Three decades ago a race of humanoid aliens landed on Earth. Humans were inferior, weaker, and no match for the stronger, warrior-bred beings known only as Rogues.
Now the Rogues rule Earth.
Greta is a human and in hiding. When she and the other humans are found, she fears she will be used for labor, or as breeding stock.
Tolcan is enforcer for his kind. When he finds humans his job is to capture them. But he takes an interest in one particular female. Going against what his kind believes, he takes her as his own. Something primal and possessive in him takes over. He wants her as his mate. He won’t stop until he’s claimed her, damn the consequences.
Thirty years ago earth was invaded and conquered by a race of humanoid aliens known as the Rogue. Greta is twenty-one and the only life she's ever known is one of running and hiding from the Rogue, life for her has always been basic and primitive but it's better than the alternative, captured humans are used for labour or in the case of fertile females breeding stock. Tolcan is a Rogue enforcer, one of the highest ranked enforcers, he captures humans and has happily done this for years until he comes across Greta and something changes in him, something about her calls to him, he knows he has to have her but not as a concubine he wants her as a mate, but that's forbidden. I enjoyed this book, I liked the idea behind it and the characters, it ended too soon for me but I usually feel that way about Jenika's books. Since this was a first in series then I'm sure all the gaps will be filled in later, I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Set in a world where humanoid aliens, known as Rogues, have established dominion over Earth, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey as Greta, a human in hiding, encounters Tolcan, an enforcer for the Rogues.
In a society where humans are seen as inferior and subjected to labor or forced breeding, Greta's fear of being discovered is ever-present. When Tolcan, assigned to capturing humans, sets his eyes on Greta, something primal and possessive stirs within him. Going against the beliefs of his kind, he claims her as his own, defying the consequences that may follow.
Snow masterfully builds a world where tension and desire intertwine, drawing readers into the complex relationship between Greta and Tolcan. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, and their connection unfolds in a series of passionate encounters that explore themes of dominance, submission, and desire. While the novel does contain explicit scenes, it also offers a semblance of a plot that adds depth to the story.
What sets the book apart from other erotic novels is its ability to weave together a compelling narrative within the confines of the genre. The author skillfully balances the erotic elements with an engaging storyline, keeping readers intrigued and invested in the fate of the characters. The exploration of power dynamics and the gradual development of an emotional bond between Greta and Tolcan adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond mere erotica.
Although the novel can be crude at times, it manages to maintain a semblance of plot, offering readers an enjoyable and immersive reading experience. Snow's descriptive prose and attention to detail create a vivid and imaginative world, allowing readers to escape into a realm where desire and danger coexist.
I liked it but I would have like it better if this book was a full story or even a part of a series. I would like to follow their battle, how Stellan became who he was, more about Toclan and Greta. This book for me felt like an introduction of something more. Sure I could feel I'm satisfied with this one but it would be satisfied when I feel it could be more. That's the reason why I'm giving a 3 1/2 stars . I liked it but would love more.
Update: 4 stars it's a part of a series yay!!! I'm happy and can't wait
Cuz Jenika Snow's previous books are short but more indeepth, these one was not as good at some points it felt rush but then others were good, Not as good as other books, the Hero is totally smitten with the heroine from the moment he sees/ caputre her, and then all happens and fastly changes and then it changes one moret time and the end its ok cuz we get a HEA and the idea of mabey more books to come
Sadly not as good as past Jenika books. The steamy scenes weren't nearly as good as her past books nor was the story all that interesting. For a novella length book I found myself skimming much of book once I reach around 40% mark.
seri pertama The Rogues karya Jenika Snow ini mengangkat kisah Tolcan, seorang prajurit Rogues dari ras alien yang bertugas mencari dan menemukan para manusia dari tempat persembunyian mereka. Ras manusia yang hampir binasa hanya menyisakan para penyintas yang terus bertahan hidup sambil terus melakukan perlawanan balik kepada para alien yang telah menjajah dan menguasai bumi 3 dekade lamanya. Greta adalah salah satu penyintas yang berhasil bertahan hidup bersembunyi di sebuah gua bersama para manusia lainnya. Ia lahir setelah kedatangan para alien sehingga tidak jelas mengetahui kapan tepatnya kehancuran bumi dimulai.
