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The Pruxnae #1
The Choosing
Ziri Mokuru has lived her entire life in the rural village of Arden Hollow on the planet Tersi. While her parents are off having adventures and being Very Important People, she’s struggled simply to find a place where she belongs. One night, she investigates a disturbance in her home and discovers an armor-clad man sorting through her belongings. Her first thought is for her parents’ safety, not to question why this man is in her home late at night without even the courtesy of knocking. After all, no one among the trusting Tersii breaks into someone else’s home without a good reason.
Ryn abid Alna has an excellent reason for sneaking into Ziri’s home. After years spent scraping together enough vud for the bride price, he’s finally ready to steal a wife. One look at Ziri’s sweet smile and Ryn decides no other woman will do. She can fix anything she touches, so why not the loneliness he’s lived with since he was enslaved as a young boy?
Though Ziri longs for love, she’s not so sure she’s ready to settle down with the man who kidnapped her, especially after he jumps her into a nest of Sweepers, a sinister alien race bent on mayhem and destruction. As the day draws near when she faces Ryn’s family on the Choosing field, Ziri ponders the hardest decision of her life: Fight for Ryn and the place he’s made for her in his heart or choose another man as a life mate and risk never knowing love.
Ryn abid Alna has an excellent reason for sneaking into Ziri’s home. After years spent scraping together enough vud for the bride price, he’s finally ready to steal a wife. One look at Ziri’s sweet smile and Ryn decides no other woman will do. She can fix anything she touches, so why not the loneliness he’s lived with since he was enslaved as a young boy?
Though Ziri longs for love, she’s not so sure she’s ready to settle down with the man who kidnapped her, especially after he jumps her into a nest of Sweepers, a sinister alien race bent on mayhem and destruction. As the day draws near when she faces Ryn’s family on the Choosing field, Ziri ponders the hardest decision of her life: Fight for Ryn and the place he’s made for her in his heart or choose another man as a life mate and risk never knowing love.
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2015
About the author
Lucy Varna
24 books142 followersLucy Varna is a former professional genealogist and a one-time astrophysicist-wannabe turned anthropology major. She's been a reader for as long as she can remember. As a child, after devouring every suitable book in her house, she moved on to newspapers, encyclopedias, and telephone directories, and finally to her grandmothers' home libraries.
In addition to reading, writing, and studying dead people, Lucy enjoys knitting, music, and long drives through the countryside during autumn. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia, surrounded by a large, extended family, where she also writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Mystery under the name Celia Roman.
In addition to reading, writing, and studying dead people, Lucy enjoys knitting, music, and long drives through the countryside during autumn. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia, surrounded by a large, extended family, where she also writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Mystery under the name Celia Roman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 16, 2015
Sweet, romantic SFR with interesting worldbuilding. Sweet and adoring H paired with a competent h who had a heart. I would have rated it more if the h hadn't left the H hanging for so long hurting him in the process. The book also dragged a bit bcos of lack of communication/misunderstanding between H/h - an oft used tool by authors that doesn't show much creativity.
3.5 stars.
Safe romance.
3.5 stars.
Safe romance.
October 21, 2026
One Reluctant Bride, One Determined Alien
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😉😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
Characters and Plot Summary
Ziri Mokuru has spent her life in Arden Hollow on the planet Tersi, trying to find somewhere she truly belongs. With her parents frequently away on their own adventures, she has learned to make a life for herself, including working in a bookstore, but she still longs for the kind of love and family she has never quite found. Ryn abid Alna has a very different background. Having been enslaved as a child, he has spent years working toward the life he wants, saving enough money to pay the bride price and establish a home of his own.
The problem? The Pruxnae have far fewer women than men, and their custom is to travel to other worlds to claim brides. When Ryn sneaks into Ziri’s home and takes her with him, he is convinced she is the woman he wants. Ziri, understandably, isn’t nearly as enthusiastic about being kidnapped and carried off to an unfamiliar world!
