules set before her. Her cunning ability to adapt developed the plot and the rising of a new era to begin.
Valan's Bondmate
Mardi Maxwell
August 13, 2015
DNF at 13%. I couldn't connect with the characters despite usually enjoying those who don't fit in the proper mold, so to speak. While I understand the dislike of this female race as they are the product of evil doers to their own planet, they are still just that-- the daughters of the evil doers and completely innocent. It reeked of racial hate to me though I can't really give it that label considering its alien fiction.
What ended up making me put it down was there seemed to be a time discrepancy. Ok, so the bad aliens destroyed the good warrior guys race via virus 16 years ago and supposedly good guys retaliated by killing all the bad men and sending off only women and children in war torn battleships. Those "survivors" found a planet were some took refuge while others parished in damaged ship. Yet, the bad men did actually survive because there seemed to be plenty (enough) around to lead the women and to end up populating the "dark" side of the planet? How did anyone get to the "dark side" of the planet without any technology or supplies and even if they did, how did word of mouth travel such a long distance without communication devices and only 16 years passing? Along with that, these survivors are only telling a completely different version of events. How can the truth be hidden that easily? Word of mouth is always vicious and can never truly be controlled especially after only 16 years. With this perceived discrepancy and lack of caring about characters, I wasn't interested in continuing. This may have all been cleared up somewhere but I just didn't care.
What ended up making me put it down was there seemed to be a time discrepancy. Ok, so the bad aliens destroyed the good warrior guys race via virus 16 years ago and supposedly good guys retaliated by killing all the bad men and sending off only women and children in war torn battleships. Those "survivors" found a planet were some took refuge while others parished in damaged ship. Yet, the bad men did actually survive because there seemed to be plenty (enough) around to lead the women and to end up populating the "dark" side of the planet? How did anyone get to the "dark side" of the planet without any technology or supplies and even if they did, how did word of mouth travel such a long distance without communication devices and only 16 years passing? Along with that, these survivors are only telling a completely different version of events. How can the truth be hidden that easily? Word of mouth is always vicious and can never truly be controlled especially after only 16 years. With this perceived discrepancy and lack of caring about characters, I wasn't interested in continuing. This may have all been cleared up somewhere but I just didn't care.
December 3, 2015
This book was disappointing to the bitter end. I don't know how any sane person can like a hero who is selfish, conceited and a bully. He kept running hot and cold for the heroine for 60% of the book, which was so confusing. The heroine was a doormat when she wasn't spitting mad and violent. After all the emotional, mental and physical abuse the hero puts her through, she fell back into his arms within minutes EVERY TIME! Talk about battered wife syndrome. Personally I found the themes and storyline offensive. Reader beware: this book is not a dark erotic alien romance with disciplining themes between two complex individuals. It is a confusing, distasteful and all round hot mess of a story. One and a half stars.
The second book is about the next generation and sounds more promising but it'll be a while (if ever) before I go near another one of Ms. Maxwells books.
The second book is about the next generation and sounds more promising but it'll be a while (if ever) before I go near another one of Ms. Maxwells books.
August 8, 2015
This is about two alien cultures clashing when they try to find compatible mates. The world building is interesting but it focuses more on relationships instead of science fiction, leaving that part to the scientists and engineers.
A lot of bad happens in this book. So much so that it brought down my enjoyment. This book is heavy on the sex and not all of it is happy. The heroine isn't raped but it happens to others. However she is is physically and emotionally abused. The hero is awful.
The end is happy but it felt weak. There is more telling than showing and it made me relieved when it was over.
Mature content
A lot of bad happens in this book. So much so that it brought down my enjoyment. This book is heavy on the sex and not all of it is happy. The heroine isn't raped but it happens to others. However she is is physically and emotionally abused. The hero is awful.
The end is happy but it felt weak. There is more telling than showing and it made me relieved when it was over.
Mature content
July 30, 2015
I got about 40% through this book and I just couldn't finish it. I just could not connect with the characters and I really couldn't stand the circumstance in which the females were put in just because the men of their race were a bunch of douchebags. I just wanted more from the characters and the story.
June 22, 2015
I promised myself I would actually finish a book today…
…and I am so regretting that right now. This book was borderline torture to read.
…and I am so regretting that right now. This book was borderline torture to read.