Para alien menganggap manusia adalah mahluk lemah dengan tingkat teknologi yang masih jauh dibawah teknologi yang dimiliki mahluk alien sehingga dengan mudah dapat ditaklukan. Manusia yang tersisa sebagian berhasil melarikan diri dan bersembunyi sementara yang tertangkap diperlakukan sebagai budak dan pemuas nafsu. Para wanita dijadikan sebagai alat inseminasi percampuran ras antara manusia dan alien. Ini disebabkan populasi alien wanita yang tersisa sangat minim dan satu-satunya cara untuk meneruskan rantai keturunan dengan bereproduksi dengan ras wanita manusia.
Tolcan bersama tim prajuritnya suatu hari berhasil mendeteksi keberadaan manusia dan menangkap mereka. Diantara manusia, Greta lah satu-satunya yang berhasil mencuri perhatian Tolcan sehingga membuat dirinya memutuskan untuk memilikinya. Interaksi antara Tolcan dan Greta bisa dibilang terlalu datar. Tolcan barangkali yang lebih banyak menunjukan hasrat dan emosinya. Sementara Greta terkesan semu. Saya tidak menangkap ketertarikan emosi dan seksual dari dalam dirinya.
Di lain pihak hubungan Tolcan dengan salah satu rekan sesama prajurit Rogues bernama Stellan bisa lebih digali karena hingga akhir buku peran Stellan mendapat porsi sedikit sehingga tidak menangkap bagaimana keterlibatannya dengan kelompok perlawanan Resistance. Ini menarik untuk diketahui apabila author melanjutkan seri kedua dengan fokus cerita pada Stellan. Karena menurut saya kisah Tolcan dan Greta lebih baik diakhiri sampai disini saja.
Cukup 3 bintang yang bisa diberikan untuk seri pertama ini.
Jenika Snow is an expert at turning up the heat in-between the pages and that is exactly what she is done with her newest release. I am typically not a fan of futuristic/syfy genre, however I did enjoy her story. This is a relaxed read as it is meant to be. The book is not designed as a literary piece of work art, its sole purpose is recreational and it is delivered beautifully as such. The reason I gave this book four stars is because I wanted more from the ending then again I always do. But since this will be part of a series of sort or I assume it would be from reading the book I guess it is best it ended the way it did. Because it would give next book a chance to further expound on the Royals and the treatment of humans and etc. (This me theorizing folks I have no idea if that is what will happen.) That being said if you are looking for a book that you can relate to or help you find a deeper meaning of life this is not the book for you. I enjoy Jenika Snow's writing style land she did not disappoint me in this book. If you have a day off and want to just relax with a glass of wine this is a perfect read for that, or a by the beach or the pool side whatever your cup of tea.
We are in a new world created by author Jenika Snow, in this world humans have been reduced to cattle. The rogues have taken over earth and for the last 30 years have hunted any humans hiding from them.
Greta is a 21 year old woman living in hiding in a cave with the only family she’s ever know after her parent’s death. Greta doesn’t know a world other than what she was born into, her life has been full of fear, hunger, and dread.
Tolcan is a rogue’s warrior who falls for Greta at first sight. A need to protect her is all consuming and he will fight to keep her.
This story is the start of a great new series; author Jenika Snow did a great job in creating this world. While the book had some storyline issues for me, I understood what the author wanted to portray to the readers. Tolcan is head over heels in love with Greta and will stop at nothing to make her his mate. Greta is confused she wants to hate her current situation but is intrigued by Tolcan.
I give this book 3 diamonds and I can’t wait to see how the series develops.
I loved this story. It's not perfect, but I think we all want to put our own twist on stories. Here's what I loved about it:
The male was very chivalrous. Reminded me of Ral, in Ral's Woman, but I found Tolcan much more to my liking - more dominant and less...simple.
The female was likable, not conventionally beautiful, and not the the flighty, silly type. Props to the author for not giving us a loser female. That seems to be a common theme in this type literature these days. There's absolutely nothing interesting about trashy, unambitious, stupid women who couldn't make a decision if their life depended on it. So why write about it?
What I wish was different:
A little more internal conflict with Tolcan instead of immediate and all-consuming insta-love. A little more background info, please. Including relevant details about the hybrid children would've been interesting. A sequel would be nice.
All in all, the story was quite good. I will reread it.