What I liked is that Ryn isn’t the brutal, domineering alien I might have expected from this setup. He tries to give Ziri space, treats her gently, and makes an effort to win her over rather than simply demanding her affection. Their journey isn’t a smooth romantic escape, though. They encounter the dangerous Sweepers, a hostile alien race, and Ziri has to navigate an entirely unfamiliar culture while figuring out what she wants. With the Pruxnae’s Choosing ceremony approaching, she must decide whether to fight for a future with Ryn or consider another man as her life mate.
Highlights and Limitations
My favorite part of this story was the contrast between Ryn’s determination to make Ziri his wife and his surprisingly patient approach to earning her trust. He has worked so hard to build a home and secure a future, yet he understands that Ziri has been taken away from everything familiar. Their early interactions, complicated by the fact that they don’t initially share a language, have some genuinely charming moments. The gestures, awkward attempts at communication, and gradual development of affection made their relationship feel more earned than an instant-love story would have.
I also enjoyed Ziri as a heroine. She isn’t simply swept along by Ryn’s plans. She has her own desires and reservations, and the Choosing gives her a meaningful decision to make, even within a society whose customs she never asked to join. The alien worldbuilding, the Pruxnae’s traditions, and the attacks by the Sweepers give the romance some welcome science-fiction adventure. I especially liked that the story balances domestic details about Ryn’s hoped-for future with genuine danger along the way.
Where I struggled was with the misunderstandings between Ziri and Ryn, particularly once they can communicate more clearly. I could understand Ziri’s uncertainty because Ryn has literally taken her from her home, but there were moments when I wanted both of them to stop guessing what the other was thinking and have an honest conversation. The situation surrounding another man’s interest in Ziri also creates hurt feelings that felt unnecessarily prolonged. I sympathized with Ryn, who has invested so much hope in this relationship, but I didn’t always have the patience for the emotional back-and-forth.
I also wanted a little more explanation of the Pruxnae’s society, especially why their shortage of women has shaped their customs so dramatically. The world is intriguing, but some of its bigger questions remain unanswered.
Narration
Angel Clark and Matthew Josdal make a good pairing for this audiobook. Having two narrators helps distinguish the characters and makes it easier to follow the shifting emotional perspectives. Angel Clark brings out Ziri’s warmth, uncertainty, and determination, while Matthew Josdal suits Ryn’s quieter, more vulnerable side. I particularly appreciated that Ryn’s character doesn’t come across as nothing more than an overconfident alien warrior. His longing for a home and someone to love is an important part of who he is, and the narration supports that softer dimension.
The performances also help carry the scenes where Ziri and Ryn struggle to understand one another. Those early interactions could easily have become tedious, but the narration gives their awkwardness and growing familiarity some personality. Overall, I found the audiobook easy to follow, and the two narrators complement each other well.
Final Thoughts
The Choosing was an enjoyable blend of alien romance, adventure, and a slow-building relationship. Ryn won me over with his patience and his genuine desire to create a loving home, while Ziri kept things interesting by refusing to make his dream come true without wrestling with what she wanted for herself.
I appreciated that Lucy Varna took a familiar bride-kidnapping premise and gave it a more tender romantic center. At the same time, I wish Ziri and Ryn had communicated their feelings more effectively in the latter part of the story. There were moments when I wanted to reach into the audiobook and tell them to talk to each other!
Even with that frustration, I enjoyed watching these two work toward understanding one another. The Choosing ceremony adds an interesting dimension to the romance, and the threat posed by the Sweepers leaves me curious about the wider Pruxnae universe. I would have welcomed a little more time with Ziri and Ryn after their major decisions, but the story still delivers a satisfying combination of romance and science-fiction adventure.
My verdict: A sweet, adventurous alien romance with a patient hero, an independent heroine, and enough danger to keep things moving. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slow-burn relationships, unfamiliar alien cultures, and heroes who want to be loved rather than merely obeyed.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😉😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
Characters and Plot Summary
Ziri Mokuru has spent her life in Arden Hollow on the planet Tersi, trying to find somewhere she truly belongs. With her parents frequently away on their own adventures, she has learned to make a life for herself, including working in a bookstore, but she still longs for the kind of love and family she has never quite found. Ryn abid Alna has a very different background. Having been enslaved as a child, he has spent years working toward the life he wants, saving enough money to pay the bride price and establish a home of his own.