May 16, 2020
2.5
Meh… not bad for Science fiction KU; it pushed being too long (almost 400 pages) for the genre… there’s only so many pages of sex I can read… This isn’t the typical… alien loves mate, spanks her until she loves him back book; you’ll have to take a leap, even for SF to enjoy. Valan (and his warriors) will die without bondmates, they have an internal fire that can only be released …you guessed it…by their “release” which can only come:) with their mate. They have Kourtesans (mistresses) that can take the edge off, but it isn’t a cure.
The problem is that the Wrothians killed off most of their females, so the council is searching for a compatible species. Valan isn’t down with this, but his hands are tied, and he ends up with Lia. Unfortunately for Lia, her father is the leader of the W’s that wiped out their females so pretty much everyone, including V hates her.
The couple “share fire” almost immediately, so now they are stuck with each other; they can only go a couple of days w/out sex, so there’s TONS of sexytime. Valan is a prick for much of the first ½ of the book; there is no abuse, but he treats her like a law breaker and not his mate. Lia is a bit doormat-ish; she wants a relationship, and continues to try even when he’s neglecting her. There is a small part with a meddling OW, but there is no cheating.
Overall, it was ok. I skimmed parts, but finished. I think it would have been better if it was trimmed down so there wasn’t such long stretches between action. There’s an epilogue that set things up for the rest of the series. If you’re new to science fiction smut; women are many times not treated equally. In this one Lia’s planet treated women terribly, and there is mention of past abuse/rape (off page)
Meh… not bad for Science fiction KU; it pushed being too long (almost 400 pages) for the genre… there’s only so many pages of sex I can read… This isn’t the typical… alien loves mate, spanks her until she loves him back book; you’ll have to take a leap, even for SF to enjoy. Valan (and his warriors) will die without bondmates, they have an internal fire that can only be released …you guessed it…by their “release” which can only come:) with their mate. They have Kourtesans (mistresses) that can take the edge off, but it isn’t a cure.
The problem is that the Wrothians killed off most of their females, so the council is searching for a compatible species. Valan isn’t down with this, but his hands are tied, and he ends up with Lia. Unfortunately for Lia, her father is the leader of the W’s that wiped out their females so pretty much everyone, including V hates her.
The couple “share fire” almost immediately, so now they are stuck with each other; they can only go a couple of days w/out sex, so there’s TONS of sexytime. Valan is a prick for much of the first ½ of the book; there is no abuse, but he treats her like a law breaker and not his mate. Lia is a bit doormat-ish; she wants a relationship, and continues to try even when he’s neglecting her. There is a small part with a meddling OW, but there is no cheating.
Overall, it was ok. I skimmed parts, but finished. I think it would have been better if it was trimmed down so there wasn’t such long stretches between action. There’s an epilogue that set things up for the rest of the series. If you’re new to science fiction smut; women are many times not treated equally. In this one Lia’s planet treated women terribly, and there is mention of past abuse/rape (off page)
August 21, 2018
Overall, I liked this.However I think a big part of that is because I read reviews instead of relying on the blurb to prepare myself for it. If you’re looking for a “Mars needs women” style book, I don’t think this will work for you, this is much more bodice ripper a la Johanna Lindsey.
The book opens with the H people raiding the h, and kidnapping women. What follows for the first half of the book is your classic BR story, replace aliens with Vikings and you’ll know what to expect.
The H is a cruel, abusive jerk. He never rapes the h( but some of his men rape their own “mates”)but he’s emotionally abusive, The h, for the first half of the book fluctuates between lashing out at the H and trying to please him. She’s often terrified, surrounded by people who hate her, faces threats and sexual abuse at the hands of the H’s men and longs to escape.
I really only had 2 issues with the book... the first, I found the women’s behavior didn’t make a lot of sense. The author goes out of her way to show us that the culture the h comes from doesn’t value women(presumably so we won’t be angry when they get kidnapped). So ok, the h was raised on a planet where women are property, have no autonomy over their bodies, and are taught absolute obidence toward men by use of physical violence. So why are, not only the h but all of the women so brazenly hostile and disobedient toward the men who now have power over them? You’d think growing up in an environment where having an opinion and the slightest mistake can result in severe beatings or even death, would have caused some engrained behaviors.