What I liked about it; The hero was kind of sweet and was concerned about the heroines happiness and health. The heroine was somewhat pragmatic which I like. The hero's friend/colleague was keeping a good secret. It was a relatively quick read.
What I didn't particularly enjoy; The repetitiveness of some of the information given. The sex scenes, I found them a bit boring, I skipped pages. They even made me cringe a bit at times. The somewhat depressing disaster theme. Now this is my own fault I read the blurb and should have picked up on this, because I don't like disaster movies/stories.
Good read....superior race of "Rogues" take over Earth and enslave humanity. Heroine "Greta" is captured by "T" (Top Enforcer for the Rogues)who has an instant attraction to her and feels drawn to her. Instead of handing her over to be a breeding slave he takes her home and quickly decides he wants her submission to him and to accept a relationship with him. He knows he can't make her his mate as it would sign his and her death warrant, this is forbidden by "The Royals" or ruling class of Rogues. But over time he is slowly fighting the urge to make him his mate by branding her his. Having Greta in his world he starts to question what his people are doing to the humans.....you can see where this is going. A great first book to a series that may be very interesting. I am going to read book 2. Enjoyable read all-n-all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have to start out by saying I do not read sci-fi, aliens aren't my thing. So why did I pick this book up, because it's Jenika Snow and I will read just about anything she writes!
Humans are the lesser species. They are hiding, enslaved, and used for breeding. The rogues have taken over earth and for the last 30 years have hunted any humans hiding from them.
Tolcan is a rogue warrior who falls for Greta at first sight when capturing her camp. His alpha male is a little on the crazy side in my opinion and the sex is a little brutal. It is plain to see he will never let her go.
I am interested to see how this series plays out. How each character will play a role in the resistance during this dark time.
I don’t read many sci-fi type books, cause they’re never really my thing. But as soon as Jenika released the name of the title, I was all over this one! I loved it! It was fantastic. So detailed and descriptive, it sucked me in to the plot. I couldn’t stop reading! Greta was such a fighter, and so amazing! I loved how strong she was. Tolcan was HAWT!! The perfect alpha male! I have to say BRANDED was an accurate title! I look forward to the rest of The Rogues series!!
Didn't think it would end like that or the plot would go the way it went so in a sense, it's a bit different than what I've read as far as sci-fi/romance goes.
It's ..interesting and I am definitely looking forward to see where this series will take me.
I'm not 100% sold on it specifically because it's just out of my comfort zone of what a sci-fi/romance SHOULD be like IMO. Where everything works out and tied in a neat bow. So yeah, I'm looking forward to book 2.
I just wish the books would be longer... :-\ Nothing new, lol.
Greta and Tolcan's story is a great starting point for the new Rogues series!
Greta is a human in hiding with other humans from humanoid Rogues that are taking over Earth. They are to be eradicated and used as breeders and laborers. This is what Tolcan has always done as an Enforcer, until he sees Greta. Greta is going to be his, and his only no matter what the Royals say.
Branded is the beginning of something truly beautiful and the end of a chapter for the only life that Tolcan has known.
It was okay. Average, even below average. Still finding things being repeated a tad too often, explanations of appearances are awkward, the storyline didn't really go anywhere besides starting what was started... And the sex scenes were all a little too.... Been there seen that, reworded from another scene really and filled with dirty talk to the point it didn't feel anywhere near real (or as real as a PNR can be).
I loved this sci-fi story about The Rogues. The series has great potential with how humans and Rogues handle themselves starting with Tolcan and Greta. Even though he is a fierce warrior he shows a softer gentler side to her and will risk anything for her love. The two had great chemistry despite all of their conflicts and of being different races. All in all a good read
I thought the h was expecting WAY too much from the H. It really annoyed me. It's one thing to hope for your race but to put all that expectation on the shoulders of the one that basically rescued you? Show some appreciation geez
Great start to a sci-fi romance series! Lots of steamy scenes and testosterone galore! Just don't expect much depth and character complexity. Great if you're in the mood for an evening of steamy, erotic romance with a rough twist.
2.5 stars. I really wanted to love this but it was just an okay read for me. It had everything I love in a story, I just couldn't connect with the characters.
There is something I not ok with this book: First, hero used drug on heroine, alien drug. It still drug... Second, a lot of repeat dialogue. Third, i need more epilogue. Four, second book pls. What gonna happen next? What about Jayce and Stellan? I want to see them all have a happy ending.