The problem? The Pruxnae have far fewer women than men, and their custom is to travel to other worlds to claim brides. When Ryn sneaks into Ziri’s home and takes her with him, he is convinced she is the woman he wants. Ziri, understandably, isn’t nearly as enthusiastic about being kidnapped and carried off to an unfamiliar world!
What I liked is that Ryn isn’t the brutal, domineering alien I might have expected from this setup. He tries to give Ziri space, treats her gently, and makes an effort to win her over rather than simply demanding her affection. Their journey isn’t a smooth romantic escape, though. They encounter the dangerous Sweepers, a hostile alien race, and Ziri has to navigate an entirely unfamiliar culture while figuring out what she wants. With the Pruxnae’s Choosing ceremony approaching, she must decide whether to fight for a future with Ryn or consider another man as her life mate.
Highlights and Limitations
My favorite part of this story was the contrast between Ryn’s determination to make Ziri his wife and his surprisingly patient approach to earning her trust. He has worked so hard to build a home and secure a future, yet he understands that Ziri has been taken away from everything familiar. Their early interactions, complicated by the fact that they don’t initially share a language, have some genuinely charming moments. The gestures, awkward attempts at communication, and gradual development of affection made their relationship feel more earned than an instant-love story would have.
I also enjoyed Ziri as a heroine. She isn’t simply swept along by Ryn’s plans. She has her own desires and reservations, and the Choosing gives her a meaningful decision to make, even within a society whose customs she never asked to join. The alien worldbuilding, the Pruxnae’s traditions, and the attacks by the Sweepers give the romance some welcome science-fiction adventure. I especially liked that the story balances domestic details about Ryn’s hoped-for future with genuine danger along the way.
Where I struggled was with the misunderstandings between Ziri and Ryn, particularly once they can communicate more clearly. I could understand Ziri’s uncertainty because Ryn has literally taken her from her home, but there were moments when I wanted both of them to stop guessing what the other was thinking and have an honest conversation. The situation surrounding another man’s interest in Ziri also creates hurt feelings that felt unnecessarily prolonged. I sympathized with Ryn, who has invested so much hope in this relationship, but I didn’t always have the patience for the emotional back-and-forth.
I also wanted a little more explanation of the Pruxnae’s society, especially why their shortage of women has shaped their customs so dramatically. The world is intriguing, but some of its bigger questions remain unanswered.
Narration
Angel Clark and Matthew Josdal make a good pairing for this audiobook. Having two narrators helps distinguish the characters and makes it easier to follow the shifting emotional perspectives. Angel Clark brings out Ziri’s warmth, uncertainty, and determination, while Matthew Josdal suits Ryn’s quieter, more vulnerable side. I particularly appreciated that Ryn’s character doesn’t come across as nothing more than an overconfident alien warrior. His longing for a home and someone to love is an important part of who he is, and the narration supports that softer dimension.
The performances also help carry the scenes where Ziri and Ryn struggle to understand one another. Those early interactions could easily have become tedious, but the narration gives their awkwardness and growing familiarity some personality. Overall, I found the audiobook easy to follow, and the two narrators complement each other well.
Final Thoughts
The Choosing was an enjoyable blend of alien romance, adventure, and a slow-building relationship. Ryn won me over with his patience and his genuine desire to create a loving home, while Ziri kept things interesting by refusing to make his dream come true without wrestling with what she wanted for herself.
I appreciated that Lucy Varna took a familiar bride-kidnapping premise and gave it a more tender romantic center. At the same time, I wish Ziri and Ryn had communicated their feelings more effectively in the latter part of the story. There were moments when I wanted to reach into the audiobook and tell them to talk to each other!
Even with that frustration, I enjoyed watching these two work toward understanding one another. The Choosing ceremony adds an interesting dimension to the romance, and the threat posed by the Sweepers leaves me curious about the wider Pruxnae universe. I would have welcomed a little more time with Ziri and Ryn after their major decisions, but the story still delivers a satisfying combination of romance and science-fiction adventure.