My next problem was, tonal shift. As I’ve mentioned the first half of the book was very bodice ripper, but the second half was far more in line with “mars needs women”. It was like night and day between the two, and the change was so abrupt, and almost glossed over that I struggled to get back into the rhythm of the book.
On a totally random rant, the H’s people
TLDR/
I liked it, but I like abusive jerks 🤷♀️ Deff read it, but be ready for a weird mash up of classic bodice ripper and mars needs women.
The book opens with the H people raiding the h, and kidnapping women. What follows for the first half of the book is your classic BR story, replace aliens with Vikings and you’ll know what to expect.
The H is a cruel, abusive jerk. He never rapes the h( but some of his men rape their own “mates”)but he’s emotionally abusive, The h, for the first half of the book fluctuates between lashing out at the H and trying to please him. She’s often terrified, surrounded by people who hate her, faces threats and sexual abuse at the hands of the H’s men and longs to escape.
I really only had 2 issues with the book... the first, I found the women’s behavior didn’t make a lot of sense. The author goes out of her way to show us that the culture the h comes from doesn’t value women(presumably so we won’t be angry when they get kidnapped). So ok, the h was raised on a planet where women are property, have no autonomy over their bodies, and are taught absolute obidence toward men by use of physical violence. So why are, not only the h but all of the women so brazenly hostile and disobedient toward the men who now have power over them? You’d think growing up in an environment where having an opinion and the slightest mistake can result in severe beatings or even death, would have caused some engrained behaviors.
My next problem was, tonal shift. As I’ve mentioned the first half of the book was very bodice ripper, but the second half was far more in line with “mars needs women”. It was like night and day between the two, and the change was so abrupt, and almost glossed over that I struggled to get back into the rhythm of the book.
On a totally random rant, the H’s people
TLDR/
I liked it, but I like abusive jerks 🤷♀️ Deff read it, but be ready for a weird mash up of classic bodice ripper and mars needs women.
February 7, 2016
Conflicting Emotions All the Way!
This is the first time reading Mardi Maxwell's work. I read the reviews and couldn't visualize such a vast array of opinions. I was intrigued by the story line and actually bought the book. I went into this book with no preconceived idea of what I would feel while reading it and let the work speak for itself.
The hero is Valen Erickson a man destined to die if he cannot find a bondmate. His people fought in a war against the Wrothians and won...but still lost. The Wrothian's used chemical warfare against Valan's people, killing off all the women. Without their bondmate's the Zarronian's were destined to die. When it is discovered they were compatible with their enemies the Wrothians Valen and his warriors journey to Zhang to steal the women needed for them to bond with.
Lia is the daughter of the man most hated by the Zarronian's. He was the man who created the drug that eliminated the Zarronian's chance of mating. When Valen takes Lia as his bondmate he is unaware who her father is. But Lia is accepting of her life now that she is removed from her home planet, where she was promised to the most hateful man there by her father. Her life was destined to pain and torture at the hands of a sadist who's only joy is abusing the women he collected. Having been raised with the knowledge that her life was not her own, she longed for someone to love only her.
Valen is an abusive man who doesn't show any consideration to Lia's needs. He treats her no better than a servant who's only job is to service him and supply him children. Yet at the same time he washes hot and cold to her. One minute he's almost loving and kind and then he pushes her away making her feel hated by him. The abusive behavior shown by Valen is from his conflicted emotions over desiring someone who should be the enemy. And Lia's acceptance of the treatment seems like she's just a doormat. But in truth it is just what she has been raise with, the abuse began at birth from her father and has just been passed to Valen. She does show a backbone in the story towards the end though and I look forward to reading more from this series as I love the style in which the Author tells her tale.
5 stars for great writing skills. To be able to write a story that can make fifty percent of the readers outraged and still keep the rest enthralled shows me someone with great skills at storytelling.
This is the first time reading Mardi Maxwell's work. I read the reviews and couldn't visualize such a vast array of opinions. I was intrigued by the story line and actually bought the book. I went into this book with no preconceived idea of what I would feel while reading it and let the work speak for itself.
The hero is Valen Erickson a man destined to die if he cannot find a bondmate. His people fought in a war against the Wrothians and won...but still lost. The Wrothian's used chemical warfare against Valan's people, killing off all the women. Without their bondmate's the Zarronian's were destined to die. When it is discovered they were compatible with their enemies the Wrothians Valen and his warriors journey to Zhang to steal the women needed for them to bond with.