My verdict: A sweet, adventurous alien romance with a patient hero, an independent heroine, and enough danger to keep things moving. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slow-burn relationships, unfamiliar alien cultures, and heroes who want to be loved rather than merely obeyed.
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August 9, 2015
Solid 3.75 Stars
This book started out awesome. it was like reading in 3D... But towards the end it kinda lost something for me. I can't really put my finger on it though. I think the intensity of emotion is what it lost the most, & the fact that it was replaced with alot of technical aspects of the story. So it didn't flow as organically for me, later in the book.
Though this was still a good read. I would recommend it. But it started out as a 5 star read & closed with a solid 3.75 star rating.
This book started out awesome. it was like reading in 3D... But towards the end it kinda lost something for me. I can't really put my finger on it though. I think the intensity of emotion is what it lost the most, & the fact that it was replaced with alot of technical aspects of the story. So it didn't flow as organically for me, later in the book.
Though this was still a good read. I would recommend it. But it started out as a 5 star read & closed with a solid 3.75 star rating.
June 17, 2015
Lucy Varna ventures into the world of Sci fi Romance, and I love it.. I'm a huge fan of her other series' and was excited to hear she was writing sci fi romance...
Ryn lives on a world with a low population of females, so he sets out with raiders from his planet to steal a wife! Enter Ziri, yay not at all a week snivelling female who instantly falls for her captor.. We follow their journey to Ryn's world with many adventures along the way.. From wonderful alien market places to an aggressive race of aliens known as Sweepers.. No spoilers..
I loved that the author didn't write an Insta love novel.. And with Ms Varnas amazing ability to captures a readers attention with her vivid details and her amazing storylines drag them into her world.. the good,the bad, the ugly and the Stinky!
Although the book didn't end with a cliff hanger it did leave me wanting more.. More into the Pruxnae ( why do they have so few females?) The Sweepers (why are they so Aggressive?) and I really want to read more about Ryn's feisty Sister Tyelu..
I love Ms Varnas books and The Choosing will be another added to my rereads and favourites list.
I would recommend this book to all fans of Lucy Varna and fans of the Science fiction Romance genre..
*I received an ARC for Review*
Ryn lives on a world with a low population of females, so he sets out with raiders from his planet to steal a wife! Enter Ziri, yay not at all a week snivelling female who instantly falls for her captor.. We follow their journey to Ryn's world with many adventures along the way.. From wonderful alien market places to an aggressive race of aliens known as Sweepers.. No spoilers..
I loved that the author didn't write an Insta love novel.. And with Ms Varnas amazing ability to captures a readers attention with her vivid details and her amazing storylines drag them into her world.. the good,the bad, the ugly and the Stinky!
Although the book didn't end with a cliff hanger it did leave me wanting more.. More into the Pruxnae ( why do they have so few females?) The Sweepers (why are they so Aggressive?) and I really want to read more about Ryn's feisty Sister Tyelu..
I love Ms Varnas books and The Choosing will be another added to my rereads and favourites list.
I would recommend this book to all fans of Lucy Varna and fans of the Science fiction Romance genre..
*I received an ARC for Review*
July 2, 2015
This first half of this book was brutally slow for me. It finally picked up but I can say I wasn't a fan of this one. it's was ok and had tons of.potential but the lack of communication between the hero and heroine was a bit much.
August 17, 2015
Lucy Varna takes a familiar SF trope -- Mars Needs Women-- and adds something interesting: a formal choice. Essentially, the kidnapped Ziri gets to choose her mate after her abduction to an alien planet. "The Choosing" ritual itself is surprisingly more complex than I anticipated, stressing a strong female h, not just a hot alien H.
The end is result is a great read. It is a bit if a slow burn --it takes a while for the chemistry between the couple to get working--but the solid plot and fully-developed characters make this much better than too much of SF romance which skimps on believability or even a decent storyline. My only true complaint is that the H is too human here. After reading Venemous, I have a fondness for weird-ass alien alphas I guess.
The Choosing is worth reading!
The end is result is a great read. It is a bit if a slow burn --it takes a while for the chemistry between the couple to get working--but the solid plot and fully-developed characters make this much better than too much of SF romance which skimps on believability or even a decent storyline. My only true complaint is that the H is too human here. After reading Venemous, I have a fondness for weird-ass alien alphas I guess.
The Choosing is worth reading!
June 12, 2015
This is an excellent entry into the "Mars Needs Women" trope of science fiction romance. Ryn belongs to a race of men long accustomed to raiding for wives. Ziri has the misfortune of catching his eye. The set-up is such that you expect a chest-beating alpha, intent on mating. What you get instead is a sweet love story, with a hero who has been counseled by his father to be patient and kind to the woman he captures as his prize.
Lucy Varna has borrowed from various, familiar stories and cultures to create her own world for the Pruxnae and the Tersii. The science fiction elements are a loose frame around the central love story. The Pruxnae culture resembled a Viking civilization in space, with emphasis on raiding and trading practices abroad and a bucolic yet boisterous life at home. Both the Pruxnae and Vernii societies seem to lead primitive home lives (i.e. sheep farming, loom weaving and paper bookstores) where technological advances are not integrated into daily lives. The method and fear engendered of a Sweepers attack reminded me somewhat of the Reavers in the Firefly/Serenity universe, but the Sweepers had a distinctly different morphology. As bad guys, they were pretty creepy, but I couldn't get away from the sense that I was in the middle of a video game skirmish as the battle scenes between the humanoids and the Sweepers unfolded. Even the download of the Pruxnae language to Ziri seemed borrowed from "Johnny Mnemonic." For all that I recognized these bits and pieces, they were seamlessly woven into Varna's novel.
A lot goes unexplained in this book. We never find out why the Pruxnae have so few women. We never learn why technology is not more integrated. And why are the Sweepers getting more aggressive? But since this is book one, I can only hope more is to be discovered in future books.
Ryn operates on the theory that you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Ziri operates on the theory that she has to get away. It is a lot of fun watching Ryn practice his wiles on Ziri, all without the benefit of a common language. Hand motions and a few hot cuddles say a lot. The truth is, I really liked both these characters and was rooting for them.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, but there are clear avenues for more stories within Varna's Pruxnae universe -- hopefully featuring some side characters we meet in this book (I'm voting for Ryn's sister's story next!).
Lucy Varna has borrowed from various, familiar stories and cultures to create her own world for the Pruxnae and the Tersii. The science fiction elements are a loose frame around the central love story. The Pruxnae culture resembled a Viking civilization in space, with emphasis on raiding and trading practices abroad and a bucolic yet boisterous life at home. Both the Pruxnae and Vernii societies seem to lead primitive home lives (i.e. sheep farming, loom weaving and paper bookstores) where technological advances are not integrated into daily lives. The method and fear engendered of a Sweepers attack reminded me somewhat of the Reavers in the Firefly/Serenity universe, but the Sweepers had a distinctly different morphology. As bad guys, they were pretty creepy, but I couldn't get away from the sense that I was in the middle of a video game skirmish as the battle scenes between the humanoids and the Sweepers unfolded. Even the download of the Pruxnae language to Ziri seemed borrowed from "Johnny Mnemonic." For all that I recognized these bits and pieces, they were seamlessly woven into Varna's novel.
A lot goes unexplained in this book. We never find out why the Pruxnae have so few women. We never learn why technology is not more integrated. And why are the Sweepers getting more aggressive? But since this is book one, I can only hope more is to be discovered in future books.
Ryn operates on the theory that you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Ziri operates on the theory that she has to get away. It is a lot of fun watching Ryn practice his wiles on Ziri, all without the benefit of a common language. Hand motions and a few hot cuddles say a lot. The truth is, I really liked both these characters and was rooting for them.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger, but there are clear avenues for more stories within Varna's Pruxnae universe -- hopefully featuring some side characters we meet in this book (I'm voting for Ryn's sister's story next!).
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April 14, 2025
3.5
A lot of their issues come from jumping to conclusions and not communicating after they are able to understand each other.
A lot of their issues come from jumping to conclusions and not communicating after they are able to understand each other.
July 28, 2017
I really liked this one. I loved Ziri and Ryn grew on me pretty quick. The world-building was well-done and created a nice environment for the story to unfold.