Lia is the daughter of the man most hated by the Zarronian's. He was the man who created the drug that eliminated the Zarronian's chance of mating. When Valen takes Lia as his bondmate he is unaware who her father is. But Lia is accepting of her life now that she is removed from her home planet, where she was promised to the most hateful man there by her father. Her life was destined to pain and torture at the hands of a sadist who's only joy is abusing the women he collected. Having been raised with the knowledge that her life was not her own, she longed for someone to love only her.
Valen is an abusive man who doesn't show any consideration to Lia's needs. He treats her no better than a servant who's only job is to service him and supply him children. Yet at the same time he washes hot and cold to her. One minute he's almost loving and kind and then he pushes her away making her feel hated by him. The abusive behavior shown by Valen is from his conflicted emotions over desiring someone who should be the enemy. And Lia's acceptance of the treatment seems like she's just a doormat. But in truth it is just what she has been raise with, the abuse began at birth from her father and has just been passed to Valen. She does show a backbone in the story towards the end though and I look forward to reading more from this series as I love the style in which the Author tells her tale.
5 stars for great writing skills. To be able to write a story that can make fifty percent of the readers outraged and still keep the rest enthralled shows me someone with great skills at storytelling.
March 3, 2016
Now I know that Lia was raised in a society that had little regard for women but at the start she had enough spunk to want something different. She was planning on running away from the man her father, basically, sold her to because he wanted to physically hurt her. Once she was stolen by Valan, the 'hero', she seemed to think anything he did was fine because he didn't take a whip to her. Parade her around on a leash/choke chain, cool. Lock her in the house & order her not to speak to anyone, great. Horribly punish her for something that actually he was responsible for, not tell she was going to be punished, explain why, or apologize for it, it's all good. Hey, once she was fully healed he allowed her out of the house and bought her 10 silk gowns & a perfume made just for her! *squee*
On to Valan. Nasty, bullying, "master", Valan. He spent 95% of the book treating her like crap, 3% being surprised & protective because everyone else was treating her like crap & 2% being only 1/2 as jerky. But he went back & forth, starting to treat her like a mate to full on asshat mode. Wishy washy and honestly his 'good' side was NOT worth the bad.
On to Valan. Nasty, bullying, "master", Valan. He spent 95% of the book treating her like crap, 3% being surprised & protective because everyone else was treating her like crap & 2% being only 1/2 as jerky. But he went back & forth, starting to treat her like a mate to full on asshat mode. Wishy washy and honestly his 'good' side was NOT worth the bad.
July 22, 2016
oh my this was one complicated book - now he loves her now he doesn't wtf !?!
September 17, 2018
A little too rapey for me.
July 14, 2015
This was an awesome read. Just how I like them!
I definitely going to read the second book!!
I definitely going to read the second book!!
September 11, 2024
STUBBORN MALES BE THE DEATH OF ME. I don't mind an overbearing, arrogant male lead, in fact, I'm thrilled about the big, bad alpha. What rubbed me the wrong way, and left me quite unsatisfied was not only did VALAN treated his bondmate/captive, LIA poorly, their entire relationship was based on her being submissive and obedient towards him, while he disregards most of her wants and wishes. I LOVE CAPTIVE romances, I love when it hurts so bad it's good, heck, I don't even mind submission but here...there was ZERO TACT.
If I were Lia with the option to choose, I would have dumbed Valan's ass a long time ago.
There was no form of respect, understanding or consideration. I hated how Valan was prejudiced against Lia for being the enemy's daughter, thus treating her poorly despite lusting after her, and then "abusing" her in front of his people and never once explaining his actions to her, even if the ONE time he wanted to protect her, he still failed miserably at it.
Everything that happened to Lia WAS BECAUSE OF HIM. He wasn't too loveable either, mind you, except for his hot bod.
If I had to label this, I'd call their relationship toxic. He kept hurting her, and the only time they laid their verbal weapons down was during sex. The smut scenes were terrific, but the emotional aspect was thrash. Lia wasn't all too great herself, she kept fluctuating between emotions - a doormat who failed even in her attempts to rebel. Not the wisest heroine ever.
It's not easy to write a story whereby the male lead's an ass, but still be able to redeem himself in the heroine's and reader's eyes, so I'll cut the author some slack.