May 9, 2024
DNF at 70%. I wanted to smack both main characters. I can't stand the miscommunication trope. Both characters wanted the same thing and were complete idiots. They were both absolutely convinced the other didn't want them. They refused to think otherwise even though they TOLD EACH OTHER they did and even family members told them. I ain't got time for that about of thick-headedness.
June 19, 2015
I honestly had no idea what to expect with this one, I had never heard of science fiction romance as a genre mashup before! I was initially thrown off by the captive/prisoner perspective, but it was intriguing to see how Varna spun it in a way that worked. I like that Ziri is the one that ultimately has to make the decisions though I think I would have liked to know a little more background of the Pruxnae before the fight.
The whole book also setup a great launch point for a series of books, there are certainly other aspects of the universe that I am very interested in seeing! Ryn’s family has so many intriguing characters. I prefer the Daughters of the People series, but this was a very welcome and unique read that I’d highly recommend to science fiction fans.
Warning: Contains sexual content and violence.
Who should read it? Science Fiction and Romance fans! I had never tried a mashup of the two genres, but was pleasantly surprised!
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
The whole book also setup a great launch point for a series of books, there are certainly other aspects of the universe that I am very interested in seeing! Ryn’s family has so many intriguing characters. I prefer the Daughters of the People series, but this was a very welcome and unique read that I’d highly recommend to science fiction fans.
Warning: Contains sexual content and violence.
Who should read it? Science Fiction and Romance fans! I had never tried a mashup of the two genres, but was pleasantly surprised!
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
July 8, 2015
2.5 stars
Plot: C
I love the premise of this book. I really enjoy reading about other worlds, and heroes that capture females to be their mate, and all that ensues. Bit the execution of this story was poor. It lacked spark, and a wow factor. It was a bit boring. It wasn't romantic at all.
Characters: D
Ziri was an EXTREMELY frustrating character. I get that she was kidnapped. But she treated Ryn so poorly even though he was totally awesome. She even kissed somebody else, and then wondered why he acted the way he did. She keeps thinking about choosing someone else. I want to punch Ryn's sister in the throat after smacking some sense into Ziri.. Ryn is awesome. I felt bad for him. That he got put through so much. He worked so hard to get a woman, and he treated her like she was precious.
Heat: D
Not spicy at all. Only of couple of blah scenes. I skipped through most of them.
Overall, this book was not to my liking. I couldn't stand Ziri's flip flopping and indecisiveness. She ruined the story for me.
Plot: C
I love the premise of this book. I really enjoy reading about other worlds, and heroes that capture females to be their mate, and all that ensues. Bit the execution of this story was poor. It lacked spark, and a wow factor. It was a bit boring. It wasn't romantic at all.
Characters: D
Ziri was an EXTREMELY frustrating character. I get that she was kidnapped. But she treated Ryn so poorly even though he was totally awesome. She even kissed somebody else, and then wondered why he acted the way he did. She keeps thinking about choosing someone else. I want to punch Ryn's sister in the throat after smacking some sense into Ziri.. Ryn is awesome. I felt bad for him. That he got put through so much. He worked so hard to get a woman, and he treated her like she was precious.
Heat: D
Not spicy at all. Only of couple of blah scenes. I skipped through most of them.
Overall, this book was not to my liking. I couldn't stand Ziri's flip flopping and indecisiveness. She ruined the story for me.
January 25, 2017
While I enjoyed the first half of this book, the second half got bogged down in the H and h's insecurities and misunderstandings. The way the H went from hot and Alpha to cold and whipped puppy was so annoying. Too much push/pull for the entire last half. I lost interest and began to skim.
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June 13, 2015
I liked this one a lot. Even though it was kidnapper/captive, there was choice and a nice slow development of their relationship without abuse.
December 20, 2015
found it so weird that, after being kidnapped, the kidnappees have to fight for the kidnappers.
December 5, 2020
This is book 2 in Varna's series The Pruxnae. A sci-fi romance that has action, adventure, kidnapping, romance and steamy chemistry. Main characters are Ziri Mokuru, kidnapped by Ryn abid Alna in a raid of her planet in hopes of finding a bride. While Ziri never really found her place on her planet it was her home with loving parents. Ryn has taken her away from everything she's ever known but given her adventures she's always dreamed of. Will that be enough to win her heart? Full of self doubts these two lack communication from the very beginning and find themselves struggling. Will they be able to overcome their lack of communication and doubt to find what they both truly desire?!?
Narration was very well done. Love the dual narration that helped keep characters separate and brought them both to life. Smooth tones and easy to listen to and follow the storyline.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
Narration was very well done. Love the dual narration that helped keep characters separate and brought them both to life. Smooth tones and easy to listen to and follow the storyline.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
February 1, 2025
I really liked to read about different alien species and their customs and stuff, but I would have liked to get a kind of explanation for why this became their custom and for the mmc to feel some guilt.
It does make sense that they have to find mates elsewhere bc their female population is so small, but why do they then train them to fight other women that want these men? Why let them get injured if they are so precious, and why kidnap them in the first place if you do have other (kidnapped?) women fighting for your attention? I get that they want to let the kidnapped women have to get a say in it, but they still force them into marriage, and they can't return to their home planet. It's like they wait for the Stockholm syndrom to set in, and if it doesn't, they try if it works with another guy.
Other than that I really liked the book and the writing, but towards the end, I just got bored and annoyed. The story started to repeat itself, and there was so much miscommunication!
It does make sense that they have to find mates elsewhere bc their female population is so small, but why do they then train them to fight other women that want these men? Why let them get injured if they are so precious, and why kidnap them in the first place if you do have other (kidnapped?) women fighting for your attention? I get that they want to let the kidnapped women have to get a say in it, but they still force them into marriage, and they can't return to their home planet. It's like they wait for the Stockholm syndrom to set in, and if it doesn't, they try if it works with another guy.
Other than that I really liked the book and the writing, but towards the end, I just got bored and annoyed. The story started to repeat itself, and there was so much miscommunication!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2020
Title: The Choosing
Author: Lucy Varna
Format: Audio
Narrator: Angel Clark, Matthew Josdal
Genre: SciFi Alien Romance, military, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book one of The Pruxnae
POV: Ziri, Bryn
4/5
The Pruxnae are an alien race whose females are massively outnumbered by the males so they steal their potential brides. I like how Lucy Varna builds both the tension and the love between the characters. I like how Ziri is stronger than she seems and give Ryn a run for the money, not making it easy on him. I liked finding out what The Choosing entailed and seeing more of Alna and Gared from Thief of Hearts. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the Pruxnae.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Author: Lucy Varna
Format: Audio
Narrator: Angel Clark, Matthew Josdal
Genre: SciFi Alien Romance, military, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book one of The Pruxnae
POV: Ziri, Bryn
4/5
The Pruxnae are an alien race whose females are massively outnumbered by the males so they steal their potential brides. I like how Lucy Varna builds both the tension and the love between the characters. I like how Ziri is stronger than she seems and give Ryn a run for the money, not making it easy on him. I liked finding out what The Choosing entailed and seeing more of Alna and Gared from Thief of Hearts. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the Pruxnae.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 21, 2022
I listened the audible version of this story and enjoyed it a lot. The narrators did a fantastic job with the characters. This paranormal story had action and was a good slow burn but steamy read. I enjoyed Ziri and Ryn characters although I disliked Ryn's sister, but she came through in the end. I liked that Ziri wasn't a weak female character, and I really enjoyed the fight scene, it wasn't a lot, but it was funny. I wished the story had an epilogue or something to add to the end of Ziri and Ryn's story because it seemed as if it ended too abruptly. I needed a little bit more but overall; this was a good paranormal story.
July 3, 2020
I received the audio for free. I like this sci-fi romance. The Pruxnae are farmers and / or warriors. Low female birth rates force them to kidnap their mates from other planets. Ryn has saved for his own ship and a place on the next raiding vessel so he can find a wife. He kidnaps Ziri from the planet Tersi. I liked both Ziri and Ryn. Ryn was patient and Ziri was smart. They worked well together. There were some silly misunderstandings but all was quickly resolved. The dual narration was very good as well. I've already started listening to the next book in the series.