THE VERDICT? Guess this one didn't make it. That being said, I'm not put off to try other books in the series. Hopefully there's one that will redeem this author's writing in my eyes.
If I were Lia with the option to choose, I would have dumbed Valan's ass a long time ago.
There was no form of respect, understanding or consideration. I hated how Valan was prejudiced against Lia for being the enemy's daughter, thus treating her poorly despite lusting after her, and then "abusing" her in front of his people and never once explaining his actions to her, even if the ONE time he wanted to protect her, he still failed miserably at it.
Everything that happened to Lia WAS BECAUSE OF HIM. He wasn't too loveable either, mind you, except for his hot bod.
If I had to label this, I'd call their relationship toxic. He kept hurting her, and the only time they laid their verbal weapons down was during sex. The smut scenes were terrific, but the emotional aspect was thrash. Lia wasn't all too great herself, she kept fluctuating between emotions - a doormat who failed even in her attempts to rebel. Not the wisest heroine ever.
It's not easy to write a story whereby the male lead's an ass, but still be able to redeem himself in the heroine's and reader's eyes, so I'll cut the author some slack.
THE VERDICT? Guess this one didn't make it. That being said, I'm not put off to try other books in the series. Hopefully there's one that will redeem this author's writing in my eyes.
May 19, 2018
Valen and Lia
An excellent start to a series by Mardi Maxwell. Valen is in need of a bondmate to share his mating fever . When he finds his bondmate in Lia, a member of his people 's enemies, he has to reevaluate his entire life. The warrior, Valen has to come to terms with his emotions, his feelings, and how he views life. Lia also has life decisions to make as she is trusted into a new life, new home, new planet, and adjust to a bondmate. Very interesting story with complex situations and characters. The plot is also good. The reader will enjoy this story.
An excellent start to a series by Mardi Maxwell. Valen is in need of a bondmate to share his mating fever . When he finds his bondmate in Lia, a member of his people 's enemies, he has to reevaluate his entire life. The warrior, Valen has to come to terms with his emotions, his feelings, and how he views life. Lia also has life decisions to make as she is trusted into a new life, new home, new planet, and adjust to a bondmate. Very interesting story with complex situations and characters. The plot is also good. The reader will enjoy this story.
January 4, 2018
I received a copy of this for free through Goodreads First Reads
The story itself is really good. I however didn't like either of the main characters at all. Valan is a terrible hero, and isn't a hero at all. He was very frustrating and took me out of the story alot of the time. Overall though I think if the author describes more of why the Zarronians are the way that they are, the series could be much more enjoyable.
The story itself is really good. I however didn't like either of the main characters at all. Valan is a terrible hero, and isn't a hero at all. He was very frustrating and took me out of the story alot of the time. Overall though I think if the author describes more of why the Zarronians are the way that they are, the series could be much more enjoyable.
May 6, 2017
Very detailed, alien sci-fi. H is warrior, his people devastated by war, now all their females or bond mates are dead. The H is drawn to h, but she his enemy. She is little more than a slave, but is raised to look after men. H treats her badly, and gossip forces him to punish her for his treatment. She still loves him madly, mating fever forces lots of steamy scenes. The detailed story was a little tedious.
May 16, 2019
Love those warriors
I love those warriors but I love those woman that bring them to their knees more. I think this story is well written, characters played out well and story line is very unique. Well done Miss Maxwell.
I love those warriors but I love those woman that bring them to their knees more. I think this story is well written, characters played out well and story line is very unique. Well done Miss Maxwell.
December 16, 2019
Very interesting
I was surprised by the two main characters both being aliens. The females didn’t have any special features. They were very human like. I wish the author had gone all the way and given them some distinguishing characteristics. Still a good read.
I was surprised by the two main characters both being aliens. The females didn’t have any special features. They were very human like. I wish the author had gone all the way and given them some distinguishing characteristics. Still a good read.
Read
July 23, 2020Started off poorly then changed at the end.
Spoiler alert, it started off alpha alien ' do as I tell you' and then as the characters developed a good change happen. I would like to see where the story goes in the upcoming book.
Spoiler alert, it started off alpha alien ' do as I tell you' and then as the characters developed a good change happen. I would like to see where the story goes in the upcoming book.
July 12, 2017
Can't finish.......pretty bad.
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