July 26, 2020
I really liked it other than a few nitpicks here and there. It really annoyed me when the H basically did a 180 and regretted choosing the h right after the actual choosing took place. He was super cold to her and acted indifferent. All because she admitted that the other suit who was courting for her favour had kissed her. Nothing more.
May 12, 2025
saved by kidnapping
A story akin to 7 brides for 7 brothers in which a young woman is kidnapped in an alien raid to find mates. It is a 'romance' in which the two do not really understand each other for a long time but are able to get along as he treats her kindly. Ziri and Run come to an understanding.
A story akin to 7 brides for 7 brothers in which a young woman is kidnapped in an alien raid to find mates. It is a 'romance' in which the two do not really understand each other for a long time but are able to get along as he treats her kindly. Ziri and Run come to an understanding.
June 21, 2017
Love and adventure
This is a decent sci-fi read, written mostly in third person. A little slow at the beginning but it soon picked up. Ziri is independent and strong( I connected with her quickly). Ryn is strong and patient. They are a perfect pair.
This is a decent sci-fi read, written mostly in third person. A little slow at the beginning but it soon picked up. Ziri is independent and strong( I connected with her quickly). Ryn is strong and patient. They are a perfect pair.
February 16, 2020
I wasn't sure if I was going to get into the story after reading the first few chapters. I kept going and glad I did! Hot Alpha raids for his bride. I didn't like how H developed halfway through but overall was a good story and loved reading about the different worlds.
June 9, 2017
I know that I like the characters, and the bases of the story, but... at some point I lost it...I read it again and still find difficult to remember how it ends ;?
Want to Read
May 11, 2024Prch Amz May 5, 2024
May 5, 2025
4.5 yarinska stars
Really loved this book.
Really loved this book.
February 13, 2017
3.5 stars!
February 27, 2017
Great Storytelling
It is the way of his adopted people to pay a bride price and kidnap the female of your choice from other planets. Then it's up to the female to decide if you are the man for her by fighting for you at the Choosing. This is the basis for the story, The Choosing. Ry has been working hard to save up the standard bride price, taking every hard job he could find all while building a home and a flock to support the family he's always dreamed of. Ziri has always wanted a husband who loves her and children to care for. It took her a while, but she finally found a job at a bookstore that makes her happy, but she still longs for love. Ryn has been spying on Ziri for a while and decides that she will make a fine mate. He kidnaps her, transports to his ship, and then he has to convince Ziri that he is the man for her. What was to be a slow journey back to his home turns into an adventure of a lifetime. Can Ryn show Ziri how good it can be? Can he protect her and provide for her? Will she ever forgive him for kidnapping her and taking her away from the only life she's ever known? This story is so well thought out, I feel like I understand exactly how Ziri feels. But I can also emphasize with Ryn, and that's the very real dilemma. Wonderful storytelling and deep characters make for a satisfying HEA. Can't recommend this author enough. This is my first time reading the work of this author but it definitely won't be the last.
It is the way of his adopted people to pay a bride price and kidnap the female of your choice from other planets. Then it's up to the female to decide if you are the man for her by fighting for you at the Choosing. This is the basis for the story, The Choosing. Ry has been working hard to save up the standard bride price, taking every hard job he could find all while building a home and a flock to support the family he's always dreamed of. Ziri has always wanted a husband who loves her and children to care for. It took her a while, but she finally found a job at a bookstore that makes her happy, but she still longs for love. Ryn has been spying on Ziri for a while and decides that she will make a fine mate. He kidnaps her, transports to his ship, and then he has to convince Ziri that he is the man for her. What was to be a slow journey back to his home turns into an adventure of a lifetime. Can Ryn show Ziri how good it can be? Can he protect her and provide for her? Will she ever forgive him for kidnapping her and taking her away from the only life she's ever known? This story is so well thought out, I feel like I understand exactly how Ziri feels. But I can also emphasize with Ryn, and that's the very real dilemma. Wonderful storytelling and deep characters make for a satisfying HEA. Can't recommend this author enough. This is my first time reading the work of this author but it definitely won't be the last.
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